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.

A Feudal Romance~Chapter Two

 

Blogger’s Note: I did not write this. A Feudal Romance strictly belongs to Comet.

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Kenji’s eyes fluttered open after a bit. He felt like his best mare, Chisato, had kicked him in the head. The man winced, feeling a warm cloth on his forehead. Opening his eyes, he let them adjust before he looked around at the room he was in, and the people around him. The dull ache in his behind gave some indication about what his young lord had done to him, he was ashamed.

When he looked around, he saw Amaya supporting Kagetora, Kagekatsu and Lord Kenshin himself. Looking up into the deep brown eyes of his lord, he went to get up, and leave the great god of war’s bed. Feeling a hand push him back into a laying position, he looked up at the lord again, blinking, he thought there was still work to be done. He noticed he didn’t ache where he was wounded anymore and looked, he was bandaged.

“Rest easy Kenji, Takeda’s forces retreated, all is well.”

“L-Lord Kenshin…W-Where am I?”

“In my room. Now please, just rest. My daughter tended

to your wounds. They looked bad the way Amaya described them.”

The great warlord himself had no idea about what his youngest son had done to his new war hero. Also, he wasn’t sure why the young man was in his bed while there were three beds in the room set aside for his two adopted sons and his blood related daughter. The god of war looked at his eldest son, being supported by Amaya. His cool gaze finally shifted to his younger son. He felt a sinking feeling that Kagekatsu had something to do with the unconscious Kenji he had found in his bed.

Kenji looked around some. This all felt like a dream to him, going from the front lines of a battle to being the guest in the house of the Dragon of Echigo. He tried once again to sit up, watching as the young woman lead Kagetora to his room to rest again. When he was alone, he stood up, finding out the hard way he was nude. While he was looking for any of his clothes, he heard the door open, looking up to see the great warlord walk in.

The great lord blinked when he saw his war hero nude. He handed him the simple black Yukata and matching Hakama pants. Leaving the young male to dress, he went to speak to his younger son. He had put the clues together and went to the room Kagekatsu spent most of his time in. He didn’t bother knocking on the door, he just walked into the room, looking at the empty armor room.

Kenshin looked around the room, puzzled until he noticed something. One of his swords were gone from it’s ebony stand. He looked up hearing Amaya’s scream echo through the halls of the palace. He stood up and ran to his eldest son’s room, throwing the door open when he got there. He froze seeing the scene before him.

There stood Kagekatsu, two blades ran through him, the missing Katana fell from the male’s hand as the life light left his eyes. One of the blades were through his heart by Amaya, inches from the face of the second blade’s holder. That blade actually went through his head, inches from Amaya’s face.

The other blade holder was another female. She was a few inches taller than 5′,4” Amaya and had beautiful sandy brown eyes. Her waist long black hair was pulled back out of her face, it as well as he light blue Kimono was spattered with Kagekatsu’s blood. The girl turned, and upon seeing the great warlord in the doorway, hit her knees an bowed.

“F-Forgive me..L-Lord Kenshin!”

“What is the meaning of this!?”

Before the girl could speak, she felt a light hand on her shoulder, looking into the eyes of her best friend Amaya. Amaya was only in her Hanjuban, the garment worn under kimonos. It showed off her body alot, though from where she used to call home, this wasn’t anything new. She got up from the bed fully and took a step towards her father, after stepping over her dead brother, staining her white tabi with his blood.

“Father! K-Kagekatsu tried to kill Kagetora!”

“And Daiyu? She was here for what reason?”

“I asked her to come and wake me from my nap, so I

could tend to Kagetora’s wounds, his presence woke up

me and my dearest Kagetora.”

Daiyu listened, but only slightly. Her eyes were trained on the man who’d came to the door. She had seen a man like him once, in her dreams though. The young woman walked over to him, her elegance came from the Tiger of Kai himself, though he’d not know it Shinghen Takeda, her own father, abandoned her at a brothel when she was born. He had needed a son, not a daughter. She had left with her best friend Amaya when she came to live in the palace of the God of War. She came to a stop in front of Kenji, shaking herself from her thoughts and smiling at him.

“P-Please sir, let me make you tea..”

“Is everything okay?”

“Y-Yes sir, let us go enjoy tea.”

The war hero nodded and followed Daiyu to the small back porch attached to the palace. It lead to the gardens which were alive with color and fragrance at the moment. He found it extremely uncomfortable to walk or sit, which added to the shame he felt. Kenji sat gingerly by the small table, watching her leave. He stared down at the wooden table in thought, only looking up when he heard her come back with the tea. He smiled at him softly, looking at her soft face, he had no idea what really did lie behind that natural beauty.

As hours passed, and running out of things to talk about, both Kenji and Daiyu looked over seeing the great young lord Kagetora being helped out into the gardens by Amaya. He watched interestedly at how delicately she handled the wounded man as she helped him to lean against the tree in the garden, his favorite place. This sight finally goaded Kenji to ask about the others in Lord Kenshin’s family.

