Plans and Requests
(Umi – Just as the army arrives at Hanayo's castle)
Umi saw the castle come into her view as they cleared the trees "Eli, settle to troops down in the fields around the castle, then meet me inside." Nozomi shouted to the blonde.
As Umi followed Kotori into fort, she could see the damage to the walls and to some of the upper levels of the fort, once they passed through the doors though she sighed in relief to see Maki's troops on the walls, though she could sense they were uneasy.
"Maki, I sense you're not in a good mood." Nozomi said as Umi turned to see the scowling samurai.
"Indeed I am not." Maki said her arms folded "Nozomi if you would come with me, please, Hanayo has seen to your rooms."
"Right away." Nozomi said quietly "Lady Minami, would you follow me please?" Nozomi asked before she walked off with Maki.
As Umi followed Kotori to the room she got a distinct feeling something was wrong, the castle was damaged and she was sure there wasn't enough troops for the numbers she'd heard that should have been there.
As they reached their room Umi stopped next to Kotori as the ashen girl handed Saki over to her, after the pair entered the room, they were followed by some servants who placed their belongings and Umi's sword and armour in place "I'll be glad of a rest." Kotori huffed once they were gone "That was a long ride."
"Are you not worried Lady Kotori?" Umi asked as Saki nuzzled on her shoulder "We're near the front lines, there could be danger nearby, you shouldn't be so relaxed."
"It's fine." Kotori said with a hint of frustration in her voice "I'm safe as long as your there next to me."
"Kotori!" Umi groaned as she could feel her cheeks burn a little.
(Dia – Same day early evening)
"Well looks like we have a lonely little birdy right here." Dia heard a voice say from behind her.
"What do you want?" Dia growled as she clenched her fists.
"Careful now, one word from me and you're a traitor and then your precious sister is all mine."
"You leave my sister alone!" Dia said turning and pulling her sword out the sheave slightly.
"Careful I nearly screamed." Dia saw the person smile and she felt her blood boiling, Dia gave a scoff before putting the sword back in it's sheave "Good girl, now when we get there just remember who's side, you're on."
"I remember well enough thank you and don't forget your father put me in charge, so when we get there, we do things my way, no slaughters if we don't have to."
"Fine, but just because you were put in charge doesn't mean these men aren't yours, they are mine, yours all died trying to get you sister out."
"If you have nothing else to say then I'm turning in for the night." Dia said walking away 'Ruby, forgive me for what I have to do.' Dia thought as she entered her tent.
(Umi – Later that evening)
Umi was busy checking her bow, while Kotori watched Saki as the little Sonoda babbled away, when Alisa entered the room with a message.
"Umi, you and Kotori have been summoned to meet with Nozomi and the others."
"Thank you, Lady Alisa."
Umi took Saki as the pair walked to the central chamber of the castle, once in the chamber Umi sat down with Saki in her arms at the far end, while Kotori had to sit next to her mother close to Nozomi, Umi felt a small pull as she watched Kotori walk away with a sad look to her eyes, they had been with each other for days and it felt weird for her to not be next to her 'All part of Nozomi's plan.'
Just then Saki made a moan as Kotori walked away making the ashen girl look back "Sorry little one she needs to sit away from us, Apologies my Ladies."
"It's quite alright." Nozomi smiled "Now to business, Yukiho if you please."
Umi saw Honoka's younger sister stand shakily and nearly fall causing Alisa to jump up and support her, Umi thought Yukiho could faint at any second given ohw unsteady she was "Thank you." Yukiho said to Alisa "Well to start off, the two thousand Lady Minami thought we had, is actually one hundred and fifty, the rest fled when they saw their Lady leave, all of those that remain are tired and exhausted.
Yukiho let out a cough before continuing "Castle Todo fell five days ago with no survivors and last we heard castle Sakurauchi is under siege, they weren't being heavily attacked last we heard but that was at the same time castle Todo fell and we had to stop out scouting and raiding in the southern area."
"Anything else?" Lady Minami asked with a barely disguised growl.
"Yes, Yo Watanabe has been captured, according to a messenger we captured she's being held in her own castle, which is now being held by Kira's daughter Sakura, as for Tsuki Watanabe, she is in castle Sakurauchi." Yukiho coughed again.
"Finally there is an army of three thousand heading this way, they will be here tomorrow from the west, unfortunately Dia is commanding them."
"Why would Dia side against use Nya?" Rin asked surprised.
"Kira has her sister; it's likely Kira is using her leverage." Yukiho sighed.
"I suppose it's too much to hope for some good news?" Maki huffed with a glare at Lady Minami.
"The only good thing I can say is that Kira believes the war is over, he thinks with the winter coming so soon you wouldn't be ready to move till spring, so he's dispersed his troops, the only standing troops he has are on this side of the river, but once he hears of your arrival, he'll be pulling them together again." Yukiho sighed.
"Thank you Yukiho." Nozomi nodded.
"We need to save Yo and those at castle Sakurauchi as soon as possible." Lady Minami said.
"How, we have another army coming this way." Maki countered "Not to mention your troops are in a terrible state, mostly because they thought you ran off."
