#can i just tell you that i wanted to make mitsuhide's part angst cause he pissed me off in his route

[nobunagas-chatelaine]

Hi! If your requests are still open, I was wondering if so could ask for a headcanon for Kenshin, Mitsuhide and Sasuke with a paranoid partner who has a bad habit of overthinking and has a really bad bought of it where they start overthinking to the point that they manage to convince themselves not to even leave their room? Feel free to ignore this and take care 💜

Hello spoopy, interesting request you have here. I twisted the request a little but I hope you like it.

Ikemen Sengoku reaction to you worrying for them and not leaving your room /skipping meals

Kenshin Uesugi :

How could that be?

The hostage he had bought from Nobunaga was worrying for him?

The woman he had imprisoned as to hold her light away from others was worried for his well being that she wasn't even taking her daily meals?

This was ridiculous, but he knew he had to check...Or else god knows how much sleep he would get at night.

"You're an absolutely ridiculous woman! Who goes out of their way to check up on a man and refuses meals until he comes down himself?"

"Kenshin, oh thank heavens you're here. Look this might seem weird but could you come inside the cell, I wanted to talk."

Kenshin looks at you, you're shining eyes begging him to hold a conversation with you and he agrees, not that he was unwilling to do so in the first place.

"The Head General came here a-and....."

"What did he tell you?" Kenshin sits down keeping distance between you two.

"He didn't tell me anything, I saw him bribing the guard here and taking away the dangerous daimyo you kept here. They made a pact, Kenshin, they're poisoning today's feast."

You see Kenshin's eyebrows form into a frown as he calls up someone and orders them off to a few tasks and within a few minutes he had sorted everything out.

"You're right, they did catch the daimyo in the kitchen. Thanks for keeping an eye out MC, but this still doesn't explain why you were this worried....Am I not your enemy?? You'd surely want me to die"-

"Don't say that! Kenshin how could I hate you. You saved my life, you constantly tried to find ways to keep me smiling. I can never see you as an enemy Kenshin...cause I-I"-

"You what? Finish your sentence."

"I have fallen in love with you."

Mitsuhide Akechi :

So his little mouse was worried for their little baby that was soon due.

When you address your worries to him, and tell him that you were scared what would happen to the baby you see his smile fall down a little-

"MC, children and women dying during childbirth is very common in this era, I wouldn't tell you otherwise because you know the truth. But I have seen you, you are a very strong woman and I believe that nothing will happen to you. You will give birth to a beautiful baby and you will be there for the baby." Mitsuhide cradles you in his arms and places soft kisses on your temple.

"Hopefully I am able to do what you said Mitsuhide, I'm excited for our baby and I want to see you play with them all day". You smile at your husband and share a kiss with him.

"I look forward to that too, my love"

How did you manage to change a smirking fox to an adorable husband, you didn't know but you were glad that your fox was with you and you wouldn't trade him for the world.

Mitsuhide acting on his promise, sticks with you throughout your labour and god it was so worth it but the maids later transferred you two to another clean room as they bathed the baby.

Suddenly Mitsuhide asks you a weird question-

"Little mouse, are there two bundles in the midwife's arms?"

Little did he know he wasn't going to be blessed with one but two boys.

Sasuke Sarutobi :

A little fight you and Sasuke had, transcended into you two not taking for a few days and at this point you wondered where you went wrong.

Sasuke had tried multiple times to apologise but you locked yourself up in your room and were giving him the cold shoulder. Partly thinking if one of your actions were the reason Sasuke got mad.

You shutting yourself up in your room phase had gotten so bad that even Kenshin was now a little worried for you, but he'd never admit that.

"Should I go apologize to him, but he started the fight didn't he? Does he love me anymore, wait....what if he found someone new?" Thinking these thoughts you run to Sasuke's room and see him pacing around saying something you couldn't really decipher-

"Galelio's Telescope, why did shout at my kawai waifu like that, she must be so mad right now. The only way I can make her happy is by feeding her now. Yes, yes that is what I shall do".

Let's just say that you went back to your room after hearing that and later at night, Sasuke came in through your ceiling and bowed like a man asking for mercy as he presented Masamune's freshly made sweets to you.

"Wait, did Shingen-sama eat a few of these sweeets, cause I swear there were a few more here"

Yukimura Sanada :

You and Yukimura were newly married as a sign of an alliance Shingen made with a daimyo.

Everything was going fine until you gave too much thought about your and Yuki's relationship and wondered that if he could ever love you.

Of course he notices it and one day after dinner he traps you in a corner and asks you what was wrong.

"MC, you've been avoiding my eyes all day. Is there anything wrong?, You know you can tell me, right?"

(Oh dear Yuki how do we tell you that the problem is you)

"Nothing, nothing really I'm just feeling a bit out of the weather", you lie, hoping that he'd let the conversation go.

"But you've been in your room locked up everyday and you barely ate anything at dinner today, I don't think it's anything small", the warlord thinks to himself and then comes up with a brilliant idea.

"How about you sleep with me tonight, I-I don't mean it in that way. Shingen-sama stop laughing! I could look after you that way dummy, we don't want you sick."

The red in your cheeks speaks for you as he whisks you to his room and suddenly he has you pinned down on the futon.

"You bet I didn't know what you were thinking right? Well you're wrong and I'm going to prove that to you."

Yes, yes he proves it to you. He proves it to you so good that you were now ensured that he was addicted to you and only you.

Do drop by Shingen's room later, he'd want to know how it went. (>ω^)

@spoopy-fish-writes your pfp cute af

[nad-zeta]

Mitsuhide Akechi- Nightmares

Hi, loves I hope everyone is doing well! (˶◕‿◕˶✿) Sorry I’ve been so slow with my matchups I am going to slowly start doing them this week in between writing me dissertation which was approved so yay (◕‿◕✿) that’s one less stress in life! So I dedicate this piece o trash fic to @choi-jiyu, and @i-sleep-like-napoleon, @nuttytani love ya gals, and I know yall love sneki boi just as much as I do! 

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku 

Pairings: Mitsuhide x reader 

Genre: Fluff- with a touch o angst 

Warnings: Depression, nightmares, and anxiety 

Words: 2010

Comments: So I have been going through a tough time lately and need some sneki boi comfort (◕‿◕✿) soo I decided to write this self-indulgent fanfic, but I also know a few friends of mine is also going through a rough patch, and I didn’t know what to do to help, so I decided that his might brighten their days, even if it sucks! Love ya! 

It was a bright and sunny day. Rays of warm, lush sunshine streamed through your window, into your room. It was well past noon, and you were still nestled up in your warm bed. Despite the cheerfully chirping outside, you felt cold and numb. You had, had another one of your nightmares last night, leaving you an anxious mess. You wished you could stay in the comforts and safety of your bed all day, just hiding beneath the fluffy cover, but alas duty calls. You had no motivation or strength to get out of the safe haven of your bed. In fact, thanks to your nightly nightmares, you were now left exhausted and jittery. You laid back, head sinking deep into your pillow, staring up at the ceiling for a few more moments, letting your mind wander and play in the darkness. Soon it wandered a little too deep into the forest of memories, and fear and terror slowly started creeping in. They filled your head with lies, lies speaking of not being good enough, strong enough, pretty enough, they would whisper in your ears that no one would ever love you. It insisted that you were destined to live your life in fear and isolation, shackled in the chains of your own sorrow and trapped in the cell of your own mind forever. It was days like these when your fear manifested into the warden of your mind, taunting you in your cell. You felt like shards of shattered glass spread across the floor, beautiful and shimmering to all those looking from afar, yet soon to realize that you were actually a broken mess shattered beyond repair. 

The loud sounds of the birds chirping away outside your window sill brought you back. Your fingers gently ghosted your cheek to wipe away the tear that managed to escape.

You could hear the castle start to come alive with the buzz of the day. The maids began doing their rounds, to clean the castle rooms and hallways. You could hear the clinging of pots and pans in the distance, as Masamune made breakfast for the troublesome Mitsu’s.

At the thought of food, your stomach gave a loud growl. You sat up and rested your head on your knees, for a few moments, you really didn’t want to face the world today. The voices still ringing in your ears, coaxing you to lay back down and sleep away the numb pain, but you knew their tricks. Sleep never helped, for with sleep came the nightmares, always the same and ever leaving you to awaken in a state of terror. 

You got up and dressed, readying yourself for the day ahead of you, yet you just couldn’t shake this strange mood you were in. You dragged your feet through the castle halls leading you up to Nobunaga’s room, to get your list of duties for the day. You passed smiling faces, and chatty maids and the sense of irritation grew with each happy face you saw, it made you spiral further and further into the void of darkness. You reached Nobunaga’s door and gave a gentle knock, hoping, no praying he wouldn’t be in. Alas, he called out for you to enter. 

You entered into the mightly warlord’s room to see, Mitushide and Hideyoshi sitting before him drinking a cup of tea and exchanging light conversation. Today of all days you didn’t want to deal with small talk, cause you knew the second either of the men would ask you, what was wrong, you would breakdown into tears, and you most definitely did not want to do that. You wore your mask and sent the men a strained smile, leaving with your list of chores.

Litlle did you know your strained smile and faltering mask didn’t go unnoticed by the three men. Hideyoshi was the first to break the silence, “She seems down today, I wonder if we shouldn’t perhaps have given her the day off.” Nobunaga looked at his vassal worry for you clear in his ruby eyes, “Mitushide, I entrust you with our fireball, see to it that you chase away the demons that are clearly haunting her mind.” Mitushide gave the two men his snakelike smirk, although the worry and concern for you was evident even with his schooled expression, “Very well, my lord, I will now take my leave.” Nobunaga simply nodded as the kitsune left his room, to go and search for his dearest mouse.

He had spent the day watching you from the shadows, like a guardian angel of sorts. He knew that you weren’t in a particularly social mood, so he made sure to direct any pesky maids or warlords away from where you were working. He could see you spiralling further and further as the day progressed and it broke his heart. He would have approached you sooner, but for the first time in his life, he was afraid, he didn’t have the words to comfort you. He who always had some comeback or witty remark, he who armed himself with words, making his tongue his greatest weapon and strength, now couldn’t find the words.

