Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

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
- 8
- 9
- 10
Chapter Nine:

Three Parts Triangle: Part 2

A/N: >> Year 1569 of our time slip. Some notable series of events will happen.

Here’s to sate your curiosity, Sadie:

Warning: Number 22 and 30: Kousaka is a ~~cross-dressing~~ twisted person here (yes, more deranged than MOB canon) so beware.

In the anime, we see that Lady Sanjo who has possessed the body of Takeda Yuiko has always been superficially served by Kousaka. When Takatora (Takaya/Kagetora) exorcises her, he seems to be unaffected. I have this naughty idea that Kousaka (Lady Sanji) impersonate her (Lady Sanjo) as a woman instead.

Sorry for the confusion... (^^;)

*She* couldn’t forget it: the fragrant scent of his blood causes a mad tingling in *her* nostrils. Masanobu Kousaka Danjyo a.k.a Lady Sanji reels in mixed fury and excitement. Fury, that someone other than he dared to mark Saburo and excitement, in reaction to the sacred essence spilled. What ever happened to the mute, lethal shadow that follows him everywhere? Not that he complains should that nuisance disappear. It would make things all the more feasible.

Entering a narrow forest trail, he drops the demure womanly act and carries himself as a man of his true stature. Joint operations and connivance with pseudo-alliances were never his forte but for Nobuharu-sama, anything is possible.

He discards the parasol and pulls one of the jeweled ornamental pins off his hair. The complicated bun collapses into cascades of straight well-maintained hair, framing his prettily handsome face. He loosens the restrictive obi and wraps it lower down his hips leaving the kimono to reveal the milky skin of a toned chest. The folds of the curvaceously intricate kimono release two well-hidden short swords... kadachi were part of his paraphernalia just in case his associates misbehave.

Standing by the clearing like an exotic beast surrounded by tall trees he listens for the slightest movement with only the light make-up softening his predatory look.

Tumultuous winds assail the skies summoning thick clouds that partially obscure the sun. The slant of the solar orb reminded the Danjyo of a half-drawn blade. Even the heavens knew that a clash between former allies was inevitable. Gales howl as if in affirmation, ruffling grass, swinging branches, and shaking the leaves of trees. Once they stilled, dead and withered foliage crunch under the footsteps of a corrupt pair.

His Trojan Twins³¹ has arrived.

Matsuda Takahide and Matsuda Katsuhide (see chapter two and seven) step out of their lookout positions to meet with their co-conspirator. The feminine-looking man (as he appears even more ridiculously today) that they have gravely offended in the past unexpectedly becomes their accessory.

On the other hand, Kousaka doesn’t spill that he could practically sense other armed bushi who chose to remain hidden within the area. He tries not to look very insulted and rationalizes that a higher chance of success depended on many expendable pawns. Hojo Ujimasa was no fool, even a Takeda joushi knows that the days of unfaithful vassals are numbered.

“Let’s not dally. We have limited time to prepare for the execution.” Time wise and curt, Kousaka Danjyo hastens the proceedings.

“Have you arranged our immediate adoption to the Satomi, whatever the outcome of our joint operation?”

Kousaka laughs at Takahide’s absurd question. Really, he couldn’t help it. “You seem to overestimate my capabilities here.” His eyes flicker a dangerous glint when the younger, Katsuhide’s hand instinctively rest on the hilt of his shoto.³²

“We have no time for humor too, Danjyo.” The elder Matsuda reminds him irately.

“If you ask my honest opinion, I’d go renegade and not expect for any clan to take me in. After all I have just committed treason against my previous lord. My safest bet would be the Sohei. What I’m trying to say is that I have devised your escape from Sagami with my benefactor’s resources and recommendation seal. However as much as the Takeda and Satomi share the same blood in their veins³³, I cannot guarantee that they won’t turn on us or cast you away as easily as they adopt you on a whim.” He warned them with tepid concern.

They don’t seem to take the hint.

“All we need is the seal. The Hojo and Satomi are bitter enemies. The Satomi would appreciate an addition to their ranks. So hand it over and we will give you the detailed layout of Odawara-jo.”