"That failure is not mine, it's Yukiho's for not keeping the army together like I told her to." Lady Minami said with a glare at Yukiho and Umi saw the girl shoulders slump slightly.
"Their Lady leaves in the middle of the night with no explanation, what else did you expect?" Maki shot back "You should be thanking her for keeping what's left not to mention winning a battle and getting them here."
"Watch your tone." Lady Minami glared at Maki.
"I'm not one of your samurai and I'm not here for you, I'm here for my friends, so I have no issue stating your armies in a mess and non-existent and what troops you have left are on the verge of giving up altogether all because of you, they need a win and a good one."
"I'm not about to take that from a…"
"Ladies!" Nozomi stepped in "We cannot have a falling out now or we will not win and I for one do not like the idea of kneeling to Kira."
Lady Minami and Maki both gave the other a final glare before sitting back down, Umi thought the pair were about to come to physical blows before Nozomi stepped in, Umi then saw the senior Minami sigh before she spoke again "Yukiho, congratulations on your victory and for completing your task."
"Thank you, My Lady." Yukiho bowed her head with a surprised look and looking around Umi could see she wasn't the only one even Maki looked a little shocked, except Alisa who Umi could see had a smile on her face.
"This is all very well, but we still need a win to keep the army together though." Maki said as she recovered from her shock.
"Well its three thousand against thirty thousand, Dia wouldn't commit her troops to being slaughtered, plus she hates Kira wouldn't she just join us?" Honoka spoke up.
"No." Eli sighed "Kira still has Ruby; she'll have no choice but to fight."
"But they will be slaughtered." Hanayo said horrified at the idea.
"It might not come to that." Nozomi said assuredly "Umi I have a request for you."
"What do you wish me to do Lady Nozomi?"
"Tomorrow, I intend to have you challenge Dia's champion, win our first victory and save her troops from a slaughter."
"And if they don't accept me as the challenger?"
"Eli will go with you, just in case."
"As you wish Lady Nozomi."
"Good, now till the battle is done the ladies will remain in the castle, the same goes for Minami's forces they need a rest."
"You can't expect me to sit this battle out, I will not hide from my foes." Lady Minami protested.
"You're too valuable to risk should this all go wrong, besides, it will not improve your troop's opinion of you if you appear with my troops, it will just look like you replaced them because you do not care or respect them." Nozomi countered. "Once we are done Maki you will lead a force to save those at castle Sakurauchi, while we secure the rest of this side of the river, then we can think about rescuing Yo and Ruby."
"I'm not sure that a win will be enough." Hanayo mused "The troops are not convinced you won't just leave if things go south Nozomi."
"Thankfully, a plan for that was thought up that should address this, Alisa, Yukiho." Nozomi smiled "Perhaps you could answer that?"
"We plan to be married." Alisa smiled getting a shocked look from most in the room except Tsubasa and Nozomi who were both smirking.
"And when did this get decided?" Eli asked with a glare at Yukiho.
"It was a hope for a few years Eli, this relationship has been going on for a while." Nozomi smiled "Now with the announcement of this marriage agreement it should boost moral a bit and show our commitment, now, I suggest you get some rest we have a busy day tomorrow and we shall all need it." Nozomi said dismissing the meeting.
(Kotori and Nozomi – right after the meeting)
"Are you sure about this Nozomi?" Kotori fumed. She told Umi she would be along shortly as she would need to talk to Nozomi "I'm not sure she should be fighting."
"And what would you have me do otherwise?" Nozomi countered "Wipe out Dia and her troops out, you heard Eli they are being force to do it."
"No I don't, but…"
"There is no easy way here Kotori." Nozomi scowled "I don't want to send Umi to do this, but if I can avoid a massacre, I have no choice, I didn't come here to burn your land to the ground."
'I'd rather that then lose Umi.' Kotori thought to herself.
"Kotori, Umi would agree with me, she's done it for me more than once, at her suggestion." Nozomi added just as she saw Kotori ready to shout, "Plus she is more than capable, she was the best fighter of both our clans and you saw how good she was in fighting Eli and Maki, you should worry about making sure she gets enough rest for the fight."
Kotori huffed she knew Nozomi was right but that didn't mean she liked it, as she pondered, she felt the twin tailed daimyo's soft arms wrap around her bringing her into a warm hug "Umi's strong even with those scars and I would never risk Umi fighting if I didn't think she could handle it."
Kotori huffed as she returned the hug "I just don't want to lose her again; I just want to hold her tight."
"Then tell her and make her let you." Nozomi whispered.
"How?"
"You'll find a way." Nozomi said placing a gentle kiss on the ashen girl's head "Now off you go, your Umi's waiting."
(Umi and Kotori – Night-time)
As Umi made sure her Naginata was sharp enough Kotori just silently watched Saki, she'd been quiet since the meeting in the chamber, Umi knew what this meant, it meant Kotori was worried and her worrying made Umi worry too 'What do I do?" Umi wondered looking down at her weapon "In the past I would go up and hug her and whisper it was all going to be fine, but I can't do that.'
