~Odani Castle, Omi~

"You are lord Azai? There is a gentleness about you" Oichi smiled and bowed her head politely before looking up again in shock. "Aren't...you...?" She tilted her head in thought before blushing lightly. "Never..mind.."

"Indeed it is I! Nagamasa, Leader of the Azai. But I am taken aback, you are more beautiful than I imagined! Truth be told, my servant sought to frighten me with tales of the sister of the Demon King" Nagamasa rubbed his neck awkwardly before mumbling "..and you're the girl I fell in love with back then..."

Oichi laughed happily "I have also heard dark stories about you, my lord. I'm just so happy that..." She blushed heavily before covering her face in embarrassment. "..I'm so happy.. Fate is really amazing." Nagamasa smiled warmly "Laughter invites good fortune after all! Whatever reservations one may have in this world, anything can be resolves, face-to-face. At least, that is what I believe."

"How true my lord! I was so nervous about meeting you... but.." She trailed off and covered her face slightly "Someone told me to stay positive. I'm truly happy I chose to do that."

"I am the luckiest man in the world! To be blessed with a woman of such beauty" Nagamasa laughed happily and held Oichi's hand tightly.(Hideyoshi grumbled something incomprehensible before getting slapped by Nene and poked by Toshiie.)

"Though I am young and not without fault, there is nothing I would not do for you!" Nagamasa exclaimed happily as he clenched his fists with determination. Oichi nodded happily and replied "Yes, as your wife, I will devote myself to you in return."

"Thank you Lady Oichi! No, Ichi! With that, I welcome you into the Azai family!"

~x~x~x~x~

"Wow! Aren't Lady Oichi and Nagamasa the cutest couple ever?" Gracia smiled happily as the group saw the happy couple blissfully walking in their own little world. "Yes. I'm happy for Lady Oichi. Hopefully this alliance will be a long-lasting one. " Amaya spoke calmly before remembering something "Ah, we haven't rested in while, why not go down to the city?"

"Haanbeeii! Waaiiit uppp!" In the distance, Chisa's yelling could be heard as she tried to catch up to Hanbei's over-energetic running.

"I wonder when I'll find a guy..." Sumire looked somewhat enviously at the two "Eh? But you're so pretty Sumi! " Gracia

"Teehee! Of course I am!" She laughed and arrogantly flicked her hair back " Haah.. it's just that Nii-san always manages to scare off all the guys interested in me."

"Then just get rid of him" An unfamiliar female voice spoke calmly. Lady Nō walked slowly towards them with a strange smile on her face.

"Eeek! L-lady Nō..." The girls shakily stood up and bowed politely to her. She smiled and waved a hand "No need for formalities. I was just curious about my dear niece, how are you Gracia? Oh? Amaya is here too." Amaya nodded politely at her as Nō looked curiously at her "how's Mitsuhide? I guess he's still as stiff as always."

She shrugged elegantly and looked at Sumire before extending a palm towards her. "Here, take this. It'll help you. Just kill your brother and that's that." Shining brightly on her upturned palm was a tiny hidden dagger. "Teehee! You're so funny my lady!" Sumire laughed with amusement as she took the dagger and examined it. "You make such funny jokes!"

"umm I don't think she's joking Sumi!" Gracia tugged her sleeves in alarm as Nō waved a hand and left. "...Gara... your aunt is scary...but cool.."

~x~x~x~x~

"Wow! I wonder what's going on!" Gracia tugged Amaya by the hand and pushed her way through a huge crowd. "Huh? What's this?"

In the centre of the group, Okuni was dancing while people clapped and cheered. "My, what a pretty face!" Gracia looked admiringly at Okuni's graceful figure. "I wish I could be like her..." Amaya patted her on the shoulder "Haha, you're pretty too Gracia. I'm sure you'll be like her when you're more mature." Gracia pouted slightly and placed her hands on her hips "Ama! You're sounding more and more like my father each day!" Amaya raised an eyebrow and smiled gently before the two turned back to watch Okuni's dance. After she finished dancing, Okuni went around collecting money "donations for Izumo shrine! Come now, don't be stingy! Thank you~ thank YOU! Thanks so much!"

