A sweet breeze blew in from the open window, rustling the flimsy curtains that hung from the opposite wall. It smelled of blossoms, and of change, and I stood up as it fanned my face, filling the room with a soft chill. Barefoot, I walked to the window, resting my hands against the ledge. Beyond the patches of jade grass and sapphire waters, a mass of onyx proceeded towards Odani Castle. Banners fluttered in the passing wind: white and red cloths that were sewn for this army's name – through bold, black characters, I learned these were the overwhelmingly numerous forces of the Takeda.

There was a knock from behind me, and I turned to see the door open, revealing a pale pink face and wide brown eyes, framed by smooth, shimmering chocolate hair. Rosy lips parted to speak.

"The Takeda have arrived."

"Yes," I gestured out the window to the vast army that covered distance. "I have seen them as well."

"Then we must prepare."

She stepped in, walking like a dream – her footfalls made no sound upon the dark wood, and she moved as a cloud in the azure sky. Her small, frail frame crossed my room and arrived beside me: my brother's wife.

"Lady Oichi," I stared at the scene displayed before me. "I still don't quite understand."

"What?"

"Why must we form an alliance with the Takeda?" I frowned. "Would it mean that we are under the norms and orders passed by their lord?"

"No," Oichi smiled. "It would mean that Nagamasa would be one step closer to realizing his life-long dream."

"I don't see how," I sighed. "If my brother is always to be tamed by others."

"Your brother would not be tamed by anyone – though he is just and honorable, we both know there is a passionate determination in him. It is the passion of the Azai."

"The passion of the Azai," I mused. "For the men."

"Different forms of passion for different people, as I always say. You, Maiko, have yet to find what you were made for," Oichi tucked her hair behind her ear, letting the wind caress her cheeks freely.

"Do we really need the help of the Takeda?"

"As much as I would like to say that the Azai could stand alone, it would be better if we had the strong forces of the Takeda with us. At the same time, Lord Shingen has already requested the aid of the Azai against the Uesugi."

"And Nagamasa has accepted."

"We owe nothing more to the Takeda. A planned victory for another," She waved a dismissive hand. "But that is not our concern. Our concern is to prepare for our guests. We are the ones who must ensure the comfort of the Takeda in Odani, while your brother speaks with them. Come, Maiko."

She patted my arm and began to walk away from the window, once again crossing the length of the room to the door. Upon reaching the chair on which I had sat only a moment ago, she picked up the thin book I had left behind as I stood, running her thin fingers along the binding.

"Poetry," She mused. "Is like an escape from the troubles of our age. How many times have you read these?"

"Only enough to know them by heart," I laughed, pulling the thin drapes close. Oichi smiled and shut the book, placing it on the shelf beside the chair neatly. I walked to her side, and she took my hand.

"Romance in words can never take the place of true love," She whispered. "Would it be too much to say that your brother worries he will never find a man good enough for you to marry?"

I tried, as much as possible, to calculate my reply. It was no secret to me, nor to my sister-in-law, that Nagamasa was worried I would pass onto the next life a sad, old maiden. And, while I normally could shrug it off, the way Oichi brought it up struck me to the core. Still, I took great care not to let it seem too bothersome to me - it was, after all, something I could not think of; not at the moment, when there was too much going on in the land.

"I have never met a man more truthful to himself than my brother," I replied. "Perhaps if the world could offer a valiant warrior that believes in love, not death, Nagamasa would not have to be so troubled."

"Such difficult times." She sighed, shaking her head. "All Nagamasa wants for you is to be happy."

"I am happy," I said. "Why would he think otherwise?"

"You are happy, but you are also lonely. You are so troubled by the wars that plague Japan, you feel you will never have a chance at true love."

I remained silent.

"But you mustn't guard yourself like that, Maiko," She advised me. "Because even in an era of death, I have found my knight in your brother. Love does exist in the face of war. You mustn't despair. Love does not need to wait for war to end."

