Chapter Text
"You heard Master Hanbei's orders. Trail after the One Eyed Dragon and his right eye. You investigate and report back-- nothing more, nothing less. Maybe if you're lucky, you get to be the one to kill him. So I'm kindly asking that you don't screw it up, it shouldn't be that hard. May Oda take your soul if you do" Spymaster Eizo could see the sweat forming on the three ninjas despite their covered faces. He intensely watched as the ninja up front placed her mask over her face. She didn't need it, none of them did, she was already covered up from head to toe in a ninja robe. Her lips were concealed behind a cloth, even her hair was warmly tucked away inside a hood to keep it from getting in her face. Not that it did bother her, it was a rule when serving as a ninja under Eizo. "Looks like you're set to go. Leave now so that I can send word back to Master Hanbei" With just a nod she replied and disappeared in a swift move out the window.
She tries not to let her thoughts distract her on the five hour journey to trace the Dragon of Oshu. But she can't help it. The past year has been a struggle to pursuit Hideyoshi's graces and his trust. While many of them died at Azuchi Castle, the rest were disbanded, almost everyone. Eizo couldn't give up, he went mad. Had it not been for the warlord, she would be dead too.
Her thoughts rip away at the sound of distant chattering. She stops, the others stop and bear their ears in pitch black. Definitely getting closer. She signals her three companions to spread out and surround their short camp. No attacks, just listen and watch. She sends two to return to Eizo-- the confirmation that the right eye of Date Masamune is indeed Katakuri Kojuro. That's what Master Hanbei wanted to know personally. It's not like she knew why he wanted that information. She and her remaining companion follow the group with distance between them. She hopes to follow them all the way to Oshu where she can investigate the Lord further. Maybe listen in on their war councils. Her senses peak again and she thought she spotted a gleam on the other side of the treeline. For a moment, she believes it was just her partner but she hears a crash on the ground that anyone would mistake for an animal. But not the right eye of dragon nor the king himself. So when the gang behind them nearly crash their horses together in the abrupt halt, she knows something is wrong. 'Sloppy' she thinks to herself. Masamune and Kojuro exchange questions, their guards stiff and hard like a shield and soon, their men catch up. They felt they were being watched now, too. She'll have to retreat, but she can't and doesn't want to without her partner. If they're caught, they're dead by either Eizo himself or the Dragon of Oshu. She's biting her lip in anticipation, waiting for something to happen. She hopes the Dragon and his men will brush it off and move along, then she can regroup with the ninja and possibly escape, but no fool will turn their backs, especially not the Dragon.
An explosive lands on the path ahead, inches away from the Dragon. The entourage yelp, struggle to not fall off their shaken horses though many fail. It doesn't take her but a second to realize it wasn't to injure the Dragon but to stun him and everyone else. Without thinking, her feet move swiftly the moment she spots another ninja emerge from the trees and aiming his knives at his target, Date Masamune. Her sword clashes with theirs
with an echoing ring. It's possible everyone felt the same vibration tickle down their spines. Everyone felt the sudden intensity for sure. The two ninjas leap back, readying themselves for the dual. She feels the eyes of the Date clan on her, this other ninja too, but she knows she's exposed with no turning back. She reaches her other sword out and prepares in a stance. She blinks and he's suddenly in her face, she reacts just in time and blocks his attack. One after another. As the fight progresses, she learns he won't yield and can't pin him so the only other option she has is to eliminate him. She feels her muscles twitch, so much that it distracts her enough for her enemy to land a blow on her head. She doesn't hear the wooden mask crack and lose a few crumbs as she grips the ninja's fist and throws them over her shoulder. Without stopping there, she swiftly moves in front of him where's already swinging his sword at her but ducks under his arm and runs her blade across his throat.
The ninja falls to the ground with a gurgle, a sound so familiar to her ears. But this time, she can hear the warriors behind her mumbling to themselves that soon turned to praises and cheers.
"Who is this guy?"
"Who cares? He just saved boss's rear, incredible!"
"Hey, man! We owe you one!"
"Yeah, not saying I’m not grateful but I could’ve handled that bastard on my own but I’ll let it slip just this once. So, who do I gotta thank?" She feels him approach her and knows she can’t let him get any closer. She turns around, surprising the audience when she aims the weapon at his throat but he catches it. She was too slow. Her hand grips the clothing material of his armor but everything begins to falter. Weakness overtakes her, she loses all senses, loses the grip on both her hands. She loses her balance, her weapon, her guard. "What the?" Her wooden mask falls as she does. Her long and silky hair tied back with a simple white sash escapes from the restraints of her hood. Gasps fill the air, blood tints the cheeks of the men watching the beautiful maiden hand in arms of their boss. They were almost jealous.
"A woman?!" Kojuro as well gasps. Those praises shift quickly as they start throwing each other questions and comments about the mysterious woman. "All of you, settle down now!" Kojuro’s order cuts through the men but they still continue in whispers instead of hollers. He walks up to his Lord’s side after said gently lays her fully on the ground. The two take a moment to search her clothes for a badge or anything to indicate what banner she served under. But nothing was there. They suppose a much more thorough search would help them figure it out but she was unconscious and going through her clothes was too vulgar, especially in front of a group of lustful men, no less. "What do you wish to do, Lord Masamune?"
"I don’t see an emblem, can’t tell if she’s a friend or foe. I don’t suppose she’s a rogue ninja looking for favors. Though I wouldn’t mind repaying her"
"Sir, if you want to bring with us back to Oshu, I advise you to proceed with caution. She could be a spy working undercover for Toyotomi Hideyoshi" Masamune scoffs.
"If that’s the case, I should’ve guessed Toyotomi misses me already but if she was working with that huge bastard, I don’t think he would have sent a spy to make sure I’m not killed" The two turn their heads to the dead ninja and immediately, they spot the badge sewn in his robes. Masamune rips it out and examines it. It was not Toyotomi’s banner symbol. "Let’s take her to Oshu, then we can question her. For now, she’s cool in my books"
"Then we’ll want to hurry back, sir"
"Hm?" They find blood pooling under her and now through her clothes after two men had picked her up. "Damn, I never even saw the blade go through her. Alright. Come on, boys! We’re heading straight home! Full speed ahead!"