Thanks a lot to my gamma Tsutsuji Nami!
'Lord Hideyoshi? Lady Nene?' Sakon gasped out nervously after he had followed the servant to the entrance and noticed two people holding sugegasa[1] and dressed in light yellow clothing. Despite infernal heat, both of them, though hidden by the shadow of a maple, squinted to the sun almost happily, so that relief filled Sakon's heart when he added politely, 'My lord would deeply regret should he know you arrived here personally. He's determined to present you a detailed report as soon as he gets better. As far as I know, he's sent you a note—'
Lord Hideyoshi approached surprisingly fast and, smiling both gently and sadly, spoke in a hurry, 'We need no reports, Sakon. Just want to check on Sakichi[2], nothing more. No-thing, considering his condition. It's not as if someone would steal Hojo's former lands. We're just amazed that he actually hasn't come. He wouldn't consider it an obstacle before, you know. Not once did we see him trying to fulfill his duty just anyhow,' he glanced at Lady Nene, who'd just stepped closer and sighed. 'But then, suddenly… it occurred to us. Or didn't. Well, you tell me. Isn't it you, now appointed as Sakichi's right-hand man, who's managed to prevent him from visiting us?'
Sakon startled for a while. Not because he'd been still getting used to his 'right-hand man' position. Though it was natural for people almost substituting parents for his lord to visit the latter in such an ingenious manner, not even thinking about lecturing him… he'd actually wanted to present his report — despite it being an interim one — upon arrival so badly while Sakon, more importantly, had been stopping him so persistently that now, somewhere deep inside, he desperately wanted Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene to get angry, for the sake of some perverted justice, and would have given everything to become the only target for their anger.
Fortunately, Sakon's fear turned out vain, and he bowed politely before saying, 'I didn't do anything special. It was my lord who preferred to listen to reason.'
'With you personifying this reason, right?' said Lady Nene gently but pointedly.
Lord Hideyoshi nodded, as if being extremely serious, and added, 'Who, can I ask, cared for Koichiro[3] so warmly? He still thinks the world of you! So don't even dare behave so shamelessly humble.'
Sakon rubbed his cheek awkwardly and decided to change the subject immediately, 'Well then, if you don't mind, I shall report to my lord first—' but Lord Hideyoshi, apparently anxious, took Sakon by the wrist.
'Please, don't you rush; don't you rush, Sakon,' he said slowly, softly, as if trying to lull. 'There's no need for Sakichi to learn about our visit "first", you know? Would you please just get us to his chambers, and leave it all to us? Hmm?'
Sakon frowned quizzically. However, he didn't have a chance to answer since Lady Nene had already taken him by the other wrist.
'My dear husband doesn't really want Sakichi to learn about our visit in advance. Several minutes are too much for him,' she moaned. 'We don't want him to pretend he's alright. It's never ended well.'
'Never ended well?' The words confused Sakon even more. So, he asked as carefully as he could, 'My lord's got a cold, hasn't he? Just a cold. He's not dying or anything.'
Lord Hideyoshi let go of Sakon's hand and sighed heavily.
'Please don't tell me we're late. How long ago did we conquer Shikoku, actually?'
Now, Sakon could see the situation more clearly, even in the slightest. Lord Hideyoshi explicitly mentioned the conquest of Chōsokabe Motochika's lands. So, he wanted to remind of the year when Sakon had just begun to serve his lord. At the time, Lord Hideyoshi had gotten so glad that he'd given Sakon his own haori[4]. 'Good luck to both of you,' he'd said beaming so joyfully as if not welcoming a new retainer of his own retainer… but congratulating his own son on a successful marriage.
It was then when Sakon had for the first time experienced a vague suspicion that Lord Hideyoshi had been anticipating from Ishida Mitsunari's new strategist something that… went beyond a usual strategist's duties. An established unifier, Lord Hideyoshi, after all, had his own vision. He could probably see something in Sakon that the latter couldn't, since he wasn't able to exclude any bias from his self-estimation.
Still, it wasn't definitely clear what to do now, when his lord was ill, with the culprit being the rain they had been caught in while (according to Sakon, needlessly; according to his lord, reasonably beyond all measure) rushing back here.
'What possibly could you be late for?' asked Sakon using his own bewilderment as an excuse for staying still, right until he was prepared for potential consequences.