“Amaya really does love him huh?”

“More than her life it’s self.”

“I’m interested in her story, do you know it?”

“Her mother was Kenshin’s secret wife, her father is the great

warlord himself. Her mother refused to present the great warlord

with a daughter so she took her to a brothel, and sold her to the head

of the house. She left the Lord’s sword with her and traveling back to tell

him his daughter was still born-”

“But wait, she was in a brothel? But, that I know from Kagekatsu, she is

still a virgin.”

“Her virginity was priced way too high. The whore was no fool, she knew if

it got back to the Dragon of Echigo that his only daughter was being sold

to his enemy-”

“That woman would pay in blood, but how would he know who she was?”

“She looks exactly like her father.”

Kenji nodded and let Daiyu continued. He listened to her every word of the story. How Amaya and Daiyu became friends at four. He also got to hear how they got out of the brothel by Amaya lunging herself at the first soldier she saw, luckily it was one of her father’s. Raising an eyebrow, he hated to interrupt but he did.

“Wasn’t that extremely dangerous for her to do?”

“Not to her. Amaya hated that place, prefer to die than waste another day

in a brothel as someone’s slave. As that went, she begged the man to take her

from the place, so he decided to take her back as a gift to Lord Kenshin. However,

Amaya was a solid friend, she wouldn’t leave me behind and begged the man to take

me as well. After the man agreed, she came back for me and the little belongings we had.

On our way out however, the whore stopped us to come clean. She told us who our father’s

were. Her’s was the famous god of war himself, Lord Kenshin Uesugi.”

Kenji blinked as he listened to her words. He took a drink of his tea, letting it all sink in. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Amaya had a pretty strange life, he couldn’t help but feeling sorry for the girl. He looked at Daiyu again after a second.

“Is there more to this Daiyu.”

“Yes, Amaya and I were taken here to the palace. They told Kenshin what she was here for,

and they were told to put Amaya in his room. When they did and tried to take her sword, she

kept it to her, claiming it was a gift for Kenshin. When the warlord came to, bed her, he was met

with his old sword to his throat, and a promise if he touched her in that way he would meet a slow

and very painful death. When Amaya wiped her makeup off, Lord Kenshin knew immediately knew

she was from his loins. It’s been three years since then, things have been so peaceful here.”

Kenji nodded though wasn’t satisfied. Something had been left from the story. He looked at Kagetora and Amaya again. Kenji felt something strange, despite his wounds and his pain, he wanted to hold Amaya. He looked back at Daiyu to keep from staring too long.

“How did Lord Kagetora and Lady Amaya become lovers?”

“Amaya was getting used to palace life and her royal blood line. Kenshin only had one room

set up, used for his two adopted sons. After a year of getting to know him, she selected him

when Lord Uesugi asked her if she had chosen a husband yet. Their wedding is in Autumn of this

year, picked by Kagetora himself because it is Amaya’s favorite year.”

Kenji nodded, finishing his tea finally. He blinked at Daiyu who excused herself hurriedly,taking the tray and hurrying out. He looked back over at Kagetora and Amaya, secretly jealous of the young lord. Looking up at the sound of footsteps, he had expected to see Daiyu, but the small smile on his face faded upon seeing Lord Uesugi walk out.

“I wish to speak with you Kenji.”

“Y-Yes sir, Lord Uesugi.”

Kenji nodded and looked at the warlord as he sat down across from him. He was unaware that Kenshin had heard him talking about his daughter. He was also unaware that it’d had raised a red flag in the man’s mind, wondering why this war hero was asking about his daughter.

A Feudal Romance~Chapter One

Blogger’s Note: This story is not mine. It belongs to a friend of mine , Comet.

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It was a very cool summer morning, standing in their battle formations, the men of the Uesugi army was looking across the green dew covered meadow at their enemy, the Takeda army. A cool breeze stirred the air, cooling down the sweating men on both sides, giving a much needed ‘breath of life’ to the men preparing to fight and possibly die that day. Out of all the men standing there on the Uesugi side, only one man was truly ready to fight and give up his life today.

A tall man of twenty – three summers stood in the middle of the front line of soldiers preparing himself mentally and praying to Buddha for guidance. He had his sword up in the position of defense, his sword right under his eyes, the razor sharp edge out. His waist long raven hair was pulled back out of his chocolate brown eyes which were narrowed at the enemy in front of him. His face was the only sign of his pale skin tone since the rest of it was hidden under his amour. He closed his eyes, the words of his Lord and general Kenshin Uesugi, the Dragon of Echigo, the god of war. His words buzzed through his head.

“A warrior is born, not made. His worth not measured by the treasures gained
from his enemy’s defeat, but of the sharpness of his blade, the swiftness
of his horse and his willingness to fight, bleed and die for his country.”

These words buzzed through the youth’s head as he waited to battle. Finally, seeing the enemy charging caused his heart to begin to thunder. The almost deafening noise nearly drowned out the command to charge thrown by the great warlord himself. He felt his heart race, his legs pumping as he began the charge with the rest of his line, to expand the territory of the Echigo province and protect what they had already won.