Your work was finally done for the day, yet you still felt empty, you still felt numb, and you still felt terrified. You made your way to a secluded part of the castle garden and sat down on the fountain’s edge. You looked at your reflection in the water, “Gosh, you are pathetic, I don’t even recognize you.”

You were suddenly started by a smooth calming voice, “Dearest me, whoever are you talking to little mouse, for the only person I can see is, a beautiful princess who has been fighting her own demons alone for far too long.”

You turned away from the silver kitsune balling your hands in a tight fist, trying your best to hold back unshed tear stinging your eyes, “I don’t know what you are taking about Mitsuhide, as you can see I am perfectly fine, so you can go and find someone else to tease.”

Before you even knew what was happening, you were pulled into Mitsuhide’s lap and cradled in his arms. You looked up and the man shining in the moonlight. Blurred golden eyes filled your field of vision. Gentle fingertips soothingly traced up and down your arms in an attempt to calm you down. At this point, there was no stopping the tears, the dam wall had just broke, and hot tears came streaming down your face. You tried to speak once more, to insist that you were fine, that nothing was wrong, but your throat constricted and the words came out like hiccupping sobs.

Mitsuhide brought one of his hands to your cheek, to cradle your face, he carefully wiped away the tears with his thumb. His fingertips danced from your cheeks to make their way into your hair, gently he tightened his warm embrace on you, as he started to pull his fingers through his hair. “Would you like to talk about it little one, perhaps there is something I can do to assist you.”

You searched his golden orbs for traces of his usual tricks and teases but found none; instead, you saw a comforting affection and love for you, fill his molten eyes. As if reading your mind, he set your heart at ease, he spoke in a low soothing, comforting voice “I will not tease you tonight my dear, so please tell me what is the matter.”

You closed your eyes and buried your face in the crook of his neck, taking in his warm, comforting scent. The warm, soothing scent of incense- it smelt like a mix of agarwood, and cedar with hints of cinnamon and gun powder. When you were with him, you felt, calm and safe, your cluttered mind stopped buzzing and gave you a moment of peace, a moment of silence. Finally, you thought. 

You started to tell him of your nightmares, your past, doubts and of your depression and anxiety. You bore your heart to his mysterious moonlit kitsune, who simply sat and continued to stroke your hair while he listened to you speak.

His heart broke for you, he didn’t know what he could do to help, so he just sat there in silence and listened. He would occasionally tighten his warm embrace or give a small nod, as you continued to hiccup your way through your story. He knew all too well of the treacherous demons that would plague the mind with doubts and insecurities. All he could think to do by the end of your tale was to nuzzle your cheek and whisper words of reassurance in your ears. “You have put up a gallant fight my love, but you shall fight alone no more.”

He brushed away the last of your tears with his sleeves and kissed your forehead, nose and then…. Lips. Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, and finally, a real genuine smile graced your lips. Mitsuhide continued to whisper the sweetest of words in your ears, words filled with love and adoration, the words that were only meant for his one and only soulmate, words that were meant for you and you alone. 

Between the soft tracing of his fingers lovingly playing their way through your beautiful strands, the safe warmth radiating from Mitsuhide’s body as he embraced you, and the soft constant hammering of his heartbeat, you found yourself being lulled into a peaceful sleep. Mitushide looked down at your tear-stained face and made a silent vow to always be by your side, to love and protect you. His fingers moved from twirling your hair between his fingertips, to now lightly stroke your cheeks. With one final kiss of the nose, he gently stood up and tenderly cradled you in his arms. He moved swiftly through the hallways to take you back to your room. 

He carefully laid you down and tucked you in. He stayed for a few moments to watch over you and just before he turned to leave, he saw your delicate features contour in pain. You let out a few soft cries, you were having your nightmare again, tears started flowing down your face anew, but it wasn’t until one single word slipped from your lips that Mitsu was probed into action, “Mitsuhide.”

He was by your side in a split second, climbing in beneath the covers, pulling you closer to his broad chest and enveloping you in his warmth. “Hush now my love, I’m right here.”

As if sensing his presence, you turned around in his arms and nestled closer to him, hands sneaking their way into his kimono to pull him closer to you. You clung to him like your lifeline. He kissed your forehead and snaked his arms around you, to bring you to lay flush against him. He moved his hands to draw tiny circles on your back, “I’m right here, little mouse, there is no need to be afraid, I will slay all those who mean you harm.”

Your breaths started to even out, and the soft whispers of his voice seemed to chase away the very nightmare that had haunted you all throughout childhood into your adult life. You finally let out a content sigh and your facial features softened once more, a small smile coming to rest itself on your lips.

Mitsuhide watched over you for a while longer, nuzzling his nose into your hair and dropping small kiss. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, joining you in the land of dreams

Never again will your nightmares haunt you, never again will you be alone, for every night without fail Mitsuhide will pull you into his arms and chase away all your fears. He will watch over you like a guardian angel, swooping down from the heavens to pull you out of the dark void and back into the light. He will be by your side, every day and night to aid you in slaying the demons of your mind. He will go to the ends of the earth to fill your life and heart with unimaginable amounts of love and happiness 

Hope ya guys enjoyed! (◕ᴗ◕✿)

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Can I request ikesen Mitsuhide or Obey Me Mammon? Some unrequited love from the boys pov? Give me angst 😍 it can end in fluff if you want :)

Okay so, I LOVE Mitsuhide too much to be able to write unrequited love for him, but Mammon is so dumb that I love him in a way that he’s my Spirit Animal and I want to /Dab at him with all my might.

And wave a fan of money at myself while winking at him, telling him he ain’t ever gonna get my money.

Oh, sweet sweet torture for Mammo-MaMoney.

Also. this is a screenshot I took from the game and I thought it would kinda work :D

It’s already been half a year since you came to his realm, and honestly, you’ve been such a nuisance, especially how you managed to slither your way into making pacts with almost all of the 7 demon brothers, that he actually admired you so much, but had no idea how to admit it, both to himself, or to you.

Honestly, he never would have realised he was ACTUALLY, REALLY, GENUINELY in love with you, until Beelzebub or Asmodeus pointed it out to him, since his actions betrayed his very flamboyant and meaningless words and boasts that he keeps spouting all the time.

He’s really such a love sick puppy that it became sort of obvious to you as well, but...

But you only saw him as the weird and funny class clown who’d make you laugh, but you had other type, romantically speaking, so you decided to friendzone him gently...

Which basically meant you never gave him any hint that you liked him.

You wanted someone more serious, more intellectually and emotionally mature, more understanding.

More...Not MaMoney.

So of course, other demons like Lucifer or Satan seemed to attract your attention more easily, while you kept Mammon as your puppy.

That, at least, he realised, but in a way, he was okay with it, because he got to spend time with you, even if it was platonic, and not romantic, the way he hoped for, but you know, seeing your bright smile always managed to light up his day and get over all the shitty things everybody says about him.

And if HE was the cause of your smile or laugh?

He’d be OVER the moon.

But the fact that as soon as other demon came into the room made you go follow him, and leave Mammo alone, really broke his heart.

Or better said, when you saw how much you would shine around someone else.

He accepted his defeat and that maybe he really had a shit personality, because of his greediness, and didn’t deserve the love of such a beautiful person.

He definitely accepted that you were someone else’s and he was just a friend for you.

Ah...Did I say that?

I lied.

Because the second he found you crying, he rushed to you, holding you close to his chest, stroking your hair soothingly and threatening to kill the bastard who made you cry.

And at first, he thought that your crush rejected you, and a part of his heart kinda leaped in glee, thinking he’d get another chance.

But then you started apologising to him and he got incredibly confused, like-

???

You did nothing wrong to him, why apologise? You never abused him the way his brothers would, and your teasing and mocking never got as harsh as theirs, so it’s all cool.

“I was a blind fool not to realise that I actually liked you and not them. It took a long talk with Beel to realise that, and even more, that I hurt your feeling so much, and I feel horrible that I put you through all of that. I never meant to make fun of you or make you feel bad, because I really cherish you, as a friend and even more, and I don’t want to lose you, Mammo. I’m sorry.” you cried into his chest, and I don’t think he ever felt more thrilled in his entire demon life than he felt now. 

He was almost shaking and bouncing from excitement.

“Y-You mean to say that you...You actually like me?! Not as a joke or prank or something?! I-I mean-...! Of course you’d like me, what a silly idea! Haha!” Mammon would try to bring back his faux appearance of narcissism, but it still faded away very easily as soon as you started giggling.

“I thought I wanted someone grounded and mature, serious all the time...But in reality, it got more clear to me that someone with a great sense of humour and who is actually very sensitive and in touch with his emotions would be a much better fit for me. And for that, I was the one to unintentionally push you away. I’m so sorry, Mammo...” you hung your head, but he freaked out because nobody ever apologised to him, what is he supposed to feel?!

“Babe, no, stop, wait! Look at me! The Amazing Mammon forgives you and would gladly date you, The Awesome Y/N! Come one, smile for me, it’s worth all the money in the world!” he flashed you one of his million dollar smiles that made your heart leap in happiness, as you put your arms around his neck and kisssed his cheeks, making him flush with embarrassment.

Mammon.exe stopped working.

Not that he ever worked anyways.

But damn, is he gonna spoil you rotten, his little princess that he loves so much.

(Yes, he would definitely steal others’ money and valuables to give them to you)

[strawberrypancakesalltheway]

A Reverie Part II

its the continuation of my story called A Reverie. You guys can read it here!!

Slightly angst with happy ending~

A/N: this one is requested by @mai-the-queen (idk why I cant tag you) for the happy ending version. 

