The Chosokabe Family (Chikayasu)

[Shang Yue]

"I need to speak to Motochika. Tell him it's his brother, Chikayasu."

Wearing a black turban, a red robe with a black cloak and what seemed to be a sickle hidden in his waist, Chikayasu Kosokabe stood in front of two archers guarding the barracks. He thought Motochika should be waiting for him, they were brothers after all. Chikayasu knew he wouldn't neglect help given his current situation, surrounded by hostile forces aware of his power.

Chikayasu was always a quiet man, and this became more evident when he was adopted by the Kosokabe. This trace of personality allowed him to focus his free time on studies, and thus became a very intelligent lad, with skills in domestic policies and military situations as well. He never had a close relationship with his brother Motochika, but wanted to have a friendship with his nephew Nobuchika. He was a gifted lad, after all.

The chain and sickle was a friend's idea; he could ride onto battle, command an army and be safe on horseback the entire time. The common arms never interested him very much, a lover of the exotic and refined things. He was a cannon enthusiast, though, and believed that a few well-placed cannons could turn the tide of a battle.

He realized he was a bit too rough on his first approach, so he apologized to the archers and asked again. "Please, it's really important. At least inform him of my presence."

[Simon]

"I need to speak to Motochika. Tell him it's his brother, Chikayasu", as the two archers glanced at each other. It had been some time since Chikayasu had been here, since he had left, and wondered if it was him, before the man apologised, "Please, it's really important. At least inform him of my presence".

The archers then looked down and nodded at the guards inside the barracks as the doors opened, before the archers called down, "You may enter. Motochika is in the Archery Yard", pointing to where it was.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu thanked the archers and entered the barracks, with eyes peeled for Motochika. He did not know where the archery yard was, but he somehow could sense his brother somewhere. He asked for directions to a guard drinking sake in a small room, and thus found his brother behind many archers. He shouted, "Motochika, do you have some time to talk to a brother?" while approaching the yard.

OOC: sorry for small posts, they'll get better from now on. I'm really, really sorry.

[Simon]

Since leaving Nobuchika and Zhuge Liang in Zhuge Liang's quarters to plan out the attack strategy for the attack on Sanuki, Motochika moved himself to the barracks with his shamisen leaning against his shoulder as he met up with the recruited archers as they practiced.

He watched as they pulled the strings of their bows and released as the arrows headed for the targets on the other side of the yard. "No arrow was sharper than a Chosokabe shaft", remembering what his son had said back in the meeting as he smiled. He was proud of his son.

Just then, he heard a shout, as a tall man was seen in the distance, all colour, and all true chosokabe-like, as a smirk appeared on Motochika's face, "Motochika, do you have some time to talk to a brother?", as Motochika walked over to him, "Of course", pausing as he turned to the archers, "Continue training. War will be upon us and you MUST be ready".

He tilted his head as a sign for him to follow as he exited the yard. Once he was out, he then turned to him as he walked with a smile, "It's good to see you again. How have you been keeping yourself?", he asked.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu obeyed Motochika's order, and followed him out of the yard. He was happy for being with him again, but he almost didn't recognize him when he got nearer. He was totally different judging from their last encounter, but boasted the same overall essence: a vigorous leader and a good person.

Chikayasu replied, "It's been a while since we last met, huh? I've been fine, getting through life as it comes. How about you? I can see you're trying hard to drill this army to its maximum strength... As always, the pride of the family." He chuckled, trying to be more intimate with his brother.

"I suppose... we could drink something? I'm really thirsty, you know?" He had an intent of talking about his nephew Nobuchika, but he didn't know how to start conversation about it. He decided to wait for Motochika reply.

[Simon]

Motochika glanced at his brother, examining him. Despite being taken away when he was yonger to be adopted, he had come out well, and still had the Chosokabe look about him with his not so common clothes, while he carried his not so common weapon and the not so common hair style. The Chosokabe had a habit of sticking out above the crowd.

He listened as Chikayasu as he explained how well he had been and how long they had last, before asking about him, "As always, the pride of the family", ending with a chuckle, as Motochika joined in with him, "We all have our part to perform, and must always be ready to make our move. With you with us brother, you'll be a great help to me", widening his smile, and throwing his arm around his brother. Afterall, Motochika was known for his gentle nature from a young age, but despite it, it didn't stop him from being a danger on the field.

"I suppose...we could drink something? I'm really thirsty, you know?", Chikayasu complained which made Motochika laugh, "Is the riches of the Kosokabe..", looking at the gold round his neck, "..and the province of Aki I gave you not enough for you? and now you want to take our refreshments! You sure are hard to please aren't you!", ending with a wink, "Course", guiding him into a tavern, and lifted his hand as he entered the tavern to point at himself and brother to bring some traditional wine, until taking a seat.

