Dreams, Plans, Trouble
(Umi - Dream)
Umi stood on the bridge that sat above a stream, as she walked on to it her path was blocked by a pair of figures one was Kira with his dark hair kept in a black headband and his brown eyes glaring at Umi, his arms crossed as he nodded to another figure.
The figure nodded back and drew their sword, their face was covered with a mask.
"Who are you?" Umi asked as she drew her sword.
The figure pulled the mask off her face, Umi stood stock still, the figure had her face but her eyes were ash black instead of amber and her hair was an orangey red not blue.
"I'm your honour and I'll do what you don't have the courage to do." The figure said with an evil smirk before she flashed forward and Umi felt her twins blade enter her side "And I'm going to make this last as punishment for you not doing the right thing in the first place you disgrace."
(Kotori)
Kotori awoke to the sound whimpering and someone moving, looking over she could see Umi thrashing about, Kotori crawled over to help the Ronin. Kotori could see beads of sweat on Umi's face and she looked to be in pain "Umi?" Kotori said reaching out and placing a hand on Umi's shoulder, only for Umi to grab Kotori's wrist and shoot up.
"Ow, Ow Umi it's me." Kotori said as Umi had a death like grip on her wrist.
As the realisation hit her, Umi's eyes went wide and she released Kotori's hand "I'm sorry…" Umi started to bow but Kotori stopped her.
"It's ok I know you didn't mean it." Kotori said as she rubbed her wrist, then Saki started to moan. Umi made to got but Kotori halted her "Its ok, I'll do it."
"There, there little one its ok, aunty just had a bad dream, it's ok." Kotori whispered as stroked the little girls head, Saki almost immediately settled down, once she was sure the girl was asleep, Kotori turned back to Umi who had her knees pulled up to her chest.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it was just a bad dream; it comes and goes."
"Do you get this dream more than once?"
"Yes."
"How often?" Kotori asked, Umi didn't answer but instead just sighed as she made to lay down again "We need to get some more sleep Lady Kotori."
"Wait." Kotori said before moving to Umi's pillow and patting her lap "You always did struggle to sleep after a nightmare."
"Lady Kotori I can't…"
"Umi, it's my lap and my hands, I decide who is worthy of being there and you are now come on before Saki wakes again, or I have to order you."
Umi sighed in defeat, Kotori was expecting Umi argue again but she must have been too tired to try right now "As you wish Lady Kotori." Umi lay down placing her head on Kotori's lap, her noise filled with Kotori's scent, Kotori smiled as she began to run her fingers through the blue hair.
It made Kotori remember when they were kids and she would do this if Umi had a nightmare, Umi let out a sigh as she relaxed a little "Is that helping?" Kotori asked.
"Yes, thank you and sorry again for before Lady Kotori."
"It's ok, just relax and enjoy ok?" Umi nodded at the request "This reminds me so much of when we were kids." Kotori whispered.
Umi remained silent just letting out another sigh, Kotori just smiled and moved to brush the top of the blunettes head getting a deep sigh from Umi 'Always was your weak spot.' Kotori thought. After a few minutes when Kotori was sure Umi was asleep she gently places Umi's head down on the pillow "Stay safe, please Umi." Kotori whispered and placing a light kiss on Umi's head making the Ronin stir but not wake.
(Late in the evening the next day)
(Kotori)
Kotori stood next to Umi as she held Saki watching Maki, Nico, Hanayo and Alisa all make their goodbyes before setting off "We'll set off two days behind you don't worry." Eli said to Alisa as she hugged her baby sister.
"I'll be fine sis don't worry." Alisa smiled to Eli before turning to Umi and Kotori "Good luck, I'll see you three there."
"Thank you for your help, Lady Alisa."
"Don't worry we'll be fine." Kotori smiled at the younger girl.
Alisa smiled as she turned and mounted her horse "Look after them."
"I will Lady Alisa." Umi replied.
Alisa smiled "Actually I was talking to Kotori." Alisa said as she rode up so she was beside Hanayo.
"Now we can leave." Maki sighed "All troops forward!" the pink haired girl ordered as the troops started to march out, as the troops marched Kotori saw Umi bite her bottom lip.
"Is everything ok?" Kotori asked.
"I just wish I was going with them Lady Kotori."
Kotori let out a sigh, she still got frustrated with the Lady title but she had decided to hold back from complaining for the moment "I know, I do to."
"We'll see them again soon." Lady Minami said coming up behind the two girls "For now worry about being ready of our own journey."
"Of course Lady Minami." Umi said bowing her head "Erm, would you excuse me?"
"Of course." Lady Minami said, "So how are you two?"
"I'm not sure mama, it's hard to tell." Kotori said, as she watched Umi walk off chatting to Saki, feeling a tug at her heart at the sweet sight.
