-Tora-
'Ugh. I'm so dizzy. And my head is absolutely killing me. Where am I?' A cool wind brushed my cheek and slowly my consciousness returned. I finally opened my eyes and found I was in an unfamiliar room. "What in the hell happened to me?" I couldn't tell much from my situation, but I could tell that my back was leaning against a wall. "Ugh!" I had tried to stand up, but my head protested. I slumped back down. I could feel the chill air coming through the cracks so I could tell I was sitting by an outside wall. "Oh, excellent. You're awake." "Saskuke?!" He stepped into the light, "I really am sorry about the rough treatment. We couldn't let anyone know where we are." 'That's right. I remember being grabbed just outside of Ieyasu's place. That was sunset, but it's dark outside now. I have no fucking idea how long I've been out. Of course leave it to a ninja to pull off such a bold kidnapping attempt in the middle of the street! Wait a second! I shouldn't be admiring him! Sasuke kidnapped me!' "Sasuke, where are we? Why did you bring me here?" "We're at an inn on the outskirts of Azuchi." 'Wait a minute, I recognize that voice from somewhere....' I turned to look at the voice. "As for the rest, you don't need to know." 'Oh shit! That's the man from the cliff.' "You're Yuki, right? We met once before." A small smile graced his pale face, "Yuki? Well, you're not wrong. Except my real name is Yukimura Sanada." "Oh." 'I'm beginning to get the picture here. Whatever the reason Sasuke brought me here, it's going to be complicated, I can already tell.' "Sasuke, you actually are an enemy ninja." "I'll explain everything, Tora." He sat down across from me and spoke in that smooth, calming tone of his.
"Do you remember me telling you that I saved Kenshin Uesugi's life right after I arrived here?" I nodded, "Yes. And I've heard a little about Kenshin since then too." "Well, he and Shingen Takeda have joined forces for...reasons. I'm currently here supporting Yukimura under Kenshin's orders." "so, they're essentially your employers? And let me guess, the reasons have something to do with Nobunaga. That's why you're here?" He nodded, "Partly. But I'm here for you as well. Azuchi might become a battleground soon." I frowned and my eyes narrowed. "Explain." Yukimura quickly stepped in, "Don't. She doesn't need to know anymore. Especially if she chooses to stay here. She'll just be giving information back to the enemy." Sasuke looked down, "I'm sorry Tora. As you see, I can't. They've caught word that we're here. Yukimura and I can't stay in Azuchi any longer. It is not safe for you to stay either. That's why I want you to come with us to Kasugayama Castle, the home of Kenshin Uesugi." I nodded, "I see." Sasuke was being completely serious. He was a friend who was trying to help me out, but..."I need some time to think about it before I can make a decision like that." He sighed, "I wish I could give you the time, but we have to leave tonight." I shook my head, "The people of Azuchi have taken good care of me. I don't like the idea of disappearing on them without a word." 'I wouldn't be just disappearing either. I'd be joining the enemy. They'd be sure to see that as a betrayal.' I felt like I had a lead weight on my chest and I dug my nails into my palms as I fretted over the entire situation. 'I still have Masamune's picture as well. I was planning on giving it to him tonight. If I were to go, and that's a huge IF, I'd want to at least do that first. Masamune has really helped me to adjust to life here and see the good side of Sengoku." Honestly it surprised me a little bit about how strongly I felt about seeing him one last time.
"Sasuke, to be honest, I'm thinking-" *Shiink!* 'I'd recognized that cold, metallic sound anywhere.' Bright, deadly steel pierced the paper wall right next to my head. 'What-' "Sasuke!" Yukimura yanked Sasuke back by the collar, sending him tumbling to the floor. 'Sword! That's a sword!' Once the blade was done with its journey, it rested where Sasuke's throat would have been. Sasuke sat up and revealed a cut no thicker than a hair on his neck. 'Oh my gods!' I scrambled away from the wall and getting a clear view of the blade that damn near impaled Sasuke. "What's the matter? No good women in Echigo? You have to come here and try to seduce ours?" I knew that voice all too well and I had an awful feeling about it. "The One-Eyed Dragon." "Correct. I'm disappointed you've swapped out fighting for sneaking around and kidnapping, Yukimura!" Masamune threw open the door that I had been previously leaning on and stood there, sword at the ready. "Let's get one thing perfectly straight, I was not trying to seduce this girl." I ignored Yukimura's borderline insult as I faced Masamune. "Masamune, how did you find me?" "Tora, get back." Sasuke put himself between me and Masamune and drew his sword. As he did that, Yukimura grabbed me from behind. I struggled against him, "Let go!" "Tora, is it? Feisty and powerful name, I'm sure it matches your personality. But I suggest if you want to live, you won't make any unnecessary moves." I broke out in a cold sweat. For the first time in my life, I was scared out of my mind. I fixed my wide, brown eyes on Masamune. 'I'm in a battle. Again. And this time I'm a hostage too?! I just can't catch a break!' "Do you want to fight in this packed space, MAsamune? You might hurt the girl. And we've got you, two to one. Let's not take any lives we don't have to."