Warnings: none

Word count: 1596

Pairing: Nobunaga x MC (Mai)

“I love him. So much. To the point where you won’t understand. You don’t get it. It’s there. It exists. It flows. It moves like rapids through my vein. Comes with bursts and occasionally fades with the day, but it’s always there. And when you find love like that, you don’t want to give it up. But sometimes you have to and sometimes you have to give it to someone else. That’s the hard part”

Dominic Riccitello

 You thought that he will chase you, begging you to not end things.  But he didn’t. Now here you are, at your room, too tired to cry. Well, you get what you want, he leaves you alone, what else more did you want? You should be happy or relief. But you didn’t, you feel awful, cold and empty. You just sat there wondering where things went wrong? Whose fault is this? Is it yours? Sure, your past lover has said things or reasons why they broke up with you. Some said that you are too demanding, too ambitious, you work too much yada yada. But Nobunaga is different, he sees you way past that, he’s never nitpicking on why you love to sew or taking commission for kimonos, he’s never complain when you voice out whatever inside your mind. He loves you for who you are. Before you know it, the sun starts to rise, and you need to prepare for the work today at the castle.

There is not much differences of your activity in the castle. Helping the maid, sewing your commission, delivering letters to some of the warlord. He didn’t call you to the Tensu like usual morning, and no words from him after last night fight. Maybe, just maybe he also needs some space and time to think about both of you, your relationship.

Without you knowing, the evening came. The peaceful atmosphere surrounding the castle replaced by darkness that slowly creeping it. It rattles you, and somehow your guts telling you that something wrong or bad will be happened. You know that the castle is well guarded, and probably the safest place in the entire region, but still it didn’t sit well with you. So, you try to reach your room as soon as possible to calm yourself down.

You tried to calm yourself down by drawing a new design for the next kimono commission for a certain daimyo daughter, and it help you a little bit to settling down the bad feeling. Suddenly, there is a loud screaming and wood knocking echoing throughout the castle. There must be intruder inside, so you blow off the candle and listen to some guards running down the hall. You get out from your room and start to run along with several maid and guards towards the hall.

“Where are the warlords? Where is Lord Nobunaga?”

“Princess, they are currently fighting the intruder on east and west side of the castle. Lord Nobunaga currently fighting near the courtyard. Some of the intruder managed to get inside the castle. Princess, please you need to get out from here!”

You ignore the guard and run past them. This is it. This is probably what caused the bad feeling and dread you’ve felt today. Your stomach drops, the possibility of losing Nobunaga and the fact of those awful words you’ve said to him yesterday. You need to get to him, to make sure that he’s safe.

You ran past the hallway, cursing why it’s so vast. You noticed a group of maid and castle helper hurdled in a corner, some of them are crying.

“what are you guys doing here? Go to the safe room!! Quick!!”

You order some guards to court them to the safe room in the castle. You noticed an abandoned sword near you and you take it. By all means you didn’t have any martial or swords skill, but you’ve watched quite a lot of period dramas during your free time, so there is that.

“Okay, stab first, ask questions later. Here goes nothing!”

You continue to your way to the court area and it seems that the fighting has lessen. You thank whatever God that listening, the fact that you didn’t meet any of the intruder and you didn’t have to stab someone using your sword.

And there he is, standing in the middle of the court, surrounded by several dead bodies you assumed as the intruders. His sword drawn, blood trickling to the soil down below. He looked okay, you heard him giving orders to the castle guards to clear the castle from the intruders.

“Nobunaga!!”

You ran to him; the fight last night didn’t matter to you. What’s matter is that he is safe and alive. He looked surprised; a glint of relief also plastered on his face.

“Fireball, what are you doing here? It’s not safe here!”

“I’m okay. I... I just need to know that you are okay. I have this…. this bad feeling and I just want to make sure that nothing bad happened to you”.

You hug him, relieved that he’s okay. That your Nobunaga still breathing and alive. You realized that you still love him, and the thought of losing him nearly ripped you apart. He returned your hug, and for a second, nothing else matter to you.

You both let go of each other and you look at him. His eyes full of adoration and love for you. Those same eyes that held your entire world, a home to you. You both maybe not perfect and occasionally fighting with each other, but you love him and you can’t imagine a world without him.

“Nobunaga, I…” Suddenly a sharp pain spread at your chest. You didn’t understand what’s happening until you look down to your chest and saw the arrow protruding. And for a while, the world seems to stop.

“Mai!” Nobunaga starts to barks some order to catch the enemy archer. He cradles you to his arms, your blood starts to creeps to the surface of your kimono. Some of the warlords arrived at the courtyard, Masamune and Mitsuhide start to chase the archer who dares to shot you, while Ieyasu told Hideyoshi to prepare a room so that he could treat your wounds.

The pain in your chest start to spread to your whole body, and you’ve never felt something hurts to that extent. You look at Nobunaga’s face, your hands caressing his cheek in attempt to comfort him.

“I still love you, you know……...I’m..I’m sorry for last night” You try to smile, but you no longer able to hold your tears. You love this man so much that you are grateful the archer didn’t shoot at him. You tried to take a deep breath but the pain keeps increasing and your vision starts to blurred. And the last thing that crossed your mind before everything went black is that you’re grateful to meet such an amazing man and lover, and you hope that perhaps some God would take pity on you and let you spend the rest of your life with him.

*******************************************************************************************

The smell of cherry blossom flower rings up the air at the castle, along with some flower petal that dance along with the gentle wind. The sound of the castle bustling to its routine, birds chirping greeting the castle residents. Spring time is always beautiful, the nature reawakens from its sort sleep during the winter, along with people who have been patiently waits for the warm sunlight to shine all over them once more. You’ve always loved the spring, not too hot, not too cold.

You’re sitting bellow a cherry blossom tree near the courtyard, its one of your favorite places to just sit down and enjoying the day. It’s been a month since you’ve been shot by an arrow, without the existence of modern medical technology, the recovery rate is slower. However, with Ieyasu ability and knowledge, you are sure that you would recover and returns to the state you were before in no time. Since you are still recovering, you aren’t allowed to resume your activity as the chatelaine. All of the warlords doting upon you, makes sure that you process of recovery will be the main priority for them. Since you aren’t allowed to do things that you were supposed to do, you decided to take a rest and sit under this cherry blossom tree.

“Here you are, fireball. I’ve been looking for you” Nobunaga approach her and sit beside her.

“I’m kinda bored stuck at my room so I decided to spend my afternoon here. It’s so pretty”

You smiled at him and continue to look at the fallen petal. You start to reminisce the time you’ve spent here in sengoku era.

“It’s been a while, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. Do you ever have any regret not returning back to the future?”

“Not at all, Nobunaga. This is my home now, with you”

“Good, because I don’t intend to let you go, fireball”

He kissed you, softly. His hand cradling your face, and his lips is so soft. Everything feels right to you. His kisses full of adoration and reassurance, trying to convinced you that he loves you more than anything. He makes you happy, sometimes frustrated. You both maybe fight sometimes but it didn’t mean that the love is gone. It’s definitely there, in the way he looked at you, the way he kissed you, in every single thing he does. And you fell in love with him again, for a thousand time, over and over again.

[darkkitsuneprincess]

I Love You, Dummy - Part 1 [Yukimura x MC (Mai)]

First: 220 FOLLOWERS!!! OMG!!! YOU GUYS ROCK SO HARD!!! 

Second, somebody mentioned one day last week that there’s not enough Yuki content and I happen to agree. Since the rest of these fools still aren’t talking to me, I went back to this silliness. Yukimura is such an idiot and I adore him. Part 2 will be along shortly, will be full of more fluff, and may or may not be NSFW.

Title: I Love You, Dummy Pairing: Yukimura x MC (Mai) Rating: F (for Fluff) Warnings: Idiots in love. The dumbest angst ever angsted. Tooth-rotting sweetness. Description: Something is up with Yukimura. He’s been avoiding Mai for days. Kenshin spoils the surprise and romantic shenanigans ensue. People Who Need Tagging:  @choi-jiyu @nad-zeta -- hit me up if you want me to add you.

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Whatever it was, it had been bothering him for days. From the minute we arrived at Kasugayama, it was like a switch had flipped and my adoringly-sweet-yet-m oderately-awkward boyfriend became a totally different person. I wondered if I’d inadvertently said or done something to upset him on the trip in, but I couldn’t think of a thing. And since we arrived, I’d barely even seen him.

He hadn’t mentioned it. Hadn’t said anything at all, as a matter of fact. It wasn’t like Yukimura to not speak at all. He always had something to say, even if it was just snark. But the fact that he’d not only not talked to me, but gone out of his way to avoid me told me something was definitely up…

…which was exactly why I was standing in the garden with Shingen, waiting for him to answer my question.

“He was so excited to come back to Kasugayama for the festival,” I added after explaining my dilemma to Yukimura’s surrogate father. “But since we got here, he’s been so…weird. I mean, he’s always an awkward idiot, but this goes way beyond that.”

“If there were a problem, surely Yuki would come to you first,” Shingen told me after several long, agonizing moments of pretending to ponder my question. I could see the lie in his eyes. Shingen knew something. I mean, he was only feudal Japan’s greatest master of information…second maybe to Mitsuhide…so I knew he knew what was going on. And he knew that I knew that he knew. I could see that too. I hadn’t spent the last year with these knuckleheads without learning how to read them the same way they did me.

“Okay,” I responded with a curt nod. “If you don’t want to tell me, fine.”

I turned and left, ignoring Shingen’s calls for me to come back. He might not be willing to help me, but I knew there was one person in Kasugayama who would.

***

“I would, but you know the saying—bros before—”

“I would not finish that statement if I were you, Sasuke. He may be your bro, but I am certainly not the other.” My moderately awesome ninja friend swallowed with an audible gulp and took two steps back from me. I didn’t blame him; if I looked anything like I felt, then I looked like I wanted to wring his neck. “This routine is starting to get old, you know. Yukimura hasn’t said a word to me in three days. He’s avoiding me since we got here. He didn’t come to bed last night until…well, I don’t know when, and he was gone again when I woke up. Shingen is being his usual, obnoxious self, and even you aren’t willing to tell me what’s going on even though despite your weak facial muscles, you have a terrible poker face!” I threw my hands up in the air and groaned. “If I wanted to be left in the dark with everyone I know plotting against me, I’d have just stayed in Azuchi!”

“Mai…”

“NO.” I held up a hand. “You’re not going to betray Yukimura’s confidence and I don’t want to hear anymore excuses. You tell that idiot that when he’s ready to apologize for being such a moron, he can come find me. I might still be here.”