Already spoken like a deserter, Katsuhide has, Kousaka observed in amusement. Sometime he wonders what drives retainers to even think about betraying their lords. If he were Ujimasa he’d incarcerate and torture them for days, set them free in the wild once they could barely walk, hunt them down and slaughter them just for sport. Oh, that reminds him… “Very well, suit yourselves but I want an extra prize.”

Both parties obtain valued items from the exchange. One man gains a step closer to a gem he covets while two others earn their keys to hell. Like hungry dogs that go rabid over scraps of food, they were fair game in the Danjyo’s scheme.

“Name it.” Takahide can’t even refuse him now, can he?

Kousaka states the same innocent name. Yet unlike seven years ago, he wasn’t the only one who secretly desires to ride the tiger.

“Katsuhide, do you think the Danjyo would notice if we sample the goods first?”

“I don’t think he will if we leave that pretty face alone.”

They share a laugh with the rest of the Hojo Clan’s turncoat retainers.

XxXMOBXxX

“I’m going out for a bit.” Musa declares to the rest of the troupe as he enters their akunoya³⁴.

“Are you going to meet with that beautiful woman on some secret place?” A harmless assumption makes him want to puke his lunch out. Why was the non-warrior class so blind? Certainly that viper of a man couldn’t pass for a woman no matter how much makeup he used.

Thankfully the eldest of the troupe takes the Unsui’s silence as a hint to back off. As his irritation fades a hand falls lightly on his shoulder. “Musa, tell me what she said.” Jin said seriously with a look in his eye that only the two of them could understand.

“Gross! You two, not that again!” Exclaimed other female members in mock disgust.

“If you want to make out, do it somewhere else!” Now that the rest of the troupe had joined in the teasing both men play along like seasoned actors. It was the best excuse they often employ to stay close to each other.

First, they ignore that they were interrupted. “Why do you want to know, Jin-ai?” Musa purrs, grabbing the slender man’s wrist pulling him closer.

“Because her eyes were boring holes into your body when she said words that only the two of you could hear.” Jin retaliates by mimicking the woman’s sensual gesture. He presses his palm against the taller, more muscular man’s warm chest.

“Nooo! They’re doing it right here!” The women squeal and clap hands to their mouths; the men’s jaws had dropped to the ground a little while ago.

“Jealous?” The Unsui asks seductively while his hand retrieves the heavy coin within his sleeve.

“Why wouldn’t I be? This body…” Jin makes a show of running the back of his fingers on a peaked nub barely covered by thin clothing. “…belongs to me.” Musa genuinely shivers at his comrade’s seductive prowess. The man was a natural and he would not have a problem if they were masquerading as male courtesans, which would be an entirely different case in his stead. He might be the more favored in the clan through blood ties but Jin— no, Nagahide Yasuda was more willing to do anything for them.

That touch almost makes him unable to think clearly. It was funny how they continued to practice such caution even among the non-warrior class he had labeled as mentally inferior.

Yet as often stated by his uncle and adoptive father, “Nobutsuna, caution deflects the blade of death to the unwary.”

“She was nothing to me.” He remembers his supposed line in time just as the metal currency falls secure into the other’s clothing. Musa thought they were done but judging from Jin’s bemused grin, they aren’t.

“And the boy waiting for you outside, what is he to you?” Come on, Nobutsuna, I know you too well. He can’t possibly be the cause of your distractions lately, can he?

That accusing look spoke volumes. Yes, he was distracted and no, the boy was not the cause. Yes, it was their mission. No, he wasn’t the reason why his eyes were searching the crowd earlier. And yes, he missed their cues to prolong the crowd’s excitement. But no, the boy wasn’t in his mind then. Reasons that sounded nothing but gibberish were frenetically forming in his head. “The girl and the boy need a strong man for their errand,” was what he lamely came up in the end.

“Really, now?” Jin raises a disbelieving brow. Spidery fingers tangled themselves on his long thick mane. “I’ll tie your hair.” Don’t be long. We have much to discuss.

“Why do they always do that? And right when I thought they were going to throw some punches or something.” Taro, their youngest and most skilled acrobat scratches his head.

“You mean why they leave the fight hanging and then act lovey-dovey next? I don’t have any idea. That’s how they are.” The eldest female in the troupe shrugs her shoulders.

