Cherry Blossom | | Ikemen Sengoku | |

Chapter 19: Depart Kyoto

"Nobunaga-sama!" The two Oda retainers shouted in concern for their lord's safety, their hands reach for the hilt of their swords.

But Nobunaga slightly raised his hand, commanding them not to step in.

"I refuse to solve the problem through killing." Her teeth clenches together.

As much as she is afraid of being killed, she is more afraid of killing. She realized that now that no matter what, she will not be able to kill someone to stop them from killing her. She dropped the pistol, making a loud thud when the pistol hit the floor.

"Your naïve will one day cost not only your life, but as well as other people's." Nobunaga found her naïve ridiculous and foolish.

He turned to walk away. She can't understand the actions of the men here. Their ideals, principles and convictions all sound like nothing more than mere murdering in her eyes.

"Close down the restaurant. Compensate the owners and do not let words spread out." Nobunaga gave his final order before he disappeared down the hall.

"Are you just going to sit there, lass?" Masamune was bleeding from his left arm and shoulder yet he showed no sign of feeling the pain.

Y/N picked herself up and distant herself from Masamune as they walked together down the hall. She suddenly felt like a complete stranger here. It's a bitter reminder that she doesn't belong here. She hugged herself and made her way out the restaurant through the back, ignoring Yahiko's worried gaze behind her.

'That's right... this is Sengoku...' She thought to herself as the image of what just happened keep flashing back in her mind.

Beside her stood Masamune with his kimono stained in blood, his and other people's blood. Yet, he stood there as if nothing had happened. As if those blood is merely watermark. Her stomach felt like it had turned upside down and she has no appetite for anything, even water.

"Masamune-sama, you should go get yourself treated." Kojiro, Masamune's right hand vassal, said respectfully.

"I am fine. More importantly, is there any news on Yukimura? The other generals are not a threat to him." Masamune replied frankly.

Masamune clearly does not want to miss the chance of bringing the enemy's powerful general down.

"Not yet, I'll inform you as soon as we get words of his whereabout, milord." Kojirou stopped pressing his lord further about the wounds, knowing Masamune is the most adamant person when it comes to battle.

With a slight worry about Masamune's injuries, Y/N decided to keep silent for the rest of her stay in Kyoto, she figured he won't die from those wounds. Or at least his vassals will not let him die.

Even with the tighten security, the Oda force was unable to trace out Yukimura and his comrades.

The news brings a wrath to Nobunaga where all of his vassals tried their best not to let themselves be pulled in. To Nobunaga, letting the enemy slipped away under his nose while his most trusted generals are on the lookout is unacceptable.

The Oda army departs Kyoto 2 days after the festivals ended. Nobunaga and Masamune had secretly traveled to Kyoto after Hideyoshi departed. It is a diversion to catch the spies, unguarded. Only Hideyoshi and a few daimyos who stayed behind that day during the council is aware of this plan.

It was a plan Mitsunari came up with after Mitsuhide received words of Yukimura's appearance in the outskirt of Kyoto, and a few other spies from Oda's enemies were also spotted lurking in Kyoto. They had captured the other spies; however, they had failed to seize Yukimura.

As for Kenshin, none of the Oda forces was able to identify him. Kenshin's appearance in Kyoto remained unknown to everyone. Since no one would expected that Kenshin, who is supposedly died 4 years ago, would be walking around alive today.

Kenshin and a few of his retainers had also left the capital. Kenshin still has no idea that the boy he met a few days ago is actually a young woman in disguise.

"What is that you are holding, Kenshin-sama?" Yukimura is next to Kenshin, on his own mare.

"A fragrant pocket souvenir I got from Kyoto." Kenshin has the pocket bag holding in front of him, he couldn't help but smile.

"Souvenir? You like Kyoto that much?" Yukimura looks over at his lord in surprise. "And stop smiling like that, you are creeping me out."

Yukimura couldn't help but feel goosebumps appearing on his skin when he sees Kenshin is smiling gently while looking at the souvenir. He had never seen Kenshin smiled that way before and it does not fit the aura he emanated.

"What do you mean I am smiling." Kenshins' brows knitted together, staring sharply at Yukimura. "Nobunaga's presence had spoiled the mood. But the city is beautiful."

Kenshin slid the fragrant pocket bag back under his belt.

"They were formidable opponents like the rumors say." Sasuke's eyes trail to his injured arm.

"Yukimura told me you were trying to protect a friend of yours that got involved in the fight." Kenshin wasn't disappointed because Sasuke had injured himself. "But it's not an excuse either. It simply means you're incompetent, Sasuke."

Sasuke turned away, pretending not to hear what he knew is coming next.

"I'll have to train you more once we get back to Kasugayama." A satisfied smile leaped on Kenshin's lips.

"You are in a good mood lately, Kenshin-sama." Sasuke tried to change the topic.

"I just thought the weather had been nice recently." Kenshin gazed up at the clear blue sky. "But who is this person you have been trying to protect, Sasuke?"

"She is a friend I've made back in my country. A trustworthy and mighty woman, called Y/N." Sasuke was still worried for his friend, but he was sure the Oda force will not harm her.

"Y/N?" Kenshin looked over at Sasuke upon hearing the name.

"Yes, Kenshin-sama. She is being held at Azuchi castle, but I am sure she is on the neutral side." Sasuke continued.

"She sure is brave, defying the one-eyed dragon's and the devil king's sword like that." Yukimura found it intriguing. "Just like a wild boar."

Kenshin doesn't say anything further. The person he had met is also called Y/N.

Y/N, it is a unique name in this time period. What a small world it is for two people with that same name, in the same city on the same day. But he doesn't believe that it is one person, since the one he met is a man, and the one Sasuke was searching for is a woman.

"Let's go. It's time to prepare for war." Kenshin said.

Kenshin yanked on his rein to speed up, followed by Yukimura, Sasuke and a few other retainers, and the men started to race against the wind. They barely avoided getting out of the Oda's grasp, but they had successfully got valuable intel from the Oda. So now, it is time for them to take action.

That same moment, Y/N is looking up at the same blue sky. Next to her is Hideyoshi, leading his army back to Azuchi. The generals of the Oda forces had gone ahead back to Azuchi while Hideyoshi is traveling at a normal pace with the foot soldiers.

"You've been quiet for a while, Y/N." Hideyoshi spoke up, catching the attention of the young woman.

Her soulless eyes looked over at Hideyoshi and she slightly shook her head.

"What's on your mind? I heard you were pulled into the fight at Yahiko's diner." He was worried about her because of her unusual lack of cheerfulness.

"I... don't understand." Y/N finally spoke up. "I don't understand the reason behind their killings..."

Hideyoshi narrowed his eyes, now knowing the reason why she had been acting strange.