Plans and Meeting's
Umi looked down seeing a pair of arrows shot into her stomach, she felt lightheaded and her body was wracked with pain as blood seeped through her fingers.
She heard a few steps to her side, looking to the sound she saw Kira standing over beside her, sword in hand "I will give you credit." Kira smiled "You are quite the thorn in my side, but now I must remove you or the wound you made will get infected." Kira said he raised his sword above his head "Then it's that runt of a niece of yours."
Umi tried to bring her Naginata up to try and stop the strike but before she could even raise the weapon halfway Kira brough the sword down at Umi's neck.
Umi woke with a start, feeling her neck and feeling it was in one piece "That dream." Umi said to herself, just then she heard a loud cry coming from the cot off a little bit to the side of her futon.
Umi got up and kneeled beside the cot "Sorry little one, did I wake you up?"
Saki just let out a little moan in response "Sorry." Umi whispered as she stroked the little girl's hair, getting a happy noise in response "You're such a Sonoda, never like being woken up early." Umi gave a sad smile "My mum, your grandmother said me and your mum used to love this, I still do, Ko..." Umi paused before speaking the ashen girls name.
Saki made a little moan at Umi stopping "Sorry, do you want me to keep chatting for a bit." Umi yawned "Ok, but only for a bit longer, I need some sleep."
Umi thought for a moment "Did you like Alisa, she really liked you." Umi said as she remembered the younger Ayase smiling brightly as she helped Umi change the little girl "Did you meet any of the others, I'm sure you'd love them like I do, I know Eli was besotted with you."
"I won't let Kira near you, I promise, for as much as my promises are worth these days." Umi sighed, looking over she saw Saki asleep, Umi gave the little girl a gentle kiss on the top of her head "Sleep little one, I'll be right here."
(Morning)
Umi woke that morning to Saki moaning in her cot, Umi got up and kneeled next to the cot "Shh, little one, I'm here." Saki cooed in response.
"Gosh you are a needy one, aren't you?" Umi smiled "Now, I need to do some training, don't worry, I'll have Alisa hold you while I'm training and you can watch, then we can go see my little rabbit, ok?" Saki made a little noise that Umi took to say yes.
(Maki and Nico)
Maki woke up see Nico finish putting on her black outfit "Is there a reason you try and leave before I wake up?"
Nico kept tying up the last bits of her outfit as she answered, "I thought that's what you wanted from your bed mates for them to leave before your awake?"
"This isn't just a bed mate thing though." Maki sighed as she sat up and draping her arms around Nico's neck "You can always so no, yet you keep agreeing to it."
"If I say no, you'll just lock me up again." Nico sighed "Besides this doesn't matter to you, none of those other times either. It's how I got stuck meeting you in the first place."
"Not like you refused me, I think you secretly wanted it, didn't you?" Maki scowled as she tightened her hold.
"Not like I could refuse, could I?"
"I would never force you Nico, I might have a reputation but it's not for forcing people."
"It doesn't matter. You're a samurai, I'm a ninja, I teach you, fight for you and occasionally do other things for you, just to help feed my family, that's all that matters to you." Nico growled "As far as you care I'm nothing else and you want nothing else."
Nico was then caught off guard but Maki kissing her cheek "What if I did?"
"I'm not a concubine."
"I'm not asking for that." Maki sighed as rested her chin on Nico's shoulder "What if I want something more real?" Maki whispered in Nico's ear as she did little circles on Nico's belly, Nico for her part did her best to not show any reaction to Maki's actions.
"It wouldn't work." Nico said trying her best to keep her voice steady.
"Why not?"
"It's not important Maki." Nico sighed as she stood up and picked up her weapons as she did, missing the touch of Maki's arms "I'll see you later." Nico said as she climbed into the rafters.
Maki laid back on the futon and sighed trying to get her own emotions in order "If only she wasn't a Ninja, might make things easier." Maki sighed to herself as she felt a tear roll down her cheek.
(Rin and Hanayo)
Hanayo giggled lightly as she felt something tickle her chest, when it happened again, she opened her eyes and saw Rin was snuggling into her "Rin." Hanayo smiled at the sight of the happy girl.
