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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
- 38
- 39
- 40
Chapter 39

Kagemi Arc:

To see the shadow; the mirror

Notes:

1. Uesugi Kenshin will be mostly referred here by his old name, Nagao Kagetora;

2. Some series of historical events mentioned are also designed in an unorthodox manner in favor of the author’s (Yours truly) plot. Professional Historians, please go easy on li’l ol’ me.

3. Naoe will also be addressed by his old name – Nagao Kagetaka;

4. Danzo-centric;

…

At an age where baffled elders considered one too young, a novice shinobi entered into the service of one of the rising powers of the era, Uesugi- Nagao Kagetora.

Kato Danzo has always been fascinated by Kagetora's charisma and defining qualities as an outstanding war commander. He has dutifully watched Kagetora from afar often without the lord's awareness. Jonin from the clan deemed their youngling's consistent behavior beyond devoted, intruding and inappropriate.

One hunting trip where Kagetora brought his first adopted son, Danzo secretly accompanied the lord while pursuing elusive prey. Kagetora was unable to focus aiming his arrow because he strongly felt that he is being eagerly watched. He demanded for his unwanted audience to show himself.

Danzo readily obeyed the summons. Kagetora asked why he was there. Danzo replied that he was watching over his lord.

In reaction, Kagetora called for his protector.

A young, expressionless shadow soon revealed himself. His face was comely to look at but his eyes radiated perpetual sadness that made him appear pitiable. He was only known as Kei but he was really Nagao Kagefusa, a blood relative who vowed to protect Kagetora with his life. Kei has proven his fealty by becoming a servant of Bishamonten and bearing the war god's mark on his body as a symbol of lowliness.

Danzo was horrified but hid it well in a neutral expression. He prided himself in the status of a warrior wielding unique martial art and was averse to the idea of being branded like an animal. Prudently reading Danzo's true reaction, Kagetora proclaimed that he trusted Kei with his life and being watched over by another was unnecessary.

Danzo bowed low; felt vaguely dismissed and disappeared into the shade of trees.

<>

After the first battle of Kawanakajima, Kagetora found a rival in the personage of Takeda Shingen.

Shingen was a formidable enemy and threatened Uesugi supremacy.

And as a means to display his power, he used a shinobi to steal one of Nagao Kagetora's prized swords.

Unbeknownst to many, the stolen katana was faux. Kagetora may have predicted Shingen's plan and prepared in advance. The Takeda shadow unfortunately managed to locate Kasugayama-jo's treasury causing enough disarray and damage before his discovery.

The Uesugi Retainers demanded an immediate retaliation much to Kagetora's indifference.

Young Kagetora was notoriously known to be capricious and had unconventional patterns of thinking. At that time he was unwilling to divulge the truth to his vassals who were not all trusting of him yet.

To prevent military unrest from escalating, some retainers used Danzo's admiration of Kagetora as an instrument of pacification.

Danzo who also aided in the discovery of the aggressor in the treasury presented himself to Kagetora and vowed to retrieve the sword.

Kagetora did not even spare him a glance and instead called again for Kei.

Kei appeared and in Kagetora's behalf agreed to Danzo's mission much to the latter's indignation. As Danzo left to collect the lost katana, none would ever know that the shadow who infiltrated the treasury was actually a sohei working under orders and instructions from Kei.

After some difficulty, Danzo successfully returns with the stolen katana.

Kagetora regarded the kneeling form of Danzo coldly and declares the sword as a poor imitation. Danzo was incredulous but Kagetora displays the real katana in his possession bringing Danzo humiliation and nullified the essence of his feat.

The daimyo asks the shadow if the latter then wished to trick him with that false blade. Danzo was thunderstruck and after a long agonizing moment was dismissed. At a small corner, Kei smiles at Danzo's pitiful plight.

<>

For countless days and nights Danzo broods, continuously pining for a single scrap of approval from the object of his adoration. He would never understand or realize that Kagetora despised him because of his ‘worship’.

Nagao Kagetora does not trust vassals who are powerful yet obey him blindly. The stolen sword was a test of true loyalty, which Danzo miserably failed.

One dusk, Kei approached Lord Kagetora, subtly warning him that keeping a dangerous weapon whose needs remain unfulfilled becomes a killing knife, which will strike at the back. Kagetora barely considers his advice and contemplates instead of Danzo's freedom from his misery.

One morning, before sunrise Kagetora secretly summoned Danzo to his private quarters. Danzo appeared pale, slightly emaciated and with dark rings under his eyes. Kagetora smothers the budding feeling of pity and calmly tells the shadow to leave his abode to avoid further humiliation. To Kagetora's surprise, Danzo collectedly responds that if his master wishes to get rid of him, he was willing to die by his lord's sword.

Kagetora does not grant him death and instead threatens him to be humiliated. Danzo in a mixture of rage and anguish invites himself to be humiliated under Kagetora's hands.

Coming to his senses afterwards, Danzo hears an emotionally-struck Kagetora telling him to disappear from his sight.

Like a corpse whose heart was severed a long time ago, Danzo blankly stood up and left Kagetora's side without a sound.

While sailing from one tree to another, in the light of the full moon, Danzo happens to glance upon a solitary figure on Kasugayama-jo's exclusive grounds. Their eyes met: Danzo's in passing attention, Kei's in barely concealed contempt and gleeful derision.

After his departure, Danzo was disowned by the Uesugi. They barely heard of his whereabouts until rumors floated that he was under the employ of Takeda Shingen, Nagao Kagetora’s greatest rival.

...

Wandering aimlessly from town to town, village to village and unable to find his true purpose, Danzo tried to take his life several times but for some reason, hesitates in the end. He could not do it. He could not end his life. Coward, he cursed himself but he was still unable to commit seppuku. Failing to uplift an honorable life any longer he had resorted to ambushing travellers and committing thievery.