"Sumi, tell me! What are these donations for?" Gracia turned around sharply and began to question her as she pointed out Okuni. Sumire smirked before speaking softly to Gracia "She's using the name of a shrine to squeeze money out of people. You should stay away from scammers like her!" Gracia's eyes widened in alarm as she clapped her hands over her mouth in horror. "So, Sumi, she is taking their money by... dishonest means?" Sumire nodded solemnly, "Mmhmm! You should stay away. I'm sure that's what Mitsuhide meant when he told us to be careful!."

"You there, young lady, did you say something? " Okuni approached the group with a cat-like smile on her face. "My! It looks like the gods have brought us together! Such beautiful maidens! How much would you like to donate?"

"Teehee! Of course I'm beautiful! Ah! Sorry. I'm not falling for that." Sumire clicked her tongue and looked in another direction. "That's right! Umm Ama?" Gracia looked for Amaya for help but she was busy examining a display of fabric. "Ara! You really don't have any money to spare? The temple at Izumo is in a terrible state!" Okuni smiled a sickly sweet smile laced with menace "You two can spare something...right?"

"..." Intimidated, Sumire and Gracia gave her all their money. Okuni accepted it with a charming smile and did a small dance before gliding off. "Ara! How generous! May you two be blessed!"

"Argh! Again! Ugh!" Sumire angrily stamped her foot and punched a nearby wall "That's why I hate that conniving priestess!That creepy smile! She reminds me of that girl with the Azai! Urgh!" She aimed another angry kick at the wall for good measure before whipping around, grabbing Gracia by the shoulders "Listen Gracia! Women like her, you HAVE to avoid. At all costs! With that smile, you just can't say no! It's so horrible!" She dramatically crumpled to the ground and sobbed.

"Whew, this town is scary! I want to go back now!" Gracia pouted and tugged Amaya's sleeve." Ama? Is something wrong?" Amaya was silently looking off into the distance, her forehead creased in concentration. "Hmmm...where did Sumire go again?"

~x~x~x~x~

Sumire was wandering through the inn searching for Takeshi, when she saw a man sleeping while standing against the wall. "Hmmm…This guy looks familiar...whoa!" She jerked back as Masamune suddenly opened his eye and stared back at her with a scowl on his face. "kyaa!" she blushed immediately and was about to jump back and flee when Masamune moved first.

"What the?*wham*" Masamune suddenly twisted Sumire's wrist violently pushing her to the floor."Hah! Trying to kill me in broad daylight? You imbecile!"

"ACK!" Masamune yelled in surprise seeing that there was no assassin, only a childish looking girl. "Hmph. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that. I thought you were a ninja. Forgive me, that was a bit rough for a lady, did I hurt you?

"I remember him now! That Masamune guy!" Sumire purposely made her eyes fill with tears as she sniffled and sobbed "yes! That really hurt!" she started to fake cry while dramatically wailing. "Argh! Stop! S-s-stop it! Stop crying!" Masamune frantically looked around to see if anyone was coming. "I said I was sorry!" he yelled a vein popping slightly, honestly this girl was a pain! "hmm..wait a minute..." his eye narrowed as he began piecing bits of his memory together.

"YOU! Imbecile! Because of you..." He clenched his fists tightly and the sounds of his teeth being ground echoed through the hallway "Do you know how much trouble you caused for me? How much humiliation I had to endure? HUH?"

"Eeek! I...I'm so sorry! I needed some money to help my sick mother! *sniffles* I never meant to damage your reputation! " Sumire made her eyes fill with tears and bowed deeply. "I *sniffles* am so sorry. Please accept my apologies."

