(Fic) Amaterasu, Part 6
His coat and breastplate lay on the table nearby, along with his katana. Someone had replaced the bandages on his back with proper ones. He glanced at his right hand. It was still bound with the black cloth. Motonari wouldn't have forgotten about that injury.
His coat had been washed, but the back still showed bloodstains. Was the wound really that bad? His back ached, but it was bearable. He swished on the coat and left, taking his katana with him. The parrot fluttered after him and landed on his shoulder, hitching a ride. He ignored it.
He located the spare bedroom and went inside. Shiranui greeted him, jumping up and trying to kiss his cheek.
"Stop that," he said.
Shiranui's tail flew back and forth. He noticed its forelegs were bandaged. Motonari's ringblade was secured to a weapon rack against the wall.
Shiranui turned towards the bed, all traces of excitement disappearing, and sat. Mitsunari stood beside it, looking down. Motonari lay pale and barely breathing under the sheets. Without his armour and helmet, he seemed so small and frail. Shiranui whimpered and pressed its nose against his cheek, but he didn't wake. The wolf looked helplessly at Mitsunari.
Don't leave.
Mitsunari's grip tightened on his katana.
Shiranui's ears twitched and it looked towards the doorway. Motochika sauntered inside and the parrot took off for its owner's shoulder.
"Thought I'd find you here," he said.
"You didn't need to put me in your cabin."
Motochika grinned. "You've frightened my shipmates enough."
He turned away. "What is his condition?"
"He lost a lot of blood. Whether or not he wakes up again is up to him now."
Mitsunari remained silent.
"Now that you're finally calm," Motochika continued, "perhaps you'd like to tell me why you're so worried about him? About someone who betrayed all of us?"
The words rested in his throat and wouldn't come out. It was so simple, but so hard to say.
"I know how much you hate betrayal. It's only natural that you'd want to kill him. So why is his head still attached?"
Shiranui pawed at Mitsunari's leg and he looked down into those gentle eyes. It's all right.
"He…saved my life," he said quietly.
Motochika stared at him. "He did what?"
#
Motonari was surrounded by darkness. He could still see himself clearly, though. Before him, hundreds of shapes stood assembled. He blinked and squinted at them. They were soldiers, human soldiers, wearing the colours of his army. But all of them were spattered with blood. Some had arrows sticking out of them, others were missing limbs and even holding their severed heads in their hands. And they waited, silent.
He looked down at himself. The wound near his shoulder was there, the whole front of his chest stained with blood. A part of him didn't want to believe where he was. But it was all right, even if Chugoku had lost all its wisdom. He'd done everything he could and now the time had come. He took a step towards the soldiers, resigning himself to whatever awaited next.
A white glow appeared in front of him and he stopped. It formed into a familiar shape that padded towards him and looked up with her dark eyes.
"Shiranui. What are you doing here?" He frowned when he saw streaks of red on her face and body. "What happened? You're bleeding."
Shiranui shook her head and took his hand in her teeth, tugging him away from the soldiers. He freed his fingers and she whined. Don't go. Don't go to them.
"We did our best," he said, trying to comfort her. "But I don't belong here anymore."
Shiranui protested, whining and whining.
"It's all right. I have to…" The back of his throat burned with a choked feeling and he couldn't speak. His vision blurred but he didn't bother trying to hold it back. No one could see him here anyway. There wasn't a point to hiding his tears.
This wasn't the end he had envisioned for himself. He could have stood there and watched, like he always did, as Mitsunari was cut down. But something in him had cried out. Funny to think that his last act was to save someone's life.
He would miss Shiranui. Beast she may be, but she was as intelligent as any human. And she had always treated him with such kindness. It hurt. It hurt so much.
Shiranui grabbed his hand again. Her devotion made the corners of his mouth turn upwards. "I have to go, Shiranui. I…I have suffered long enough already. Besides, no one is waiting for me if I go back."