On a late autumn afternoon, an unmarked palanquin passed the narrow forest trail, the shinobi frequented as his hunting ground. His experience in this trade taught him to ignore crests or seals decorating the vehicles. Instead he studied the exterior of the carriage. More often than not, the absence of markings meant that the occupant was someone of very high rank.

As he prepared for the assault, one thing puzzled him: there were no guards or heavily armed escorts to protect the nobleman. His doubts were forgotten when the palanquin and its four bearers crossed the narrowest path. Gleaming blade snatched out of its sheath, Danzo swooped down aiming for the men at the rear.

Caught in an ambush, the men only had half a moment to gather their wits. Hurriedly setting the carriage down, they subsequently drew their katanas. Surprise flashed fleetingly on Danzo's eyes as his weapon clashed forcefully against the closest –samurai, he realized too late. The bearers happened to be the guards themselves.

After a swift exchange of blows, Danzo somersaulted backwards and attempted to lure one of the guards away from the palanquin. Samurai at the front now closely protected the occupant who remained inside despite the disturbance.

Danzo continued to battle with the pair at the rear. Both alternately confronted the assailant while carefully remaining within the perimeter of their charge.

Busily squaring off with them, Danzo realizes his tactic had failed if their organized movements were any indication. After a brief flash of unusual clothing the assailant disappeared.

The shinobi resorted to biding precious time but the samurai also barely moved from their stations. They were determined to protect their lord and were in no hurry to assume danger had passed.

A strong surge of emotion made Danzo's focus falter into impatience. Usually he would wait for nightfall or observe for loose behavior. However the samurai's fierce determination to eradicate all threat from their master irritated him to no end. The samurai simply would not relinquish their ground.

It does not matter, he thought. His intentions had drastically changed from theft to ruthless massacre. Bloodlust consumed all thought. If the shadow were in his rational mind, he would be appalled by his violent urge to kill. Mild infuriation escalated into murderous rage in a spur.

Danzo burst into action, switching tactics he set off a smoke bomb and attacked the samurai closest to the palanquin. It achieved the desired effect, causing confusion and loss of concentration when the assailant alternately swiped his lethal blade at them and vanished the next.

After a gruelling combat, Danzo dispatched two samurai while sustaining a few ugly wounds himself. But highly ingrained to pain, Danzo strode over the remaining pair of swordsmen, the long slash at his side not hindering him a bit.

Meanwhile the death of their companions only increased the samurais' valor. They fearlessly counterattacked whatever was thrown their way. Maintaining a careful eye on their master they took a turn each to fight Danzo aggressively. Seeing their dedication made the ousted shinobi angrier. Killer's instinct screaming for a bloodbath, Danzo bypassed them and boldly aimed for the carriage. He lunged with a wild thrust.

As his katana dug rapidly through the wooden compartment, another simultaneously emerged from the inside. Sharp intense pain sliced at his torso. Danzo's eyes remained wide at his grave miscalculation. His reflexes seemed to slow into a stop and his sight dimmed. As warm blood continued to flow out of his potentially mortal wound, all the fight and rage inside him waned.

He was barely aware of the blade pulling out of his body. The weapon seemed to be the only thing that kept him upright. Without it, he sank to his knees. The samurai wasted no time and positioned their katanas over Danzo's vulnerable neck. So this was how he would die... pathetic. He would have chuckled if he still had the strength.

The compartment creaked open and then a man who looked a little past his prime came out unharmed. He wore his straight hair down past his shoulders and was dressed in fine outdoor clothing. The grip on his katana was anything but amateur. Danzo then understood why he had failed to land him a single scratch.

Perhaps... his poor mind could not come up with the possibility that not all noblemen were cowering halfwits incapable of defending themselves. It doomed him from the start.

Sheathing his sword, the man approached him. "You are one courageous rogue. You nearly wiped us out."

Danzo could only unfocusedly stare at him.

“State your name,” The man demanded, gesturing for the samurai to stand down much to their disbelief. But they could never defy their master and reluctantly obeyed.

Danzo’s hatred returned enough to restore some of his strength by sheer willpower alone. “Kato Danzo. What difference would it make?” He asked hoarsely.

Surprise briefly crossed the man’s handsome features. He blinked as if his prisoner uttered something absurd. The soft chuckle that escaped his lips turned into full-blown laughter.

“I believe my words were not amusing.” Danzo rasped but the man shook his head.

“This is what had become of the peerless warrior that had once been sworn into his service? Such a shame… the young fool.”

Pale, severely weakened by blood loss, Danzo could not comprehend that the nobleman had just mentioned Uesugi-Nagao Kagetora. What got the rise of Danzo however were these words, “By sparing your life, you will serve me, Kato Danzo.” The nobleman said with a finality that could shake the earth.

Danzo felt his hatred for this man intensify. His previous master had thrown him away, how dare this one pick him up on a whim? Had he not enough of being treated like an object?

“What if I refuse?” Danzo spat the blood off his lips. He could hear the protests of the samurai trying to reason with their master. But the man held out a hand and just like that, their voices died down.

Who was this man?

How much power did he have in this realm?

“Danzo, you do not have a choice. If I do not take you under my wing, you will die if the cold does not claim you first.” He was surprisingly more sensible than he appeared.

“I do not need your pity!” Talking… keep talking and die of it…

“It is not pity. I am acknowledging your true potential. You achieve a purpose to live on if you become my shadow guard, Kato Danzo.” The man spoke as if it were an absolute order.

“Shadow… guard?” The shinobi followed with uncertainty.