"..I..err." Masamune looked uncomfortable as he scratched his head. "S-so what! Fine! I'll forgive you. THIS TIME ONLY!...What?" Sumire's face immediately lit up and offered a hand "So...we're all good? Yay! If you ever need a good mercenary, call me! I'm Sumire Hanabusa!"

"Hmph!" Masamune smacked her hand out of the way "I'll be taking this then" He grabbed the bag of manju she was carrying and walked off." I've already got my hands full with another annoying mercenary. Huh. Magoichi that retard."

"Noo! I can't believe someone stole so easily from me!" She pulled her hands over her cheeks in surprise before placing her hands on her hips. "hmmm but he IS sort of a nice guy..Teehee! I love it when he's all angry! It's so funny!oh! HEY!" She ran frantically towards him waving her arms. "Magoichi! You said Magoichi! Where is he right now?"

"...BACK OFF IMBECILE!" An enraged Masamune pushed Sumire away from him as she flailed her arms around happily "he's...in town somewhere..right now..."

"Thanks! Bye!" As soon as she heard what she needed, Sumire sped out the door leaving behind a stunned Masamune. "What a weirdo."

~X~X~X~X

"Shh don't move. Move and you're dead. Sorry, but I'm going to have to kill you." Sumire spun around to see a barrel of a gun right in her face. "What? Thought I was faking? At this distance, there's nowhere to run. And now a little something to take with you to the netherworld, I am Magoichi Saika, the last man you'll ever see-huh?" The man holding the gun stopped abruptly in surprise "Huh? Now why would he have a grudge against such a cute girl?" He scratched his head in surprise; however his gun remained pointed directly at her. "Oh! I guess I shouldn't point this at a good looking girl should I?"

"Magoichi? NO WAY! HOW CAN YOU NOT RECOGNISE ME? " Sumire angrily whacked the gun barrel out of the way before proceeding to elbow Magoichi in the stomach. "Ugh! I can't believe you!What a dimwit! Honestly!"

"Ooof! Huh? I don't think I've ever seen you before...and I never forget a pretty face...hang on.." He placed a hand under his chin and studied Sumire's face intently before opening his mouth wide in shock. "Are you… Sumire Hanabusa? Is that you?" he chuckled slightly, rubbing his pained stomach "No other girl elbows me like that."

"About time! Geez !you're slow! I mean, I haven't changed THAT much, have I?" she sulked and glared at him. "Whoa… what, it's been 5 years since we last met? Whew! You look so different now! I mean, you've certainly grown….. and not just in height, if you know what I mean" he glanced briefly at her womanly assets before getting a right uppercut in the face. "Urgh! Anyway, after helping the Date out at Okehazama, I picked up another job. Never knew you were the target, what have you been doing these past 5 years?"

"Well, I took your advice and became a mercenary, sooo Magoichi? Wanna tell me who hired you? " she cracked her knuckles " I want to give him a personal message."

"Ah,ah,ah! I'm a mercenary. You of all people should know, we can't disclose our clients to anyone." He playfully ruffled her head before clicking his tongue. "Ugh that's it. I'm definitely not doing this job. There's no way in hell I'd turn my gun against a friend." He shrugged and slung his gun over his shoulders, "Hey Sumire, Takeshi's waiting for you as well."

~x~x~x~

"ooh! Nii-saaan!" A light green blur flew the air and barrelled into Takeshi who opened his mouth in shock before registering what had happened.

"Sumire!...are you alright?... no injuries?...no stalkers?...nothing?..." He . began fussing over her like an over-protective parent; looking to see if there were any injuries before breathing a huge sigh of relief."...so...glad..." He smiled faintly before collapsing to the ground. "..NII-SAN!"

"Haha! That ditz!" A hearty male voice boomed through the room as Magoichi walked casually in. "He was wandering around the battlefield when I ran into him. You know, as soon as he had the chance, he ran off looking for you. Course, I couldn't leave a ditz like him alone so I followed him. Luckily we ran into you eh?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Sumire waved away Magoichi and gave her brother a hug " Oh! Nii-san! I'm helping Mitsuhide from the Saito right now! You should meet him! He's really interesting ! and he pays pretty good!"

