#Iga hakama

[tanuki-kimono]

Edo period types of hakama pants, fantastic chart by Edo-lover Nadeshico Rin. You can see here from left to right, top to bottom:

Fundomi hakama 踏込袴 - pants with a narrow bottom hem, a type of nobakama (see below)

Tattsuke hakama 裁付袴 - pants tight below the knee, sometimes refered as "ninja pants" (= Iga hakama). Those were worn by many, from samurai to servants and craftmen.

Umanoribakama 馬乗袴 - lit. "riding pants", wide hakama with high gusset split legs for confortable horse riding.

Nagabakama 長袴 - formal trailing hakama worn by samurai from late Muromachi era.

Andonbakama - skirt-like hakama worn by Meiji period female teachers and students (hence why it's sometimes called onna bakama). A boy version appeared after mid-Meiji.

Yamabakama 山袴 - daily-life work pants with narrow legs and sometimes a gathered bottom hem. Name greatly varies depending on areas and time. A direct descendant of this style are women's monpe もんぺ.

Nobakama 野袴 - shorter hakama with black velvet hem, worn by travelling samurai. It was also part of firefighters' gear.

Hirabakama 平袴 - the "classic" ankle lenght men hakama pants, with a low gusset which means it looks nice when sitting (tailoring is hence different from the umanori, see above). Also called hanbakama 半袴, those were longer than the ancient kobakama 小袴 and shorter than formal trailing nagabakama (see above).

#japan #historical fashion #fashion history #ressources #hakama #hakama pants #references #edo period #edo era #nadeshico rin #Fundomi hakama #Tattsuke hakama #Iga hakama #Umanoribakama #Nagabakama #Andonbakama #Yamabakama #monpe #Nobakama #Hirabakama #hanbakama #kobakama #japanese pants #着物 #袴

[talesofedo]

This is a work of fiction. (I'm finally rewriting it.) You can find more information about my tumblr, Tales of Edo, here, and an index for this story’s chapters, anything else I've written, and my art, here.

...

Suigetsu (Samon’s Story) Loosely inspired by Yagyuu Hijouken Samon (manga) / Also on AO3 CW: graphic violence, abusive family, physical & psychological abuse

Chapter 1

It was already well into the hour of the rat and the bright full moon hung large and white in an inky sky, casting deep shadows across the formal garden of the secluded samurai mansion in the valley below. Gathering storm clouds raced across the blackness, pushed by the strong winds that had been gusting since late in the afternoon; winds that tore at the ancient maple at the center of the garden, scattering its crimson late-fall leaves like embers sparking from a fire.

Samon sat cross-legged in the center of the porch facing the garden, far enough from the edge that the overhanging roof shielded him from the thick raindrops that had begun falling just then, the only person still awake at this late hour.

He was dressed in a white kimono and light blue hakama as if readying himself for seppuku, and the brightness of his clothing contrasted with the dark wood of the veranda like a reflection of the moon above. He was watching the trees swaying in the distance, trying (and failing miserably) to calm his unfocused mind.

Early the previous morning, a messenger had arrived with a wrinkled letter sent by an acquaintance in Edo, a servant girl working in his clan’s upper mansion, who had once embarrassed herself by confessing her love to him when he was still a boy.

The letter, difficult to read because of her unpracticed handwriting, had been unsettling: she wrote that Munenori, Samon’s father, had been beside himself with rage after finding out about the stipend His Excellency the Shogun had granted Samon, and that he had dispatched Jubei, Samon’s eldest brother, to the Yagyu valley to “set things straight."

She didn’t know what this meant, said a scrawled addition at the end, but thought that he deserved a warning, considering his father’s and his brother’s tempers.

Samon appreciated her thoughtfulness in sending the letter, but the message had given him cause to anxiously pace around the mansion and its grounds ever since, trying to collect his thoughts and preparing for the worst. He almost wished he’d never received the letter at all, that he had been left in blissful ignorance until Jubei arrived at his doorstep.

He understood, at least on some basic level, why his father was angry: Tokugawa Iemitsu, who had inherited the post of Shogun following the death of his father, was in a precarious position because many of the daimyo opposed his succession and instead favored his younger brother, Tadanaga, whom they considered more suitable. Anything those men could use as fodder to strengthen their case, like the relationship Iemitsu and Samon had failed to keep secret, threatened not only the shogun, but by extension the Yagyu, Samon's family.

It was because of these politics Munenori had sent his son away months ago under the guise of illness, and why Samon was now little more than a prisoner in the old family home in Iga, two weeks’ travel from Edo.

Samon often wondered whether the politics surrounding their situation had occurred to Iemitsu. Certainly, he must have given it some thought before trying to return his lover to Edo with the stroke of a brush, by making him a daimyo in his own right and therefore subjecting him to the Edo posting, which required all daimyo to live in the city every other year; ironically, a measure originally devised to prevent rebellion against the shogunate.

But perhaps Iemitsu hadn’t considered it at all, had worried only about the two of them being kept apart for reasons he didn’t fully understand or care about.

Samon would have liked to think Iemitsu wouldn’t be so shortsighted, but he also knew just how impulsive he could be: once, when Iemitsu was still a teen, he’d stabbed his older lover to death just for looking at another man, though Samon had not seen that side of him as the young future Shogun matured.

He realized, of course, that worrying about Iemitsu’s intent or consideration made no difference now: what was done was done, and the only path left was the one moving forward, regardless of where it might lead. Logically, this made it entirely pointless to worry about the What Ifs of the situation.

However, Samon did worry about his father’s plans for “setting things straight,” as the girl had put it in her letter. He found it difficult to imagine any scenario that didn’t end in his own death, and he’d paced around his rooms and up and down the veranda for hours, apprehensively pondering whether a simple thing like blood ties would stand in the way of his father’s ambitions and desire for power.

Would this even enter his father’s mind, considering Samon was merely his third son, and additionally only the child of a mistress?

Eventually, and perhaps overdramatically, Samon had resigned himself to the idea that he would likely be killed once Jubei reached the Yagyu valley, and he’d dressed accordingly to await his brother’s arrival, which he supposed wouldn’t be too long after the courier’s.

By the time he sat down on the porch that night – and honestly, he couldn’t have slept even if he tried, just like he hadn’t slept the previous night – his thoughts were all over the place still, but somewhere at the back of his mind, he’d at least made peace with the idea of death. After all, if this was the price to pay to keep Iemitsu safe in his position as Shogun, wasn’t it worth such an insignificant life as his own?

How strange, he thought, that both my father and I share the common goal of keeping Iemitsu safe.

…

The initial thick, slow raindrops had turned into sheeting rain by the time Jubei arrived, dressed in black and dark green traveling clothes, climbing over the back wall into the garden like a common thief, rather than a visiting relative. It was a familiar entrance for Jubei, who had come and gone by means of this secret back route as a boy more times than Samon could count.

But this was no childhood escapade. Jubei already had his long sword unsheathed as he stood on the tiled roof of the wall, one foot planted firmly on either side of the center ridge while he surveyed the scene before him, like a large bird of prey perched on a tree branch, looking for a juicy mouse scurrying along the forest floor.

Seeing that his younger brother was waiting for him, he jumped down and walked casually along the stone path winding between landscape features, entirely unbothered by the rain dripping from his face and soaking into his clothes.

A small, satisfied smile curled the corners of his lips upward with contentment because his brother was expecting him, but his eyes were cold and disdainful, just as they had commonly looked at Samon in the past.

“I always hoped we’d get a chance to duel,” Jubei said when he was close enough for Samon to hear him over the rain pattering against the tiled porch roof. “I’m told some people think you’re the stronger swordsman, but we’ve never had a chance to measure our skills against each other in the fencing hall, let alone with real blades.”

This was so like Jubei: the obsession to be the stronger swordsman, the strongest swordsman, had not let up since Samon had replaced him as Iemitsu’s fencing instructor five years prior, and it stood to reason that he had only gained more real-life sword experience in his missions and wanderings since.

Samon had already played out in his mind numerous scenarios of how he might draw and strike with his sword tonight, and in each of them had found himself lacking in the face of his brother’s skill.

Jubei was many things: he was hateful and short-tempered, inconsiderate and self-important, ambitious and ruthless. But still, Samon could not deny the fact that Jubei was also an expert swordsman possessed of a strength and speed that was like a demon’s.

And Samon was scared. Terrified, really.

So, this was it, then.

Samon took a shaky breath and uncrossed his legs to rise, uncomfortably aware of the sweat slicking his palms as he reached for the sword that lay beside him, waiting to be drawn.

He found it unmovable, because someone, some shadowy figure suddenly standing behind him, had planted a foot against the sheath, pinning it in place against the floorboards. As distracted as Samon had been with anxiety, and with his focus solely on his elder brother, he’d never heard this second man approach, never even felt his presence. It served only to remind him in this split second of sheer panic of how inexperienced he still was, despite his years of training.

The thought flashed through his mind that his father would have been disappointed.

Samon tried to draw his blade from this awkward position, but next thing he knew, a coarse rope was slung around his neck. Instinctively, he brought up his hands to protect himself from being strangled, but before he could grab the rope, the man behind him kicked him between the shoulders, causing him to slam face first into the dark wood of the porch.

In the seconds it took Samon to taste the metallic bitterness of his own blood in his mouth and try to push himself upward, the man had knotted the rope at the nape of his neck, looped the two loose ends around his elbows to pin his arms against his sides, and bound his hands tightly in the small of his back. No matter how Samon struggled, he already knew there was no point: he was completely defenseless in front of Jubei.

“Why are you doing this?” he gasped, the rope pressing against his throat as he still pointlessly struggled to get to his feet. The man behind him pulled him backward and Samon came to sit awkwardly as Jubei approached.

“Ah, don’t give me that angry look,” Jubei sneered, sheathing his sword. “Is this any way to greet your big brother?”

“Why would you go to such lengths?” Samon said, trying to keep his voice calm and steady but hearing it waver all the same. He was both seething with anger that his own brother would resort to using one of their clan’s shinobi to trap him like this, and utterly terrified at what Jubei had planned, now that a fair duel seemed out of the question. “I know you don’t believe I’m better with the sword, or that you need to resort to dirty tricks to kill me.”

Jubei shrugged. “I’m not allowed to kill you, so what need is there for a duel?”

Samon couldn’t hide his confusion as he studied his brother’s face for anything that might give away a hint of what would happen next. Of all the scenarios he had considered over the past two days (and there had been many), he hadn’t considered a single one that did not involve his own death, unless he’d somehow be able to best Jubei in a duel.

After all, what easier way was there to solve his father’s dilemma: If the youngest son presented a danger to both the Shogun and the Yagyu, then disposing of the youngest son would fix the issue, since merely sending him away had not. And although understanding the reasoning gave him little comfort, it was at least a thought process Samon could follow and he’d prepared, in his own way, for this worst-case scenario.

But this, whatever this was, loomed dark and foreboding in its uncertainty.

“If you aren’t here to kill me,” Samon asked tentatively, “then why are you here?”

The rain had started to let up by now and Jubei smoothed back some of the soggy strands of hair clinging to his face as he stepped onto the porch, leaving muddy footprints in his wake.

Looking around the yard as if he were studying its features, the large rocks and manicured shrubs, he explained: “Father sent me to ensure you’re no threat to our family due to your …” A sarcastic chuckle interrupted his sentence. “…intimate friendship with our Shogun. But, for reasons that are a mystery to me, he doesn’t want you dead. He wants to keep you around.” A shrug. “Your mother is his favorite mistress, after all, so perhaps he’s feeling some kind of attachment. Perhaps she begged him for your life. Who the fuck knows.”

He turned to face Samon. “At any rate, he doesn’t want you dead. But he does want me to ensure that you won’t be seeing our Shogun again and that the stipend and title, with which he tried to return you to Edo so desperately, are rendered irrelevant.”

Although Jubei’s tone was light and dismissive, Samon could detect the undertone of anger, which he supposed originated in his brother’s disappointment at having to miss out on a long hoped-for duel, and he worried this might spell disaster because Jubei had a terrible temper – always had, even when they were both still children – which showed itself in a sadistic side. Jubei truly was their father’s son in that regard.

“So, here I am.” The elder brother continued, spreading his arms wide to indicate the mansion and gardens around them, irritation plain on his face. “An errand boy sent to do father’s bidding, sneaking around the Yagyu valley like a thief. And why? Because my little brother can’t be entrusted with simply doing his job as fencing instructor. No, you just had to spread your cheeks for the Shogun like a cheap whore, caring nothing about rank or position. You truly are an embarrassment.”

He leaned in close, breath warm against Samon’s face, and, with a smirk that exposed his pointy canine teeth, he produced a small dagger from within his belt.

“It’s not death, sorry, but I promise it will hurt a lot.”

As if on cue, the man behind Samon grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him flat onto his back, tied arms trapped awkwardly beneath his body so that the boney parts of his wrists and elbows ground painfully into the unforgiving wood of the floorboards.

For a moment, their eyes met and Samon recognized the shinobi as Genjiro’s son, Taro, whom he had known since childhood. He felt betrayed that someone he’d once counted as a friend would do this to him, and at the same time realized what a ridiculous sentiment this was, considering Taro was in service to Munenori, just as his father Genjiro had been before him, and any friendship that might have existed between the two boys as children did not extent to their respective positions in adulthood.

Taro placed his hands on either side of Samon’s face to hold his head steady, and Jubei lowered himself over his brother, knees to either side of his ribcage, and leaned forward to look closely at his face.

Samon lay still and quiet, knowing there was no point in struggling now and having resigned himself despondently to whatever was going to happen next.

He couldn’t think of any other course of action to take; his whole life had been one of doing as he was told, no matter if the orders came from his father, his elder brother, or the Shogun. If His Excellency asked for a duel, Samon would let him win. If his father wanted to use him as a pawn in some political scheme, he would hold his breath and wait for it to be over, regardless of the sacrifices he had to make.

Once, he'd told Iemitsu that he didn’t fear death because he was dead already, though that had been a bit of a lie. He feared death. He just knew that his life had never belonged to himself in the first place.

Jubei studied his younger brother’s face, droplets of water dripping down from his hair and rolling off Samon’s cheeks as he leaned in close.

“Get a good look, little brother,” he said, his pale brown eyes searching Samon’s, which looked at him through long lashes. “I’ll be the last person you’ll ever see.”

He touched the side of his brother’s face gently, calloused fingers against smooth, pale skin, then brought his hand up to force open Samon’s right eye. With a flash of steel caught briefly by the moon’s brightness, he flipped the small knife, holding it as one might hold a writing brush.

Samon took a sharp breath in, reflexively trying to wrench his head from Taro’s grip to no avail.

Jubei paused, clearly savoring his younger brother’s expression of terror, of the pupils widening at the sight of the sharp blade, and then he brought the knife down to carefully, surgically, lift the eye from its socket and cut its attachments, all in one swift motion not entirely unlike shucking an oyster.

Samon bit down on his lip to keep from screaming as he felt the warmth of his own blood spill from his eye socket, but his body stiffened and he couldn’t keep his breath from quickening, coming in harsh gasps no matter how hard he tried to control himself to deny Jubei the satisfaction of hearing him cry out. He felt betrayed by his own body when he realized he couldn’t even keep himself from spilling tears.

Jubei noticed, of course. He switched the knife to his left hand and cupped Samon’s cheek with his right, wearing an expression of satisfaction that made Samon feel utterly nauseous.

“How sweet,” Jubei said, his voice soft. “Actual tears.” He used his thumb to wipe them, then licked it as if savoring the salty taste.

“Do you suppose a person can still cry if they don’t have any eyes,” he wondered aloud, not expecting an answer, as he switched the knife back to his right and turned it on his brother once more.

His sarcastic smile was the last thing Samon saw before his world went dark and blood spilled across the other half of his face. He clenched his teeth so hard he was afraid they would break from the strain, but anything was better than giving Jubei the joy of hearing him scream. Even so, he couldn’t suppress a whimper in his agony, and his body, which he’d tried so hard to control even through the pain, was shaking now, shivering as if with cold, and he could do nothing to stop it.

Jubei sat back on his heels, wiping his hands and the small blade on his black tattsuke bakama before reaching into his sleeve and producing a small square piece of silk, which he spread across his palm, carefully placing the two eyeballs on it.

He studied the now lifeless dark brown irises, pupils gaping black in their centers, and seemed amused by the bits of optical nerve still attached to the back, which flopped limply like dead fish as he turned the globes between his fingers.

He stood up and stepped away, engrossed in playing with his trophies. Distractedly, he ordered Taro to wipe up the bloody mess lest it should stain the floorboards of the family home.

