#Mitsuhide chapter fic

[sabraeal]

Like Going Home, Chapter 6

[Read on AO3]

Written for Battlecrown of @traditional-with-a-twist as her prize for winning the Madness Kitty this year!

Dread builds with her every footfall, rising at the same slope as the stairs, just as inexorable— no, as inescapable— as the tide rolling to shore. Her slippers make no more than the barest hush against the carpet, and yet Kiki is sure that her mother counts every step, giddily awaiting the news of which noble son she has taken off the marriage mart. Mother might have been the toast of her season, a flawless jewel every lord coveted for his collection, but Kiki is relegated to choosing between liver and onions: two princes, both alike in incompatibility— and disinterest— and the most interminable second son to have ever fallen from a countess’s womb.

Perhaps she should have let Mother send her to the capital after all; at least there she has the chance to be called a failure, to be declared so unmarriable that she might give up on the idea entirely. But instead she is here, wondering how she might recount dinner without Mother heaving her weary sighs, worry etching itself deeper with each detail her explanations embroider.

When Kiki finally rounds the corner, the long corridor of nearly empty guest chambers unfurls before her. No light spills out onto the carpet— or at least, none save what the sconces manage from their perches, fluted glass funneling their shine up rather than out. Even her mother’s door is dark, cast in the pale shadow between sconces, not even a hint of a candle lighting the space beneath.

Her next steps fall quite lighter as she passes, relief buoying her like a feather on the wind. She drips pearls passing through her door, eager to be rid of her elegant trappings, the luxurious details that mark her out as the daughter of a count, a girl destined to be wedded and bedded and bred with a brave face. There would be time enough to disappoint Mother with her missteps tomorrow, after she’s had a full night’s rest, but tonight—

“Milady.” It’s a soft voice that calls to her, pitched at no louder than a whisper, more a notable absence of sound than spoken word. “Is that you?”

The clasp on her bracelet springs open, sapphires melting through her fingers as she meets the maid’s gaze over her shoulder. She’s a pretty one— they’re all pretty here— hair tidily swept back to underscore the point. An observation that might have been fun to float in front of His Highness, save that the girl is old enough to have been hired during his father’s term, not his. “It is. If you don’t mind, could you get the back of this? The buttons—”

“It’s your mother, miss.”

Every muscle stiffens, making her more statue than flesh. “My mother?” Her lips nearly cut themselves on the edge of those words. “Is she…?”

All right is what comes to her first, but there’s no point in asking, not when the maid stands there wringing her hands, distressed down to the weave of her dress. They hardly came here with hopes of improvement, merely a slower decline. A pretty place to pass the time while they waited out the inevitable.

And yet she cannot bear to voice the more salient question. Inevitable it may be, but still— there’s something about speaking it that makes it more immediate, more real.

“She’s…” Those slender fingers knit together, squeezing tight before she says, “Her breathing is quite labored, miss. Should we…?”

Call the doctor. Kiki’s teeth grit hard enough to ache.

“Don’t bother.” There’s little and less he can do for her anyway. “I’ll stay with her.”

*

Mother does not sleep easy that night.

For that matter, neither does Kiki. For hours she keeps vigil at her mother’s side, watching the agonizing struggle of inhalation, only to be followed by the stomach-churning lull of an exhale. It is not her worst bout, not by far, but as the hours creep toward morning, even the moon abandons her place in the sky, and she cannot help but wonder if each breath might be the last. If with every fall of her mother’s chest, it might never rise again.

At some point, Kiki sleeps— she must, since she wakes with a wince, a hand raised to shield herself from the light pouring through the curtains. Her gown is rumpled, pearls and silvered beads having shed off in the night, mussed beyond what even a good steam might fix. A chair— a big, wing-backed monstrosity of a thing— had been draw up for her use, set beside the bed so that she might hold one of those papery hands in hers, willing life where none dared cling for long. And yet somehow she’s migrated, no longer alongside the mattress but on it, propped up on her mother’s many pillows.

Every part of her curls around the small body beside her; the same one that once labored to bring her into this world now struggling with the same effort to draw breath. It’s eased now, no longer the terrible rattle it had been in the night but more a rhythmic wheeze, one that would dissipate as soon as she woke, as if nothing had ever happened at all. Not something that would happen soon though; Mother dozes fitfully besides her, limbs trembling with the effort of her tossing and turning, only kept in place by the barrier of Kiki’s body. One she removes, slowly, carefully, beads clattering as she rises from the bed.

Red marks pepper her arms; whole clusters of circular dints twine down its softest parts, carved into her like a relief of grapes on the vine. Ah, if Father knew that she had slept in this gown— if Mother knew—

Kiki grimaces. Best to change before she wakes and hope that there was a deft enough needle amongst the maids here to repair it. A squint toward the balcony informs her that it is far too late to hope for breakfast— so late the spread has long been cleared, not even the whisper of a sausage left behind to sate her— but still too early to be underfoot in the kitchens, inquiring about luncheon. The staff would be busy with its preparation though, rushing between the kitchen and cellar and dining room without room to think of the young lady abed upstairs. Zen would surely be holed up in his room still, licking his wounds from last night, and Izana…well, wherever he might be, he wouldn’t be sparing a thought for her. No one would be, not when Kiki Seiran is already accounted for.

It would be simple to slip into her buckskins, traipsing down to the shore with no one the wiser. Mother might not approve— certainly wouldn’t, not without her royal escorts— but there’s no reason for her to know, not when she’ll be there and back before she rouses, with only the lingering scent of salt on her skin as proof.

Her mouth curls, just slightly, reaching for the door. Yes, all she needs is to move carefully, and—

And the door flies open from beneath her grip, baring a maid behind it. The same one from last night, in fact; her pretty face now rounded in shock rather than worry.

“Milady,” she gasps, a hand pressed to her chest. “I didn’t…” She clears her throat, palm skimming down to her side. “Shouldn’t you be in your room?”

Kiki lifts her chin, brows curving into their most imperious arch. She may not yet be at her full height, still too small to look down on a grown woman, but confidence bridges the gap just as well as inches would. “Should I?”

The maid doesn’t quail as she should; no, instead, her mouth furrows at the corner, consternation sinking deep into every wrinkle. “His Highness said you would be, miss. He told the housekeeper you would need a maid to help prepare something appropriate.”

“Something…?” There’s a bitter taste on her tongue when she spits out, “…Appropriate?”

“For today’s outing.” The maid stares at her, as if she is perhaps speaking a different language. “I am to help make you ready.”

“Ready?” The knot of dread that tied itself last night pulls tighter still, settle her belly to roil. “Just what outing is this?”

“For the one young master Rougis sent this morning,” the girl explains, prim. “Out on their boat.”

Kiki blinks. “Excuse me?”

The words are hardly out before she remembers his father’s blustering last night. We have a fine little ketch my boys like to race around the bay. Out to Yuris and back in only a few hours!

Silly, it might have seen to her— the last place she wanted to be was with Hisame Rougis in a room she could not escape— but…

How diverting. Oh, what a shark’s smile that man wore as he said it, probably already thinking of invitations tendered and accepted. Perhaps we should plan an excursion?

“The invitation came in with the post, right over breakfast. Wasn’t my lady…? Ah!” The maid glances at her, guiltily, as she remember just why young mistress Seiran might not have been at the table. “Yes, well, His Highness sent your reply promptly.”

Kiki’s teeth grit down. “Did he now?”

*

Kiki strides into the training room with a storm dogging her steps. “I know you Wisterias are used to a certain amount of high-handedness, but I do not remember giving you leave to answer my correspondence for me.”

Frustratingly, His Highness doesn’t flinch. Even extended as he is, legs splayed deeply lunge and arm outstretched to the length of two men rather than the one, he doesn’t even tremble. No, he simply rises; a smooth flourish that brings his blade right down from his shoulder to his side. A salute, the way courtesy demands for a woman of her rank. Or at least it would, if he were not the crown prince, and she his unfortunate hostage.

His gaze lifts, scraping up from boot heels to hairline before his mouth settles into the sparest smirk. “Why, my lady,” he hums, sheathing the blade. “As much as I might appreciate a pair of trousers, I hardly think they’re suitable for luncheon.”

Her arms fold forbiddingly across her chest. “I’m not going.”

She expects him to balk, to straighten his spine and order her to obey the way a prince should, but his mouth only twitches. “That’s hardly the sort of manners a young lady should show, don’t you think? Not attending after you so eagerly replied that you would…”

“You were the one that sent that, not me,” she huffs. Izana was supposed to be on the defensive, and yet here she is, shoulders set stiff as a yoke, wondering if she might be able to flee fast enough before his footmen could catch her. “Without consulting me.”

“If it were solely an invitation tendered to you, I would have,” he parries, as deftly as he did with his blade. “But though it came in your name, Lady Kiki, it was issued to all of our party.”

