NO TAKEDA ALLOWED (Monthly/Yukimura)

[Sanada Yukimura]

Hidenori wasn't the only one that felt lied to. Nearly all his life, Yukimura was told that Uesugi soldiers were scum, that the Takeda fought to take them out and fulfill Takeda Shingen's dream of uniting all of Japan under his banner. Even his own father had said such things. But Yukimura had never heard Lord Takeda say such words, in fact, he had heard Lord Takeda had nothing but respect for Lord Uesugi's tactical prowess, if nothing else.

He understood hate was a powerful motivator but... if he had to face off against Hidenori after this, he doubt he could raise his spear against the man without hesitation. Though the first few times he missed harpooning the fish, eventually he got the hang of it, and soon enough, between the two of them, the basket was nearly 3/4 full. They would have quite a few good meals after this.

"That is correct. He was doing well the last time I saw him. Happy... like he was on top of the world, on cloud nine. He loves Katsumi-san very deeply, and I have no doubt he will grow stronger to protect her."

Spearing another fish and tossing it into the basket, he would go to catch another one, only to pause after spearing it, the fish stuck on the blade of his spear.

"I hope the day you, your brother, and Haji are reunited comes soon... Hidenori-san..."

[Morei Hidenori]

Haji... was happy. And he was in love. Hidenori felt so relieved hearing Yukimura say that. His little brother had gained something so special in a world so broken, and found happiness in a land that threatened to take it away. He hoped that his brother would always hold onto it, and if Yukimura was right... Haji was only getting stronger, all for Katsumi's sake.

"I'm... I'm very glad to hear that. Thank you, Yukimura-san."

He usually wasn't one to put honorifics in place, but even as a Takeda soldier, Hidenori wanted to show his respects. He paused for a moment when Yukimura spoke of reunion, unsure of how to react to that.

"It'd be nice... but I don't know if I'm fit to face him. I showed great weakness fifteen years ago... and if there's anything I've learned, it's that I'm still weak."

The zanbato was his way of attempting to hide that weakness with physical strength. But what use was a blade without the resolve to wield it?

"Someday, perhaps..."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"There is no need to thank me... But you are welcome Hidenori-san."

Tossing the fish into the basket, a frown would cross Yukimura's face, and if Hidenori looked up, he would find Yukimura in front of him, as he would suddenly grab the collar of Hidenori's kimono, yanking the Uesugi soldier forward.

"You baka... If you think you are weak, then I will tell you what I told Haji-san. There was nothing but fear reflected in your sword. When you dodge, 'I'm afraid of getting cut.' When you attack, 'I'm afraid of cutting someone.' Even when you try to protect someone, 'I'm afraid of letting them die.' Your sword spoke to me only of absurd fear. That's not it. What's necessary in a fight isn't fear. Nothing can be born from that. If you dodge, 'I won't let them cut me.' If you protect someone, 'I won't let them die.' If you attack, 'I'll cut them.' Well, did you see the resolve to cut you reflected in my spear?"

Letting go of Hidenori's kimono, Yukimura would fold his arms across his chest, his spear held in his hand, the blade pointed downwards.

"Accepting that you were weak is a good start, but strength is not everything. Even if you are the strongest, what good will that do you? Haji-san is motivated to grow stronger to protect Katsumi-san, but what is your motivation? What spurs your resolve to become stronger, Hidenori-san?"

For Yukimura, aside from his family, there was only one person that he cared deeply for, that he loved, but was not IN love with. And it was her that drove him to grow stronger, all to protect her.

[Morei Hidenori]

Hidenori looked at Yukimura in shock as he was grabbed, not expecting the speech that followed. The words hit him, and yet there was a certain truth to them. So he said these same words to Haji too, huh? A certain relief crossed over the man as he realized that he and his brother were similar, and that Haji couldn't take a life as if it were nothing.

The man fell back as Yukimura let him go, and he stood there, pondering everything. Haji had Katsumi, but what really drove Hidenori to get stronger? Revenge wasn't the powerful motivator that he hoped it was, but... he did have someone important to him, although not in the same sense.

"Well... Kenshin raised me like his own... I want to protect him to repay him for everything he's done."

An adopted son of the warlord of Echigo, this probably made Hidenori seem like more of a target to Yukimura, but he felt like this man wouldn't cut him down because of that, not after this.

"It's funny... being lectured by a Takeda soldier. I never saw that coming."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"... It seems you too have found your resolve, just as Haji-san did. Your reason may be different from your little brother's, but the motivation is the same. And you weren't the only one, I wasn't expecting to be telling you the exact same thing I told Haji-san."

Hidenori was correct though, despite Yukimura knowing he was the adopted son of Uesugi Kenshin, it did not put a larger target on Hidenori's back, if anything, it made it that much harder for Yukimura to even consider facing off against Hidenori... because that day would come. Yukimura was similar in that respect, as he considered Lord Takeda Shingen the closest he'd ever get to a grandfather, and in turn, Shingen considered Yukimura as a grandson.