Taro helped Samon sit up and began gently wiping his face with a tenugui, whispering quietly so that Jubei would not overhear: “Please bear with it just a little longer, wakasama. I have prepared something for the pain and will give it to you as soon as your brother leaves.”

After a few minutes, Jubei wrapped the eyes with the cloth and tucked them into a pouch for safekeeping. Then he turned and said, almost as if to himself, “Our dear Shogun has always been so attracted to your dark eyes and those pretty lashes.” Every word was dripping with disdain. “I don’t suppose he would find you as attractive now, were he to lay eyes on you.”

You think him so shallow, Samon thought, but he couldn’t help wondering how Iemitsu would react if he saw him like this. After all, he had so often praised Samon for his appearance, just as Jubei said. He tried to shake the thought from his mind.

“Ah, but don’t worry, little brother,” said Jubei, watching him carefully. “You needn't be concerned that he’ll see you again. After all, these lovely little eyeballs I’ll be taking back to Edo…” He jiggled the pouch in his hand, even though his brother obviously couldn’t see it. “… these will serve as proof that you’ve lost your mind being separated from your lover for such a long time. He’ll want nothing to do with a madman who’s gauged out his own eyes, I suppose.”

So, that was the story father was planning to fabricate.

It was brilliant, in a way. Keeping Samon sequestered in the Yagyu valley had not done the trick. Instead, it had served only to embarrass Munenori, making him the subject of gossip around Edo castle once his son had been awarded that ridiculous stipend.

This, on the other hand, would solve the problem: once rumors that Samon had taken leave of his senses and disfigured himself to such an extent would begin circulating around the city, as assuredly they would with Jubei’s help, Munenori could rest safe in the knowledge that the Shogun would at last heed his advisors’ words and sever all ties with his former lover.

Surely, it would be a bit of an embarrassment to the Yagyu, but since Samon was only a third son and the child of a mistress, the outrage would certainly be brief. And the masses would love it: a story of a former lover driven to despair by their separation. It was the kind of gossip that kept the city going.

“Of course,” Jubei said, turning back from the end of the porch. “Our poor shogun will have to find himself a new wakashu on whom to dote his affections now. Though I doubt that will be much of a problem. The city is literally teeming with capable young samurai and since His Excellency certainly doesn’t hold his lovers to particularly high standards, as we’ve seen with you, perhaps he will find himself a whole harem of pretty, young, disposable boys to suit his fancies now. Don’t you think, brother? He might fill his whole Ooku with young men.”

“You’ve no right to mock Uesama,” Samon said through gritted teeth. “You’ve done what you came here to do. What reason is there for you to stand here and mock him.”

Jubei chuckled. “Oh, but it’s so much fun seeing you all riled up. I suppose the sex must have been quite something for you to become so utterly attached. It’s very sweet.”

He crossed back to Samon in a few swift steps, grabbed his brother by the chin, and slammed him backwards into the floorboards so hard Samon saw stars and, for a minute, thought he was going to pass out.

Jubei pulled him back into a sitting position by the front of his clothing, his younger brother too dazed from the sudden assault to resist. “But here you are still thinking you can talk back to me. You just don’t learn, do you? Your job – your only job – is to shut the fuck up and do as you’re fucking told.”

He grasped Samon’s chin and forced his rough fingers, callused from a lifetime of sword training, into his brother’s mouth, forcing it open.

“Don’t even think about biting me,” he warned as he pinched his tongue between two fingers and pulled it forward. “You’ll want to hold nice and still so I can make a straight cut. If you fight me … well, I might just rip it out instead. Your choice.”

He unsheathed his little knife again and sliced through his brother’s tongue, severing it just forward of its base. Then he pushed Samon back down, gave him a kick for good measure, and cast the severed tongue into the yard.

“We’ll have no more talking back now, will we?” he asked calmly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.

Turning to Taro, he added, “I think I’ll find a servant to heat the bath for me. Get this cleaned up. Once dawn breaks, have someone fetch the doctor. And don’t even think about untying him.”

“Yes, master Jubei.” Taro shifted nervously, watching Jubei disappear around the corner toward the main part of the house, then looked down at Samon who lay on his side in a puddle of his own blood, his body shaking from pain and blood loss.

“I am so sorry,” Taro said quietly. “Please don’t bear me a grudge, wakasama. These things are out of my control.”

Of course, they are. Just as they are out of my control as well.

Samon pulled his legs up, curling into himself, and pressed his head against the smooth wood of the floorboards. If there was only something he could do to make the pain stop. The coppery taste and smell of his own blood were so overwhelming in his nose and mouth they made him retch and he just wanted this to be over.

He lifted his head and slammed it into the floorboards.

He would never have been truly happy sequestered away in the Yagyu Valley, but only a handful of days ago, before the message of his appointment and stipend had reached him, he’d believed that he could at least be content to carve out a small life of his own here.

He’d considered opening a school to teach commoners’ children to read and write, just as his uncle Toshikatsu, his father’s eldest brother, had done after he was injured in battle and no longer able to fulfill his obligations to his lord. Perhaps he might even have taken up teaching the sword in the family dojo or build a fencing hall of his own and teach anyone interested in learning.

But now, even the hope for a simple life had been taken from him.

He slammed his head into the floorboards a second time. And again. Perhaps he could at least succeed in ending his life on this night. Not to spite Jubei, though he had no doubt that his father would see it that way, but to end the misery he was enduring.

But when he tried to hit his head into the floor again, Taro pulled him upright and wrapped his arms around his body, stopping him from continuing.

“Wakasama, please, calm yourself.”

Almost reflexively, Samon smashed his head backward into Taro’s face, hearing the crunch of his skull against the other’s nose. It was to Taro’s great credit that he didn’t curse out loud, but he brought one of his hands up and held Samon’s head back, restraining him from doing anything else.

“Please, wakasama,” he said again. “Calm down so I can see to your wounds. Your life should not end tonight. Don’t give them that satisfaction.”

Samon supposed “them” meant his brother and father, but he cared little whether they were or were not satisfied. He was tired of being a pawn in their political games, tired of being powerless against the forces that controlled his life. But he knew there was nothing he could do and he was tired, so very tired, of continuing down this path that was being laid out for him.

He felt Taro’s fingers on his mouth, a sudden cool touch against lips slippery with blood, and a small round object was placed in his mouth, the finger gently pushing it to the back of what remained of his tongue.

“Please swallow this,” Taro said. “It will take away the pain.”

.

Index | Next Chapter

#roninwrites #suigetsu #samon's story #I'm going to rewrite this thing if it kills me

[shatteredcrimsondreams]

Mochizuki Shima Walkthrough

~The Drifting Twilight~

As always for new characters, I’m more than willing to spend my love passes & hearts to fly through the stories and even though I felt Shima’s story to be a tad too short (or maybe just not developed enough for my liking), it was a straightforward teenage love story for me (in the sense it tugged my heartstrings at all the right places🥺).

So here’s my take on his route! May have missed out some details here and there but this is for anyone who needs it 🥰

Episode 1: Setting Off

Part 1 (4/5) I. Trust the man II. Doubt him (Chemistry +5)

Part 2 (3/5) I. I wasn’t trying to (Chemistry +5) II. Kind of you to care

Story Mission: 100 Skill Points

Get Letter

Episode 2: Man of Koka

Part 1 (3/5) I. What choice is there II. I’m concerned (Chemistry +5)

Part 2 (2/5) I. Leave him be II.Talk to him (Chemistry +5)

Avatar Mission: Love: Fruits of Labor Kimono (8 pearls)  + portrait Fate: Slice of Life Clutch (5 pearls/2500 coins)

Get Letter

Episode 3: Kindness

Part 1 (1/5) I. Sorry (Chemistry +5) II. You’re sweet

Part 2 (2/5) I. Follow (Chemistry +5) II. Don’t follow

Get Letter

Story Mission: 8000 Skill Points

Get Letter

Episode 4: Koka and Iga

Part 1 (1/5) I. I need some time II. I’ll ask the others (Chemistry +5)

Part 2 (2/5) I.  Ask what he means (Chemistry +5) II. Stay quiet

Get Letter

Episode 5: Partings and Reunion

Part 1 (3/5) I. Don’t tease (Chemistry +5) II. Are you serious

Part 2 (4/5) I.  I don’t know (Chemistry +5) II. I owe him

Get Letter

Episode 6: Secrets of the Past

Part 1 (2/5) I. Admit it (Chemistry +5) II. Stay silent

Part 2 (1/5) I. That’s unexpected II. So you were close (Chemistry +5)

Story Mission: 25,000 Skill Points

Get Letter

Episode 7: Redeparture

Part 1 (3/5) I. Don’t you want to? II. I have high hopes (Chemistry +5)

Part 2 (3/5) I.  That’s sweet (Chemistry +5) II. I owe you too

Episode 8: Shadows Loom

Part 1 (2/5) I. Leave this to me (Chemistry +5) II. Yeah, well

Part 2 (1/5) I. So you trust him (Chemistry +5) II. Think we can trust him?

Get Letter

Avatar Mission: Love: Bursting Blooms Hakama (12pearls) Fate: Twisted Blossom Hairpin (8pearls / 4000 coins)

Get Letter

Crossroads: Silent Kiss

Episode 9: The Truth

Part 1 (1/5) I. Wait Silently (Chemistry +5) II. Say Something

Part 2 (1/5) I. Thank you (Chemistry +5) II. I can do it myself

Get Letter

Story Mission: 38,000 Skill Points

Get Letter

Episode 10: Final Destination

Part 1 (2/5) I. Say nothing (Chemistry +5) II. What do you want with him

Part 2 (2/5) I. Talk to Shima II. Say nothing (Chemistry +5)

Get Letter

Light Ending: 55,000 Skill Points

Chemistry Needed: 65

Get Wind Dancer Ninja Gear, Portrait & Epilogue Light Ending: One of Our Own

Shadow Ending: 55,000 Skill Points

Get Wordly Twists & His POV Story

#voltage inc #voltage otome #samurai love ballad party #samurai love ballad #mochizuki shima #slbp shima #otome #otome romance #kukkiwalkthroughs

[letting-them-take-liberties]

Today, I learned:

There's a specific style with how Saizou wears his hakama (traditional Japanese pants), and it's called the 'Iga bakama' (伊賀袴).

Iga bakama is the same as the 'tattsuke hakama' (たっつけ袴), though the latter is colorful and have patterns on the fabric and was worn by the common people.

Gotta applaud Itaru for doing her research when she designed the characters!

#koiran #slbp #kirigakure saizo #slbp saizo #slbp saizou #kirigakure saizou

[chatchalita]

I feels like writing something, since I rarely write things these days and I feels like my English will go down the drain soon, if I’m not writing.

Since I impulsively bought a plane ticket again, it’s time for me to summarize my other two trips I had this year as like a build-up for my upcoming new adventure the Taiwan trip in November. 

This first post is about my side trip from business trip...I guess

I don’t know how I usually start my traveling post, I guess I start with a disclaimer that this post is not informative at all, just me writing about my trip for future me to reminisce about it.

It has been 2 years since I last visit Mikawa Anjo, the last time was for internship purpose, (which I happened to not write about the experience :/)  I was greeted by the familiar feelings, I missed this place.  I finally semi-ly made it back.  I worked hard in this company for the past 1 year and I feels like it paid off a little.

This trip was my 6th time in Japan and took 14 days (Aug, 18th- Sep, 1st).  Since this is a business trip, I’m able to ride Thai Airways, finally something that not low-cost and I’m able to load my luggage lol. The flight is TG644, I arrived at Japan around 8am, I decided to stop by my hotel for luggage storage, then go on an adventure to Okazaki Castle.  

Before Okazaki Castle, I visited about 6 Japanese castles, so I know what I should expected from the castle.  And spoiler alert, it was disappointing for me, I don’t know why, maybe because I’m burned out from visiting castle, or maybe because I saw a greater castle?  Or maybe because I expected something from the castle that said to be the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu? The Evangelion exhibition saved this castle from a total disappointment, at least there are something interesting.  

After the castle I went back to my hotel and then meet up with my boss and some Japanese co-workers for a little nomikai.  Alcohol intake, not that much.

The second day, which is Monday, it’s the old atmosphere everybody was as welcoming as ever.  I only spent half day there because I had to visit other supplier factory in Gifu, I’m still cursing myself for not taken any photos in my phone (for the location purpose), then that night another nomikai, and this time I drunk so much sake that actually made me drunk and made me worry for tomorrow.  I’m not the kind of person to have hangover, so I didn’t worried about that, I was more worry about  how much alcohol I will have left in my blood, since Tuesday, I will have to attend welcome party.

Tuesday, another nomikai, thank god my body can handle another round.  That day, I was not drunk whatsoever, but I did drink Calpis sawla for at least 5 glasses, and other other things...overall probaby 15-20 glasses of alcohol.  Those are nothing to sake I previously drunk on Monday though.

Wednesday, nothing worth mentioning ohh except I walked 2 km for Matsumoto Kiyoshi to get the stuffs ppl asked me to buy for them.

Thursday, yakiniku with my co-workers.

Friday, actually nothing?

So one week has passed, most the weekdays activity either hung out” with my co-workers or went to grocery shopping, my co-workers (in Thailand) asked me to buy kimono for them, and they keep called it yukata.  It was a short kimono that you wear with hakama, these people want to wear them as “fashion”, these really culture appropriation *sigh*

Saturday, Saturday, where did I go on Saturday...oh Meiji Mura...again.  I actually went there two years ago to dress in Hakama while this year is to see very small fireworks with actual same age people.  Because I already went there once, not many pictures were taken 

Sunday, the manager in charge of me took me to Iga, MIe to see some ninja.  Iga Ueno castle is actually in the list of castle I want to visit.  If you talking about Iga ninja, Hattori Hanzo, probably the famous ninja from that “school”?

The ninja demonstration was interesting, idk what I expected, I guess I did low-key expected movie stunts ninjutsu, but it turned out to be just ninja technique.

I do loves Iga Ueno Castle since I could see both the life of ninja and samurai in one place.  The ninja village is really fun place and touristy.

So far the day went very well and pretty much free since the manager paid for everything, but my dumbass has to be extra and went to Nishio to see lantern festival (alone).  And you know what, the taxi cost 6000 yen round-trip just for the station to the festival ground.  And this is what 6000 yen gave me...

It only 8pm and the festival already over.  I learned something new every time I went to Japan.  Apparently, 8pm is late for the festival.  I live in the city, 8pm is still early for me.  

Monday, kaiten sushi with the same age people

Tuesday, in the afternoon I went to Toyohashi to see printing factory and the person asked me what is the food that I want to eat but have not eaten yet, and I replied “unagi”, which is something very expensive.  

I think this was about 5000 yen for a set.  In the evening, he treated me tempura like in actually tempura shop, where the chef actually fried tempura in front of us.

As a nekojita, I was suffering but it was so delicious.

Wednesday, I got stood up by the manager that took care of me 2 years ago.  No biggie.

Thursday & Friday, spent my last day in Anjo as lonely as ever.  (and spent 2 hours try to figure how to pack everything in my suitcase because of what people asked me to buy)

Saturday, I bought a day tour from Klook to Takayama and Shirakawago, the thing about tour is it convenience and probably cheaper than finding the transportation myself, but the downfall always, the time.  There are not enough time!!  I guess that is something I have to accept when it a day trip.  In the bus, I was the only non-Chinese speaking person there.

Takayama...I was eating, so I didn’t had much time to explore, but you know what I feels like if you went to Kyoto, you don’t need to go to Takayama.  It has it own charmed, I just didn’t had enough time to enjoy its charm.

The raw beef is the best out of the 3, this Hida beef made visiting Takayama worth it.

Next stop, Shirakawago, the highlight of the trip.  The sunlight and everything made the pictures look colorful and amazing.  The photos taken there was one of my favorite set of photos of all my trips. 

Shirakawago, a place I would loved to visit again during winter and spent more time there.  Due to the lack of time, I can only take pictures of here and there instead of absorb myself.  I wanted to visit more museum, more historical stuff, but the time is limited :/

After the day tour, I went to Hikone and stay at the hotel there.

Sunday, the last day let’s make it count.  I first planned to go see Tonbokiri in western shiga (which I forgot the name of the place), but because it was so far away and I don’t want to wake up early and my main goal was HIkone castle.  I ended up with visited Nagahama Castle in the morning.  That Sunday probably the day I cursed google map the most because the train schedule in there just not right!  I didn’t missed the train, but like the map told me it departs at 9, I arrived at 8:50, the trained in the google map is the train that not stop in this station like what’s going on.  And that happened a lot that day, I probably spent like almost 2 hour in (different) train station because the time in google map was earlier than the actual train. 