As soon as the glasses and wine were brought, Motochika poured for himself and Chikayasu, before taking a sip, "Speaking of Aki, how are you doing in your new duties?", he enquired. If he didn't take the wine, then the Kosokabe made him too soft.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu was glad to hear his brother was okay, and nodded when he said we all must make our move. "I am, brother. I want nothing less than your best wine!" And he laughed.

Motochika led him to a tavern, where they sat and had some wine. He thanked for pouring wine for him, took a sip and answered Motochika's question. "Well, Aki is a very peaceful place. It is a big responsibility to take care of a province, but it's been quite some time since we had an actual issue to be discussed. I've been devoting myself to my studies, as I get a lot of free time there. But don't you think I'm too soft, Aki's ready for whatever they throw at it. We got our own civilian army and our flood control is very advanced." He paused to take another sip and gain some time on inquiring about Nobuchika.

He threw the front end of his scarf back and reached for a paper underneath his robe. Then asked, "What about Nobuchika? Is he following his father's footsteps?"

[Simon]

"I am, brother. I want nothing less than your best wine!", as Chikayasu laughed. "You don't want much do you", as he too laughed, as Motochika's smile came upon his face to stay for awhile. He could now put aside his "lord" hat for awhile, after the two had been apart from the adoption and then the division of Tosa diving them all, but he had united them all back together again, and all will know the strength of the Chosokabe.

Chikayasu took a sip of his wine and then answered his question regarding Aki, pleased that Aki was all well and that he was doing well as Governor before asking, "But don't you think I'm too soft". Motochika laughed, "Don't you remember the nickname I was given for being guilty of that crime", referring to the nickname "Himewakako" meaning "Little Princess", but of course, he proved them wrong.

After taking another sip of his wine, he then asked of his son, "What about Nobuchika? Is he following his father's footsteps?". Motochika smiled, "Not sure if he's following, walking beside, or trying to overtake my footsteps. Haha", laughing, "He is doing well, trains regularly, and also is quite smart. As of now, he's with Zhuge Liang working out our battle plan for our attack on the Sogo. Yes you heard right, Zhuge Liang. I have no idea how he got here, but seemed fate had brought him to us", smiling.

Taking another sip, he then turned to him, "How's Chikauji?", asking about his own son. How times flew so fast, once they were boys, and now they had boys of their own.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu was getting acquainted with Motochika again, something that didn't happen since they were kids. Perhaps time like these could approach them... He couldn't think of any other way to overcome the distance. Then again, he was trying to spend some quality time with his brother. Nevertheless, he took another sip of his wine.

Motochika mentioned the nickname he was given, "Little Princess". Surprised, Chikayasu said, "Little Princess? I could swear your father said Little Devil... I highly doubt he would say that without being sure of it, your father being the honored man he was. And judging from your situation today, I wouldn't dare negate it." He laughed and grabbed his glass, but didn't drink.

He listened very closely to Motochika's statements about his son, and couldn't help but be surprised when he mentioned Zhuge Liang. He immediately remembered that name from the military strategy books he read, and was glad that Nobuchika was being tutored by him. Then, the question: "How's Chikauji?"

"He's alright, but compared to what you said about Nobuchika, he's... well, let's just say he's not living up to my expectations. I don't know if he's not gifted, or if he's too lazy, but he spends most of his time fooling around... But I won't give up on him this soon. He's my son, after all." He finally drank the wine, taking a bigger sip than the previous ones. "So, what are you planning to do? I mean, war?"

[Simon]

"Little Princess? I could swear your father said Little Devil... I highly doubt he would say that without being sure of it, your father being the honored man he was. And judging from your situation today, I wouldn't dare negate it.", Chikayasu responded, as Motochika tried to decide whether it was indeed true since he had not heard of it, or Chikayasu was complimenting him, either way, it made him smile and if he was the "Little Devil", then there was hell to play on the field. The irony.

He then took a few sips more of his wine before it all went, as Chikayasu began to speak about his son, and how he was not living up to his expectations, "You've heard the saying, boys will be boys. He'll grow out of it pretty soon. Nobuchika grew out of it pretty early when he got into his training, but more I can say for my other sons. Only Morichika has grew out of it, but spends his time studying, and keeping himself locked away. I wouldn't worry about it, as I'm not", since both were in same boat. Nobuchika would be a fine leader, Morichika would probably be his second choice but hoped his abilities would increase before the time come, but he had nothing to worry about while he and Nobuchika was around, and if fate gave him Zhuge Liang, which in turn gave him the land, he didn't have anything to worry about.