'For you mentioning a cold as something "just" because it's Sakichi who's trained you that way,' muttered Lord Hideyoshi, a little bit irritated. However, he started beaming almost immediately. 'It's obvious he'd better not know about our arrival as long as possible, isn't it? We wouldn't put it past him to present his report while lying in bed!'
A hint of pride was seeping through Lord Hideyoshi's words, though he tried to cover it with sincere concern. Nonetheless, Sakon hummed knowingly and nodded amicably, as if saying, 'Okay, I'll play along.'
'Thank gods,' sighed Lord Hideyoshi, in apparent relief. 'You agree Sakichi's got a cold not only and not so much because of the rain that came upon you on the way back from Kantō, don't you?'
This quiet question was asked in the hall which Sakon was ushering the visitors through. They were walking carefully, as if his lord was hiding nearby, ready to jump out at them in any moment and exclaim, 'Gotcha!' The thought itself almost made Sakon laugh… but, to be honest, he had been worrying no less than Lord Hideyoshi now, although the reason being different. "My lord will definitely find out who helped Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene take him aback. Seems like I'll be held responsible for the deed of three people, right?" Of course, his lord wouldn't get angry at those whom he served and respected, while nothing could hold him back when handling some retainer who definitely deserved a smack or two with a tessen[5], especially considering his passion towards expressing his own opinion on any, even the most sensitive, matter. Sakon's lord had never resorted to such measures till now, that was true, but… there's a first time for everything. Besides, he'd be twice as angry as usual, for he'd have to make up for everything he'd 'failed to do on time' because of his illness…
'Indeed. As you can see, I'm all well and good. In my opinion, the problem's in my lord being prone to overworking. So, the rain just became the final straw… taken out of the hat he didn't manage to put on,' Sakon joked grimly. Then, he frowned a little bit more gravely and added, 'But it can't be helped, you know.' Upon hearing that, Lord Hideyoshi looked at Sakon so indignantly that the latter slowed down his pace immediately and continued a little bit doubtfully, 'My lord isn't a child. He must be able to manage himself. By the way, I persistently reminded him it was better to wait until the rainfall stopped—'
'You should have made him wait, not just "reminded him,"' Lord Hideyoshi interrupted, quietly but sharply. But he, at least to some extent, got it together soon after and said regretfully, 'Sorry, it can't be your fault. You can't actually make Sakichi do anything; it's much, much easier said than done…'
'How do you manage to make him stay in his residence, by the way?' snorted Lady Nene good-naturedly.
Sakon snorted back.
'Honestly, when ill, my lord is twice as obedient as usual. So, I still don't think it's me doing anything special.'
'Anyway, Sakichi's not a child anymore indeed,' muttered Lord Hideyoshi thoughtfully. 'However, he doesn't know how to care about himself more than about others. Thus… we'll have to cooperate… and use… strategy.'
Sakon, it seemed, would have to wait until he knew what 'strategy' they'd use, since the three of them had already been approaching the chambers where his lord had been resting… or, more accurately, struggled to rest, for Sakon was sure Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene would definitely catch him doing 'at least something' not to waste his time.
'It's just ridiculous, Sakichi!' Sakon heard Lady Nene exclaim both crossly and worriedly as soon as the sliding doors closed. 'You. Are. Ill! You won't recover if you don't rest!'
'Lord Hideyoshi, Lady Nene, how is it that you—' began a hoarse voice. However, Sakon's lord regained his composure as quickly as usual and changed his tone immediately, 'I do rest, as far as you can see.'
'Reading isn't resting,' Lord Hideyoshi responded softly. 'Even reading your favorite Sun Tzu. Sakon must tie you up. At least for a couple of days… I'll ask him do it, I swear.'
There was a hardly audible sigh, and Sakon could vividly imagine his lord rolling his eyes.
'Excuse me for not reporting duly. I am to present the results of my work as soon as possible.'
'It's more important for you to recover, Sakichi—' Lady Nene began strictly but Sakon's lord interrupted her with persistent, 'Additionally, excuse me for you having to waste your time on this visit. You shouldn't have worried that much; I can take care of myself. Moreover, I don't think it's fair to hold Sakon accountable to the extent you've suggested.'
Conscience had been biting Sakon, who'd been still standing at the sliding door, even before that, just a little. But now it literally stabbed him with a tanto[6], ruthlessly, with a hilt only being seen above the chest.