Anyway, back to Nagahama castle, a castle built by Totoyomi Hideyoshi

In my opinion, definitely better than Okazaki, the overall atmosphere made it “feels” more significant than Okazaki castle.  The view from the tenshuu is very pretty, in which you can actually see Biwa lake.

I just loves this kind of scenery.

After Nagahama, I went to Omi-Hachiman for some unknown reason.  I’m like that awkward person that wouldn’t push the stop button because nobody seem to get off at this stop, and just kept riding the bus until many ppl get off.  I mean they are Japanese people, they know what’s good right?  Turned out, the popular spot Japanese people are going is like a “dessert park” called La Collina, I called it dessert park because they mainly sell dessert there, and “park” because they have large greenery area.

Their most famous dessert is Baumkuchen, I personally not that big fan of it, so I bought the small size along with macaron.

Then, I followed google map to Omihachiman canal area to find the bus to get back to the station.

The canal area is what I intended to go.

I’m glad I was awkward and decided to follow Japanese people because I got have variety of scenic photos.

Next stop, the highlight of this trip Hikone Castle, 1 of the 12 original castles yayyy.

I love Japanese garden, so first visited the garden in the castle area and just like other garden I visited (except Kokura Castle garden), i was not disappointed.

The Hikone Castle, I loved the castle that I have to work my way to see the tenshu.  I love climbing, just to see castle.

The view from the tenshu also amazing.

After HIkone, I went back to Nagoya to see my same age co-workers? friends? comrades? again for the last time, and we ate “Taiwanese Ramen” which just spicy ramen

And then I got back at the airport, which seem very empty at night.

Good bye, Aichi.  I hope they will send me there for business trip again next year.  

If you read this far, stay tuned for another Japan trip, which is like 2 weeks later from this Japan trip.

#just chatchalita traveling #chatchalita in aichi round 2

[flatsuke]

SLBP Hana!MC Soldier AU

a.k.a., a super self-indulgent AU i’ve been thinking about for months. Please bear with me lmao it’s not fully developed or organized so rip

disclaimer: this AU was heavily inspired by Mulan!

@utsusemi THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR IDEAS AND FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE!!

forgive me for the messy doodle dump:

So the war is close at hand:

And the town magistrate orders every able-bodied man to enlist for the army. Since MC’s father died in the previous war, Yahiko is the next eligible candidate (for the sake of the AU, let’s assume he’s a bit older lmao)

Of course, MC doesn’t want to lose another one of her family members, so she sneaks off from her house in the middle of the night to take Yahiko’s place in the army (in this AU, the Takeda army

So MC arrives at Tsutsujigasaki Castle and she’s nervous as heck because she’s really about to throw herself into war with only very limited dojo training experience (and a little bit of some pointers from Inuchiyo)

But she’s doing it for Yahiko so she steels herself anyway

Yukimura inspects the men who have enlisted (MC included), and her heart’s beating so fast 

Yukimura: What’s your name?

MC: It’s...it’s, uh, Yahiko.

Yukimura slaps her in the back, saying “You may be tiny, but don’t worry, you won’t be after we train you hard!”

MC visibly gulps

That night, before bed, she feels a presence near her and, lo and behold, Saizo appears outta nowhere, threatening to kill her if she’s actually a spy 

MC begs him not to kill her and tries to bargain with him; she can’t prove she isn’t a spy, so the only way for him to believe her is if he keeps her under his surveillance 24/7

He begrudgingly agrees only under the condition that she pay him handsomely after that

And from here on, I was sorta thinking the paths would diverge to either a Saizo route or Yukimura route (though both are still under development)

Long post below:

Saizo’s route:

So for the next few weeks, 

Saizo watches over MC to make sure she isn’t up to some shady business

He’s the only one in the Takeda army who knows she’s actually a woman

During training sessions with the army, he watches her struggle to keep up with the others

He thinks its both amusing and pitiful to watch her try so hard. She may not be spy material, but hey, it’s free entertainment. Cue Saizo laughing at MC trying to spar with someone 

“Are you done laughing at me?”

“Not even close, little lady.” 

Little by little, he’s convinced that she isn’t a spy (what kind of spy can’t even defend themselves properly anyway?) 

He’s also convinced that MC will give up and go home after all the harsh training she’s been through

But she doesn’t give up at all. Day after day, she endures the training despite being the least experienced among the men. Eventually, she does improve

Saizo won’t admit it, but he’s kinda impressed she made it this far

One day, the army is called to the front to prepare for war (probably against the Oda or the Tokugawa)

And MC’s highkey nervous because this is war and she’s going to fight for real

Saizo teases her and says it’s not too late to go home, but MC tells him that she came to fight and fight she will

“I’m always stuck with the stubborn ones...”

So they’re in the battlefield now and they’re all fighting. Suddenly, arrows are flying all over the place (courtesy of Ieyasu)

Saizo’s dodged most of them, but one comes flying straight for him and he doesn’t have time to evade it so he braces himself for impact

Until MC shoves him out of the way and is hit by the arrow in his place

For the first time, Saizo visibly panics and even after he’s staunched the bleeding, he can tell the arrow’s poisoned because MC loses consciousness

Eventually, the Takeda army wins the battle, but Saizo is rushing to get MC to an antidote, stat

(He doesn’t let any other medic treat her because they’d find out her secret and possibly reveal it)

MC eventually heals and he is relieved

So that fiasco is over 

And Saizo has a newfound respect for MC 

He doesn’t openly mock her as much as he used to, and he even allows her to train with him sometimes (if he’s actually in the mood to train lmao)

One day, Shingen decides it’s time for all of them to visit the hot springs to boost morale

And MC wants to combust because how the heck is she gonna manage??

So they’re now at the hot springs and everyone’s wondering why MC won’t bathe

“I’ll just wait till you’re all finished...”

She finds a secluded area to bathe in and hopes to god no one’ll see her

But then Saizo pops in outta nowhere like usual and MC swears to god she’ll get a heart attack because of him one day

She asks if he can keep watch for her and, in true Saizo fashion, he says sure but he won’t do it for free

“I don’t have any money on me right now, so do you accept payment in food? I can make you anything you want.”

“Anything, you say?”

So he makes her promise to make him some dango at the next possible opportunity

Saizo is now sitting on a tree keeping watch for any interloper who tries to get in the hot spring

His gaze unconsciously floats to MC, and for the first time, he sees that she really is, undeniably, a woman. She wears either men’s clothing or armor all day, so her figure is always hidden

But right now, Saizo gets to see her as herself

(And he feels oddly satisfied about being the only one to see her like this.)

But the happiness doesn’t last long because

One day, during another campaign, MC is heavily injured and Saizo is away on a mission given by Iga

MC is treated by the army’s medics, and they discover she’s actually a woman

Saizo arrives back from his mission just to find out that MC is being interrogated and (possibly) executed for accusations of espionage 

Just as Shingen is about to give the order to execute her, Saizo steps in to defend her

Everyone is shocked because there’s no way in hell Saizo would ever do something like that

He tells them she’s not a spy, but the fact that she pretended to be a man still incriminates her

“You wanna get to her? You’ll have to go through me.”

To be continued

Yukimura’s route

It’s finally time to begin training 

But MC’s nervous as hell because what if she gets found out 

Cue shirtless training session with Yukimura’s chiseled torso on full display

MC is flustered

Yukimura asks her to spar with him in order to gauge his skill 

(He’s firmly convinced that MC’s hiding some sort of hidden technique, so he’s hyped)

While MC does have some experience with martial arts thanks to Inuchiyo and some lessons from the nearby dojo, she’s no match for Yukimura

She falls down, hard, and Yukimura is a little disappointed that she didn’t put up a better fight

All other training sessions end up grueling for MC

She’s sorely lagging behind the other men who have more combat experience than she does, and she’s slowly close to giving up

All the other men are saying MC has no place in the army because she’s a weakling. Some of them even tell her to go home because she’ll be a burden to the army

MC feels terrible at that, but she remembers that she’s here to fight for her family, so she doesn’t give up

She decides to find a place to train alone and uninterrupted so she can concentrate 

She trains there every single day (and night) and slowly, she can feel herself improving

One night, Yukimura catches her training alone and he’s impressed at her sheer determination

He offers to train her personally and she says no she couldn’t possibly ask too much from him, but he insists

So they finally start training together

And they grow a bit closer

With Yukimura’s help, MC is slowly getting the hang of combat

One day, she even nearly beats him in a sparring match (Yukimura is very happy and impressed)

After that last session, he finally asks her why she enlisted and she says she did it so her brother wouldn’t have to fight. She’s afraid that he might lose his life in the war, just like her father before her

Yukimura says that dying in war is honorable, and that she should be happy that her father’s death brought honor to her family name, but MC can’t help but disagree with him

“You may fight in order to die for your clan and your honor, milord. But I fight so that I can live another day.”

He’s a bit speechless at that

The Takeda army is being summoned at the front (probably against the Tokugawa or the Oda)

The battle is increasingly growing heated as the two sides go at each other without any restraint

Yukimura is on horseback, attacking as many enemy soldiers as he can

But then one of the enemy soldiers shoots Yukimura’s horse with a rifle, and he nearly falls off the nearby cliff 

Until MC comes in and catches him before he can fall to his death

“Sorry, Lord Yukimura. I can’t let you die yet.”

Both of them tag-team together and kick some enemy ass, and the Takeda are victorious for now

The Takeda army returns to the castle, and they hold a feast to celebrate

Yukimura specifically makes a toast for MC and pours her a drink

And for a while, MC feels like she really does belong in the Takeda clan

(And maybe, Yukimura might be more than just a commanding officer to her)

But of course things don’t always go well

Lately, Yukimura’s been noticing “Yahiko” more and more

He doesn’t know why, but he’s been acting so flustered around her (he’s even noticed a certain fragrant scent every time they’d spar)

Cue teasing from Saizo

One day during training, Yukimura and MC are sparring together when she suddenly drops dead

He sees that there’s blood on her hakama, and he panics

Yukimura immediately rushes to her and brings her to the castle medic

Turns out it was MC’s time of month, and her stomach cramps were so bad that she fainted

But of course, that means they discover that MC is a woman and she’s now suspected of espionage

Yukimura finds her at the main hall, being held down by the other retainers

He has mixed feelings about this because on one hand, “Yahiko” lied to everyone the whole time, but she also saved his life 

Shingen gives Yukimura the order to execute her, and just as Yukimura is about to strike, he stops

He tells Shingen that he owes MC his life and that he can’t do it

Yukimura bargains with Shingen to at least try and let MC have a lighter sentence especially considering all that she’s done for the clan

After much begging from Yukimura, Shingen decides that MC be exiled from the Takeda forever

Yukimura personally brings MC to the gates of Tsutsujigasaki

MC thanks him for all that he’s done for her and Yukimura tells her that he’s still conflicted inside because she kept her identity a secret

“Please go back home. It’s better if you never return here ever again.”

To be continued

#spade writes #spade draws #slbp #samurai love ballad party #voltage inc #sanada yukimura #slbp yukimura #kirigakure saizo #slbp saizo #slbp mc #just for fun #MAN THIS BECAME REALLY LONG #but oh god i've love for this to be an event kndfnrnj #yeah in my dreams #anyway i'm a sucker for all the tropes i inserted in here nkjncjfnjc #hope you guys enjoy this! #i took a LOT of creative and historical liberties #one day i'll finish this i swaer #slbp hana!mc soldier au #otp: under the cherry blossoms

[belovedryusei-blog]

CHARACTER STUDY:    Goemon Ishikawa XIII

*    BASICS.

▸     IS  YOUR  MUSE  TALL      /       SHORT       /      AVERAGE?

    Goemon is about 180 cm tall, or 5′11″, but I usually play him as being around 6 feet tall, or the tallest member of their group.

▸      ARE  THEY  OKAY  WITH  THEIR  HEIGHT?      

 He’s tall for a Japanese man, but fairly average for most other places, so he doesn’t think about it often.

▸      WHAT’S  THEIR  HAIR  LIKE?      

   Jet black and very, very soft. it has a lot of volume which mostly shows around the ends of his hair, which tends to “poof” a bit around the bottom. he tends to keep the length around his chin at the shortest and the base of his neck at the longest.

▸     DO  THEY  SPEND  A  LOT  OF  TIME  ON  THEIR  HAIR       /      GROOMING?    

  not a lot of time, exactly, but he has a strict routine that he usually does with his hair, involving coconut oil or cocoa butter, apple cider vinegar, and sometimes scented oil like patchouli or sandalwood.

▸      DOES  YOUR  MUSE  CARE  ABOUT  THEIR  APPEARANCE      /      WHAT  OTHERS  THINK?

     Goemon is not exactly vain, but as one of the last active Samurai, appearing properly is important to him. he always takes care to make sure his kimono, Gi, Hakama and even Fundoshi are all clean and properly worn. He is far more concerned about looking like a proper samurai for his own comfort than whether or not others will react strangely to it.

*    PREFERENCES.

▸      INDOORS  OR  OUTDOORS?  Outdoors.

▸      RAIN  OR  SUNSHINE?  Rain.

▸      FOREST  OR  BEACH?  Forest.

▸      PRECIOUS  METALS  OR  GEMS?  Precious metals, especially ones that can be forged into swords of great power.

▸      FLOWERS  OR  PERFUMES?  Flowers.

▸      PERSONALITY  OR  APPEARANCE? While he’ll only admit to being drawn to a personality, Goemon can easily be strung along by a pretty face.

▸     BEING  ALONE  OR  BEING  IN  A  CROWD?  Always being alone. Crowds tend to make him uncomfortable and he avoids busy places if he can.

▸     ORDER  OR  ANARCHY?  Order.

▸      PAINFUL  TRUTHS  OR  WHITE  LIES?  Painful, painful truth.

▸      SCIENCE    OR    MAGIC?  Magic. he sometimes even interprets science as a form of it, in certain ways.

▸      PEACE  OR  CONFLICT?  Conflict. if he wanted peace he would also have to give up his sword, which he isn’t ready to do.

▸      NIGHT  OR  DAY?  Night.

▸      DUSK  OR  DAWN?  Dawn.

▸      WARMTH  OR  COLD?  Cold.  

▸      MANY  ACQUAINTANCES  OR  A  FEW  CLOSE  FRIENDS?  Few close friends.

▸     READING  OR  PLAYING  A  GAME?  He says it’s reading, but he’s the best at video games next to Fujiko in their whole group.

*    QUESTIONNAIRE.

▸      WHAT  ARE  SOME  OF  YOUR  MUSE’S  BAD  HABITS?      

   For as perceptive as he can be, Goemon is also very obtuse and often doesn’t realize or sometimes even care about how what he says or does will affect others around him, forgets to apologize for things, etc. He is also guilty of disappearing for days to weeks to even months on end and being impossible to contact. He gets caught up in his own world of a samurai and neglects to contact his friends or employers, causing a plethora of problems for others.

▸      HAS  YOUR  MUSE  LOST  ANYONE  CLOSE  TO  THEM?  HOW  HAS  IT AFFECTED  THEM?    

    Goemon has lost a few people in his life. Among all the others in their band of thieves, Goemon probably grieves slightly more healthily than Lupin or Jigen, not to say his way is ideal. If he’s lost someone in what he perceives to be an unjust way, he will stop at nothing to take revenge on their killer, and afterwards, grieves by being alone, traveling solo, sometimes crying privately, as he doesn’t like being openly emotional in front of others. He visits the graves of his ancestors and departed loved ones regularly.

▸      WHAT  ARE  SOME  FOND  MEMORIES  YOUR  MUSE  HAS?      

    Childhood memories about growing up in Iga with his Grandmother as his sole caretaker, learning the history of his family and how to make herbal medicines and poultices was a very positive time for him, and his early childhood was rather charmed up to training with his first sensei, Jinen. His memories tend to darken after he was taken in by his second sensei, Momochi the killer, so the memories from his youth in rural japan color very much of his general perspective on life.

▸     IS  IT  EASY  FOR  YOUR  MUSE  TO  KILL?      

     Sometimes. After being trained by a skilled assassin for so many years, Goemon became skilled in taking lives, and the praise he received for it made it easier to ignore the questionable morality, and often still represses or ignores the issues that come up from being what is essentially a killer for hire, Meditating and training his worries away. While he still sometimes takes solo jobs as a bodyguard or assassin, he doesn’t take the lives of those that aren’t actively involved in criminal life and therefore understand the risks...anymore. His skill with his sword allows him to destroy weapons and armor without harming people, and he is far more in favor of doing that than killing needlessly.

▸      WHAT’S  IT  LIKE  WHEN  YOUR  MUSE  BREAKS  DOWN?      

   Extremely self-destructive, yet quiet. He tends to clam up, sees fit to “punish” himself for whatever he think’s he’s done. He often refuses to eat for days on end, and has been known to attempt suicide or even ask for help killing himself from one of his companions.