"However, love could flourish in a free land," I answered. "A land where Nagamasa has finally realized his ambition, and you are at his side - a land where everyone is happy and peaceful under his jurisdiction. Maybe then..."

"We will see," She smiled slightly. "Not even the wisest of Japan could tell. Perhaps, for now, it would be wise to focus on the present, the things we must do."

"And that is to prepare for Nagamasa's guests," I rolled my eyes. "You never fail to turn the subject back around, Lady Oichi."

"It is a gift," She laughed. "To always keep tasks in check. Shall we?"

She went first, her skirt billowing in the breeze. I took one last look at the fluttering curtains, disturbed by the wind, shielding the massive army that marched for Odani, then followed behind her.

The guest hall was prepared – there were luxurious pillow for sitting, and newly polished tables for eating and drinking. Places had been made at the forefront for Nagamasa and his guest, Shingen Takeda. To Nagamasa's right would be Ujiyasu Hojo, an ally of the Takeda, and to Shingen's right was a place set for an unknown: perhaps his wife, bodyguard, or merely even just for symmetry. A long table was pushed far back against the wall to my left, and there were long, unending rows of shallow porcelain bowls, which, currently, were being filled with sake by the handmaidens of Odani's employ. I observed them curiously, as they worked without pause, nor passion. It was like a systematic, sort of unfeeling ritual, which they performed without much forethought.

Lady Oichi, who had stepped out to peek at the guests, suddenly came bursting back into the hall, her hair flying back in her wake. Normally, she was the picture of composure, and she had long mastered the art of being the perfect courtlady. Only a few people in all of Japan had ever seen her like this, and I was one in the minority - not even my brother had seen his wife so flustered.

"They're coming! Stop what you're doing!" She said breathlessly, rushing to my side. Like ones turned into solid stone, the handmaidens stiffened, and, with their pitchers of wine, retreated quickly through the side door.

"How do I look?" Oichi asked, not out of vanity, but mere anxiety.

"Fine," I replied. "Very presentable."

"I'm asking for your honest opinion, Maiko."

"Do not worry, my sister," I assured her, even as she raised a hand to flatten down her already perfect locks. "You look lovely. None in our arriving company would contest that."

"Thank you, Maiko, I don't know what I'd... I'd..." Her voice faltered as the hall doors swung open again. There may have been two reasons as to why this was so: it may have been one or the other, but I prefer to believe that it was a mixture of both.

One, may have been the radiant presence of my brother – a young, fair-haired and handsome individual that, in the moment presented, was engrossed in entertaining his company with what would, no doubt, be a long speech of thanks and admiration, coupled with a few sentences about faith and honor. Nagamasa was an idealist, an optimist, and sometimes a little bit too hopeful, as many other warriors he had met would say – however, he spoke of light in life with so much conviction, it was difficult not to believe him when he promised it was right around the corner. And although he was, as some would say, "soft", Nagamasa was a fierce warrior when it came to fighting for what he believed in. This, perhaps, was what won him Lady Oichi's unwavering devotion.

Another reason may also have been the newfound presence of Lord Shingen Takeda, listening intently (so it seemed) to Nagamasa's every word. He was a large man, strikingly so, richly clothed with a fan in his right hand, moving constantly at his chest. However, the most astounding thing about Lord Shingen's presence was not his size, but the peculiar mask that obscured the top half of his face, and the entire upper half of his body. It was a stiff, gold gilded ornament that wound around his eyes. A mane of bright red hair shot from the top edge and fell around his entire head, cascading down a portion of his back. The only thing I could see from underneath all the decoration was his lips – which were unmoving.

I literally felt the air around Oichi disappear as she sucked in a deep, shaky breath – she was nervous, so desperate to ensure this was a successful treaty. It was endearing, and somewhat frightening to an extent, so much so that I decided to calm her by promising I would help her in whatever way I could.

"Thank you, Maiko," She whispered, shaking her head. "I'm so nervous."