Hours passed by like lifetimes, each minute droned on like a month, each second as a day. Finally, after a few hours, the youth’s line was called back to the back. He was overly happy with his lord’s move, it allowed the men in front to trade with the men in back, so they could see action in battle and the one from front could get their wounds tended. He limped back, feeling warm blood from a wound run down his left leg, soaking through his black Hakama pants.

Once he was out of the line of fire, and safely in back to have his wounds tended to, the male took his helmet off and then his heavy amour followed. He limped over to a man who was there to tend their wounds. As he was getting his wounds tended, he looked over at a group of men who were huddled together. His natural curiosity took over and he found himself limping over to the group to see what was going on.

Upon seeing what the other man saw, his eyes widened. Laying on the ground was Lord Uesugi’s son Kagetora Uesugi. He looked at the man quietly with the stab wounds in his side, left side of his chest and the slash over his shoulder. Surprised the man was even still alive, he looked up when he saw the great dragon god of Echigo walk up to him. The man felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach when the man lead him off to talk.

“Sakuribitou Kenji?”
“Y-Yes my lord?”
“As you have seen, my son Kagetora has been wounded.”
“I have seen sir…Is there something I can do, Lord Uesugi?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. Can you can my son, Kagekatsu take
him home? He only wishes to be treated by Amaya.”
“Y-Yes my lord, it would be an honor to.”
“Thank you.”

Kenji nodded, taking his hair down for a second to put it back up. The youth blinked, seeing how they gingerly put Kagetora in a canopied stretcher, ebony wood with sanguine curtains which when pulled would hide Kagetora from view. It confused Kenji slightly since, this stretcher was normally used to signify a casualty of a nobleman. He looked up at his lord, the confused look still on his features.

“My lord…He isn’t…dead correct?”
“Correct, however, this symbol, will allow for you to
go all the way back to the province without problems.”
“Y-Yes sir.”

He snuck a quick glance over at Kagekatsu, noticing a look of deep hatred and jealousy he couldn’t erase from his eyes. The youth watched as the great warlord pulled the curtains of the death stretcher and nodded to them. Kenji bent down and picked up his end of the stretcher, ignoring the shooting pain coming from his wounds at the new weight. He looked at Kagekatsu who shifted to have his back turned to Kenji, but was still supporting Kagetora’s weight. The youth forced himself to walk, not limp, to keep up with Kagekatsu when he started off.

The route back to the province wasn’t too eventful, a few scouts from the Uesugi army stopped them a few times, but after seeing and hearing Kagekatsu’s explanation, they were allowed to pass. As they walked, Kenji tried to break the very uneasy silence a few times, but gave up when Kagekatsu shot down each attempt with more uneasy silence. The trip finally took on life when they got back to the province, the people that saw Kagekatsu and Kenji carrying the stretcher, began to mourn over the supposed loss of their lord or his son. They continued, grim faced, to the palace. Kagekatsu kicked the door until a servant opened the door, and helped them get Kagetora to his and Kagekatsu’s room, about to cry as she ran off to find Amaya.

Kenji stood there for a second, trying to catch his breath and blocked out the pain he felt from his wounds and strained muscles. Looking at the floor, he only looked up when he heard running coming from down the hall and towards their room, stopping at the door. He watched the door slam open, looking up at the woman who walked in with bandages and supplies. He blinked and looked up at her quietly examining her features.

She was about 5’,4’’ with her waist long silky black hair was still down since she’d not had time to pull it up. Her light brown eyes widened and filled with tears seeing Kagetora laying so still on his bed. She hurried over and looked at Kenji and Kagekatsu, shooing the two out before beginning to tend to her love’s wounds. The girl laid by Kagetora when his wounds were tended and the blanket was pulled over him so his nude body wasn’t exposed to the first servant who walked in. She laid on top of the blanket, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. So long as he continued to breathe, she would be fine.

Kenji had went with the younger Uesugi to sit down and have a cup of sake. The youth was relaxed and waiting to hear about the welfare of his lord’s eldest son. He began to tense when Kagekatsu got up, and circled around to be behind the younger male. Kenji began to feel more and more strange as he felt the younger Uesugi’s hands on his neck.

“L-Lord Kagekatsu?”
“You know, if we kill Kagetora, we can rule the province
when father dies. We can rule together..”
“K-Kill Lord Kagetora?”
“He’s weakened now, and Amaya wouldn’t be hard
to murder either.”
“N-No! I’ll not murder the future lord and his soon to
be wife!”

Kagekatsu’s eyes narrowed, he wasn’t taking no for an answer, not from a lower classed warrior. He waited for the right moment, watching as Kenji stood up quickly to leave before taking one of the heavy sake jugs in hand, hitting Kenji hard in the head. The younger Uesugi was overjoyed when he caught the now limp Kenji and left with him to the only available bedroom, his father’s.