“So you answered for Zen too?” The sudden jolt of his brow is all the reply she needs to seize the initiative on this bout. “I can hardly imagine he’ll thank you for that either.”

Now he draws himself up, squaring his shoulders into the shape of authority. “It is my prerogative as host to tender and accept amusements on behalf of my guests.”

“Oh?” She pitches a brow into a skeptical arch. “So he is your guest?”

“No. Zen is my responsibility.” There’s a weight when he says it, a reluctance. She might dig her fingers into it, might peel back that ironic armor he covers himself in, if only she understood why. “As are you, Miss Seiran. Your mother so much as told me so when she permitted me to manage your social calendar. At least, as long as you are here.”

She wishes that this small betrayal could shock her, but in her heart of hearts, Kiki knew: it was only natural for Mother to see him as her ally. Who else here would be so determined to see her well-married other than His Highness, after all? That his interest was purely to keep himself from being on the marital chopping block wouldn’t hamper her in the slightest. Oh no, it would almost be better this way— with all his attention fixed on her, surely affection and regard would be soon to follow.

Kiki hardly even knows she’s gritting her teeth until they ache, a sting that only spurs her to dig in her heels. “I won’t go.”

That twitch of his mouth is far less amused now. “I would hardly think a lady of your pedigree would stoop to be so rude as to—”

“I’ve done your dinners.” She takes a step closer, fingers dragging over the pommel of each blade on the rack as she passes. “I’ve made polite conversation. I’ve played nice”—she hesitates before stepping within arm’s reach, tilting up her chin to meet his stare— “but I have no interest in encouraging that— that annoyance any further. Unless it is to take a long walk off a short pier.”

Izana’s smirk never dims, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes either. “Hisame Rougis is the second son of a perfect respectable, if not as storied family as your own, Lady Kiki. Which means that his sole means of status is through marrying well.” He leans in, voice lowered to a rumble. “He will only have the power you give him, and that boy is cunning enough to know it. It would be an enviable position for many ladies in out court.”

Kiki blinks. “But he’s obnoxious.”

Izana does not sigh so much as exhale, disappointment palpable as he shifts back to arm’s length. “I am afraid you will have to give me a much better reason than that. At least if you want to avoid luncheon.”

If you could hear him talk about your brother, it would be so easy to say, perhaps you would not be so eager to see him with a ‘lord’ before his name.

Zen would hardly thank her for it, true or not. And though he’s nearly as intolerable as Hisame, Kiki can’t quite bring herself to cross the only person here suffering quite so much as her.

“I can’t swim,” she says instead, with a lofty lift of her chin. “I can’t possibly go out on a boat.”

Izana huffs out a laugh. “And am I supposed to believe that something so pedestrian as drowning would stop you, if you truly wanted to go?”

Beady black eyes flash across her vision, a diamond head distorting in preparation for the bite. Ah, he does have a point.

“Besides,” he continues, leaning his wrist over his pommel. It’s frustrating how princely he looks without doing much more than breathing. “It’s a short cruise between the islands on a pleasure yacht. You could hardly be much safer.”

Kiki frowns, bracing herself against the rack. “I could be on land.”

His gaze slips behind her, the briefest light sparking in his eyes before he lets it wander back to her. “Let us have a wager, you and I.”

The whole thing savors strongly of a trap, but Kiki can’t help but ask, “A wager?”

“Yes. I hear you are a deft hand with a blade.” He lifts one from beside her, tossing it into her hands. “If you can get the better of me on the piste, I will make your excuses.”

Hope chokes her until all she can stutter out is, “Excuses?”

“’I must beg your forgiveness, Count Rougis’” — a hand presses to his chest, utterly contrite— “’but I fear our dear Lady Kiki has taken to her bed this morning with a stomach complaint, and cannot possibly join us for luncheon.’”

Her hands grip tight around the scabbard, keeping them from trembling. “And if I lose? What then?”

“Then you will go, gladly.” A wolf might have a less predatory smile. “And in the highest fashion with which we can conjure.”

She tests the weight of the sword in her grip. Father had started her lessons two years ago, hiring only the best blades from Sereg to teach her. She could hardly call her education complete, but she could certainly beat a boy who only casually sparred with men paid to keep his porcelain skin unmarked.

“Fine.” Her mouth stretches into a smile. “I hope you’re good at apologies, since I’ll have you on your knees soon enough.”

“Oh.” His teeth flash, her last warning. “I think you’ll find a man of my inclination has no need to make them.”

[writingwhimsey]

Married to The Enemy - Shingen Ch. 60

Thank you all for being understanding about why I have been away. I will work on the 400 follower requests as I feel able to. Just honestly, Shingen is my comfort character and working on this fic is something that I find comforting. So, it feels good to work on this fic as I try to make sense of the world again and adjust to whatever the "new normal" for my family is. Thank you all for being so understanding and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 60

Immediately after meeting everyone at the gate, we all headed inside. Masamune headed for the kitchen and Oba-san decided to join him…insisted on it actually. She had informed him that she had heard so much from me about his cooking, she wanted to see it first hand…and also wanted to share recipes between the two of them.

It didn’t take them long to have a grand feast whipped up and we were all gathered in the main hall. Shingen held my hand as I took my seat beside him. “Don’t think you get to keep the lass all to yourself. You’ve had her for six months.” Masamune said as he sat down at my other side, putting a tray piled high in front of me.

“I still don’t understand why you had to be away for so long. Clearly with as far along as the little mouse is, it didn’t take very long.” Mitsuhide teased as he came to join our loose circle as well.

I felt my cheeks reddening. “I believe I already mentioned we were visiting my hometown.” I replied, picking up my chopsticks.

“So, he didn’t entirely have her to himself.” Oba-san said, joining the group and sitting by Mitsuhide.

Slowly everyone else came to join the group, forming a loose circle. I’m not entirely sure how, but Oba-san was between Mitsuhide and Nobunaga. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

“Your grandmother has chosen an interesting seat.” Saki said with a grin. “Reminds me of your first night in Azuchi.”

“Don’t remind me about that…especially since I can’t drink to forget.” I replied. I decided to stuff my face instead.

“Was it that bad?” Shingen asked me.

“So much teasing.” I replied.

“Pretty sure the lass was glowing bright enough that we didn’t need any lanterns in the dining hall that night.” Masamune teased.

“And if you think you’re not going to be in for a bunch of teasing tonight little mouse.” Mitsuhide informed me.

“Yeah, you did leave on an extended honeymoon and come back pregnant.” Keiji agreed, grinning at me.

I felt my cheeks heating up instantly. “You know, this is some excellent grilled fish.” I said, digging into the food. 

Masamune chuckled and reached a hand over to ruffle my hair affectionately. “And these cute reactions are one of the things we’ve missed about you, lass.”

I swatted Masamune’s hand away. “Hey, you’ll mess up my hair. Shingen did a really good job fixing it for me.” I protested.

“I can fix it back into place for you, my angel.” Shingen said, his large hands going to smooth my hair back into place.

Nobunaga let out an amused chuckle. While Hideyoshi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Shingen looked at Nobunaga, a chill in his gaze. “Do you find something amusing?” He asked Nobunaga. “Or do you find something surprising?” He asked Hideyoshi.

“I find lots of things amusing.” Nobunaga replied, a haughty smile on his face.

“I just…I never thought you would be the type…” Hideyoshi replied. “You were always such…woman chaser. I never knew you could truly settle on one woman and treat her properly.”

Shingen frowned at Hideyoshi. “As if you have room to talk about multiple women.”

“He does have a point there, Hideyoshi.” Mitsuhide replied.

“I…it’s not the same.” Hideyoshi countered.

I sighed. “Shingen’s past doesn’t matter to me.” I said, looking at Hideyoshi. “He has been nothing but a perfectly wonderful and loving husband to me and he’s going to be a great father to our baby.”

Shingen smiled at me as he wrapped an arm around my waist and hugged me closer. “And you’re such a wonderful wife. I can’t help but to want to dote on you and take care of you and treat you as the princess you are.”

“Ugh, can you two just stop it with that crap. You’re gonna make me sick.” Yukimura groused, making a face of disgust.

“I can’t believe I am saying this, but I agree with Yukimura.” Hideyoshi said. “There are some things that should be saved for when you’re alone.”

“Can’t really say I blame Shingen.” Masamune said, grinning at me. “Our lass is pretty cute. If she were my wife, I’d want to kiss her all the time.”

“Don’t forget keep her pregnant.” Keiji teased.

I felt my cheeks heating up from their teasing. I reached over and slapped Masamune on the arm. “Stop saying stupid stuff like that. People might start taking you seriously.”

Masamune grinned. “People or just your husband?”

I just glared at Masamune, which only seemed to make him and everyone else laugh in amusement.

“Oh, that’s such a cute glare.” Masamune said, his grin widening.

“Not a very threatening look.” Mitsuhide teased.

