The Beauty of the West: The Gold Route

Chapter Twenty: Hot Spring Day

It wasn't long until Motochika, Kanbe, and Tadakatsu had rejoined us, seeing me cuddled against Ieyasu.

"Lass you're safe!" Motochika dropped the firewood he was carrying and made his way over to us, followed by the other two.

"Hi, Captain...I'm so sorry about your ship." I felt the need to apologize, since they were only there for me.

"My crew can build another." Was all he said to answer.

"We need to make it back, but we need to remain unseen. So we can't have Tadakatsu carry us." Ieyasu explained.

"And the kid needs something to cover up." Kanbe pointed out. He then proceeded to take off his overcoat, and gave it to me. It wasn't very warm, but at least it covered me all the way. "There. For a few, you're a Kuroda!" He seemed happier than he should have been at the moment.

"Don't get used to it." I laughed. "When we go back home, I'm returning to Saica."
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Tadakatsu carried me in his arms as we all made our way back to the cliffs. It was about a two days walk from Mikatagahara and Kanegasaki, but we needed to hurry in case the oda searched for us there.

"Upon our return, I will ask our allies if they would assist in taking down the Oda remnants instead of the Sekigahara battle." Ieyasu explained as we walked.

"Count me in." Motochika stated.

"I'm sure you'll need a strategist.. I'll be there." Kanbe smirked.

"Thanks guys..." I smiled so much that these people would risk their lives against the Oda for me. I wondered...what would happen to Lord Mitsunari, now that Lord Ieyasu wouldn't be showing up to Sekigahara?
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I could feel myself getting sick. I guess I was just too cold for too long. I couldn't rest in Tadakatsu's arms either since he was made of metal which not only made it uncomfortable to be in his arms, but he wasn't at all warm, either.

Before I knew it, we were back at the cliffs, greeted by some men of the Eastern army, as well as the Saica faction. It was sunny, too.

"(Y/N)!" Sensei approached me with obvious worry in her eyes, as Tadakatsu was lowering me to the ground. Before saying anything further, she ran off.

"There's a hot spring around here. Would you like to go there, My Lady?" Lord Ieyasu held me for support with his arm around my waist.

"A hot spring? In these cliffs?" Kanbe pondered doubtfully, so everyone could hear him.

"We've been friends for years. How is it you never mentioned of these hot springs?" Motochika sounded annoyed. Being a pirate, I'm sure he needed one.

"Uh...heh..." Lord Ieyasu seemed to be at a loss for words. "I'll show you later. Right now, (Y/N) needs to warm up, or she will surely come down with something."

At that moment, Sensei returned with clean clothes and a towel to cover myself with.

"There, little Raven. Now you can change out of that atrocious overcoat." She explained with a smirk. Before I could thank her, Kanbe started in ;

"It ain't THAT bad, Magoichi, come on."

"I'm not sure if it's the color....the smell... Or the fact that it is of a clan she will never in your dreams belong to." She crossed her arms and kept that same smirk.

"You two. Get going to the hot spring while those two are going at it." Captain Motochika whispered to me and Lord Ieyasu.

"Thank you, my friend." Lord Ieyasu smiled gently as he reached for my hand. "Shall we go, My Lady?"

With that gorgeous smile, and his soft touch, of course I wasn't going to say no. I took his hand, and followed him to a secluded area. It was in the shade, close to a path that led deeper into the cliffs, but not close enough that anyone could really see us. The cliffs were barren, so there weren't any trees or tall grass. Thankfully though, the hot spring was far enough out of the way.

"Thank you for bringing me here, My Lord." I was sure to thank him. I didn't want to seem ungrateful for anything.

"It is an honor, My Lady." He smiled. "I will be right here while you bathe so that I may protect you in your most vulnerable state." He lifted my hands to his lips and kissed it gently. "Turned away, of course." He was sure to add at the end to make sure I knew he wasn't going to peek at me.

Lord Ieyasu held my clean clothes in his arms as he sat next to the spring, turned away. I removed what little clothes I was wearing, and slowly submerged my body into the steaming hot water. I had never felt so refreshed in my life.

"Is the water to your liking?" Lord Ieyasu asked.

"Yes, My Lord." I answered, only my neck and shoulders exposed to the air at that point. The truth was, I instantly felt better.

A short silence filled the air before Lord Ieyasu decided to start a conversation.

"It isn't long until the festival, eh?" I could tell he was smiling though he was facing the other way.

"No, not at all." I replied, closing my eyes and loosing myself in the comfort of the hot spring. "I still don't know what I'm going to wear."

"You would look beautiful in anything." He turned his head, as if he were going to look at me but stopped himself, so he didn't invade my privacy.

"I've never been to a festival, as you know. I don't know how it works."

"I will show you. Just stay near me all night."

"I will.."

"I do have one request for you to wear though..."

"What's that, My Lord?"

"I want to see... A smile just for me."

He didn't know it, but I was already smiling just for him.

"Of course." I finally replied. "My Lord..."

"Yes?" He kind of whispered.

"Would you care to join me?"