To his surprise, Shiranui snapped at him and tugged harder, spinning him around. Before him, a few shapes came into focus. Motochika. Yoshitsugu.
Mitsunari.
His heart shuddered. Shiranui padded towards them and looked over her shoulder. The wolf's blurry image grew more focused. The red streaks were too orderly to be wounds. They were markings. Something circular spun on her back, glowing with warmth.
Can you really say that no one is waiting for you? Shiranui asked with her gaze. You are still connected to them, and they to you. You don't belong over there, all alone.
"Shiranui, I…" He hesitated. "Is it too late?"
Shiranui pranced to his side and made a gesture with her snout. Of course not. Let's go back together, Motonari.
He nodded. Shiranui took his hand and they went to join the others.
#
Motonari opened his eyes, slipping back into the world of the living. Had that been a dream? His eyelids felt heavy and so did the rest of his body. His injury throbbed with pain. And he was tired. He was about to go back to sleep when something wet and cold pressed against his cheek. It took every ounce of strength just to turn his head.
"Shiranui," he whispered.
Shiranui barked and he heard someone step towards him.
"He's awake?"
Shiranui barked again. It took Motonari a few moments to remember that the voice belonged to Mitsunari.
"What…" His mind fumbled for words and memories. "What happened? Where…"
"Go back to sleep, strategist. You're not in any condition to listen."
"Where are we?" Motonari gave up trying to keep his eyes open and shut them.
"Strategist?"
Couldn't Mitsunari see that he just wanted to close his eyes? "I'm listening."
"We're on Motochika's ship."
"Hm."
Motochika? Motochika…who? He knew the man. Oh well, at least they were on a ship. His clogged mind didn't register the implications of that statement. Besides, he was too tired to care.
"I'm going back to sleep," he mumbled, and dozed off.
He lost track of time, flitting in and out of consciousness. When he had some strength, Shiranui helped him sit up and he managed to drink a small bowl of soup that Mitsunari brought him. Then he went back to sleeping.
When he woke again, he couldn't tell if he was dreaming or not. It was cold, and someone carried him. Just like before. Two arms holding him close to another living, breathing body. The warmth wasn't like that of the sun. It didn't just rest on his skin. It reached somewhere deep inside, soothing him.
He had told the someone not to leave, he remembered.
"Don't leave," he said again.
Silence. He shut his eyes. Just another dream…
"I won't," a voice said softly as he dropped away again.
#
Motonari opened his eyes. He felt much stronger and he lay under warm covers. Something padded towards him, claws clicking off the wooden floor, and he turned his head to see Shiranui's face.
Shiranui helped him sit up and he glanced around. This was a far larger room than he remembered. They couldn't be on a ship anymore.
Mitsunari entered from the doorway. "Are you strong enough to talk?"
"The monster," Motonari said. "What happened?"
"You were bleeding to death. Shiranui told me to take you and run, and it finished off the monster. You were lucky that Motochika was there, or you would be dead right now."
So all this time he had been on Motochika's ship. He didn't like where this was going.
"And where are we now?" He knew already but didn't want to believe it.
Mitsunari's expression was unreadable. "Osaka Castle."
An awful sinking feeling struck him. This was the worst possible scenario.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Shiranui wagged its tail and pranced over to the weapon rack. His ringblade was there.
"You ought to thank Shiranui," Mitsunari remarked. "It went back for that and almost got itself buried alive for your sake."
Motonari looked at it. He owed Shiranui a lot more. If he hadn't been dreaming, he owed that wolf his life. Though, it hadn't told him he would be waking up in the castle of all places. Surrounded by people who were all eager to get a piece of him.
Mitsunari sat down on a cushion nearby. Had that always been there? He was still holding the red katana. Motonari's eyes flicked towards it, then back to the other man's face.
"How long have you been scheming against us?" Mitsunari asked.
"Ever since I met with Yoshitsugu."
"What do you mean? When was this?"