“That is correct, my personal shadow guard. I am a shadow myself. We are two of a kind.” The last statements he heard the man said were in fact the nobleman’s true value to the imperial family, which was expendable.

They were two of a kind, indeed.

…

Waking up in a sparse room covered in several dressings, Danzo realized he was alive. He tentatively lifted his head feeling a sharp throb of pain for the effort but at the far side close to the sliding doors sat a man calmly sipping tea.

It was the nobleman and he smiled when their eyes met. “Sleep some more if you need it.” He wore thick animal furs over his long kariginu. “Are you cold? I could demand for more firewood.”

Danzo’s eyes narrowed. He could not grasp what the nobleman was getting at. Kindness towards one’s subordinate was very foreign to the shinobi-turned-rogue. “I do not remember accepting your proposal.”

“You lived and are currently sheltered in my abode at the dead of winter. That is enough proof that we have reached an agreement—” Danzo moved so fast, the nobleman barely realized his neck was dangerously stifled around one arm.

“Are you really well enough to be exerting yourself? Your medicine and Rennyo-dono’s services cost me handsomely.” He managed against the force threatening to crush his windpipe.

“You… You…!” Danzo was suddenly assaulted by a strong spell of dizziness. He slowly sagged to the floor but stubbornly held his target loosely. “Damn… you.”

“You are very pale when you are this close… based on hearsays about that man’s reputation, it really baffles me that he has let you go. Perhaps they were hearsays and nothing more.” The nobleman commented vaguely.

“I will… kill… you.” Danzo hissed lividly by his ear despite the massive strain it put him.

“Child, lie down on your bed. If my retainers found us like this, it might give them strange ideas. You have already earned enough of their contempt as it is.” The nobleman said rationally hinting at their suggestive posture.

“Child?” Danzo quickly released him as if he were burned. Now that the shinobi was in plain sight and not cloaked by the shade of pine trees, the nobleman had gotten a good look at his unmistakable youth. It was just a little past his coming of age when Danzo decided his life was not worth living for.

“Or do you prefer, I call you a boy?” The nobleman guided him to the futon, even assisting him to lie down.

“How… dare you,” Danzo managed to curse him but the nobleman only laughed.

“I thought shadows were emotionless. How come you are not able to rein in your feelings?” The nobleman asked and firmly pushed him down when Danzo tried getting up again.

“Stop it! Stop this! You… you will never gain my fealty!” Danzo spat through gritted teeth. He might have reopened his deep wound. The nobleman caught his face.

“Do you mean it remains his’?”

“Not his or yours or anyone’s! I am not… I will never again be someone else’s—”

“Then why did you live? Why do you keep living Danzo? What is your purpose?” The nobleman’s hand crept a little lower, now pressing against his throat.

Danzo’s struggles ceased. He looked straight at the man but could not give him a definite response. After a while, the nobleman stood up and walked across the room, “Not all masters do not place value on their subordinates. Without retainers, a master is like a head without a body or limbs.”

Once he was truly alone, Danzo contemplated an answer whose prolonged absence ate at his mind. His thoughts unwittingly drifted towards that night… his last night within the exclusive grounds of Kasugayama-jo. The last individual he had set his eyes on… Kagetora-kou’s protector. The look on the lad’s face distorted from his previously submissive demeanor— he gasped.

Like a wild animal;

A predator lurking within a prey’s deceiving guise;

An animal… is that what he had become?

A mindless beast where honor and pride held no meaning but the instinct to survive?

He had become worse than what he had feared.

<>

As silently as he opened the shoji, he was surprised to see an old man sitting on the landing. Said man also managed to look up at the same instant he tried to walk back. “Ah, you must be the stray, I see you have extraordinary skills that have unfortunately rusted from misuse.”

How did he sense my presence…? Stray…? Danzo could feel his temper rising. “Who are you?”

“I am an old friend of your master though he seems to be out at the moment. You on the other hand remained inside regardless of spring and the magnificent garden just outside your lodging, such a shame.” The man’s offhand comment tempted Danzo to actually gaze outside and behold the wonder of nature woken from a deep slumber. Lush dewy greens, colourful dainty blossoms, curious sounds of small animals, the cheerful warble of birds atop sturdy trees… the refreshing breeze that billowed through his robe… caressing his skin and eradicating traces of malady.

Danzo was momentarily enraptured by the sight of his surroundings. “Beautiful…” He whispered unknowingly.

“Appreciating beauty means appreciating life.” The man chuckled softly causing the shinobi to suddenly stiffen in reaction. “And now that you have completely recovered, is it not impertinent of the servant to be up later than his master?”

“What? I am not…!” Danzo angrily swiped at the man who evaded his strike efficiently by casually leaning to the side. “!”

Abruptly, the old man cried in pain. “My lower back! Oooh, it hurts… I cannot believe I’m so frail now.”

Danzo was left staring dumbly at the man who struggled to recover his bearings. When the pain seemed to have subsided, he sighed and returned to his sitting position.

A sharp smack landed squarely against the back of his head causing Danzo to fall over with an undignified yell. Irritated, he whipped around and was about to retaliate only to face the nobleman.

“I know a rogue has limited manners but to attack my guest especially your healer is simply outrageous.” His nameless self-proclaimed master remarked. If anything, he succeeded in receiving Danzo’s ire who attempted to lunge at him but stopped midway. Flushing slightly, the rogue hastily turned his back on them and slammed the shoji shut to their faces.

The healer could no longer contain his mirth and laughed aloud at this development. “I see benevolence has gotten you nowhere with this war piece, Ouji-sama.”

“Rennyo-dono, if he is a war piece then I am very much the same, am I not?”

