Ikémen Sengoku: Transcriptioned Romances Across Time (Masamune)

Masamune Date Eternal Route Chapter 11

. . . That night, the combined forces of Masamune and Ieyasu took down the Uesugi garrison . . .

Kennyo: "Gurh . . ." It might have been the groan of an animal echoing through the forest, except this voice knew human suffering too well. Kennyo, injured and having lost his allies, hid himself in the darkness.

A figure approached in the dim starlight.

???: "Yer not cowerin', are ya? Why so afraid to finish your journey to hell? You already got one foot in the place.

Kennyo: "Who are you?" Biting back pain, Kennyo clutched his prayer staff in a fighting stance.

???: "I'm someone who's here to help."

Kennyo: "You're here to help . . . me?"

???: "Don't think you could use it? I saw your loss. You can tack 'warrior' onto yer names, but you're still monks."

Kennyo: ". . . Are you with the Oda? Is this some ploy of that kitsune?"

???: "Whoa there, I'm here on my own! I don't 'ploy' nice with others, ya see. As a matter of fact, my ship just came in and what do I find in the old homeland but a big, fiery storm brewin'. I was just watching the fireworks, so to speak."

Kennyo: "Then this is none of your business. And if you get in the way of my revenge, I will show you no mercy."

???: ". . . Come on now, you're the one in need of mercy. Unless your next plan is to kill Nobunaga by flinging your corpse at him? Let's do some thinking. The Oda and the Uesugi-Takeda; they're both recovering from a big fight. 

"And the Oda? They won't be expecting anything from a half-dead monk without a man to his name. Which means, right now, you've actually got a pretty good shot at his head." The shadowed man bared his teeth when he smiled. "All ya need is some fresh help."

Kennyo: "You're not suggesting I take you as an ally, are you?"

???: "Who said anything about allies? Consider me a . . . preservationist. Your rage is a powerful match. I don't fancy seeing that go out. That's all. 

"An' don't worry, I'm not gonna send you in to fight the Oda alone. Coal burns better when soaked in oil. An' one of my crew is seeing to that right now."

Kennyo: "Who do you speak of?"

???: "You'll find out when the show starts! Trust me, it'll be worth the wait! We're gonna make this a show-stopper!" The red of the man's eyes flashed, even in the darkness. It reminded Kennyo of the fires that ever held sway over his mind.

The flames of war, nearly extinguished, flared to life once more . . .

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. . . It was the day after Masamune's return to Azuchi – the day after we'd "slept" together. Masamune said he'd come see me tonight. But I don't know if I want him out in this weather.

I looked out the window at the mass of gray clouds and the steady drizzling rain. After bidding Sasuke goodbye, I returned to work. I'd been sewing "hospital gowns" for Masamune's recovering troops.

Just yesterday, Masamune himself was ordered to stay in bed. Catching a cold mid-recovery sure won't help. I wish I'd thought to tell him I'll come find him instead, if the weather's bad.

          Masamune: "We just need to wait until this business with Kennyo is over."

          Mai: "What do you mean?"

          Masamune: "After that, Nobunaga won't need all of us here in Azuchi. I'll be free to return to my fief. I'm going to take you with me, back to Aoba, my castle."