A Feudal Romance~Chapter Three

 

Kenshin left Kenji on the porch. The warlord felt better after talking to Kenji about his past, no long feeling him as any sort of threat to his sons or his daughter. The god of war left the man on the porch with something to think about until it was time for dinner. He retired back to his room to rest for now, falling into a light slumber.

 

Kenji sat frozen on the Porch. There was a look of pure, genuine disbelief on the man’s face as the question the warlord just asked him, continued to play through his head. He wasn’t sure he’d heard the lord right. Had the man just asked him to become his son in Kagekatsu’s place? If this was truly the question Kenshin left him with, and expected an answer to that night at dinner, he was truly honored. As he sat and pondered the question, his mind began to take over, and he began to remember his life before this.

 

It was a hot summer day when Kenji was born. He was born from a beautiful woman with eyes like honey and waist long raven hair as soft as silk. His father was a mighty and well respected samurai warrior, loved by many and hated by twice that number. Kenji lived a rather happy and full life, learning to be a samurai and learning their codes and his father’s fighting style. His father found something remarkable about Kenji, he could find the smallest fatal flaw in combat, and made it a very fatal mistake. Everything was perfect for Kenji, until his twenty first birthday.

 

The night of his twenty first birthday, he met his wife to be Saiyuri. He was immediately captivated by her beautiful golden eyes, and her lovely dark brown hair, her delicate pale skin and every other feature she had. He, Saiyuri and his parents had a feast and celebrated not only his day of birth, but his engagement to the lovely woman sitting at his right hand side.

 

After the lovely dinner his mother prepared them and after a little celebrating, Kenji got ready to take Saiyuri home himself. He had just reached the door when Assassins attacked him and his family. They struck down his father and mother, then ran Saiyuri through before fighting with Kenji, their lives and glory were cut short by Kenji and his ability to use their mistakes as fatal flaws and kill them, but not before sustaining life threatening injuries of his own. He fell to Saiyuri’s side as she struggled against the bonds of death, his hand gently cupped her cheek.

 

“S-Saiyuri, please no. You cannot leave me.”

“Kenji, y-you must go on and find help. You are wounded terribly b-bad-

a-and you need help. It is too late for me, p-please, go. I-I love you.”

 

At her last words, Kenji’s eyes closed. Crystalline tears fell from his eyes and landed on her soft, delicate face as the life light left her eyes. He used a blood covered and shaky hand to close her eyes before getting up and leaving the house. He reached the nearby house of his father’s best friend, and his family before beating his fist against the door and collapsing. With the last bit of strength he had, he told him what happened. Watching his father’s friend go to the house, he was taken into the home by the man’s wife and son who took care of his wound, a deep gash that went from his chest on the right, and al the way to his left hip. He remembered only waking up a couple of weeks later, finding out his whole family had been wiped out. He spent the next two years recovering and getting back to normal, well, as normal as one could be when their family was taken from them. He joined the army of Kenshin Uesugi for his father, and that set in motion the actions which lead him where he was now.

 

Kenji shook his head to rid him of his thoughts now, looking up to see Daiyu shaking him lightly. He looked at her smiling face before he smiled back. She reminded him of Saiyuri, and that made him a tiny bit sad. After a second, he put his hand over the one of hers she had on his shoulder, and offered her another small, soft smile.

 

“Alright, you have my attention, what is troubling you Daiyu?”

“S-Sorry to bother you sir, b-but should you not be getting ready to join-

the others for dinner?”

 

He requested to get a bath first, watching Daiyu leave to draw him one. He stood up and stretched before popping his neck and starting to the room that had been prepared for him, ignoring the moans coming from Kagetora’s room. Once in his room, he found his amour had been repaired and brought in as was his katana. On his bed, he found his outfit for dinner laying cleaned and neatly folded, awaiting him. He stayed in his room, thinking about the question the mighty warlord left with him before Daiyu knocked softly and poked her head in, telling him his bath was ready. He smiled and thanked her before leaving and taking his outfit to change into.

 

Meanwhile in his room, Kagetora was laying back on his bed. The warlord’s son held Amaya close, relaxing with her. He’d just taught her the pleasures of oral intercourse, both giving and receiving. At first he had to force her into it but she soon gave in. He looked at the girl in his arms and kissed her, only moving when the great lord slammed his fist against the door, telling him dinner was ready. Kagetora eyed the door and seemed to growl as Amaya got up to get ready for dinner.

