sugarcube | psl || like a ripple that chases the slightest caress of the breeze

[Itsuki needs no further prompting, he immediately moves next to buzen, to the side that'll hamper him the least if he has to reach for his sword, and leans against him,]

I'm fine. I'm used to visiting a lot of dreams in one night.

[his body feels well-rested, even if his mind is bright and alert, a little tense, but no longer frightened.]

...I was just surprised towards the end there. I thought he noticed me, even though that should be impossible...

[when itsuki settled against buzen’s side, buzen will loosely wrap an arm around him in turn. he turns his head to press a kiss to itsuki’s cheek, reassuring even as he listens closely.]

Eh? Who did?

… what did you see, in all of their dreams? What are they all thinking of…?

[he snuggles closer at the kiss, his gaze a little distant as he remembers,]

...Ishida Mitsunari. [he huffs a little] He's a pretty impressive guy, huh? Guess there's a reason why so many people believe in him...

[at least, itsuki thinks there is? that ties into buzen's other question too,]

...A lot of people do, actually. If there's someone out there planning to betray him... then I didn't find them. I did leave nightmares and ominous dreams where I could, but -- I didn't have much to work with in the first place.

[itsuki will probably feel the way buzen tenses first before he even says anything. it's not exactly that he freezes, but the confirmation of this puts him on edge. he frowns deeply, glancing off into the direction of oodenta and sohaya...]

... I'll let the Captain know, then.

[but that's.

wrong.]

The Tokugawa forces weren't originally winning during Sekigahara... It was the series of betrayals against the remnants of the Toyotomi forces that was able to secure their victory. If that doesn't happen, then...

[ . . .

he shifts slightly, like he's thinking of getting up.]

If I tell you to stay here, would you?

[Itsuki's brow furrows in concern, because if Buzen is tense then there has to be something wrong? If he says history isn't progressing as it should, then that's a problem, isn't it?

Itsuki knows nothing about battles and how victories are won. Books can only give him so much. Maybe that's why he doesn't really understand -- only understands enough that it has to be bad, if Buzen is frowning.]

...Are you going to scout?

[it's not a 'no' really, but]

[ . . . well.

he doesn't exactly like lying or hiding things from itsuki, so he'll speak directly.]

I'll confer with Sohaya - [ieyasu's guardian sword acting as the current Captain] - but we might need to start sabotaging even more directly if we're looking for any hope that history will go according to course.

But even then... we might be a little late. If we're quick, maybe we can fix it, though.

[itsuki tilts his head for a moment, then his expression clears a little. ...hm,]

Sabotage... Like messing with their weapons or getting rid of their horses?

[if it's something like that... then he might be of use...]

Maybe some of that....

[ . . . he sighs, because this is really getting to the parts of history that he'd like itsuki to not be a part of.]

But it's more like we need something to break ties and bonds - start questioning loyalty, and make them more likely to take up the Tokugawa on their offers of betrayal.

Or killing some of the officers that need to be killed.

[sometimes you think you're right on the mark...

to itsuki's credit, he doesn't look shocked. it'd be a little silly to be after all this time, especially after seeing shimabara in buzen's dream... these are the kinds of things that have to be done, that are left to the swords to do, for the sake of humanity.

(if itsuki has any misgivings about the mission in the first place, about the reason why it has to be the swords who have to carry it out, well. he'll continue keeping that to himself. it's not relevant right now anyway, if ever.)

he's more concerned about the fact that he. won't be of any use for these things? he can do secrecy and skulking, but on a battlefield? he runs a hand through his hair for a moment, then somewhat hesitant,]

...I can put them to sleep if I get close enough.

... you don't need to do that.

[if it means putting itsuki in a dangerous situation again - and it makes buzen frown, because honestly? he'd like to send itsuki home right now. but it's too close to sekigahara, and he's not sure if their aruji can open the portal back to the citadel in time.

why were the two of them sent here, he wonders.

but he just shakes his head and presses a kiss to itsuki's forehead.]

Can you talk to Oodenta and Sohaya for me? I can scout, and then I'll be right back - and then we'll decide what we do next.

[itsuki opens his mouth to say -- what, exactly? that he wants to go and put men to sleep so that they'll die tomorrow? ...it's true that his dreamers have died before, but...

he closes his mouth and nods, looking a little concerned still.]

...Alright.

[he moves to get up, hesitates, then gives buzen a quick kiss on the cheek,]

I'll be waiting.