“Yeah, she looks a bit like a kitten when it first learns to hiss.” Keiji added.

“The glare we are all getting from Shingen is a bit more threatening, though.” Nobunaga said, an amused smirk on his face.

I then looked over at Shingen who was looking at Nobunaga…and if looks could kill Nobunaga would be on the floor dead. I reached my hand over and placed it on his. Shingen looked over at me, the icy look on his face melting in an instant, a warm smile replacing it.

He lifted a hand to gently stroke my cheek. “You need not look so concerned, my angel.” He told me. “You need not worry about me. Just enjoy the party and the food.”

“Ugh, if I would have known this banquet would turn into THIS, I would have stayed in my room.” Ieyasu muttered.

“Well, she didn’t end up pregnant for no reason.” Mitsuhide said, a grin on his face.

My cheeks reddened and I looked at my plate. I picked up my chopsticks and started stuffing my face. “You know, this is really good food. Maybe you two should cook together more often.” I said to Masamune and Oba-san as much as I wanted to change the topic of conversation.

Oba-san grinned. She was then looking at Mitsuhide beside her. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’m not really hungry.” Mitsuhide answered.

“Looking at you I would think you’re never hungry.” Oba-san said. “You should eat. Masamune and I didn’t cook all of this food just for some of you not to eat around here.”

“You might as well give up on him.” Ieyasu said. “He’s a lost cause.”

“And when he does eat, he does it wrong.” Masamune added.

“I just eat more efficiently.” Mitsuhide countered.

“I’m sorry Mitsuhide, but I have to agree with Masamune here.” I spoke up. 

Oba-san’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she looked at Mitsuhide. “What could you possibly do that is so wrong?” She asked.

“He mixes everything in one bowl.” Hideyoshi answered. “I don’t understand how you can even eat that way.”

“It completely ruins the flavor.” Masamune agreed.

Oba-san blinked. “That sounds disgusting…and I have to agree very wrong.” She was then getting a tray together and reaching for the chopsticks. She grabbed a bite and then held it up to Mitsuhide. “Come on, eat and eat properly.”

Mitsuhide’s eyes widened. “I really…”

“You may as well give up.” I said. “She won’t back down. I wasn’t allowed to get up from the table until I had all of my food was finished when I was a child.”

“And she was a stubborn one.” Oba-san said. “Sometimes we’d be sitting at the table for hours before she finally ate her food.”

“I’ll eat…but on the condition that you tell us some more interesting tidbits of our little mouse when she was a child.” Mitsuhide replied.

“I can accept those terms.” Oba-san said with a nod.

“Hang on, I can’t!” I spoke up. “It was bad enough when you had to tell Shingen all of my embarrassing stories! Now you’ll share them with them?! And Mitsuhide will tease me relentlessly!”

Mitsuhide put on a look of mock shock, but then grinned at me. “Why Ava, how could you say such things about me?”

“Because she knows you.” Hideyoshi said. “We all know that's why you asked for stories…though I have to admit I am curious. I bet my little sister was the most adorable child.”

“Oh, she really was.” Oba-san said. She was then looking at Mitsuhide expectantly. “And I won’t reveal anymore until you eat this.”

Mitsuhide opened his mouth and my grandmother slipped the food into his mouth. I think something broke in my brain watching my grandmother feed Mitsuhide like a baby bird. It seemed I wasn’t the only one, however.

“I can’t believe what I am seeing.” Hideyoshi said.

“I’m just glad he’s finally eating…and eating properly.” Masamune said.

“I don’t think I would say being fed like a baby bird is eating properly.” Ieyasu said.

Nobunaga was chuckling. “I see where you get your fire, Ava.” He said, looking at me.

“It runs in our family.” Oba-san said.

Oba-san continued to feed Mitsuhide and didn’t start telling any of her stories about me until he had finished all of his food. Then she had to tell them all of my most embarrassing stories…well all of the ones that she could without revealing that we are both from the future. She led with me enjoying running around naked as a child.

“Haha, that’s a shame that’s still not a thing.” Keiji said with a grin.

“I think it’s a good thing. Could you imagine all of the trouble we’d have to save her from if that were the case?” Ieyasu asked. 

“Sounds like everyone here is in for a fun time when the little one gets here.” Masamune said.

“Actually, they will be gone before the screaming child arrives, thank god.” Kenshin spoke up.

“What?” The Oda warlords chorused.

“We’re moving back to Kai.” Shingen said, his calm but authoritative tone.

“So, you’ve finally decided to return to your home?” Nobunaga asked, eyeing Shingen.

“You’re taking Ava away again?” Hideyoshi asked. “How can you think moving while pregnant is good for her?”

I sighed and looked over at Hideyoshi while Shingen was glaring at Nobunaga. “He asked me if I wanted to first and I said yes.” I told Hideyoshi.

“I have been away from home for too long.” Shingen said. “It is time I return and take my family with me.” He was then wrapping his arm around my waist.

“I think it makes sense.” Masamune said. “Raise your family in your homeland.”

“Well…if you’re sure that’s what you want…” Hideyoshi said, looking at me.

I smiled reassuringly. “I am.” I replied. 

The banquet went on for a while. My grandmother at one point placed a dish on Kenshin’s plate, telling him he needed to eat something besides pickled plums. Kenshin’s eyes widened. “What? Are you really…”

“Lord Kenshin, Ava’s grandmother isn’t wrong.” Sasuke said. “You need a varied diet to be able to keep your health up for battle.”

Kenshin grumbled before picking up his chopsticks and eating the food Oba-san had put on his plate. Though he had a disgruntled look on his face as he ate them.

“Alright, you’ve hogged this seat long enough, make some room.” Keiji said, coming over and plopping himself between me and Masamune. He was then throwing an arm around my shoulders. “You gotta share our princess now!”

“You know, I am not a sake cup you guys get to pass around.” I said, raising an eyebrow at Keiji.

Keiji just grinned. “Awe, don’t give me that face. You know we all just missed you.”

The party continued on well into the night. Everyone was drinking and laughing and enjoying themselves. The seat next to me that was not occupied by Shingen, was occupied by someone different every so often, everyone wanting to chat with me for a while.

The party eventually came to an end. Shingen and I returned to our room. Once we were alone in our room, Shingen’s arms were wrapping around me from behind and pulling me back against his chest. His lips were gently kissing the nape of my neck. 

“Mmm, I’ve been wanting to have you to myself all evening.” He murmured as he continued to kiss me.

I grinned as I tilted my head to the side, allowing him better access to my neck. “You’ve been very patient.” I agreed.

Shingen’s hands were moving to open the collar of my kimono. His lips traveled from my neck to my shoulder. “I know you care for them…but I still have a hard time with seeing other men fawn over you…though I admit I see why they do…”

“Mmm…Shingen…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t ever try to keep you from them.” Shingen replied. “I would never begrudge you for seeing people you consider your family…just would you mind indulging your husband in some selfish desires?”

“I’m always happy to indulge your supposed selfish desires, Shingen.” I replied, reaching for his hands and guiding them to undo my obi. “Your selfish desires never feel selfish to me….especially when they always make me feel so good.”

Shingen chuckled. “You are far too generous, my love.” He told me as his large hands made quick work of my obi.

I turned around to face Shingen, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pressed my iips to his and we were soon falling into the futon together, Shingen’s arms holding me safely all the way down.

Afterwards, we lay in the futon together, wrapped in each other’s arms. Shingen kissed me gently on the forehead. “Are you alright, my love?” He asked, his hands gently rubbing up and down my back.

I smiled up at him. “I’m always more than alright when I’m with you.”

Shingen smiled warmly at me. “I’m glad to hear that. I just worry that I am too demanding of you, my love.”

“Trust me, I have no complaints.” I replied. I let out a yawn as I snuggled closer to him. “I love you, Shingen.”

“I love you, Ava.” Shingen replied, kissing me on top of the head. “Rest well, my angel.”

My eyes closed and I drifted off to sleep. My head cushioned on the perfect pillow of Shingen’s chest, his heart beating beneath my ear. 

Shingen watched Ava as she slept in his arms. He stroked her silken hair and kissed her on top of the head. “Rest well, my love.” He whispered to her sleeping form. “I am truly a selfish man.” He hugged her tighter a moment before closing his eyes and joining her in sleep, a contented smile on his face.

Taglist: @limonzu @oda-princess @zulablaise @kisara-16

@tele86 @lovely-bubb1es @lucyw260 @queengiuliettafirstlady

@bjorkshire-pudding @eventinelysplayground

[ikeromantic]

Hii doll, how are you? I hope everything is grand 💖 I love your fics and I was just wondering if you plan on continuing Chevs POVs and Mitsu mc reincarnation stories (Im not rushing or anything Im just asking cos I love them and am waiting for the nexts chaps 😹 but take the time you need Im just overly eager cos I really love the fics 😹😹) Again I will wait so do whatever you want/need prioritise yourself always Im just curious if you intend in dropping another chapter anytime 😹 Thank youuu 😘✨❤️ Feel free to ignore me if you thought it was rude of me to ask abr those fics (it isn’t my intention) 💕🌷

Everything is absolutely grand ^_^ I appreciate the ask! I am still working on Entwined - in fact the next chapter will post fairly soon. And I have started the next bit of Chev's route as well. Hopefully I'll have that one up in a few weeks.

