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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
- 53
- 54
- 55
Chapter 54:

Hokutoshichisei Arc: Part Twelve

A/N: When the sickle-shaped seven stars appear in the sky…

Year 1570 of our time slip: the succeeding course of events is an alternate scenario brought about by the combined spiritual power of the Tsutsuga Mirror and Yata no Kagami; (Please go to Chapter 32 for reference)

…

“I, Nagashiro also known as Naoe Nobutsuna, formerly known as Saito Rennyo Musanaga no Unsui, formerly known as Nagao Kagetaka renounce his pledge to Sagami no Kami, Hojo Ujimasa to serve and devote his life and his entirety to Hojo Saburo, his beloved and his esteemed lord.”

Word surely spread around fast, Naoe mused. He was no longer surprised when he received the lord’s summons through a thought-provoking letter. Also, the culprit who undeniably spilled the information was that shadow.

As he finished polishing his blade of rank, he stood up and was about to prepare getting dressed in his laid out semi-formal kamishimo, when the paper screens slid open.

Based on the sound of his movements and the subtle aura he exuded, Naoe was already aware of the intruder’s identity. The man, nonetheless, looked up and was awestruck by the beautiful form of Saburo clothed in a fine, unadorned kimono.

“Is it true? Has Aniue called for you?” The lordling demanded and to Naoe’s slight amusement, Saburo did not bother concealing his unease or distress.

Naoe already knew where this was going and bestowed the troubled youth a gentle smile. “How is your wound?”

Saburo briskly strode forward and he seemingly wanted to give the self-pledged bushi a piece of his mind. He yanked roughly on the sleeve of Naoe’s front. “Now is not the time to worry about me! Aniue has demanded for your presence! Do you even know what this means for you?”

Unperturbed, Naoe’s soft gaze did not waver. He enveloped the startled youth in a tender embrace. “Whatever happens, I have long prepared for it.”

Saburo struggled. “Damn you! Have you really lost it? You look like you could care less about defending yourself!”

Naoe soothed him by rubbing his back reassuringly until Saburo finally went limp in his arms. “Does this mean that Young Lord is concerned about me?”

Saburo mischievously sank his teeth on the man’s clothed chest causing Naoe to flinch. Naoe was briefly reminded of a wild cat that bit and clawed in its agitated state.

“You are not worth worrying over.” The lordling replied unfeelingly and pulled away. He turned his back on Naoe and was about to leave when he abruptly paused in the doorway.

Naoe’s eyes widened at the bowing head, the slumping shoulders… He was more than used to Saburo’s frigid words and stoic countenance especially after Saburo fitted into the role of a dignified lordling so Naoe did not expect his beloved to show any raw emotion.

Saburo gave him a sidelong gaze filled with bitterness.

‘Why?’

‘Why are you making that face?’

Naoe almost flew back to his side.

“Wakasama, I was afraid I would find you here.” Said a monotonous voice and Saburo straightened quickly. His crestfallen expression was but a mirage.

Fuma Kotarou and Nagashiro exchanged lukewarm glances.

Naoe did not even feel resentment towards the treacherous shinobi who could more or less get him expelled or executed by the divine right of the daimyo. They barely hate each other now but they weren’t tolerant enough to become allies… at least not yet.

Perhaps the only thing that could change Naoe’s current mindset about his rival was Saburo’s fleeting manifestation of pain. If Kotarou happened to cause even the slightest suffering on his beloved youth then Naoe might as well dissolve any agreements that they had.

More than anything, Naoe understood that if he wanted Hojo Saburo to become a formidable warlord then Saburo’s impulsive feelings (even if they were meant for him) needed to be dismissed at will. So what was with that expression just now? Were they emotions out of pity or sadness?

Perhaps it was something else entirely.

“Fuma Kotarou, were you about to escort Nagashiro to Aniue’s palace or are you unable to stop breathing down my neck even for a single moment?” The lordling raised an irate brow.

“As your contract, this shinobi is more concerned about your welfare among all else.”

