The Beauty of the West: The Gold Route

Chapter Sixteen: Old Memories

I was having a tough time explaining to Lord Mitsunari what the Oda had done to me,  and how long I was suffering.

"You were not born into the Oda family. " Mitsunari stated,   like he knew exactly what had happened. "If what you are telling me is true by the way they treated you,  you wouldn't have survived past infancy. So you must have come from somewhere before that."

"Your guess is as good as mine,  My Lord." I shrugged. "I can't quite remember a time before the Oda. But you know what's strange... I think this castle may have a part to play in that memory. "

"How so? "

"Why does that girl in the paintings look like me? Have I been here before?"

"If you are who I think you are,  yes." Lord Mitsunari answered. 
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(Ieyasu's POV):

I wondered what was taking (Y/N)  so long to carry out her mission.  We hadn't heard from her in a while,  and I was starting to worry about her safety.

We had sent her,  alone,  to the Dark King.  I had faith in her ability, of course,  but why hadn't she returned by now?  I wished I could have gone with her. What if Mitsunari's men found her?  What would become of her then? So many questions clouded my mind.  I needed her to be okay.

I tried to keep my mind off of what could have potentially happened to (Y/N),  and turn my thoughts to more positive alternatives; the tea she agreed to have with me; the Summer Festival she said she would accompany me to. Those thoughts kept a smile on my face.

"Screech!" I heard my best friend and most trusted General,  Tadakatsu. Everyone only heard mechanical sounds,  but I could understand him of course.

"Oh. Hey there Tadakatsu!" I greeted.

"*Psssshhhh  squeak...* "

"How did you know I was thinking of (Y/N)?" I laughed. "You're right,  I can't stop thinking of her. "

"*kushhhooooo*"

"I'm blushing? I can't help it. Tadakatsu,  I need to tell you.  Ever since we brought her home to Mikawa from Honno-Ji... I think I've... Fallen for her. "

"*Burrrrr squeeeekshhhh*"

"Tell you something you don't know??" I laughed again.  "Is it that obvious? Well,  when she gets back.. I think I should tell her before we get to Sekigahara.. Who knows what will happen there."

It was silent amongst us for a moment.

"Soooooo couldn't help. But overhear.." Kanbe was nearby listening in,  I guess.  "Mind if I join you?  Thanks. "

He didn't give me a chance to answer,  but I still didn't mind the company.

"Well,  Badger,  the more the merrier!" I smiled.

"Yeah yeah,  Mr. Goodie two shoes. " Kanbe dismissed my friendliness.  "I couldn't help but hear that you have feelings for (Y/N). "

I didn't mention that there was nowhere near by that he could have been sitting so that he would "accidentally" Hear me.  Tadakatsu and I were in an open area,  and to listen in on us would require intentional snooping.  But it was okay,  I didn't mind.

"Listen,  if you have feelings for her,  and intend to act on those feelings,  you better treat her right. " He crossed his arms while he looked at me.  "Because if not... Well you see where this is going. Best not to find out what I'd do to you if you made her cry. "

Tadakatsu immediately got in between the two of us,  ready to defend me if things made a turn for the worst.

"It's okay, Tadakatsu. I understand how he feels." I then made sure to make eye contact with him. "It is not my intention to hurt (Y/N). She may not even feel the same way,  and I'm prepared for that. I just need to tell her I love her. It's not something I'm willing to hide anymore. "

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((Y/N)'s POV) :

Despite how hostile Lord Mitsunari was towards me in the beginning,  he sat with me and patiently listened to what I had to say,  though I knew it was hard for him to do so.  Especially after finding out that Lord Ieyasu was the one that had found me and saved me from that situation in Honno-Ji. He seemed more concerned however,  about the condition Lord Ieyasu had found me in.  I remembered it so well,  the way I was just hanging there... Left to die.

"You don't remember how you got to Honno-Ji... But you don't remember where you came from either. " Lord Mitsunari concluded.

"My Lord,  what if I'm not the Toyotomi girl you speak of?  What then? " I asked.  I don't even think he knew what would happen if I wasn't. I think things would have gotten really awkward. But I had seen a part of him I didn't know existed,  and I would at least hope to have remained friends.

"You are.  I am sure of it. " Was all he said, then stayed quiet before he continued, "Your name is (Y/N),  you were with the Oda for 14 years,  and that's how long (Y/N)  Toyotomi has been gone. It adds up. "

I couldn't argue with that. However I still wasn't completely sold on the idea of being related to such a terrible man. Little did I know, he was even more terrible than I initially thought.

"What doesn't add up is... If your Lord told you I was killed, or even that I ran away... " I didn't finish my sentence for fear that Lord Mitsunari would go off on me for insulting Lord Hideyoshi.

I could see his face turn red with anger. I braced myself for the explosion that was Lord Mitsunari's wrath for speaking ill of his Lord.

"That... I cannot believe he would... "

"My Lord? " I got his attention,  but I had no idea what to say once he was looking at me. 

"No wait! " I heard someone say.  I then saw a kid with black hair running past,  in the hall.  I didn't hesitate to get up and follow him.

There were people there too blocking the boy from getting through so he pushed and shoved to get through them

The people in the hall were soldiers,  and upon their banners was a familiar crest,  that of a Sakura blossom. I couldn't recall where I had seen it before.

I continued to follow the boy through the crowd of people that didn't seem to know I was even there. He led me to a room where there was a few more people,  and that Lord Hideyoshi man was in a chair as the people stood before him.

I saw someone that looked like Nobunaga,  and that alone made me shiver. He was holding a little girl who was gagged and tied. Her tears and cries hurt my heart. All the while,  the black-haired boy tried so desperately to get to her,  but was held back by another man who kept beating him.  Lord Hideyoshi was aware of the savagery going on here,  but did nothing about it. 

I walked up to the little girl and tried to touch her face.  It was then that I understood what was happening here.  In my present state,  I didn't exist there, nor did they exist here. But I was connected by that girl.  The same eyes... The same hair as mine. That was me.

That little girl cried for that man to save her. He ended up selling her to the Oda,  as I saw it,  he didn't want to pay the ransom to get her back.  She--I -- was terrified.

"Daddy please!!" I screamed.  Presently, I could feel myself break down, I stopped breathing and fell to my knees in anguish. I shut my eyes tightly and covered my face in hopes that I would no longer see or hear the scene around me.

"(Y/N)!! " I heard the little boy scream,  but this time he sounded different. "(Y/N)!!" I heard again,  a hand on my shoulder that shook me out of my daze.

I gasped as I uncovered my eyes and looked around.

"Oh my god... " I continued to cry,  my breathing hastened.

"(Y/N).  What the hell is going on. " Lord Mitsunari looked at me,  kneeled beside me on the floor. Instead of saying anything, I just grabbed hold of him in a tight embrace and continued to cry. I expected him to push me away and yell about how I was out of line,  but slowly,  he put his arms around me too.

"You're right,  My Lord. I am (Y/N)  Toyotomi. " I sniffled. "I remember now. "

"Tell me what happened. " He spoke softly,  but at the same time he demanded to know.

When I had opened my mouth to explain what I had just witnessed, some loud noises came from the courtyard.