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400 Years Apart	By : Cynthermes Category: +M to R > Mirage of Blaze Views: 4238 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Mirage of Blaze and its characters solely belong to Kuwabara Mizuna. I’m just going to creep into a corner of her sand box and play the part of a wannabe historical writer. No profit has been made in the construction of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 38:

ULTIMARINA, Pearl in the Deep: Part 14

A/N: Loved by her beloved, loved by all men, she weighed herself down the sea never to return to the land of the rising sun.

Add. A/N: Please reread Chapter 15 and Chapter 31 for better understanding of this chapter.

…

Out of breath, he pushed his tired feet to go on.

Seeing the presence of several kokujin in the vicinity only added to the sick feeling in his stomach. He moved forward, uncaring if he knocked on to someone or something. He just needed to keep going. People, streets, houses, fields, and trees blurred from his sight. Instinct led him to where commoners and even low-ranked bushi were ushered away by stern Hojo retainers.

Spoken words, even sounds were muted as he fought past them. His presence astounded the kokujin but to him they were only faceless obstacles.

Heart pounding and unwell body threatening to give under exhaustion he strode ahead.

Dark-garbed samurai of the highest status clustered around a spot. Their movements oddly reminded him of feasting crows. Diligently, they seemed to be tending something on the ground. When one eased away, a bed of straw came into view.

He stopped dead.

Streaks of reddish black not hidden by the furred cover captured his wide-eyed stare. Flies and other kinds of plague-ridden creatures gathered around and drew around it. When the samurai lifted their burden off the earth, his dulled sense of smell came alive and the most unimaginable stench assaulted him. He nearly fell over, overwhelmed by strong bouts of nausea. He would have succumbed if not for a man standing a little offside the group whose appearance confirmed his worst fear.

Hojo Ujimasa clutched a bloodied katana on one hand though his face remained blank as he turned to meet the distraught and anguish-filled eyes of their youngest.

Consequently, the Go-Hojoshi retainers halted as they spotted their departed lord’s boy-child staggering towards them.

Ujimasa suddenly bellowed, “Do not stop before him! Proceed!”

Silently acknowledging the direct command of their new daimyo, the samurai obeyed and marched past the ill and grief-stricken boy who looked as if the world had deserted him.

Ujimasa was not done however. His cold rage and complicated grief over their father’s brutal murder caused him to be equally cruel. “Away with you, child. You are not needed here.”

“Aniue!” A fierce rebuke called out and then he was enveloped in warmth and protection. Ujiteru-ani cradled his head gently and he tiredly hid his face on the masculine bosom. “Do not pour your anger out on him.”

The elder’s gaze darkened. His temper flaring within, Ujimasa approached his brother, Ujiteru and swiftly backhanded him. Saburo gasped as if he were the one to receive the blow.

The spectators gaped at the scene but they held their breath out of fear and respect for their late lord’s heir.

“And I hold you responsible,” Ujimasa lowered his voice into a snarl, “For everything…”

Ujiteru cringed slightly.

“Was he not supposed to leave the castle premises? WERE THEY* NOT? He does not need to see this. He is not supposed to be here! Now tell me how have you not failed?”

Ujiteru could not answer having started weeping himself. He simply held Saburo tighter.

(*They – Ujimasa pertains to both lamenting Ujiyasu and Saburo who happened to be down with the flu at that time)

…

Saburo woke up with tears in his eyes and a longing for Ujiteru-ani. Why did he have that dream now of all times? It was an actual memory five years ago of his dreadful discovery of their father’s death. And that song... a flute playing in the dead of night with notes he knew by heart…? Was it because of his strange encounter at the seaside?

Glancing around the spare room, he found it was still dark and quiet.

Dawn must be moments away.

Watching Haruhie muttering and snoring in his sleep made him feel a little at ease and somewhat sad. In spite of belonging to the enemy clan, Haruhie had proven to be a genuine and valiant friend. In the end, if everything goes as planned, Haruhie would be parted from him. Shaking his head, Saburo did not dwell on that inevitable fate. His searching eyes fell on the empty sleeping mat to his left.

Naoe…

…Nowhere to be found.

As nimble as a feline, Saburo stalked away from the hut and returned to the shore where he hoped to find the source of the nostalgic song. If Naoe happened upon him there, he could do so again, he thought.