▸      IS  YOUR  MUSE  CAPABLE  OF  TRUSTING  SOMEONE  WITH  THEIR  LIFE?    

    only two men hold that honor.

▸      WHAT’S  YOUR  MUSE  LIKE  WHEN  THEY’RE  IN  LOVE?      

    Head-over-heels, twitterpated, you name it. He’s completely and unconditionally devoted to his partner, and takes it upon himself to act as their protector and guardian, which can almost come off as smothering at times. he will give anything his partner asks of him, and yet is often very shy about asking for anything in return, which sometimes results in an unbalanced relationship where Goemon ends up being manipulated. let him lay his head in your lap while you pet his hair and he’ll absolutely melt.

TAGGED BY:   @pinkjacketredtie

TAGGING: @jigen-daisuke, @smoke-and-rain ,anybody else that wants to do it (sorry I don’t have a lot of people I’m following yet)

[yukisaragi]

❥ G L A M O U R   # 87 :

Main Hand ~ Shiva's Diamond Daggers Head ~ Antiquated Kage-kakushi Somen Body ~ Antiquated Iga Ningi Hands ~  Antiquated Iga Tekko Legs ~ Hakama #55 Feets ~ Choka #55 Earrings ~ Carborundum Earring of Aiming

{Glamour usado nas gameplays do mês de Junho ♥}

#fashion glamours

[hotdamnvoltageman]

fight or flight

kirigakure saizo x mc (unnamed)

a/n: alright so an anon requested prompt 2 “please don’t leave me,” and i had this partial one-shot lying around and thought ‘well, that could fit nicely.’ and then it just. kept getting longer. and longer. and here we are. it’s a monstrosity i’m sorry.

@jemchew @demon-princess-anastasia @naerial @pasunny

Not her, he thinks, desperately, his consciousness clawing to regain itself. Not her. Anyone but her.

There's blood running down his arms, his legs, his face—there's blood between his fingers and in his eyelashes and it’s still dripping, slow rivers winding down his skin.

He pulls himself to his feet, reminding himself that if he dies, nobody remains to protect her, nobody remains to keep her from dying.

She's strong, but she can't possibly stand alone against an entire army.

He spits blood and starts running. He's good at running. No matter how far she is, he'll reach her.

The wind is hollow in his ears, but he reminds himself that the sooner he gets there, the sooner he can assure himself that she's safe.

The sooner he can admit to himself just what it is that's sending him flying this way.

He's late to the party, it seems, though he already knew that.

He arrives to find fire and desolation. He stands in the village, momentarily confused and a little more terrified than he expected—

And then she's there, rushing towards him, and the fact that she appears unscathed is enough to make him nearly fall to his knees in relief.

But he's a ninja of Iga. So he doesn't.

"Saizo!" She cries, desperate. "We have to evacuate the village—help me, we—" He grabs her wrist and pulls her back towards him. Her breaths are ragged and her eyes reflect the fire burning around them. He smells the smoke in the air and shakes his head.

"It's dangerous," he says, simply. The anger on her face as she twists her arm out of his grip is, in his mind, completely uncalled for. It's enough to bring a frown to his face.

"I don't care! I won't let innocent people die!" He curses her kind heart, her compassion, her love—the very things that have ruined him—as she charges into the devastation again.

It's then that he realizes he has no choice but to follow her. Or, rather, outrun her.

He sighs at the pain this entire situation has become, and starts after her.

He's quick to pass her; quicker to get to people, quicker to send them on to the mountain path. She darts between houses, adrenaline obviously making her faster, and he hears her voice. He keeps listening for it, just to reassure himself he hasn't lost her.

He can't lose her. Not yet.

And then, very suddenly, the world tilts sideways and he feels himself collapsing. He coughs violently, spits more blood, sees it running in the dusty streets and tries to assess the situation—

"Saizo!" His name carries like an arrow loosed from a bow. She kneels at his side, stops him from sitting up. The world goes loose at the edges, fraying like fabric.

"I'm just fine, little lady—"

"Like hell you are!" She snaps. He finds himself pausing, and her eyes catch his and he sees it, the fear—and not her fear for these people, or the world, but just for him. Do you feel it? He wants to ask. The part of me that you have. Do you feel it?

Because he does. Because he knows that she has some piece of him that he can't ever get back (and wouldn't want back, because it's the only proof he has that he's any good at all) and that he's not sure when she took.

"You should have told me," she says, worriedly, looking over him. She lifts his bangs and he watches her eyes darting over his skin, catching on every cut, every scrape.

"And what about you, little lady? All this smoke can't be good for you." He reaches up and threads his fingers through a lock of her hair that slipped over her shoulder. She furrows her brows, frowning in a way that reminds him of her mother back in Kyoto.

"That's not important," she says, and he desperately wants to argue that it is—until he starts coughing up blood again. He'll have to get some of Yuki's Iga medicine in him, and fast—but, first, he thinks, looking up into dark, glitter eyes. 

First, her.

"Go on, little lady. I'll be right behind you."

That frown again, he notes, but there's something in her eyes that's different this time. He fixes a smirk on his face and looks up at her.

She sighs.

"You're not as good a liar as you think you are," she says, almost disappointed, almost affectionate. Saizo's stomach drops. Don't you dare—

"Come on," she says, and she starts to loop an arm around his back.

"Don't—"

"Saizo," she says, pointedly, in a way that makes him look at her. Her eyes, dark like night, but reflecting the very depths of hell itself, are narrowed as she looks at him. He feels (almost) scared.

It's actually not a bad feeling, though, this one.

"Shut up," she continues, and his lips twitch into a smile. For a brief moment, he almost laughs—even as she hauls him to his feet, his lips are pressed tight to hold it back.

"Aren't we stubborn, little lady?" He asks, affection dripping fearfully sweet from every word. She lifts her chin, just a touch haughty.

"I—"

Her voice catches, gasping, and she suddenly crumples forward, sending them both to their knees.

He throws a knife behind them, and he hears it hit its target, supporting her with his free arm. Her breaths come heavy, anxious, and she leans forward on shaking hands and arms. He examines her, eyes catching quickly on the arrow lodged in her shoulder, the blood quickly blackening her kimono.

He examines it, then rips at the hem of his hakama, slowly removing the weapon and binding her as best he can.

It's not enough, not nearly, but he pretends his hands aren't shaking.

"Come on, little lady, we need to go," he says, scooping her into his arms. She looks up at him, gaze sharp, and clutches at the front of his hakama.

"Saizo, you're hurt, you can't—"

“We’re going. Hold on.”

They’re the last words either of them speak for a long time, as she presses her face into his shoulder and he runs until the smoke is less than a memory, and his legs are numb.

"Saizo," she repeats, worriedly, halfway to a question, when his steps falter slightly. He grits his teeth and grins, but it's too sharp and she notices.

"I'm fine, little lady—"

"No you aren't!" She snaps, and he— he's never seen her so angry, not like this, not at him.

"I've survived worse."

"Saizo—!" He can hear the storm that builds in her throat, lightning ready to strike him down, but he's sensitive to the world around him and he anticipates her every move.

He tightens his grip, makes it so she can't look anywhere but at him, words dying on her lips.

"I..." He waits, out of selfish curiosity, to see what she'll say. He knows he's been through worse, but, well, things still look bad—he tells himself he's allowed to be selfish.

"I won't let you die because of me," she says, resolute, eyes burning—and she shines like the moon in the sky, illuminating even the darkest of shadows, and he presses his forehead to hers because to kiss her would be cruel, but, god, he wants to.  

"Then we'll both just have to live, won't we?" His words drip sweeter, softer than he means for them to, and he suddenly regrets making himself the center of her attention.

Nevertheless, backing down from a challenge isn't like him. It never has been.

"There's no point in a world without you, little lady, so..."

He's capable of being charming. Making women swoon is easy, he's fine it for years, but for some reason he feels the words sticking to his tongue and he has to focus on hers just to find his footing. He can see the moon there, a crescent, cutting a curve into the darkness. Enchanting.

"So, don't leave me." A pause, and he swallows, and he feels her hands tremble and her eyes roaming over his face, searching,

"Please, don't leave me." The words hang too heavy in the air, too sentimental. He schools his expression,

"Hold onto me."

She nods, and agrees in a faint voice, as if hypnotized, and presses her face into his shoulder obediently. He lets himself relish it for just a moment, just long enough to blink and feel her arms circle a little tighter around his neck, just long enough to know that he will do whatever it takes to protect her—

And he runs.

The next morning dawns a hazy pink, the color of dying blossoms, and he rises later than usual. He's sure he was given a sedative. He lies on his back and stares up at the ceiling, sunlight inching across the floor.

He can remember the feel of her eyes on his in the moonlight, and how she passed out in his arms along the way. He can remember collapsing in Shingen's camp, shortly after delivering her and the news of the village's current state.

He had seen that the fire was out in the distance, and then nothing else.

Obviously, they had moved to a castle in the time he had slept. He wanted to move, but whatever they had given him is strong, because his head spins even now. He closed his eyes and returns to something close to slumber. He feels her breath on his lips, like it's real, but the moon in her eyes is not.

"Saizo," she says, and he wonders when it was she learned to move without alerting him, when she managed to slip so far past his guard.

He opens his eyes as if he couldn't care less to see her, and inspects her without obviously broadcasting his worry (which is intense, worse than he's ever felt, sharp as a blade—and he knows how those feel).

He lets a grin twist up the corners of her mouth, one more than the other.

"Shouldn't you be resting, little lady?" She frowns, slightly, and enters his room.

"I'm fine, thanks to you," she says, a concerned crease running across her forehead. She looks as if there's something more she wants to say, and in his mind he dares her to say it, but instead she shakes her head slightly and looks down at him.

"I came to see if you could eat breakfast. Are you hungry?"

After vacillating briefly, wondering whether he'd rather have food or her company, he cedes to her suggestion. She leaves the room, and it gives him time to think.

What he had said last night now seems extremely significant; asking her to stay with him, after all this time spent pushing her away. He had bared his soul for a rare, brief moment, and left them both stunned.

If he had to guess, he would suppose that was what she had almost brought up—but, knowing her, she chickened out.

He's (mostly) aware of what she thinks of him; what the world thinks of him: he is cold and distant and, at time, ruthless. He closes himself off and keeps his weapons closer than his enemies closer than his friends.

He can hear her approaching, and pushes himself up into a seated position, shaking the jumbled thoughts from his head.

"It's just a simple porridge. I hope you don’t mind," she says, edging back into his room. He can see the way she favors her uninjured arm, and wonders how 'fine' she really is.

She kneels beside him, watching his every move—every stiff, embarrassingly slow move.

There's not a word said until he has finished eating, and the silence weighs heavy. He refused to speak of it before she does; she wrings her hands together in her lap and looks from them to him, back and forth. Her anxiety is so obvious it almost makes him nervous, and he finishes the food quicker than he intended, passing her the bowl with as blank an expression as he can muster. He keeps his mouth shut.

There's a moment—fingers brushing and air crackling and the bowl trembles in her hands—and he wonders as it passes if she'll challenge him, after all.

He wonders if he wants her to.

It goes against everything he stands for, and he's uncertain whether he's willing to be honest with her or not. He wants to be, but he fears himself even as she does not.

He will never admit it.

She shifts, and he thinks she might just leave, and he quells the desperation that flutters like an injured bird up into his throat. What she decides to do is none of his concern, he tells himself, but his heart still pounds.

(He thinks of the weight of her in his arms and the feel of his forehead pressed to hers, how her lips might feel—)

"Saizo," she starts, a little uncertain, but she meets his gaze with a courage he admires and fears. She's a great and terrible woman, he's realized. He loves her far too much.

"Hm." Disinterest suits him; he dons it as a cloak and hood and hides.

"About—about yesterday."

"What about it," he replies, stoically, watching as she struggles and hesitates. Her lips purse and she stares into the emptied bowl as if it holds the answers to her questions.

"You asked me not to leave you." Her voice is soft. Uncertain. He feels something, either dread or anticipation, welling up heavy in his chest.

He's opening his mouth to disregard the comment, simply because her struggling is making him feel uncomfortable as he wants to soothe away her worries, but without getting too close—

"I won't, Saizo," she says, fixing him with a look that burns far too bright for the anxious lines of her body, the rigidity in her hands holding the bowl.

"I won't leave you. I'm not afraid."

There are a thousand and one things he could say, excuses he could give, denials that could cut her to the marrow—but he blames the haziness in his head on medication he knows has worn off, leaning into her personal space and tucking her hair behind her ear.

She startles, like he expects, and a blush dusts over her cheeks, but she doesn't draw away. Saizo almost, almost smiles.

"Do you know what you've just said, little lady?" He asks, voice a low rumble in his throat, predatory and hungry for whatever taste she might provide.

Her blush darkens. She bites her lower lip, anxious. He wants to bite her lower lip, less anxious, and hear the way her breath catches.

"Are you sure you aren't afraid?" He feels possessed, feverish, and he should stop but he can almost feel her lips against his and it's just a spark, but it's been so long since he last saw light.

"I'm sure," she replies, meeting his eyes directly. Whether his passion is mirrored in her eyes, or it's just his reflection, he's uncertain—but suddenly they're kissing and he thinks he's made a mistake but, well—

The bowl clatters from her hands, and he pulls her onto his lap before she can reach for it. It's the point of no return, now; her flames have consumed him and now he'll never be the same.

He doesn't mind, dragging his teeth across her lip and pulling until she makes a noise that causes her cheeks to flare red. He laughs against her collarbone, pressing his forehead into her neck, dizzy and overcome. Maybe the medicine hasn't worn off, after all.

Her hands are braced against his shoulders, and he feels her begin to push away and get a look at him. He tightens his grip, unwilling to meet her gaze, unwilling to be honest.

He will be. Just not yet.

"Saizo," she says, in response to his stubbornness, and he closes his eyes, listening to her heartbeat as he holds her.

"Not now, little lady," he says, kindly. "I want to stay like this."

He hears the tremor in her inhale, and realizes that he's never made such an openly selfish request of her before; she complies, her body relaxing, her hands making their way into his hair, combing through.

He's not sure anyone has played with his hair before. It's soothing. He's frustrated at the noise that almost leaves his throat, and presses his face closer to her, nosing the junction of her neck and shoulder. He feels her pulse there and it calms him, slightly.

He almost says he loves her, but he's already said too much—so they remain in silence a long time, holding each other. And she's right, he thinks; he really is a terrible liar, when it comes to her.

But maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

#kirigakure saizo #extra long fic #my writing #request #slbp #samurai love ballad party #voltage fanfiction #voltage inc #voltage inc fanfic #voltage fanfic #voltage inc fanfiction

[katsumi-sensei-of-iga]

The darkness... my sanctuary pt.2

I decided that this fanfic will be Shingen X OC with both a good and bad end, so tiger daddy lovers enjoy!

Also a cookie for the person that finds the insult quoted from non other that lord Ishida “Emperor of insults and manju” Mitsunari!

part 1

Katsumi’s PoV

“So, you are the new ninja?”- Lord Shingen asked after he took his seat on top of the dais and giving me a look of something between confusion and great interest, or lust, whatever you prefer.”Yes, lord Takeda. My name is Hirai Katsumi and I was sent by the Iga village Elders to serve you in the best of my abilities.”- I answered the formal way I was taught with a slight bow. Thankfully I was seated the seiza way, where it was acceptable to bow just slightly at the waist while still being counted as a very formal bow. You see, I hate bowing to anyone. I only bow with my forehead to the ground in front of my parents’ graves and, by all Hells, it’s going to stay that way...

”So what are your abilities? I asked for a very skilled ninja and you look, at least on the outside, very talented.”- Lord Shingen said in a way that should have been very arrogant and doubting of me, but instead he sounded honestly interested in my abilities. Strange...”I’m the best medicine and poison maker of Iga, skilled with a needle-type shuriken that is very effective in both ranged and close combat, more than an able rider and archer and I can say without sounding arrogant that I’m also a very good historian and strategist”- Lord Shingen seemed impressed and ...proud? He was a hard man to read even for me. “Well if you are like me, stuck in the same place for almost 3 decades, you learn to understand the outside world from nothing more that books and scrolls. I’ve also read original The Art Of War, were there’re strategies that were never translated from chinese, at least 4 times, so that’s plus.””A female strategist? Really?... Very well then, woman. Quote something out of The Art Of War!” -Turning my head towards the voice I see a not very important looking retainer looking at me with an arrogant smirk, while still undressing me with his eyes, thinking he’s caught me in lie. But, oh man, is he wrong. Getting up from my place with the grace only a kunoichi can posses I start swaying like a willow back and fort between the gathered retainers while quoting words from Sun Tzu that I personally think about very often. ” who wishes to fight must first count the cost ” -” All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”- At the last word I climb on top of the dais and stand behind lord Shingen quoting the last sentence” It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results. ”-”Seems narrow-minded bastardlings of bitch-bred whores like you are the things that stop lord Shingen from unifying the lands, because anyone smarter, slier or stronger than you is deemed a threat and you try to crush them.”- the silence that followed was broken only by the rich laugh that erupted from the red haired man if front of me, so loud, that it startled even me.”Now that’s something! Yukimura, I want this woman in my inner council as soon as possible and tell the maids to give her the chamber closest to mine!”- Lord Shingen looked over to the starstruck looking Sanada boy from before, who eagerly nodded and flashed at me what I can describe only as a “blindingly radiant” smile. “Oh, and Katsumi, call me Shingen.”- He looked over his shoulder and gave me a dazzling smile that almost made me weak in knees. Almost. I returned it with just as much of an alluring smile.