~A month later, Kiyosu Castle, Owari~

"Muahaha. Looks like next is Mino." Nobunaga smirked as he casually stabbed a dagger onto the map. "Yoshitatsu has retired and his foolish son Tatsuoki is now ruler. Hmph the viper has now become a squirming worm." Kanbei Kuroda directed a gaze at No who seemed unaffected by the declaration of war."Heheh. Spilling the blood of my family." No's eyes looked wistfully into the distance as she stroked her dagger "How enchanting."

"..um, pardon me but.." Toshiie Maeda gulped slightly, intimidated by No's presence."Won't this damage the alliance between Mino and Owari?

"Hmph. Not to worry, the Azai will be assisting us as, after that, Mino is ours." Nobunaga smirked. Toshiie lightly elbowed Hideyoshi whose face lit up with excitement at the thought of being able to see Oichi again. Katsuie Shibata shifted uncomfortably before coughing lightly ."hpmh." Nobunaga ignored or prentended to ignore all this and raised a hand "We will be attacking Inabayama. Show no mercy"

Heya! yeah..this chapter was kinda like a filler. I needed something to happen while I ...raised the level of hype for Inabayama...y-yeah. Funnily enough, as soon as I get an idea, I type it up..so I have bits and pieces of chapters written up but the hard part is..filling in the gaps to make them ! Don't worry!The next chapters going to be better..I hope! Thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed this! I love you guys! You know..on a random note..I really wish Samurai Warriors had more love..even from KOEI...wells. teeheee see you!

Side Story 2: All roads lead to home...eventually..

"Chisa! Can you do me a favour?" Nagamasa smiled kindly at Chisa who looked up at him with earnest. He looked around frantically before lowering his voice to a furtive whisper "Naotsune keeps on hiding my sweets! He says I can't eat too much. So, Chisa, please head to Najika Village and buy me a bag of mochi." He passed a small bag of coins towards her and whispered quietly "keep this a secret from Naotsune, OK?"

"Sure! Of course Nagamasa!" She chirped happily as she nodded excitedly and began skipping off towards the next village. "Ah! All the roads look the same!" She pulled out the map and studied it carefully "Hmm... this doesn't make sense! Aha! It must be upside down!" She flipped it over and stared in confusion. "uwaah!" She let go of it absentmindedly and began tearing her hair. "AH! Come back! Please!" A sudden gust of strong wind blew the map away, leading to a desperate Chisa following the path of the map. And getting even more hopelessly lost.

2 Days later~

"Umm.. can you tell me how to get to Odani castle? ...that way? Thank you!...eh? THAT way?Oh! Sorry!"

~1.5 weeks later~

"Umm.. can you tell me how to get to Odani castle? ...ummm Nagamasa Azai's domain!...oh! Yes,I am Chisa Hanabira...you know me...? Yes! I will hurry back home! Thanks so much for this picture of me! I don't remember you at all though!"

~3 weeks later~

"Umm.. can you tell me how to get to Odani castle? ...Huh? I'm all the way in Shikoku?uwaah! I feel...faint..."

~One month later~

"Thank so much for escorting me back sir!...eh? My picture was posted all over Omi? *gasp* Nagamasa must be so angry! ...Ah! Nagamasa!*sobs* I'm sorry!"

"Chisa. You're never going out alone ok? We were so worried!" A teary-eyed Nagamasa gave her a bear hug before looking confusedly at her "How in the world did you get so lost?.Ah..I don't want to know." He shook his head before giving her a pat on the head."I'm glad you're back home, safe."

I couldn't resist doing this...Chisa is pretty cute, yes...I made her so moe-moe! Again...I did mention an incident where she once went missing for a month..so here it was! Hope you enjoyed that one Gianti-Faith!