“Oh do not give me that, Ouji. Dealing with a rogue, a dishonoured shinobi who was not granted the simple wish of death by his own master is worse than handling a wounded wolf. How you are alive is definitely beyond me.” Rennyo continued chuckling to his heart’s content.

The nobleman sighed tiredly. “You mean to say, I am still making progress.”

“It is such a shame his skills have dulled because of his mental and spiritual state. He might not have the… heart to kill you, Ouji but if he were the elite shinobi he earned his reputation for, I would be in a much greater predicament than the manner you found us in.” The healer said matter-of-factly.

“Would it be imposing on your good graces if I asked you, Sohei Master to retrain him?” Seeing the disbelieving look on Rennyo’s face, the nobleman impatiently continued, “No, no. It is his Ki that is in need of honing. You said it has dulled.”

Rennyo audibly cleared his throat. “It is good to make matters clear. For a moment I thought that…”

“No,” The nobleman interjected once again. “You will not take him in as one of your disciples. He is mine, after all.” Sharp daggers peaked beneath effeminately long lashes.

The Sohei Master inwardly shivered. Being subjected to one of the prince’s infamous glares was never pleasant despite their great difference in terms of skill. Having delivered his point across, the prince smoothened his imposing demeanor. “Rennyo-dono, I believe paying me a visit or your ungrateful patient rather were not the main reasons that brought you here?”

The Sohei Master’s features immediately darkened into grim lines. “Yes, that is correct. Ouji, I know it is too early in the game but already ‘he’ is onto us.”

“What?” The nobleman completely forgot about potential eavesdroppers.

“He…” Rennyo coughed in his hand, “—Pardon my rudeness, paid your aniue a visit two days ago, subtly demanding His Excellency to abdicate. He also brought Ashikaga Yoshihide-dono and demanded him be entitled as shogun instead of our ally. His Excellency agreed having no other choice but the timing is just too… impeccable for this to be his sole agenda.”

The prince curtly replied, “It means we have to hatch the plan earlier than expected.”

“But your war piece is barely even ready.” The Sohei Master said, slowly shaking his head.

“But that is what you are here for, Rennyo-dono.” The nobleman smiled beatifically in a manner that could scare the holiest of monks.

“Indeed.” The monk sighed but honestly brimmed with excitement. “When do I start?”

Something delicate, possibly porcelain could be heard shattering violently inside followed by another. “Very well, I shall start with that temper of his, shadows always did without. How did he become this behaviourally warped, I wonder?” There was almost a note of sympathy in Rennyo’s voice.

“We have a certain dragon to thank for that.” The shoji hastily opened cutting their discussion.

“I need to speak with you. Make the monk leave.” Danzo said through gritted teeth.

The prince did not pay the rogue any attention and turned to the Sohei Master instead. “Tomorrow, Rennyo-dono, seems a good day to start.”

“I agree. You have a whole night to reintroduce him discipline plus I very much wanted a cup of tea tomorrow… if he has not broken every single piece? By your leave.” Rennyo bowed and without looking at either of them started walking away.

“We will have tea, as requested Rennyo-dono.” The nobleman called after the retreating figure who half-inclined his head and continued on his way.

…

“You are part of the Imperial Family and flailing terribly against Oda. What else are you not telling me?” Danzo snapped with his arms crossed.

“A rogue does not need to involve himself with these matters as far as I am concerned.” The nobleman swiftly found himself hauled by the front towards the shinobi’s enraged face.

“Is it too much to ask how you intend to use me? You are no different from…!” His hands were brusquely slapped away.

“Unhand me, rogue.” The nobleman shot coldly.

Danzo had this unexpected hot pain lance through his chest. He felt… rejection? “That is right. I am a rogue without a master! So stop claiming your rights to my very soul!”

“Child!”

Unrelenting grip suddenly latched on to Danzo’s jaw. The nobleman stared at him like fiery hot coals searing him alive. “I will have the respect I deserve. I earned it with your life!”

His forced liberation from Kagetora had irreversibly fractured the core of his formerly collected and honorable self. There was no way it could ever be restored. All the emotions… anger, frustration, pain, humiliation, and sadness came pouring out like torrents of rain. A near-sob bubbled forth as Danzo hurled these words, “Then take it back! Take it! My life has no longer held any meaning!”

No! The prince almost yelled out his frustration. I thought we were making progress… not like this! He never realized what was happening until he had Danzo pinned down the tatami with both of his hands tightly wrapped around the young man’s throat.

Wide-eyed, Danzo choked. He did not expect the nobleman to actually lose it. If he does not do something he would be strangled to death. Just then a flash of genuine fear made him utterly confused.

I am afraid…?

I do not want to… die.

Bestial instincts soared inside him and with a growl, Danzo efficiently reversed their positions slamming the prince’s wrists down the matted flooring. A struggle ensued making the prince breathless afterwards as they tried to wrestle like colts. Being the older of the two, the prince finally surrenders, “I yield.” He said.

Anger forgotten, Danzo stares him down warily, “What happened to your demands for respect?”

“I think it is useless having let you get away with more than that.” His words brought an icy chill down Danzo’s spine. The rogue quickly lets go, dropping on a sitting position facing away from the nobleman who remained sprawled on the floor.

“I have not done anything demeaning enough to shame you, Ouji. Do not exaggerate.” Danzo muttered.

“Hoh? And the child behaves!” The prince laughs. Assuming a sitting position, he ruffles the lad’s hair.

“And yet I cannot stand… I cannot stand someone saying that he owns me!” He swatted the hand away.

Rubbing his bruised arm, the prince stated imperiously, “But you are mine, Kato Danzo. You lived because of me. I need you alive. Why is that so hard to understand? Can you not live if it were not for him? Can you not live for me?”