'I'm really sorry Umi, I want you back, please.' Kotori thought to herself 'Why did I accept that invitation, why couldn't I have just said I was detained to or something.'
"Kotori are you ok dear?"
"Yes, sorry mama, just thinking."
"It will work out." Lady Minami said and she pulled Kotori in closer.
'Umi just come back to me, the loneliness is killing me.'
(Maki and Nico – Just after setting off)
Nico walking next to Maki as the army moved, Nico kept an eye on the trees as they walked in case of ambush. As she walked, she could recall the conversation she had with Nozomi.
"So did you talk to her?" Nozomi asked as the ninja check she had all her equipment.
"Yes, I did."
"And?"
"She said she just did because she was lonely."
"And you said?"
Nico let out a sigh before turning to Nozomi "I said she wasn't going to find that love she felt all those years ago by just going with random people."
"So what you going to do now?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure." Nico sighed as she turned back.
"Why the hesitation, I thought you liked her."
"I'm not sure."
"I'm pretty sure you know why."
"Ok, you got me there, its fear I guess, I'm still worried she sees me as a concubine not a real lover."
"Nico, trust me, she loves you, just tell her."
"How?"
"That's for you to decide, though I imagine she wouldn't mind a repeat of your third training night."
"I'm sure she'd love that." Nico whispered.
"Did you say something?" Maki asked.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, don't bug me, I got a job to do." Nico huffed as she came up with her idea "And it's hard enough without you distracting me."
"I'm distracting you, how?"
(Rin and Yukiho – One day after Maki had set out)
"Yukiho!" Rin shouted as she reached the camp "Yukiho, I have word!" Rin shouted as Honoka's younger sister came up to her, her left eye covered by a bandage.
"Rin?" Yukiho said with a mix of confusion and anger.
"Lady Minami has ordered the army move to Kayo-chin's castle."
Yukiho sighed "Did you not get my messengers?"
"What messages?"
"We've got major problems and I'm not moving the troops, not without a good reason." Yukiho sighed crossing her arms.
"But Maki's already moving…"
"Maki?" Yukiho raised an eyebrow "Nozomi's helping us?"
"Yes, they're on their way now and they want us to meet at Kayo-chin's castle."
Yukiho sighed "How long till they get there?"
"Maki should have left today and Eli's bringing the main force two days behind."
"This is still going to be difficult."
"Why?" Rin asked.
"Look around."
(Umi – Same day as Maki set off)
Umi huffed as she walked back to her room thinking on what she'd been discussing with Nozomi.
"Lady Nozomi, I must respectfully protest, I cannot do this kind of action." Umi said kneeling in front Nozomi.
"How so?"
"Fighting as your armies champion requires someone with honour not a Ronin."
"Umi, you are our best fighter, it would be dishonourable to not go all out in a fight would it not."
"Lady Nozomi, may I speak freely?"
"Of course."
"While it is dishonourable to not go all out in a fight, an honour duel requires both opponents to fight with honour, a Ronin fighting a Samurai could be seen as a dishonour of my opponent and I will not inflict a dishonour on a Samurai."
"Even if you were fighting Kira?"
"Just because he fights with no honour does not mean I will lower myself to his level, I will fight with honour against all my opponents regardless of who they are, I will not set a bad example to my niece."
"I understand your concerns and I thank you for being up front of honest with me, but I will not change my mind, however," Nozomi jumped in before Umi could counter "I will tell the champion who they will be fighting and let them decide, will that be acceptable?"
"Yes, Lady Nozomi, that is acceptable, thank you for understanding."
"Thank you for yours, now it's late and you need rest and I wish to see Eli; I need to enjoy my time with her while I can now."
'You are utterly shameless sometime.' Umi thought as she bowed and left the room.
Umi slide the door open to see Kotori watching Saki in her cot, Umi let out a gentle sigh as she smiled at the scene before closing the door.
"Is she asleep Lady Kotori?" Umi asked as walked up to the ashen girl.
"Yes, she's fast asleep."
"Thank you for agreeing to watch her."
"Of course, she's cute and I'll do anything to help you."
"Thank you, you're too kind." Umi bowed. "Will you forgive me Lady Kotori; I need to change."
"Ok." Kotori said looking a bit down cast. As Umi picked up her night clothing she noticed a change to the futons.
"Erm, Lady Kotori, the futons, have you…?"
"Yes, in case you get nightmares again I'm closer to you to help."
"Lady Kotori, you don't need to worry about me, I'm not worth the trouble."
"That's for me to decide Umi." Kotori scowled "And I want them like that."
"Very well, if you wish to have them like that." Umi bowed as she went back to changing. As she began to change in the corner, she could feel a little tingle of a happiness in her heart 'Stop, you know your too shamed, you can't be giving her hope.' Her honour voiced in her head even as her heart beat a little faster at the thought of Kotori being so close to her again.