 

Kenji joined the others for dinner, wearing the black and gold Hakama, the matching obi, black Hakama pants and black tabi. He looked around the table, finding something odd. As they began to eat, he looked around again, obviously confused. Finally, Kenji looked up at the great warlord sitting at the head of the table. Deciding to press the matter.

 

“Sir? Where is Amaya?”

“She eats with Daiyu.”

“Why?”

“Because Daiyu is a servant, and servants do not eat with us.”

“Not even to have your own daughter eat with you, my lord?”

 

Kenshin looked at him, Kenji’s words did make since and he rose to go collect his daughter and her best friend from the kitchens. He knocked on the door and continued started in, getting the attention of the servants, his daughter and Daiyu. He watched Amaya stand, her concern visible in her eyes.

 

“Father? Is everything okay?”

“You and Daiyu shall join us for dinner.”

“Y-Yes father.”

 

As his father tried to get Amaya and Daiyu to join them, Kagetora looked at Kenji with a smirk. He admired Kenji’s brashness and standing up to have Daiyu and Amaya join them at the dinner table. The young man took a drink of his sake, clearing his throat and looking at the young man again.

 

“You’re brave, standing up against father like that.”

“I believe in standing up for what is right.”

“How noble of you.”

 

Kenji nodded to the man, catching the since of sarcasm in the young warlord’s voice. He remained unmoved by the man’s attitude, only looking back up when he heard the sounds of feet, and saw Amaya and Daiyu walking to where they would eat from now on. Daiyu sat to Kenshin’s right hand side, between the great warlord himself and Kagetora. He looked at Daiyu who took the available seat beside him and smiled. He looked up as the girl’s food was brought to them, looking at Kenshin as the great warlord offered him a small smile. He smiled in return and nodded before going back to eat.

 

When dinner was over, Amaya was escorted out to the gardens and sat with her by his favorite tree. He watched as she pulled her flute from it’s resting place on the dark blue obi holding her dark blue and silver kimono closed. He watched her run her fingers elegantly over the polished and smooth cherry wood before she brought it to her lips. Kagetora closed his eyes and listened to the song she played. It was long and beautiful, but it was tinged with sadness that went unheard until it’s melody drifted into the palace. The young warlord leaned against the tree and listened to the song, humming to it, he opened one eye, hearing someone walk out, closing it back when he saw his father accompanied by Kenji.

 

Kenji listened to the song, only he was picking up on the sadness in the song. He rested against the palace walls, closing his eyes. No matter how peaceful it was now, he still couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong.

 

Up on the roof of the palace, unseen, were six men. One of the best archers from the side of Tokugawa, and the side of Nobunaga. Also there were two highly trained warriors from each side. The six were lying on their stomachs, waiting. One of the archers lined up an arrow, aming it. He let it fly as it hit it’s mark, striking Amaya in the chest. He’d missed her heart so she would live, but had he been a bit closer, she would not have lived.

 

Kagetora caught Amaya as her eyes widened and closed, the blood soaking her kimono. He held her close, knowing she’d either passed out or died and that caused a howl of rage that made even the assassin’s blood run cold. He held her still, watching as his father’s guards flooded the palace, looking for the person who dared to strike down the only blood reletive of the great warlord.

 

Kenshin ran to his daughters side after Kenji went in. He knelt by her still form. He looked at his son, anger flashing in his eyes. “Get her inside!” He barked before going to give chase to the men chased off the palace roof. He chased the six into a trap. He watched them as the six were closed in on from all sides, then watched as one of the swordsmen committed suicide. The last fight was in the temple by the palace as they tried to get the five left under control. In the end result the doors to the temple were broken as were many of the items the priest and priestesses used.

 

In the palace, Kagetora had taken Amaya to his room. He looked up, seeing Kenji and Daiyu walk in. The young warlord held his love, trying his hardest not to show emotion and break down. He looked up at Kenji with a look of pure uncertainty in his eyes when the man left and came back with a knife, a jug of sake and bandages. He growled when Kenji cut the Kimono and the rest of the garments off with the knife. He couldn’t help but be intrigued when Kenji didn’t look at Amaya’s breasts, instead he watched Kenji push the arrow the rest of the way through her back, and break the head off before he pulled out the shaft from her chest. He cleaned the wound up and bandaged it, moving to let Daiyu redress Amaya. Kagetora moved over and looked at Kenji.