The rogue’s hands bunched into fists. “Why is my acceptance of your ownership so important to you? Why do you put up with all these? Why do you go so far and treat me like you do when I am nothing but a possession to you?”

“Normally, a shinobi would not be saying such things. Without a purpose… someone giving him orders to exercise his skills, he would be nothing. Any shinobi would be grateful having a new master to serve. What makes you so different, I wonder?” The prince’s bearing was a complete contrast to the other’s ire. The hotter Danzo’s temper grew, the cooler the prince’s became.

“I refuse to be branded like an animal! I am… I am a human being!” Oh how these uttered words shamed him.

“And for a warrior that is dangerous indeed. I seem unable to blame Kagetora now. Perhaps he has foreseen this outcome with you? And that means you do not want to be owned by him as well.” The prince’s conclusion stunned him. Danzo has never realized this before.

“Is that how it is? To be trusted with your lord’s life… you have to be owned by your lord?” Images of Kei from the beginning of their encounter to the last dominated his thoughts. Was that Kei’s sole advantage against him?

“You are skilled, unmatched in your style of martial art. Kagetora would have deemed you dangerous if you refused to be bound to him. That is the essence of a master-and-servant relationship. I am surprised the idea seems so foreign to you.”

“And yet you let me go around freely. I am a substantial threat to your life, am I not? I refuse to be bound to you and yet you…” let your life be jeopardized by my presence…? The apparent shock manifesting on Danzo’s features brought the prince contentment. At least they were finally headed towards true progress.

“It shows confidence in myself to have you around, Danzo. I believe you will never hurt me… not too much anyhow.”

“Do not be so certain of yourself, Ouji.” Danzo said before tackling the prince to the floor once again.

“Oh?” The prince stared back defiantly even as he lied helpless under Danzo’s weight.

“I could still very much kill you if you do not stop prattling about owning me.” The rogue threatened.

“I did warn you about my retainers dropping by unannounced. You seem to love having me beneath you to reassert yourself. I wonder what the samurai would think if this becomes a regularity?”

The corner of Danzo’s eye manages the tiniest twitch before a more profound reaction comes. He scrambled away from the prince who chuckled at his expense. Who would have thought that his ability to unsettle the shinobi would be his greatest weapon?

“I thought you were not one to give up so quickly.” The prince said provocatively as he deliberately readjusted his loosened kimono.

“Shut it!” Danzo snapped. The tips of his ears were not even spared from the red.

Oh well. The prince smiled tiredly. There goes his progress.

<>

The summons arrive late.

The terrible news arrive later.

The summons came from the emperor.

Rennyo-dono was dead.

In a flurry of movement, the prince ascended the stairs heading straight for the imperial chambers.

“Ouji, slow down. You have not slept in two days. Your footing is not so sure either.” His body swayed to the right before being caught in a firm grip. “Ah, I told you so.”

“I appreciate your worry for me, which is really unexpected but we really have to hurry.” The prince was surprised when Danzo offered to carry him. “That is quite undignified, Danzo. I am not a maiden, you see.”

“Damn that Kenjutsu pride! Stop being stubborn and take advantage while I act this way. Think of me as a one-man palanquin or something.” Their relationship had changed in the course of months. Though Rennyo had his significant contribution, the prince became the sole reason for Danzo’s renewed will to live. However the shinobi would rather suffer a hundred humiliations than admit it even to himself.

“Very well,” The prince proceeded to mount his back.

“What are you doing? Oi! I told you I will carry you not bear you on my back.” Muttering he added, “Has he gone senile or what?”

The prince wrapped his arms around his shadow guard’s neck as he was ‘carried properly.’ “If we were not in a critical situation, I would say that you are trying to get close to me.”

“Do you want me to drop you, Ouji?” Danzo asked disinterestedly while trying to hide the crimson dusting his cheeks.

As the prince was set down before the final corridor leading to the throne room, he retrieved a special cloth hidden within his many layers of robes. “Danzo,”

The prince presented the special cloth to him. Danzo stared as if it were a snake, making the prince chuckle. “I know your skills are in a whole different calibre now but I still want to return this to you.”

The shinobi tentatively touches the illusory fabric, “You have been keeping it all this time? But I used this to kill my victims as a rogue.”

“Nonsense. You need it to completely shroud yourself in darkness.” The prince replied still a little unsteady.

“Ouji!” As Danzo rushed to assist, the prince gently declined.

“Inside those chambers are dangerous men. I need you to stay hidden.” He did not even look back as he turned towards the hallway leading to well-embellished doors.

Danzo could only grudgingly obey.

The prince mustered his inner strength. The imperial court needed him. He could not be deterred by a simple bout of fatigue.

Standing by the doors, he immediately noticed the suspicious lack of guards in the vicinity and heard the sounds of bitter arguing that drifted through thin paper screens.

As soon as he entered, the scene that greeted him was beyond his worst expectations. Nearly half of the elite samurai that was supposed to guard the Emperor were a pile of scattered corpses. The remaining ones were clustered around him trying to keep him away from two seasoned fighters hell-bent in killing each other.

Those two warriors were no strangers to him. They were the best living weapons he had helped prepare with Rennyo in years cultivated by rigorous training. To them he was a revered master of the sword and tactical strategy but to Rennyo they were not only disciples but beloved sons and potential heirs. He realized that the brunt of the Sohei Master’s death would ultimately fall upon his adopted sons. Were they locked in a duel to fight for Rennyo’s title?

