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“Ama, that’s risky! We don’t know what they may do!”

“Even then, Kicho isn’t the type to kill someone, especially someone that has information in the Oda–” Amaryllis was interrupted by a heaving vassal, clearly running as fast as he could to deliver something.

“My… my apologies, May I… have a moment of rest?” the vassal looked at Amaryllis in desperation.

“You may.”

Such suddenness and sounds of desperation from the vassal made everyone be on guard, clearly a sign that something went wrong. It was when the vassal finally got his breath that he said the words he was ordered to give. “The ninja of the Date Clan, Ellara, has betrayed not just the Date clan but the Oda Forces as a whole.”

“W-what…?” Amaryllis’ eyes widen in shock at hearing someone that has been with her only to betray everyone.

“How!?” Ranmaru was too taken back like Amaryllis.

“E-Ellara…? She wouldn’t…” even Mai was in disbelief of such news.

“Ellara is found to be part of the Uraguchi clan. And the daughter of the current head. They attacked the Date by using their sheer firepower only to halt after Elllara announced her betrayal. Not without injuring Yori, who tried to stop her,” the vassal finished relaying what many other vassals were doing.

“Sheer firepower? How can such a clan afford something that expensive?” Ranmaru questioned the vassal in hopes to gather more information for his allies.

“I have no idea, Lord Ranmaru. But knowing the rumors regarding the Uraguchi clan, they’re infamous for their weapon dealings and infiltrating other clans–”

“You can leave,” Amaryllis stopped the vassal from speaking more, which the vassal left.

Ranmaru looked at Amaryllis with sympathy before hugging her. Which Amaryllis merely closed her eyes while in his embrace – tired from everything that has happened in the past week.

“What now?” Mai broke the tension with her words.

“I suppose we can get ourselves captured, as our status will protect us. Somewhat…”

It took roughly another week to travel to Sakai, everyone was reasonably worried for them. The betrayal of Ellara with little and no letter from Morgan so far, they didn’t want to send any of their close friends to a death mission, but this is important to tip the scales in their favor. Mitsuhide had to hold himself  from intervening due to how important this mission that fell upon them – he would have traded places if it meant to keep his students safe.

“Kicho and Motonari are located somewhere in this city, according to Lord Keiji’s info. I figure the easiest way to track them is to track Lord Yoshimoto! He doesn’t seem hard to find at all,” Ranmaru scanned the docks of Sakai. Clearly on guard for what may come next.

“You think? Don’t underestimate him. If Yoshimoto doesn’t want to be caught, we won’t find him easily,” Mai too scanned the area, clearly trying to find a wisp of Yoshimoto.

“It feels warm here despite being winter at the moment,” Amaryllis looked at the ocean, clearly taken aback by how vast it is.

The two saw how Amaryllis’ eyes had that wonder of a child. Only to continue on trying to find Yoshimoto, till they were caught by Motonari and Kicho.

Ranmaru quickly places himself in front of Mai and Amaryllis only to be yanked by Motonari.

“I’m tempted to thank Nobunaga for sending the most obvious spies he could find. It’s nice to meet you again. Amaryllis.”

Amaryllis didn’t have to turn around when she heard that familiar voice that belonged to Kicho. Even when his gun was pointing at her.

“Ama–!”

“It’s too nice to meet you, Kicho. If only we were still allies–” Amaryllis paused in the midst of talking after seeing the eyebags under Kicho’s eyes being fainter from the last time she saw it.

“Let me go, you big brute!” Ranmaru tried his best to get out of Motonari’s grasp to reach Amaryllis.

“Quit yer strugglin’!” Motonari was wrestling with a big pink cat that was about to scratch him at any second.

“Ranmaru! Amaryllis!” Mai watches on in fear. Two of her friends either at gunpoint from or wrestling at their captor.

Ranmaru continued only to stop after Amaryllis made direct eye contact. Signalling him to stop and let them take them. During which, Mai tried to get close to Amaryllis only to freeze and put both her hands up after Kicho pointed the gun at her – signaling Kicho and Amaryllis that she isn’t from that era, especially how instinctive Mai did it.

“What are you–?! Are you from…?”

“Kicho.” Amaryllis interrupted Kicho’s speech, bringing his attention to her. “You already know what to do, neither of us brought a weapon,” Amaryllis took one last look at the ocean before looking at Ranmaru with a nod.

“Lady Mai, don’t struggle! I don’t think there’s anything we can do here but surrender,” Ranmaru played his part in convincing Kicho and Motonari.

Leaving Mai to play hers after both Ranmaru and Amaryllis did theirs. “I surrender… Kicho. Do with us as you will. Just… don't hurt us.” 

“...wise decision.”

“Welcome to your birdcage.”

Mai stared at the merchant house in shock. Ranmaru was already done dealing with Motonari with him saying that he won’t run even if Motonari let go of him; Motonari straight up thought about throwing him into the manor. Out of the two, Amaryllis’ treatment was somewhat better as she complied with Kicho and Motonari without being at gunpoint or dragged.

Hearing Yoshimoto’s steps, Amaryllis walked in with Motonari and Ranmaru – who was still being dragged by the pirate in question – to let Yoshimoto meet Mai.

While in the hallway trying to stop Ranmaru from insulting Motonari more, a familiar voice announced their presence.

“Amaryllis…?”

Standing there was Morgan – eyebags prominent from a lack of rest – in a mix of western and traditional clothing. Their eyes barely have any light as they seem exhausted both mentally and physically.

“Morgan?”

The two stared at each other. Either in shock of seeing each other or in fear knowing what the other may have gotten themselves into.

“Yer know these rascals?" Motonari questioned.

“I do,” Morgan stepped forward to them.

“What are you doing here–!” Amaryllis was caught off when Morgan decided to hug her.

“Just… stay quiet will you? It’s… sometimes loud despite having nothing there to make the noise.”

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