"We sealed an agreement before you came with him to Itsukushima."
Mitsunari's gaze turned brittle.
"I know what you want," Motonari said at last, not wanting to dodge the topic anymore. "Our little escapade with the clay soldiers is over now. I'm here in Osaka, just as you wanted. You're free to deal with me."
"Believe me, I will." Mitsunari got up. "But I'm not finished with you yet, strategist. Sleep and heal yourself."
He left. Motonari stared after him, confused. Shiranui wagged its tail and looked at him with twinkling eyes. Everything will be all right.
"I hope so," he murmured. "Shiranui…"
It cocked its head. He lifted a hand and reached for its head, stopping just before his fingers touched the fur. Would it let him? Shiranui dangled its tongue and shoved its head into his hand. He let his fingers glide across the smooth white fur before scratching it behind the ears. He found himself smiling. It had been so long since he had last smiled. The sensation was almost new to him.
"Thank you," he said.
Shiranui planted a big kiss on his cheek.
#
"Mitsunari, there you are."
He turned to see Yoshitsugu floating towards him. A few days ago the sight would have brought him warmth, but now he didn't feel anything.
"Now that we finally have a moment, we can talk," Yoshitsugu said. "I feared the worst when you fell off that cliff. I'm glad to see that you are well."
"Really." Mitsunari's eyes narrowed. "How do you expect me to trust words like those when you've been arranging things behind my back?"
Yoshitsugu paused before answering. "I wouldn't believe everything he tells you. You and I both know that he isn't to be trusted."
"Trust. Trust. You have no right to speak to me about trust when you yourself hid things from me!"
Yoshitsugu remained silent. It was times like these when Mitsunari hated that bandaged face--he couldn't read him.
Mitsunari scowled and pushed past him, storming down the corridor. "Whatever. I don't care anymore."
#
Shiranui whimpered and looked at him pleadingly.
Motonari sighed and lay down again, feeling tired. "What happens between them is none of my business."
The wolf tugged the covers over him before dropping down beside him and putting its head on its paws.
A few hours later Shiranui shook him awake. He blinked the sleep from his eyes. Someone was in the room, Mitsunari perhaps. The wolf wriggled its head under his back and propped him up. He winced as pain shot through his shoulder.
"Yo, Mouri."
He stiffened. "Chousokabe."
"Mitsunari's sure worried about you. Your room is off-limits, you know."
"He'll have my head soon enough."
"Heh. Typical Mouri."
"Don't talk like you know me." Motonari's eyes narrowed. "Have you come here to laugh at me? I'm at your mercy. Mitsunari's mercy. The inland sea will be yours after he's through with me."
Motochika grinned. "So you are a sore loser."
Motonari regretted not having anything to throw.
"I came here because I thought you should know something." The smile disappeared from the pirate's face. "There's something going on in Kanegasaki."
Shiranui wanted us to go there. "What happened?"
"A few patrols got decimated. The survivors are all talking about evil spirits and something is turning the grass grey. And it's spreading."
Motonari remembered the destroyed village. He glanced at Shiranui, whose attention was riveted on Motochika.
"According to Yoshitsugu, the east has its hands full too. Something similar is happening deep in the far side."
"Even the east?"
"Who would have thought? Here we were, about to go to Sekigahara when this happens. The Eastern Army sent a ceasefire declaration but Mitsunari won't hear of it. He would have ripped it up if Yoshitsugu hadn't been holding it."
"His hatred still blinds him."
"A ceasefire would be nice. I'd have an excuse to head over there and ask Ieyasu a few things."
Fool, Motonari thought. You still haven't figured it out?
Well, if Motochika really did end up going, Motonari needed time to think about what to do. So he kept quiet about that matter for now.
"And why are you telling me all this?" he said.
"If you don't use that brain of yours, it'll rot."
"Why are you so concerned? I thought you would be angrier."
Motochika heaved up his anchor. Shiranui stood and moved in front of Motonari.