Saburo suddenly laughed aloud at Kotarou’s predictable, flat reply. “If Aniue were to hear that then both of you would have to face the brunt of his wrath. Fuma Kotarou, you are just as guilty as the man you ruthlessly hanged out to dry.”

Kotarou had the decency to lower his head but he responded, nonetheless. “Wakasama, this tool of war is willing to be put under the blade of His Lordship for failing to make due priorities whenever the young master is involved. However, at least he is still bound to you by word of Tono-sama himself.”

The dead-eyed creature has definitely nothing to fear.

Saburo gnashed his teeth in an attempt to staunch any verbal cue that Kotarou might use against him.

What did he expect? Kotarou will only twist his words and use them to get under his skin because as long as Kotarou is owned by the daimyo, their contract becomes secondary. Not to mention that they are unable to copulate as a result of Naoe’s previous scheme.

Saburo shivered at his ensuing thoughts.

Would it be ludicrous to suspect that Kotarou still aimed to get rid of Naoe in this manner?

A large hand’s reassuring weight landed on Saburo’s shoulder.

Naoe knelt before him. “Young Lord, as your devoted retainer, do you grant me permission to respond to your brother’s summons?”

Naoe reinforced Saburo’s sense of bearing and thus had the sudden compulsion to observe his rival at the corner of his eye. Outwardly, his actions did not affect the imperturbable elite shinobi however; Naoe has already spent an incredible amount of time in Kotarou’s company to grasp the minutest signs of his displeasure. At least, the Fuma Clan Head was no longer a total enigma due to Saburo’s influence. It made Naoe wonder whether Kotarou deliberately loosened his guard around his most precious one.

Saburo was conflicted deep inside. He was unable to come to terms with Naoe’s audacious move. He remembered their heated argument that probably spurred this on.

“Get out,”

“Why do you burn with such hatred for me? What have I done to earn your deep loathing? Did I not follow you to your homeland as promised? The only condition I have to fulfill, however, was to pledge myself to your elder brother.”

“Quite on the defensive, aren’t we? You should have refused. You belong to Aniue now. And do not think I will contest him for you. If that is what you secretly wish for then you will be disappointed.”

“I erred. I pledged myself wrongly indeed. But that does not mean I cannot rectify it.

Naoe practically brought this doom upon himself when he unthinkingly swore to be Saburo’s vassal in the presence of Tono-sama’s shadow. Despite this rationalization, Saburo was still overly upset.

But why so?

‘I am afraid to take responsibility, to fight Aniue, to accept Naoe…’

‘I am unsure of where to stand.’

And such an indecisive, young general would join the march towards Kai? Saburo did not deserve the worship of these men. Worse, he was becoming a terrible disappointment in the eyes of Ujiteru-ani.

Nevertheless, Naoe awaited his response. “I realize that avoiding Aniue until I sorted my feelings will only take forever. If I have to meet him eventually then this circumstance is the perfect excuse. I might as well witness your end, Naoe Nobutsuna.”

Naoe had smiled in the face of his lie.

It was incomprehensible why Naoe’s calm acceptance of his fate brought more chills in Saburo’s spine than if Naoe were to throttle him in murderous rage.

‘The fool whom you pledged your soul to refuses to save you! Why would you not show contempt? !’ Saburo screamed silently.

…

Ujimasa-kou was his usual composed self upon his return but His Lordship did not even acknowledge Hideharu’s presence in the hallway. Ujimasa then proceeded to ignore him completely and made a gesture for Hideharu to stop when he dared to follow. They have not engaged in normal conversation after that. Hideharu thought of an alternative by sending common servants to attend to the Sagami Overlord instead.

At first, full course meals were barely touched and the new sets of clothing were purposely rumpled and sent back. The attendants would come out shuffling, pale, and frightened, invoking much of Hideharu’s empathy. Yet he could not give up. After so many losses, it was solely Hideharu’s responsibility to act as the daimyo’s guardian. If he could not force the reigning overlord out of his despondency then he had no place by Tono-sama’s side.

Using unconventional methods, Hideharu coaxed Ujimasa to mend his ways by sending Sayori and the senior servants to discourage any inappropriate behavior. It surprisingly drew an interesting reaction. Ujimasa had left the confines of his chambers and ordered his minder (Hideharu) to refrain from pestering the elders of his household and that he would not be causing further trouble.

