Hello everyone, I have returned! It's been so long since I've updated my story, I had this chapter tucked away in the bowels of my google docs but I will continue it (because I love the game so much), I will update weekly or biweekly so please enjoy.
"You get up," I felt a kick at my side. It was Saizo in his non-gentle attempt to wake me. Slowly I sat up and yawned as the glow of the sun blinded my eyes, I wanted to go back to sleep, the feeling of drifting into slumber felt good instead of all this walking and hiding from Nobunaga's men.
"We must keep going, until we reach Iga we cannot stay in the same place for too long; let's go" Saizo kicked me again, harder this time, I grunted as I obeyed.
Goemon had spent the night with that Maemi lady, that pretty tart with no morals and no shame, I bad mouthed the girl as much as I could, in my mind of course. But that is what ninja's have to do, seduce for information, if I was to be the Kusunoki princess would that unsavory task fall upon me as well? The lives of people rested upon my shoulders, people I has yet to meet but people I must protect.
"Where will we be heading today?" I asked Saizo who was leaning against the wall casually.
"The next safe house, one of our allies will be waiting, then we make the transfer, Kotaro will be with you tonight"
"Why is it that you all have to rotate in escorting me?" I wondered, it was odd, it would be easier for one to stay with me instead of switching every day.
Sazio looked in my direction "It's simple really, the less time we spend with you, the less we will get attached, we are here to protect you, not befriend you"
"I see…," it felt like I wasn't even a person anymore, just a pawn in a greater scheme of things. A beacon.
"At this rate we should be in Iga in two days, our cover is farmers, you are my wife" he debriefed me on today's lie.
He made me carry a basket containing bushel of wheat to a farm cart, at least we didn't have to walk on foot anymore.
"Quit dawdling, pay attention", he sharply said.
"Sorry, I was lost in thought"
One samurai began to approach me as she ventured to the cart, I pretend not to notice but in the corner of my eye she watched him. Just as she was about to place the wheat he grabbed my arm and spun me around.
"You", his deep voice scared her, and his grip was frightening.
"Yes?", I answered as calmly as I could, fighting back the quivering feeling that was rising up inside of me.
"You look too beautiful to be a farmer", he began to say and I gulped hoping he hadn't figured out who I was "You know someone like you could make a lot of money entertaining my friends and I, what do you say?"
He tossed a bag full of coins into the air and sharply caught it. How dare he, I cannot be bought.
"I'll pass", I kept laying the wheat perfectly on the farm cart.
"Do you think you're too good for me?!", he grabbed both my wrists and began to haul me away "A poor woman like you should be grateful someone like me would even consider her worthy for Nobunaga's elite samurai"
"Is there a reason you're harassing my wife?" Saizo pried the man's hands off of me. My wrists were red now and sore. A lowly samurai being forceful with me? The nerve.
"This doesn't concern you, I want that woman, she refused my most gracious offer" he tried to push Saizo out of the way but Saizo grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back and calmly threatened him.
"Leave my wife alone, unless you no longer have use for this arm"
When Saizo released him the man scurried away like a cat with his tail between his legs.
"Thank you Saizo", I said relieved.
He looked at me with no emotion whatsoever "I only saved you because its part of my mission, don't cause a lot of trouble for me, you're already deadweight"
"Were you always a jerk or did it just happened over time?", I asked condescending.
"Just shut up and let's go" he sat waiting for me to board the farm cart.
I had no intention to keep quiet now, I wasn't going to allow myself to be disrespected. I climbed and sat beside him.
"I will not shut up, I'm just curious who you think you are talking to like that, I mean I figured you had a bad-mouth but I didn't think you were so unprofessional as to insult the woman that was chosen as your princess", I sat refined, happier that I said something instead of being told I'm basically useless.
He said nothing else as we rode to the next safe house. It was kind of upsetting he had to rebuttal to my speech, but I guess the best way to get me to stop talking is for him to not start a conversation. He was right in a way, I've undergone no training as of yet, in a fight I could be easily overtaken but it's not my fault, they told me I was the Kusunoki princess out of the blue and are now sneaking me all the way to Iga. At least my thoughts kept me company, even if he didn't.
"We're here", he said as we came to a slow stop, the house was bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.
"Even if you hate me, thank you again for protecting me, despite it being your obligation", I bowed in thanks even if he didn't deserve it.
He just folded his arms.
"Please stay safe on your departure, I will work hard to become a princess worthy of the ninja"
"We all count on you to unite us, don't let us down", he turned and walked away.
"Princess, please come inside", Kotaro walked up beside me.
"Good evening Kotaro, please tell me everything you learned recently, over a cup of tea", I smiled, at least Kotaro will be pleasant to talk to, right?