A Time Traveller's Guide To Feudal Japan-Chapter 258 - Brother

With the conclusion of battle, Matsudaira left his headquarters with his entourage of guards, past the thousands of corpses that littered the field. Before joining Miura, he paid his fallen Elders a visit.

"Thank you." He said simply, inclining his head low, bowing from atop his horse. "I will make sure you have the finest funeral." The grief was not as much as it would have been, had he not known what this battle truly meant to them. In their lifetime, the Matsudaira clan had fallen so low, and though they might not have said anything, they blamed themselves for that, just as he had. Now they would be able to greet their ancestors with their heads held high, promising that the clan would now reach new heights that even the feats of past men could not top.

Gengyo had already disarmed the remnants of the Takeda army, and ordered all their swords and spears and daggers to be set down in a giant pile. He then gave the order for them to sit, so that it would be harder for them to do anything untoward. With the state of the earth and the serve damp that would coat their bottoms, in normal circ.u.mstances, this was a command want to warrant complaint, yet with their extreme exhaustion, they could not imagine anything more pleasant.

Of all the men that had fought that day, under ten thousand remained. Three thousand Takeda footsoldiers and two Takeda Generals that had not yet thrown their lives away. And on Gengyo's side, two thousand men, the majority of which were comprised of the specially trained Elite and the veteran Matsudairan men who had decided that the enemy was not quite worthy enough to claim their lives. Mixed in with them, there were fewer than a hundred peasants – those that remained will have been of the highest calibre.

Gracious in victory as he always was, Gengyo gave his speech, and the cheers came. He promised his men that tonight would be one of feasting, as would the entire week to come. For the first time since Imagawa, they would be able to truly rest.

Matsudaira managed to creep up behind him amidst the clamour, and lay a hand on his shoulder. Gengyo spun his saddle to greet him, a smiling blossoming on his face. "Matsudaira… The work you've done today, I will not forget it. To be able to manoeuvre a force as outnumbered as ours to victory – I'm glad you came to our side."

"As am I, my Lord." Matsudaira replied, the words almost catching in his throat, so overcome with joy. He was always a humble man, but today he knew he'd fought harder than he ever had in his life. "Of course, it would have been impossible had it not been for you."

"Ah, but who was it that forced me to wait to make my grand entrance?" He waggled his finger, shooing away his humbleness.

"Perhaps… To be honest, I was surprised you waited for so long." A chuckle followed his words, before he grew more serious and formal. "It was truly an honour to fight as your Grand General today, my Lord."

Gengyo shook his head, tutting. This simply wouldn't do. "After all you've done for me, only a foolish man would think you a servant. Come, embrace me as a brother. We are partners in this." He held his arms out wide, nodding encouragingly. A man that could match him – it would be a waste to confine him with the chains of a retainer. They had a common cause, and it would do them well to be able to act independently.

Matsudaira fumbled, unable to find the right words. Honour… Honour… But beyond Lordship and formality, he felt an immense joy at Gengyo's proposition, and returned his embrace.

"…Are you crying Matsudaira?"

"No…" He lied in embarrassment. He found escape in the party that was approaching behind Gengyo. "It looks like we have visitors."

"Hm…?" He pulled away, putting on a more business-like face, catching a glance of Jikouji. He motioned with his hand, giving the order. He wanted the troops to be on their guard, just in case their new 'ally' might like to try something.

He could not help but notice that there was a familiar face riding despondently beside Nobunaga, his head still held high in pride. The surrendered Takeda soldiers grew restless seeing his approach, fearing that he would scold them for their cowardice. Many of them turned away in shame – a gesture the Tiger noticed, and scowled at.

His two remaining Generals fell into the dirt, pushing their facing into the ground, bowing deeply in his direction by way of apology. Defeated or not, everyone could feel they were in the presence of a true Daimyo and their behaviour altered accordingly.

"Nobunaga. You've brought me a gift." He noted, addressing the Oda Lord first, only sparing Shingen a casual glance.

Nobunaga's face twisted slightly, being referred to so casually, interpreting it as an insult after the respect he had shown the man earlier. "That we have, Miura-dono… We thought it would be wrong to kill what you yourself had hunted."

"That was honourable of you." He acknowledged, turning his attention to the man who had spent the day causing him such trouble. The best-case scenario would be to subordinate him, and use him as an asset, but he was well aware that such hopes were beyond unrealistic. A man with his pride could never lower himself.

"Takeda Shingen." He greeted him, using his full name as though it was the answer to some grand mystery.

"Miura Tadakata." He replied evenly, not faltering under his gaze.

"Are those the only words you have for me? Had you not wished to speak to me, you would never have bothered to mount a horse. You'd already be dead, by your own hand or by Nobunaga's. Can I assume that you are open to negotiation, possibly towards the means of an alliance?"