Black and royal blue

IV. Trip to Otsu

'Hideyoshi, Masamune, tomorrow we are going to Otsu to meet a daimyo. The ports are under his control, therefore our access to certain supplies depend on him. I want to check on him. I need you there as reinforcement in case he tries to back out from our agreement.'

Hideyoshi and I nodded.

'We are leaving early in the morning. Oh, and Ana, you are coming with us.'

'Me? Why? I don't see how my presence could do any use.' She protested.

'It was an order, Ana.' Hideyoshi cut the agrument. Ana rolled her eyes.

'Fine.' She sighed. 'But I'm going on my own horse. There is no way I'd ever ride with Masamune again.'

I remembered how scared she was when she rode with me when she arrived. I laughed out loud. 'Take it as a good opportunity to show us how you are doing with that demonic beast.' The others chuckled.

'You'll be looking for your jaw in the dirt! Mark my words!' She crossed her arms and put on a sulky face. How cute!

'Hmm...Confidence makes you even more beautiful. I like it.' Nobunaga's compliment made her blush. It was true, though. Ana was growing more confident by the day ever since I gave her that horse. And even more attractive too.

'Well then. The council is dismissed!'

....

We mounted our steeds, as Nobunaga ordered, early in the morning. We were ready to leave. But someone was missing. 'Where is that lass?'

'She'll join us down the road. She told me when she visited me last night.' Said Hideyoshi casually.

'Hm...' I raised my eyebrows. 'How often does she visit you at night?'

'What? She asked me to carry her things on my horse for her.' He laughed nervously.

'Okay, then don't waste time. Let's go!'

We were by the town when I spotted her waving at us. She was sitting on her horse bareback without a bridle. There was only a strap around the horse's neck and a long stick in Ana's hand.

'Good morning everyone!' She greeted us with a broad smile and tapped the horse's leg with the stick. The horse bowed down. I blinked in amazement.

'Told you, I'll surprise you' She wore a cheeky grin.

She left everyone speechless.

'Are you joking? There is no way I'll let you come if your horse is not properly tacked. This is too dangerous.' Naturally, Hideyoshi scolded her. 'Also, what are you wearing?'

'Riding pants. I feel much more comfortable in these. I asked the seamstresses to sew these for me. Plus, riding a horse in a kimono would reveal a bit more skin than what you could handle, wouldn't it?' She was perky.

'I would highly appreciate that sight.' I teased her.

'I don't doubt that.' She winked at me playfully.

'You are very bold today, woman.' Nobunaga sounded annoyed but looked entertained. 'Now, that I have my lucky charm on me, we shall get going. I don't intend to linger.' Nobunaga kicked his horse. We followed him.

...

Ana and Hideyoshi were chatting the whole time.

'So this is why you were nowhere to be found in the past weeks. Is this even the same horse that kept throwing off Masamune?'

'Haha, yeah, I spent all my spare time with him. He had numerous bad habits to be corrected. But he is a very easy-going and enthusiastic fellow, so it wasn't too hard.'