 After the whole farce was done, Shingen ...that sounds weird without lord... dismissed everyone except me, after he told me to sit next to him on the dais he said -”I’m impressed”-”...Is that all? You really kept me after everyone on my first day here to tell me this? I traveled for 5 days no stop to get here and right now I just want to take a nap, that I plan of taking right now, so have a nice evening lor... Shingen.”- As I was standing up to go he caught my arm and tugged me in to his lap as he was sitting cross-legged making clear he wanted me stay, not that I couldn’t break his arm and leave if I wanted to, but having him this close was nice. I didn’t feel like leaving anymore so I wrapped my arms around his neck and crossed my legs to the side over one of his.”You go me, now what?”- I could hear the smirk in my own voice as I saw him sneak his arms around me and pulling me even closer. Something about this man was just so captivating, was it the fiery red hair currently pulled in ponytail,the matching crimson eyes, the broad shoulders or the strong yet gentle hands on my hips I couldn’t tell, but I also didn’t care. The squeeze I felt was clear indicator of what he wanted to happen so I decided to have the control by leaning in first. But just as our lips met, the door of the hall was thrown open with a bang by a young noble lady in a pink kimono of at least 4 layers. “Damn it, we were just getting to the good part!”. Just as I disappeared from his lap and reappeared behind him the girl focused on Shingen, who by now had a visible bulge in his hakama that he tried to hide with his sleeves .”Kiku! Learn to announce yourself before entering, and I don’t mean shouting “I’m coming in” and letting yourself in”- Shingen tried scolding the girl but had a ...hard... time sitting comfortably. Trying not to laugh out loud I moved in front of him and bowed, excusing myself, but before I could leave I was called back.”Katsumi, this is my niece Kiku. Kiku, this is Katsumi. From now on she will be your personal ninja and tutor.”- “So that’s why he asked the Elders for an educated ninja, makes sense.”-”She?”- After taking a few good second to look me up and down the girl, Kiku, gave me smile that I returned with a nod.”Great! I was expecting some creepy old man or a sullen court lady but she looks okay. Come, I’ll show you to the chamber my uncle ordered prepared for you!”- She was practically jumping up and down before I nodded and took her outstretched hand, looking over my shoulder on the way out I gave Shingen a wink and blew him kiss, leaving him to deal alone with his “little” problem.

Weeell, that turned out longer than I expected.

#slbp #takeda shingen #my writing #shingen x oc #tiger daddy

[tanuki-kimono]

Modern tattsuke hakama by Yamagi, beautifully steampunk dressed (TAKE MY MONEY!)

Tattsuke hakama are pants gathered around the calves. They are also know as Iga hakama or… ninja pants, as ninja are nowadays often depicted wearing this kind of garb ;)

#japan #fashion #kimono #hakama #tattsuke hakama #Iga hakama #ninja #steampunk #pants #着物

[talesofedo]

This is a work of fiction. You can find more information about my blog 江戸物語 (Tales of Edo) and an index for this story’s chapters by clicking here.

…

Samon’s Story Inspired by Yagyuu Hijouken Samon (manga) / Also on AO3 CW: Really messed up family, abuse, graphic violence Language notes are found at the bottom.

Chapter 1 Moon reflected in Blood

It was already well past midnight, the bright full moon hanging large and white in an inky sky above, casting deep shadows across the formal garden of the samurai mansion below. Gathering storm clouds raced across the blackness, pushed onward by the strong winds that had gusted since late in the afternoon, and which tore at the leaves of the maple trees lining the garden walls, scattering them like embers sparking from a fire.

Yagyu Samon Tomonori sat cross-legged in the center of the porch facing the garden, far enough back that he remained shielded by the overhanging roof from the thick, heavy droplets of rain that had begun falling just then, a quick patter on the clay roof tiles. He was dressed in shinishozuku, the white kimono and hakama associated with burial rites and ritual suicide, and the brightness of his clothing contrasted starkly with the polished dark wood of the veranda as if it were a reflection of the moon and sky above. His eyes were focused on the trees swaying in the distance, at once both watching them and not perceiving them at all, worried that if he allowed his mind to dwell on what was surely coming to pass soon, he would not be able to hold himself together.

Early the previous morning, a messenger had arrived from a trusted acquaintance in Edo, bringing word that his eldest brother, Yagyu Jubei Mitsutoshi, had been sent by their father to meet Samon in his exile in Iga province. The news had not been a surprise. In fact, Samon had expected that something would happen as soon as the shogun had tried to arrange his return to Edo by gifting him a large stipend and the title of daimyo. It had been a well-meaning gesture, an attempt to reunite the two lovers once more, but it also completely ignored the political realities of Iemitsu’s position as shogun at a time when so many of the lords favored his younger brother, Tadanaga, and were waiting for anything that might give them pretext to stage a coup.

Samon took a long, slow breath in, held it to a count of five, and breathed out just as slowly, but the churning unsettled feeling remained in the pit of his stomach and his palms felt sweaty against the weave of his hakama. Now that exile was no longer the solution, the only reason his father would send Jubei all the way to Iga was with orders to kill him. Samon would have liked to think that Munenori saw him as more than a go piece to be maneuvered as part of some greater strategy, but he also knew it was like wishing to hold a wisp of smoke in his palm.

The rain was sheeting down by the time Jubei arrived, clad in black and green, and climbing over the back wall into the garden like a common thief rather than a close blood relative, daito already in his hand. When he spotted Samon waiting, he straightened and began walking casually toward his brother along the stone path snaking through the landscaping, unbothered by the water dripping from his face and soaking his clothes. He appeared neither surprised nor dismayed to find his youngest brother ready to meet him. He had mostly expected it.

“I’ve always looked forward to a chance at dueling you,” Jubei said against the rain, a small smirk playing around his lips, but his gaze remained cold. “They say you might be a stronger swordsman than I, and we’ve never yet had a chance to measure against one another in the dojo, let alone with real swords.”

“Then let us duel before the rest of the house wakes,” Samon responded, surprised to hear the calm in his own voice which did not betray a hint of the disquiet he felt. He was already unfolding his legs and reaching for his own long sword, doubly aware now of the sweat slicking his palms, but when his hand closed around the well-worn silk wrap of its handle, he found it unmovable because one of his own retainers, a man named Genjiro, had placed his foot on the sword’s sheath from behind. With all the noise of the rain drumming on the tiled roof above and his focus solely on Jubei, Samon had never even heard him approach. He turned, but even as he opened his mouth to order Genjiro to step back and release his sword at once, a coarse rope was slung around his neck.

Instinctively, Samon brought his hands up to keep from being strangled, but he was kicked hard between the shoulders and fell forward, face first onto the porch. He caught himself with his hands and tried to push up, but this gave the other man enough room to pull the loose ends of rope around Samon’s arms above the elbows, in seconds completely immobilizing him with a cloverleaf of rope that neatly connected neck, arms, and hands. Whoever this man was, he was clearly an expert hojojutsu practitioner and Samon knew there was no point in struggling – he was utterly defenseless before his brother’s sword.

“What is the meaning of this, Jubei?” he gasped, angry, the rope pressing against his throat. The two men pulled Samon to his feet, pushing him between them down the steps into the garden where they forced him onto his knees in front of his brother, the heavy rain drenching them all to the bone in minutes.

“Why go to such lengths? I know you don’t believe me to be the stronger swordsman, or that you need to resort to dirty tricks like these to kill me!” Samon shouted. “Won’t you at least give me the dignity of dying in a fair fight instead of being executed like a criminal?”

Jubei shrugged, sheathing his sword. “Don’t be so dramatic, little brother.” He rubbed his own temples in exasperation. “I’m not here to kill you, so there’s no need to have a duel.”

Samon blinked the rain from his eyes and looked up at Jubei, searching his face for answers in confusion. Knowing nothing but a lifetime of service to both his shogun and his own clan, he had resigned himself to his fate and he had waited for Jubei to come kill him. He would have even been glad to meet his death if it meant that Iemitsu would remain safe, protected by the Yagyu’s sword, but he was entirely unprepared for whatever was happening now.

“If you are not here to kill me … then why?”

The rain had started to let up and Jubei smoothed back some of the soggy strands of hair that clung to his own face. “Father needs me to ensure that you are no threat to our family due to your … involvement … with our shogun. Therefore, he has sent me to ensure you will never see Iemitsu again, stipend and title be damned. I suppose he’s decided to keep you in reserve rather than killing you, perhaps in case neither myself nor Mune produce an heir to the Edo branch.”

From the derisive tone of Jubei’s voice, tinged with an underlying anger that was so characteristic of his brother, Samon realized not only that Jubei disagreed with their father’s course of action but also that he had truly hoped for a duel. This did not bode well. Jubei had a terrible temper – always had, even when they were children – and a streak of pettiness that came to light when he did not get his way.

“So here I am,” Jubei continued, spreading his hands in a gesture that was half drama, half shrug. “An errand boy sent to do father’s bidding, sneaking around the family home like a thief in the night. I sure do hope the sex was worth all this, Samon.” He produced a tanto from within his belt and, with a sadistic smirk that exposed small pointy canine teeth, he leaned close to his brother’s face. “It’s not death, sorry, but I can promise that it will hurt quite a lot.”

The two men working for Jubei grasped Samon by the shoulders and pushed him flat onto his back in the dirt, his tied arms trapped awkwardly beneath him. Jubei straddled his brother’s body, kneeling on either side of his ribcage, and leaned forward. Samon lay still and quiet, knowing there was no point in struggling and having resigned himself to whatever was going to happen next. As the youngest of the three Yagyu brothers in Edo, his entire life had been one of shutting up and doing as he was told, whether these orders came from his father or his elder brother, his teachers or the shogun. If the shogun wished a duel, Samon would offer no resistance. If his father wanted to use him as a pawn in some political scheme, he would be who he was instructed to be. This was his purpose. He had once explained to Iemitsu, before they had formed a relationship that went beyond shogun and sword instructor, that he did not fear death because he was already a corpse. After all, the dead do not worry about being cut down.

Jubei studied his face closely. “Get a good look at me then, little brother,” he said, his eyes searching Samon’s which looked at him calmly through long lashes. “I will be the last person you will ever see.” With a flash of steel caught briefly by the moon’s brightness, Jubei flipped the tanto in his right hand and, grasping hold of Samon’s chin with his left, gauged out his brother’s eyes with a swift movement not unlike shucking an oyster.

“What a shame,” Jubei said in a mocking tone when it was done. He turned the glistening eyeballs in his hand, studying the lifeless dark brown irises, pupils gaping black in their centers. Small bits of optical nerve still attached to the back flopped limply like dead fish. He eventually cast them into the bushes with a wide swing of his arm and wiped his bloody hands on his dark hakama.

Samon’s handsome face was drenched in blood, the front of his white kimono stained as if by red ink dropped into water, but he remained silent even now, gritting his teeth so hard he feared they might break under the strain, but his body was shaking from the pain.

Annoyed at his brother’s stoicism in the face of such torture, Jubei said, “Iemitsu was always so attracted to your dark eyes and those long pretty lashes. I suppose you were always rather pretty, like a little sister.” He ran his fingers along his brother’s jawline as if appraising his facial features. “Do you think he’d still find you attractive now, our shogun? He will probably need to find himself a new wakashu now. Of course, being the shogun, he can build himself a whole harem of pretty young kagema to suit every one of his fancies.”

Hearing his brother mock Iemitsu, Samon was gripped by sheer rage and kicked upwards with his knees, catching Jubei off guard and toppling him forward, but with the two attendants quickly reaching in and the rope tightening around his neck as he struggled, there was not much else he could do. He kicked his legs pointlessly. “Don’t you dare insult the shogun,” he spit in anger. “Do as you want with me, but I will not hear you insult his excellency!”

Jubei pushed himself back to sit on his brother’s chest, making sure to place his full weight on him this time. “You won’t hear it, huh,” he mocked. “I’m not so sure you’re in any position to make demands.” He grasped Samon’s chin and forced his rough fingers into his brother’s mouth. “Don’t even think about biting me if you know what’s good for you,” he warned, pushing Samon’s lower jaw down and forcing his tongue out, pinching it between his fingers. “You know, I don’t think you will ever tell me what to do again, actually. If I were you, I would hold nice and still now so I can make a straight cut. If you decide to fight me again … well, maybe I’ll just rip your tongue out. Your choice.” He flicked the tanto forward again and sliced through Samon’s tongue, severing it just forward of its base. He threw the tongue into the yard and pushed himself to his feet.

“Get him up before he chokes on all of that blood, and make sure you call the doctor.”

...

Language Notes

+ Daito - The daito is the samurai's long sword and the term applies to any sword with a blade longer than 2 shaku (roughly 2 feet or 60 centimeters). In this time period, only members of the warrior class were permitted to carry a set of swords, or daisho (literally meaning "long and short"), which consisted of a long sword (daito) and a short sword (shoto).

+ Hojojutsu - Hojojutsu is a martial art that uses a rope, specifically for the use of restraining a person. This was a common skill for both samurai and (later on) for policemen, but, like any martial art, required a significant amount of practice to truly master. The specific technique used in this instance is an adaptation of the hishinawa (rope diamond). Fun fact: the sageo (the cord on the sheath of a samurai's sword) can be used for this purpose if no other rope is available.

+ Wakashu - Although this literally means "young person", it specifically refers to adolescent boys. In this context, Jubei is both taunting his brother (who is 26) and also telling him there are plenty of pretty young things like him for the shogun to enjoy instead.

+ Kagema - A young male prostitute.

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#roninwrites #story #creative writing #fiction #fan fiction (kinda) #inspired by yagyuu hijouken samon #samon's story #suigetsu (original) #first chapter #terrible things happen to samon #jubei is a jerk

[rya-iori-blog]

This FanFic is a continuation of CLAIM ME AGAIN (Kirigakure Saizo)

The thoughts of IORI (MC) and SAIZO are in parenthesis.

Quite a long story but I hope you will enjoy reading it. ^.^

Special thanks to @noriko_2015 (she's in Twitter) for the amazing fanart and @rinahayashi for the support!

THE LITTLE LADY’S TRIP

As soon as the wounds from Akane’s stab healed, Saizo was once again summoned by the Elders from Iga Village. “Kirigakure Saizo, your new mission is here.” They said giving him the scroll.

(They didn’t even ask how I was. Charmed.)

“Consider it done Master.” His usual emotionless face on.

“Kiyohiro, be his aid, stay in the shadows.” Kiyohiro who’s behind Saizo bowed. Both of them vanished as soon as the Elders turned their backs to them.

(Seems I’d be gone again. I’ll miss her.) “Kiyohiro, could you go and…”

“She’s fine. I just checked on her before coming here Master.”

Says Kiyohiro, interrupting Saizo, who never gets to finish his sentence. Saizo, stunned at Kiyohiro’s answer sighs. “Am I really that predictable now, hmm?”

“Not at all Master Kirigakure.” A suppressed smile started to form on Kiyohiro’s lips.

Not so sure if it’s REALLY safe to smile at Saizo, he holds his neck to make sure it is still attached to his body.

 —

“For Real?! Thank you so much Lord Yukimura.” Iori says happily.

“Sure thing Iori. Enjoy your trip and extend our greetings to your mom. I’m so sorry I can’t help you out now. Lord Shingen wants me to lead the training for the next 3 weeks.” Lord Yukimura said, apologetically.

“But can you really go alone? Saizo’s on a mission and I can’t help escort you to Kyoto.” He says.

“I’d be fine on my own Lord Yukimura. I’d just wear my hakama and pretend to be a boy again.” She said smiling at him. Yukimura looked down and whispered “we will miss that smile of yours.”

“Huh? Did you say something milord?” Iori asks.