The bloody mess of bodies on the floor were a bad indication, however. A ceremonial duel between two heirs did not entail unrestrained violence. If he were to judge the maddened glint on Nagao Kagetaka’s eyes, it was a look of pure rage intent on seriously harming his very own brother, Nagao Kagefusa. The two were obviously out of touch with their current surroundings. Perhaps a disagreement had ignited into a drawing of weapons and the elite bushi had only done their duty by keeping the Emperor out of harm’s way only to become entangled in the fray and be slain in the process.

As the undisputed head of the imperial family, the Emperor should have used absolute authority to take control and order the brothers to dissolve any petty argument. If this argument was about Rennyo’s failure to name his heir then was it not up to the Emperor to choose the next Sohei Master?

Seeing his elder brother cowering behind his guards showed the true nature of his summons. The Emperor, the supposed superior of the Bakufu embarrassingly incapable of handling the key war pieces: Was this what Ashikaga Yoshihide waited for to gain a firmer foothold? Oda Nobunaga’s ‘ally’ toppling the imperial seat of power for his benefactor would be their best outcome.

He could not let that happen.

Now that Rennyo was dead— he had a sneaking suspicion it was not a natural death considering the Sohei Master’s state of good health— it was up to him, to step in.

Carefully concealed in a corner, Kato Danzo momentarily forgot about the prince and was completely petrified to see a ghost from the past currently coming to blows with a proficient counterpart.

Nagao Kagetora’s protector, Kei in a different persona displaying such exceptional skill: His master’s earlier statements were not unfounded. Equally matched, Kei and his opponent continued their dance of destruction dismantling anything in their path. Neither sustained any serious injury by far but it was only a matter of time judging the rate that they were going. To Danzo’s horror, even before the two combatants’ blades could brutally collide once more, the prince, his prince hastily intercepted them.

“Ouji!” He yelled unthinkingly. Abandoning strict orders and his position, Danzo rushed to his side only to be stopped by a mere admonishing look.

The prince skilfully parried both of the warriors’ strikes. He was unhurt and Danzo had risked exposure for nothing.

“Taka! Fusa! Enough!” Turning once more to his former apprentices, the prince shouted.

“Shishou…?” It took Kagetaka a while to realize who intercepted his attack.

“At ease, both of you! Now!” The prince repeated when neither showed signs of relenting.

Struggling to contain his rage, Kagetaka put away his weapon with reluctance while his cold fury made the room’s temperature drop several more degrees. Kagefusa on the other hand collectedly sheathed his katana. His attention immediately shifted elsewhere. “You?” The one formerly known as Kei fixed Danzo with a haughty stare. “Interesting.”

The shinobi felt his blood curdling at that mocking tone. So this was the real person behind Kagetora’s shadow.

“Otouto! You calmed them down!” The emperor suddenly exclaimed in a ridiculously shrill voice.

“Barely,” The prince muttered under his breath then, “Your Excellency, what has happened?”

Judging it safe to step out from his cluster of guards, the emperor descends the dais while the samurai scramble after him. “Oh it’s terrible. The Bakufu called for an assembly regarding Oda Nobunaga’s recent activities. They said we have a traitor in our midst! The Sohei Master Rennyo-dono, turns out that he was collaborating with the Oda and was executed.”

“What?” The prince dared not believe its sheer impossibility.

“The Bakufu including the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshihide, left earlier when Kagetaka suddenly forced his way inside and caused much chaos.” The emperor explained levelly only to shrink away from said agitator’s glare.

“Your Excellency, the brothers just lost their adoptive father. If anything, I understand the young men’s sentiments—”

“Shishou, you and His Excellency understand it absolutely wrong.” Fusa interrupted. “I killed Rennyo-dono. He may eventually cooperate with the enemy since Oda Nobunaga seemed keen in employing his services. To prevent such an occurrence, I executed Rennyo-dono as ordered.”

The prince felt lightning crackle in the air at that very statement. Waves of tangible tension engulfed the room that any semblance of stillness threatened to break. He found Kagefusa’s unfeeling words blatantly spine-tingling. The scenario just made much more sense and Kagetaka’s rage more fathomable.

Losing interest in the duel on impulse, Kagefusa began making his way toward the doors. “I understand you would not tolerate petty fights before His Excellency’s presence, Shishou. By your leave.” His gait and demeanor were anything but respectful when he paused just a little past Danzo, whispering, “I do not comprehend your presence here. Shishou’s knack of taking in strays seems more rampant these days. Yet more often than not, he gets the unworthy ones, like you.”

Danzo gritted his teeth, his face straining to keep it blank. If Rennyo-dono had not wasted patience in retraining him, he knew he would outright crush that man’s vile mouth.

Silently and brimming with murderous aura, Kagetaka gave his former master a half-hearted bow and threw Danzo an icy glare. That single eye-contact was the only telltale sign that they would become allies in the future. Without further delay, he stormed after his younger brother.

The tension finally dissolving, the prince turned once again to the emperor. “Aniue,” He said, his modulated voice threatening to crack under pressure. “I believe, I myself needed to be filled with details of such import! Rennyo-dono was a valuable ally! You should have called for me before the order of execution was carried out!” And it did.

In the absence of the deadly warriors save one, the emperor replied flatly, “As my shadow, the Bakufu deemed your participation or your opinion totally unnecessary.”

Shadow? Danzo beheld his master in shock. The Emperor’s shadow?¹⁰⁸

“Does the Bakufu consist only of Ashikaga Yoshihide-dono? No wonder Oda Nobunaga has managed to slip through the Imperial Court!”

“Ouji! Watch your tone towards the Emperor!” An elder bushi rebuked.

“Aniue, you become a more different person each day. I do not recognize you anymore.” The prince said bitterly before losing consciousness.

“Ouji!” Danzo catches him, throws the cloth over them both and disappears before the stunned faces of their audience. As they fled, the shinobi was determined to put as much distance as possible between his master and the imperial court. He had never seen such display of disregard for his master even from the emperor himself. He was more than appalled.