[buzen will focus better if he knows that itsuki's here with the other swords, won't he?]

[he will. he'll give itsuki's hand a squeeze before getting up, going over to oodenta and explaining the situation. he indicates his head toward where itsuki's sitting, and oodenta gives one firm nod of understanding.

and once itsuki's safety is settled -

he breathes in, shifts his weight, and immediately takes off, quick as a flash. he'll head toward the different camps, pose as soldiers, and see about what information he can gather about the plans for the next morning's battle.

there's a chance that this history could still be saved.

or at least, that's what he thinks up until another earthquake suddenly hits after he's already long gone from the swords' camp.]

[Itsuki watches as Buzen leaves -- but it doesn't take long at all for him to disappear into the distance. fast...

he dithers for a moment, then settles back down so he can go back to dreaming. he avoids ishida mitsunari's dreams, slips into the dreams of those said to have betrayed him, tries to leave a few omens -- disaster that they can avert if they only decide to leave his side.

he's so focused on the dream that it takes him a moment to realize he's being called for, and he wakes up again at sohaya's urging,]

What's... [but he realizes why, the ground rolling beneath them. another earthquake? now?

he scrambles up, pitches to the side anyway.]

-- Where's Buzen?

[Sohaya's answer probably doesn't inspire a lot of confidence as he answers, reaching out to catch Itsuki's arm so he doesn't land on his face - 'Not here. He was headed toward the Western Army camps, but he hasn't gotten back yet.'

the swords agree that they should move their camp - somewhere where sekigahara won't touch, so that itsuki can at least be safe there before the actual battle begins. the sun is already starting to rise, and they keep an eye on that same horizon to wonder if buzen will be coming back but there's still nothing.

despite their efforts, another earthquake starts to rumble underneath their feet just before the battle is meant to start.]

[the answer doesn't. but to be fair, any answer other than buzen arriving wouldn't do anything to quell itsuki's sudden fear. he's silent as the swords decide on their plan, his gaze fixed to where he saw buzen last.

it's getting brighter, but... nothing. itsuki opens his mouth to ask yet another useless question, but he stops abruptly as the ground continues to rumble --

he can barely keep to his feet now, but what about buzen? he's surrounded by enemies, and while itsuki knows a human couldn't possibly hold a candle to a sword... there's still an army of them. and the other swords who could actually help buzen, they're all here with itsuki instead.]

I...

[he knows how terrible of an idea it is. it's one the others will shoot down immediately. it's one that buzen himself would hate, and itsuki doesn't like doing anything that will upset him --

but,]

I want to stay here -- until Buzen gets back.

[he shifts away. his balance is compromised, but so is the other swords' -- he has no illusions that they'd be able to pin him down if the ground wasn't shaking so hard. but it's shaking right now, which gives him a chance.

he wants to stay here, but... the closer he moves to the army, then the faster he'll see buzen. just a little closer -- that should be fine, right? he tries to move, willing the earth to stay still for at least a second --]

['What? Are you crazy, man?'

- is probably a great start to the response to Itsuki's idea. Sohaya seems baffled by it, pressing on, 'We'll regroup with Buzen when he gets back! He knows we won't be staying in one spot since the armies are both coming - whoa!'

though he does struggle to keep his own footing then, using his sheathed sword as a way to keep his own balance against the shaking of the ground beneath their feet.

hyuuga is lighter on his feet, jumping in front of itsuki with his arms out in front of him even though he's not quite steady either. but this is a human, just as much as any other - if anything, he knows that this human is even more important. he's their friend and comrade just like any other, even if he's less immediately skilled in combat. he has to come home with them.

'Kagami-san, let's just wait a little longer. We have a little bit before the battle—'

the earthquake stops just as the sudden drone of war horns, echoing throughout the air, interrupts that thought.

one way or another, sekigahara has begun.]

[sweet hyuuga... Itsuki hesitates -- visibly struggling between listening and keeping his balance, but then the ground stops shaking and he perks up -- army or not, buzen should have better luck returning if the ground isn't rumbling --

and then he hears the horns,]

They're still going to fight? Even with these earthquakes...?

[there's a beat before itsuki remembers that's supposed to be a good thing. they're supposed to sound the horns, and the battle's supposed to start, regardless of what's apparently happening -- regardless of who might be down there,

he grits his teeth. he's thinking less of the enormity of running head-first into a battle zone and more of how easily he can be stopped from running.]

-- He said he was going to go scout -- he's not trying to sabotage the battle right now, is he?

