Saizo (SLBP PART 1)

Chapter Six

"What the hell is this..." Toshiie muttered under his breath as Kojuro served him and his usual gang their dishes.

"It's your food... sir..." Kojuro answered politely with a forced smile as Lord Nobunaga smirked at him.

"So is the Date clan underpaying you to the point you have to work double jobs?"

"Please don't insult the Date clan, Lord Nobunaga." Kojuro answered with that unwavering smile still plastered on his face.

"Why does he and Lord Masamune get to work and be near Lina?!" Ieyasu whined as Hideyoshi sighed, placing his chin on a palm.

"Yea! I wanna work here too! I wanna constantly be near Lina!" he complaint as Kojuro turned to the two guys with that same smile.

"Oh I didn't realise Lord Nobunaga is underpaying the two of you..."

Lord Nobunaga tsked as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"Touche Katakura..."

"Lord Hideyoshi! Please you've got to stop trying to flirt with Lina! You have other obligations at hand!" Mitsunari snapped at his lord who just grinned back.

"Lina is pretty Mitsunari! I can't help it!"

"I'm her childhood friend! I should be the one getting priority to work here! Why do you and Lord Masamune get to work here!" Toshiie said angrily, pointing an accusing finger at Kojuro who just sighed and walked away.

"Come on Toshiie. There's no need to get so worked up about this. Besides you can always see Lina anytime compared to any of us... Some of us don't even have a reason or excuse to see her..." Mitsuhide sighed as he reached out for his green tea.

"Oh is that so? It seems to me you're disappointed for not having a reason to see Lina..." Lord Nobunaga answered as he turned to look at his retainer.

Suddenly all eyes were focused on him and Toshiie stared him down before opening his mouth.

"Do you like Lina... Mitsuhide?"

Mitsuhide's eyes widened as he quickly placed his cup of green tea on the table.

"Wh-wha-what?!? N-n-no!!!" he spluttered as he waved his arms frantically in front of him. "Who-whoever told you that bird-brained idea?!?"

Hideyoshi narrowed his eyes at Mitsuhide as he stroked his chin.

"Hmm... You're being too defensive for my liking..."

"My senses are telling me you like her too!" Ieyasu accused as he pointed a finger at Mitsuhide. "Admit it!"

"W-what?!? Why would I do that?!? Even if I do like her there's no way in hell I will admit it to you guys!" Mitsuhide snapped back as his face started blushing.

Mitsunari sighed as he leaned back and massaged his head.

"Oh why in the world are we stuck in a peace era with romance issues?!" he grumbled as Lord Nobunaga chuckled, enjoying the bickering of his retainers..

Suddenly the bell to the restaurant rang, signalling newcomers...

"And we're baaccckkkk!!!" Lord Shingen's voice was heard throughout the restaurant as Yahiko popped out from the kitchen.

"Hai! Glad you're back Lord Shingen, Yukimura sama and Saizo sama!" Yahiko called out with a smile as he then turned to look back into the kitchen. "Lord Masamune, can you take this order please? Thanks!"

As the Kai gang sat themselves at their usual table, all three men frowned when Lord Masamune turned up at their table.

"What do you all want..." he asked with an emotionless face.

Lord Shingen's face started cracking up as he tried to stifle his laughter seeing Lord Masamune with an apron.

"What in the world... Why are you working here Masamune???" Yukimura asked incredulously.

Masamune sighed as he closed his eye.

"Please don't ask me unnecessary questions Sanada."

Saizo was eyeing the whole restaurant and noticed his little lady was missing...

"Where's Lina?" he immediately asked and Lord Masamune opened his eye to look at the ninja.

"She scalded her feet when pouring hot tea for me and her grandma was down with staff so Kojuro and I are working here to help them out." the one-eyed dragon replied curtly.

"Is she okay?" Saizo and Yukimura both asked in unison which made Lord Masamune frowned at their enthusiasm regarding Lina...

"What do you all want..." Lord Masamune asked again, changing the subject.

Lord Shingen was getting very amused by the situation before him...

"Say... Are you doing the cooking too Lord Masamune? That'll certainly win you some skill points as a husband... Maybe Lina's grandma might even see something in you and approve of you being Lina's husband..." Lord Shingen suggested with a bright smile.

Yukimura sat up straight as Saizo narrowed his eyes at his lord.

"Just what are you saying... Lord Shingen..." Saizo asked in a low voice.

"You honestly don't think Masamune here is even fit to be Lina's husband do you..." Yukimura said not asked.

Lord Masamune frowned at how the two guys seemed to think he's not worthy of his crush... Well they don't know Lina is his crush but still...

"Why not? He's good looking, he's a lord, he can cook and I'm sure underneath that cold exterior he has a garden right?" Lord Shingen praised as Lord Masamune raised an eyebrow.

"Just what are you up to... Tiger of Kai..." Lord Masamune asked suspiciously as Yukimura stood up and banged the table.

"I'll be damned if I let you anywhere near Lina!" Yukimura burst as he stared down Lord Masamune.

Lord Masamune huffed as he smirked at his long-time rival.

"I don't even see why you're getting worked up Sanada. She's not even my type."

"And why is my sister not your type?" Yahiko's voice interrupted the men as they all turned to him standing beside Lord Masamune.

"She's just not." Lord Masamune answered curtly as Yahiko shrugged before focusing his gaze onto Yukimura.

"And why are you so angry about the possibility of Lord Masamune being my sister's husband? Do you like her or what?"

Yukimura's cheeks blushed a deep red as he waved his arms frantically.

"What?! No! I'm just concerned for Lina's safety as I know Masamune! He's a cold guy and Lina is just too nice for him!"

Yahiko studied Yukimura for a bit longer before looking at Saizo suspiciously.

"What?" Saizo broke the silence between him and Yahiko.

"You love to order dango don't you..." Yahiko asked back.

"Yea. So?"

Yahiko shook his head before turning to walk away.

"It's nothing... It's just that... The dango ingredients keep running out but I could have sworn you or the other customers don't order that much to make our supplies run out..."

Saizo's eyes never falter as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know how is that my problem."

Yahiko just huffed at his reply as he went back to his work..