In hindsight, Hideharu realized why Tono-sama would hate him. He had consciously disobeyed an order and put his apprentice in unnecessary danger despite sufficient warnings. It was all because he wanted to inculcate assertiveness as a leadership trait. Now, he wondered if that was his subconscious desire to escape Ujimasa-kou’s stifling dominance. When he supported Saburo-dono’s decision, did that ultimately cost him Tono-sama’s trust?

The next day, a very autocratic daimyo coolly stepped out of his bedchambers and inquired about the suitable furniture in the joint room. Hideharu had reported the availability of several woodworks and elegant ornaments including works of art. Ujimasa gestured for his silence and remarked that he would let the youngest decide for himself as soon as he stopped brooding.

Matsuda-danjo was caught off guard when Tono-sama’s gaze softened a fraction and asked him if he was acting like Minamoto no Yoritomo. Confused, Hideharu could not think of anything else to say. Nonetheless, Ujimasa proceeded to liken himself with some of Yoritomo’s qualities. He also revealed that despite Yoshitsune’s significant contributions to the Minamoto Clan, Yoritomo had always denied Yoshitsune a separate residence he could call his own.

Tono-sama went on, seemingly oblivious to Hideharu’s discomfiture. In his viewpoint, Yoritomo’s actions proved his selfish love.

“And do you know why, Haru?”

Hideharu swallowed, too stunned to realize Ujimasa had called him so familiarly just like always. He merely shook his head.

“Perhaps it was an unconscious desire not to be parted from his brother. Yoritomo, I mean, he was always cruel to Yoshitsune. I even read at some point that Yoritomo actually ordered Yoshitsune to tend to the horses of his retainers just to humiliate him. But I would not go that far.”

Hideharu could never hope to see what was enshrined on that island. The danjo was left on the shores of the mainland. No one ever said a word to him including the questionable series of events that resulted to Saburo-dono’s injury. Judging from his apprentice’s evasive, uncommunicative, and despondent behavior, Hideharu could already make a safe conjecture about the culprit’s identity.

“Tono-sama, why are you telling me this?” Hideharu asked. He refused to play right into the daimyo’s hands this time.

“My cruelty towards Saburo, I know you have been against it all this time. It was my poor attempt to put some distance between us. I used my hate as a shield.”

“Tono-sama?” Hideharu was becoming more and more puzzled at the daimyo’s bizarre behavior.

“By bringing Saburo closer to me once again, it would signify that the old enmity between us has dissolved. Unfortunately, I doubt that one man in particular would completely approve of my decision. That is why I have arranged an audience with him.” The calculating glint in Tono-sama’s eyes was as intimidating as ever.

Nagashiro—no,

Hideharu had learned days before that Naoe Nobutsuna had audaciously renounced his pledge as Ujimasa-kou’s juushin*.

*key vassal

It was undeniably for Saburo-dono’s sake yet the suddenness of the act prompted more questions than answers.

Hideharu recalled the night of the banquet where Nagashiro declared his intention to court the lordling. If Nagashiro’s true goal was to become Hojo Saburo’s retainer then why did he not do so from the start?

Matsuda-danjo’s mind reeled at the possibilities. ‘Wait, is it because…?’

Did Saburo-dono’s injury have something to do with it?

Was it an indirect strike against the daimyo?

A covert accusation of some sort…?

“What will you do to Nagashiro, Tono-sama?” Carelessly tumbled out of Hideharu’s lips.

Ujimasa’s mouth curved up ever so slightly. “Why, this is quite unexpected.” He strode forward and very lightly caressed the front of his danjo’s kimono. “Are you worried about Naoe Nobutsuna, Haru?”

Hideharu instinctively took a step back before he could remember himself.

The daimyo’s smirk widened as he grabbed the danjo’s neckline to prevent him from getting anywhere. “I never would have thought my faithful vassal would be concerned about another man’s welfare. Or…” Ujimasa paused dramatically for effect, “Do you have some lingering attachment to the wounded warrior you nursed back to health?”