[and if so, then doesn't that mean the rest of them should be down there helping?]

['Sohaya, I'm going ahead.' Oodenta seems to read Itsuki's mind, already moving toward the sound of the horns. 'Monoyoshi, come with me.'

to which Monoyoshi Sadamune, Ieyasu's beloved sword who was said to bring good fortune to him in all his battles, nods his head and immediately begins to follow after. there seems to be an unspoken understanding amidst all swords at this moment - the mission has to be seen to, but they also can't lose this human that's been entrusted to them by their friend and also by their master.

'If he is going to sabotage the battle, then we should be doing the same. That's probably what my brother and Monoyoshi are going to take care of - but we need to get you out of here,' Sohaya says. though his brow furrows, a little frustrated. '... You probably wanna see your sword, I get it, but - it's about to get really dangerous out here.'

even though all the swords can't help but be on edge. the earthquakes never occurred during history. do the humans not recognize them for what they are? what could that mean?

but they're running out of time - that's clear from the sound of galloping horses, the new rumbling of an army on the move. the battle that will end the warring states period is quickly approaching and they have to go before they're mistaken for enemies.

or - as the western armies begin to approach - it may already be a little too late.]

[as desperately as itsuki wants to follow oodenta and monoyoshi, he knows when he's outnumbered. he listens to sohaya instead, head bowed as he finally readies himself to go wherever he's told to --

a little too late to finally start listening, and itsuki realizes it as horses? soldiers? no -- the western army, moving as one. so many men, so different from the battlefield of shimabara, and yet alike.

he starts to run, tries to move into a position that won't immediately hinder sohaya and hyuuga, choosing retreat even though what he really wants to do is run forward. his hand goes to the dagger, the other touches his chest -- his power thrumming along with his frantic heartbeat. he can run but he's not faster than a man on horseback. maybe the swords can outstrip them easily, but he's already holding them back just by being here. he keeps on moving.

he wants to find buzen. but he needs to live first in order to do that.]

[Sohaya and Hyuuga exchange a look - and separate. Sohaya goes to chase after the direction of Oodenta and Monoyoshi. they'll look for Buzen, but mostly they need to focus on the mission. how do they make sure that sekigahara goes according to plan?

Hyuuga is left to watch over Itsuki, and he runs alongside him. until Itsuki can certainly get to a safe place, then he'll have a sword to be at his side - is what they hope. but it doesn't work out like that. the Eastern army comes from the other side, and it's inevitable how the charge and battle suddenly begins. Hyuuga takes Itsuki off to the side so they're not in the dead center of the fight - but it spills over. it catches up to them. Hyuuga fights human after human, killing even those who followed his former master so loyally - those that he has more in common with than different.

but as long as they come after them, he can't let them live. 'Kagami-san! Into the foliage, I'll be there soon!' because it's safer if Itsuki hides -

though at the same time there's someone who rides through on horseback, shouting those poised with bows and arrows - 'There's a demon! A demon among the Tokugawa! Pierce the fast one with the red banner when he approaches from the valley!!']

[hyuuga kills the first man and itsuki can't help it -- he closes his eyes for the briefest of moments then forces them open so he can keep running, even as men pursue them and fall to hyuuga's swift blade, over and over again --

he's in the way. why had he ever thought he'd be useful --

itsuki moves towards the forest at hyuuga's yell, but then he hears the words 'red banner' and his head snaps towards the other sword, expression frantic at first, then -- settling as he looks at the nearest archer, similarly distracted by his comrade's words. the man turns at the same time as the others, peering towards the valley and that's all itsuki really needs.

buzen is as fast as the wind, he can outrun anything and everything. he knows that.

but itsuki's running on pure adrenaline now, shaken by the sheer chaos and death, and all he knows is that he doesn't want buzen to fall the same way so many others have. so he lunges, shoves his dagger into the man's neck, then hurls himself at the next archer with a ferocity that feels almost out of character. he grabs them by the hand, thinks 'sleep' so hard that the man falls to the ground, and wishes not for the first time that he had a power that could destroy everything -- or could protect everyone. if only he had kakeru's plants or mikoto's barriers --]

[buzen has killed so many humans that he supposes it feels like nothing to add more to the number. that's what his thoughts are when war breaks out, and suddenly his scouting turns to simply trying to complete the mission. lower the numbers on the western side, give them a chance. his red banner is not the only thing dyed crimson - not when he's as bloody as he is, covered in the blood of fallen soldiers.

