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Naturally, Lord Masamune’s birthday was cause for widespread partying and various other raucous goings-on for the people of Oshuu. He was, after all, a man who loved his people – and who was loved by them in return. Together with his army he had faced the iron fists of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi in turn, and they had persevered – and what better way to commemorate the prosperity of said lord and his people by getting rip-roaringly drunk?
As it happened to be, that was what Lord Masamune, Katakura Kojuro, and his other men and retainers had all jointly decided to do, and for many hours at that. They’d started while the sun was still high in the sky, and the elaborate feast that the entire village had put together continued until long after sundown – and as much as Hana Kazuki, now an honored figure in her own right, wished to partake, she had other such responsibilities.
Well, one big responsibility, that being her child, who was thankfully by now asleep.
Kazuki stretched and covered a gaping yawn with the back of her hand, sneaking a peek through the crack left in the sliding door at the lantern-lit streets. How nice to know that Lord Masamune was appreciated – even if she wasn’t personally there to ensure it, her years spent amongst the warriors of the clan told her that they wouldn’t let him forget his importance to them anytime soon. Content and reassured, Kazuki laid down on her own futon. Might as well catch a few hours of sleep where she could.
She’d ended up dozing off eventually, but before she could fully fall asleep there was a tap on the frame of the door.
“My Lady.”
Oh, she knew that voice.
“You don’t have to be so formal, Kojuro,” she called, sitting back up and feeling several joints crack as she did so. She sat in silence for several seconds more.
“Ah, um. My Lady. If you would come out for a moment.”
Right. Kojuro wasn’t Lord Masamune – he wouldn’t throw propriety to the wind even for a second, unlike his boss. With a knowing sigh, she stood, wrapping a plain yukata around herself before opening the door and slipping out, closing it quietly behind her.
“And I was just about to go to sleep too.” At the growing look of mortification on Kojuro’s face, Kazuki barked out a laugh, swatting him on the shoulder. “Stop worrying. I’m up now – what’s going on?” At this, the barest hint of his genuine, relaxed smile seemed to return.
“If you would follow me.” He waited for her to start walking before following closely behind – and it was hardly necessary to direct her to the chamber in which Kojuro himself and Masamune would usually spend their spare afternoons. She’d been there plenty of times already, at all hours of night and day, and could have easily come with a simple summons rather than an escort, but as she glanced sideways Kazuki saw that Kojuro almost seemed to be checking to make sure they weren’t being followed.
Oh, she thought, and then suddenly froze – they weren’t in danger, were they? Nyoko was asleep – and alone! She turned on her heel, about to abandon all plans and bolt back –
“So you’re finally here.”
“Masamune?!”
It was like he’d materialized right out of thin air – either that or she and Kojuro had practically appeared in front of the dojo in no time at all. Date Masamune was without his armor at this time of night, wearing only a loose, comfortable clothing, and that trademark smirk that never seemed to leave his face. Even if he was on the verge of death.
Especially if he was on the verge of death, Kazuki thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes dramatically.
“So, a late night summons, and delivered by Kojuro himself? Shouldn’t you be at your own party?” The tension seeped out of her shoulders as she began to mirror his own smug expression. They were in no danger – this was more predictable ridiculousness that she frankly should have seen coming. “I’m surprised you aren’t neck deep in sake by now.”
“Oh, I tried.”
“I made sure he didn’t, my Lady,” Kojuro said. Even he was having difficulties suppressing a smile.
Standing up with a soft grunt, Masamune spun around on his heels and pushed open the door, revealing a room that had been cleared of equipment and tided up quite nicely – save for the kotatsu in the very middle of the floor. A boiling pot of soup sat atop the table, and even from where she was standing, Kazuki’s keen nose could pick out the delicious aroma of Kojuro’s freshly cooked vegetables.
“Kojuro made soup and you didn’t inhale it all before I got here?” Kazuki raised a single eyebrow, already moving to follow Masamune in. It truly was a wonder, knowing the kind of sorcery that that man’s cooking could easily qualify as.
“It was worth waiting.” Masamune insistently plunked himself down on the floor, folding his legs and gesturing for Kazuki and Kojuro to do the very same. Only after she had seated herself did Kazuki notice the bowls of sake that were placed before each of them.
“Well, I certainly won’t say no to this – but what are we toasting?”
“It’s so crazy, I thought it would be obvious!” Masamune picked up his dish – “This is for the two people who have always had my back.” And with that, he knocked back the sake in one swift gulp. Kojuro followed, and on reflex, Kazuki did too – but it was only once the familiar burning had settled in her gut that she realized what this all was. Masamune, her Lord Masamune, had left his own celebrations and festivities to quietly honor them. Pushing aside the stinging of tears in her eyes, Kazuki reached for the gourd and refilled her own dish, unable to hide how truly happy she was any longer.
Now that was something worth drinking to.