Hideharu returned the unnerving stare with a steady gaze. If he wavered before the lord of the realm then the consequences will be severe. Unfortunately, his silence only resulted to Tono-sama’s further amusement. That questing hand traveled upwards until it enclosed a fair throat. “You must be unaware but during the banquet, Saburo could not be at ease and repeatedly observed your interaction with Nagashiro. Afterwards, Kotarou reported to me an interesting argument between the two. My young brother could not control his jealousy at all.”

Mustering his courage, Hideharu disproved the outlandish notion by reasoning, “I believe I only followed Tono-sama’s orders when he put the severely beaten Naoe Nobutsuna under my care. My concern earlier was for the benefit of my charge. Tono-sama, I am aware that you own Nagashiro by right and you can punish him as you see fit however; even the most clueless individual would be able to realize the unmistakable affection between Saburo-dono and Naoe-dono.”

“Oh?” That single utterance hastily put the danjo on guard. Nevertheless, Ujimasa knew that a mask was in place and drew even closer. He went as far as stroking Hideharu’s cheek and watched the cracks already forming in Hideharu’s composure. “Is there a lurking meaning behind your words, I wonder? Your boldness amuses me to no end.” Ujimasa leaned in, never taking his eyes off his general until their mouths were only a hairsbreadth away.

Hideharu froze in place but kept his countenance as blank as possible. Ujimasa ran his tongue across his danjo’s stiff lips, paying attention to the slightest twitch of Hideharu’s body and slyly grasped a bunched fist. With indecipherable gentleness, Ujimasa unfurled Hideharu’s palm and breathed against it.

The danjo eyed him warily.

Ujimasa laughed, stopped, and then suddenly lunged at Hideharu. They both collapsed on the floor. The danjo’s eyes were now wide with apprehension much to Ujimasa’s delight: Hideharu could decide neither to completely refuse him nor lie down, willingly accepting his ministrations. “Tell me what is truly on your mind.”

“There is nothing more dangerous than an unwilling vassal, Tono-sama. Let Nagashiro be with Saburo-dono.”

‘So naïve…’ Ujimasa shook his head. ‘Such thoughtlessness will rouse Kotarou’s vicious tendencies given how unstable his mood has become.’ But he did not say these words aloud. “What shall I get in return for this request, Haru? You have already pledged your life to me as my danjo so what more can you offer?”

Hideharu paled a little but his voice was steady when he answered, “My death,”

“I now forfeit the right to commit seppuku* and die by your hand, by your will, Tono-sama.”

*Ritual suicide

Ujimasa was momentarily stunned speechless. It seemed that his general had grown another backbone in his absence. If it was any indication of their evolving relationship, Hideharu’s tactics to effectively coax him out of his sullenness and his way with words were nothing short of admirable – not that Ujimasa was about to reveal his true sentiments.

Hideharu remained perfectly still as Tono-sama’s fingers curled around his vulnerable throat. In all honesty, he had never expected his life to be forfeited so soon yet it was too late now. If it was Tono-sama’s wish to be rid of him instantly then it was useless to delay the inevitable. So focused he was on these dark thoughts that he failed to register the hands on his neck as they brought his face closer to sensuous lips that once again captured his own.

Even slower were his reflexes when he opened his mouth to protest only to be plundered by a sinfully adept tongue that traced the confines of his moist palate. Those hands disappeared underneath his cloak and slipped through his inner robe.

Hideharu gasped, belatedly realizing Tono-sama’s intent to undress him.

Ujimasa took pleasure in Haru’s breathless, dishevelled, and apprehensive state. He purred, watching his general’s arms twitch seemingly about to put up a struggle. This response only heightened Ujimasa’s arousal so the master of the household took his time and drank his fill of his mate.

It surely did not save Hideharu from further embarrassment when Fuma Kotarou suddenly announced his presence to report that both Nagashiro and the young master were already in the vicinity of the palace.

Tono-sama barely acknowledged the shadow before he nuzzled Haru’s bare chest and licked a burning trail from his belly to just below his navel.