“Oh n-nothing. I just said we’d be missing yo-your cooking” he said blushing.

“Ha ha ha don’t worry. I’ve already prepared the mixture for your donuts. Just ask for the cooks to bake it for you.” She said.

“Really? Thanks Iori, You’re a life saver!” Lord Yukimura smiling from ear to ear after hearing the word DONUT. And then she started preparing for her journey to Kyoto.

THE MISSION

Saizo wearing his formal robes, greeted the Lady inside the beautiful palanquin.

“Milady, good morning. I am Shiroku, your guide in this journey to Kyoto.” He smiled politely and bowed. (This is boring. Wish I’d just be lying on the rooftop eating her dango.)

The Lady moved the curtain ajar to see Saizo’s face. She instantly blushes as soon as their eyes meet. Saizo smiled faintly. “Shiroku you said, gorgeous, just like your name.” the Lady whispered to him. She touched Saizo’s shoulder slightly, acting so demure.

(She’s into me already? She’s even set to be bride for Lord Shigezane Date. Desperate for my attention hmm. So unlike Iori.) He stopped, stunned at his thoughts.

(This never happened before. Why am I thinking of her during my mission?) He shrugs his thoughts and tried to focus on his task, yet can’t help but smile everytime he remembers her. They started the journey soon. He got up the horse and stride beside the Lady’s palanquin to tend to whatever she might need. He slightly glanced up the tree and saw Kiyohiro’s moving head unnoticed like shadow.

Iori takes a rest under a huge tree, opened her box to eat some onigiri and dangos she made for her journey. (Wish I could make him tons of dango as he comes back from his mission. He should’ve skipped it and get some more rest.) As she sips some tea from her bamboo flask, she heard few men nearby having conversation she can’t understand. She sneaks up, tries to get near them so she can hear them better.

“……very rich. We need to get her and ask for ransom.” It was very faint but she heard the word RANSOM clearly. (Who will they kidnap? This is dangerous. I need to get out of this path!) She walks quietly and fast to get out from there.

CRACK! She stepped on a twig and broke it. “Who’s There?!” The man shouted. Two guys started to walk towards her place and she nervously move. (I can do this. I can get out of here.) She took a glance at where the guys were. (Huh? Where are they?) Ugh! Someone grabbed her wrist tightly. “Who are you? Why are you here? Who sent you?”

“Boss someone’s here!”  (I’m so dead. How can I get out of here?) She tries to loosen her wrist and twist the guys hand. “OUCH! Damn it! I’ll kill you kid” the man shouted.

(Thank you Sasuke, thank you Lord Yukimura for teaching me how to get out from a wrist-grab.) Iori ran as fast as she can away from the man. She kept on looking at the guy and saw him standing up ready to chase her again but as soon as the guy stood up, he suddenly tripped. (Now is my chance to get away from here.) She scrams like a frightened animal.

The shadow from the tree was holding 3 small stones. The fourth one went straight to the big guy’s foot who was chasing the woman he knows. He whispered “This is going to be interesting.” Then he talks to the big crow.

ENTWINED LOVE STRING

A crow landed on Saizo’s shoulder then lets out a sigh.

(Why didn’t you just finish them up Kiyohiro? This is troublesome.)

He saw the bandits shouting and running towards their caravan. The Lady asks what the commotion was all about.

“It’s nothing milady, please don’t concern yourself with these petty things.” He assures her. But some bandits were already at Saizo’s blind spot, the palanquin got rocked and the Lady shrieks. Saizo pulled her, carried her to a safer place but someone bumped at him. He was wide-eyed when he realizes who it was.

“S-Saizo!” Iori shouted. She too was so surprised to see him. But the surprise registered on Saizo’s face was already long gone. He strides past Iori as if she was not there at all, and puts the Lady down slowly, few feet away from her. Iori completely speechless seeing Saizo with another woman. And she can’t believe that he ignored her. Furious, she was going to shout at him but the Lady sweetly said,

“Thank you so much Shiroku. You really are a dependable gentleman.”

“It’s my job milady, were you hurt? Are you alright?” he asks so softly, so full of concern that Iori found herself frozen and dumb-founded.

(Huh? Shiroku? Isn’t he Saizo? And who on earth is that noble lady?) Iori suddenly remembers Sasuke and Yukimura’s statement about the baby of a noble lady, whom they called baby Hime.

“So are you the father of this child? Were you the one who had an affair with the noble woman?” Yukimura said.

Iori gasps. (could it be…? No! he will never do that.) But when she sees him staring at the Lady with so much concern in his eyes, her chest aches. She can’t take what she is witnessing.

(Hmm eyes still on me? What if I get a little closer? She’d be all pouty and jealous. Funny.)

Chuckling in his mind, Saizo leans closer to whisper something to the Lady but to his surprise, he saw Iori’s eyes misty, she’s bravely holding back her tears.

(Guess I overdid it.) Saizo thinks, feeling guilty. Restlessness is getting in to him though his face looks dead calm. The royal guards have handled the bandits. Iori turned her back on them to walk away from the pain she is feeling but someone grabbed her wrist.

JEALOUS HEARTS

“I saw you running away from the bandits. You got me alarmed. Who are you? What are you doing here, Miss?” the guy politely asks Iori. She told her that she’s going to Kyoto, told him everything she heard about abduction and ransom. “Is that so. I need to thank you, for alerting us. By the way what’s your name? I’m Ichinaru, one of her father’s retainers. And you are?”

“Iori. You don’t have to thank me. I- ah I’d better go now and have a safe journey.” She started to walk away taking a last look at Saizo and the Lady. (He never look at me even once. Is it because she’s too beautiful?) Her few steps were halted by Ichinaru. “I’m sorry but I can’t let you leave alone. It’s too dangerous. I’d ask milady to let you go with us since we`re off to the same destination.” Ichinaru left her side for a moment, kneels down the woman and she smiled at him. She smiles so sweetly, Iori’s heart is tearing. (Maybe she really is the type of woman Saizo likes.)

After getting a yes from the Lady, the retainer left to tell Iori the good news. The Lady was all smiles. She whispered to Saizo, “Ichinaru seems to like that girl. He rarely asks for requests like this. What if he sees her in one of my kimono. You know, she’s really pretty. He will drool for sure ha ha ha.”

Saizo felt a sting when he heard the Lady laugh. But he had that poker face on. (Panicking? No, I NEVER panic. I’m calm. Always calm. What’s wrong Saizo? She’s right, Iori’s pretty. Even Yukimura blushed a bit the first time he saw her in a woman’s kimono.) He asked “Milady, is it really alright to bring her with us. She might be an accomplice, yes?”

(I need to persuade her not to let Iori go with us. I’d ask Kiyohiro to escort her home.) “If she’s one of them, I ‘ll just have her killed. End of the story. I see Ichinaru so happy, why would I take that away.” She said grinning at Saizo. She moves closer to Saizo, elbows almost touching. “enough about those two, let’s talk about… Us.” She said smiling at Saizo. (I should be telling her how lovely she is, and how beautiful her full lips are just like what I used to do every mission but why can’t I?) His head had been pre-occupied by Iori that his eyes are now like of the dead fish.

TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL

Still not talking to each other, Iori can’t bring herself to go to Saizo. He has been around the Lady the whole time. Her heart feels like it is being stabbed everytime she hears them laugh.

(My heart’s aching too much. I just want to go home.) She wasn’t paying much attention she tripped and almost fell face first to the ground. Ichinaru ran to her side to catch her but someone was already holding her in her waist.

“Careful miss.” Iori looked up and see Saizo helping her steady on her feet. Ichinaru holds her hand and asks “Are you alright?” “Sir Shiroku, thank you for saving her. You can go back to the Lady. I’ll tend to her.” And Ichinaru puts himself between them, Saizo looked at Iori and mouthed CLUMSY to her, then chuckle lightly as he goes back to the Lady. Iori on the other hand, had mixed emotions. She now know it really is Saizo who’s with her all the time. She feels very jealous of the Lady. She never took her eyes off of Saizo till he’s with her again. She just snapped back when she felt Ichinaru hugged her.

Saizo went back to the Lady and stayed beside her palanquin. But got shocked at what Ichinaru did to Iori. (YOU’RE DEAD!)  Kiyohiro sensing strong bloodlust in Saizo`s eyes immediately went to his side. “Master please calm down. Our mission is not to kill that man and feed him to the crows. Don’t get jealous please. I know you can kill him 3 seconds flat but please calm down.” Saizo stops, as the word JEALOUS slipped on Kiyohiro’s lips. He glared at him fiercely, as if his meeting with the Creator is inevitable any minute. But snapped back to reality when he saw Iori pushing Ichinaru away.

“I’m sorry, Ichinaru, but I’m already in love with someone else.” Iori says to Ichinaru. He just smiles and said, “I understand. I’m sorry. I know you are just saying that so I would back down to pursue you. But I won’t and I’m serious about you.” Then he walks away from Iori. (H-how did? Wha-what happened? Did he just said he likes me? Even if I told him I am already in love with someone else?) she then took a glance at where Saizo is but he was staring at the ground.

 Sun is setting they had to stop and rest for the evening. Iori helped in preparing dinner for all. The Lady was so happy with her cooking and she gave her a gift. She summoned her to her small tent.

“I want you to have this kimono. Thank you for the wonderful meal. How I wish you`ll be my cook but unfortunately, your restaurant needs you.”

“Thank you, milady, but you don`t have to give me this. I am already happy you enjoyed my cooking.” Iori said bowing to her. “But I insist. And I would want to see you now wearing it.” Said the smirking Lady. Saizo, who was there all the time, knows what the Lady is thinking. His brows knit for a moment then put his poker face again.

HEARTS SPEAK VERACITY

(Okay, this is weird. She wants me to wear this expensive looking kimono NOW? What for?)

Reluctant, yet Iori still changed her clothes in a small enclosed space inside the tent. (My hair won’t look good with this. I’d braid my hair.)

As soon as Iori went out of the dressing room, Saizo’s eyes were glued to her.

(My little lady. So beautiful. Ha! she braided her hair. You really remembered that I love it when you braid your hair. If only we’re in Kai, I’d be nibbling on that ears of yours.)

Saizo’s eyes were tracing Iori’s ears, to her neck down to the open part of her kimono. But startled with Ichinaru’s voice.

“Iori, you’re so beautiful. I’m in awe. I guess I’ve fallen in love with you more.” Says Ichinaru admiring her.

(Tsk! Okay I maybe jealous. Maybe.)

Saizo’s mind is so occupied by her but he felt a hand touching his arm.

“Say, who is prettier for you Shiroku?” Asks the Lady.

“Milady, you both are pretty, but your grace is far from a commoner like her.”

 The Lady was so pleased with his answer but Saizo’s thoughts were speaking his heart out.

(Yes, she’s just a restaurant owner’s daughter. Yes, her hands aren’t soft because she’s hard worker. Yes, she’s never used to any luxuries. But she is the one who brought my soul to light, gave meaning to the word Love that I’ve always believed non-existent. She, and only she, is the only woman I love and I’d love till eternity.)

 Iori overheard what Saizo said to the Lady and felt a throb in her heart.

(Oh yeah I’m just a commoner to you. I don’t have her grace nor her beauty. I’m just a simple cook. I am just a simple girl who was so naive to fall for a ninja like you. Just an ordinary woman, who’ll wait for you, who wants to see you home safely, who wants to cook dango for you, who wants to see you smile. Simple. Foolish woman who carved your name in my heart and soul, and will never be replaced by anyone in this lifetime.)

SURPRISE!

They held a small banquet before heading to bed. Ichinaru was always at Iori’s side, so is Saizo with the Lady.

“Can anyone please entertain us?” She smiles as she looked at Saizo. A lady stood up, takes her koto and started to strum a lovely melody. All quietly listens. Then to their surprise, Saizo, stood up, went next to the lady playing her koto. And then he began singing.

“My heart sings your name, my soul cries out for you. And the warmth of your touch I will remember for the rest of my life….”

Iori was so shocked she never knew Saizo could sing so beautifully.

(He hates staying in the crowd, he usually stays in the corner eating dango. Rarely touching sake. Even Sasuke and Lord Yukimura never told me he can sing!)

(His song is reaching to my heart. I can’t help but cry.) But she had to hold back her tears.

The depths of emotion seem like an abyss of never ending sadness.

(Like a love that can never be.)

“Oh my Shiroku, you surprise me with your talent, you made me cry. And so are the maidens here. It was so beautiful”

Says the Lady as she gracefully wipes her tears.

“You praise me too much milady. I’m not that good,”

Saizo says with a faint smile on his lips. He looks at Iori, sees her hurriedly wiping her eyes with her sleeve, so unlady-like. She looked at him and she met his eyes.

Saizo wanted to shout. (My love, it was for you.) but he can’t. He just gave her his most genuine smile.

NIGHT TIME IS QUIET TIME

Futons are laid out, Iori and the Lady started to sleep. Saizo stays at the entrance of the tent. He was just few feet away from the two. The Lady who’s fully aware of Saizo staying with them, deliberately remove her blanket, exposing her thighs and slightly opening her kimono to reveal a cleavage, pretending to be asleep. Iori, who was still awake, and saw the lady’s exposed skin, started to blush. She turned the opposite side and places her blanket up to her neck. Saizo is laughing in his mind.

(Ha ha ha you never change Iori. You keep your blanket up whether the night is cold or hot.)

Saizo sighs as she looked at the Lady.

(So this is what she’ll do just to get my attention.) He slowly goes to the Lady’s side to put her blanket back. But the Lady grabbed his robe closer to her.

She whispered “I’m feeling cold, stay beside me tonight.”

Iori hears the Lady and took a quick glance at her. She saw Saizo so close to the Lady, as if they are going to kiss any moment. She turned the opposite side and put the blanket up to her head. She clutches her chest. Her mind is full of painful thoughts. But everything was so quiet. She wanted to take a glimpse but she knows her heart couldn’t take what she will see.

Saizo, eases the hair on the Lady’s face with gentle expert fingers. He held her up, helped her to sit and touched her nape. He closes his lips to the Lady. As soon as the Lady closes her eyes for his kiss, he pins the needle on her nape. She collapsed on her futon instantly.

(There, that would be 6 hours of sleep for her. Hmmm My little lady is curious.) His lips curled up into a boyish smile.

(Huh? Why so quiet? What are they doing?) Curiosity is killing her. She wanted to look. But she will never like what she’ll witness. She was about to cry when she felt warmth beside her.

(Huh? What was that?) She slowly lowered her blanket down and turn to face where the Lady’s futon is laid. But what she saw is Saizo, lying next to her, looking at her so full of love.

(That’s the reaction I expected. She looks so confused, Ahaha) Saizo teasingly touched Iori’s chin and started to lean for a kiss. But she pushed her away.

“What are you doing? The Lady will see us.” She whispered. He confidently told her,

“Even if you moan loud like you used to do in Kai, she will never get up. I gave her sleeping potion.”

She instantly blushed furiously on what Saizo said to her.

(I can’t hold back anymore. I want her so badly.)

Saizo goes on top of her so fast and claimed her mouth hungrily. Iori was so shocked her mind just went blank. He thrusts his tongue and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. She doesn’t know what’s happening anymore, her body just follows what he wants her to do. He parts her kimono and started to kiss her neck down to her breasts. But he stopped, and sighs. He fixes her kimono back and gave her a quick soft kiss on her lips. She was about to open her mouth to speak but he is no longer beside her, already at the entrance of the tent. Then after few seconds, Ichinaru was there and ask Saizo how Iori was.

“Ichinaru, wouldn’t it be appropriate to ask you Lady’s welfare first before checking on Iori?”

There is a hint of irritation on Saizo’s voice, he didn’t get the chance to conceal.

(Tsk, your timing is the worst. Much worse than that of Yukimura.)

“Sorry Shiroku, I got carried away. So how’s milady?”

“There.” his index finger points out to the Lady. Iori so concerned of how the Lady looked a while ago felt relieved when she saw her with blanket covering her up.

“Iori, why are you still up? And why are you panting? What’s wrong?” Suddenly she realized that she really is still panting from Saizo’s hot kisses she immediately blushes. “Oh and your face is so red. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just woke up from a bad dream.” she said taking a glance at Saizo who’s covering his mouth, trying not to laugh, but his shoulders betray him. (You wicked shinobi.)

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Saizo received message from the crow saying that the Dates are almost at the meeting place in Kyoto. As they’re reaching the area, they were ambushed by another set of bandits.

(Ugh, not again.) He had to get Iori and get her up in his horse. Seems the guards can take care of the commotion, Saizo called out for Kiyohiro. “Master.” He said to Saizo.

“Get the Lady out of here. Go to the meeting place. Take care of her.” “What about you?” he asks.