"If you want to get stronger, not relying on your zanbato to decimate your enemies with sheer power is one way to start. Improve your skills with other weapons, as opposed to concentrating solely on crushing the enemy."

[Morei Hidenori]

"Haji..."

Hidenori looked down at the river, wondering what his brother had grown up to be like. Yukimura made him sound weak in a way, but also that he was willing to grow much stronger to protect what he believed in. Hidenori had ran away his entire life, and now that he was being put in his place by a Takeda soldier of all people... Maybe he had a lot of changes to make for himself.

"You're right, Yukimura-san. Or perhaps... Perhaps I should swing my zanbato with more purpose, instead of just being scared."

He reached down, grabbing another fish without much problem this time, now that he was more serious about things. Tossing it in the bucket, he noticed it was full now.

"Shall we head back?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Or that too. In the end, it's your choice, your decision Hidenori-san. What you decide to do from here on out is all on you, I can only provide advice."

Noticing too that the bucket was full, Yukimura would give Hidenori a slight nod of his head, before turning around and wading back out of the water. Stabbing his spear blunt-end down into the sand, he would then grab and lift up the bucket of fish and carry it further inwards, over to the location of their shelter, and place it down before retrieving his spear. He'd then head over to a nearby tree and cut down some branches, sharpening two into skewers for their fish, while the rest would use for the fire.

Dropping the branches down, he'd then start digging a small hole for the fire pit. With the hole dug, he'd then circle the small fire pit with large rocks that he found laying around, clearing out a five foot area around the rocks so nothing could catch fire, and then he set about putting the kindling and branches in the pit to get it ready. With that done, he'd get to work on building the new shelter, because having a fire was all well and good, but they'd need somewhere to sleep before night fell, and the sun was already starting to set high above them.

[Morei Hidenori]

"Right... thank you."

Hidenori walked with Yukimura back to their campsite, lost in thought. He needed to speak to Kenshin and figure out just why the two lords were fighting one another. Countless lives were spilled, and for what?

He began to help Yukimura set up the fire pit, following what his partner was doing. He wondered how they would start the fire, but they could worry about that later. Hidenori began to set up some of the wood he had brought from the Uesugi ship, setting it up at the base of the once-tree where the previous shelter once stood. It looked as though they had enough wood to build a sizeable shelter where they wouldn't be too cramped.

"Do you think anyone's noticed you're missing?"

It was a random question, but he wondered if they could expect help at all. In Hidenori's case, he was Kenshin's adopted son, but he was also used to being gone for long periods of time. He wasn't sure of word of the shipwreck would get back to the Uesugi whatsoever.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"It's hard to say. Lord Takeda is used to me being away for long periods of time, since I'm one of his generals, but the ship I was on was carrying cargo and supplies for the army. A few days he may not worry, but if it's at least thirty days and the cargo hasn't arrived... I think he will be greatly concerned."

Helping Hidenori set up the wood to use for the shelter, he had found a small box containing nails that were supposed to be shipped to merchants, but since these nails meant the difference between living or dying for them, he doubt the merchants wouldn't be hurting that much. Besides, they could always order more nails. Lives could not. After spending quite a bit of time nailing the wood together using his kunai for a makeshift hammer, to form the four walls of their shelter, Yukimura would leave the rest to Hidenori, since the sun was nearly set, and without any light, they'd be stumbling around in the dark.

Crouching down beside their fire pit, flicking his index finger up, he'd make a small flame about the size of a lighter flame appear on the tip of his finger, and touching the flame to the wood, would light it up instantly, a beautiful camp fire crackling away and ready for them to use, as he deactivated his Musou and the flame died out, shaking his finger and pretending like that had snuffed flame out.

"I'll start roasting the fish, then we can eat once you're done."

[Morei Hidenori]

"Thirty days, huh..."

That seemed like an awfully long time, and here they were only on their first day. Hidenori couldn't help but wonder if they would last this long, but at least he was grateful he was in good company. He only hoped Yukimura didn't snap and go feral.

As he continued to work on their shelter, creating a roof for them now, he got a glimpse of Yukimura lighting the fire... with his finger. Hidenori's eyes widened and sweat dropped from his forehead and he watched nervously.

"H-how did you do that...?"

He had never seen magic before. Sure, Kenshin did some craaazy things now and then, but he never conjured fire from his fingertips just like that. Was it a Takeda thing...?

[Sanada Yukimura]

Yukimura laughing at Hidenori's reaction to his Musou demonstration, lighting the fire up and pretending to shake the flame on his finger out, his reaction was pretty understandable, since such powers were the stuff of myths. His Musou was just like Lord Shingen's, except his Musou was much more powerful than Yukimura's ever could be.