"Easy, wolfy," Motochika said. "I'm not going to hurt him."
"Why?" Motonari repeated.
"You're in bad shape right now. Maybe we'll save it for some other time. Besides, Mitsunari sees something in you that I didn't think was there anymore. And so does that wolf."
Even Chousokabe…Motonari clenched his hands.
"Mitsunari will be back soon." Motochika turned to leave. "I'd better get out of here before he sees me and makes me go deaf. Later, Mouri."
Motonari watched him go, the tension leaving his body. Shiranui nudged him with a paw and cocked its head, making an inquiring noise.
"Would you still defend me if you knew that I was the one who ordered the attack on Shikoku?" he whispered.
Shiranui's tail stopped wagging and it gazed at him for a while. He expected it to turn around and walk out the door. But it pressed a paw against his hand, making another noise. He looked away, unable to meet its gaze anymore. He didn't understand. No human could be as forgiving.
Mitsunari arrived, carrying a tray laden with food. Motonari watched, surprised, as he set it down on the floor and placed the larger bowl aside for Shiranui.
"Yes, yes, I know." Mitsunari held the wolf away with an arm as it tried to kiss him. "Eat."
"What about yourself?" Motonari asked as he picked up his bowl. "Or are you refusing to eat again?"
Mitsunari glowered at him. "None of your concern."
"Why go to the trouble of bringing us food? This is servant's work."
"I'll do what I want! Besides, Shiranui only eats certain things."
As he ate, Motonari considered what to say to him. He didn't want to let him know that Motochika had been here just yet.
"Yoshitsugu doesn't mean you any harm," he said.
Those eyes fixed on him. "You overheard?"
"It's difficult not to hear you shouting."
Mitsunari scowled and looked away.
"Perhaps he made a mistake by keeping things from you," Motonari continued, "but everything he does is for your sake."
"You talk like you know him."
"I do not. But we've had conversations. He mentions you a lot, and it's obvious that he values you. You would do yourself a disservice by throwing him away."
Shiranui pressed a paw on Mitsunari's hand and made an inquiring noise. Aren't you friends?
"I suppose," he said grudgingly.
They heard a pattering noise on the roof. Mitsunari jumped as the sky rumbled.
"It's raining," Motonari said.
"I hate rain." Mitsunari drew his knees up. "It reminds me of that day when…" He caught himself and clamped his jaw.
Shiranui made a sympathetic noise.
"What do you plan to do after you kill Ieyasu?" Motonari asked, hoping that the other man would tolerate his questions.
"What matters is that I kill him. Nothing else."
"So you haven't thought about all the regions you'll have to manage after defeating the Eastern Army?"
"They're not important."
"You'll just fade from existence after you're done, then? Your lord wouldn't want that."
Mitsunari's head snapped towards him. "Don't act like you know Hideyoshi-sama's thoughts!"
"I'm not," Motonari said coolly, "but the fact remains that you are his successor. Your duties extend far beyond claiming revenge."
Mitsunari fell silent. He probably hadn't even considered that, being so preoccupied with his rage. He lacked the farsightedness that came with ruling.
"You saw what happened to that village," Motonari said. "If we don't deal with Kanegasaki, there won't be anything left even if you kill Ieyasu. Agree to the ceasefire."
"You--" Mitsunari sucked in a breath. "How did you know of that?"
"Chousokabe told me."
Mitsunari stood up, his feet stomping against the floor. "I knew there was some other reason for your concern! How dare you suggest I forget about Ieyasu? You plan to keep using me, don't you?"
Motonari didn't say anything, his eyes fixed on the katana, half-expecting to have his head lopped off right then and there. But Mitsunari spun around and stormed out of the room, probably to go after a certain pirate. Motochika could handle himself. Besides, it was his fault for disclosing information.
Shiranui whimpered. Motonari patted its paw to comfort it.
"I was just advising him," he muttered as he settled down again.