In his vague memory, he recalled a figure in several layers of white kimono standing before him. Though he could not remember what happened afterwards other than Naoe’s interference, Saburo was certain that the spirit (?) played the flute. But why would a vengeful spirit as Shinsuke-san depicted Cho able to play Ujiteru-ani’s favored piece…?

Ujiteru-ani…

Approaching footsteps interrupted the sound of calming waves. Suddenly nervous for being caught off-guard, Saburo quickly turned to the last footfall. He almost expected to see Cho-san again but a man in midnight kimono instead of white stood before him.

“Pardon me, but have you seen a spirit wandering around these parts?” The man was asking politely about… Cho-san?

Saburo immediately found him strange. Weren’t people of this village supposed to be afraid if they encountered her spirit? Yet this one was openly searching.

An odd tingle at the back of his neck made Saburo almost wary. However, there was something about the man that made him pitiable. Was it the air of lowliness he carries around himself? Or was it the dullness in his eyes that seem weary of everything they have seen? Saburo could not bring himself to walk away from such a hollow existence. But he could not bear to be kind either, “Why would it matter if I have seen one or not? Are you one of those daydreamers who believes in intangible things?”

“Ah,” The man blinked and the dullness in his gaze wavered a bit. “So you have seen her. What was she like?” He quickly grasped the hidden truth within the youth’s disarrayed words.

Once the man had launched into the assumption, Saburo finds himself unable to deny his sighting. “What is this interest in the spirit? Almost all the people around this village are said to be ‘afraid’ of her.”

“People are often afraid of what they do not understand’ an old monk had taught me once. I want to understand her; that is why I am keen for answers.” The man replied as he were patiently lecturing an ignorant child.

Falling for the man’s terribly deceiving façade, Saburo forgot to hide his ‘learned’ upbringing. “Why do you want to understand ‘her’? Is it to eradicate the ‘fear’ of her? Or…”

The man’s eyes minutely narrowed into piercing slits. He was very much delighted of this interesting quarry who had the slightest awareness of being ensnared. “I am enthralled by her. She has captured my heart and enslaved it beyond reason.”

“You are enthralled…?” While the youth found the man even more bizarre, the predator found his quarry equally amusing enough to bring him harm.

“Would you find it strange for a man like me to love her? She is said to be the most beautiful one this island has ever seen and yet she does not appear before me. I am at a loss.” The man’s loosely tied hair made him look aged in despair.

“You have not seen her and yet you claim to be in love with her? That is…”

“Almost foolish, I know. I must be mad but does not love make a person just that? Love makes a man long for his beloved. And when his affections are not returned he often becomes hollow enough to be dead amongst the living. Surely you understand me now, do you not?” Something in the man’s words coaxed Saburo to remember something. His dream of his father’s death came into mind but he could not associate the true connection his instinct was trying to nag at him. In the end, the youth was reminded of Naoe’s anguished face as he confessed his desperate love to him.

“Are you one of those who pine for someone and could not have him or her?” was out of the youth’s mouth before he could stop himself.

The man wore a quizzical expression in response.

“You are suffering because of your love. But if she refuses to show herself then do you consider that as ‘rejection’ to your love? What would you do then if she does not return your love?” Without his full consciousness, Saburo became impassioned with the stranger's dilemma.

A strange smile crept into the corners of the man’s lips. “If she does not come out and does not say it to me outright then she is merely ‘running away.’ If she openly rejects me then I will accept that she does not love me in return.” His retort caused a more pronounced effect on the boy’s features.

What was the true meaning of their exchange?

Were they discreetly hurling faults at each other?

No.

They were strangers but they could not have spoken better to their concerned persons.

‘If I look at you closely, you do resemble that man, that vacant-eyed man who is already dead before I struck him with my blade. Among all my targets, he is one to receive the least cruelty for I granted him mercy. However, your similarities only last in appearances. You are much different being full of life and having fiery determination. Therefore, would you not be much more fun to kill?’

“Running away…” The youth repeated as if to himself. “I must not run away.”

‘You will not run away even if I were to kill you?’ The man smirked inside but the youth’s glare struck him.

“If she does tell you that she does not love you then what will you do?”