'We should get up, but I don't think it could hurt to stay like this a little longer.' Hanayo thought as she placed a kiss on Rin's head "Please be safe and come back to me." Hanayo whispered gently, Rin responded to the words by pulling Hanayo closer.
Hanayo smiled again and decided to close her eyes again, resting her nose on the top of Rin's head getting lost in Rin's scent that made her heart flutter 'One day, one day I'll say it to you.' The pair thought to themselves.
(Kotori)
Found herself wondering the castle grounds, she hadn't slept well last night, in an attempt to try and take her mind off things she was trying walking through the grounds, but none of it worked all she could think about was Umi and how much she missed her and how empty and hollow she felt without her.
'Not that I deserve her anymore.' Kotori thought to herself. As she walked, she heard a horse galloping. Kotori's interest was piqued so she decided to follow the sound, as she walked to the sound, she saw a horse and rider gallop through a gap in the trees.
After a while she came to a clearing and saw Alisa standing holding something in her arms "Alisa?" Kotori asked making the younger Ayesa turn to face her.
"Lady Kotori." Alisa smiled with a bow of her head "Sorry if I don't bow all the way, this one is kind of a wriggler."
Kotori looked as she saw the face of a baby, with a little tuff of blue hair "Is that…?" Kotori asked.
Alisa nodded "Would you like to meet her?"
Kotori was about to say yes, but she stopped herself "I think it's better to ask Umi first." Kotori said looking down at the banister in front of her. Just then the subject of their conversation rode up. Kotori was struck by how different Umi looked now, her long hair that Kotori loved so much now short, the blue and white armour now black and white, it all looked wrong to her, it felt wrong, this wasn't Umi, her Umi, she was someone else.
"Lady Kotori, is something up?" Umi asked as she dismounted.
"No, I was just wondering the castle and heard you and got curious." Kotori explained.
Just then Saki made a moan like noise "Oh, does someone want their aunty?" Alisa asked as she went up to Umi.
Umi let out a little smiled as she took her niece in her arms. Kotori smiled to, it was nice to see Umi smile, the first time she's seen a smile on the girls face since she last saw her, since they met Umi had only had a completely neutral face when she was talking to her.
Kotori made to leave, she felt like she was intruding on a family matter, when Alisa's voice caught her attention "Kotori, didn't you want to meet her?"
Kotori looked back unsure what to say, Alisa must have seen the look on her face and took the initiative "Its ok, isn't it Umi?"
"Erm, yes of course, if you want to Lady Kotori."
Kotori nodded, she walked carefully towards to trio as if she were expecting Umi to suddenly change her mind. Once she came up to the pair, she smiled at the sight of Saki "Hello little one." Kotori smiled "I'm Kotori, nice to meet you."
Saki let out a little babble sound "I think she likes you Lady Kotori." Umi noted "Would you like to hold her?"
"Erm, are you sure?" Kotori asked.
Umi nodded in response, before gently and carefully handing over her niece, Kotori gently took the small girl letting Alisa help her get the correct hold. Initially Saki wiggled a little in Kotori's arms "It's ok, she does that to everyone except Umi." Alisa smiled, then Kotori noticed that Saki stopped moving "Oh, you happy there?" Alisa asked also noticing the little girl had settled "I think that means she's happy with you holding her." Alisa smiled "Though why you can't be happy with me?" the younger Ayese pouted.
"Sorry." Kotori apologised to Alisa, the pair missing the small smile on Umi's lips.
Saki let out a little moan "She likes being talked to Lady Kotori." Umi said in response.
"Oh, ok, well do you like it here little one, at Nozomi's castle?" Kotori asked the first thing that came to her head "You kind of remind me of your aunty a bit with your little pout." Kotori let slip.
"That's what I thought." Alisa laughed.
"I don't see how you two come to that logic, My Ladies." Umi sighed
Before either could say anything Nozomi appeared before them "I'm sorry to break up this sweet scene, but I require you all in my council chamber." Nozomi smiled "We're making our war plans and I require you."
"Yes, My Lady." Umi bowed "I'll just take Saki back my room if you will allow me."
"It's ok, you can bring her with you, everyone wanted to see her, besides, it seems she's got a happy spot right now anyway, why disturb her, Alisa I need to discuss something with you for a second just the two of us." Nozomi replied as she walked back, followed by Alisa leaving Kotori and Umi alone for a minute.
