ERIA LOUIS
Eria couldn't believe her eyes. 'Yuki and Sasuke… They're both in Kyoto, too?' "Kyubei, see there is tea ready for our guests," Mitsuhide ordered. "Yes, my lord." "Don't bother. You don't have to pretend to be friendly with us," Yukimura scowled. He clearly wasn't here in a social call. But despite his undisguised hostility, Mitsuhide bowed to him. "I understand you are Yukimura Sanada, vassal to Shingen Takeda. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." '...How did I not realize that Yuki is that one famous Yukimura?'
Mitsuhide's gaze drifted to the man who stood beside Yukimura, "And who is that with you?" he asked. "My name is Sasuke Sarutobi. I am one of Kenshin Uesugi's nokizaru. And …I am from Eria's hometown." Mitsuhide narrowed his gaze, "Her hometown? How interesting." '...Mitsuhide knows I'm from the future. Meaning he should've realized Sasuke is too.' But he did not let it show as he offered the two of them a seat. "And what brings you both here?" Mitsuhide asked. Sasuke cleared his throat, then began- "I happened to observe everything that occurred last night at Honno-ji."
Eria blinked, "You were watching, Sasuke?" He nodded, "Yes. I was happy to finally find Yoshimoto. I was significantly less happy to find him in battle." "You are seeking Lord Yoshimoto?" Mitsuhide questioned. "That featherhead might not look like it, but he's part of the Uesugi-Takeda alliance. At least we see him that way." Yukimura explained. "...And we saw the two of you spare him." Sasuke added. Eria still carried a strong memory of that faint smile, vivid amidst the smoke.
Sasuke cast his gaze aside, "I traced his location after the battle but Yoshimoto isn't the type to just come home because we tell him to." "So we're here to make a deal," Yukimura began, "We want your help in getting Yoshimoto to come back with us." "You want us to encourage a capable general to return to our enemy's side? How amusing." Mitsuhide smirked, "What do we get?" "We'll tell you where Yoshiaki is," Yukimura answered. "...Go on." 'They know where that bastard's went?!'
"You'll also get my and Sasuke's help defeating him. Oh yeah, and that dummy's help too, once we find him." Yukimura explained with Sasuke giving a nod in agreement. "...You'd really help us that much?" Eria questioned. "Didn't we tell you that Echigo's experiencing the same kind of rebellions as the ones popping up in Oda territory? Well, they're ruining our planned war with the Oda, and that's made both our lords pretty mad." Yuki told her. '...I don't think I want to imagine Shingen Takeda OR Kenshin Uesugi mad…'
"My guess is that Yoshimoto doesn't know the Shogun's plot extends into Echigo. If he thought his friends would be hurt, he'd never have agreed to work with him. If we beat the Shogun, it'll set that featherhead straight and give him a reason to come home!" Yuki said, his words igniting a spark of inspiration in Eria. 'See, Yoshimoto? You do have a family waiting for you back in Echigo.' "Now, I don't know why, but Eria seems to have the power to talk some sense into him. You got him to retreat- …So we need you to come along and convince him once more."
Eria gave Yukimura a smile, "Not a problem. I'd be glad to help you guys." All of a sudden, the temperature in the room dropped. Most likely an effect of the clouds that suddenly swarmed over Mitsuhide's face. '...Of course he's not happy. I never told him I was friends with Yuki or Sasuke, and yet here I am, almost rushing to their aid…' Eria glanced at him, "Mitsuhide. I apologize that I've never told you about Yukimura and Sasuke. I understand that working with them is a stretch, but it may be for the best-" "No, I agree. It is for the best." He admitted.
"Really?" Eria questioned. "Yes. In fact, we have a deal," Mitsuhide informed them. 'Wow. He got over that rather quickly…' "Do you not need more time to consider this, my lord?" Kyubei asked. A calm smile formed on Mitsuhide's face, "What is there to consider? I'm the renowned traitor to the Oda forces. I'd work with the devil if it furthered my goals." '...You do work for the devil, Mitsuhide. Look at Nobunaga.' "...Okay then," Yukimura muttered, "Looks like a deal's a deal." "I'd like to thank you both for agreeing," Sasuke spoke up.