“We are rushing too far ahead, are we not? You barely told me what she was like.” The man said softly with a very small smile.

“I… have only seen the back of her white kimono.” The youth paused as if deliberating and then, “She plays the flute.”

The man looked surprised. “She plays?” His smile grew. “Thank you. That is good enough to know for me.” He walks a little past the youth but stops and lays a hand on his shoulder… ‘A little gift for him,’

“Forgive me for my senseless babbling. I am grateful for your good ear despite so.” As the man removed his hand traces of malice were left on Saburo’s clothing. He paused only once to say, “I will be going now.”

‘You listened to my folderols and barely questioned my sanity. What a really odd child, you have for company, Kagetaka-ani…’ He was already gone when Saburo turned to watch his departure. As a result, the youth began doubting their exchange. Had he spoken to a man? Or had it actually been a spirit like Cho-san? He even forgot to ask the man’s name.

“Saburo!”

The youth looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. There stood Naoe looking worried at his lack of response.

“You look out of it again!” He grasped his beloved’s arms as if he were about to shake him. Naoe stopped as he detected something and paled. Wordlessly and a little roughly, he undressed the youth.

Saburo was more than indignant at this brusque treatment. “WHAT are you doing?” He was already only in his undergarment when he lightly smacked Naoe.

The man uncharacteristically looked frantic and did not register the hit. “Please bathe this instant.” He said with no explanation at all.

Before another protest, the man pulled the youth into the sea until both were soaked. Waist-deep in the water and behind large rocks, Naoe cornered Saburo. Though it was still dark and not a ray of light shone at the horizon, fishermen were known to wake early. That was what worried Saburo if they were caught like this. “Will you tell me already, what the hell are you doing?”

Naoe only gave him an unreadable gaze and stroked his face as if to calm him. The man swallowed the gripping fear that shook his soul. It was so close… he could not be sure but…

For that one to touch his beloved and for Saburo to be in such danger…!

Naoe moved closer and held Saburo’s upper arms and straddled his legs until the youth stayed in place. Seductively, (so the youth would not notice something was amiss) he planted his lips against the slender neck making Saburo shiver. “Naoe, you… do not intend to do ‘that thing' here, do you?”

Naoe silenced him by lapping cleanly at his shoulder. Collecting traces of the powder in his mouth and rinsing it with seawater prevented it from being absorbed in the skin. He sighed in relief. If he had not arrived, whoever was responsible for this underhanded method would have succeeded. He inspected the youth’s body just to make certain there were none left when a dried wound covered by a questionable bruise seized his attention. Jealous flames ignited. “Are you ready to tell me about your encounter here? Or do you prefer that I search the evidences myself?” He rubbed the noted area with his fingertips.

Saburo flinched at the touch. Images of Kotarou suckling his wound there showed unbidden in his mind.

No! He could not tell him!

“Hurry or I…” Naoe found the scrape at his cheek and licked it. “…Will do as I said to get some answers.”

'Say no more!'

Memories of Kotarou’s assault and Naoe’s sensual actions were making him lose his mind. Thinking no other way, he grabbed at the front of the man’s robe and dragged him so their faces were level with each other. Saburo subdued Naoe effectively by sealing their lips together in heated passion. Swiftly taking control, he slipped his tongue inside Naoe’s mouth to taste him.

Overwhelmed with the youth’s unexpected boldness, Naoe could not help but surrender. Passively, he allowed his beloved to do whatever he pleases until sudden realization hit and Naoe pulled away in haste. “!” Enforcing space between them, Naoe studied Saburo’s flushed face.

Other than a little rapid breathing, the youth appears fine. “You look like you’ve been bitten by a snake. Am I that… dreadful?"

“No!” Naoe hated himself for being so aroused he nearly lost control. “I feared that you might have ingested what I have painstakingly eradicated from your body. Fortunately, the potent toxin that has been neutralized seems to be stronger than the variety you were recently exposed. There was no cause for worry after all.” He seems to be expounding to distract himself from carnal urges.

Saburo barely tolerates Naoe’s nattering.

Saburo was …baffled. The man was truly terrible to understand. Was he not ready to devour the youth alive with a single scorching stare? And now, Naoe is already making an impersonal distance. Why does this bother the youth so?

“If she openly rejects me then I will accept that she does not love me in return,”

Rejection?