"I'd better go," Sakon rushed away. "I do take too much upon myself."
It was Ishida Mitsunari whom they considered a workaholic, but…
Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene stumbled upon Sakon sitting on an engawa[7] that led to the courtyard. He wanted to see the visitors off but they were obviously hesitating. Eventually, they just dragged Sakon into one of the most deserted corners of the residence, in the main hall.
'No way will I tie my lord up—' Sakon started grumbling, a little bit indignantly, but was shushed by Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene.
'We've already figured out it's useless,' said the latter timidly.
Sakon raised his eyebrows before he knew it. However, he didn't risk to ask where and when they'd managed to 'figure out' such truth… and didn't even want to know how his lord had probably looked like in such a situation…
Well, okay. He did try to imagine it for a moment but had to shut his eyes and clear his throat in order to banish such an inappropriate image… despite it being interesting, in its own way.
'However, we're going to give you a task you cannot deny… if you do love your lord, of course,' said Lord Hideyoshi, absolutely serious.
Then, there was silence, and Sakon felt so weird that he just couldn't keep his mouth shut. Eventually, he said something like 'Of course, I do… love him?' but didn't have time to add 'as a retainer' since Lord Hideyoshi took him by his shoulders and responded in a surprisingly active, even for Lord Hideyoshi, way, 'I knew Sakichi was right to trust you,' the words sounded almost formal, as if discussing a matter of global importance. By the way… it was really of huge importance considering what a valuable person his lord was for a recently unified land. Especially now, when wars were over. Who could be better at counting how much harvest each land brought annually, after all? The amount of taxes? The only thing that bothered Sakon was that his lord was as hard-working in times of peace as he'd been fierce in battles, which inevitably resulted in… him now being ill, for example.
While Sakon was thinking all that, Lord Hideyoshi stepped back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
'We've managed to reach unification at last,' he muttered softly to someone invisible in front of him, as if talking not to real Sakon but to imaginary descendants. It wasn't surprising, though, since Lord Hideyoshi was mostly trying to sound convincing, despite the fact that Sakon didn't need to be convinced of anything. 'We can at last enjoy peace. Sakichi's been serving me faithfully for so many years… And now he refuses to rest, even rarely. He cares for our land survey so much as if it can run away at any moment. As if he's… afraid of something that can overtake him… as soon as he stops working…' Lord Hideyoshi fell silent for a while, thinking something over once again. 'But… how can I be happy when the one who contributed so much into realizing our dream refuses to enjoy, at least partially, this dream being realized? Sakichi deserves to think about himself at last — so much as no one else does!
With these words, he sighed regretfully, and Sakon couldn't help sighing as well.
Then, just for a brief moment, Lord Hideyoshi looked into Sakon's eyes and stepped closer again, so that the latter straightened his shoulders immediately.
'Sakon,' Lord Hideyoshi said seriously… before adding almost desperately, 'You're our last hope.'
Sakon barely laughed but stopped himself out of respect.
'Your last hope that my lord would… rest?' he asked skeptically.
Lady Nene looked at Sakon and pleaded, 'Sakichi's trained everyone, literally everyone around him not to prevent him from working until exhaustion,' she pressed her palms to her chest. 'We've been trying to change it for so long, but nothing helped.'
Lord Hideyoshi nodded in agreement.
'The only person who can still influence him is… you.'
Sakon, a little bit perplexedly, scratched the back of his head.
'But how about Yoshitsugu? I've heard myself him arguing with my lord about Tokugawa Ieyasu…'
'Unfortunately, when considering work, those two are unanimous,' Lord Hideyoshi shook his head in frustration. 'Didn't you know the reason behind Keimatsu's[8] condition? His illness is hardly curable and was caused by his excessive zeal. You don't want your lord to share his fate, do you?'