 

“How did you-”

“I’ve been shot with an arrow before.”

“Why didn’t you just pull it out?”

“Would’ve done more damage.”

“Thank you Kenji, you truly are a great war hero.”

 

Kenshin walked into the room in anger. His five prisoners were to be executed tomorrow at the full moon. He walked over to his daughter, kneeling by the bedside with his eyes closed. He jumped when he felt her hand on his check gently, wincing when he realized there was a deep cut in his cheek.

 

“F-Father?”

“Amaya.”

“Y-You’re okay. A-Are the others?”

 

He didn’t get a chance to respond. He watched sadly as her eyes closed softly again. He felt her hand fall from his cheek, smearing the blood on his cheek. His eyes narrowed as he turned to look at Kagetora. After a second, he motioned for for the man to follow him.

 

Kenji looked at Daiyu, then at Amaya. He flinched just slightly hearing Kenshin screaming at his son for letting Amaya go so long without treatment. He looked at Daiyu and offered her a hand. He would walk her to her room and let Amaya rest and work on her recovery.

 

Daiyu blushed and gently took his hand. She walked with him in silence since she figured he didn’t wish to speak. It came as quite a shock when she saw his lips moving and she realized he was speaking to her.

 

“I-I am sorry, what did you say sir?”

“I asked about your background and please, my name is Kenji.”

“Well, Kenji, my background is like Amaya’s. Except my own father took me there.”

“What sort of bastard would do such a thing? Who was your father?”

“Takeda Shinghen, the Tiger of Kai.”

 

Kenji’s eyes widened at her words. He stood there in pure disbelief that Takeda could do that to his daughter. He shook his head, Takeda had just reached a whole new low in his book. With a look of pure disgust for the man, he looked at the door and opened it for her, bidding her goodnight as he retired to his own room.

 

Kenshin went to Kagetora’s room and sat down by his daughter. He ran his fingers through her hair. He’d sent Kagetora to watch the prisoners. The god of war, as invincible as he is, finally came to the hard realization that, his daughter wasn’t.

 

The God of War woke up to the sounds of a soft flute playing outside early that morning. He looked up, then at the floor at the small amount of blood trailing out the door, leading outside. He got up and followed the trail out, seeing more blood he frowned and followed it to the source. He walked out to see his daughter in the gardens playing her flute. The Dragon of Echigo put his hand on her shoulder gently.

 

“You should rest, Amaya.”

“Father where is Kagetora? I refuse to rest until I see Kagetora.”

 

Her face was stern as she looked at her father. It amazed her to no end that her father, as mighty as he was, crumbled under her requests. She watched her father leave to call in his adopted son from his punishment.

 

Kagetora sighed as he rested against the wall of the ruined temple, opposite of the prisoners. He glared them but he wasn’t entirely mad at them. They attempted to murder Amaya yes, but he was more angrey at his father who seperated them. He yearned for Amaya’s warmth and touch. Looking up when he heard someone walk in, his eyes narrowed seeing his father.

 

“What do you want?”

“Amaya wishes to see you. I’ll watch them now.”

 

Kenshin watched his son stalk off and stifled the sigh. He knew why his son was mad, he also knew that his son would have to set aside his anger. On the way to the temples, Kenshin got some bad news from his general about the threat coming close to the province. He sat there watching the prisoners while thinking up new battle strategies and the like.

 

Kagetora went into his room, tired after watching those prisoners all night. he blinked seeing Daiyu in the room with his wife to be. It made him curious when she hurried out of the room seeing him. He walked over to Amaya and put his arms around her. He took the brush from her hand that she was using to brush out her hair and set it aside. He smiled softly to her before kissing her neck gently.

 

“You’re so beautiful Amaya.”

“I’m also wounded.”

“I know.” He paused and changed topics. “What did Daiyu want?”

“She was summoned by me for private matters.”

 

Amaya used a tone that said the conversation was done. She was happy he didn’t press the matter further. Amaya looked at the floor in thought. Daiyu’s words were buzzing around in her head like an angry swarm of bees. Her friend proposed an idea that if it worked, would change their lives forever.