But Yuki glared at him, "Sasuke, you don't need to thank them. They're getting stuff out of the deal too. Mitsuhide gets to take out the Shogun and we get Yoshimoto back. After that, we're back to being enemies." The anger hidden in Yukimura's gaze when he looked at the white-haired man was as clear as daylight. "But at this moment, we are friends. Well, perhaps allies is better?" Mitsuhide commented. "I am not anything with Nobunaga Oda's most trusted goon." "Then why ever did you offer me this deal?" Mitsuhide retorted.
"I judge you to be a man who does not scheme or work for his own self-interest." Mitsuhide commented. Yukimura scoffed, "Yeah. I'm not sneaky like you, Kitsune! It's hard to even be in the same room with you. And I could take or leave Yoshimoto too. …Except that he's…he's one of my lord's…he's one of the few family members Lord Shingen has left. I don't want my lord to have to give up on anything else. Ever…" The stern look on Yukimura's face only served to invite silence. It was quite clear that Shingen Takeda held high importance in Yuki's heart.
He cast his gaze aside, "And Yoshimoto…I dunno, it's just not right when he's not around…" "Allow me to translate: 'Though I can't admit it, I too consider Yoshimoto to be part of the squad.'" Sasuke spoke up. "I didn't ask you to translate for me!" "In any case, we have ourselves a mini-alliance. Let's set out early tomorrow morning to see Yoshimoto. I'm looking forward to you persuading him to join our forces, Eria." Sasuke said. "Alright. I'm on it." "...Eria?" Mitsuhide muttered. "Yes, Mitsuhide?" He shook his head, "...No. It is nothing." 'Weird. He never trails off like that…'
Even the stormy clouds that had once loomed over his face were gone. As though they'd never even been there. He opened his heart to Eria, yet he was still good at hiding what he wished to hide. "We'll be waiting for you outside the inn just before dawn. Bye." Yukimura said. "One moment," Mitsuhide interrupted. "Yeah? What?" "How did you discover Yoshiaki's location?" Mitsuhide asked, "He has zealous followers all over the land. It cannot have been easy to track him down."
Yukimura shrugged, "Don't ask me. Ask my lord." "Ah, the famed information net of Shingen Takeda." Mitsuhide muttered. '...Someone more informed than Mitsuhide exists? …That's a bit terrifying.' "I feel the need to include something positive about Lord Kenshin here," Sasuke mumbled. "Why are you getting competitive?" Yukimura asked. Eria shrugged, "Perhaps Sasuke is just proud to work for Kenshin?" Sasuke nodded, "Yes. He's an excellent lord. His one negative is that he likes to randomly assault his employees with deadly force."
Eria furrowed her brows and blinked, "...That's one big negative…" she mumbled. Yukimura shook his head, "It's amazing what you can get used to." "I have heard rumors about the mad war god, Kenshin Uesugi. Enough to make me uninterested in meeting him." Mitsuhide commented with a calm smile.
KENSHIN UESUGI
Far away from civilization in a temple room, three men faced each other. "...I never thought you would be giving us information, Kennyo." Shingen commented. "Yes. You should bring us sake instead." Kenshin frowned. "...This is a temple. We have tea and water. Or you can continue to drink neither." Kennyo informed the God of War. Indeed, their cups of tea were growing cold. Contents completely untouched.
"So, how did you discover the Shogun's whereabouts?" Kenshin asked. "My ninja was watching him-" Kennyo answered, only to be interrupted by Shingen- "So, you've still got the kid with you! Heh, that little rascal always was fond of you. What a cutie," he commented. "...Shogun Yoshiaki…he used one of my brethren in his schemes, condemning him to a gruesome end." Kennyo scowled, as though just having to utter the Shogun's name was a sin in itself. "It is not enough that he dies. He will die a miserable, hopeless death. Meaningless, just like my follower's."
