I Have Yet to Earn My Death

       “If there is anything you wish to change, please, do not hesitate to ask, my friend. This will be where we start a new, and where we help to rebuild what was broken.”

   Ieyasu hummed with cheer as soldiers had already begun the construction and cleaning of Osaka’s grounds. So much litter and damage, it wasn’t something for their names to be built upon, was it? 

   Hitting his fists together, Ieyasu was determined by the strength of their men who had been now working together to help clean and see this through to the end. Ieyasu charged over, pulling stones, and helping clear debris as much as he could. 

   After a moment, he peered back and smiled. 

       “Come Mitsunari! The faster we remove the rubble the quicker we can put this all into effect~!” 

   It seemed like days of old were returning to them, giving them a second chance after the end of Nobunaga’s reign once more. Ieyasu couldn’t help but feel slightly happy over all of this. 

     Mitsunari seemed hesitant. No, it wasn’t seemed. He was hesitant. Seeing Ieyasu so excited for something made him feel as though he should be himself. Instead, he couldn’t help but feel like he wasn’t contributing at all. The other’s enthusiasm spread to the people around him, those who were moving earth and making way for the structure’s revival.

     Why couldn’t he feel this moved?

     However, he did feel something, a warmth in his chest. He did want to help, but what could he do?

          🌙 “...Idiot.”

     Before he could stop himself, the word came out and his legs started to move. He was much more than he looked, his strength a surprise to allies and adversaries alike. He felt eyes on him as he lifted a particularly weighted stone and cast it aside.

   Masazumi was silent for a moment in thought. Sakichi’s questions were always so strange and out of nowhere. Was he angry? Did he seem angry? Perhaps on the inside, he was, but his brain had been telling him something else. As long as his little brother was safe that is what mattered. However, he couldn’t help but worry. 

   He gave Sakichi a soft smile and shook his head.

       “I could never be truly mad at you, Sakichi. You are my brother, and one that I will fight for til the very end of time.”

    Placing a hand over Sakichi’s head, he ruffled the similar silver locks much like his own. Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference even though they eldest was obviously taller than Sakichi they were confused for one another every so often. 

     Reassured by his words, a smile returned to the boy’s face. He was happy that he wasn’t mad at him even if he had done something a little silly. Sakichi really believed, though, that this would work out for them. Besides, even if their father was worried, it wouldn’t be hard to find them.

          🌙 “Good...                    I was worried.”

     Even though his heart was set on following these people, he would rather have his brother with him. It would be scary otherwise. Even if he was accepted by them, having a familiar face around would make things easier for everyone. He thought that the lord himself appreciated his enthusiasm, and as far as he could tell, the tactician liked him enough. That meant, from what he’d heard, that he was probably going to be all right.

       “So… I did not just hear things… the cries of the damned… they beckon.”

   Thein spoke softly before removing their hood, revealing their long black hair to Mitsunari. They then removed the cloak which bursts into flames and disappears into the thin air. Cold, icy sea foam eyes watch the ashes disappear before falling on Mitsunari as a green flame appears behind them. 

   As if drawn by the frustration and hatred, the flame pulls toward Mitsunari with a mind of its own as Thein’s cold eyes focus on Mitsunari’s figure. 

       “Yes… cold.. broken… and tore… I can feel these emotions now…”

   A hand reached out, gloved by black leather as their fingertips touched Mitsunari’s chest. The tips icy cold, unlike anyone, was able to touch or feel and even through gloved fingers it felt life-consuming. He wouldn’t linger.

   Lips perked as the sound of some sort of song drifted into the clear air. It wasn’t uncommon, however, this song was unlike any other he had sung before. Elegant, yet saddened. Was this really going to calm him? This is what the soul was speaking, so it must have.

     He felt the cold, reflecting its touch in his body language by staying still. He didn’t fear the stranger; he was beyond fear. Though his body showed anger and frustration, his heart lamented what he’d lost. Loss...hadn’t his life been filled with it? Since he came into this world, Mitsunari had experienced loss, losing his mother, effectively losing his father, losing his first home, and once he’d found it, losing his real home.

     There was nothing left for him to lose except perhaps his older brother, and even then, the outlook sometimes looked grim. He didn’t want to see him suffer, but knowing how fate had cast its web, that day would come. It would have to. Why would it show him mercy?

     The melody reflected his inner turmoil, the feelings that had built inside of him and made him into a creature that only used to feel or care. Mitsunari had locked his heart away, and when he’d ventured to release it, it had been broken. He hid it once more, and this time, he wouldn’t free it again. He had learned from his mistakes, but that didn’t erase the heartache.

           🌙 “...What...is this?”

“Uuu….somebody take the alcohol from me…..”

          🌙 “Ask and you shall receive.”