She could have run, she could have escaped, stolen a horse, ridden until she found safety and returned to Oshiro. But she didn’t. She stayed. She prayed for his safety, she helped build his war academy, she ran his home and his lands while he battled. Acting as lady of Gunba in all but name. All the while her face, her identity, hidden behind the silver mask. The people of the land called her Gunba Denka and she did not correct them.<br/><br/>In the 9 months she had been with Takeda he had taught her more than she had ever learned at home. He taught her how to please a man and how to take pleasure. But more than that he taught her her worth, that she had more to offer than to warm a bed at night. She trained at his academy before it was open, learned her own strengths and her talents. Denka was very skilled artist and soon was gaining her Mastua’s clan a reputation with her talent.<br/><br/>She was kneeling in one of the extra rooms painting a scene on a screen of an old japanese folk tale as she told the story to the little five year girl beside her. The girl was the daughter of one of her hand maids and she giggled as Denka smiled behind her mask. “The tiger roared and bore his teeth to the little mouse but..” Her words were suddenly ended as she heard the taiko drums beating loudly announcing someone was at the gates. “Hurry Aiko go find your mother.” Denka rose and hurried down the hall her bare feet sounding against the floor. Stopping at the nearest window the sight that met her eyes made her heart soar.<br/><br/>The troops were returning from war, but quickly it sank again as she saw their conditions. She had heard about the great loss they had taken at the bloody valley, and tho she knew that if Takeda had fallen she would have been told, she still did not rest until she saw him cross into the safety of the castle walls. She wanted to run to him when she saw him stumble but she knew she shouldn’t.<br/><br/>The wails of freshly made widows and mother’s whose sons had not returned filled the city that night and Denka’s heart ached for them. She hurried to Takeda’s chambers and opened the door quietly slipping inside. Closing it behind her she could feel the weariness like a fog in the room. “Masuta…” She whispered as she walked towards him. Her hand reached up and ran her fingers along the dent in the side of his mask as he saw a tear fall down her cheek. “I know  I am nothing but your possession Masuta but still.. I am glad to see you again.”<br/><br/>He could feel her fingers brush along the side of his neck as she sighed wanting to tell him so much more but knowing she shouldn’t. “Come take a warm bath and let me tend to your injuries. You are home now.” Her fingers slipped down to remove his clothing as a large tub steamed with warm water.