My voice cracked on the last word right alongside my heart and for the second time that day, I stormed away from one of my friends, though this time I did it so nobody would see me cry.

***

If I’d thought for one second someone might find me hiding behind a sakura tree in the most remote, well-hidden corner of the garden, I wouldn’t have gone there to have my little pity party. And if I had thought someone would find me, I certainly wouldn’t have expected it to be who it was.

“This is why I find women so tiresome,” Kenshin said, scaring a shriek out of me. I’d been so absorbed in my own silliness and the absurd plot to steal a horse and ride back to Azuchi to be with the other half of my Sengoku family that I hadn’t even heard him approach. I wiped my face on my sleeve and looked up to find a hard scowl marring the ethereal beauty of his face. Those mismatched eyes, though… they were full of concern.

“Sorry to bother you, Kenshin,” I said through my sniffles. “I’ll just go.” I started to rise but he placed a cold hand on top of my head.

“Stay,” he said, his touch softening as he stroked my hair with almost brotherly affection. “You are clearly upset about something and came here to hide.”

“I did.”

He surprised me by sitting down beside me. I’d grown used to his weird mood swings even if I’d not grown entirely used to the man himself. Even in repose, Kenshin was still the most intimidating thing I’d ever seen. Disarmingly beautiful…but decidedly lethal. I knew full well he could take my head from my shoulders if the spirit moved him to and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. I’d already be dead before I could even think to react.

“I assume the cause of your distress is your lover,” he said, raising one thin eyebrow at me. I nodded and hid my face in my sleeves so she couldn’t see just how much of a mess I was. “I am not surprised. Since the two of you arrived, he has been quite…obnoxious. More so than usual.”

“He’s avoiding me,” I said, my voice crackling like dry tinder from the torrents of tears. “We argue all the time. It’s kind of our thing. But even when we were supposed to be enemies, he never went out of his way to hide from me.”

“That boy is a fool,” Kenshin answered. His tone was harsher than usual and when I glanced up at him, I may as well have been staring down a pair of knives for all the sharpness in his gaze. “You would think, having been in Shingen’s service nearly his whole life, he’d have at least learned something about women.”

I snorted. “That’s pretty funny coming from you, you know.”

“I know a great deal about women,” Kenshin replied defensively, his lips pressed into a thin line to hide the smile teasing them. “I am no monk, Mai. However, I choose not to waste my time with frivolities.”

“Then why are you talking to me?”

“Because you were crying. Women should never cry.”

That time I did laugh. “Then if you know so much about us, tell me…why are women so emotional?”

“That, little one, is one of life’s great mysteries.” He smirked then turned his gaze away from me, looking out over the garden. He heaved a sigh, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. “If you must know, Yukimura wishes to marry you,” Kenshin said, and my heart stuttered to a shocked halt.

Say what now?

“But…”

“You didn’t know?” he asked, though he knew full well I didn’t know. “I would apologize for ruining that surprise, but I am not sorry in the slightest. I am weary of you moping about my castle and his frantic idiocy.”

“How did you find out?” I asked, hoping to wrap my mind around this. His initial statement rang through my mind again and again, but it seemed no more real than a daydream.

“I am actually surprised you didn’t know before now. That fool has interrogated every person in his path for three days seeking guidance in the matter. He sent letters weeks ago informing both Nobunaga and myself of his plan to ask for your hand during the festival. As it seems I inherited care of you in that alliance,” his nose wrinkled as he thought of the Alliance between Echigo and Azuchi and the resulting custody arrangement between himself and Nobunaga, “it was up to me to provide the blessing for this upcoming union.”

“So you’re saying Yukimura wrote to you and Nobunaga and asked permission?”

“Yes. Now that you have arrived, he and Sasuke have cobbled together some elaborate nonsense for the occasion that involves Shingen escorting you to the festival. I find this whole affair a waste of my ninja’s time.”

I laughed at that. “I do too. I don’t need anything elaborate. I thought Yukimura knew that.”

Kenshin shook his head. “The boy is daft. If I understand correctly, Sasuke has commissioned fireworks from the artisans in Oshu.”

My jaw fell slack. “Sasuke went to Masamune for fireworks? What on earth are they planning?”

Kenshin shrugged one shoulder as if he’d grown bored with the conversation. “How many people know?”

Kenshin chuckled. “It appears you are the only person in all of Japan that didn’t. I suspect you will have quite the audience this evening.”

Excitement replaced my shock. I’d never known Kenshin to lie. But one thing still didn’t make sense to me. Here I’d begun to think I’d done something to upset Yukimura, and that wasn’t the case at all. I’d wracked my brain for the memory of even the tiniest transgression, but there was nothing. And now this bombshell…

“But—but why is he avoiding me?”

Kenshin fixed me with a hard, impatient stare. “You already know the answer to that question. You, yourself have said more than once today that he is an idiot.”

“Because he is.”

“I agree.” Kenshin rose in a fluid, graceful motion, then took my hands and pulled me to my feet. I felt like a tromping elephant beside a gazelle as I rose. Even after I stood, Kenshin held onto my hands. “He intends to ask at the festival tonight.” Kenshin reached up an smoothed a lock of my hair back into place. “I suggest you pull yourself together and go get ready. I shall send the maids to assist you.”

Kenshin gave me one last, lingering look before turning away and leaving me alone in the garden with a head full of bubbles.

Yukimura wants to marry me…

***

Every bit of anxiety was washed away as I turned and ran back to our shared room. Our first “date” had been at a festival. My insides still fluttered when I remembered our first kiss under the fireworks. My heart skipped a beat at the memory of the fire in his eyes when he looked down at me, the way the bright colors in the sky reflected in his gaze. I remembered the feel of his hands on my waist and how I’d clung so desperately to him, not wanting to leave his side. I remembered the sweetness and innocence in that moment, before the world saw fit to try and tear us apart.

Yet we’d survived, we’d come through it all together. And now, a year after my return to this time and the man I’d fallen desperately in love with, we were on the cusp of this grand, new adventure. He was, in his own ridiculous way, trying to make this night special for me. And I…I wanted to do my part.

In all the excitement, I’d forgotten that I had something for him until that moment. Since I was now in on his secret and I knew he wasn’t going to come back before tonight, I dug through my bag until I found the two wrapped packages at the bottom. I set one off to the side and went to the desk with the other, prepared to write a letter to Yukimura when the door slid open and he appeared.

My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. His clothes were rumpled and his hair windblown, as if he’d just spent the last fifteen minutes either sparring with or running from Kenshin. Either was possible, except that I’d been with Kenshin until about five minutes ago. Whatever the reason for his huffing breath and disheveled state, it must have had something to do with his “surprise”.

“Oh, um…I’ll come back,” he stammered, breathless, and started to close the door.

“Yukimura, wait!” I shouted, rising with the package still clutched to my chest. He hesitated, panic flashing across his face, and I could see him consider just closing the door and running again. Now that I knew what was going on, his awkwardness was adorable. “I, um, have something for you. For tonight.”

Fear. Blind, bald fear flashed across his face. “Why?”

I closed the distance between us, noting how he stiffened as I neared. When I reached out and took his hand, he froze, the urge to bolt even more evident in his posture. Though when I tugged his hand, pulling him inside, he came willingly.

“Do I have to have a reason to give you a gift?”

“No, but…”

“But what?” I pushed. Yukimura began to sweat, tiny beads of perspiration appearing at his hairline. “You give me gifts all the time.”

“That’s different,” he replied, turning his hand to lace his fingers through mine.

“How so? It’s only fair that I do things for you once in awhile.” Before he could escape, I closed the distance between us and laid my head on his chest. Despite the weird gurgling noise he made in his chest, Yukimura’s arms went around me. My heartbeat jumped into high gear as I inhaled the scents of incense and woodsmoke lingering on his clothes. He was definitely up to something. “I made something for you,” I said against his chest. “Since our first official date was at a festival a lot like this one, I wanted to give you something to make it extra special.”

“Mai…”

Yukimura hooked a finger under my chin and tipped my head back to kiss me. His cheeks, ears, and nose glowed with embarrassment, which only made him more adorable. Though when his tongue swept between my parted lips to tangle with mine, all thoughts of sweetness evaporated. His arms tightened around my waist and the package I was holding thumped to the floor so that I could wrap my arms around his neck. He poured all of his love and affection into that kiss. His hands roamed over my sides and back, pulling me impossibly closer while I threaded my hands through his messy hair. It would take nothing at all to drag him across the room to our futon, but we both had plans now. Both had roles to play in tonight’s little drama.

When we parted, we did so breathless and clinging to each other for support. “Gods…I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I pressed my cheek to his chest and listened to his hammering heart.

“You said you had something for me?” he asked, his usual cheeky tone returning as his breathing slowed.

We sank to the floor together and I placed the package in his hands, watching with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as he unwrapped the bundle to reveal the haori I’d made for him.

“Mai…you…you made this?” he asked, his eyes going wide as he unfolded the garment and laid it out for inspection. His fingers traced over the black coin-crests embroidered into the shoulders of the deep, red garment—the Sanada family crest—and over the fine gold threads woven through the decorations along the neck.  “This is amazing…”

“I’m glad you like it. I thought you might want to wear it to the festival tonight.”

“You bet!” he chirped, then as if remembering the festival, his nervous energy returned. His shoulders tensed and the anxiety returned to his eyes. “But, uh, I have some stuff to—er—do before then. I’ll, um, be back in a little bit.” Yukimura leaned in like would kiss me again then thought better of it, placed a quick peck on my forehead, and all but ran from the room, nearly bowling over the two maids Kenshin sent to help me get ready.

“Silly boy,” I muttered, shaking my head as I rose from the floor and ushered the maids inside.

[darkmindsotome]

Risque Rouge pt14

Tagging: @umbralaperture​ @otome-smut-queen @silver-fox-of-azuchi @tsundere-mitsuhide @jennacat84

General warnings for the whole fic: Angst, some fluff, Mental health issues, emotional things, trauma, blood, death and possible triggers. Please read responsibly. 