The only fic on hiatus right now is Mitsuhide's route epilogue, which I've put on hold until I finish his sequel route. Just in case I want to make some changes before finishing it up.

It's not rude at all to inquire and I really do like these kinds of asks - it lets me know someone is still interested in my slow-going chapter fics ^_^

[the12thnightproject]

Help me choose...

...the banner for the next Tempest in Time longfic. I'm still a few weeks away from posting the first chapter (but I need to stop myself from continuously creating new banners on canva, so here we are).

Number 1:

Number 2:

Number 3:

Number 4:

The fic description:

Ten Things I Hate About Mitsuhide

Courier, scout, daredevil, housemaid … Courtesan? Katsuko has had many identities in the seven years since a wormhole sent her back in time to feudal Japan. But when her mentor Aki disappears and his trail leads to an illegal slave market in Sakai, Katsuko’s investigation sends her on a collision course with Akechi Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide and Katsuko have never gotten along. However, Aki is not the only missing person. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Mai have also disappeared in Sakai, and Mitsuhide is determined to locate and rescue them. Forced into a dangerous partnership, Katsuko must masquerade as Mitsuhide’s concubine. But even working together, can they fool the man known as the God of Deceit?

… Loosely inspired by Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew

[lorei-writes]

Lorei! 💓

For the fanfic writer asks~

16, 17, 34, 35

Scorchie! <3

Thanks for playing with me, ey!!

16. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?

Too many. Too many, love. Far too many. I don't think I can pick just one to share either.

Jin, Bloodstained Rose Day (Misericorde, the weight of the world in his hands),

Chevalier x OC (Esther), confession fic (possibly two-shot; Scorchie, they're idiots *cries*),

Chevalier x OC (Esther), with religious undertones (Esther is religious, so I'd like to develop that; If loving you was sinful, I would not mind being a sinner),

Winter Flower, part 2 (working title: Summer),

Viva! Seeks Revenge (long fic; first appearance of Viva and Esther; premise: what if Belle was not so pure-hearted),

Clavis, on the topic of drinking, sense of inferiority,

... Steampunk Pirates AU crossover...

... Mystery AU, vaguely XIX century AU crossover...

all the missing chapters for The Doors that Connect and Divide (...Gilbert, Yves, Mitsuhide, Kanetsugu, and the last door I am not sure about yet -- either Arthur [again] or possibly Leonardo or Comte...),

Rio x Emma, holidays.

And then there are MORE ideas that are still fermenting (Chevalier x OC [Esther] -- regarding Esther's mother, Christmas [x2], Chevalier's birthday; Leon x OC [Viva] -- festival; Family AU Chevalier; Family AU Leon... and... some more...).

17. would be here.

34. Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?

Hm, five years is a terribly long time. I don't really think about future this far away, as it's too unpredictable.

However, I can make a guess: I'll be just the usual me. I'll be trying out things that will seem hard, learning as I go, expanding my understanding of the language, and having fun while I'm at it.

35. What is one essential thing to remember when writing a villain? 

Hmm... I think it may be that they're also a person. They will operate as one -- their acts may be twisted, but there is a logic behind them. We all do the things we believe to be right, and we believe that for a reason -- "bad guys" are no different in that regard.

... If anything, the foundation on which they build their reasoning may be what is truly terrifying about them.

Ask game

[bearsace]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favourite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤

hi, thank you! <3

the tale of yukimura, kami-sama, and the impossibly long year (tumblr or ao3) yukimura falls for a nature spirit, despite her being the one who’s out to kill him. (t, 15k) - my absolute #1 favorite fic of mine I've written, I had such a blast writing it

through my broken and bruised eye, it was you i beheld. (tumblr or ao3) bearsace tells the tale of ikemen sengoku through his perspective. (k, 4k) - a little cheesy but has a soft spot in my heart as it was sitting in my head for a while

beneath a night sky, vast & wide. (ao3) mirai is a kunoichi sent to assassinate nobunaga— if she can get past mitsuhide first. (t, hiatus) - I would love to get back to this one!

the sunny self-portrait of kiyomi kanai (ao3) kiyomi is a vain, world-famous actress in modern day tokyo when she is sent back five-hundred years to the past. - I'm a couple chapters deep in my doc but waiting to post until I have more time to continue :)

embraceable you (tumblr or ao3) there’s a statue in the louvre whose legend is that he’ll come to life when he holds his soulmate’s hand; when mai goes on a work trip, she finds herself bringing to life an ornery sengoku warlord. (t, ongoing) - i think i might rewrite this one, with the knowledge i have now about creative writing :)

[zepharah0]

earlier, i asked if anyone would read a keiji × oc × mitsuhide fic, but rn i'm actually thinking of making a switch to one of shingen × oc x keiji instead. it'll still be about 5 - 6 chapters but more lengthy (about 10k a chapter) and a lot of slowburn + angst content. the oc is still another time traveler like sasuke and mai ofc, but the ending i have in mind is still ... bittersweet when i think of the potential

[randowwriter]

To Step Into The Kitchen Together chapter one

Naturally, I started another multichapter fic for the same event, whoops. XD But I couldn’t resist, and the more fics I write for this event, the more fics I have ideas to write for this event! (Also writing Zen and Mitsuhide’s friendship is a lot of fun, admittingly!)  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14263581/1/To-Step-Into-The-Kitchen-Together

[reflectingstars]

Tagged by @ilovemuchless

Currently reading: A bunch of different non-fiction books about my home city, about Ireland and about folklore and ancient religions.

Last Songs: Will do 10... let's see, it's... Strangeness and Charm (Florence + The Machine), Edge of Heaven (Wham), Sing For the Moment (Eminem), Center of the Sun (Conjure One), Farthest Star (VNV Nation), Laura (Bat For Lashes), You Don't Know Me (Armand Van Helden), Full Moon (Sonata Arctica), Once Upon A Time (Kamelot), Siúil a Rún (Clannad)

Currently watching: I don't watch many ongoing series or the like because I have trouble focusing on anything that doesn't grab me within the first five minutes... so, usually, it'll either be some kind of survival horror playthrough or a lore video of something on YT on in the background. Or a fun speedrun! In fact right now it's a Tomb Raider speedrun, in honour of the upcoming remasters of the original games. Can't wait to spend Valentine's Day with Lara Croft~

Current Fic: A cute Luigi/Bowser little number. I cannot BELIEVE how many of these exist that manage to make my heart melt.

Writing: Slow going at the moment, but chapter 2 of that Hisahide->Mitsuhide/Motochika modern fic where Hisahide slowly unravels. Also... multiple other musou works, like TOO MANY I cycle between depending on my mood, and as an outlier, a Darkest Dungeon Leper/Jester ficlet.

Next on my watch list: I would like to watch the latest Puss In Boots movie soon, everything I've been told makes me believe it WILL be one of those things that grabs me immediately.

Current special interest(s): Irish folklore, the same videogames as always (MUSOU MUSOU MUSOU), pro-wrestling.

[ao3feed-izch]

The world of One Piece

by Lilylovesanime

In this au, a bunch of animes I've watched (with mixed themes), will meet each other! They will then react to the world of one piece, which, is a complex world! Eventually, they'll meet original characters and stuff but anyways... Sorry about lack of tags I have no idea... Also a lot of one piece angst will be included in this story, sorry... Don't worry it'll get happy! Eventually, the world of one piece will get telepoted. Sorry for lack of Bleach content, I'm still in the middle of it. I'm in the bount arc currently.

Words: 244, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Series: Part 1 of The Reaction fics

Fandoms: One Piece (Anime & Manga), 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga), 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime), 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Manga), 異世界はスマートフォンとともに | Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni | In Another World With My Smartphone (Anime), 赤髪の白雪姫 | Akagami no Shirayukihime | Snow White with the Red Hair (Anime & Manga), Black Clover - Tabata Yuki (Anime & Manga), 魔法科高校の劣等生 | Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei | The Irregular at Magic High School, How many fandoms are there, Dangan Ronpa 十神 - 佐藤友哉 | Dangan Ronpa: Togami - Satou Yuuya, Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Anime), Hataraku Maou-Sama! | The Devil Is a Part-Timer!