The wolf tugged the covers over him.
"If only you could talk. Perhaps you might convince him."
Shiranui wagged its tail.
His coat had been washed, but the back still showed bloodstains. Was the wound really that bad? His back ached, but it was bearable. He swished on the coat and left, taking his katana with him. The parrot fluttered after him and landed on his shoulder, hitching a ride. He ignored it.
He located the spare bedroom and went inside. Shiranui greeted him, jumping up and trying to kiss his cheek.
"Stop that," he said.
Shiranui's tail flew back and forth. He noticed its forelegs were bandaged. Motonari's ringblade was secured to a weapon rack against the wall.
Shiranui turned towards the bed, all traces of excitement disappearing, and sat. Mitsunari stood beside it, looking down. Motonari lay pale and barely breathing under the sheets. Without his armour and helmet, he seemed so small and frail. Shiranui whimpered and pressed its nose against his cheek, but he didn't wake. The wolf looked helplessly at Mitsunari.
Don't leave.
Mitsunari's grip tightened on his katana.
Shiranui's ears twitched and it looked towards the doorway. Motochika sauntered inside and the parrot took off for its owner's shoulder.
"Thought I'd find you here," he said.
"You didn't need to put me in your cabin."
Motochika grinned. "You've frightened my shipmates enough."
He turned away. "What is his condition?"
"He lost a lot of blood. Whether or not he wakes up again is up to him now."
Mitsunari remained silent.
"Now that you're finally calm," Motochika continued, "perhaps you'd like to tell me why you're so worried about him? About someone who betrayed all of us?"
The words rested in his throat and wouldn't come out. It was so simple, but so hard to say.
"I know how much you hate betrayal. It's only natural that you'd want to kill him. So why is his head still attached?"
Shiranui pawed at Mitsunari's leg and he looked down into those gentle eyes. It's all right.
"He…saved my life," he said quietly.
Motochika stared at him. "He did what?"
#
Motonari was surrounded by darkness. He could still see himself clearly, though. Before him, hundreds of shapes stood assembled. He blinked and squinted at them. They were soldiers, human soldiers, wearing the colours of his army. But all of them were spattered with blood. Some had arrows sticking out of them, others were missing limbs and even holding their severed heads in their hands. And they waited, silent.
He looked down at himself. The wound near his shoulder was there, the whole front of his chest stained with blood. A part of him didn't want to believe where he was. But it was all right, even if Chugoku had lost all its wisdom. He'd done everything he could and now the time had come. He took a step towards the soldiers, resigning himself to whatever awaited next.
A white glow appeared in front of him and he stopped. It formed into a familiar shape that padded towards him and looked up with her dark eyes.
"Shiranui. What are you doing here?" He frowned when he saw streaks of red on her face and body. "What happened? You're bleeding."
Shiranui shook her head and took his hand in her teeth, tugging him away from the soldiers. He freed his fingers and she whined. Don't go. Don't go to them.
"We did our best," he said, trying to comfort her. "But I don't belong here anymore."
Shiranui protested, whining and whining.
"It's all right. I have to…" The back of his throat burned with a choked feeling and he couldn't speak. His vision blurred but he didn't bother trying to hold it back. No one could see him here anyway. There wasn't a point to hiding his tears.
This wasn't the end he had envisioned for himself. He could have stood there and watched, like he always did, as Mitsunari was cut down. But something in him had cried out. Funny to think that his last act was to save someone's life.
He would miss Shiranui. Beast she may be, but she was as intelligent as any human. And she had always treated him with such kindness. It hurt. It hurt so much.
Shiranui grabbed his hand again. Her devotion made the corners of his mouth turn upwards. "I have to go, Shiranui. I…I have suffered long enough already. Besides, no one is waiting for me if I go back."
To his surprise, Shiranui snapped at him and tugged harder, spinning him around. Before him, a few shapes came into focus. Motochika. Yoshitsugu.