‘Am I feeling rejected by Naoe? Or am I the one rejecting Naoe?

“If she does not say it to me outright then she is merely running away,”

‘Am I running away? Or is Naoe the one running away?’

‘I must not run…’

‘I do not reject Naoe’s advances completely. Right now… I feel like I want to…’ Saburo grabs the hem of Naoe’s kosode preventing him from going further. “Just now, you were about to do something to me.”

Naoe turns back to face him with wide eyes. “Saburo what are you…?” He looks down to the clinging hand that would not let him go.

“Have you given up on our wager? You still have to prove that her spirit does not exist. I promised you that I shall…” Two fingers covered Saburo’s lips.

“Are you provoking me?” Naoe asked with a very strained expression. It must be the toxin still lingering inside him.

“Your eyes promise me despicable things. Am I seeing them wrong?” The youth’s collected tone grates on the man’s nerves.

“You can see right through me. But I choose not to act on them.” Naoe said as patiently as he could though his body was trembling for holding himself back. The demon inside him was stirring, licking its lips for the scent of a feast.

“Why?” Sensing Naoe break a little was equally pleasing the prideful beast. It hates to lose after all. It snarls when it does not get what it wants.

The man trapped his enticing beloved back against the rock. “Because I might violate you and not stop.”

“Only words, Naoe. They are empty. They do us no favors.” –‘What am I… doing?’ To see this man crumble, be destroyed, to lose his power over himself… those were the things the beast wants.

“Saburo… don’t.” A little more crack and the demon breaks free off its walls.

Why can they not just ask for each other honestly?

This was where they failed. All of them.

Is it because of the male egotism?

“Nobutsuna…”

“In my dreams…” Naoe breathes painfully. “I violate you over and over. I do not stop. Not even when you bleed to death. Do you wish for that?”

Saburo gasps. “Dreams?”

“Deep down the dungeons of your stronghold… My mind was polluted as my body was healed. Your protector would know most.” Naoe spat as if it were venom.

…

“Did I not tell you Wakasama that I was changed? Outwardly, nothing seems to have at first glance but within me… I am consumed by an insatiable need to violate you,”

…

Kotarou…

What they did to each other… are the same…?

Naoe and Kotarou… both corrupted… both changed… both mad… both wished… to…

“I must be mad but does not love make a person just that? Love makes a man long for his beloved,”

‘Love makes one mad? Is this the reason I do not accept?^’107

“That is right. You should be afraid. If not for that, I would do what I want with you at this very moment. And do not believe I will overlook whoever gave you that bruise for a second time. I would be very pleased to consume you in front of him.” Naoe whispered as he licked a wet line from Saburo’s left breast to the love mark on his neck.

Saburo trembled and it was not out of fear alone. “You do not take action because… you want to do it to me while he watched?”

“Sweet revenge, I would say.” The man wrapped his body around him and unable to resist any longer, delicately cupped his manhood.

“Nn…!” Saburo panted. “Like… a child…”

“What?” Naoe’s features darkened.

“Like a child showing off his trivial feats to another… A fool.” He laughed despite the tenacious situation.

“You are truly provoking me. You want to rut so badly?” Naoe growled, biting him softly at the ear.

Saburo continued to laugh. “...Deep inside your hole.”

Who was the demon now?

Stubborn, unrepentant, cunning, arrogant… Naoe was taken aback. He was dealing with no ordinary young man. ‘To be defeated by you every time… no matter how crude you become.’

“Afraid?” The lordling taunted.

“You hope too much.” Unable to deal with him, Naoe finally leaned away.

As they returned to shore, Naoe shifted to his calm and attentive demeanor. “Shinsuke-dono lent them to me for use.”

“Hmph,” Saburo snatched the plain kosode from Naoe and demanded his wet clothes (Naoe carelessly discarded) be returned. After basking in the tengu’s glare Naoe conceded. Far from satisfied, Saburo childishly ordered Naoe to grant him privacy as he dressed.

“It is good that it fits you.” Naoe commented when he was allowed to look.

“A while ago…”

“Pardon?” He observed the youth falling into a pensive mood.

“When you found me, you looked most afraid… much more than I was.”