Darkmindsotome Masterlist

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Chapter 14

The coach driver dropped them off at the side of the road before leaving to join the other carriages waiting for their masters to return. Freshly baked bread and sweet pastries filled the air around them with a wonderful fragrance that should have had her mouth watering in anticipation of the meal to come. Should have... Evie noticed the slightly strange phenomenon but chalked it up to nerves. It was not only her first time going out with Comte, but it was also her first time in this part of town.

There were several boutique shops that in all honesty, the word extravagant didn’t begin to cover. The area felt a little like a section of Manmatre in that it was quiet and relaxed. Fresh vibrant flowers bloomed happily in containers and hanging baskets. There was the sound of happy chatter and friendly greetings all around them as she was guided towards the cafe he had mentioned before, but it was painfully obvious to her once more that their worlds were two separate things.

After walking for a short time the number of pedestrians subsided and a small family run cafe came into view. There were beautiful large windows displaying all manner of delicious sweets, the pale blue awning on the building gave some protection for alfresco dining. Chairs with woven rattan and a mixture of tables allowed for small groups of people to enjoy a meal together. Comte moved a chair for her and after making sure she was settled vanished into the shop to place their order.

She watched him through the glass as he spoke with a slightly elderly looking woman who was wearing an apron in the same colour blue as the cafe’s awning. It was a little surprising that no one else seemed to be here. It was possible that because it was not directly on the main thoroughfare that they didn’t see much in the way of casual customers. It was more likely that the majority of their repeat business came from residents of the area. Evie turned her attention to the planters made from half barrels and the multiple marigolds that were in full flower in them.

“Do you like it here ma cherie?” Comte spoke from the chair next to her.

“Oh! Oui, it’s lovely. When you said you were taking me to somewhere I didn’t think it would be...” She tried her hardest to avoid looking as embarrassed as she felt for not noticing he had returned only to find she had rambled her way into the murky waters of something that could come off as rather offensive.

There were certain things even she was aware of that you didn’t mention in polite company and drawing attention to the preconceived notion that she expected him to possibly take her somewhere more expensive or grandiose was one of those things.

“Somewhere so quaint?” He didn’t sound in the least bit offended in fact Comte was rather amused as he watched the expressions on her face change like the seasons.

“Sorry I guess I might have had the wrong impression.” She cringed avoiding eye contact as she tried to think of a way to make what she had just said sound less judgemental.

This cafe was charming it was simply not something she thought would be in an area like this given how affluent the other premises looked on their way here. She did actually find it calming to be in such a place compared to somewhere pretentious where she would have had to be sure to put on a show in order to mask her own nerves and avoid embarrassing Comte.

“Don’t apologise I should perhaps have taken you somewhere else it was my selfishness that led us here. I’m rather fond of this cafe’s macaroons.” Comte benevolently swept her concerns to one side taking responsibility on himself in a way that changed the tone seamlessly making it more the atmosphere more carefree. There was a smile on his face that made him look years younger and like a mischievous little boy. “Don’t tell Sebastian. I’m certain he is only waiting for an excuse at this point to lecture me on a more balanced breakfast.”

“You two seem very close.” Evie giggled happily letting slip one of her observations from before about the master and his butler.

“Well, we have known each other for a few years now.”

“Your order Monsieur.” A bright happy voice called from the doorway. The elderly woman was smiling brightly carrying a large tray in her hands laden with food and other objects.

“Ah, parfait merci Madam.” Comte said as he swiftly vacated his chair and went to assist her. Her eyes twinkled as he took the tray from her hands and looked at Evie.

“As you have such a lovely companion with you today I added a few extra strawberries and some more cream. Bon appetit.” Evie watched the woman who felt exactly as this cafe did, warm, inviting and comfortable. Before she returned to her shop she gave Evie a little wink with a broad smile on her face that left Evie thinking what a friendly person she was and how she was probably considered to be a rare beauty in her youth. The woman’s fine bone structure and was not easily hidden under the wrinkles of time or the spread of middle age.

“She seems to have the wrong idea.” Evie commented as she helped set out the items from the tray on the table with a blush forming on her cheeks.

There was a pot of tea with two cups and saucers also a small jug of chilled milk. A wicker basket held freshly baked bread and two gorgeously golden croissants perched on top of two plates. Small bowls of cream and fresh strawberries with the silverware neatly wrapped in pale blue napkins and a pad of butter. The entire table looked like a spread that would not be out of place in a fine hotel and she wondered if that was perhaps how such a place had managed to remain in this area where all the nouveau riche and nobles gathered.

“Does she? It is true I am not here alone and I do have a rather charming companion with me.” He was once more reminded of how sweetly innocent she could look, untainted by the world and that only served to make his own heart clench tight in his chest knowing what he was about to do. “I hope you enjoy the food and will forgive me.”

“Forgive you? I’m afraid I don’t follow, you’ve done nothing to --” Evie stammered wondering what had caused Comte to lose his jovial manner from before.

“Maybe not yet but I will. Evie, how much do you know about vampires?” There was a reserved edge to his tone as if he had accepted something finite and he began pouring tea for two with an unreadable expression that made her feel like he was masking something painful.

“Is this where you try to scare me with childish stories?” She was still struggling to understand the change in him and had no idea how someone could ask something so strange as if they were talking about the weather.

“No. Evie what can you remember of the night the doctor died?” He watched her carefully.

“That isn’t fair you know what happened that night.” Evie picked up her croissant and began pulling it apart with her fingers in an effort to distract herself from the unusual and still raw and painful topic.

“I was but I want you to tell me what you remember.” Part of him was hoping she would make the connections herself and he would only have to fill in some blanks. Judging by the blank look of confusion and horror on her face and the way her beautiful green eyes were darting around his wishful thinking would go unrewarded.

“I killed him. He came to my room saying I was responsible for everything happening to him and making him...” Evie started off talking in a mechanical way. She was trying to speak and keep her emotions in check so as to remain clear and coherent but it was by far an easy task. She looked at the man next to her no longer aware of his kindness and warmth. He was there he saw what she had done, so why ask? He also knew how she was plagued at night with grief and guilt. “I fought back and...”

“You fed on him until he was past the point of return. You drank his blood.” His words were more abrupt than he had intended. He knew this conversation had to take place but now that it was upon him he found he was struggling with the topic almost as much as she was.

“You think I am a vampire?” She tried to laugh as if it were a very bad joke but there was no joy in the sound that came from her mouth.

“No ma cherie, I know you are.” He saw her hand trembling and reached out to hold it, wrapping it in his as if it would help her understand. The colour drained from her features before his eyes like melting ice and looked at him with large pleading eyes as if to beg him to take back all he had said. He wished he could, it was affecting him far more than he expected to try to explain this to her. If only he could remove all her fears and worries, grant her the miracle that would make all this vanish.  

“Why? If you think... know I am such a terrible monster then why help me? Why take me away and put me in that big house and surround me with people? Are you hoping I do the same again?” Evie turned her hand over in his and gripped his firmly as she peered into his golden eyes. 

“Evie you appear to have misunderstood. You asked me in your room if I was not afraid of you and I said no. The reason is simple I am exactly as you are. We are both vampires, we’re pure bloods.” Comte attempted to push forward with the conversation all too aware that Evie was struggling to process what he was saying as anything other than a cruel joke.

All the carefully thought out explanations and reassurances he had planned abandoned him when he needed them most. As lost and afraid as she was right now looking directly at him he felt just as ashamed of his own ineptitude in being able to explain this better. He had never been in this position before it was completely new to him. He had explained to the ones in the mansion upon their awakenings the fundamentals of their new life but never had to explain every last detail.

“Pure bloods?” Evie muttered repeating the phrase feeling even more bewildered. She could feel herself slipping back into a numbing darkness. Her thoughts were moving faster than her mind could process and none of it was able to find a voice to receive clarity in being said. 

“We are the original cursed immortals. The vampires in stories are nothing like us. We can move in daylight, religious symbols have no effect on us. Holy water, garlic all a work of fiction.” Comte relayed all he could remember from the times he had spoken to the others.

All the ideas they had about what they now were and how very little of what they thought they had known of vampires had actually been true. He had found the differences in cultures and ideas to be interesting at the time and now he was simply hoping that it would be helpful in enlightening a lost and traumatised creature without hurting them more.

“Decapitation and stakes through the heart?” There was a frozen composure to her now as she lowered her eyes to the table.

“That would kill anyone ma petit.” Comte moved his hand from hers and reached out to place it on her head.

“You’re wrong. Not about the killing people part but you’re wrong about me you have to be. I’m not a vampire I’m human.” She avoided his hand as she spoke, recoiling in her chair. 

“Evie.” He wanted so badly to soothe her again even though he had no right as he knew this current situation was all his fault. Still, he desired to make it better, make her feel better. Such selfishness.

“NO! YOU’RE WRONG!” Her voice cracked and she knew she was crying. It was like a wall had crashed inside her head cutting off all of the world around her placing a protective barrier in her mind against the unknown. She tried to ignore the look on Comte’s face as she practically spat her words at him. She pushed off from the table causing its contents to rock under the motion and bolted. 

Fear clouded her mind preventing any real thoughts other than the desire to get as far away from everything as possible. The sunlight fell on her skin and she thought it was mocking her as she felt none of its heat, saw none of its light.

Her heart was pounding hard in her chest, it hurt so much. Her breathing was ragged and she could feel the air attempting to get into her body like small blades slicing into her. Why had he decided to tell her all that? It felt like it should have been a joke and yet there was nothing about the man spinning such absurd tales that suggested he was anything but sincere.

What concerned her more was how things that should not make sense resonated somewhere deep inside her. Ideas and characters from penny dreadfuls, macabre theatres and travelling storytellers. All of them planting small grains inside her subconscious and it took him to make them grow.

She was mad, she had to be. Vampires aren’t real and if they are she wouldn’t be one. Her eyes stung and she was well aware of the attention she was drawing as she ran carelessly through the streets with no regard to how she looked.

Screaming erupted behind her causing her to turn. Several nobles were jumping out of the path of a runaway carriage. The horse had taken on a wild look in its eyes clearly spooked by something and without a driver, there was no way to rein it in. Her distracted attention cost her dearly as her ankle turned with a painful crunch on the paved street and her body tumbled to the ground.