Mitsunari.
His heart shuddered. Shiranui padded towards them and looked over her shoulder. The wolf's blurry image grew more focused. The red streaks were too orderly to be wounds. They were markings. Something circular spun on her back, glowing with warmth.
Can you really say that no one is waiting for you? Shiranui asked with her gaze. You are still connected to them, and they to you. You don't belong over there, all alone.
"Shiranui, I…" He hesitated. "Is it too late?"
Shiranui pranced to his side and made a gesture with her snout. Of course not. Let's go back together, Motonari.
He nodded. Shiranui took his hand and they went to join the others.
#
Motonari opened his eyes, slipping back into the world of the living. Had that been a dream? His eyelids felt heavy and so did the rest of his body. His injury throbbed with pain. And he was tired. He was about to go back to sleep when something wet and cold pressed against his cheek. It took every ounce of strength just to turn his head.
"Shiranui," he whispered.
Shiranui barked and he heard someone step towards him.
"He's awake?"
Shiranui barked again. It took Motonari a few moments to remember that the voice belonged to Mitsunari.
"What…" His mind fumbled for words and memories. "What happened? Where…"
"Go back to sleep, strategist. You're not in any condition to listen."
"Where are we?" Motonari gave up trying to keep his eyes open and shut them.
"Strategist?"
Couldn't Mitsunari see that he just wanted to close his eyes? "I'm listening."
"We're on Motochika's ship."
"Hm."
Motochika? Motochika…who? He knew the man. Oh well, at least they were on a ship. His clogged mind didn't register the implications of that statement. Besides, he was too tired to care.
"I'm going back to sleep," he mumbled, and dozed off.
He lost track of time, flitting in and out of consciousness. When he had some strength, Shiranui helped him sit up and he managed to drink a small bowl of soup that Mitsunari brought him. Then he went back to sleeping.
When he woke again, he couldn't tell if he was dreaming or not. It was cold, and someone carried him. Just like before. Two arms holding him close to another living, breathing body. The warmth wasn't like that of the sun. It didn't just rest on his skin. It reached somewhere deep inside, soothing him.
He had told the someone not to leave, he remembered.
"Don't leave," he said again.
Silence. He shut his eyes. Just another dream…
"I won't," a voice said softly as he dropped away again.
#
Motonari opened his eyes. He felt much stronger and he lay under warm covers. Something padded towards him, claws clicking off the wooden floor, and he turned his head to see Shiranui's face.
Shiranui helped him sit up and he glanced around. This was a far larger room than he remembered. They couldn't be on a ship anymore.
Mitsunari entered from the doorway. "Are you strong enough to talk?"
"The monster," Motonari said. "What happened?"
"You were bleeding to death. Shiranui told me to take you and run, and it finished off the monster. You were lucky that Motochika was there, or you would be dead right now."
So all this time he had been on Motochika's ship. He didn't like where this was going.
"And where are we now?" He knew already but didn't want to believe it.
Mitsunari's expression was unreadable. "Osaka Castle."
An awful sinking feeling struck him. This was the worst possible scenario.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Shiranui wagged its tail and pranced over to the weapon rack. His ringblade was there.
"You ought to thank Shiranui," Mitsunari remarked. "It went back for that and almost got itself buried alive for your sake."
Motonari looked at it. He owed Shiranui a lot more. If he hadn't been dreaming, he owed that wolf his life. Though, it hadn't told him he would be waking up in the castle of all places. Surrounded by people who were all eager to get a piece of him.
Mitsunari sat down on a cushion nearby. Had that always been there? He was still holding the red katana. Motonari's eyes flicked towards it, then back to the other man's face.
"How long have you been scheming against us?" Mitsunari asked.
"Ever since I met with Yoshitsugu."
"What do you mean? When was this?"
"We sealed an agreement before you came with him to Itsukushima."
Mitsunari's gaze turned brittle.