‘So he has noticed… It is useless to lie then,’ “I am still not certain but I fear that a very dangerous person whose skills and knowledge equal to mine is on this island.” Naoe replied patiently. “He also seems to know about our whereabouts and harbors ill will.”

“I am not afraid of him.” Saburo firmly declared.

“Yet you showed me your fear.” Naoe said meditatively while tying the band on his beloved’s waist.

“It is your passion that I feared.” The youth admitted but brushed the man off and walked ahead.

Naoe sighed at Saburo’s dual-edged temperament. He takes no action to pursue the matter further for Haruhie was walking towards them with Shinsuke’s taciturn aide, Kuro.

“Was it too much trouble to wake me up? I thought you have left me behind!” Haruhie complained to Saburo who ignored his outburst completely.

Sometimes he forgets he deals with ‘two’ temperamental young men. Naoe sighed again.

“Are we not in a hurry?” Saburo spoke while looking pointedly at Kuro’s direction.

Haruhie instantly perked up and spoke on his defense. “Ah, Kuro is here to lead the way to Nagahide-san’s camp.”

The aide nodded but did not say anything in reply. He walked ahead of them, paused and gestured for them to follow.

“Can we trust him?” Saburo asked Haruhie directly.

“He may not talk because I think he is timid… But he cooks really well, can grow strange useful plants and…” Haruhie trailed off. What he said seems to be of no use but Saburo chuckled at him. “Tsune?”

“You get along well with him. Could it be that you ‘like’ him?” The lordling teased.

“EH! I like girls!” Haruhie blurted causing Saburo to laugh louder.

XxXMOBXxX

The secluded beaches of the island came into view at first light of dawn. Unlike the village, there were more large rocks close to the shore and the sand was less fine mixed with other sedimentary debris. The foliage had grown closer to the coastline as well. If one manages to slip past the thicket of trees, one can easily disappear through there.

As the party walked further ahead, a piece of land obscuring the rest of the island’s landscape extended like an arm all the way towards the sea. A wall of rock unevenly spanned over that land and even at this distance an entryway or mouth was barely visible.

…A cave?

Sensing something, Naoe stopped, motioning for the others to halt their advance. “Haruhie,”

Haruhie gave the man a confused, inquisitive expression at the sound of his name. Why would Naoe address him among all?

Naoe finds it useless to mask his intentions at this critical point. “I will go and negotiate with Nagahide alone. If I do not come back from the camp when the sun is at its zenith, take Tsune back to the village under Shinsuke-dono’s protection. If there is still no sign of me at sundown then request for the fastest vessel this island has to offer and flee to the mainland, back to Sagami.”

“Nagashiro-san…?” Haruhie thought he failed to comprehend at all. His mind plunged in turmoil at Naoe’s unforeseen decision.

Saburo was already striding towards the man but Naoe saw it coming and caught the youth’s fist before it could connect. Subsequently, the lordling used his other hand to hit Naoe. “How dare you! What is the meaning of this? I… I came all this way! How dare you take all matters into your hands? !” Saburo exploded.

Naoe did not let go of his beloved’s clenched fist even if he did receive a thump on the chest. “Saburo, there is no time for this. The situation has become much more dangerous than before. There are elements in this venture that has not only become unpredictable but also placed us at a great disadvantage. Your presence will only be a hindrance.”

“Do not take me for a fool! Shouldn’t there be an ‘exchange’ of hostages? How can you convince them to release Hanaiin without Haruhie’s participation? I will not leave this island without my cousin!”

‘You promised me to return to Odawara together!’

‘How can you tell us to leave so calmly?’

‘You… are… ABANDONING ME?’

Naoe’s next words seem to prove just that. “I will put myself in the exchange then. For the freedom of your cousin, mine will be at stake. Kuro-san will stay here to deliver Hana-san safely to your designated location. Our best outcome would be you and your cousin’s successful departure from Hatsushima. I do not care anymore what happens to me.”

“You are saying you will sacrifice yourself instead? Do not make me laugh! A selfish man like you is incapable of that!” Saburo’s eyes narrowed. “Naoe… are you planning on betraying me?”

“If I have planned on betraying you, I would have killed Haruhie last night since his loyalties have proven to be yours. Then I will reunite with my comrades and take you back with me to Echigo.” The man replied coldly with no hint of regret.

