Sengoku Night Blood [Nozomi] Drabbles

Promise [15]

As I wait for Yukimura's response, someone yelled out. "How about you let her?"

Getting up from my bow, I glanced to see who was supporting me.

I visibly froze the minute I saw, but couldn't stop my words. "Toyotomi-san, why?"

"You're not that bad at using a gun, especially one that's similar to  Nobunaga's gun." Hideyoshi placed a hand against my shoulder to reassure me. "Besides, seeing a girl like you will bring a lot of openings to the enemies as well."

"...Hideyoshi." There was worry in Yukimura's eyes. I guess sending me into the battlefield with them would be too much.

But...I can't continue to just stand by and watch them get hurt so many times.

'He promised to protect me...' Using pinky promise. Then if that's the case, I'll do the same.

I sent a small smile to Hideyoshi, and in response the monkey warlord removed his hand from my shoulder to give me some space.

Taking a few steps forward, I reached out and grabbed Yukimura's left hand.

"Huh?"

Surprised by my action Yukimura tried to say something, but I was too fast.

"Even if I break the promise of having all of you protect me...let's have another." I quickly hooked my pinky onto his, "Then...promise me this Yukimura-san."

"If you and everyone else continues to protect me but not themselves. I want to reassure myself that all of you are safe." I tried to stay firm on my words. Showing Yukimura that I've made up my mind. "Let me have my own way of protecting all of you. Promise me this, Yukimura-san."

...

"If you and everyone else continues to protect me but not themselves. I want to reassure myself that all of you are safe." I watched the girl standing before me. She had her pinky hooked tightly onto mine's.

A look of determination shone on her eyes as she continued her words. "Let me have my own way of protecting all of you. Promise me this, Yukimura-san."

Still holding the gun in her left hand, I noticed that Nozomi kept the same determined expression. Even though...her left hand was shaking.

Was it fear from using a gun? Was it fear from shooting someone?

I wasn't sure.

But I knew, that Nozomi wanted me to promise her again.

Even though...I didn't want her to take up a weapon. I saw how fragile she was.

The tears.

The fear.

The pain.

All of the negative emotions she showed were a part of her. Making me uncertain of whether Nozomi was making the right decision in saying this.

I want to say no.

I want to continue protecting her on my own way. With Nobuyuki, Sasuke, Saizo, and Kamanosuke's help.

But for her to say this...

Did she felt like a burden upon seeing us get hurt in her place?

'You were never a burden to us in the first place.'

However the determination in her eyes never wavered. Nozomi wanted this.

"...I." I started.

'You're not a burden.'

"Promise."

'You're more than that.'

"You."

'I want you to know.'

"I...and the rest of the Sanada Army."

'If possible.'

"Will continue to protect you."

'With this time we have left together.'

"Together as well as."

'I want to keep that last promise we made that night.'

"Support you."

Nozomi's eyes widened at me in surprise. "You and everyone else will support me?"

'I'm sure everyone will.'

"Yes."

'Just let me...stay by your side longer.'

Until I can finally tell you.

My true feelings.

...

"Then why don't you do the other pinky promise?" Yuzuki suddenly brought up after I thanked Yukimura.

"Other?" I sent Yuzuki a confused look, in which she returned with a sigh.

"Here." Yuzuki then recited loud enough for me to remember. "Finger cut-off, ten thousand fist-punchings, whoever lies has to swallow thousand needles!"

"Oh! That one!" I almost forgot we had a similar pinky promise. I turned around holding out my pinky toward Yukimura. "Then let's do it again, but with my world's version!"

"Y-Yeah." Yukimura choked the minute he heard the lines to that version of a pinky promise. He must never lie to Nozomi...ever.

"...That pinky promise sounds pretty painful." Sasuke winced upon hearing the words.

"I'm glad that our great warlord, Yukimura-sama is the one making the promise." Saizo admitted, not wanting to have any of his fingers cut off or his beautiful face punched ten thousand times.

"Right." Kamanosuke nodded sleepily, in agreement to Saizo's words.

Nobuyuki could sigh at the idiot ninja trio in shame. "You three...that promise applies to not just Yukimura, but also us."

The three ninjas flinched upon hearing that. 'Crap.' Was sounded in all of their heads.

They must never tell a lie. Otherwise goodbye to their hands, body, and stomach.

"Ahaha! What an interesting way of making promises!" Hideyoshi laughed.

"Maybe we should start doing those promises too, right Hideyoshi-san?" Yuzuki's smile suddenly looked dark.

"Eh...um...Yuzuki..." Hideyoshi wasn't prepared for Yuzuki's retort at all. While everyone was off in their own talk, Yukimura and I made the vow.

"Finger cut-off, ten thousand fist-punchings, whoever lies has to swallow thousand needles!"