She watched the vehicle draw closer as she tried to get out of its path. She heard the thundering hooves and the creaking wood as the carriage strained against the velocity it would never normally reach. Evie felt the sharp lancing pain in her ankle as she tried to move her leg and then in a rush of black, gold and regal red all the wind was knocked out of her as she was shoved clear of the runaway carriage. “AH!”

The world went dark the sounds around her were muffled and the impact she expected to hit her didn’t.

“Are you alright?” A deep voice from somewhere above her spoke and she rolled herself to try to see who it was. Strong arms there had been protectively wrapped around her pulled back and the whoever had been her hero picked themselves up.

“I think so...” She winced as the movement brought back the pain in her leg.

“Here take my hand.” A man dressed in the same black and gold she remembered before being shoved was smiling at her offering his hand to help her up. He had his back to the sun but she could still make out a thick red cape that hung off one shoulder with golden tassels. He looked every bit like some sort of royal, his black hair was tipped with white and his jade green eyes were so clear they seemed unnatural.

Accepting his hand Evie was finally once more vertical and also out of danger. She tried to balance on her feet only to wobble and find her hero wrapping a strong arm around her waist to support her. Her hip caught something hard and when she looked down she saw a rapier. The golden details to the jacket of the man had her recognising him as some sort of military. She was reminded of Jean for a moment but noted he had been different. Both were certainly soldiers but she had a feeling that this man was simply more. His entire aura spoke volumes without him having to put any of it into words. He was regal, more than a Prince or a King.

“Genevieve!”

Evie automatically turned her head and saw Comte running towards her. Now she was no longer spellbound by the green eyes of the man who saved her she noticed how all the people in the street had stopped to watch the spectacle, some that had been inside were even hanging out of windows to try to get a better view.

The arm around her tensed as Comte drew closer.

“Do you know him?” Her hero asked in a low voice for her ears only.

“Yes but I don’t—” Evie nodded but she still didn’t know what she wanted. She had run as fast as she could away from the approaching man. She had hurt him, doubted him and questioned everything he had not only said but also done.

“You were running from him?” Before she could find the words to finish her own sentence her hero asked another question in response to the action her body had taken which was to start trembling.

She wasn’t sure if it was delayed shock or if she was actually afraid of the man who had once been the comfort for all her worries. What had actually happened? She had no idea why she really ran other than it was fear. She was scared that if anything of what she was being told as a truth was actually true that she was indeed a monster that she would repeat the sins of her past. She had flashes of what might be, a limp body devoid of life staring back at her with a grim death mask etched in a twisted euphoria. She could see the body becoming any number of people including the man so desperate that he would be running towards her, chasing after her after even though she hurt him.

“Genevieve, thank goodness you’re safe.” Comte spoke breathlessly after reaching them. His face no longer had a look of hurt she remembered it was only filled with a look of complete relief. He moved a little closer and was about to take her hand when Evie instinctively slapped it away.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Evie...” Comte curled his fingers into a fist. Her touch hadn’t really hurt and yet his hand stung like it had been plunged into fire. He tried to look into her eyes and saw that even she didn’t understand why she had just refused his touch. In an instant, she vanished from his sight hidden behind a strong and gallant figure of a man who was looking at him as if ready to curse every breath he took.

“I have no idea what is going on but I shall not let you lay a hand on this girl.”

“Napoleon.”

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[the-foxes-fangs]

I Wish I was The Moon Part XII

Tagging the wonderful @louveau, @you-mass-effect-my-dragon-age and @otomediary

Warnings: Fiery speeches, angst

                         ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

“I asked for information, ninja, not your opinion.” Mitsuhide said, drumming his fingers irritably on the butt of his matchlock, staring testily at Sasuke across the sputtering fire he had built in a slightly less burned out corner of the temple.  

“And I asked you to give me back my glasses, but here we are.” Sasuke replied wryly, the indignation in his usually impassive expression wasted on the tattered curtain that was receiving it. “I am absolutely never providing EMT services for any warlord going forward. You make lord Kenshin look incredibly polite.” He muttered to himself. 

“I don’t suppose I make anything look like much of anything to you at the moment.” Mitshude retorted acerbically. He had lost consciousness, and still felt damnably weak and unsteady despite his racing mind. 

“Taking a man’s glasses, that’s unconscionable. I don’t know what I expected from the Akechi Mitsuhide, but still, that’s a dirty trick.” 

“Oh, so my reputation precedes me, even into the future.” 

Mitsuhide banked the fire, waving away the smoke that flared up from the damp wood as it drifted into his face. 

“It’s not like I’d leave the man my bff– for reasons known only to herself and whichever star guides people toward terrible choices– loves.” 

“Your what now?” Mitsuhide asked, sharply, eyes narrowed at Sasuke as he considered the revelation of frequent ceiling and floor assisted visits. 

“Best friend forever.” Sasuke said reaching up to the blank space where his glasses normally sat as if to push them up the bridge of his nose disapprovingly. “And you have no cause for jealousy, she’s like a sister to me.”

“Yes, I suppose if you’d had designs you could’ve just gone back to your own time together.” Mitsuhide replied. “You said that the fissure would open again, so tell me where and when and I’ll just fetch her myself.” 

“I also just told you that that course of action is extremely ill advised, if it’s even possible at all. The potential distortion of space-time–” Sasuke replied, cutting himself off with a sigh. 

“Alright, so that’s the least feasible option. We’ll just put that aside for now. What other course of action can we take?” 

“I’m afraid I’m otherwise employed and must inform you that I have an extremely binding contractual obligation which regretfully prevents me from joining you in any ill-advised ventures likely to result in dismemberment, severe emotional trauma, beheading or otherwise unspecified bodily harm.” Sasuke countered flatly, reaching for his phantom glasses again and dropping his hand with a noise of displeasure. 

“Were you under the impression that you had a choice? I’m afraid not. Keeping you hostage is an absolute necessity.” 

“I could take you in a fight right now.” Sasuke said to a patch of white ash on a scorched pillar. 

“Oh I have no doubt, but you won’t. I might die, and you’re just ever so slightly more devoted to your bff than Kenshin.” Mitsuhide replied knowingly. 

“Dear god, it’s like someone desaturated Shingen and surgically removed his conscience.” Sasuke whispered in horrified awe. 

“And If you’re thinking ‘surely lord Kenshin will come for me!’ you should know that I know he doesn’t know you came here, and that I can keep you hidden for years.” Mitsuhide added. 

“You really just added a new and disturbing dimension to my relationship with Kenshin right off the cuff there, didn’t you?”

“Spare me the inane chatter, give me options. How do we get her to the wormhole at the right time?” He asked with a gesture that was wasted on Sasuke.  

“Leaving aside that we’re well beyond my known timeline, there’s no fail-safe way to ensure that any message you send will survive.” 

“If I could just get her back to Tanba…” Mitsuhide said, stroking his chin thoughtfully, thinking of the myriad hiding places he had built into the castle and the ways he could draw her attention to them without alerting five centuries worth of residents.

“You should know that Tanba was a ruin in our time, and my calculations suggest that an incredibly dramatic causal variance would be required to change that outcome.” 

They sat in contemplative silence for awhile, until Mitsuhide dropped his fist into the palm of his other hand triumphantly. “I’ve been thinking about this all wrong. It’s the people!” He said enthusiastically. 

“Are you feeling dizzy again, by any chance?” Sasuke asked with a note of alarm. 

“I feel like I’ve been trampled by several horses, but that’s not important.” He answered dismissively, his mind on fire with plans. 

He had been nearly paralyzed with leaden misery at his own helplessness, feeling only the overwhelming distance between them and the implacable rule of time around him like water closing over his head. 

Even if she didn’t return to him, even if they never met again, he had to make certain that she knew that she had been loved, would be loved, always. He only needed a problem to solve to find his feet. 

“We have two issues– how to physically secure a message, and how to draw her attention to the correct place.” 

“In extremely simplified terms, yes.” 

“She won’t be too keen to look me up, if I know her. She’ll be trying to carry on and let go of me, which precludes some kind of monument. But the people– they can protect Tanba and convey my message all at the same time.” 

“I don’t follow…” Sasuke replied curiously. 

“Of course you don’t, but all you need to do is follow along.” 

He had driven himself to the brink of collapse the rest of that winter, exhausting every moment that he could conceivably be away from Azuchi without rousing more then the usual levels of suspicion. He returned on a soft spring day just in the nick of time for a war council. 

Hideyoshi strode toward him with a mixture of anger and concern, grabbing his collar to growl “where the the hell have you been?” 

“Starving himself half to death, by the look of it.” Ieyasu interjected dourly. 

“Are we sure he hasn’t got the plague or something? He has a look in his eyes– and where’s the lass? Why isn’t she with you?” Masamune added, studying him closely. 

Nobunaga studied him impassively, and waited for the tumult to die down. Only the inner circle was present, as Mitsuhide had requested. He strode forward, but did not sit. 

“What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room.” He began, and explained her absence. 

Masamune offered a low whistle, with an amused look in his eye, while Hideyoshi stared blankly and Nobunaga tapped his fan on his knee thoughtfully. Ieyasu snorted derisively, and Mitsunari knit his brow in concentration. 

“That was several months ago. What have you been doing since then?” Hideyoshi asked, finally shifting out of his reverie. 

Mitsuhide smiled perhaps the first entirely honest smile he had ever offered them, knowing that it was probably ghastly on his gaunt face. “Why, scheming to bring her home, of course.” 

“You’ve finally lost that tangled excuse for a mind.” Ieyasu said harshly. 

“Oh quite possibly.” Mitushide answered, sweeping his gaze across the room as he made his great gamble. “But then again, none of you have ever known me when I truly wanted something.” 

Nobunaga narrowed his eyes with a taut smile. “And just how do you intend to accomplish such a feat?” He asked, coldly. 

Mitsuhide cocked his head and looked out the window at the soft blue sky, picturing her under the cherry blossoms for half a moment. “With the closing of this rotten age, my lords. The time for peace and unification has come, one way–” he dropped his hand to his gun, “or another.” 