"There is no reason for you to be, Oichi," I smiled. "You have said so yourself: my brother would not do something he did not fully believe in - and, what he believes in will surely come to fruition."

Oichi spared me a smile of her own, silently thanking me for the reassurance. Meanwhile, Nagamasa lead Lord Shingen Takeda to the center of the hall, and gestured politely to the seat prepared especially for him. "Please, Takeda-san."

Lord Shingen did not say anything, but set himself down, sinking into the cushion. A man in silver armor, with a long pipe in his grasp, stood behind Nagamasa, looking torn between amusement and boredom.

"And Lord Ujiyasu," Nagamasa almost leapt quickly aside in an attempt to attend to all things. "Please. Have a seat."

Ujiyasu grunted, and sat down quite unceremoniously.

A slow silence fell, when everyone was staring at each other, and no one wanted to say much else. "Nagamasa," Lord Shingen said in a deep, slow rumble. It was exactly the kind of voice I expected the head of the Takeda clan to possess.

"Yes, Lord Shingen?"

"Stop being so tense," the man suddenly exclaimed, his face (or what there was of it) breaking into a smile. "I'm not going to kill you. Worst thing that'll happen tonight is that I get drunk and give you twenty swats with my fan."

A general sound of stifled laughter filled the room – I covered my mouth, trying to hide my own giggle. Oichi, however, paled at the thought, and looked as though she might swoon. Nagamasa's shoulders dropped about an inch, and the color flooded back into his face.

"As you would, Lord Shingen."

"Since we seem to have broken the ice," Lord Ujiyasu Hojo said. "Can we move on with our lives?"

"Of course, Lord Ujiyasu," Nagamasa straightened up and turned to us. "Oichi?"

Oichi, apparently realizing that her named had been called, seemed to snap out of a trance and walked robotically to the table of drinks. She picked up a cup and walked past me, looking as if she was holding her breath.

"Lord Shingen," She murmured, and her voice was breathless, either in awe, or fear. She raised the bowl to her forehead, and offered it to him. The Takeda leader's enormous fingers took it from her frail ones.

"Thank you, Lady Oichi," Lord Shingen said kindly. "This is your wife, Nagamasa? The sister of Nobunaga?"

"Yes," Nagamasa nodded.

"What a beauty," Lord Shingen remarked. "Looks nothing like her brother, that mustachioed devil!"

Another round of suppressed amusement flew through the hall.

Oichi straightened up and hurried back to me. Her cheeks were noticeably red. "You have to give Lord Ujiyasu his wine too –"

"Sister, if you may," Nagamasa called out to me, a small smile playing on his lips. I lifted a porcelain cup off the table and hurried over, more intent on not tripping than looking particularly graceful. Whatever the case, I arrived in front of the Hojo leader's seat without incident.

I bowed, tapped the rim of the cup against my forehead, and gave it to Lord Ujiyasu. He took it, but did not drink immediately. Instead, he regarded me with a mild air disinterest.

"What's the kid's name?" He asked gruffly.

"Maiko," Nagamasa answered, nodding at me. I straightened, and smiled politely.

"Looks like you, Nagamasa," Lord Ujiyasu snorted. "Pale and blonde."

"A prominent family trait," Nagamasa said patiently. "It comes from the mixture of our blood."

"With what?" The man snorted, and downed his sake in one gulp. While handing me the cup, he asked, "Do you dance, little girl?"

A feeling of confusion fluttered between Nagamasa and me. "My Lord?"

"Kid doesn't even know what her own name means," He looked amused. "So I guess the answer's no."

Even if I were at liberty to voice out my emotions, nothing would have come out. I was struck speechless with bafflement in a matter of two-to-three quick quips from the Hojo leader. Nagamasa gave a surreptitious shrug of the shoulders.

"Japan doesn't breed fine women anymore," Lord Ujiyasu stated in a matter-of-factly way. "Reckon you got the last one, Nagamasa."

