Chapter Text
There had never been an option in the matter. The moment the messenger had arrived from Kai with a somber expression and a letter bearing the hopes of an alliance, the die had been cast for her. Her family, the Akai, had been looking for ways to cut ties with the Oda and defect to the Takeda for months now. The Akai, a noble family working under the Oda, had felt unappreciated and their dreams of playing a larger rule in the ruling of Japan would never be realized if they remained dogs for the Oda to preside over.
The Akai had reached out to the Takeda in hopes of securing a marriage alliance. Wedding one of their daughters to the Tiger of Kai himself would ensure that they played a direct hand in the ruling of Japan. Takeda Shingen was still in need of a wife, his family needed the security an heir could provide, and Kai was willing to overlook the Akai’s previous ties to their enemies if they agreed to send an eligible wife.
The marriage alliance had been the topic of many debates and hushed conversations. Many argued the Akai could not be trusted, if they were willing to betray the Oda, could they truly be loyal to a new clan? Others argued that the Akai should remain loyal to the Oda, Nobunaga may be the Lord of Fools but it seemed he grew closer and closer to divine rule as he made his way through Owari.
Nevertheless, the agreement had gone through. After much discussion and work through her father and brothers, the marriage had solidified into a proper alliance. The Takeda had sent a messenger in the dead of night bearing their approval.
The letter was simple and to the point, ink smudged after traveling so far away.
Kai will accept a bride of the Akai. Send your strongest daughter.
The second portion of the message had been the die that changed the game. The Akai had three eligible daughters who could be wed at a moment’s notice. Tradition would dictate the eldest daughter be sent to Kai to wed Takeda Shingen, the closest in age and a lady of true breeding raised to be a wife from the moment she could walk, yet the Lord of the Akai did not choose her.
The letter had asked for the strongest daughter. The three Akai girls each had a purpose and role in their family. The eldest, Keina, was the most proper and most obedient. She accepted her role in the family as if it were ingrained into her very blood and would certainly make any man proud to call her his wife. The second daughter, Haia, was a true beauty who had been compared to a goddess descended from the heavens. She bore the Akai’s best features, a lady whose noble breeding was evident in her appearance, and could be forgiven for being scatterbrained if a man gazed at her face long enough. Finally, the third daughter was fire and wit. She had taken after the fiery and strong Lord of the Akai more than the demure late Lady Akai that had raised her and was neither obedient nor a goddess in the flesh like her sisters. Rin was fire come to life, quick to argue and challenge, yet her mind was said to be sharper than the many blades the Akai had in their inventory. She was a far cry from the obedient little wife any man would want, her family often said she would serve a temple better than a man, yet there was promise for her.
After the Lord of the Akai had spent all night pouring over the letter, mulling over each of his daughters in turn judging their ability and raising, he had made his choice.
Picking up his brush, he had written a reply to the Takeda.
The Akai have chosen a bride. Akai Rin will be sent to you to wed.
The letter had been dispatched on a messenger, the boy urged to ride in due haste, and the Akai had summoned Rin in the dead of night to let her know.
The die had been cast the moment she had entered her father’s office still rubbing sleep from her eyes. Tradition dictated that her sister Keina be sent in her stead, the eldest and less distant in age than the Tiger of Kai, yet her father had made his choice and would not budge.
The letter had asked for the strongest of his daughters, and Rin fit the role assigned to her.
There, with the moonlight spilling into the office and the scent of the blooming sakura blossoms drifting into the room, her father stood and addressed her.
There had never been a choice in the matter. The role had been assigned to her from birth and breeding. Out of all the Akai children, Rin fit the requirements of Kai more than she did those of the Akai.
Her father had risen from his seat with a sense of finality and sternness. Rin knew what was coming before she even realized it was happening. Almost as if on instinct, she raised herself up higher and tilted her chin upwards to accept a fate she had no hopes of ever escaping.
“You are to leave tomorrow for Kai,” her father had urged. He had reached out and handed her the official marriage declaration sealed with the Kai crest and the Akai stamp. The Akai sparrow was stamped in fading ink and seemed to be overshadowed by the large Kai signature taking up its space above.
“Not Keina? Haia?” Rin traced the signature of one Takeda Shingen with her finger. The Tiger of Kai.
Besides the Demon King of the Sixth Hell, the Tiger was said to be the greatest contender for divine rule. He was a Tiger, big and ferocious, and his roar could be heard to the very corners of Japan. He troubled the Owari Demon and riled the Dragon of Echigo. A man like him would be a difficult husband to take.
“You,” her father corrected, “You are to become Lady Takeda. Will you accept?”
The question was rhetorical and offered no room for decision. The Akai had made their choice and fate had been set into motion. No one, not even the Buddha, could stop it now.
Raised a daughter of the Akai, born a woman in the feudal era, and named the eligible bride, Rin adjusted her posture and took a deep breath.
There, with the moonlight illuminating her face in a bright glow and the drifting sakura petals raining behind her, the Sparrow of Akai became the Tigress of Kai.
“I accept.”