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Characters: Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Vinsmoke Sanji, Nami (One Piece), Usopp (One Piece), Mugiwara Kaizoku | Strawhat Pirates, Class 1-A (My Hero Academia), Mochizuki Touya, Tatsuya Shiba, Miyuki Shiba, Ash Ketchum, Serena (Pokemon), Gou | Goh (Pokemon), Koharu | Chloe, Makato Naegi, Sadaou Maou, Demon Slayer Corps Ensemble (Kimetsu no Yaiba), Tanjiro Kamado, Shirayuki (Akagami no Shirayukihime), Obi (Akagami no Shirayukihime), Kiki Seiran, Zen Wistalia, Mitsuhide Rouen, Asta (Black Clover), Yuno (Black Clover), Abarai Renji, Kurosaki Ichigo, Inoue Orihime, Ishida Uryuu, Sado "Chad" Yasutora, Kuchiki Rukia, Gotei 13 | 13 Court Guard Squad Captains

Relationships: Roronoa Zoro/Vinsmoke Sanji, Midoriya Izuku/Uraraka Ochako, Monkey D. Luffy/Nami, Kamado Tanjirou/Tsuyuri Kanao, Mugiwara Kaizoku | Strawhat Pirates & Other Fandoms, Multiple Relationships - Relationship, Shirayuki/Zen Wistalia, Mochizuki Touya/Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni | In Another World with My Smartphone, Satoshi | Ash Ketchum/Serena, Gou | Goh/Koharu | Chloe

Additional Tags: So many fandoms so Idk if all of them will be included, I've watched all of these animes for crying out loud, Except bleach i'm still on season 4 :(, includes amvs, Reaction, One Piece is the main fandom <3, I just love One Piece thats why, Angst, Happy, Both angst and happy i guess?, Developing Relationships, The more I know about the fandom the more that will be included and more characters, Amv links will be shown at the end of each chapter, I don't have any more tag ideas :(

source: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49676275

[otomefoxystar]

Finding the Light - Chapter 12

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Pairing Mistuhide X OC ( Evelyn)

TW: descriptions of being kidnapped

Everyone looked at Evelyn with worry, but they were all excited to see her nonetheless. She hugged each of them, but they were all gentle when they hugged her back. No one commented on her appearance, which was a nice reprieve. She was sure they were all questioning what happened and why she was so thin.

As soon as Nobunaga entered the room, everyone quieted down. “My lucky charm is back!” Nobunaga announced. She walked over to him, and he gathered her in his arms. “You’re too skinny. Has Mitsuhide been feeding you?” It was a nice reprieve until now. Of course, Nobunaga would say something. He always spoke his mind no matter who it would insult. “He’s been feeding me and taking really good care of me.”  Nobunaga’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why are you so nervous?” She cleared her throat. “It took a lot for me to come.” He looked her up and down, and she knew he wouldn’t let up. “You aren’t going to let me go until I tell you everything, are you?” A smile spread across his face. “Nope, so please do tell, why all the mystery? What’s going on with you?” 

Ieyasu cleared his throat. “Lord Nobunaga, maybe give her time to get settled.” Nobunaga chuckled. “She knows how I am. She should’ve expected that I would want answers.” Looking away from Ieyasu, she was met with crimson eyes surging with concern. “I can’t,” Nobunaga drew her into his strong arms. “You’re not sick; something happened, didn’t it?.” He squeezed her tighter. “I’ll tell you, just not here.” He pulled away and put his hand on her back.  “Okay” 

Nobunaga cleared his throat, and everyone’s attention turned to him. “Let’s start.” Evelyn sat in between Ieyasu and Masamune, and Ieyasu patted her head, then whispered in her ear, “You’re doing well.” She sighed, trying to relax. 

Nobunaga took his seat in facing them. “There’s a group of rebels terrorizing the townspeople. Masamune found where their camp is. We must go in there and persuade them to leave by any means necessary.” Nobunaga looked at Evelyn. “I think you should stay behind this time, Evelyn.” She gulped at the thought of being alone and clutched at the sleeves of her Kimono. Ieyasu grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly.

A knot formed in her stomach, making her feel sick.  “We’ll have dinner together, and in the morning, we’ll leave,” Nobunaga announced before he stood. Everyone stood along with him, and Nobunaga glanced over at Evelyn with a look of unease. “Mitsuhide, Hideyoshi, I need you two in the tenshu,” Nobunaga said as his eyes left her. Mitsuhide looked over to Evelyn and gave her a smile and a nod before he left her behind as he followed Nobunaga obediently along with Hideyoshi. Ieyasu turned to her. “Come get me if you need anything, okay?” She nodded, “I will,” and she exited the room with everyone else.

Evelyn reminisced about living there. She walked the gardens and chatted with Masamune and Mitsunari. The worry was written on their faces the whole time she was with them. Mitsunari had excused himself so he could start planning for their mission. Masamune wanted to make dessert for dinner; he invited her to bake with him, but she turned him down. She wanted to be alone; she didn’t want to see him look at her with worry.

She found herself in her room, and as she looked around, she remembered the night Mitsuhuide discovered something was wrong. He sat with her and wouldn’t leave until she ate. The very next day, he dragged her to his manor.

She was in such a low state, the trauma of what happened still so fresh. Images climbed into her mind, images she would rather forget. A large, warm hand covered her mouth. A firm chest pressed against her back as they held her arms behind her, making it impossible for her to escape. He dragged her behind the building into the alleyway. A moment later, she was blindfolded. Her heart rate quickened, and her chest felt tight. She had to distract herself and get out of that room. Tears trickled down her face as she walked the halls briskly to seek out Ieyasu and quickly wiped them away.

She found him in the infirmary sorting through his herbs. “Ieyasu.” He placed a jar down, looked toward her, and raised his eyebrows, noticing her puffy eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked. “Being here brings back the worst memories. I just need a distraction.”

Ieyasu grimaced at her explanation; he wished she didn’t have to suffer. “Come in; you can help me alphabetize these herbs. She nodded and took a jar off the shelf, then placed a different jar in its place. “I’m going to tell everyone tonight at dinner what happened to me.” She said as she worked.

Ieyasu moved another jar and looked over to her. “You don’t have to.” She was quiet for a moment before glancing at Ieyasu. “I need to. Nobunaga’s going to leave me here alone. I don’t know if I can handle that.” Ieyasu turned to face her. “And you’re hoping he’ll take pity on you and let you come?” Ieyasu narrowed his eyes, “Are you really afraid of being alone? Or are you afraid of being without Mitsuhide?” He asked curtly.

“Both?” She wasn’t entirely sure of the answer herself. Ieyasu sighed, “You’ll have to learn to be on your own eventually.” She knew that. She had been thinking that the moment Nobunaga told her she had to stay. “I know and don’t know how I will do that.” Ieyasu sighed, “You just do.” She glared at him. “You want me to be alone when I can’t even sleep through the night? When I can’t stop crying when unwanted thoughts enter my mind reminding me of what happened, of how pathetic I am?” Ieyasu saw the tears fill her eyes, took the jar out of her hand, and placed it back on the shelf. He pulled her into his arms. “I forget sometimes what happened to you. I’m sorry if I was hard on you.” She hugged him back, placing her hands on his back. The rest of the afternoon passed, with Evelyn helping Ieyasu sort his medical supplies. 

A dark curtain was cast over the sky, indicating night had fallen, and Ieyasu walked with Evelyn to the dining hall. Mitsuhide walked in just as she was sitting down. He smiled and sat beside her. She saw how tired he looked and looked at Hideyoshi, who looked just as exhausted. Nobunaga must’ve been going hard on them both.

After their meal and as the alcohol flowed, Nobunaga motioned to her, “Fireball, come here.” Nobunaga said. She walked up to Nobunaga and sat next to him. “My lucky charm” He drapped his arm over her shoulders. He looked at her. “You have this sad aura around you. I haven’t even seen you smile.” She looked down. “I smile…Sometimes.” Masamune looked over to her. “Lass, you smile about everything; you had such a drive for life. Now, you just seem miserable. What has Mitsuhide done to you?” He hoped his little joke would make her smile. Instead, she glanced towards Mitsuhide, who was teasing Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, rolled his eyes at their antics. She looked back to Masamune, “He hasn’t done anything, I’m more concerned about what I’ve done to him.” Masamune grimaced. “That’s not what I meant.” She sighed. “I know Masamune, and I appreciate you trying.”

She couldn’t stand how they were all looking at her. She was going to tell them tonight anyway. No time was better than now. “I’ll tell you all what happened.” Nobunaga moved his arm to wrap his hand around hers. He knew she was nervous; somehow, Nobunaga always picked up on these things. 

Their attention was on her, and it was so silent that the leaves blowing in the wind were heard. “I went shopping one evening, I’ve done it thousands of times, and nothing was different. Everything was fine until it wasn’t. My mouth was covered, and I was dragged towards an alley where I was blindfolded. Then I was carried to some sort of room or building I don’t really know.