"Would you like to take her back?" Kotori asked.
"No, its fine, plus she's quite grouchy if she gets disturbed, so if you wish to keep holding her for a while longer, I won't stop you, I trust you Lady Kotori."
"You do?" Kotori asked surprised that Umi still trusted her.
"Of course, why wouldn't I?"
"Well I…" Kotori began.
"It was not your fault, you're the last person I blame Lady Kotori." Umi said looking at the ground "Come, we must not keep Lady Nozomi waiting." Umi said as she walked away.
"Umi…" Kotori whispered after the blunette, only for Saki to whine at the apparent downcast mood "Sorry little one, were we upsetting you?"
(Umi)
Umi walked silently to Nozomi's chamber, as she walked, she was aware of the pair of eyes staring at her from behind her. She was trying not think about the joyous feeling she had when she saw Kotori holding her niece, it was like she had the family she always wanted and imagined with Kotori.
'Stop thinking on it!' Umi thought to herself 'It's not going to happen, your too tainted.'
As she was thinking this, she noticed Kotori's footsteps had stopped, turning to see what was going on, she saw Kotori making cute babbling noises with Saki, Umi's heart skipped a bit for a second, the two looked so sweet together, but then the sweetness started to taste bitter, she was just looking from an outside point of view, she was looking at a picture of what she wanted rather than being a part of that picture.
Umi turned her head away "Lady Kotori, we need to see Lady Nozomi, if you please."
Umi heard Kotori move forward, but Umi heard no response, Umi remained silent till she felt a soft hand on hers, snapping her head back she saw Kotori holding one of her hands, Umi had subconsciously grabbed her own chest without noticing.
"Are you ok Umi?" Kotori asked with a concerned and hopefully look in her eyes.
"I am fine Lady Kotori, now if you please." Umi said walking away missing the touch of the soft hand that had been on hers.
(Nozomi- council chamber)
Nozomi smiled as she saw Umi enter the chamber and bow with Kotori quickly following her Saki in her arms and taking their places, Umi to her right and next to Nico, while Kotori sat on her left opposite Umi so she could still see her niece.
'Well it's a start I guess.' Nozomi thought to herself as she saw everyone look at the child in Kotori's arms "Right, now that we are all present, to business, Lady Minami."
"I have Honoka's sister here with a force of two thousand troops." The older daimyo started "They are the last mobile and effective army I have left; the rest of my troops are garrisoning the last few castles we have between here and the boarder."
"So where do we begin?" Maki asked.
"Here, the Koizumi castle, it's the gateway for both our lands and it has the largest base of troops on garrison, it's also the next castle to be struck."
"We can't be cut off from each other." Nozomi noted before turning "Maki how long will it take you to finish raising your troops?"
"Two more days, we should be able to go in the morning after tomorrow if we are lucky, but I doubt we could do much without support." Maki answered.
"Yukiho can meet you there if we can get word to her." Honoka said.
"You're sure she can move that fast?" Maki asked.
"Trust me, my sister can make it."
"Very well, we have a plan beginning." Nozomi stood up "Maki, gather your troops, march once your ready as fast as you can to the castle and wait for us there."
Maki nodded "I'm guessing I'm taking Nico."
"Of course, you'll need her scouting abilities among other things." Nozomi grinned as the two blushed.
"Rin would you be willing to ride tomorrow?" Lady Minami asked the ginger girl.
"Yes, My Lady!"
"Then ride to Yukiho and tell her to reach the castle as fast as she can, Hanayo you go with Maki."
"Yes, My Lady." The brunette bowed.
"Good, Eli you will muster the main army here and we will be right behind you." Nozomi turned to Umi "Umi, Lady Minami has requested that you guard Kotori on the march…"
"As you wish My Lady." Umi bowed before Nozomi could finish.
"Very well then, we will make fuller plans when we meet at Koizumi castle, any other questions?"
"Who commands the armies till you get there?" Maki asked.
"You will." Nozomi relied "Anything else?"
When no one answered Nozomi spoke again "Good now let us prepare for the celebration." Everyone bowed and walked out.
'Guess I'll need to give Kotori a nudge.' Nozomi thought to herself.