Sakon realized he was pressured, aggressively. However, the pressure reflected resolve in the hearts of those who initiated it. To evoke empathy through mentioning Yoshitsugu's state… Sakon knew it had been caused not only by hard work but also by unjust and unfair accident, the latter being even more significant… But he also knew that his lord had been exhausting himself, inviting outcomes of, maybe, even more grievous kind. By the way, those outcomes had to manifest themselves in more and more ruthless manner with each new year passing by… so that one day it wouldn't be just a cold… that one day his lord could even become bedridden… Sakon wouldn't have wished such fate to an enemy, let alone his precious lord…
'Of course I don't,' Sakon replied assertively but shrugged his shoulders immediately. 'However, can I really—'
'You're not actually aware of how much you can do,' Lord Hideyoshi grabbed Sakon's shoulders again. 'You know, when you're by his side, Sakichi… changes. They're not just empty words; they're not empty at all,' he started talking really fast, seemingly having noticed Sakon's wary look. 'Who would have thought he'd be able to stand still since dawn till night, just to hire you? That I'm not the only one persistent enough to make him smile? So, that is what you need now — to stay persistent. Actually, you can leave the tiniest amount of what you can't do… to me.'
Sakon felt a bit dizzy; now it seemed too much for him. Of course, Lord Hideyoshi was famed for his insight, but such aggression seemed slightly unfair. Up till today, Sakon, after all, was sure that his lord had managed to distract him from fishing on Shikoku thanks to his patience only… Concerning smiles… he couldn't be sure at all. Sometimes his lord seemed too thick, but sometimes… sometimes he could see a completely unexpected, even for his lord himself, amusement arising in the corners of his lips due to the simplest triviality or the stupidest joke ever…
Sakon remembered his lord's face brightening up with one of such scarce but therefore precious smiles, trembled involuntarily… and shivered as soon as Lord Hideyoshi asked firmly, 'So what? Are you going to help? Would you teach Sakichi the art of rest?'
The questions were mostly orders. Sakon knew it by the look in Lord Hideyoshi's eyes. However, he couldn't find a better answer than a hesitant one, 'Can one promise anything particular on that account?'
'Don't rush; think it over,' made a merciful concession Lord Hideyoshi. He definitely knew he'd won the negotiations, so the sacrifice of time to think was quite reasonable. 'We can't do anything before Sakichi recovers, anyway.'
'"Recovers"?' Sakon frowned. 'I thought you wanted me to—' he fell silent as soon as Lord Hideyoshi waved his hand firmly.
'When ill, Sakichi has to rest… at least in his own manner,' he finished a bit grumpily, glancing towards the hall they came from. After pausing for a moment, he continued, 'But you must teach Sakichi how to rest at times when he considers himself full of energy.'
Sakon, to be honest, didn't memorize the exact promise he gave to Lord Hideyoshi, or if anything was promised at all, but both him and Lady Nene left the residence apparently satisfied with the result. Almost immediately, a maid came and announced that Sakon's lord, of course, awaited him… so all thoughts left his mind. One step before entering his lord's chambers, Sakon stopped to fix his hair — that is, to resolve fear rising inside him. However, he bowed right after he entered the room.
'I know it was you who let Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene in. You don't let me visit them, but you let them visit me. Consistency of your actions never stops to amaze me,' announced the voice, soft out of weakness but trembling a bit with resentment. Sakon's lord was staring at 'The Art of War' but hardly realized the meaning of words. 'However, I can't afford to be angry. You couldn't deny Lord Hideyoshi, could you? There's hardly anyone more powerful than him but tennō[9].'
It had been the second time Sakon expected punishment but faced heart-warming mercy. However, it was mercy of a different kind than Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene's one. Sakon's lord was looking for excuses too earnestly. Despite overwhelming feelings. Despite the quarrel, earlier that day, caused by Sakon trying not to let his lord out of the residence… well, an attempt to quarrel, actually, since it had been hard to scold a retainer when having a sore throat.
"My lord's just fabulous," Sakon risked to lift his eyes a bit. It was hot but his lord covered his shoulders with a scarlet-red kosode[10]; his copper hair was all over them but he still managed to personify discipline. "He's fast to express indignation, but I'll never regret I've chosen to protect his noble and kind heart with my own life."
Before he knew it, Sakon began to study his lord's cheeks, slightly blushing… but looked down as soon as the golden gaze, taken away from the pages and partially hazed, passed over the face. Pangs of shame extinguished all the happiness Sakon could have felt. He definitely couldn't say no to Lord Hideyoshi… but he reported directly to his lord. Therefore, the situation was dubious but… nonetheless clear.
So, as a gratitude for his lord's leniency, the words full of regret slipped out, 'It won't ever happen again, my lord'.