"With all due respect, Lord Ujiyasu, but my sister-"

"No offense meant," Ujiyasu waved a dismissive hand. "Just take a look at my little apprentice over here – the spoiled daughter of Narita. Too bad she's not a boy, but she's as close to it as any girl can get..."

In my peripheral vision, I saw a young lady sit up on her cushion and let out an audible hmph. Her long arms were knotted firmly across her chest, and her green eyes shone with some evident irritation. She looked nothing like a vassal of the Hojo, nor did she look like a ninja. She had the face and posture of a pre-wed woman, and was the farthest thing from what I would imagine as near-male.

"She still has some growing up to do," He pointed his long pipe's end directly at my nose, ash, smoke and all. "So does this one."

I stared politely at a space in between his ear and Nagamasa's forearm.

"You may go, Maiko. Thank you," Nagamasa said quietly, offering me a smile. I backed away, and turned around only when they reverted their attention back to the matter at hand. Taking advantage of this moment, I let out a small whimper of fear, so flustered by the brief but overwhelmingly terrifying encounter. Lady Oichi offered me a slight look of comfort, that didn't do much more.

"If you please, Lord Shingen, shall we settle matters?"

"What more matters must we settle, Nagamasa?" Lord Shingen chuckled. "We have an agreement, don't we?"

"Then I can't fully count on the support of the Takeda and its army in the next battle?" Nagamasa pressed. "And the Hojo?"

"Count me in," Ujiyasu sighed.

"Just as long as I can enlist you for our next battle against the Uesugi," Lord Shingen said after a thoughtful pause. "Then we have a deal."

"I take it you are a man of your word?"

Lord Shingen let out a guffaw. "You're a hard one, Nagamasa. But I am. Though, I need to know," He leaned in. "Why do you want to fight this war?"

"My family's name and the Asakura's have always been tied. They have been our steadfast allies for many generations. It is my duty above all subjective matters to ensure that this alliance between us stays strong."

"And what of the other alliance, hmmm?"

"That," Nagamasa said quietly. "Might be one I'd have to forego."

"And yet, you realize that-"

But the loud creaking from the other end of the hall drowned Lord Shingen's words out – the doors began to swing open, heavily scraping against the marble floor. All heads turned, and all words ceased. A lone figure had pushed open the door, and entered in a long, powerful stride. For a moment, everyone seemed to hold their breath – but the tension in the room relaxed as soon as Lord Shingen began to chortle.

"This one has a tendency to make unexpectedly grand entrances," Lord Shingen gestured to the newcomer, laughing unabashedly. The subject of our attention paid no mind to his surroundings, seemingly hellbent on reaching Lord Shingen. Upon finding himself standing at the great lord's feet, he knelt down and bowed his head. Something that looked suspiciously like rain and a bit of mud trickled down his temple.

"Oyakata-sama. Forgive my lateness – I have finished patrol." He said, breathing heavily.

"And this is?" Nagamasa wondered softly, regarding the warrior with an appraising look. The newcomer straightened up, looking directly and quite fearlessly into my brother's eyes.

"Yukimura Sanada."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi! So, if you aren't here from my shameless self promotion in my own Dynasty Warriors fic, welcome! Even if you are; welcome, still!

So, clearly, this is a Samurai Warriors fic, and it is, by all accounts, a Sanada Yukimura/OC fic. Yes, I'm doing that, because there needs to be more of these things. And Samurai Warriors fics, in general. OwO

Anyway, this is greatly (super, like, astronomically) historically inaccurate, but set somewhat during the time of the Battle of Anegawa. Lots of things will veer away from historical records, so this is just me clearing the air before issues about canon arise. Sorry!

This fic will be relatively short (there won't really be a sequel specifically for this). However, there will be a Warriors Orochi 3 mashup with this fic, and my Dynasty Warriors fic. If you are interested in learning the backstory to this WO3 fic as well, you can access A Love Like War on my profile.

I haven't much else to say, only that I hope you guys review, and tell me what you think, and where you think this'll go! :)

Looking forward to sharing this adventure with you,

Aimee