"I know what you want," Motonari said at last, not wanting to dodge the topic anymore. "Our little escapade with the clay soldiers is over now. I'm here in Osaka, just as you wanted. You're free to deal with me."
"Believe me, I will." Mitsunari got up. "But I'm not finished with you yet, strategist. Sleep and heal yourself."
He left. Motonari stared after him, confused. Shiranui wagged its tail and looked at him with twinkling eyes. Everything will be all right.
"I hope so," he murmured. "Shiranui…"
It cocked its head. He lifted a hand and reached for its head, stopping just before his fingers touched the fur. Would it let him? Shiranui dangled its tongue and shoved its head into his hand. He let his fingers glide across the smooth white fur before scratching it behind the ears. He found himself smiling. It had been so long since he had last smiled. The sensation was almost new to him.
"Thank you," he said.
Shiranui planted a big kiss on his cheek.
#
"Mitsunari, there you are."
He turned to see Yoshitsugu floating towards him. A few days ago the sight would have brought him warmth, but now he didn't feel anything.
"Now that we finally have a moment, we can talk," Yoshitsugu said. "I feared the worst when you fell off that cliff. I'm glad to see that you are well."
"Really." Mitsunari's eyes narrowed. "How do you expect me to trust words like those when you've been arranging things behind my back?"
Yoshitsugu paused before answering. "I wouldn't believe everything he tells you. You and I both know that he isn't to be trusted."
"Trust. Trust. You have no right to speak to me about trust when you yourself hid things from me!"
Yoshitsugu remained silent. It was times like these when Mitsunari hated that bandaged face--he couldn't read him.
Mitsunari scowled and pushed past him, storming down the corridor. "Whatever. I don't care anymore."
#
Shiranui whimpered and looked at him pleadingly.
Motonari sighed and lay down again, feeling tired. "What happens between them is none of my business."
The wolf tugged the covers over him before dropping down beside him and putting its head on its paws.
A few hours later Shiranui shook him awake. He blinked the sleep from his eyes. Someone was in the room, Mitsunari perhaps. The wolf wriggled its head under his back and propped him up. He winced as pain shot through his shoulder.
"Yo, Mouri."
He stiffened. "Chousokabe."
"Mitsunari's sure worried about you. Your room is off-limits, you know."
"He'll have my head soon enough."
"Heh. Typical Mouri."
"Don't talk like you know me." Motonari's eyes narrowed. "Have you come here to laugh at me? I'm at your mercy. Mitsunari's mercy. The inland sea will be yours after he's through with me."
Motochika grinned. "So you are a sore loser."
Motonari regretted not having anything to throw.
"I came here because I thought you should know something." The smile disappeared from the pirate's face. "There's something going on in Kanegasaki."
Shiranui wanted us to go there. "What happened?"
"A few patrols got decimated. The survivors are all talking about evil spirits and something is turning the grass grey. And it's spreading."
Motonari remembered the destroyed village. He glanced at Shiranui, whose attention was riveted on Motochika.
"According to Yoshitsugu, the east has its hands full too. Something similar is happening deep in the far side."
"Even the east?"
"Who would have thought? Here we were, about to go to Sekigahara when this happens. The Eastern Army sent a ceasefire declaration but Mitsunari won't hear of it. He would have ripped it up if Yoshitsugu hadn't been holding it."
"His hatred still blinds him."
"A ceasefire would be nice. I'd have an excuse to head over there and ask Ieyasu a few things."
Fool, Motonari thought. You still haven't figured it out?
Well, if Motochika really did end up going, Motonari needed time to think about what to do. So he kept quiet about that matter for now.
"And why are you telling me all this?" he said.
"If you don't use that brain of yours, it'll rot."
"Why are you so concerned? I thought you would be angrier."
Motochika heaved up his anchor. Shiranui stood and moved in front of Motonari.
"Easy, wolfy," Motochika said. "I'm not going to hurt him."
"Why?" Motonari repeated.