'I have confidence it won't,' he replied instantly, with a soft chuckle. 'Your words sound true. Anyway, if it does occur once again— ahem— if it— does—'
Sakon's lord couldn't help coughing; he'd probably had to restrain himself too much in front of Lord Hideyoshi. Sakon leaned forward immediately in order to hand his lord a cup of tea placed deliberately beside his bedding.
'Shall I—'
'Don't bother'.
Sakon pulled his hand back right away but unexpected momentary touch, by knuckles only, when his lord confidently took the cup, was enough to feel the heat of his palms… caused by illness, of course, but it pierced through the skin like an arrow. Sakon suddenly flinched, hardly able to catch his breath, as if during a fierce battle. He stared at his own palm, blinking frequently.
His lord hardly sipped tea before putting the cup away.
'Are you alright?' he asked, both tired and sincerely worried. But then he averted his gaze, confused. 'Excuse me. I can't stand when mine is touched by others.'
'I do remember it, my lord,' Sakon replied immediately. Only several moments later, after taking his breath, he continued as if nothing had happened, 'So, what's at stake, if it does occur once again, I mean?'
He even added a smile to his words in order to release tension completely. So, for a moment or two, he was truly sure that his lord would at least grumble, as usual.
However, he suddenly shrugged, and said with a completely faded voice, 'Actually, nothing is. You have nothing to do w—' but suddenly, he dropped the book and reeled, his head in his palms.
This time, Sakon came to his lord's rescue without second thought.
And embraced him gently, in order not to let him fall.
The heat of his fevered body ignored three layers of fabric and slid across the chest and abdomen, so tangible that Sakon's hands felt numb for some time, as if unwilling to let go.
Fortunately, he soon felt his lord's palms pushing against his shoulders. That made Sakon regain his senses and lay his lord down on the bedding as carefully as possible.
'I've got no time… to rest…' he didn't seem to realize his own effort to distance himself from Sakon — his gaze was apparently clouded and his whisper was somewhat delirious, him hardly understanding his own words. 'I have to finish… the land survey…'
Sakon protested as softly as he could, with universal words, and at the same time tried to calm down his heart beating desperately, with no share of exaggeration. Yes, it was beating desperately because of… maybe… confusion naturally caused by both accidental and sudden physical proximity of the one who'd seemed unreachable before, wasn't it? Sakon's lord never liked being touched… Or was it caused by his state… making him so plainly vulnerable… and, as a result, provoking panic? Yes, of course, the latter must have been the case… It had to. Sakon's lord usually appeared so strong, so active, so fearless… No doubt, he deserved his retainers to serve him faithfully… care for him sinserely… as well as… love… him… dearly, and protect him to express this love…
"I love him deeply, as a retainer,' Sakon said to himself, several times, just in case, as soon as his lord fell asleep under the cover of a padded kosode. Now, he didn't even scowl in his sleep as he'd done a couple of days before. So, Sakon couldn't help admiring his tired but nonetheless handsome, in somewhat risky way, face. His lord's lashes were slightly trembling; his cheeks were blooming red; and Sakon wanted to touch them now, at least slightly…
Fear of absolutely strange origin, somewhere beneath the belt, woke Sakon up so abruptly that it made him jump to his feet as when alarmed. Frustrated, Sakon shut his eyes and stood like that for a while. Then, he sat down beside the sliding doors, out of harm's way, and started to sort his confused thoughts feverishly…
But he stopped quite soon, with one thought getting paramount: while those patronized by his lord could love him more than their lives, he wouldn't start to care for himself… before he started to love himself at the first place. So, Sakon had to devise a strategy aimed against his lord's tendency to overwork. Lure him into a trap, for his sake. Cut off all escape routes, and make him give up. Of course, to inspire his lord with love to himself couldn't be an easy task. But if you, as they say, start small… and carry on, slow but steady…
So, first things first, it would be so nice to show his lord how really important and pleasant it was to rest.
[1] Sugegasa — straw hat.
[2] Sakichi — Ishida Mitsunari's childhood name.
[3] Koichiro — former name of Toyotomi Hidenaga, Hideyoshi's younger half-brother, who was his brain and right hand.
[4] Haori — garment resembling a coat.
[5] Tessen — war fan.
[6] Tanto — dagger.
[7] Engawa — floor extension of the house.
[8] Keimatsu — Ōtani Yoshitsugu's childhood name.
[9] Tennō — the emperor.
[10] Kosode — short-sleeved garment.