“Doing this… is the same thing as betraying me! You have given me your word! And you have broken it twice by firstly substituting Haruhie for me as hostage and now you dare substitute yourself for Haruhie? Something dubious is going on! Tell me you impertinent, conceited man!” The lordling’s hand was itching to smack some more sense into Naoe’s head.

‘My stubborn one.’

‘You know very well it would kill me to be parted from you.’

‘I was forcing myself to do this sacrifice no matter how much it destroys me but you yourself are against doing the right thing.’

“You said you are not afraid. But can you really not fear death?” Naoe repeated from their earlier conversation.

A hint of red crept into the youth’s cheeks but resolutely he said, “I already told you what I feared most… about you.”

‘My passion?’

‘It seems time has run out on our side.’ Beyond satisfied with his beloved’s answer, Naoe shoved Saburo as hard and as far away from him as he could.

As Saburo fell back on the sand, he understood why Naoe had pushed him out of the way. A skilled swordsman managed to position the length of his blade under Naoe’s chin. Arms held behind his back, Naoe half-turned to face him. “It’s been a long time, Nagahide. I see you have not changed a bit.”

“And you have changed… a lot, Otto.” Nagahide hissed not slackening his grip in the slightest. “I see you have brought companions…” He flicked his gaze from one face to another and frowned. “Definitely not what we have agreed upon.”

“Forgive me about that. You see, Saburo and I have eloped from Sagami.” He met Saburo’s wide-eyed stare and discreetly told him to be silent and play along. “Furthermore, I also rescued Kakizaki-dono’s captive child from Hakone and brought him with us.”

Haruhie spoke as if on cue. “Yasuda-dono, please take care of me. I wish nothing more than to be back to Echigo. My father must be worried sick about me.”

Yasuda Nagahide acted as if he heard none. “Naoe Nobutsuna, your sohei subordinates have been a handful to me in your absence. Their killing intent is too much for me to contain that Kagetora-sama had to intervene. If he were here right now, he would strip you of your rank.”

A trace of alarm wormed its way in Naoe’s features. “Kagetora-sama intervened?”

“Your length of absence is telling enough of your betrayal. In fact, he has sent another to take your place. It is too late Naoe.” Nagahide said with a finality and resignation that crushed all hope. Still with his katana trained on Naoe, he separated them from the other companions. At that same moment, sohei emerged and swiftly apprehended Saburo, Haruhie, and Kuro. All four of them were ushered before an inconspicuous cave but did not venture inside.

With Nagahide’s earlier statement, Naoe was not surprised that his subordinates hardly acknowledged him. He dreaded this outcome and thus justified his drastic choice to sacrifice himself before he even felt Nagahide’s approach.

Even at daylight, only the mouth of the cave was distinguishable among the expansive rocky structure. Therefore, when the hem of brightly colored clothing appeared with darker company, Saburo found himself unable to look away.

Hanaiin stood in her Chrysanthemum-embroidered kimono while a daunting man with a tsuba sword slung at his hip draped his hands on her shoulders. All the color from Naoe’s face drained at the sight of them... of him.

“I wondered what had kept you from duty. Meeting the source of your distraction however had been an unexpectedly pleasing and intriguing experience. Unfortunately, you both seem to have forgotten about Hanaiin-hime altogether.” The man spoke with a sly smile, gone was his dull, passive bearing.

Saburo gnashed his teeth but dared not lash out with his sharp tongue. How could he not realize that this man was nothing but an enemy?

Naoe snarled under his breath. “So it was you all along.” Unimpressed he continued, “Kagetora-kou sent you? I refused to believe it. Nagahide, this man is not an ally of the Uesugi.”

“Obviously, Otto. I am not a fool like you.” Nagahide used Naoe's name of endearment (which is rather hilarious if it were any situation) by mistake. His voice sounded tense.

“What do you want?” Naoe did not care to address him properly.

“Do not lash at me, ‘Aniue’. I am just following orders from the top. And they were right to deem you incapable after you reacted excessively over that monk’s execution. They granted me sole leadership of the sohei. However, as the previous sohei master by right I shall fight you for the title. If you lose you face execution, fair enough?” The executioner let go of Hanaiin who collapsed on her knees soon after.

‘Aniue?’ Nagahide, Saburo, and Haruhie were stunned at what it implied. ‘Brothers?’