“I will take care of MY LADY.”

“As you wish, Master.” Kiyohiro took care of the palanquin, they stride past the bandits and hurriedly get out of the chaotic place. Saizo asks Ichinaru “Can I leave things to you? The Lady is on her way to the meeting place.”

“Yes go on, and thank you for taking care of Iori.” He smiled and followed Kiyohiro.

“Saizo why did you…”

“You better not talk or you might bite your tongue little lady.”

He said, halting her talk. They came shortly after Kiyohiro stops the carriage. The Lord Date went down from his horse, saw Saizo and Iori. He walked towards them, takes Iori’s hand and kisses it. Lord Shigezane was all smiles when he sees Iori.

“I thought I was going to be disappointed but it seems I made the right choice to get married.” Iori, stunned and confused gently takes her hand away from Shigezane. Saizo goes down his horse and bowed down to the Lord.

“Milord, the Lady, your bride, is inside the palanquin.” He said.

“This little lady here is my WIFE.”

Iori so shocked, looked down at Saizo who is looking at her with loving eyes. All she did was feel bashful and blush like red apples.

“But they told me she is being taken care of by a man with silver hair. I’m sorry.” Shigezane replied to Saizo.

And so Saizo’s mission ended. He accompanied Iori to her house. He greeted Yahiko and her mom who will celebrate her birthday soon and politely leaves. They never spoke again after the mission. They heard the marriage did not push through, the reason was unknown.

SUNFLOWERS AND KISSES

Her mom’s birthday celebration was filled with food and sake for the patrons of their restaurant. Even Inuchiyo was there, drinking like a fish.

“So where’s that lover of yours Iori?” he asks while still holding bottle of sake.

“I ah, I haven’t seen him yet.” She said, feeling a little bit down.

“I told you to let that guy go. He’s not good enough for you.” Inuchiyo said, full of concern.

“I’ll go get more sake.” She said avoiding him. (Why hasn’t he visited me even once? Why isn’t he here with us?) She went to the kitchen to hurriedly wipe her eyes as tears are already starting to flow.

(Sighs. Why can’t I just go and say sorry to her?) Saizo wearing his ninja outfit, stays on rooftop near Iori’s house.

(Is she still mad? What should I say? I wish Master taught me what must I do in this situation.)

Kiyohiro appears beside him.

“Master, you know ladies love flowers. It is even written on your book. Why won’t you give her some?”

Saizo looked up at him and smiled.

“Thanks. I’d do that.” He earnestly said to Kiyohiro. Kiyohiro, so shocked at Saizo’s kind words, got frozen for a bit, then smiled.

“Now since you suggested it, find me sunflowers and beautiful set of cookwares for her mom.” He said, sounding excitedly. Kiyohiro was wide-eyed at Saizo, the boy who has to grow up to be a man so soon, seems to be like a kid again right before his eyes. And then creases his brows.

“Master, there is no sunflower now. No longer in season.” Saizo’s face went blank.

“But I have to get it to her.” He said, determined to find the flowers that exactly describes his feelings.

Iori went to her room as soon as she finishes cleaning up.

(Sighs, still no sign of Saizo.) She started to cry on her pillow.

(Why? Did you realize I’m not worthy for you? Or not beautiful enough? Or elegant enough? What happened to you? Why won’t you see me?)

She fell asleep, determined to visit Saizo’s restaurant tomorrow morning.

Saizo, gathered all the sunflowers he managed to buy. He pleaded to nearby flower shops to let him buy sunflowers. Pleading has never been in his vocabulary, but he still did it. He’ll do it, just to make her smile. The price was doubled since they aren’t in season. And Saizo didn’t care at all, as long as he can give her those. He went to her room, stealthily sets up the flowers. As soon as he’s done, he went to her side, slightly touches her cheek, stained with tears.

“Saizo, I love you. You know that right?” Saizo froze, and thought she was awake but it was her talking in her dreams. He smiled, looked down at her and whispered,

“You never know how deeply you made me fall in love with you little lady.” Then kisses her forehead before getting out of the room.

DREAM CAME TRUE

Iori, with an aching head was woken up by Yahiko’s voice.

“Iori, you have a visitor, get up!”  She yells back, eyes still closed and said “Coming.”

As she rubs her eyes, she saw so many sunflowers inside her room.

(Am I still dreaming? This is so beautiful. So many sunflowers though they are not in season. They remind me of Saizo.) Then she felt as if she is going to cry again.

(No, no, I need to wake up and prepare.) She slaps her cheeks a few times then look at her room again.

(Huh? Wait. I’m awake. Why are these flowers still here?)

“You are too slow, Saizo has been here for so long waiting for you to wake up!” 

Yahiko shouted sliding her door open. When she looked at her door, there he is, holding a piece of sunflower, smiling at her. He looks pale, just like what he is portraying in Kyoto, sickly rich kid who owns the luxurious restaurant. She couldn’t hold back herself she ran and throw herself to him. Saizo smiled and hugged her back but slightly gave some space between them. Iori then realized that her mom and Yahiko was with him, her brother grinning from ear to ear.

“Dear, Saizo went out of town to buy me these beautiful cookwares for my birthday. Isn’t he sweet?” Iori’s mom saying proudly as she shows her a box.

“Yahiko let’s go, these two need to talk.” Says her mother smiling as he guides Yahiko out of the room.

Iori still can’t believe what Saizo did for her. She knows too well he has never been showy like this. Saizo looked at her misty eyes and said

“I’m sorry. I never get the chance to talk to you. I’m on my mission I can’t tell any-…”

“Shhh.” Iori places her index finger on Saizo’s lips to hush him up.

“Don’t explain. There’s no need for it. Just seeing what you did here for me is enough. I’m so happy. Now all I’d be waiting is to hear you say you love me.”

“I Love You” He said as soon as she stops talking.

“Yeah that’s the only thing I’d be wishing to hear from you. I’d wait patiently.. til… you.. are.. rea..dy?! Huh? Could you say that again?”

“I Love You, Little lady” he said smiling at her.

“Saizo! Did I hear that right? Again please?”  Iori is already crying. Her heart swells with so much joy.

“Not a word. Not my fault for not hearing it. I’ll clean your ears as we get back to Kai, yes?”

He says laughing at her. (I feel so light. I’ve never felt such happiness. I love you too much little lady.)

THE END (^_^)

#slbp #samurai a love ballad #slbp saizo #slbp saizo kirigakure #saizo kirigakure #fanfic #writing

[lady-inahime]

Book - The Princess and the Shadow

Chapter 2: Cold shinobi 

Ina was kneeling on the tatami of her room and then she felt a presence and turned her face to see a shadow behind the shoji door, but not the door into the castle, but the balcony.

She slowly stood up and walked toward the door. Who was? She had already let go of the sleeves of her hakama for lunch, and with a gentle movement with her arm a tanto jumped in her hand, she took the sheath with her other hand and in a sudden movement opened the shoji doors and pointed the tanto to the visitor's throat.

Her violet eyes widened rapidly and she saw Masayasu standing before her, not taking a step back, standing like a stone, with cold eyes watching her. He did not move a single muscle, he did not feel fear, even though it was close to his throat.

Masayasu continued to watch Ina, he saw that it was so close to his throat, she was quick and was prevented from attacking, smart girl. He allowed a brief smile to appear in the corner of his lips and he saw her pull away the tanto from his throat.

His eyes fixed on Ina, not looking away, keeping cold, calm, as usual. Then he see she hide the tanto into the sleeve. He watched her move quickly and then looked down at her face.

"So is this how you get a guest?"

He asked ironically. He saw in Ina's face that she was still confused, trying to recompose, she must have really thought it was some shinobi trying to attack her.

"Sorry, it's the habit, I'm always armed and attack when ... well ... you surprised me coming from my balcony."

Ina tried to smile a little, still embarrassed to attack him, for a few millimiters she had not injured him, but he was not afraid of being hurt. She looked at him, admiring his courage and remembering his cold, unmoving gaze.

"But ... you did not move, I could have hurt you."

Masayasu knew that Ina would ask about it and he just walked into the room and saw that there were already two trays of food on the tatami, facing each other. He quickly looked at Ina, she could hurt him, but this was not her real desire.

"I know, you're skilled, but if you hurt me I would not attack you if that's your concern."

He was taken aback to feel her grab his arm tightly. His eyes met hers. There was concern in those beautiful violet eyes, he saw guilt, she would never hurt an ally, he saw it in her eyes, she was above all kind and just.

"I'm sorry....I did not want to hurt you, fortunately I saw it was you in time."

Masayasu looked at her hand on his arm and then looked at her face and a brief smile appeared on his lips.

"It's all right, Inahime. You did not hurt me, do not worry."

He put his hand over hers, and continued to look into her eyes. There was still concern, she did not seem calmer with his answer, maybe his surprise had been a bad idea, but maybe it was not a big loss.

"I trust you, I know I know you'd never hurt me. You said yourself that you realized it was me in time. Besides, I trust you."

Ina felt the warmth of his hand on hers, although he had a cold posture and kept some distance, he seemed to have lowered his guard to her at that moment. Whether this was purposeful or not, she could not say.

"Why do you trust me? You do not know anything about me."

Masayasu still obsessed those eyes, Ina was not the kind of person that looked away, or that felt fear easily, and she did not seem to bother with shinobi, other than the idea of ​​having one as her shadow.

"I see kindness and generosity in your eyes, Inahime. I know you would not hurt an ally without motives, I know we did not start well, but I'm still here, right?"

A brief smile and then he saw her smile at him. She had a beautiful smile, was gentle and enlightened that beautiful face. A face that looked like a mixed girl and woman. Although young, she was a young woman. A young and beautiful woman.

"If you say that so I feel less guilty maybe it will work."

She laughed a little and pulled away from him, quickly taking her hand from his arm, breaking that warm contact between their hands. She quickly made a gesture with her hand to him sit down.

Ina knelt on a cushion in front of her tray and looked up at Masayasu. Maybe she should not, but his presence was not as bad as she imagined. She smiled at that idea. He could be a good company after all. Or maybe when he wanted to talk.

Masayasu watched Ina for a few minutes, then sat down on a cushion in front of his tray and looked at his food, he did not know if Ieyasu was generous in that way with whom he worked for him, or if that food had been brought by Inahime's order, but if it was her request, she was certainly a generous woman.

He looked at her and saw that Ina was looking at him with a smile, she held the hashi with her long and soft fingers. She had beautiful hands, she probably took care not to hurt herself so much with the bow, though he knew there might be a little warmth.

"I asked sake for you, I do not know if you drink, but ... you're starting here today, I did not want you to have a bad impression of my clan, or a bad impression on me."

She told him. Her voice was soft as a cotton, the sound of her voice was crystalline and soft, it was pleasant to hear her speak, but he had already known it in a moment of anger and knew that her voice could become hard when needed.

A small smile and then his eyes met hers. He was standing before her, perhaps with a low guard a little, he could talk or ask questions, but what should he say to her? It was the first time he had lunched with a hime, and although he knew she was a noble young woman, she acted without regard to the status difference between them. That was admirable!

"Inahime, to be honest ... the treatment I've received since I arrived was the best I've ever had, never as a shinobi I've been treated that way. You're an admirable young woman."

Ina was a little surprised at Masayasu's words, but then she smiled gently at him, a faint blush forming on her cheeks.

"Oh thanks, Masayasu-sama!"

She felt her heart pounding, heard a compliment like this from a man that had met her a few hours ago meant so much to her. But she quickly tried to smile and began to eat. She looked at Masayasu, she could no longer hide such curiosity about him.

"Tell me more about you."

She saw Masayasu take a sip of sake and look at her with a mysterious gleam in his eyes. It was as if he was going to tell something terrible, or some secret he'd never shared with anyone.

"What do you really want to know about me, Inahime?" He raised an eyebrow.

Ina raised her face, there was surprise in her eyes. She saw a soft ironic smile on Masayasu's lips. She still had not gotten used to his smile, she could not tell if he was always ironic or if it was being ironic at that moment.

Another soft blush colored her cheeks. Although she lived daily more with men than with women, she was still getting used to Masayasu's presence and hearing such a direct question from someone who knew nothing about, had caught her by surprise. What did he expect her to ask?

She tried to disguise her slight embarrassment, brought the hashi to her lips with a sushi and chewed looking at Masayasu. Then she placed the hashi over a bowl and picked up her cup of green tea with both and brought it to her lips in a sip. She set the bowl on the tray and turned her gaze to Masayasu again.

"What do you think I'd like to know about you? You're a shinobi, I know you're not going to talk about yourself much to me, at least not right now."

She smiled softly at him. Her eyes had a glow, Masayasu could see that the glow had a certain mystery, it was as if she was hiding some personal question, something that she was curious to hear an answer from his lips, but she was not prepared to ask the question now .

"There are things that should stay in the past, my past died, I live the present, but I can at some point talk about my past for you, but I believe this is not the right time."

He replied in a serious tone, but Ina could see that there was no coldness in his words, only seriousness. And he was right, some things should not be said at that moment, maybe at the right time.

She picked up her hashi and got a sashimi of salmon and looked at Masayasu still with a curious look.

"Were you surprised to meet a warrior princess? I imagine you've had other work in your life like bodyguard, but the princesses you met did not fight, right?"

As she said this she took the sashi to her lips, while still watching him, Masayasu was also eating and looking at her. Her question was strong and that would reveal his thoughts on her. Very clever of her.

"It surprised me, not only because you knew how to fight, but because of her intelligence. Maybe....I should be careful with my words. My words can talk a lot about what I think."

He smiled at her. He smiled a little, but this time without irony, just a smile, a mysterious smile that caught her attention. Who was that man who carried so much mystery in his eyes and in his smile?

Ina looked at Masayasu and then smiled at him, he was right, depending on what he said she would know what he thinks about her, and maybe it was not his intention to make it clear to her.

"You're a man full of mysteries, but ... I know this is part of being a shinobi. Shinobi are always mysterious. I do not know if my father told you that, but you're the only Koga's shinobi here."

She paused and saw him look into her eyes, she knew the rivalry between these schools, Koga and Iga, was an old rivalry, although she did not know the real reason and when it started. She only hinted that it was a rivalry over skills.

"I think my father did not speak, well, of the shinobi who work for my father, the closest ones maybe you only have problems with one, Momochi-sama, he's my brother's bodyguard, Hidetada. he's very cold, difficult and often rude."

She sighed at the thought of many times that she had been treated badly for him. Seldom did she bother with anything, but Momochi caused her much discomfort. She could not feel anger at him, but she preferred not to share the same environment as him.

Masayasu watched her and saw discomfort in her gaze, this Momochi, perhaps he had done some harm to her, did Ieyasu know that? She did not seem to be the kind of person who used her status to try to gain advantage, but if an Ieyasu's servant had offended her, Ina had to say.

"This Momochi, did he hurt you?"

Masayasu asked in a dry tone, full of coldness and cruelty in his voice. His mission was to protect Inahime, he could not allow another shinobi to hurt her, even if it was only with words.

Ina looked directly into Masayasu's eyes, the hashi in her hand. She saw in the depths of his blue eyes a small flame, perhaps something lit up there, maybe he did not like to know that there was a shinobi that could cause problems for him. But no ... by his words, by his tone of voice, it was about her, about what he saw in her eyes.

She realized then that Masayasu was right, her eyes were an open book to him, he realized quickly how she was feeling. She only mentioned about Momochi and perhaps her discomfort has been shown by her gesture and her own eyes.

She smiled at him, smiled gently. He was beginning to gain her admiration. It was his first day as her bodyguard and he wanted to protect her from Momochi. She knew it was his job, his contract, but .... that was sweet. She thought about it with a gentle smile fixed on her lips.

Quickly she shook her head in negative. She did not want to cause discomfort at lunch between them, they were there to get to know each other, talking about Momochi would only ruin the moment.

"Do not worry, that's past. But if he does something I'll let you know."

She spoke with a dazzling smile on her face. For a few seconds Masayasu was speechless. She looked charming with that smile. But he could not keep watching or thinking of her that way, he needed to have focus. But the focus seemed to be all over her.

Of all his work as a bodyguard he has never been in the presence of a young woman so beautiful, so graceful and so interesting. As a shinobi he wanted to deny any interest in her, any desire to know more about her, about her personality, about her abilities about her manners.

But something inside him said he wanted to meet her, to have her company longer, that it would be a pleasure to protect her, he is by her side all the time, to be her shadow and her protector. But he needed to deny it with all his strength, this was not the behavior of a shinobi, even more a shinobi like him.

Masayasu nodded seriously after hearing her words. His mind confused with such beauty. This should not happen, it never happened. He needed to have focus, it was his first day and he could not afford to dazzle a girl, it never happened in his work, it would not happen now.