"So, what are you planning to do? I mean, war?", Chikayasu asked, which definitely shifted the topic from their family discussions, though Motochika refused to put his Lord hat on just yet, as he refilled the cups, and simply responded in an average manner, "Tosa has finally been united, Shikoku needs our help also. We have the weak Kono and the trading Miyoshi, both of which have links with the mainland, and the Sogo of Sanuki with their raids and claiming they are the strongeest, which is why we are attacking them first. Stroke their ego, then end them and show that we are the strongest", ending with a smirk.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu was comforted by the words of his brother. The hope he had shown on Chikauji was made up in the moment, but Motochika managed to make him see the light at the end of tunnel, the tunnel being in this case his son. He was a talented boy, he knew it, but he needed a tutor and, more importantly, a father to help him unleash this talent. As Chikayasu thought of this, a tear tried to escape his eyes, but he controlled his emotions and it went back. He regained his composure and listened to Motochika's plans of war.

"Tosa has finally been united, Shikoku needs our help also. We have the weak Kono and the trading Miyoshi, both of which have links with the mainland, and the Sogo of Sanuki with their raids and claiming they are the strongest, which is why we are attacking them first. Stroke their ego, then end them and show that we are the strongest". Chikayasu listened very closely to this, and replied at the end, "Good plan, brother. Well, you are surrounded by chances of expansion, so the chance of doing a mistake is nearly zero. I can only offer my services to help command the army." He smiled and drank the rest of the wine.

[Simon]

"Good plan, brother. Well, you are surrounded by chances of expansion, so the chance of doing a mistake is nearly zero. I can only offer my services to help command the army" was Chikayasu's response, one which Motochika responded with a smile, "Just like old times", since before, the two were divided by the adoption, but now they were together again.

"I will be in much need of your services my brother, but for now, I leave Tosa in your hands while I march off to Sanuki. Though I seek to unite this isle of Shikoku, fate has need of us to not only unite Shikoku, but bring the entire land into peace, to the peace we experience today. For many many years, it has been the mainland that has always been at war while the isles have been secure, but now, it seems the mainland needs us more than ever. What with what people call "The Demon King" growing in the East. Have you heard much of him?", curious what his brother knew, aswell as his thoughts on their goal.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu nodded to Motochika's statement, agreeing that it was just like old times. He tried to hide his insatisfaction when Motochika bade him stay in Tosa while he invaded Sanuki; he wanted to put his studies to practice, and the Sogo would be a great target for it. But orders were orders, and he had to stay.

His brother said something about a "Demon King" in the east, and he remembered hearing some merchants talking about a similar character in Awa. He replied, ""He's not totally strange to me, as I heard merchants talking about him in Awa. But I don't know who he is, or the real extent of his power. We should use caution, though." He thought about asking Motochika to go to Sanuki with him, but he held up a bit longer. "I'll wait for his reply."

[Simon]

Motochika watched his brother carefully, though not intently so it was revealing, to see what his reaction was to staying in Tosa while they fought, in which he responded with not a word, before commenting on the "Demon King", and how they should use caution, though he was no threat, yet.

His response was one of laughter, before turning back to him, "I may be the Lord of our clan. Afterall, you will always be a Chosokabe, no matter what the papers say, but if you have something to say, then say it. It's not like I'll bite...then again, I'm particularly good at playing guessing games and getting them right, and by your reaction, you seem to be dissatified with staying at home...", leaving his reply in a cliffhanger, so he didn't do all the guessing work for him, but would at least act as a prod for him.

[Shang Yue]

Chikayasu regretted not telling Motochika of his insatisfaction before. It would've prevented this from happening. But now that it did, all he could do was tell him the truth and try to convince his brother to let him accompany the main army to Sanuki.

"Okay, you got me. I won't hide that I wanted to go with you to Sanuki. It'll be a great test for my abilities and, well, family is family, right? You can separate it for much time, it will come together again. Even if it is in war..." He paused and grabbed his glass, but realized that it was empty. He put it back on its place and put his hands on the table, trying to get up. But he stopped for a second and continued: "Enough with the family tone. I am your humble servant, and in this time I am asking to accompany my lord in battle. Should there be any place I could take in it, point it to me."

He got up and bowed. Motochika was his lord and older brother. And should he ask to stop with this, Chikayasu wouldn't. He had always shown respect to everyone near him, be them older or younger. And this is what he wanted Chikauji to be like, but judging from his current situation, he knew it would be almost impossible. He waited for a reply from his brother.