<>

“It is not mere exhaustion that ails you, is it?” Were the first things that came out of his shadow’s mouth when he regained consciousness.

The prince felt like not answering him at all. His secret was out and Danzo did not act accordingly as well.

“Ouji! I only rushed to you… perhaps unthinkingly because for a moment I was certain you would not… make it.”

The prince still did not look at him. He was tight-lipped and his posture rigid.

“Ouji… I…” So he does not understand himself when he allowed Danzo to crawl towards him, entering his personal space and hiding that youthful face on the crook of his neck. The soft tendrils of hair made the skin of his neck tingle.

“Danzo I need you to do something for me.” His voice sounded so foreign even to him.

“Anything.” He breathed.

The prince pulled away. “You are frightening me with that behavior. Straighten up.”

The shinobi did as he was told. “Your orders?”

Something was definitely up. It was unusual for him to be this submissive. “The Bakufu is out of control. I believe the Emperor has been influenced by Ashikaga-dono enough to lose his senses. One of my former apprentices has also fallen into depravity. Kagefusa has succumbed to the taste of blood. He thinks that Kenjutsu is the art of killing. He is beyond any hope since he had managed to take his father’s life.”

Kagefusa? Was that Kei’s true name? Hearing it, caused Danzo to hiss irritably. “Just tell me what to do, already.”

This more familiar reaction elicited a small laugh from the prince but their situation warranted nothing but seriousness. “The Bakufu will use Kagefusa’s unmatched skills to weaken the most powerful daimyo. Currently they have hatched an elaborate plan to create a temporary alliance between the Takeda and the Uesugi to topple the Hojo. The imperial court believes that if there are disputes between the daimyo, the Emperor will once again rise to power. They are wrong. Oda Nobunaga will use this plan to his advantage. If all the regional daimyo weaken, a sole tyrant will rise. Everything will be crushed in Nobunaga’s quest for power. The Imperial Court and the Shogunate will fall.”

“Ouji, I am not dense but I cannot absorb everything you just said! Will you tell me what I should do and be concise about it!”

“Oda Nobunaga’s fiercest rival is currently Takeda Shingen. Go to him.”

That was too concise. Danzo had let his accursed mouth run wild. He looked at the prince disbelievingly.

“I need you to counteract every activity that makes Oda closer to his goal. I know this might be asking too much of you but as my Shadow Guard, you have to be the supporting pillar of every daimyo that falls prey to Ashikaga-dono’s design. You will wander and become master-less. I think it suits you.” The prince was surprised to see the look on Danzo’s face.

He appears like he had been slapped. “Danzo?”

“This… is what you would ask of me?” To say that the shinobi was unhappy with the assignment would be an understatement.

“I have listened to and unwittingly grasped every word you said. I thought I belonged to you. And now… you are casting me aside?” His words were very quiet but that did not diminish the impact they had on the prince.

“It does not matter even if I owned you. Our time… my time is nearing its end.” The prince had a dead look in his eyes that Danzo found simply infuriating.

“For me it has already ended.” Danzo stood up, turned his back and stormed out.

The shinobi was no longer in the room before the prince could call to him. Pushing himself, he tried to rise out of bed only to fall unceremoniously on his side. Slamming a fist on wood, the prince cursed his weakness.

Curled up on a strong bough of a gingko tree, Danzo could not remember the last time he had felt so nauseated because he could not shed a single tear.

…

Two days passed and still there was no sign of him but the prince did not truly believe Danzo was gone. Once in a while the young shinobi would fall into one of those sulking fits. But it had to be one nasty fit this time if he was taking too long to recover from it.

Sitting on the landing with his feet perched on soft grass he relaxed a little. The body weakness had finally receded to an extent he felt most of his strength return. But he knew it was only temporary and thus a bad omen… if the simple cold and the small bruises all over his body were any indication.

He had his eyes closed, breathing in the scents of the woods that he barely sensed a figure draping a blanket around his shoulders. “Exposing yourself to the elements; do you really wish to die that badly?”

“Either way I die in the end. What difference does it make?” The prince replied, mimicking Danzo’s words so long ago. He was only mildly surprised when a callused hand cupped his cheek.

“Why did you put yourself in the way? When you can collapse at any time? You are even frailer than the old man.”

“I am glad you are done sulking.” Leaning into that warmth, the prince chuckled.

“Can I at least stay a little while… even for tonight? Then I shall leave tomorrow before sunrise.” Danzo said quietly.

The prince reached inside his sleeve and presented Danzo a small folded paper. The shinobi stared questioningly. “It is a letter of introduction to Takeda Shingen bearing the Minamoto Family crest. My mother came from the old noble line of the Seiwa-Genji. With a bit of luck he will understand and take you in.”

“Hope he does not kill me outright, you mean.” Danzo took the folded paper and heard the noises of commotion before a ruffled servant appeared.

“Ouji-sama! This is terrible! Hired killers managed to enter the inner house! You have to escape!”

“Oh? I believe I knew who sent them. A beautiful present, indeed.” The prince took it calmly and retrieved his katana.

“Ouji! What are you doing? We have to leave!” Danzo seized his arm roughly but the prince shook it off.

“Did you not hear me? This is the greatest gift to receive from the heavens.”

‘To die in battle.’

With a determined stance, exposed blade firmly held in both hands the prince spoke, “Danzo I expect you to fulfill your mission. Go.”

The shinobi’s body suddenly had a mind of its own. He could not take a single step towards the prince. As much as he wanted to go to him, his feet move and carry him away in a separate direction. All the while his eyes remain wide, entranced on the figure moving gracefully fighting against more than a dozen enemies inside his very own home. Their home.