Fuma Kotarou stood noiselessly before them like an inanimate, sculpted object. To be at the receiving end of the shadow’s vigilance made Hideharu shiver inwardly. He recalled the time when he was forced to bear witness to Saburo-dono’s coupling with the elite shinobi and wondered if it pleased Kotarou to see their roles reversed somehow.

It was sheer nonsense to think that ninja were capable of emotions (including enjoyment) however; it was also beyond the norm of Shudo to expose your intimacy with others. Hideharu was a war general and he’d loathed to be regarded as a courtesan compliantly lying beneath the daimyo when it was very inappropriate.

Perhaps, Tono-sama was once again testing his loyalty in this manner?

Before Ujimasa could engulf him, Hideharu grabbed Tono-sama’s shoulders and spoke firmly, “His Lordship owns my death but I refuse to be coerced like this.” He stood up, adjusted his kamishimo and effectively put some distance between them.

Ujimasa’s silent, cold fury was evident in his eyes and they seemed to burn holes through his soul, warning him to be dealt with later. Hideharu stood his ground, rationalizing that as much as he was the daimyo’s contract, he was also the overlord’s dutiful juushin and guardian.

“Matsuda Hideharu, with this audacity, I revoke your pardon for deliberately defying my orders. You are dismissed.”

Hideharu bowed mechanically when the overlord sent him away. Those merciless words had shaken him to his core. It was foolish to contest Ujimasa-kou and Haru had to wonder which hurt the most: to be personally castigated by the lord of the realm or to be expelled from his side?

It was almost appalling to think that between a lord and samurai, there were punishments even worse than death.

XxXMOBXxX

Saburo caught the swish of brightly-colored robes in the corner of his eye. On the opposite hallway, a highly ranked vassal walked briskly and appeared to have just exited the daimyo’s outer chambers. With unseeing and downcast eyes, the figure crossed paths with the motionless lordling who was baffled at the sight of his mentor.

At first, the lordling contemplated calling out to Hideharu but hesitated in the last moment. His teacher appeared out of sorts and did not bother paying attention to his surroundings. In fact, Hideharu seemed so lost in his thoughts that made his guard tremendously lax enough to compromise his safety.

Something unpleasant must have happened and that did not bode well for the lordling. What could have driven his mentor away when Hideharu himself had vowed to stay by the daimyo’s side?

“Young Lord?” Naoe’s voice filtered through his deep pondering. Despite everything, the fool’s first priority was worrying about him while Naoe’s life and all else fell second. It was as if the concern for his well-being was ingrained in the man’s psyche.

The lordling chose to ignore him and courageously stopped before the final set of sliding doors.

“Hojo Saburo wishes to see his aniue, Hojo Ujimasa. May I be permitted to enter?” Saburo announced his arrival with all the formality and courtesy of a lastborn.

Despite the heavy partitions, the daimyo’s voice rang clear. “Permission granted,”

Wasting no time for petty dalliances, Ujimasa beckoned his young brother forward. “Let me see your wound.”

Saburo flushed in embarrassment and hesitated at first but he considered it unreasonable to dwell on past grievances. As he carefully exposed the marred skin, Naoe warily observed the interaction in discreet.

Ujimasa resisted the urge to trace the suture-shaped scar with his fingertips and nodded when he was done with the inspection. “I heard Kotarou had exceptional stitching techniques. It is fortunate that you have not been seriously harmed.”

Naoe simply could not stop himself from uttering a disapproving sound. It grated on his nerves to hear the daimyo speak as if he had no direct involvement in Saburo’s injury.

“Is something the matter, Nagashiro?” Ujimasa raised one fine brow.

Saburo could feel his heart pounding rather fast. The last thing they needed is to provoke the daimyo. Before he could intervene however….

“With all due respect, Tono-sama, I would like to know the mysterious circumstance surrounding the young lord’s state back on the island. It puzzles me that no one was willing to divulge how Saburo-sama got injured in the first place.”

Ujimasa studied Naoe’s hostile profile silently. No vassal had a right to demand for his lord’s veracity. Neither Hideharu nor Kotarou dared to directly confront him about this sensitive matter. Therefore, how could this man have the gall to interrogate him?