As she was pondering this, she didn't notice the presence behind her till she felt a pair of soft arms wrap around her and gently rested her head on the back of Umi's shoulders, Umi tensed immediately at the contact, though she felt her honours voice was a little muffled to normal when it screamed at the hug.
"La…?"
"Umi." Kotori said in an almost mute voice, it sounded like Kotori was on the verge of tears.
"Yes, Lady Kotori?"
"Don't do it, don't duel, you'll get hurt."
"It's the risk I always took, why are you worried now?"
"I've seen your scares, you never got hurt before but now…"
"I have to."
"Why?"
"Where the battle is fiercest, a Sonoda must be, it's the burden of the Sonoda name."
Kotori tightened her hold "But you're not a Sonoda, you said you gave up the name."
"Just because I left the name, doesn't mean I gave up living by its expectations, its why I use the name of my family's sword as my name."
"But you could die." Kotori sniffed "What about Saki, she lost her mum and dad what if she loses you to?"
"I'm confident…"
"What about me?" Kotori interrupted with a chocked voice "I lost you once, I can't do it again, I won't, my heart won't take it."
"Kotori, even though I don't have the name, I'm still a Sonoda at heart, we all have names and they all bring burdens."
"And if I didn't?"
"I'm not sure I…"
"Nozomi told me what you said, if I wasn't heir anymore would you accept me again?"
"Kotori you can't, who would be the daimyo if not you?"
"Tsuki or Yo…"
"No." Umi said turning in Kotori's arms to face her "That would shame us if I caused you to leave behind what was rightfully yours."
Kotori lifted her head the tears still on her face "If I could have you again, I'd do it right now."
"Our names give us burdens but also responsibilities, yours is to be the next daimyo, mine is to fight, we can't just drop them."
"I just want you back." Kotori said resting her head on Umi's chest.
"I know, but I would have to do this even if I did take up my name again."
"Why?"
"The Sonoda's always fought for their lords and ladies the Minami's, that won't change and I'd fight for you anyway, name or not that will never change." Umi sighed "I'll be fine."
"You don't know that."
"Have I ever not come back Lady Kotori?"
As much as she hated to admit it Kotori shook her head "Then I shall again." Umi answered.
'That was before.' Kotori thought "Then let me have one thing."
"If it is my power."
"Let me hold you, just once let me hold on to you again…Onigai."
'You can't that will dishonour her.' Umi's honour shouted "I can't…"
"Umi, I don't want to be alone tonight, I want to just forget the bad and loneliness I feel, I want it to go away, just for one night…Onigai." Kotori tears running from her eyes as she said her Onigai.
The sight made Umi's heart twist at the sight, she clenched her fists so hard her hands shook 'It's shameful to make her cry, I need to atone.' Umi thought though if this was her honour talking or something, she wasn't sure "Ok."
"What?"
"Ok, we can hold each other for tonight, but tonight only."
"Umi…" Kotori smiled before tackling Umi to the futon and wrapping her arms tight around the blunette.
"Careful Kotori."
"Sorry, it's just, I'm so happy to be holding you like this again." Kotori cooed as she snuggled into Umi's front getting lost in Umi's scent.
"I confess, it does feel nice." Umi sighed sleepily closing her eyes 'But it's just for tonight.' Umi thought as she drifted off to a familiar sleep that she hadn't felt in years.
Umi sat by a rock next to a lake, the lake was on a hill that overlooked the Sonoda castle, it was a private spot that only she a Kotori knew and it was where the two would go to have some peace.
"Do you have to go?" Kotori said laying on the blunette's lap as Umi ran her fingers through her hair.
"Sorry, but I have to." Umi sighed.
Kotori let out a frustrated sigh "Now I have to see Kira alone." Kotori pouted.
"Why do you need to see him?"
"He said he need to discuss something and Mamma and Pappa can't go so I have to, I was hoping you would to, he creeps me out."
"Kotori, you shouldn't say that."
"But it's true." Kotori whined "You two don't like each other either and I see how he glares at you."
"It will be fine; I'll be back before you know it and then we can finally marry."
"I can't wait." Kotori smiled "It's like a dream come true."
"Yes, it does, I never thought I'd be lucky enough you marry you, seems fortune is blessing me."
"I don't bless you?"
"You know you do." Umi smiled "Come on we need to go."
"Ok." Kotori said standing up and offering hand to Umi with her sweet smile, Umi took the hand as she stood up once she let go of the hand a gust of wind blew her hair into her eyes.
Once the wind had settled Kotori was gone and Kira and her dark haired self-stood before Umi, her double with her sword drawn "This ends here." Kira said as the other Umi thrust forward and through her stomach.
Umi woke with a jolt, her face covered in sweat as she tried to move, she felt Kotori pull her in tight and for a moment Umi thought that the last five years had been a bad dream, till Umi remembered it wasn't when Saki shifted in her sleep.
'I wish my honour and heart would leave me be.' Umi thought as she closed her eyes to go back to sleep, with her heart aching with longing, though she felt a small flash of happiness at the arms and smell around her.