"Let's just say I've been blessed by the God of Fire, Kagutsuchi. Lord Shingen has been blessed by Kagutsuchi-no-Kami as well, and no doubt Lord Kenshin has been blessed too, but by a different God and element."

Picking up the wooden skewers he had carved, Yukimura would open the basket filled with fish and firmly grasping one, would slowly shove the skewer through it, before sticking the end of the skewer in the sand, the fish held over the fire, and would repeat this action with another one, resulting in one fish each for the both of them cooking away. If they wanted to eat more, he could always roast the fish with his Musou quickly.

"Perhaps in the near future, you too will be blessed by a God with a new power, Hidenori-san."

[Morei Hidenori]

"You and Lord Shingen both...?"

Hidenori was incredibly surprised. It sounded like the Takeda had a lot more strength than he was led to believe, and if they just charged into battle with them without this knowledge... well, they'd be burned to a crisp! He was even more afraid of someday potentially facing off against Yukimura, and he hoped that day would never come.

"Now that you mention it, Lord Kenshin can control the earth itself... and I think Bishamonten really has granted him strength..."

Hidenori placed his hand on his chin, thinking for a moment. Kenshin's slashes which move the earth itself, the ability to channel Bishamonten's strength into his own body? Perhaps Yukimura was spot on about all of this, especially with the fact he just made fire with his finger...

Sitting down as the fish began to cook, Hidenori watched the fire. Their shelter was built, now all they had to do was eat.

"Someday, I may be blessed too... Perhaps that will be the strength I need. Did you just... wake up with this new power? Are there many others like you?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

Giving a slight nod of his head at Hidenori, Yukimura would return to keeping an eye on the roasting fish, to make sure their dinner didn't burn to a crisp, and would turn the fish over so the other side would be roasted nicely as well. If Hidenori had told Yukimura that Lord Kenshin could control the Earth itself, he'd be just as surprised, but not shocked, since he had not only witnessed Lord Shingen use his Musou first-hand, but also after being blessed with one of his own... what was thought to be the stuff of legends, was really real.

"Continue to strive forward, and you will eventually find what you seek. Actually, no. I had to earn the blessing of Kagutsuchi first through a trial, before he blessed me with his power. I only know of three others that have been blessed by the Gods as well. Amakusa Takehiro, Shinomori Katsumi... and your little brother, Morei Haji."

When the fish had finished cooking, lifting one skewer out of the sand, he would hand it over to Hidenori, before picking up his own and would wait for it to cool down, before taking a bite of the fish.

"... There may very well be others blessed by the Gods. No doubt Lord Oda Nobunaga has been blessed, and perhaps the other Daimyo's as well. I cannot say for sure though."

[Morei Hidenori]

"A trial...? And you say even Haji has this kind of power...?"

Hidenori found it really hard to believe, and yet, with Yukimura doing it right in front of him, he knew it wasn't a lie. Haji could also command some kind of power. His littlest brother, who he had last seen as an infant, found a great power and far surpassed what Hidenori could ever hope to be. The Uesugi soldier was nothing short of impressed, and glad that Haji sounded like he could hold his own.

"If Nobunaga has this kind of power too then... perhaps my quest for vengeance will have to wait a while longer..."

Hidenori took the skewer from Yukimura, thanking him politely, as he stared into the fire. This whole time, he grew up thinking that with proper training, he'd be able to crush the Oda and get the vengeance he sought. But if Nobunaga had some kind of freaky-deaky power? He was certainly far superior to Hidenori's current skills. He wondered if that was why Lord Kenshin had always stopped him from this battle he so desperately wanted to fight.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Yes, a trial, to prove you are worthy of being blessed by the God testing you, and yes, even Haji-san does. I was surprised myself to see his power, but not shocked. I had no doubt there would be others that were blessed by the Gods as well... I just didn't expect to see all three of my friends and allies with such powers. It was a pleasant surprise to see them with such incredible powers. That is a wish decision, Hidenori-san. Vengeance is a powerful motivator... But this IS Lord Oda we are speaking of. He would not go down so easily, especially if he has a power like Lord Shingen and Lord Kenshin."

Amakusa Takehiro, who could control darkness. Shinomori Katsumi, who could control wind. And Morei Haji, who could control light. Together with himself, who could generate and control fire. Together, the four of them were a formidable force to be reckoned with. Too bad Yukimura unintentionally botched that up when he was sent to Totomi to take on Toshi. After handing Hidenori the skewer, he would nod back in response to Hidenori's thanks and take a bite of his own fish, as he would notice Hidenori stare into the fire.

"The day when you square off Lord Oda to exact your revenge will come Hidenori-san... But that day is still far off. As it stands, you are not strong enough to defeat him, and unfortunately, you would be decimated by him. Take heart and be patient, for you will grow stronger."