“You crazy bastard.” Masamune said with a wild laugh. “I like this side of you.” 

The blood had drained from Hideyoshi’s face, and his voice shook as his hand drifted toward his sword, hissing “what have you done?” 

“I wouldn’t, Hideyoshi. If I don’t leave this council with my head on my shoulders all hell will break loose.” Mitsuhide answered, lightly. 

“Speak your piece.” Nobunaga said darkly. 

“With Kenshin and Shingen alive and dragging the last of the Imagawa in tow, we could be at war for who knows how long, and with unpredictable results. But I need a rough sequence of events to unfold, and it doesn’t include endless war. The remnants of monks of Heiei and the Mori are problems all their own, and then there’s your puppet Shogun.” He said, gesturing at Nobunaga. 

“We’re all aware of the current situation.” Hideyoshi spat through gritted teeth. “What’s your point?” 

“There are too many personal vendettas and ambitions at play for this to ever be settled under only our volition, unless it’s by battle royale with only one left alive. Given her affection for all of you, that’s not a particularly desirable outcome either.” 

“All this for a woman.”  Masamune said with amusement.

“Lord Mitsuhide…” Mitsunari cut in at last, with quiet dread in his voice, “you’re talking as if you’ve brought in an outside army.” 

The air was electric as Nobunaga leaned forward with a hard glitter in his eyes. 

“Not so much an outside army as evening the odds for the people we have no business trampling over on our way to glory. I’ve armed the women in every fief, and given the farmers instructions to stop working the fields if our demands for peace aren’t met. They may choose to rise up and kill me, of course, but as long as I’m a convenient mouthpiece, I’m reasonably safe.” 

Hideyoshi struck him hard across the face, leaving him with the taste of blood in his mouth. “You’re going to– no, you’ve already thrown the country into chaos and famine!” He thundered, red faced with fury. 

“It sounds quite peaceful outside to me. More peaceful than it has in my memory. No thundering cavalry, no armies marching at the pleasure of men who are, in the end, only men no better or worse than they.” Mitsuhide replied, dabbing the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. 

“What hope could peasant women and farmers have against trained armies?” Nobunaga asked contemptuously. 

“Not much, it’s true, but how long do you think your foot soldiers would heed the order to attack their mothers, sisters, daughters and wives? You’d order them to destroy the future, and for what–” his voice rose, hoarse and strident, “to say that you ruled the world?” 

He made a sweeping gesture, hoping that his words, always his favorite weapon, would secure a bloodless victory. 

“Every throne casts the shadow of its own destruction, my lords. We clamber to the heavens and live in dread of those we leave below, driven to greater and greater cruelty to avoid being dragged to the hell that we ourselves have made.” 

He dropped his hands and and his voice, and looked each of them in the eye in turn. 

“Isn’t it better to dig graves for our pride than our people?” 

The silence was louder than any sound could ever have been. 

It was finally broken by a ringing, rolling laugh from Nobunaga, who finally sat back and cleared his throat with a wide, wild smile, and the tiniest flash of relief somewhere far, far back in his dark eyes. 

“I knew you were going to revolt eventually, but holding a gun to all of our heads, from the Imperial court to the local magistrates–” he shook his head and chuckled again, “and not even with the ambition to rule! Ingenious.”

“My lord–” Hideyoshi said, his expression tense. 

“Enough. We’ve been outplayed.” Nobunaga said with a wave of his fan. “It’s almost poetic– in the end, the people unified themselves.” 

…

How many years ago had that day been? His mind was still sharp, even as his body had begun to fail him, heart growing weaker by the day. He had wrung out every bit of his strength taking aim at the distant future.  

The years had been full of mountains of correspondence, leagues of riding from one end of the country to the other to keep the peace, to pluck out the seeds of war before they could be well and truly sown. 

And always in the dark, the memory of her, and the hope that every step forward and every day would build a shrine that could carry his heart to her. 

He whispered to her in the night, when the fear that it wasn’t enough chilled him, knowing that the odds were astronomically stacked against them, he whispered every sweet and longing word into quiet space where she should have been. Dreams of her carried him through, of the warmth of her body, the feel of her skin, every exquisite shudder and sigh, even the painful aching fire of unfulfilled lust he carried like a penitent barbarian in their horsehair shirt. 

He had spent the first half of his life trusting no-one, and spent the latter half holding his trust like a weapon– trust in her, in himself, in whatever capricious force had brought them together in the first place. 

The irony of dying in hopes of giving himself a second chance at life was never lost on him, who had never so much as believed in the immaterial soul. Time was an enemy and his dearest ally. 

With the final preparations made, with nothing left but to leave his faith in the children and grandchildren of his friends and one time enemies, he was helped into the saddle for one last ride. The old scar on his arm ached as the early winter snow drifted down. 

The ruins of Honno-ji had become an overgrown mass over the years, but he had built a small cozy hut there, the place where he had begun to live, the place where he intended to die. 

“Thank you, Kyubei.” He said as took the proffered cup of sake gratefully, watching the snowfall in the quiet night. 

“I’m Kyubei’s  grandson,” the young man said, and gave him a conciliatory pat on the shoulder. 

“Ah. Forgive an old man for losing track of time.” He said, quietly. 

The quiet snowfall had lulled him into a deep, peaceful sleep, a dream where she was curled against him, so warm, a dream of a long ago kiss upon the back of his neck, of her cradled in his arms, of her beautiful body tangled with his, of her precious voice telling him 

You do not have to be good

but you are

Somewhere in the deep blue dawn he heard the calling. He struggled up, half staggering, half crawling, toward the door. 

“Wait– where are you going?” The boy cried out, trying to take hold of his sleeve, but he felt lighter than he had in years, felt as light as the flakes of falling snow. 

“The wild geese are calling me to my place by her side…” he said, bare feet in the soft snow, strangely warm as he walked toward the place where the balcony had been and folded his legs neatly beneath him, hands in his lap, heart in his hands to give to her as he closed his eyes. 

…

She had had one day and 7 hours to dispose as best she could of her life, but nothing had ever been easier. She had already been living as if she were dead, and dropped her letters of farewell into the post without a single regret. 

It felt as if she were floating a little above the ground as she carefully wrapped up four sets of glasses for Sasuke, and went to the monument to wait with one more poem on her lips like a prayer

A kiss on the forehead—erases misery. I kiss your forehead. A kiss on the eyes—lifts sleeplessness. I kiss your eyes. A kiss on the lips—is a drink of water. I kiss your lips. 

How many lives were folded between the two of them like ink dropped into water, and why, she didn’t ask. Just one, even if it hurt sometimes, if it frightened them both, if it was struggle, just one would be so much more than enough. 

The pressure and the crackle in the air brought grateful tears to her eyes when they arrived, and she stood fearlessly and walked into the wormhole, eyes wide open. 

It was the same dark haze but she felt as if she were being dragged every which way, buffeted first toward one blurred landscape and then another, searching frantically for him. 

She saw the diverging paths of his life, the violent heartbreaking ends, the loneliness, and shards of incohate moments. 

Snow. He was there in the snow, seated as if in silent meditation, beauty still apparent under the marks of age. 

He didn’t stir as she cried out his name, again and again, telling him she had returned as the sight of his serene face faded. She felt a familiar cool hand brush her tears away with a touch so soft and light, felt guided toward a faint light, and began to run. 

…

“Are you ill?” Nobunaga asked as Mitsuhide pitched forward onto his knees, and clutched his head. 

“I– I just had the odd sensation of having… died.” He mumbled, faintly. 

Sasuke cocked his head thoughtfully, watching the storm as it descended. 

“You called these peace talks under threat of revolution you’re not allowed to die of a broken heart, you insufferable snake.” Hideyoshi said angrily.

The four of them had ridden up to Honno-ji as the storm came on, and he felt as if his head were full of intense flashes of something he couldn’t name– other selves, other lives. 

“I did warn you that the timeline reasserting itself might be unpleasant.” Sasuke said dryly, and adjusted his battered glasses. 

“Shouldn’t she be here by now?” Hideyoshi asked as he hoisted Mitsuhide to his feet. 

“There’s no guarantee–” Sasuke began, and was cut off by Nobunaga gesturing toward the balcony. 

He scrambled across the sleet slicked ground, feeling that same desperate fear and hope as he stumbled up the stairs, overcome with the sensation that it had been so much longer than a single year, weak in the knees as he slid down, straining to see into the twisting cloud. 

She toppled into him, snow in her hair and on her lashes, and they fell together onto the cold and sooty wood of the balcony. She was so warm in his trembling arms, her pounding heart pressed to his. 

***

WHEW, WE MADE IT THROUGH THE ANGST

This chapter’s poem is “A Kiss on the Forehead” by Marina Tsvetaeva

[bubblesthemonsterartist]

You know... I'm not sure if you'd want to. But would you want to gift me with a rare pair analysis of Mitsuhide and Izana? Cause I've already got a list of chapters to pull material from but since this is kind of your thing right now I thought you might be interested in compiling it all. Feel free to say no, I'm just curious about your thoughts on it.

Oooooh… another pairing that shares less than 20 panels? YES YES I CAN DO THIS FOR YOU THIS IS THE MOST FUN!

I can definitely work with this. :3

So Mitsuhide and Izana know each other before canon or, actually, before the earliest flashbacks even (This gives me a lot of speculative empty space to work with so thank you for that :3 :3 :3). 

The first time we see them together is in Sereg very shortly after Mitsuhide is made a knight at a very early age. He’s, what? 19 here? And already Mitsuhide is all sorts of badass:

(It’s a terribly zoomed in scan, but the look on Izana’s face is incredibly *cough* fond *cough*

Who wouldn’t look at all that and swoon, though? Mitsuhide may be this gentle giant, but he is all sorts of sexy when he’s fighting.)

But all that smexiness Mitsuhide exudes in battle just melts away the second he realizes Izana is there watching him. He just turns into this young man in love. Look at how fluttery and excited he is here (especially when Izana compliments him :3 )! Who KNOWS how long it’s been since he last saw his lover?