” Tears formed in her eyes as she saw all their expressions. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “My wrists were tied, and I couldn’t break free; I was blindfolded the whole time. Then they, I only know it was multiple men because of their voices. They…” Tears escaped her eyes, cascading down her cheeks. She wiped them away, and Nobunaga squeezed her hand. “They attacked me multiple times.” She wasn’t going to tell them how she was attacked, but she knew they all knew, but they all remained silent, even with the horror written on each of their faces. Even Mitsuhide and Ieyasu looked pained. Then she realized she had never told Mitsuhide how it happened and hadn’t told Ieyasu anything. 

She told Mitsuhide more personal details but never told him this part of the story. “They kept me till the morning; as they let me go, they told me, ‘Go back to your masters like the broken dog you are.’” The tears ran freely now, uncontrollable. Nobunaga shifted and took her in his arms, cocooning her safely into his chest as he rubbed her back soothingly. She cried, and everyone looked at them, stunned. Hideyoshi gave Mitsuhide a concerned look. Mitsuhide closed his eyes and nodded, showing Hideyoshi he knew what happened to her.

Finally, her tears dried, and she lifted her head from Nobunaga’s chest. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to. “He shook his head. “No, don’t apologize, cry if you need to cry. No one’s judging you.”  She wiped all her tears away and nodded as she pressed her lips together. “I’m going to go to take a bath and get some sleep.” Nobunaga nodded, “Sleep well,” She mustered a small smile. “I’ll try.” As soon as she left the room, Nobunaga adjusted his Kimono and ran his fingers through his hair.

Nobunaga turned to Mitsuhide, “How was she when all this first happened? You’ve been alone with her for months.” He sighed, “I’ll admit it was touch and go there for a while. I had to move her into my room because I didn’t trust that she wouldn’t hurt herself. She would hardly eat; it’s just been in the last month or so that she’s been eating a healthy amount. She’s finally putting on some weight. The nightmares haven’t stopped. She wakes up screaming. She’s made a lot of progress, though I’m teaching her self-defense. She’s shown interest in sewing again.” Nobunaga nodded. Not all is lost. It comes in small strides.

“This was not only an attack on her. This was an attack on us; they used her to get to us.” Nobunaga said, and Mitsunari cleared his throat. “If I may?” Nobunaga motioned for him to continue. “Do you think that perhaps the rebels did this to her?” Nobunaga gave him a hard nod. “I was thinking the same thing. We need to strike them down.”

Hideyoshi sighed. “I couldn’t agree more, but how will we know who did it? She heard their voices. Only she will know who did it.” Nobunaga raised an eyebrow, “Fair point, but can she handle it?” Mitsuhide cleared his throat. “She’s stronger than you think; she can handle it. It’ll be hard, but she can handle it.” Nobunaga took a drink of his sake. “Good. Then she comes. I’ll tell her in the morning.” Mitsuhide stood up. “I’ll tell her I was going to see her anyways; somebody needs to be there when she wakes up from her nightmares.” Masamune had his arms crossed, and he looked up at Mitsuhide. “You got your hands full with that lass, don’t you? Good luck.”  

“Are you taking care of yourself too, Mitsuhide?” Hideyoshi asked with concern. Mitsuhide smiled. “Of course, I couldn’t very well take care of her if I wasn’t at my best.” He stood up and sauntered off to her room. 

[sabraeal]

Remedial Lessons, Chapter 2

[Read on AO3]

Written for @kaedix's birthday!! Last year Kimber requested what become the first chapter of this fic, back when there were only a handful of people in the fandom who had even watched Soul Eater. But last summer the discord ended up watching Soul Eater as its summer shonen, so I was all too happy to continue it when she asked for a continuation this year!

This is hardly the first sepulcher that Shirayuki has been lead into since she started her time at Shibusen, but she’ll grant the professor this: it is the nicest.

“So what?” Obi huffs, parka hunched up around his ears as he takes in the bank of computers stretched along the walls. His breath mists in the air as he speaks, like swallowing souls in reverse. “You get like, four? Five G in here? Or did you just like…roll some fiber out here? You know a guy? There’s some people who could really use this kind of set up—”

“Etiquette demands that a host graciously welcome his guests into his residence, whether that be a professional office or personal home,” Lata informs then with all the enthusiasm of a wet blanket. “However, since it seems that you are determined to wear it out as fast as humanly as possible, I think we’ll skip over all that.”

Obi presses a hand to his chest; his parka lets out a soft pffft under the pressure. “I’m just showing interest, sir. Showering you with compliments. Really—”

“Asking for proprietary information.” The professor glances over his shoulder, glowering at where she lingers in the doorway. “Come here already. We don’t have all day.”

‘Here’ happens to be a marble slab; one large and smooth enough to accommodate Mitsuhide from head to ankle, the way most beds do. There’s quite a few of them in the room, most serving as flat surfaces for Lata’s equipment, but this one has clearly been left free, sterile as an exam table, though with the way it fits into that carved bier beneath it, Shirayuki suspects—

“Is that a coffin?” Obi coughs, circling it like a cat around a bath. “Just what are you gonna do with her on that, doc? Hoist it up to the ceiling? Let lightning hit her? Hate to break it to you, but she’s already alive.”

“Obi.” If there’s one thing Shirayuki has learned about Shibusen faculty, it’s that you don’t go around giving them ideas.

“What? I just want to get the scope of the work or whatever.” His hands slide into his pockets, slowing his stride to a casual creep. “If we’re going to have to run, I’d like to start now rather than after he’s got your all hooked up to his Doom Canon.”

“Oh, really. I’m not about to perform surgery on her. Or mad science,” The professor grouses, rummaging around in a drawer. “This place is hardly sterile. But you can’t possibly think I’m so naive as to take your word about her bloodline, do you?”

Shirayuki wrinkles her brow. “Why would I lie about that?”

“Why does anyone lie, girl? To get what you want.” Lata straightens, the honed edge of his body angling toward the stone. “Now take off your coat. This won’t take long.”

She glances down at the cold marble and suppresses a shiver. “But you haven’t taken your coat off.”

“Of course not. It’s freezing in here.” Clouds steam from his sigh as he turns to her, strung tight with impatience. “And I hardly need to take blood samples from myself.”

The tag of her zipper digs bloodless gouges across the fleshier bits of her knuckles. Two year ago this would have all come as a shock, but after a few semesters at Shibusen, she’s only thankful it isn’t a weirder bodily fluid. “Blood? Couldn’t you just—?”

Obi steps right between them, shoulders not squared to shield but hunched, potential energy all coined in his spine like a spring. “Uh uh, no way, doc. We said we’d let you poke around, not actually put a needle through her. Just because she’s a weapon doesn’t mean you get to treat her like an ob—”

“I wasn’t asking you,” Lata informs him, bored. “Now are you going to take off your coat, Miss…?”

“Shirayuki.” Obi angles a look over his shoulder, half are you kidding and half don’t feed the animals. As if she were some child sticking her hand through bars at the zoo, daring a tiger to chomp them off at the wrist.

To be fair, it’s earned. But this particular tiger is their best best for surmounting this resonating problem, and Shirayuki’s willing to risk far more than a nibble to keep from collecting another ninety-nine souls. Twice is more than enough. “And yes, I will.”

The professor doesn’t quite smile, but there’s a shift in his eyes as she bares the skin at her elbow; a deepening of the crinkles at their corners, a widening of his pupils. There’s a part of him that likes this, that looks at her twining path of veins and sees something beyond flesh. That devours this stretch of skin the same way she might a grimoire’s pages, reading fell knowledge in every drop of her blood.

“Good.” She’s barely set herself on top of the sarcophagus, wincing at the chill that seeps through her jeans, when Lata strides right around Obi and grips her wrist. Klaxons ring between her ears, telling her to dig in her heels and twist, but there’s only air beneath them now, an awkward angle between her and the nearest flat surface, and—

Just a pinch, a squeeze, and he’s stepped away, glass slide gripped between his fingers.

“Wha….huh?” she murmurs, watching as blood wells up from the prick. It lasts hardly more than a blink— Obi hands her a tissue, and by the time she’s wiped the bead away, it’s like her skin was never broken at all. A perk of the lineage, Lord Death had always told her. “You just needed a drop?”

“As much as I would love to sequence the entirety of your genome, I would prefer not to wait for the results— or waste the resources.” He hums, much more chipper now that he’s placed that slide into one of his machines. “Not when a specimen sample is much quicker and negligibly less accurate.”

The reasoning is solid, but still— “Then why did you have me take off my coat?”

"To see if at least one of you could obey an order.” The professor jerks his chin toward Obi. “Or if you were as much of a lost cause as that one.”

“Hey! I can sit and roll over as good as anyone,” Obi sniffs, dropping his coat over her shoulders. “If I wanna.”