The prince swung his sword with a vibrant light in his eyes cutting one approaching warrior after another. Unfortunately, he could not maintain the same level of skill as before. As a tremendous bout of exhaustion claimed his arms and legs, strong opponents emerged. His consciousness wavered, black spots danced before his eyes. Was he going to pass out? He realized he would never survive the succeeding attacks. Yet the fire in the prince’s eyes did not die even as the powerful assailants advanced towards him, sharp blades exposed.

In the distance, Danzo continued to watch in absolute horror, unable to disobey his master’s final command. He witnessed his prince face death unflinchingly. After receiving relentless blows, the unmoving body calmly bears the final brutal thrust that went straight for his already deceased heart.

It was over.

Reflected in Danzo’s quivering eyes was his prince falling, copious rivulets of blood spilling out of his body. In his final moment, the prince’s face turns towards him as if knowing exactly where he was.

Danzo could not call out.

He could not call out even as the light in those eyes dulled and eventually dimmed into nothingness.

After the unspeakable carnage, deafening silence fell all around.

…

Shoulders suddenly shaking and lip trembling uncontrollably, endless tears poured down his cheeks.

He cried.

He cried silently.

A strange sound bubbled up his throat.

He laughed.

He cried.

He laughed and cried.

He could not stop.

At last the chirp of the cicadas drowned his pitiful noises of grief.

Nightfall;

<>

Eiroku 11, at the end of the ninth month, at the hour of the Ox, Ashikaga Yoshihide received a gift but it was not beautiful in the least. It was in the form of poison mimicking the signs and symptoms of a contagious disease. He had drank his last that fateful day.

All the while, Kato Danzo laughed gleefully as the shogun’s eyes glazed over and then rolled up in death.

He had never seen such an interesting spectacle.

<>

Naoe noticed it for some time now but whenever he was forced to trade information with the Takeda’s irritating Kousaka Danjo, he could feel another set of eyes watching his every move.

Even when Kousaka left, the stare lingered sometimes too long enough to hurt.

Having tolerated this far enough, Naoe decided to put an end to it. When he was most certain he would be followed, he prepared in advance. He brought dye with him and scattered them about. The bright dye adhered to the shadow’s cloak consequently revealing his position. When the shadow realized what had happened he fled.

Naoe swiftly gave chase while grimacing at the bastard’s laugh ringing in his ears. Eventually, the shadow was cornered but he instead showed himself boldly to Naoe.

“You?” Naoe looked at him coldly.

“I am glad, Kagetaka— no, the new Rennyo-dono remembered me!”

Naoe turned his back wincing at the shadow’s uncharacteristic cheery tone. “What do you want?”

“I want to support you… and watch you.” Naoe did not appreciate the mischievous twinkle in those eyes.

This shinobi seriously had something funny in the head. Did he hit it somewhere or had he fallen into enemy hands and suffered unspeakable torture? “I do not like you.”

“Oh? But I have something you might like.” Danzo tossed a finely crafted katana at Naoe’s feet.

Warily, Naoe picked it up. Was this shinobi hoping to catch him off guard or was he genuinely trying to win him over with this tribute? Examining the sword closely, Naoe’s eyes widened in surprise. “This is… Kagetora-kou’s prized sword! How did you manage to steal this?”

“Still skeptical? That is genuine, you know. Shingen-sama ordered me to steal the real one this time since he was duped once… or he will have my head. I am just showing you I am very much capable. I still have my head, you see.”

“You presented Kagetora-kou’s sword to Shingen-dono?” Naoe was incredulous.

Danzo nodded. “Shingen-sama told me to throw it afterwards though… unless you want to have it? It’s a present.”

“No.”

“You do not want it? Then give it here.” Danzo stretched his arm and flapped his hand.

“No. This is stolen. I will return this or it will jeopardize the alliance.” Naoe started to walk away.

“Rennyo-dono saved my life. I just want to return the favor to his heir.”

Naoe halted.

“Let us become allies.”

“You are tied to the Bakufu are you not? We are already working on a common goal. Besides don’t you have to be elsewhere?” Naoe resumed walking.

“Ah, you are talking about my ‘puppet doll.’ He is rather convenient when I have to be in two places at once or more. I can freely wander around.”

“Shishou has died, huh?” A shadow had fallen over Naoe’s face as he belatedly realized this. “Still, it’s a No.”

“That is too bad.” Danzo continued to follow Naoe, regardless.

Naoe Nobutsuna and Kato Danzo unknowingly struck an agreement that day not considering their separate agendas.

~TBC

108 – The nameless prince is essentially the emperor’s body double. If the emperor is in danger, his younger half-brother will be an expendable decoy. They were trained since childhood to act alike though they do not necessarily look alike. P.S. He is also fictional; my original character for Danzo’s character dev’t.

Post A/N: Historically it was Uesugi Kenshin who commanded Kato Danzo (to test his abilities probably) to steal Naoe Kagetsuna’s/Sanetsuna’s (Uesugi retainer and adoptive father of Naoe) sword or other sources say naginata.

In this story it was Takeda Shingen who ordered to have Kenshin’s sword stolen. Historical Kenshin then forces Danzo to defect to Shingen considering him too dangerous than beneficial— I think Kenshin just wanted to get rid of him. In the end Shingen executed Danzo believing him to be Kenshin’s spy.

Now you know Kato Danzo’s relationship with Kenshin, Shingen, Naoe, and to Jiun-Kei in particular. Technically, Hojo Ujimasa thinks he has it all figured out but this chapter just proves it wrong right? Readers be the judge and kind enough to give me feedback.
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400 Years Apart