“Naoe! I will not tolerate such impertinence!” Saburo rebuked, poised to get in between them.

Ujimasa-kou held up his hand. “It is alright, Saburo. Let the man speak as he dares.” He sensed that his young brother’s reaction had more to do with shielding the man in question than actual reprimand.

“Tono-sama, I have well prepared for the outcome as I stand firm by my decision to relinquish my vow to serve you. However, before I surrender my fate in your hands I would like to have the assurance that you will not put Saburo-sama’s life in danger ever again!”

Saburo paled. He realized that Naoe had no fear of death and was prepared to lose his life at any given time.

“Naoe Nobutsuna,” Ujimasa spoke slowly, “Whatever happened between Saburo and I have little to do with you. Those matters are private and I have no obligation to share any personal conflict that concerns us. As head of the clan, should the circumstance arise that I have to cut down my very own brother then it is my right to do so.”

Naoe suddenly strode forward only to be blocked by Tono-sama’s shadow, Fuma Kotarou. “Your foolishness ends now, Naoe-dono.”

Naoe bared his teeth, “And you, who do you truly serve, Shadow? If Ujimasa-dono decides to take Saburo’s life, what would you do?”

“I have nothing to explain to you.” Kotarou’s matter-of-fact response was punctuated by the hiss of a drawing blade.

As Naoe’s hand flew for his own weapon, Saburo just had about enough. “Naoe, I am not above the laws of the Hojo Household! If I do commit such treasonous acts worthy of execution then I will willingly die by my brother’s hand! Do you understand? I am not foolish enough as to betray my lord brother so have a little faith in me.”

“Both of you stand down.” As the daimyo ordered them calmly and gestured with his hand once again, a faint scar on his palm inexplicably caught Naoe’s attention*.

(*See chapter 7 for reference)

“Nagashiro, I commend your dedication to Saburo’s welfare. Putting your insolence aside, your unfaltering devotion to my brother is obviously without peer and I find it against my principles to force you to remain under my command. However…” Ujimasa directed his gaze to his youngest sibling.

“Does my brother approve of Nagashiro’s decision to stay by his side?”

Saburo’s mind raced. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He thought of all the people his aniue released from his service just to protect him. He felt torn and conflicted when he imagined how Ujimasa-ani spent his time alone and vulnerable while those supposed defenders coddled him instead. Saburo painfully realized that despite those declarations of hate, his eldest brother indeed loved him. So how…?

How could he give away another one?

Tears unknowingly streamed down his cheeks that startled everyone in the room.

“Saburo?” Ujimasa called softly.

Saburo shook his head and desperately tried to compose himself. He cursed inwardly. He must not be easily swept by his emotions and weep like a child.

Seeing the youth’s misery bent Naoe’s will. He could not bear to impose such unwarranted burden upon his beloved. Dropping down on one knee and with head bowed low, Naoe spoke, “Tono-sama, I do not wish for my existence to become a source of torment for the young lord. Therefore, I request that His Lordship enforce the punishment I deserve for insubordination.”

The face of a dictator was impeccably back in place. “Very well,”

Naoe surrendered his sword of rank by placing it before him just out of reach. He knelt down with his head lowered, nape exposed as the daimyo approached and partly slipped off the cloak that obscured his katana.

Saburo’s mind started blotting out at the transpiring scene. He could not imagine what was about to happen next should the worst truly came to be. Still, he watched slowly as Ujimasa’s unsheathed blade gleamed eerily in the morning light.

To openly defect from a reigning overlord was only punishable by death…

Saburo’s heart threatened to stop at the sight of his aniue’s raised katana and he moved without thinking, throwing himself before Naoe’s defenseless form as it descended upon them.

Ujimasa halted mid-swing in shock and alarm as he witnessed the figures of two individuals entwined together— one of them being his young brother whose eyes were shut tightly as if bracing for the mortal blow.

Briefly petrified, Naoe gazed disbelievingly at Saburo whose arms were locked tightly around his neck with incredible bruising force.

And if one looked closely, the slightest sign of resignation was seemingly visible on Kotarou’s visage.

Sighing, Ujimasa put away his weapon.