Naoe did not deny. “That monk, you ungrateful whelp was our adoptive Father! Jiun-kei or whatever you call yourself now, stop blathering and fight me.” He goaded but was bothered with the girl’s slumped form.

“Oh? Your offenses make you equally undeserving. There is a catch: I have the antidote. If you lose, I will readily give it to her. Do you prefer to fight and let her die or kneel down and let me decapitate you?” Jiun-kei challenged, completely amused.

Saburo could no longer stay silent, "What have you done to her?" He demanded with barely repressed anger.

“It is a slow poison, do not worry. But even if she dies, she is no longer needed. I already have you, Hojo Saburo in exchange.” The executioner answered him matter-of-factly.

“How did you…?”

“How could I not know you? When the offspring of the man I killed is exceptional in contrast? Saburo-dono, your father was very ready to die. Executing him did not provide me with enjoyment. You… perhaps could change his bitter aftertaste in my tsubatto?” Jiun-kei indecently licked his lips.

“Kei-dono, putting the hime in danger is going too far!” Nagahide clearly opposed the assault. Hanaiin remained on the ground. She was dreadfully pale, beads of sweat shined on her brow, and she appeared significantly weakened.

‘…’ Fierce emotions gripped Saburo. He felt shock, helplessness, denial, and hatred all at once. To come across his father’s murderer here of all places and be responsible for Hanaiin’s peril at the same time was more than he could take. Yet overwhelmed by warrior monks who deviated to Jiun-kei’s control, he could do nothing at all… Nothing? “Wait, Kei-dono said that he would fight for the title of Sohei Master. That makes Naoe still their leader by right. Why are they already following your orders?”

“Both ‘Aniue’ and I were heirs of that monk. Our duel is just a formality. If he stubbornly accepts my proposal, he gets to defend his title at the cost of Hanaiin-hime’s life. Is it not more interesting that way?” Jiun-kei chuckled at the futility of their resistance.

“Then fighting you is not worth it. Even if Naoe wins the duel, my cousin’s life will be forfeit. That risk is not something I will take.” Saburo forced himself to show a calm, subjugated bearing. He must not let anger gain a foothold in this crisis.

‘Saburo?’ Both Haruhie and Naoe find the lordling’s behavior odd until…

“Naoe, you cannot fight.” The youth stated as he would a command. A direct order…

Jiun-kei laughed. “I never knew… that you had fallen so deep to make a boy tell you how to lead your life! That makes you an unworthy opponent!”

“That is right. I have no need for titles or rank. I have cast away my humanity a long time ago. What is a man’s pride but a mere ornament in comparison?” Naoe slowly responded to the stunned reaction of the majority.

Even Nagahide was flabbergasted. ‘The Naoe I knew would never…’

“There, you no longer have opposition.” The youth’s heart was racing yet he outwardly showed none of it. What he was about to do…

“What are your intentions, brat?” The executioner does not appear to be fooled but he could not decipher Saburo’s mind.

“Give my cousin the antidote and take me in exchange.”

“Unhand him.” Kei ordered. He was wary despite the youth’s relative harmlessness. Simultaneously, he was intrigued and preferred it to strict caution.

Saburo came forward; his fingertips touched cool metal. The concealed kunai within his sleeve becomes his last resort. He was only another step away from Hanaiin and her tormentor when Kei snatched him and placed his unsheathed tsubatto below Saburo’s neck.

‘Not the right time—‘Saburo only had an instant before he abandoned his loose grip on the weapon.

“Saburo-gimi!” Haruhie yelled in alarm.

“I refuse your mockery! Kagetaka-ani, fight me and face death!” Jiun-kei raged. To provoke Naoe, he shallowly runs his blade against Saburo’s skin making the youth grit his teeth at the sharp sting.

At the sight of Saburo’s blood, the look on Naoe’s face made him ready for murder. “!” Unsatisfied with this reaction, Jiun-kei licks the trail of blood much to Saburo’s disgust.

“He tastes heavenly… with Kohryu’s poison. That’s why he was unaffected with the variety I used. Aniue certainly has his own perversions.”

