"Your movements were sloppy today, Natsuki!" Rika shouted, her sharp voice cutting through the serene hum of the garden. She towered over us, a picture of unyielding strength, her physique forged from countless battles. And yet, despite the years, her abrasive attitude remained as unpolished as ever.
We strolled along the winding stone path that snaked through the castle's inner garden. The sakura blossoms were in full bloom, their vibrant pink petals dancing in the gentle breeze. The air carried the faint yet persistent aroma of incense, mingling with the fresh, earthy scent of the garden soil. Our footsteps echoed softly against the polished stones, a rhythm that contrasted the tension in Rika's voice.
Trailing slightly behind them, I let my gaze wander. The sight of the blossoms overhead, swaying like delicate silk threads, momentarily stole my attention. Then, faintly, a sound reached my ears—soft, broken, like the wind carrying someone's sorrow.
"Shh, don't cry, my lord," a maiden whispered. Her voice, barely audible, carried the warmth of a spring morning as she cradled the young lord. His tiny hands clung desperately to the folds of her dress, his silken white hair a cascade of winter's memory, shimmering under the dappled sunlight. His long lashes framed golden eyes that shone like amber jewels, his angelic face marked with innocence.
"It's okay. It's gonna be okay," the maiden cooed, her hands gently stroking his trembling form. "You're going to be a great lord for our kingdom…"
Her words, soft yet resolute, struck a chord in me. (I'll be the best older sister I can be, for the boy that saved me…) The memory echoed unbidden in my mind, like a ghost whispering through the corridors of my thoughts. My gaze softened, lingering on the pair longer than I should have.
"Hey," a voice interrupted, quiet yet firm. It fell on deaf ears.
"Oi! Fushiguro!" Rika barked, snapping me out of my daze. Her fiery gaze bore into mine, concern flickering behind her annoyance.
"Did you even hear us—" she muttered, her tone growing exasperated.
I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly, a soft chuckle escaping. "N-no."
Rika sighed, planting her hands firmly on her hips, her posture as commanding as a general's. "I said, the Daimyo has taken quite a liking to your recent success…"
Natsuki, ever the quiet observer, nodded in agreement. His expression, though calm, mirrored my surprise.
"You might even be the next Daimyo if anything happened to the current one," she continued, a sly smile tugging at her lips, "before the young lord is ready, that is."
My heart skipped a beat, the weight of her words settling heavily on my chest. Me? A Daimyo? The thought was almost laughable.
"Very funny," I muttered, shaking my head as if to dismiss the absurd notion.
"We're serious," Rika pressed, her tone unwavering. "Your army is the highest ranked among us. I wouldn't put it past him."
Her words hung in the air as I walked past them, raising a hand in casual dismissal. "Right, right. If you say so."
Behind me, Rika exchanged a bewildered glance with Natsuki, her confusion evident in her furrowed brows. Natsuki shrugged, his expression equally puzzled.
"To think he'd be more happy about the news…"
I slowed my pace, my feet dragging against the stone path. The idea of becoming Daimyo gnawed at me, its weight settling heavily on my shoulders. Me? A Daimyo? The very thought felt absurd.
The blossoms overhead swayed in a gentle breeze, their petals fluttering down like a soft rain. Absentmindedly I reached out to grasp one within my hands, my eyes watching the saturated pink that nestled in my rough palm.
"Fushiguro-sama, do you think that the cherry blossoms will bloom for me?" I heard a soft voice in my head, it sounded familiar yet it remained a voice i've never heard before, that of a young boy; The voice of an angel.
"Fushiguro-sama, Rika-sama, Natsuki-sama!" I heard a voice that caused my gaze to turn, it was one of the servants of the castle. She was out of breath; her hands on her knees as she tried to recover from the sprint over.
"It's lord Kurokage! He seeks your presence at once!" She announced, the sound of urgency sent a surge of urgency between us, and with determined gazes we all nodded, following the servant without a moment to lose.
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"I've brought them!" She announced, watching the throne as the Daimyo remained deep in thought. He was an old man, his hair gray yet silky, draping down his back and past his rich attire.
"Thank you, you may leave." He muttered, stroking his beard as he thought of what to say, the three of us standing at attention, our gazes filled with concern.
"As you may know…" He started, his voice regal and rich in gravitas. "This war is far from over, our enemies grow bolder with each passing day, and this war remain a big strain on us,"
"Many warriors from their ranks attack our lesser guarded villages and begun to infiltrate our other territories,"
"You three are my most trusted, and strongest leaders I have" He turned to me specifically, his eyes softened with a smile to match. Slowly he got up from his throne.
"I need you three to go out, search the farthest parts, and reclaim our territory, the kingdom will provide you all supplies for your long trip." All three of us nodded to his command, a look of determination and something else lingering within our eyes.
"Leave it to us my lord," Natsuki reassured, inciting a nod for our highness.
"You're all dismissed," As we turned to leave, the Daimyo looked at me specifically, his hand rubbing at his beard before he spoke up once more "Fushiguro, you stay."
I stopped at his words, Natsuki and Rika casting one last glance behind them before leaving through the dark oak doors.
"I have something to ask of you, if you would allow it," He muttered, gauging my reaction as I turned to face him fully.
"Of course my lord,"
"Fushiguro-sama, do you think that the cherry blossoms will bloom for me?" For some reason those words came back to me in those moments as I awaited my orders, the Daimyo smiled softly at my attention, his lips parting to speak words I never thought I'd hear… or so much so words I never thought I didn't want to hear—
"How would you like…to be the next Daimyo."