BEFORE I CONTINUE ON, HERE BE MY SPECULATIVE RARE PAIR GETTING TOGETHER BACKSTORY because it’s obvious that some sort of relationship has very clearly been established:

They’ve known each other for years. Probably met shortly after King Kain’s assassination and Hurato sent Izana up to Sereg for some additional training (also see: protection). And it was only supposed to be a passing thing between the two of them; two people just dealing with very confusing times together but they became far closer than either intended.

So when it was time for Izana to return to Wistal, a lot was left unsaid between the two of them.

And when Izana came back three months later, they had to admit this was something more.

Mitsuhide, knowing that the only way the two of them could be together in any permanent or real sense of the word was if he rose as high as he could socially, pushed himself hard, surpassing his peers and even his elders. If he’s the BEST, he figured, he may be able to stand by Izana’s side.

(And perhaps this is why Mitsuhide is so supportive of a certain redhead we know who’s trying to do the same thing..)

And it sorta works!

Sorta.

On one of Izana’s rare trips to Sereg (getting rarer and rarer as the years pass by…), Izana asks Mitsuhide to be Zen’s retainer instead.

That look… that doki…… I know Izana is stupidly attractive, but don’t tell me that’s platonic. Izana just broke Mitsuhide’s heart a little when Izana was trying to do anything but. (He thought Mitsuhide would have been more excited.)

But Mitsuhide is forever earnest as a puppy dog. He states his intentions as clearly as he can and … I don’t know. Izana seems a little.. disappointed? in Mitsuhide’s response here. Like, he is rewarding him for his hard work with an important position, yes, but he was also TRYING to get him as close as he could without Mitsuhide becoming a point of speculation or drawing unnecessary attention to their relationship. He’s giving him the chance to at least be in the Palace with him (for now). But Mitsuhide just isn’t seeing that.

And Izana is arguably entrusting Mitsuhide with something greater than his own body: He’s trusting him with his wild and hurt little brother.

And it ends up being a good plan because together, they save Zen’s life.

At a cost, of course.

…poor kids :(

But years have passed between the Atri Incident and Izana and Mitsuhide’s relationship is the Worst Kept Secret in Wistal now. While they will never do anything overt, Mitsuhide is far more comfortable approaching Izana than literally anyone else:

(Who else but a lover would have gall to yell “Stop!” at the future King? Not even Zen is so bold.)

Honestly, the bone deep sadness in Izana’s face here breaks my heart. It’s very similar to that earlier scan when Izana asks Mitsuhide to watch over Zen and Mitsuhide just isn’t catching what Izana is throwing. It must be hard to be as smart as him - even the person who should know you best can’t understand your intentions.

Because what if this is part of Izana’s aversion to Shirayuki and Zen? Izana knows what it means to love someone so far below your station it is impossible to share a public partnership with. We already know that Izana does certain things so Zen doesn’t have to experience pain if he doesn’t have to; Why would this be any different?

Best to nip it in the bud before it blooms, really.

T_T

Gives layers and layers to this statement, though, doesn’t it?

WELL, before I fall down my angst rabbit hole, let’s turn the bend:

Because THIS is comedic gold.

LOOK HOW HAPPY IZANA IS. I’VE NEVER SEEN HIM SO HAPPY THE LITTLE TROLL. XD XD XD

But you know and I know that Zen is 100% aware of Mitsuhide and Izana’s “””arrangement.””” (And it’s definitely A Reason why he thinks his Lord Brother and Haruka are being obnoxious about Shirayuki)

(Zen: DOESN’T IZANA TELL YOU EVERYTHING? LIKE, ISN’T TELLING YOU ABOUT HIM GOING AWAY PART OF THE WHOLE PILLOW TALK DEAL???

Mitsuhide: Not if he thinks it’s funnier not to tell me???)

And Kiki DEFINITELY has his number. Especially when Mitsuhide stares off all wistfully into the distance whenever Izana is away:

She likes to tell him he’s pining.

(Mitsuhide: I am not!)

…which honestly just makes it worse.

Honestly, I’m surprised Obi hasn’t figured it out yet.

But that’s probably best for Mitsuhide :3

[darker-side-fanfiction]

Modern(ish) Gangster AU featuring Masa: Part 2

Trigger warnings: torture, angst (happy end)

Story beneath the cut:

💙~🌙~💙

The screams still reverberated in his skull. Her screams. Her begging him to stop. The pleading, the rattling chains as she writhed, wrists bleeding in medieval style manacles above her. Her expression to lie in wait behind closed eyelid, haunting him. Mouth caught open in a silent bid for air, the keening whimper when oxygen at last forces itself through. It wasn’t the split lip, the bruises forming under her eyes or her nose sitting crooked. It wasn’t what was new, it was the love she still had in those large and tragic brown eyes. Swimming with unshed tears, flinching each time he raised his fist or the electrode meant to course agonizing electricity through her, they still carried the same patient, resilient love she’d always had.

It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right, but it was keeping her alive. That’s what he told himself between segments. When they’d allow her to rest and catch her breath. The reprieve almost worse for reminding her of the world outside of constant pain. Fear for where the knife would go next. Sick dread when the metal hooked up to a car battery ghosted over her skin, bracing for the next excruciating round. Until she doesn’t. Until all she can do is mumble and beg and scream.

And all he can do is pray it’ll keep her alive.

***

It had been an accident. She’d overheard a pair of the lieutenants in the gang discussing what they were going to do with the latest rat. She wasn’t worried, if they’d found her out she wouldn’t be standing around to eavesdrop. They could act quickly when they wanted to. But the name she did hear stopped her cold. Masa. No...nononono this was not good! Shaking her head, she didn’t have time to wonder how he’d fooled her all this time. She knew he had secrets, but this...? No time.

She was a con artist recruited as a CI for the FBI. Too many acronyms for her taste, but it kept her out of jail and gave her a job using her skills. Which came in handy planting hints, changing plans while making them think it’s their idea, getting people to trust her. Altering the evidence and outing herself as their mole.

Little things.

What she hadn’t been able to do was inform her handler that her cover was blown. The FBI had planned to take down the gang later that night during a sale offsite. They’d be back to retrieve her later and pick up the rest of the gang. She...wasn’t sure what shape she’d be in by then. All she knew was they’d have destroyed Masa. He might’ve been alive by the end of it; becoming cop killers wasn’t wise and the gang was not stupid by any means. But he’d be better off dead, judging by what they’d done to the last guy. She couldn’t let that happen. An FBI agent, they didn’t know she was just their CI, meant the boss man would want information before turning her over to his sadistic lieutenant. One hired specifically to ‘dissuade’ others from trying to infiltrate.

What neither she nor Masa knew, was they had a guardian angel looking out for them. Even if he’d often been called titles more befitting the other realm.

***

“She tell you the rest? Punk bitch is gonna keep me from happy hour.” Pete’s grumbling was really wearing on Masa’s nerves, as if the lass’s shallow breathing wasn’t enough.

“No. She’s being stubborn. Bring in Freddy only if you want to explain to the boss why we missed important intel.”

“Maaaaan. Are you sure she’s holding back? She’s already told us everything she’s shared about our operation. Boss said it’s an easy fix! Why aren’t we—“

The whining dropped off when he caught Masa’s cold stare and remembered the revenge still outstanding. “R-right. I’ve got this old trick with my knife, we can try burning her next. Hate the smell, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do, am I right?”

No reaction. Not even a frown or a twitch of an eyelid. He couldn’t read the tempestuous anger behind Masa’s carefully neutral mask. For her part, the lass had either passed out or was too tired to fight, to beg for them not to carry out this new torture. Did she know why Masa was holding out? It didn’t matter. The cruelty was a kindness compared to what Freddy would do to her. She just had to hold out until he could come up with a way to get them both out.

A slithery voice came out of nowhere. It made the men jump as though the hand of death had just laid its icy fingers on their shoulders. Oh no. Who’d called him? It wasn’t time yet. Masa still needed time! Welp, he was just going to have to improvise.

Pete for one looked equal parts creeped out and relieved. He gave up the knife and lighter without a fuss, his nervous chuckle and sideways slide out of the room a testament to how much he was hoping the same wouldn’t be used on him. Rumor had it, Freddy didn’t care much who it was he used his unique skillset on. If it was another gang member...oops? His thin lipped smile certainly seemed to carry a thinly guised ruthless streak.

The fist thrown with the power of barely controlled riotous anger was stopped with a single digit held before his target’s face. Glinting topaz narrowed above a widening smirk. “We have the same goal. It would be most unhelpful to use that energy against an ally, would it not?”

While Masa watched with one eye nearly as wide as his gaping mouth, “Freddy” unlocked the lass’s manacles and helped her onto the floor. She couldn’t stand on her own, but it was the smile warming her face that was heartbreaking. More of a wince and a study in multihued discolorations, but that she tried inspite of everything was so...so her.

“She’s stable. You did good, Masamune. The psychological recovery will take longer than anything, but you’ll be there to help her through it. Won’t you?”

The lass whispered, appearing delirious as she gave her handler’s real name. “Mitsuhide...wh-ere’s Masa? I-I can’t see him. Is he okay? Y-you have to—please help him. I’m not leaving him behind.”

A glance over his shoulder, an arched hoary shaded eyebrow and knowing look were directed Masa’s way. Oh yes, that directive was mutual. He moved aside for the nicknamed Dragon to lift the lass, once more his kitten, into his arms. The two would need time, to fall apart and be put back together, but the immediate concerns were put to rest when she curled into his embrace.

“Come. I’ve...cleared an exit.” More like slipped a powerful sleeping agent into the coffee. For shame, couldn’t blame that on substituting regular for decaf. Mitsuhide would be persona non grata with the gang now too. Ah well. For a good cause. True love doesn’t just happen every day after all. Heh.

***

They were in the backseat of a black SUV, speeding down the blacktop to their new life. Masa hadn’t let go of her for a minute; there’d be a medical team on the other end to treat both of their injuries. Cracked ribs, lacerations, bruises, all things that would heal in time. The delicate hand clinging tightly to his bloody button down shirt...she would heal his heart.

The End💙