Naoe escapes from Nagahide’s lax guard and goes for Jiun-kei. As the executioner raised his blade to confront Naoe, Saburo used that opportunity to break free from the enemy’s grasp and launched an attack himself. With the might of one hand, the youth goes for Kei’s heart while the other strays…

Kei slides backward and deflects the stab with the handle of his blade. The kunai’s edge catches against the handle and only manages a rough scrape on Kei’s arm. With the scabbard of his tsuba, Kei lands a blow to Saburo’s side (the youth staggers away) while he deals with Naoe’s concealed weapon. The tsubatto strongly parries Naoe’s short sword and the impact made the latter defensively recoil backwards.

“That move was a little underhanded.” Kei remarks turning his ire on Hanaiin’s weak form. He lifts his blade as if her pitiful state aggravated him.

Ignoring the pain on blunt injury, Saburo throws himself over her smaller body, embracing her.

“NO!” Haruhie struggled wildly. He wanted to fly towards Saburo’s side but to no avail.

Kei hesitates slightly but the momentum makes his blade descend inevitably.

Saburo shuts his eyes hugging his cousin tighter and waits.

A cloud of smoke explodes suddenly making the pair temporarily disappear from the executioner’s sight. “Hmph, nuisance.” Kei grunted as his sword met flesh before another stopped it.

The smoke clears and another shadow stands in the executioner’s path.

“You? Rennyo-dono’s heir? He would bury you alive in his ashes.” Kato Danzo scoffed, holding his own against the Bakufu’s dreaded executioner.

Kei’s expression hardens and his eyes grow cold. “Hardly depreciating coming from a pest like you.”

Naoe could not sigh in relief. So here was his wayward comrade showing himself at last. Nagahide does not make Naoe take a step farther. He confiscates the short sword and dares Naoe to be reckless against his drawn katana. “You take advantage of my lenience and you’re dead.” Nagahide hisses.

“If I can take this much insubordination from you, then I must be getting soft.” Naoe murmured.

“Stay back all of you, while I deal with this nuisance.” Jiun-kei warned while more sohei poured out from the cave. Their numbers seemed to be inestimable.

Saburo ignores his bleeding shoulder and the throb on his side. He does not look up as more warrior monks come for them in all directions. His only concern right now was the girl in his arms, unusually taciturn and pliant, taking difficult breaths. “Hana-san, drink this slowly.” The youth held a small container in his hand while his other cradled her head.

“Saburo…sama… is it really you?” Hanaiin had a glassy look in her eyes as she tried to focus on him.

“Yes, I am here. Please drink the antidote.” He tells her softly.

She gratefully sips as instructed, coughs a little and tries again. Hanaiin does not finish and pushes it away when Saburo offered her again. “We must save some.”

“But...”

“I will be fine.” She reassures him but falls asleep right after.

At first, panic flared but as she breathed a little easier, it soothed him.

“Do not feel easy, boy. Your little stunt has earned you dire consequences. Wait until I destroy them.” The executioner threatened with bloodlust radiating from his complex sword stance.

“Stealing from you is effortless from a runt who often goes slumming.” Saburo smirked despite himself.

‘Sagami’s unruly tengu, the rumors were not farfetched,’ Kei reveled in the mind-conjured image of himself drawing more blood from the youth. ‘I will have time for you,’

Though he is clearly outmatched, Danzo shall make the most of his task. “Men are all visceral beings, it seems. It does not matter if he is either top or bottom of the hierarchy. Seeing you drool over a pretty boy is enough entertainment for me.” The master illusionist successfully regained the deadliest warrior’s attention.

“And you have the gall to gloat, Reject.” Kei sneered in retaliation escalating Danzo’s ire.

“Hmph!” Danzo swung his blade in reaction.

Naoe was puzzled with the abrupt storm of exchanging strokes, parries, and counters. Did this two have history? What was the connection between them? Did Danzo not verbalize his fear towards this very encounter because of his duplicity? His brother seemed just as decisive to kill while wearing a frigid countenance.

The outcome of this battle in their favor was rather bleak.

TBC~

107 – There is one more essential thing that Saburo is not capable of despite his love for both Naoe and Kotarou and that is he could not TRUST either of them… yet.

Post A/N: Please forgive me for the spelling/grammatical errors of this chapter… I rushed, obviously. As I said, a later/slower update is inevitable after this. Please R&R.
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400 Years Apart