“Let’s leave them be.” The rest of the entertainers agree… except,

“Are they in a shudo relationship?”

“Taro!”

XxXMOBXxX

The longer the three of them stayed together the more they seemed like a common family. Musa ended up spending most of his earnings on his companions like a parent doting on two spoiled children. The first thing he asked when he noticed his tengu sulking outside was, “Are you hungry?”

He knew that the easiest way to tame a wary beast was to ease the hunger pains. It lit a soft sparkle in those amber eyes making that hand disappear within a sleeve in a blink. Musa gently seized that wrist, easily noticing bruises that were just shy of blue. Yet pretending to see nothing, his dark eyes remain intent on his tengu’s quizzical face. “Not to offend your pride, Tsune-sama but let me take care of everything for today.” He winks at the girl, “I would like to make up for embarrassing your cousin.”

Hanaiin blushes nevertheless to Saburo’s renewed irritation. “Tsune is just fine!” He remembers to tug his hand away from that loose hold. What was with this man? Is he teasing them both for sheer amusement?

“I’ll introduce you to delicacies that will excite the palate.” The unsui has clasped both their shoulders and was leading them to an array of food stalls before either could protest.

The heavenly aromas of several cooking unidentified meat, seafood, dried seaweed, white squishy tendrils…? What on earth were those monstrosities? Saburo steals a suspicious look at the tall man who only smiled kindly back at him.

The food stall owners perk up in conversational sales pitch as they approached.

“If it isn’t the famous Unsui, the performance must earn you an empty stomach!”

“What whets your appetite today? And who are these young companions?”

“Yes, I’ve never seen them before. Are they new members of the troupe?”

Musa points at the squishy white things on the grill, the seaweed, the sweetened plum, and were those… flower petals? He receives four individual packages and carefully distributes them evenly among the three of them. Wordlessly he pays for the sum, bows his thanks, and casually draws his darling chicks away from curious bystanders. He does seriously act like a protective hen, doesn’t he? And… he wasn’t alone in his opinion.

“Could they be… his love children or something?”

XxXMOBXxX

The white squishy-looking monstrosity (they go well with the seaweed)… actually turned out to be very tender and tasty. Saburo loved it very much that he nearly burned his fingers in his haste to eat them. While he carefully cools some before giving them to Hanaiin (she loved the sweetened plum best with it), he thought he could take the heat and pop it straight into his mouth.

To his mistake, “Ouch!” he drops the smoking seafood.

Musa clucks his tongue at him. “Be more careful, they’re hot enough to scorch you.” They pause on the sidewalk so the man could blow on his reddened fingers. Unsatisfied, the Unsui asks for some cool water on another stall and submerges throbbing digits on the liquid. Saburo softly sighs in relief and flushes when the man doesn’t forget to dry them with a kerchief.

Hanaiin watches her male companions interact like an impulsive young lord and a devoted mature retainer. She might have spent most of her years in the temple, meditating with the elders but it has sharpened her ki considerably. Isolated spirituality could actually enhance one’s receptivity with the cosmos, the elements and the living beings in coexistence. Studying her cousin and this stranger act naturally like they have known each other their whole lives was downright appalling.

It didn’t matter that she was out of place with these two.

Simply witnessing the pair, fall in step, in synchrony with each other’s breath and movement was a miracle in itself. But she better not get carried away with the brand of insouciance Musanaga wears to overshadow a mountain-pile of darkness…

XxXMOBXxX

Having three sated appetites they busied themselves with the merchants’ goods next. The second thing that the unsui insisted was ‘a change of clothes.’ He wanted to buy both Tsune and “Hana” as he had learned the sweetheart’s name earlier some new kimono.

As expected, his tengu rejects the idea to begin with. So Musa quickly kept in mind that his weakness centers mostly on food (seafood in particular) and…

Yes, he has noticed that for some time now. It seems Tsune’s eyes keep straying over to one particular stall.

After he purchases one lovely cherry blossom pin that finely suits Hana he investigates Tsune’s fixation on some wooden wares. At first he confusedly blinks at the line of wooden carved statues, fans, and charms. Perhaps being unable to stand it himself, Tsune picks up a slender flute and tests its quality by blowing on the first note. It resonates just as nicely as the ivory.

