The harsh sound of a door echoing jolted me awake, I sat up sharply and saw it must have been someone leaving, because Lord Shingen was sitting opposite me in his robe, a drink in his hand and a sake flask within easy reach.

I soon worked out it was night time, and extra lamps threw an even, soft light, the dancing colours more steady, just rippled by the occasional shadow - it was captivating.

My head felt clear and refreshed, the rest had done me good and I was feeling stronger again.

Although he still held a fixed and grim expression, I got the distinct impression that Shingen was weary, I saw that one flask was already empty on the table, so he must have been drinking for hours already, not that it ever seemed to affect him like any normal person, his tolerance was legendary.

"So do I really have to beg for my life?"

"Yes."

He swirled his sake as he looked directly at me,

"I have spent the entire afternoon hearing those who would see you spared."

I felt sick.

A wave of cold nausea sent me back into the cushions.

"No one spoke a word against you."

He added in a softer tone, staring at his swirling sake. The look in his eyes as he sat up and leant towards me though made me grip the edge of the cushion I was sitting on.

"So Lady Takeda, Tamara, convince me. I am bound by protocol to listen before I decide."

He took a drink.

Really? Is he serious?

I got the impression he was, I could see no humour in him, no hint of a trick or that he would spare me the ritual, or in fact, spare me.

"Nothing?

No reason?

Not one?"

I watched as he leant down to his other side and slowly put his sword across his lap.

Now I was scared. This was all a bit too real.

"Come here."

I obediently got up and knelt before him, I couldn't take my eyes off the sword, I felt my hands were shaking, so I clasped them together across my lap.

He put his cup down on the floor and slowly leant down further towards me, and I fought the urge to cringe away as his face was next to my ear.

He flicked his ponytail away from my cheek and I felt his breath near my neck.

"Nothing?

Is your life worth so little to you?"

I had expected him to whisper, so the volume in his voice made me jump, he was expecting me to come up with reasons to save myself, what the fuck was I supposed to say? 'Hi there, my name's Tamara, I'm pretty nice when you get to know me, I like horses and please don't kill me?'

(Quotes Tamara, Clan quotes, THINK OF SOMETHING!)

Shingen moved the blade in the scabbard and the cold sound of metal bit the silence.

I remembered the formal apology to Yukimura, and swiftly put my forehead to the floor, my hands palm down in front of my head.

"My Lord, forgive me for my transgression."

"Sit up and tell me why I should." I did as I was told.

Finally, my brain thought of some lines...

"I only sought to remind our retainers of their task and to be proud to be riding with their Lord and part of the greatest Clan." I took a breath and seeing this wasn't enough, realised I needed to actually apologise.

(Where were all the damned quotes from films when you needed them?)

"I did what I did to allow you to keep your own counsel. I did it out of my love and respect for you ... My Lord."

There was a brief moment I felt he was smiling, but I still kept my eyes down.

"Is that all you have to say?"

(Are you kidding? You want more? I was starting to feel toyed with and I couldn't move or break the formality or his hand would be forced, right then Mister Man, I have the film in my head now...) I took a deep breath and started, just changing the names and a few details:

"I am your Lady Takeda, if I sense those around you falter I will not hesitate to speak. I have sworn myself to the Takeda Clan for as long as I take a breath, and if these are my last then you should know I would act first to your protection and seek forgiveness later."

I sighed loudly.

"Please forgive me."

I was done.

Personally, I was quite impressed with myself. Lord Shingen lightly tapped his sword in a rhythm only he knew, then commanded me to stand up, and as I did he put the sword back on the floor and stood in front of me.

He took my head in his hands and made me look up at him.

"You are fortunate I love you my Lady Takeda." (or did he say 'Tiger'? I've never been sure), he put his hands around my ribs and lifted me up to his eye level.

"I forgive you."

I put my hands around the back of his neck and he jumped me higher to put his arms around me, pressing the air out me as he almost crushed me to his chest.

I had the feeling he was just enjoying himself now at my expense, and as that sentence finished in my head he took me in a fierce kiss, pressing me to return the affection.

He continued until there was a soft tapping on the door, and then put me on my feet as Shai stepped into the room.

Shingen walked over to her and they had an almost silent exchange, Shai peered around him and nodded and smiled at me, leaving me all the more bewildered as to what was going on.

He visibly relaxed, and sat back down to his sake, whilst I still stood in a daze as Shai quietly left.

"You can relax," He said, "Kansuke will see our privacy is kept now after that."

"That? That was entirely for the benefit of others?"

I was starting to feel cross, "Weren't you just enjoying that a little too much?"

The ebbing adrenaline was making me melt, and I couldn't help but feel a little 'used'.

Shingen shook his head and muttered something into his drink, then directed his attention towards me.

"Come, sit, have a drink with me."

I cast him a suspicious glare, but gratefully took the drink, relaxing was the last thing on my mind.

The thought of the meeting tomorrow descended, even the small glimpse I had seen of Oda Nobunaga showed me that he was just as powerful a presence as the man opposite me, but his energy was darker, like it was cramped into too small a frame, and left me with the taste of biting on tinfoil.

I shuddered involuntarily as his cold image swirled in the mist. Shingen must have read my thoughts.

"Don't be intimidated by him, I think you are taller than he is."

He chuckled into his cup as he drained it, but I was still nervous. If I could stuff up so easily in a split second, what disaster would happen face to face with the man?

I crumpled into a heap on the floor, totally drained.

Shingen stepped down to my level and spun me around on the polished floor, enveloping me in a hug. I still couldn't relax, even when he buried his face in my neck. I'm not sure how long we sat like that, but by degrees I melted back into his embrace, feeling safe there.

It was nice just to be held securely.

Perhaps he too just needed some quiet time for his mind, I couldn't begin to imagine how many details must go round in there.

I pulled myself away from him and turned around and looking at him, he still seemed lost in his thoughts, so I dipped under his head to get him to look at me and he did so, his eyes were bright and full of kindness again.

"I'm sorry for today." I really was, I single-handedly created a social nightmare for him.

"Don't be, I am very proud of you ... no one has ever ..." He turned his head away, "We should get some rest, tomorrow will be difficult for everyone."

I watched him get up and cross the room, uncertain whether to follow or go back to the cushions.

"And bring the sake."

Decision made I guess.