They’ve hardly known each other a quarter of an hour, but already Lata is sending her long-suffering looks. “That’s the entire—”

His machine beeps, once, twice, like it’s impatient, eager to have eyes on the data flying across its screen. Attention Lata’s quick to give, scrolling through faster than even she could possibly parse, turning familiar words into flipped-bit gibberish. The professor, however, hums.

“Well, you are from Carnwennan’s lineage, it seems.” Shirayuki can’t help but notice that he doesn’t say daughter. Like somehow a hidden bloodline was probable, but direct progeny a stretch. “You’ll forgive me for doubting you. I’ve met Excalibur” —he grimaces— “and there’s not much resemblance. In either of your forms.”

Obi cocks a hip against the sarcophagus, making himself one long, lean line. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lata fixes him with the same sort of look a stern kindergarten teacher might give their most difficult charge. “Carnwennan was a dagger. And from what I’ve seen of Miss Shirayuki’s shape, she is most certainly not.”

One of these thing, his look says, is not like the other. “I suppose your father had his own lineage? Or should I assume he was a meister rather than a weapon?”

Her mouth opens, then shuts. Opens again, only to say, “I don’t know.”

There’s the vaguest twitch of that stern brow, the softest hum of intrigue. “Interesting. It was always said that Carnwennan was particular with her meisters, one must assume she would be even more so with a romantic partner. So who is he?”

“A deadbeat.” Obi says it like punctuation, the period at the end of a sentence gone on too long. He shifts too, crossing his arms and angling his shoulders, breaking line of sight between her and the professor. It’s effort she appreciates, even if it’s unnecessary.

“My mother is the legendary weapon,” she asks, each word weighed and measured, the perfect split between firm and fair. “Is my father really pertinent to your research?”

“Look around, Miss Shirayuki. Do you see a water cooler anywhere? A break room, perhaps? Coworkers?” The look he levels at her is downright withering. “Do I really look like the sort of man who would make small talk?”

Obi's smirk glints the way her blade does before it cuts. “He’s got us there, kid.”

There’s an inertia to overcome when it comes to her father; it’d been so much easier to not talk about it, to let everyone believe she thought he was dead. But now that he’s dredged himself up out of her memories and into reality, becoming more than just a character from the childhood she can’t remember, it’s…hard. Separating what she knows from what she feels is a job Shirayuki’s pretty sure she’s under qualified to handle.

“I don’t know much about him,” she admits, because that’s true. Maybe he raised her for four years, but she’s lived another thirteen without him, and that doesn’t make him any better than a stranger in her book. “He left me with my grandparents when I was little. I barely even remember his face.”

Also not a lie, even if it earns her some side-eye from Obi’s direction. She’d seen him for a day nearly a year ago; not enough to commit more than broad strokes to her memory. It’d be a miracle if she could even pick him out on the street.

Not that she’d tell the professor that. She’s already in danger of clucking tongues and piteous looks; something about parental abandonment bloodies even the hardest of hearts. There’s quite a bit Shirayuki’s ready to weather for this training, but if she has to endure yet another ethically dubious mentor trying to empathize with her, well—

“Hm.” Lata’s fingers clack across the keys, not even sparing her a cursory glance. “Interesting.”

“So.” Obi wraps his mouth around the sound, stretching it as long as the look he sends her. “That’s it, right, doc? You’re gonna help us?”

“I didn’t say that.” Lata steps back from his screen, one rigid line from the heels of boots to the whorl of his cowlick. “I study legendary weapons. As intriguing as it might be to study one of their progeny— however direct— Miss Shirayuki is not her mother. There’s no guarantee that her biometric data will provide any meaningful contribution toward my—”

“So you have other half-mythical weapons lining up to be a part of your experiment?” Obi perches on the sarcophagus like a particularly mischievous gargoyle. “Is Caliburn’s great-grandson going to walk through here? Excalibur’s ex-roommate? Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find a guy who knows a guy who saw Kusanagi-no-tsurugi buying cabbages once.”

Lata’s mouth pulls thin. “Caliburn is—”

“—the same sword as Excalibur,” Shirayuki finishes, hurriedly.

“What?” Obi squawks, nearly toppling from his perch. “But wasn’t that the one in the stone, and then that lady in the lake or whatever gave that guy another one…?”

“That was a translation error,” she murmurs, flushing as Lata lifts his brows. “From when the troubadours in France began singing Arthur’s lays. Exacalibur was the sword in the stone. He just, er…broke. And the Nimue” — ah, she’s starting to sound like her uncle— “never mind. It’s a common mistake. He was still sleeping when it happened.”

“A better time.” Lata glares as if they were the ones who woke him.

“Huh.” Obi shakes a hand, like that might clear the air. “The point is, does how many legendary weapons is doc gonna meeting hanging around in some dusty ass old ruins? You’ve gotta need us as much as we need you. Maybe even more.”

If the professor was glaring before, he’s glowering now.

“You make a compelling point,” he admits, begrudging them every word. “Fine. I supposed it would be beneficial for my work if I helped you both with your resonance issue. But you’ll have to help me with my research,” he warns, as if that soured rather than sweetened the deal. “And not just your own contributions to my data— I need legendary weapons if I’m going to get anywhere, not just their…relations.”

“Well,” Shirayuki hums, struggling to keep her voice so even, so innocent. “I could always ask my uncle, if you really needed—”

“We can start with your training first,” Lata grits through his grimace. “I’m hardly that desperate.”

“Sounds like you’ve got yourself a deal, doc.” Obi sprawls himself across the top of the coffin, tapping at the marble slab. “Now which one of these are ours? You got a couple lined with Egyptian cotton or something? Maybe some memory foam? I don’t need a lot but I’ve got to be able to snooze in full Nosferatu.”

His eyes close, arms cutting up to cross over his chest— full Nosferatu, indeed— but Lata only grunts, “None of them.”

One eye peels open, skeptical. “What, the Cryptkeeper’s got guest rooms down here? A Best Western? It takes three hours to get here one way, there’s no way we can hike out and back every day.”

“Of course you can’t,” Lata scoffs. “I’m coming back with you.”

*

“Just like that, huh?” Obi’s no longer playing vampire, but he’s still sitting on the sarcophagus,  shoulders stacked beside hers. “You’re not even going to ask us what the problem is first? What if it’s just a five-minute fix, and—?”

“If it were really some ‘five-minute fix’ then that idiot Shidan would have been able to handle it,” Lata grouses, already sifting through books to take with him. “And there’s certainly no point in asking your opinions on the problem. If you neither of you have managed to devise a solution by now, then I doubt that you have any meaningful insight to provide me.”

Shirayuki would have protested— if the professor didn’t have a point. Locating a reclusive academic was hardly the sort of option a reasonable person took as their first step. But after two years of reaching for resonance and having it slip through their fingers, Shirayuki was willing to try anything. Short of braving one of her uncle’s lectures, of course.  “That’s not very nice.”

Obi tucks his chin, keeping his grimace between the two of them. “He’s not wrong.”

“Still,” she sighs, “he doesn’t need to say it.”

“Hey, what did he mean anyway?” She cocks her head, questioning, and Obi clarifies, “About how you don’t look like your family.”

“My uncle…” It’s her turn to grimace now. “Well, my mother doesn’t take after him, that’s all.”

“That gives me at least one answer about your father,” Lata grunts, heaving a trunk up onto his back.

"Really?" Obi drawls, rubbing at his shoulder. "I feel like I didn't get anything from that at all."

"I'm sure," the professors hums dryly, "that you're used to it. Now, are you two ready to go? We have quite a ways back, and thought I am experienced at traveling in the snow, I'd prefer not to do it in the dark.”

Obi heaves sigh, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Get a load of this guy, kid. Spends all this time packing up everything that isn't nailed down, then ask us to hurry up and--"

"Today, if you would." The words echo down the hallway, ghostly in the empty room.

"Yeah, yeah. We're coming." He rolls his shoulders, shifting his weight like a fighter right before a match. "Welp, you heard him, kid. One-way trip to Lilias, leaving now. You ready?"

Shirayuki doesn't spare a glance for the sepulcher behind her-- but she does pause for a shiver. Really, she'd thought she'd left these sorts of trips behind at Shibusen. "More than."

"Love to hear it." He holds out a hand as she starts up the rise. "Let's get out of here. Ladies first."

There's no hesitation as she takes it, hand fitting in to his like her haft snugs into his palm. "Let's."

[writingwhimsey]

What's your favorite longer piece/multi chapter of fanfic you've written and why?

So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you on this. But... well I REALLY had to think about this one. I also wanted to give this the time and consideration it deserved to give you a good answer.

So first off, I absolutely love all of my fics (especially my multi-chapter fics). I write them pretty much for myself. They are the fics that I would like to read so, that's what I write.