Naoe looked up, firstly astounded by Ujimasa-kou’s indulgent acceptance then secondly by Saburo’s apparently developing habit of jumping in the way of danger for people he cherished. His heart swelled with adoration when Saburo refused to let go even with his gentle urging.

“I suppose I need no further proof that my brother does value your life enough to risk his own, Naoe Nobutsuna. However, Saburo must declare acceptance of your pledge otherwise you will be no different than a ronin, a samurai with no true master who calls you his own.” Ujimasa was fully aware that he might be committing a highly dubious action against his better judgment yet this was the least he could do for Saburo whom he had wronged and hurt so much in the past.

Saburo righted himself immediately, “Aniue, I apologize for not handling this matter with the grace expected of a young lord of the Hojo. However, I do acknowledge that this man is important to me. Therefore, I hereby claim him as my vassal.”

Naoe was already moving when he sensed the slightest shift in the shadow’s stance. Unfortunately, he was too late. Shinobi rely heavily on their superior speed after all.

In an unfathomably swift motion, Kotarou had Saburo isolated at the far end of the room. The sharp tip of a single kunai hovered threateningly over the largest blood vessel on the youth’s throat to deter any attempts of pursuit.

In a stranger’s eyes, one must think that the Fuma Clan Head had gone renegade or worse: succumbed to madness. However, there was not even the slightest indication of Kotarou’s true intentions. He wore a perfect woven expression between neutrality and a disconcerting calm.

Saburo, on the other hand, did not struggle or exclaimed outrage as he was held captive. The lordling remained composed as he demanded, “What objections do you have over my decision, Fuma Kotarou?”

“Tono-sama…”

“…” Kotarou’s lips moved with bone-chilling finality. Before Ujimasa’s grim countenance and Naoe’s cold rage, the pair vanished.

XxXMOBXxX

He was set down on his favored spot in the garden where it would take some time before anyone could locate them.

“What is the meaning of this, Kotarou?”

The shadow steadily sought distance. “I am an instrument… an instrument that has finally run out of use for you.”

“Naoe becoming my retainer does not mean that you—”

“There will be no more boundaries or restrictions should Nagashiro wish to make love to you. Wakasama was willing to die for the sake of that man. I am nothing now.”

Saburo opted for honesty. “As my contract, you were jealous?”

“I tried not to be. A tool of war is incapable of such emotion yet you changed me. You drastically changed me Saburo. I am unrecognizable even to myself. I cannot let this persist any longer.” Kotarou barely glanced his way as he gouged his wounds and poured out his soul.

“…”

“You should be nothing to me as I am nothing to you. A shinobi without purpose is doomed to lose his sanity. I will eventually kill you.”

…

“Kotarou!”

…

I love you Ouji-sama

But it is you who guided me to lose sight of reason

And as you let me witness the light leaving your eyes

You lay there dying, slaughtered…

Expendable*

(*See chapter 39 for reference)

XxXMOBXxX

The brisk slide of the shoji made him lift his head. “I suggest you announce yourself more quietly. My brother happens to be sleeping.”

“I apologize, Tono-sama.” A slightly winded Hideharu stood near-fidgeting in the entryway.

“What brings you here?”

“There’s much to be done about Saburo-sama’s coming of age ceremony. I also heard that Ujiteru-sama’s letter is still open for discussion. Also, your cancelled marriage is causing a stir among the principal retainer families. The untouched physician’s elixir and…” Matsuda-danjo paused awkwardly.

“So you have heard about the rumors?”

“Tono-sama, I could not bear the thought of your solitude.”

“Ah, there’s the affection of my contract.” Ujimasa motioned with his hand and a lithe shadow dropped to his side from a secret partition on the ceiling. “Haru, I have not lost my fang. I will most certainly not lose face in the assembly of my late father’s elder vassals who test my wit and mettle from time to time.”

“You will not castigate me?” Hideharu still harbored doubts.

Ujimasa gave a soft enigmatic smile. “You are all that I have.”

~TBC

Post A/N: Confused much? You’ll know why/how soon… Heh. That little plot pivot…
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400 Years Apart