“Oh, we got someone who knows how to play the instrument!” The merchant suddenly appears behind with a remark that startles him. His hands scramble frantically to catch the flute like a slippery fish that flew out of his hands. Fortunately it was undamaged.

“You fancy that?” Musanaga buys it for him without question and they leave the stall. His tengu’s cheeks tinge crimson a second time.

XxXMOBXxX

They visit the seaside last.

Before anyone of them could find the best spot to settle down and appreciate the beauty of nature, Hanaiin was already in an unusual cheery mood. “Tsune, can I collect some seashells on my own? I will be careful.”

It was hard to banish that hopeful glimmer in her eyes. Having easy to tell that it was her first time on a beach he nods. “Alright, but don’t wade in too far.”

“I’ll be dry, I promise.” She winks as if saying that their pretense was still in effect.

He relaxes and smiles when she showed more sense and wit than most of the women her senior. There was no doubt; she was her father’s daughter. She was his cousin and she would be an excellent adviser if she was not to be his wife.

Being left alone with this man a second time did not quell the butterflies fluttering madly in his gut. What was this disturbingly fuzzy feeling? He did not remember being any more nervous than this when he was with Kotarou…

Urgh, enough with the comparison!

Saburo senses the man move closer, bringing forth warmth and… safety that he couldn’t quite put into words. Was he unnecessarily lowering his guard again?

“Did you have fun today, Tsune-sama?”

“Do you do this to every young stranger you meet after the performances?” Refusing to answer and throwing a suspicious question instead might be the ultimate show of ingratitude.

But Musanaga doesn’t seem to take offense. He kneels and takes that delicate hand into his own. “There is something special about Tsune-sama that compels me to do so. And that is his talent in the flute. I believe only descendants of the gods themselves could play an instrument that enchants a human soul.”

“What nonsense are you…?” Again he finds himself struggling away from that grasp.

“Will you play the flute for me? So that you won’t feel indebted…” Musa adds softly, lets go, and steps away. He stands with his back on the sea and closes his eyes as if waiting for the music.

Saburo faces the dipping yellow sun and the calm rolling waves of the bay with a troubled expression. He wasn’t supposed to play. His guardian strictly forbade him. Yet Musanaga’s serene countenance coaxed his fingers to move and before he knew it, his lips were blowing a fine mellow tune to ease the burdens of the weary.

Both Hanaiin and Musanaga bask in its warmth and unearthly flow.

A silent lurker also becomes enraptured in the surd siren song. “Saburo, the Tengu. What a befitting title.”

Halfway to the finish, a sharp twinge in the old wound arrests the beautiful melody.

Was this admonishment?

The musical piece tumbles from his grasp.

Saburo sags on his knees. “Tsune! What’s wrong?” Musanaga was already by his side and easily discovers the blood. “You’re bleeding!”

“Tsune! What happened?” Alerted by his shout, Hanaiin races towards them and just as quickly spots the problem. She grabs the opportunity and uses herself as a barrier in between, shielding the stressed injury from view. “He’s fine but we have to go home.”

More than grateful for her intervention he allows her to hold him though he regains his bearings.

“Let me at least accompany you.” Musa offers despite the guilt clawing at his insides. Has he caused his tengu to overexert himself?

“No! I mean no, it’s fine. I thank you for your time.” Hanaiin only pauses haphazardly to bow in hasty appreciation before the pair leaves.

His tengu doesn’t even look back.

Musanaga sighs, picks up the wooden flute and presses his lips reverently on the blow hole.

Why did he do the strange act? It was probably a childish way to make a wish to the gods.

Before the mission could completely dominate his thoughts he thinks of Tsune and curses the one who bestowed his tengu such pain.

TBC~



31 – He plans to use them as leverage for infiltration like the Trojan horse.

32 – Shorter blade of the daisho katana pair. The longer one is called a daito.

33 – Both the Takeda and the Satomi claim to have descended from the Seiwa Genji or the Minamoto Clan.

34 – Japanese tent made of wooden poles and alternating panels of colored cloth.

Post A/N: I think a lot of Tactics and Rurouni Kenshin are showing in my writing… (^^;)
- 8
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

400 Years Apart