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Mutuals’ OCs estimated age

Cherry - 24

Ellara - 24 1/2

Arundhati - 26

Violet/Kyoko -27

“Oh? I wasn’t expecting such a gift from the God of War, Lord Kenshin,” Cherry gave out a small chuckle before accepting his gift.

“How are we going to transport that?” Marie looked at Morgan, who shrugged their shoulders.

Meanwhile, Arundhati, Sasuke, Yukimura, Kyoko, and Mai were all cracking jokes about the past few days of their stays and the parties. Without including how some would complain about the frequent banquets that would be held with high quality sake and food – Masamune would enjoy this minus the sake part.

But the only ones that were quiet during this were Morgan, Yoshimoto, and Amaryllis. Both feel that something amiss, especially the lack of presence of the Imagawa vassals, which should be a good thing – to them it means some bomb is about to blow up.

While Ranmaru was joining in the conversation, a new person called Okuni – a performer that Yoshimoto would call upon became a close friend to Mai – came running and hugged Mai in front of Mai. Stunning everyone.

“Mai! I wish you could stay forever!”

“I know. Me too. But it’s got to be today. My friends are needed back home and my seamstress friends are waiting for me. I have to go,” Mai reassured Okuni, clearly treating them as if they were children by smoothing their hair.

Okuni was clearly saddened but reluctantly let go after hearing Mai’s promise to keep sewing costumes for them before running behind Yoshimoto.

“I wish you all a safe journey.”

“Thank you for everything. I wish I had better words to express it–” Mai went up to Yoshimoto to continue her thanks only for Yoshimoto to cut it short.

“As do I. The only way I know to say it is… you’ve given me an irreplaceable gift. Something I will always remember,” with that, Yoshimoto smiled before tucking a strand of hair behind Mai’s ear.

“Mai! Hurry up!” Morgan called out to the lovestrucked Mai, getting her attention.

“The horses are ready!”

Mai turned to her friends before turning to Yoshimoto one last time. No words were needed as Yoshimoto nodded her to go. Mai quickly seated behind Morgan who pulled her as they galloped away.

Mai turned back before yelling to Yoshimoto, “Y-Yoshimoto… I’ll see you soon!” A smile formed on Yoshimoto when he heard that.

Leading some of her friends to crack a smile as they turned their heads to see their once foes, now friends, one last time before it changed as they left Echigo.

After the Azuchi group left, Yoshimoto returned to his room. Seeing his vassals after a joyful moment took him off guard, “We’ve been waiting for you.”

“What are you all doing here?”

“Do you remember the contents of that missive we gave you when you left Azuchi?”

That seems to click in Yoshimoto’s mind, “...yes…”

Deep down, he knows that the moment he accepts this offer, he must turn his back on his friends and family. Thinking about the one vassal that truly respects his ideas, he thought he could get her out of this mess before it becomes bigger.

A war council was made shortly after.

“Is everyone here?” Kenshin sat at his usual position, eyeing Sasuke.

“What’s this about  Kenshin?” seems like Shingen was acting oblivious to the matter.

Sasuke, being Kenshin’s translation, conveys his lord’s words, “I’ll start us off. We’ve just got news from Kanetsugu.”

“That would mean–!” Kyoko’s eyes glimmered in the news.

“He did what I told him,  identifying the mastermind trying to interfere in my conflict.”

“Huh!?” that stunned both sides, clearly wasn’t expecting such.

Yukimura on the other hand did a small fist bump on the news, “So Kanetsugu finally did it!”

While everyone was showering in the good news, none paid attention to Yoshimoto who had no emotions. Only for it to break when Kenshin said these words, “That’s not all the news. Our troublemaker is aiming for Azuchi, right now. Very soon, that castle will burn.”

Stunning everyone once more, but not in joy, but in fear, especially those who are friends with the group who left earlier. Even as Kenshin continued with mentioning of this enemy possessing foreign weapons that exceed the current ones used in the battlefield. Even reaching to a point that he imagined  himself as the enemy for the next move, Morgan’s influence seems to have impacted him somewhat.

Yoshimoto said that they should head to Azuchi under the guise of gathering information before being caught by Shingen – who is also worried respectfully. Shortly afterwards, everyone in that group that left earlier is part of the Oda, stunning everyone in the room except for the heads, Sasuke, Kyoko, and Arundhati. Yukimura was shocked when he heard everything, especially how Morgan is now part of the Oda Forces, but the respect was still there according to Kenshin, who supported Morgan’s choice after stating to him they never gave a single information. In the end, all of the warlords agreed to set out.

“Arundhati.”

“Yes, Lord Yoshimoto?”

Yoshimoto sucked in a breath before giving a final verdict, “From here on out, you do not need to work for me."

“W-what…?” that made Arundhati stunned in disbelief. 

“I’ve asked my cousin, Shingen, to take you back. I can’t let you get involved in this web of mine.”

Arundhati could only stare at Yoshimoto as he left. She never imagined that this would be his way of keeping her safe from not just him, but everything that is connected to the name of Imagawa.

Masterlist

AN: One last chapter for act 1.5 and we are done :D Also I mention this to woofie in DMs already but here:

“You’ve been spacing out,” Kyoko turned to the Imagawa vassals with a glare – making them run knowing how important Kyoko has become, “Those arrogant bastards have started to become a thorn in everyone’s butts. I know you chose this path out of your own volition, but remember, you have friends you can rely on, Aru.”

Arundhati was taken aback, after four years of staying in the Sengoku period, she hasn’t felt an urge to return home lately. She felt more at home here lately than in the 21st century. “I keep forgetting that I have so many people willing to listen to me, to hear my worries. Especially Sasuke, he listens to my concerns and worries without asking much.”

Kyoko smiled at Arundhati, seeing the signs of someone having a crush, “Perhaps you should talk to Sasuke, Aru.”

“Eh?”

Without giving Arundhati a chance to respond, Kyoko disappeared with the smile still on her face. To her, it is the best she could do for her younger sister – one she has skated with since they were children.

“Kyoko advised you to come to me?” Sasuke sat there in shock.

“Yup,” Arundhati sat down, clearly confused on why Kyoko said that.

The conversation started to drift from MERITS related to their personal life – their goals and beliefs. With Arundhati confiding in Sasuke on how she started to no longer feel an urge to go home, feeling more at ease here than the present. 

“Then it is also the same as for everyone here.”

That caught Arundhati off guard, “...really?”

“Mai told me that she wishes to stay here. Morgan said so as well, we all have our reasons. It is hard but,” Sasuke looked at Arundhati with admiration, “you saved my life from that thunderbolt… It may sound cheesy, but that was when I first started to fall in love with you. Even though you can protect yourself I still want to protect you, Aru.”

Arundhati stared at Sasuke, she could feel her cheeks turning red from hearing those words – someone she too admired but shoved her feelings down telling her how he felt about her. “I… I didn’t know you felt the same about me, Sasuke.”

This time, Sasuke felt embarrassed, “The amount of calculations we’ve done together definitely sped up the process of the feelings I have about you. You seem to shine more than ever when I see you smile.”

Giving Sasuke a light smack on his arm, Arundhati broke into a giggle, “I suppose that makes us… official? Boyfriend and girlfriend, perhaps?”

“It is official if you want it to be, there are times I still get blinded by your smile.”

“Then it’s official."

Nobody else except for Sasuke and Arundhati heard their words of affection and declaration of courting each other. Kunai sat from afar,watching her owner and mate starting the first step as a couple, yet her ears twitched, making her turn her head to see who was watching. Only for nothing to be there.

Masterlist