The sky was blue and delicate as Gengyo look up at it. Not a single fluffy cloud could be seen. The sun shone proudly and with shocking warmth. It was a hotter day than a man might have liked. He was hidden in the overgrown grass of rolling plains, seated cross-legged and peaceful. He'd given the order, and they'd begun their march home. Affairs needed to be set in order in Mikawa before they could attempt to campaign.

With each passing day, the surprise we had on them lessens, Gengyo thought to himself with a certain amount of dissatisfaction. Yet there is simply no other way about it. Nobunaga is heading toward Owari to raise an army of his own, and he'll journey to Mino as well, to try and employ the help of the Saito.

The way he saw it, the Uesugi would be mobilizing their men within the course of weeks, but the Takeda remnants would be doing the same. He hoped their interference might buy them the time they needed to build a more respectable foundation. The people need feeding. War has torn families and farms apart. I may have forsaken my seat for Matsudaira, but I will not see the province of my village suffer.

He wrestled open his kimono, baring his chest to the sun. A thin layer of sweat coated it, and it shone in the light. Since when did I become so well-muscled? He wondered as he looked down upon himself. Much had changed. He remembered his words from the previous evening, and the look he had put in all their eyes, it was certainly something. But talk means nothing if I do not manage to achieve. There are enemies everywhere. Until Japan is conquered, it seems likely that I will always be at war. There is no breathing room or minute's respite. I need to master governing with haste, otherwise every province I conquer will be worth nothing.

"So this is where you ran away to." A sweet voice called out from behind him. He smelled her before he heard her, with the wind carrying her comforting scent. "I think Matsudaira was looking for you as well. It seemed quite urgent." She sat down beside him, brushing a stray strand of her out from her face, looking up at the sky, trying to guess what he might be thinking.

"Akiko…" He murmured lazily, acknowledging her with a warm smile, before returning back to looking at the clouds. "It will be tiring. To win without having a chance to rest. Only now am I beginning to understand what this game entails."

"It might well be, but who can do it if not you?" She latched onto his arm and nuzzled her head into his open chest. He fought the urge to flinch as her soft hair tickled his skin.

Nobunaga. He responded to her question internally. That man was dangerous, no matter how respectfully he claimed to address him. There would have been two options, restrain him, and stop him from coming into power. Or, give him just enough to satisfy him. With option two, I hope I can make him into an asset.

"Or you. You're fierce on the field now Akiko, truly. You and Rin rallied the men as though this was your thousandth battle. I'll be relying on you from now on."

"I'm ready." She assured him, squeezing his hand. "Just give the word. One day, I might even lead an army of my own in your name, do you not think? We will have plenty of enemies for it. You have Matsudaira-san and Nobunaga-dono, but you'll need more, won't you? For each border we have. And who's to say we won't be invaded by sea?"

She had a point certainly, but the passion with which she raised her argument without him even objecting caused Gengyo to smile, and he could not help but kiss her.

"Mmphh…" She complained, thinking that he was looking down on her. "I'm serious, you know."

"As am I." He grinned. "When that time comes, I will rest safe in the knowledge that my wife will keep my behind safe from invasion. We have a new strategist to make use of as well, so that day might come sooner than either of us imagine."

"A new strategist?" She pulled a face. "Why would that matter? Do you think I can't handle my own strategy?" One could practically see the steam coming out of her ears as she got more and more fired up.

"Heavens no, but you have already mastered the art of leadership. Your men respect your strength and your bravery. Would it not be sensible to leave the strategy to someone who has spent his entire life studying it?" He had to hold up his hands defensively, fearing that she might strike him in their play.

"You never did, not until recently." She pointed out, doing her very best to force him into an uncomfortable position.

It was no longer with words that he could win, and so as she struggled to get up, his hand went to her ankle, and he tripped her from balance, catching her gently, and rolling her to the floor, pinning her warm body beneath him. "You know, I remember a time when you could not speak to me without blushing."

"And I remember a time when you used to wash! You stink of sweat… When was the last time you bathed?" She was struggling so desperately to get out from underneath him, but if Takeda Ichijo could not stand up to him, his wife had no chance.

He raised his arm and tilted his nose toward his pits for a sniff, and raised an eyebrow at what he smelt. "Mm… Smells like hard work."

"Hard work? You've been sat in the field all morning staring at the sky!"

"SSSh." He held a finger to her lips, moving his face in, closer to hers. "Don't let them know."