"You're in bad shape right now. Maybe we'll save it for some other time. Besides, Mitsunari sees something in you that I didn't think was there anymore. And so does that wolf."
Even Chousokabe…Motonari clenched his hands.
"Mitsunari will be back soon." Motochika turned to leave. "I'd better get out of here before he sees me and makes me go deaf. Later, Mouri."
Motonari watched him go, the tension leaving his body. Shiranui nudged him with a paw and cocked its head, making an inquiring noise.
"Would you still defend me if you knew that I was the one who ordered the attack on Shikoku?" he whispered.
Shiranui's tail stopped wagging and it gazed at him for a while. He expected it to turn around and walk out the door. But it pressed a paw against his hand, making another noise. He looked away, unable to meet its gaze anymore. He didn't understand. No human could be as forgiving.
Mitsunari arrived, carrying a tray laden with food. Motonari watched, surprised, as he set it down on the floor and placed the larger bowl aside for Shiranui.
"Yes, yes, I know." Mitsunari held the wolf away with an arm as it tried to kiss him. "Eat."
"What about yourself?" Motonari asked as he picked up his bowl. "Or are you refusing to eat again?"
Mitsunari glowered at him. "None of your concern."
"Why go to the trouble of bringing us food? This is servant's work."
"I'll do what I want! Besides, Shiranui only eats certain things."
As he ate, Motonari considered what to say to him. He didn't want to let him know that Motochika had been here just yet.
"Yoshitsugu doesn't mean you any harm," he said.
Those eyes fixed on him. "You overheard?"
"It's difficult not to hear you shouting."
Mitsunari scowled and looked away.
"Perhaps he made a mistake by keeping things from you," Motonari continued, "but everything he does is for your sake."
"You talk like you know him."
"I do not. But we've had conversations. He mentions you a lot, and it's obvious that he values you. You would do yourself a disservice by throwing him away."
Shiranui pressed a paw on Mitsunari's hand and made an inquiring noise. Aren't you friends?
"I suppose," he said grudgingly.
They heard a pattering noise on the roof. Mitsunari jumped as the sky rumbled.
"It's raining," Motonari said.
"I hate rain." Mitsunari drew his knees up. "It reminds me of that day when…" He caught himself and clamped his jaw.
Shiranui made a sympathetic noise.
"What do you plan to do after you kill Ieyasu?" Motonari asked, hoping that the other man would tolerate his questions.
"What matters is that I kill him. Nothing else."
"So you haven't thought about all the regions you'll have to manage after defeating the Eastern Army?"
"They're not important."
"You'll just fade from existence after you're done, then? Your lord wouldn't want that."
Mitsunari's head snapped towards him. "Don't act like you know Hideyoshi-sama's thoughts!"
"I'm not," Motonari said coolly, "but the fact remains that you are his successor. Your duties extend far beyond claiming revenge."
Mitsunari fell silent. He probably hadn't even considered that, being so preoccupied with his rage. He lacked the farsightedness that came with ruling.
"You saw what happened to that village," Motonari said. "If we don't deal with Kanegasaki, there won't be anything left even if you kill Ieyasu. Agree to the ceasefire."
"You--" Mitsunari sucked in a breath. "How did you know of that?"
"Chousokabe told me."
Mitsunari stood up, his feet stomping against the floor. "I knew there was some other reason for your concern! How dare you suggest I forget about Ieyasu? You plan to keep using me, don't you?"
Motonari didn't say anything, his eyes fixed on the katana, half-expecting to have his head lopped off right then and there. But Mitsunari spun around and stormed out of the room, probably to go after a certain pirate. Motochika could handle himself. Besides, it was his fault for disclosing information.
Shiranui whimpered. Motonari patted its paw to comfort it.
"I was just advising him," he muttered as he settled down again.
The wolf tugged the covers over him.
"If only you could talk. Perhaps you might convince him."
Shiranui wagged its tail.