he races toward where more of the western army wait - he'd left one horseman in the company alive, just to make sure that he had a path to follow back. and that's when he catches sight of hyuuga and - itsuki.

hyuuga, who indicates for itsuki to head to the foliage, and itsuki who doesn't follow. why not? for a second, a foreign feeling hits buzen - he sees red, a little too.

but his feet carry him back toward that way, he slices into soldiers as he goes - not even letting fighting get in the way of his swift footwork. his gaze remains on the two in front of him. itsuki, forcing a man to sleep, and hyuuga calling out for him -

'Kagami-san, be careful!!' - because archers can be taken out in close range, but there's always soldiers with swords nearby and Hyuuga slides in to intercept.

the soldier's blade cuts against his shoulder, pulling a cry out from the sword (the sword of ishida mitsunari, the sword of the general, the sword of this soldier's master)

buzen is never fast enough when it counts the most. he still skids in just to slide his own blade into the soldier's chest before he can sever hyuuga's arm or cut further down. he cuts down all the other nearby soldiers, clearing out the immediate area before he snarls out, angry - ]

Itsuki! [a full name that only ever left buzen's mouth in warm, loving tones. but there's a fire that scalds now, his red eyes flashing. his arm wraps around hyuuga and for once he minds the blood - because it's his comrade's, not his own.] Move to the forest! Now!

[ah.

it happens so fast but itsuki can see it all so clearly still. the archer falling at his feet, hyuuga staggering in front of him, the shine of a blade slicing deep into his arm -- a blade that could have buried itself in itsuki's neck -- and buzen with his sword in the man's chest and his arms around Hyuuga, rounding on itsuki with more fury than he's ever seen before. he's seen anger and sadness but this feels more close to rage -- buzen's rage -- and it's directed right at him --

his already unsteady breathing hitches, and his gaze sweeps away when only earlier he'd been looking so desperately -- and lands on the scarlet red staining hyuuga's scarlet clothes,

for once itsuki doesn't need to be told twice. he turns and heads for the foliage, dagger still clutched in his hand and heart beating quickly with dread, so loud that it drowns out the shocked silence in itsuki's head,]

[now he listens.

it's an uncharitable thought that rings through buzen's head once - but it doesn't actually leave his mouth. he helps hyuuga get to the same denser area that's obscured by trees, and also unwelcoming to actual fighting. all battles are kept to the plains whenever possible. it's early enough in the battle that there aren't any archers who have been placed in the trees as a strategic maneuver, making it the safest for them.

more troops run by, and the sounds of war continue right from where they were kept from - they fight over the bodies of their fallen friends, and then join them on the dirt when defeated. but buzen is focused on something else entirely. he tears his flag from his arm, securing it to try to staunch hyuuga's bleeding, and then tying the fabric around his shoulder. the tantou tells him that he's okay - just a little tired and needs a chance to catch his breath.

buzen looks almost sad when he has to say - ] We don't have time for that, Hyuuga-san. Sorry - just get on my back for now as we try to travel up to higher ground. We can try to find Denta-san and the others from there.

[to which Hyuuga nods tiredly, his own breathing uneven, but ultimately lets himself be moved to Buzen's back in a piggyback.

. . . and once his comrade is secured, Buzen can turn his attention toward Itsuki. he's not mad anymore, not really. the fire burned hot, intense, and left his mouth in an angry yell - but he's truly nothing if not understanding. Itsuki probably had a reason, and Buzen will have to decide later if it's good enough - but for right now, he still has to focus.

on the mission.]

You're not hurt?

[they're away from battle now, but the fear doesn't leave itsuki. it morphs into something else, into a wave of shame and guilt so hot and intense that he can feel it prickle in the back of his throat, his eyes. he keeps it together by focusing on the quick methodical way buzen secures hyuuga's wound, the red flag moving from his arm to hyuuga's.

he keeps his gaze averted, glancing at hyuuga instead -- as if looking at the sword who got hurt for him is easier to bear than looking at buzen himself,]

I'm fine. ...Hyuuga-kun protected me.

[as if that answer is less than he deserves, as if hyuuga's help would have been better off -- but he pushes on, past whatever he's feeling.

his feelings are what got them into this mess, didn't they?]

Sohaya-kun and the others left to try and interfere. [interfere sounds like the wrong word to use,] With the battle.

[he takes a step forward, intent on following buzen's lead as they move, even if he's still not looking at him,]

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