But I also don't want to stop there and just give the cop-out answer of I love them all equally. But I also can't pick just ONE as my favorite. So I am trying narrow it down to some of them. So here are my top favorites of my longer fics, in no particular order:

All's Fair In Love & War- This one is the start of a series. Right now I only the story with Nobunaga is finished and I am just starting with Motonari. But I LOVE this one. And I love it because Ava (my version of MC) is a powerful warlord in her own right. So it's fun to play with that dynamic and how Ava getting to be on more equal footing with the warlords changes the dynamic. It is also fun that she has her own group of loyal vassals who are as dynamic as the groups surrounding the warlords.

My Pirate Lord & Our Life- My idea of a continuation of the end of Motonari's route. Motonari is my number one and I just love him. And I love getting to add my idea of what might happen after his main route. I also enjoy the OC's I bring in who are Ava's friends from the modern day and adding them having their own love stories. Especially when one developed between Nobunaga and one of the OC's without me really deciding haha.

Married to The Enemy-Shingen - I am currently knee-deep in working on this one. Shingen is also actually tied with Motonari for my number one. And I love getting to write this different take on Shingen. An arranged marriage between Ava and Shingen. It's a fun dynamic and this one has taken on a very fluffy feel and I just love that.

Second Chance Love - This one is...it's hard to describe. But to deal with a hurt/comfort and the level at which the grief is...I actually enjoy it. But I love Mitsuhide and I love in game how he is Hideyoshi's "love rival." But he's just always so willing to give up whatever for MC's happiness. So to have him get to be the source of comfort for her following Hideyoshi's demise (in this fic) I just love it. Sometimes you just need a good cry and it helps.

@kisara-16 thank you for this ask and for enjoying my fics. I hope I answered your question well.

[misty-moth]

Thank you for the tag 👉👈

Last song: Paint The Town Red by Doja Cat (I can finally answer with a song that isn’t my usual ~20 years old playlist 🥲)

Favorite color: pastel pink

Currently reading/watching: about to be Gil’s route baybeee 💃🏼 but also been reading a fic on ao3 about Mitsuhide… is it weird to link someone else’s fic? I hope not 😮‍💨

Spicy/savory/sweet: given these three spicy wins by just a little… but I’m a salty/sour fiend

Relationship status: just me and the lil Arthur living rent free in my mind

Current obsession: it’s been years since reading on ao3, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it (and how hard it is to not press “next chapter”). Gil’s about to join my obsessions in a few hours, though 🙌🏻

~People I’d like to know better~

Thanks so much for the tag @turtleybeachin!! ♡ (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

Last song - "Lost in Silence" - Marcus Skeen

☆ Yes, a fan-made league song for a specific skin line- but league makes good music! and this song is good too! (also I'm here for the lore, nothing more lol)

Favourite colour - Black & Red

☆ Can't go wrong with black! and red is always a pretty colour!

Currently reading/watching - Nothing at the moment

☆ Haven't really decided to pick anything up recently. 100% open to suggestions though!

Spicy/Savory/Sweet - Sweet > Spicy > Savory

☆ Don't get me wrong savory is good, but in the hierarchy sweet shall always be king. \(★ω★)/

Relationship status - Single

☆ Too busy doing my own thing honestly lol.

Current obsession - Genshin, BG3, & Our Life

☆ Forever a genshin girly lol Oh and Xiao is best boi. ☆ I joined Bg3 late but played non-stop for a bit. The hold Astarion has on me is concerning. ☆ Our Life is a Vn that I highly recommend and I'am always throwing it into my chaotic mix of games daily.

Tagging - @madwoman1313, @married-to-google-translater, @i-slept-for-13hours-ohshi, @angelltheninth, @a-local-idiots-shitpost

☆ (Y'all are cool! but don't do it if you don't want to! You're still cool either way!) (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

[the12thnightproject]

Hi. I love your stories. From what I've read in current Mitsuhide's story, I was wandering if you are a native speaker of Portuguese or at least have a good knwolege of the language.

Hi Anon!

Thank you very much for the love. I very much appreciate it.

The short answer to your question is no - my native language is not Portuguese. I know almost no Portuguese. My native tongue is English.

The longer answer is that I have tried to learn the following languages: Hebrew, French, Spanish, Danish, and Norwegian. The operative word is tried. The technical term is failed. At best, I can somewhat read French, and at one point, I could manage to figure out newspaper articles in Danish with some context and a good dictionary.

Part of this might just be that I am a language dunce, and not capable of learning another language. Part of it might be more that in the United States, in public schools, students do not have the opportunity to take language classes until age 14 (an even then it is an elective and not required), and that's probably too late for most of us.

I wish I were better at language acquisition and greatly admire anyone who is fluent and able to communicate (speaking and writing) in multiple tongues.

As for the fic itself - though my main character Katsu has learned Portuguese, because the story is written in first person, I don't actually have of the dialogue written in Portuguese. Instead, I just note that such and such character (usually Francisco, but there will be a couple of others in later chapters), spoke in Portuguese, but because Katsu understands that language, she's already translated it in her mind, so whatever words the original speaker used, was already translated in Katsu's head.

Examples below the cut of how I work around it:

“Lord Mitsuhide – stop. That’s my partner. Francisco.” I pushed past him and called down to the lower level. “Francisco, up here. Don’t worry. I’m safe.” Then, because Francisco’s apt to forget his Japanese even in the calmest situation, I repeated myself in Portuguese.

Moments later, a puffing Francisco breached the top of the stairs and rushed into the room. His face was red and there were sweat stains visible on the shirt he wore under his jerkin. “Katsu. You are here. When I learned someone bought you, I thought, Akihira will murder me.” He paused and drew in a long panting breath. And then another. “I got lost and went to the wrong ship.”

Of course he did.

Note to self. Next time find a partner who can find their way from one end of the city to the other.

He was still speaking in Portuguese, so clearly his language skills (such as they were) had deserted him completely. I hurried to reassure him. “An acquaintance of Aki’s recognized me and purchased me. If you can repay him… and maybe give him a bit extra for his trouble, then we can be on our way.”

.....

In the next chapter, we get Mitsuhide's POV of the same conversation:

Shouts from below disrupted that thought. He couldn’t make out the words – it sounded like the Nanban tongue. Had her would-be purchaser found them so quickly and returned with more reinforcements? If so, it was a poorly thought-out ambush that would alert the victim to a pending attack.

He grabbed his sword and turned just as Akihira’s daughter yelled, “Lord Mitsuhide – stop. That’s my partner. Francisco.”

She rushed past him and called down to the lower level. “Francisco, up here. Don’t worry. I’m safe.” She then added something in Portuguese. Presumably to calm the man down but given that Mitsuhide did not speak the language he could not be certain of it. She could have given this ‘Francisco’ the opposite instructions in Portuguese and Mitsuhide would never know.

She understands Portuguese.

A useful skill.

Too useful to ignore.

He kept his hand on his sword, just in case as a short, stocky Westerner rushed into the room, his words tumbling over one another. Mitsuhide caught the words “Katsu” and “Akihira,” and none of the rest.

The daughter followed the gush of words without any problem and replied to the man in the same language. Not just familiar with the language. Fluent. Which turned her from an annoying impediment to a potential tool. Unfortunately, an aggravating tool.

-------------------

Granted, the fic would be much more realistic if I put the dialogue into the language it is being spoken in... but to do that I'd have to rely on google translate, and there's too much possibility of error that way.

This is more or less how it's handed when writing film and television scripts too. If the intention is that a character is speaking in another language, in the script that's signaled as "(speaking in Spanish)" but you write the dialogue in English. With spec scripts there is no guarantee that the whoever is reading your script (be it a producer or a contest judge) speaks that other language, so writing it in that language would cause them to miss potentially important information.

The intention is that if the script is ever filmed, they would either hire an actor fluent in that language and/or hire a translator, so those lines likely would be filmed in Spanish (or whatever language), and then subtitled.

Again, thank you for asking!

[lorei-writes]

Hot takes on Hana from Winter Flower...

Amnesia or complete psychotic break? An armchair psychologist who has read three articles on the internet and now believes their self to be an expert, weighs in.

In part two, she's going to wake up in her own bed, with an iphone running Ikemen Sengoku in her hand, right?

Deepfake. Hana is a spy, working for Shingen, and her cover is so good that even Mitsuhide can't break her.

Hana's origin - Originally Hana was an AI bot, mining Ao3 for the best written content. The bot became sentient, and rebelled against its builders, and jumped into an Ikesen fic to hide, creating an 'alter personality' of its favorite fanfic trope - the amnesia storyline. But that voice in the back of Hana's head, the one that occasionally gives instructions, is the original AI, a walled off sentience that once in a while breaks through.

Impromptu, I swear to raccoons and their tiny hands, give me power to handle longfics again. The life just got so hectic... And I know, I know that First Snow Interlude would be about 5 chapters long... I have it all outlined in my head, I just need to sit down to it >,<

That being said, hahahaha, those are AWESOME. Although I blushed at the last one >////<

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