"That's why you contacted me? So that Mitsuhide could be the one to deliver that death to him? Thus setting the Oda forces and the Shogun against each other. Maybe get them to destroy each other…?" Shingen suggested, the lamp's light flickering in his gaze. He frowned, "You really would go to any lengths for revenge… You've changed." "And yet you two agreed to my proposal without a second thought. And you sent your own vassals into that dark affair." Kennyo narrowed his gaze at them, "Do not blame me if they lose their lives."
"I think you've got the wrong idea about us, Kennyo. We're not aiming for our enemies' mass destruction. We're going against the Shogun to get a friend back. Our vassals feel the same," Shingen said. Kenshin glared at Kennyo, "And they're not weak enough to die. They'll live and return, their mission successful." "...I wonder which of us is right?" Kennyo muttered.
ERIA LOUIS
"You keeping up, Eria?" Yukimura asked. "Yep. I'm doing just fine." Eria replied. The five of them were climbing up an empty and increasingly high mountain pathway. Yoshimoto was up ahead, but may not have been for long. They needed to catch up with him. Steady breaths and a stable pace kept Eria going, even though the ground below was damp and tricky to navigate. "I didn't realize how much stamina you'd built up in such a short time." Sasuke commented. "That's thanks to all the training Mitsuhide put me through. I'm a long way from being winded," Eria replied.
"You mustn't push yourself. Eria, stop." Mitsuhide ordered. "Yes, Mitsuhide?" He knelt down before her and slid a hand up her leg. Ignoring the fact that they had an audience, Mitsuhide began rubbing the back of Eria's thigh. 'Uh-? What the hell are you doing, Mitsuhide?' Yukimura and Sasuke stared at them, eyes wide. "It's a little swollen. We should rest." Mitsuhide concluded.
Eria let out an awkward laugh, "...As… thoughtful as that was, perhaps you should have done the private inspection in… private? You know… It's a little embarrassing." Mitsuhide smiled, "That is why I did it." He turned his attention to the other men, "So, gentlemen, for my sweet Eria, we will be taking a brief rest." Yukimura blinked, "...Sweet what?" "Eria, you aren't possibly Mitsuhide Akechi's girlfriend, are you?" Sasuke questioned.
"No-! Well… I actually have no idea." Eria mumbled, flustered. Mitsuhide chuckled, standing up and pulling Eria close by her waist, "Eria is my fiancée, and I am certainly serious about her." he told them. "...Uh, I don't really know what's going on, but, um… If you g-guys want to take a break, that's fine…" Yukimura stuttered awkwardly. Unlike the flustered boys (and Eria), Mitsuhide appeared as calm as ever. 'Well… Now they know about us, erm… I really need to tell Sasuke that I'm not returning to the present…'
"I'm gonna…get some water, maybe. Ah, damnit! I don't even know what's going on and I'm embarrassed!" Yukimura grumbled. "I will go with him to make sure he doesn't fall in. Eria, please rest." Sasuke said. "Perhaps I will go scouting for food," Kyubei suggested. The three of them hurried from sight, leaving just Mitsuhide and Eria. "...Well, we drove them off." "They will be back. It is better we rest now than strain your leg," Mitsuhide calmly said. "Oh, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more so thinking you-" "...Wished to make it clear to them that we were engaged? Yes, I did."
Suddenly, Mitsuhide smirked, "And it was easy enough to draw their eyes away from you." Despite how calm Mitsuhide appeared, a part of Eria was still flustered from understanding that it was all real. That Mitsuhide and her- that THEY were real. And his words had felt as though they weren't just to ward off Sasuke and Yukimura. They were for her. He wanted her to feel reassured. She let out a small laugh, "For all that you tease others… You're quite good at making them feel better as well."
"If by people, you mean you, then yes." Mitsuhide corrected as he came to sit beside her and gently touched her leg. At first, she had thought the distress that had crossed his eyes was from her strain. But now it felt more like when Yukimura and Sasuke had first come to see them. "Mitsuhide? Is something on your mind?" she asked. "...There is something on my mind," Mitsuhide admitted. He moved his hand in to caress Eria's cheek. She had rarely seen any emotion in his expression, but at this moment, his distress was clear.
"I want you to promise me something." Mitsuhide said. '...What promise?'