"Tell me, sure. But I'll see if he does something for you."

He spoke dryly and went back to eating, he needed to shift his focus. Ina realized his tone, there was a certain change in his voice, maybe he did not like her mentioning Momochi, so she would talk about another subject.

Ina took her cup of tea with both hands and brought it to her lips for a sip. She continued to look at Masayasu who seemed to eat in silence now. But she wants to break the ice with the discomfort of Momochi.

"When my real father, Tadakatsu, was alive, we always had meals together, rarely as in the company of Ieyasu-sama, so ... you can have your meals with me, always, Masayasu-sama . I...."

She paused and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks, but she smiled warmly at him.

"...I like your company. Although we have started poorly, I believe we can have a good relationship."

Masayasu looked at Ina, she really had a good heart, after all her anger had passed she was being kind to him in a way he only knew in his past. How many qualities did have this young warrior? How many more times could she surprise him?

But then his thoughts disappeared quickly and he looked towards the door, he felt the presence of someone. The shoji doors of Ina's room were closed and he did not see any figure, but he knew that someone had heard their conversation.

Ina noticed his reaction and looked toward the door, where his eyes seemed fixed, he seemed to be trying to hear something. She quickly looked at Masayasu, he was standing up and then walked silently toward the door. No sound.

Then suddenly he opened the two shoji doors and found a maid who scared and fell to the floor. She must have crouched at a distance from the door to do not be seen. Ina saw the maid and was surprised. What was she doing behind her room door? Hearing her conversation with Masayasu?

"Who...are...you...?"

Masayasu asked in a voice as cold as a glacier, and sharp, as if in his own voice he was cutting the maid. He had no weapon in his hands, but he had a great speed and could use some weapon hidden in his own clothes any time.

Ina got up quickly and walked to Masayasu. She saw death in his face. That surprised her, he could be really lethal, a cold and cruel man when necessary. She wanted to believe he was not like that, but he was a shinobi, a assassin, she could not expect anything else.

Compared to the man who had talked to her minutes ago, he looked like someone else, as if he had entered a battle mode. She looked at the maid, frightened and trembling, tears streaming in her eyes. She did not know what this maid was doing there, but instinctively, she grabbed Masayasu's fist and moved closer to him.

"Let her go ... I can talk to her later and find out what she was doing here, let her go, Masayasu-sama ..."

She spoke in a soft sound like the breeze, a still voice, almost like a whisper. That smooth, soft voice came into his mind, it was a request, it was HER request.

Masayasu looked at Inahime and saw those violet eyes calm and gentle, she was not afraid of him, there was something in her eyes that he could not tell what it was, she was trying to appease the situation, trying to calm down his heart.

He felt her hand holding his fist. Her fingers warm and steady, she was really trying to make him calm, trying to forget what he saw, although it was impossible. He was a shinobi and recognized a spy when he saw one.

"She can be a sp..."

But before the sentence was finished, Ina raised her index finger to her lips for silence, then smiled warmly. Her violet eyes fixed on his blue eyes. She began to fill her cold heart with heat. Was that possible? Did she have this gift? For him, a heart that had become frozen could never be melted. But now....was he wrong about that? And...Who was she? Who is Inahime?

Masayasu stared at Inahime, her calm, gentle eyes seeming to reassure him. How was that possible? He smiled a little, ironically, and then he let go of her hand and walked away from the door, running his hand over his fringe, throwing back and the fringe falling back on his face.

Ina quickly looked at him and then at the maid and waved her hand away.

"Go, I'll go look for you later." she said.

The maid trembled and frightened, got up quickly and ran off down the hall. Ina waited for her to disappear from her sight and hear the sound of her coming down the stairs, then closed the shoji doors and looked toward Masayasu. Something had bothered him, she had seen in his eyes, for the first time she saw something in his gaze.

She took some time looking at him, did not know what to say or what to do, she did not know what he was feeling, but had seen death in those beautiful blue eyes. He would kill the maid if she was not there.

She walked slowly to him and turned around to face him. She looked at his face, he had a wry smile on his lips. All this irony, maybe it was part of him, part of what he became as a shinobi.

"Masayasu-sama ...."

She whispered. She wanted to show him that she was okay, she was not afraid of him, she knew he would not hurt her, but she'd seen him hurt anyone who tried to hurt her. First Momochi, now the maid.

She watched his face and saw that he was looking at her now, the wry smile had gone from his lips, he was serious, as if studying her reaction, study if she was afraid. Ina smiled warmly at him.

"It's okay, I'm not afraid of you, I know you wanted to protect me. I know you're going to say it's your mission and your contract."

She kept the smile at him. Those eyes fixed on hers. They were deep eyes, but she could not figure out what those eyes could say to her. It was a great mystery to her.

"I'm still here, I did not run away."

She spoke in a soft voice and then touched his hand and looked directly at his hands. She thought he could take his hand away, but he accepted the touch, accepted her fingers interlacing his. Somehow she was not afraid of him, maybe just feeling confused, he could be cold and cruel, but passionate. Was that possible?

Masayasu looked at his hands, Ina was touching him again. Why did she want to touch him? He was not accustomed to touches. He had not felt any touch in that way for a long time. Why this now?

He looked at her face and saw that she was still staring at their joined hands, he did not understand her. Was she like this to everyone? Or just with him? And why was he questioning himself? What does it matter if she were like this with everyone? No...maybe he cared...

Ina noticed that he was looking at her and then looked at his face and smiled warmly. She could feel his cold hand, she could not understand why his hand was cold, but perhaps the moment before, the feeling of death had caused it.

She stroked the back of his hand with her thumb, her violet eyes shining as she looked into his eyes.

Masayasu felt the caress in his hand, he could not stop staring into those eyes. why? Why were those eyes so beautiful? Damn mission! He should not have accepted this contract. I should not have agreed to be HER bodyguard.

Ina saw those eyes fixed on her, he did not say anything, he did not show anything, but she could feel his cold hand warming, perhaps because he was in touch with her own hand, perhaps by the caresses. What was he thinking? What was he feeling? She wanted so much to know...

Masayasu did not understand, all the princesses he had already protected were afraid of him, they were initially giggling because of his appearance, he was truly aware of his beauty, but he never used it in his work to take advantage, never used it in his life to take advantage. But Inahime seemed calm, seemed not to fear him. He was not used to it.

And those touches? What were those touches? A noblewoman would never touch a man like that. But...he must have remembered that she was a warrior too, so maybe she could surprise him even more with her gestures.

Her hands. The warmth of her hand. Her caresses. What did all this mean? And those violet eyes so bright, so alive and full of energy ... Why did she look at him that way? Warm, gentle ... loving.

He needed to get away from her, needed time away, or his mind would succumb to forbidden desires. Desires that no shinobi should nurture. The desire of someone's company, of affection, of touches...

Did she really know what she was doing when she acted like this with him? Was not she afraid of what she was creating between them? Creating a bond like that was not good for her and for him, that kind of bond should not exist.

Or maybe ... maybe he was fantasizing? Maybe she was just being kind. Maybe she would treat her brothers like this.

An ironic smile and he suddenly let go of her hand and stepped back. His blue eyes stared at her. He wanted to be cold with her and keep away, but somehow he could not. She had already touched him, not just in his hand, but beyond.

Ina watched Masayasu, he seemed to avoid her touches. Maybe she was being invasive, but if he was to be her protector, her bodyguard, she wanted to try to get closer to him. But maybe ... maybe he did not want the same. Maybe he just wanted to be a shinobi that will protect her, not a friend, someone she cares about.

"I'll go, thanks for the food."

Masayasu spoke dryly and walked toward the balcony and opened the shoji doors. Ina just followed him with her gaze and then looked toward his tray, there was still food and sake.

"Are not you going to finish eating?" she asked.

Masayasu did not look at Ina, he could not look, if he looked he would stay, he needed some time alone, alone to understand what he was feeling. Maybe he was feeling what he had lost a long time ago, maybe he did not want to feel it again.

"No, I've lost my hunger, I want to finish to organize my room, but I need a map of the castle if you can lend me one at night."

Saying this he walked onto the balcony and simply vanished. Ina stared at the spot where he was seconds ago. What happened to him? She did not do anything wrong. At least she had not seen anything wrong with her gestures.

She looked at his tray and bent down and touched his sake glass, there was still sake with glass. She felt her heart heavy and worried, she had the feeling it had hurt him somehow.

Or maybe she made a mistake. But if that was what he could have said. Perhaps it was not in his nature to say that a nobleman had made a mistake with him. Maybe the status difference between them might be a problem, maybe he'll always treat her as a contract, and she did not want that.

But he asked for space, she could understand that he needed that space and she would respect it, respect his space, slowly she could learn something about him. At that lunch she learned a lot about him, important things and what she would keep in her memory.

It was night, some nobles would go to bed early, others would not, some liked to drink and talk late, they usually had rooms that were farther away from the others that they liked to rest early.

Ina was already used to hearing laughter as she passed a room at one end of the castle. That night she had something important to do, take a map to Masayasu, she knew it was important to him, like shinobi he needed to memorize the castle.

After what happened at lunch she did not know how Masayasu would receive her, her heart felt a slight pain, it was as if she had wrong with him, but she still had not understood where she had made a mistake.

She walked silently down the porch to stand in front of his room. Her heart was beating fast, she did not want to mess with him again. She just moved her lips to tell him she had arrived, but then she heard his voice.

"Come in, Inahime."

His voice sounded serious, but it was not dry or cold like the last time he spoke to her. This brought some relief to her heart. She smiled briefly as her heart felt less heavy and then she touched the shoji door and slid in.

She saw Masayasu sitting in the chair without legs, in front of his desk, he was writing. She saw him glance at her. Ina slid into the room and closed the door behind her.

She walked over to him with the map in her hand and as she stood before his desk and she offered the map with a gentle smile. Masayasu looked up, that smile, those eyes, it was a kind girl, he had no doubt.

He looked at the map and then start to write again. Ina realized that he was very serious, perhaps cold and distant from her, as in the first instant they met. No, she did not want to go back to zero with him.

Ina bent down and knelt in front of Masayasu's desk and saw him taking the brush to the inkwell, she took his hand and looked at his face. Their eyes met. She saw in his face that he expected her to say something, so she decided to speak first.

"Forget what happened at lunch, I'm not upset. I talked to the maid. She was curious about you, she said she saw you around the castle and thought you were handsome, she wanted to know what kind of relationship we had, and I said to her that you're my bodyguard. That's all."

She smiled a little at him, her eyes held a kindness he had never seen before, it was a real kindness, she was not forcing herself to be gentle just for politeness, she was kind.

Masayasu looked at her hand holding his, then he let the brush fall into the inkwell and again looked at Inahime, still with serious expression, but she can hear a deep sigh, as if he were troubled.

Ina dropped his hand and set the map on the table and then stood up. Masayasu watched her rise, once again she surprised him. He thought she'd want to talk about what happened at lunch, but he was wrong, she left it in the past.

"I hope you can have a good night of sleep. I'll wait for you tomorrow in front of the gates 6am."

She turned and walked toward the door. Masayasu stood up quickly, showing a certain surprise in his blue eyes.

"Wait!"

His voice was hoarse, hoarse as if he had been hoarse because he had not spoken to anyone for hours. Ina stopped in front of the door, she waited for a few seconds and the silence reigned between them. She was worried, there was something bothering him and she had no way of figuring it out.

She turned and looked at his face. Immediately he saw those beautiful, worried eyes. He knew she was worried about him, what happened, but he just did not want her to think about it any more. She did not know about how cruel he could be. On how his nature as a shinobi was cruel.

"I'm a shinobi, Inahime, I've been trained to kill, and I use my abilities to protect, so it's only natural that I try to kill someone I judge a spy or hurt you."

"I know." Ina responded promptly and smiled gently at him.

"I know, and that does not bother me, but believe me, you do not have to be suspicious of everyone around you ... Here you will find people who care about you, you will create bonds and maybe friends ... So ... although you have to be alert, do not distrust everything and everyone. And the main .... I believe in you."

She smiled at him warmly. That smile, how she could give him a smile that way? That smile would be able to defrost any cold heart.

Masayasu can not answer anything, that smile had caught his attention, Inahime had completely taken his attention. How could that be?

He sighed again, as if trying to wake up, Ina realized that he seemed to fight something, but she did not know what it was, maybe he was trying to be gentle and not cold, as he would be usual.

"Okay, you believe me. Does that mean I have a bit of your confidence?"

He asked looking into her eyes and then saw a smile color her beautiful face. She looked even more graceful now with that amused smile.

"You're going to have to figure it out for yourself."

Masayasu then allowed a faint smile to appear at the corner of his lips. She'd gotten it again, managed to climb the wall between them, the wall that kept her from him. She had this ability, the ability to bring him close to her, effortlessly, he'd never met anyone like this before.

"Good night, Masayasu-sama."

Inahime bowed. In fact he was the one who should do this, since his social status was below hers, but she was a young woman who did not care about it, was polite, gentle and elegant, but at the same time there was a great force in her and courage, was a woman he would never forget.

He allowed another faint smile on the corner of his lips and then with a nod he bowed to her.

"Good night, Inahime. Be prepared, your training with me will not be easy."

He allowed a faint ironical smile to cross his lips. Ina just laughed a little and put a hand on her hip.

"I do not expect it to be easy."

He saw that she was in a kimono, a light blue kimono with white flowers at the ends of the sleeves and the edge of the kimono. She was not wearing a Hime's kimono, maybe wearing only when it was necessary. But that did not matter, in kimono or hakama she was gorgeous.

Ina smiled again at him and then turned to the door and opened it, but before she left, she still looked over her shoulder and saw Masayasu looking at her with those indecipherable eyes. At least he looked better, at least she thought so.

Another smile for him and then she left his room and closed the doors. Masayasu stared in that direction and saw her silhouette behind the door disappear as she began to walk away from his room.

He placed his hand on his face, beneath his fringe. Her presence was strong, he could not deny, Inahime had a presence almost as strong as Ieyasu, and her charisma and gentleness made her become a hypnotic figure in his eyes.

Weakness. He should be careful about that. He could not show weakness. He could not let himself be carried away by her charms, or that would be his destruction. The biggest mistake of a shinobi is to fall into the charms of a woman. He could not allow this to happen again.

The next day, the sun was rising, there was a cold wind. Inahime stood before the gates waiting for Masayasu. She had slept little, was excited to know what training she would receive from a sarcastic shinobi.

She was wearing a white kimono and a black hakama. Her hair was bound with a regular ponytail, and in her hair was a hairpin of white carnations. She had her quiver full of arrows on her back and her bow in her hand.

She wore the right breast shield and glove in her right hand. She looked around for Masayasu. He looked punctual, at least he had the punctual man profile. Then to her surprise she saw the gates begin to open, she looked at the guards and then saw Masayasu walking towards her. Was he outside the castle? Why?

Masayasu saw Ina's startled eyes, and then a faint ironical smile appeared on his lips. She then realized that he woke up very early to organize the forest for training. She walked over to him and smiled amiably.

"Good morning, Masayasu-sama, I hope you slept well."

She spoke with a graceful smile playing on her lips. Masayasu could not help smiling to see that smile, she had woken up early and yet her beauty was untouched, perfect as always.

"Good morning, Inahime. I've never slept so well in my life."

Ina allowed a smile left, then glanced toward the forest, and quickly looked at Masayasu. "We can go?"

"Of course. Today you will have a different training from everything you have seen, my lady."

He saw a gleam in those eyes, and at that moment he realized that she was aroused to know his training, excited to know what he would teach her.

With a nod for her to follow him, Masayasu started walking toward the forest, Ina followed him, walking beside him as the castle gates closed behind them.

Now there was no turning back, she had accepted this training and her heart was beating so hard with that idea. She did not know what to expect. Ina looked at Masayasu and smiled a little. He was a very different man from all the men she had met, and he was beginning to gain her admiration for it.

#Book Wattpad Inahime Masayasu

[tanuki-kimono]

Modern take on “ninja pants”, available on SOUSOU webshop (including their US based one). They also have cheaper ones with cute motifs!

This pants type, gathered at the ankle, is traditionally know as Iga hakama or tattsuke hakama

#japan #fashion #kimono #hakama #men kimono #iga hakama #tattsuke hakama #ninja pants #SOUSOU

[tanuki-kimono]

Tattsuke hakama are pants gathered around the calves. They are also know as Iga hakama or... ninja pants, as ninja are nowadays often depicted wearing this kind of garb ;)

This modern take is from Yamagi, it would look nice with some tshirt!

#japan #fashion #kimono #hakama #tattsuke hakama #ninja #ninja pants #iga hakama #pants #着物