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“Fireball, you will be going with us.” Nobunaga's declaration echoed through the war council. You didn't flinch. His mind game of railing up his retainers was familiar to you now.
You're eyes roamed over the assembled warlords. Mitsuhide's absence, while not uncommon, was telling given the topic of council. Smiling to yourself, you guessed the target of Nobu's needling and returned your attention to the rest of the warlords.
They were as used to this as you were. Everyone exchanged glances wondering who would be the one to voice the objections to taking you to the front. When the silence drew out Nobunaga smirked.
“Dismissed.”
Everyone bowed as Nobunaga left. Hideyoshi was the first to speak up once silence settled again.
“Whose unit is she traveling with?”
“She's served the medical tents well.” Mitsunari offered.
“She's not incompetent.” Ieyasu grumbled. “But I don't see why I have to babysit.”
“The Lass is good for morale. A pretty girl always is.”
You look over the four huddled warlords and rolled your eyes. “I appreciate your concern, but I won't be going with any of you.”
“Lass, you heard Nobunaga. You're going.”
“So he has said, so it shall be done,” you don't try to hide the mocking note in your voice, “I never said I wasn't going. I said I wasn't going with you.”
Standing, you smooth the wrinkles out of your kimono and nod to the group. As you turn to leave Hideyoshi finds his voice. “Just who do you think you'll be traveling with?”
The door slides open. “The princess will be traveling with me.” Mitsuhide says.
“I trust the matter is settled?” You toss a smile over your shoulder.
*************************
The two of you walk the streets toward his mansion. “Bold move for such a little mouse.”
“I knew we'd be traveling together. That's why you weren't at council today isn't it?” If you hadn't been looking for it, you would have missed the slight widening of his eyes. “I think you're rubbing off on me, Mitsuhide. I'm beginning to pick up on things.”
“That's a terrifying thought, indeed.” He mumbled as you entered the shooting range.
You started learning in secret. A desire to be able to defend yourself grew into a sense of self confidence and renewed strength in this strange land. Marksmanship training was rigorous. Learning to fire, reload and fire again accurately was strenuous both mentally and physically. But you showed remarkable aptitude. Your speed and accuracy increased quickly, even as the target moved further and further away.
Mitsuhide insisted you also take horseback riding lessons. So every afternoon, after spending the morning shooting, you'd join Hideyoshi for riding lessons. Secretly you believed Mitsuhide of testing a new torture technique on you. Every night you fell into your futon exhausted.
Days before the army was due to depart, Mitsuhide hands you some clothing. “Go change. We need to make sure this fits.”
Slipping behind the screen you change into hakama and kimono. The split pants were so much easier to move in. But the kimono was a little tight in places.
When you returned to the main room, golden eyes gave you an appraising once-over. Unless your eyes deceived you, he hadn't expected the clothes to fit as they did.
“Enjoying the view?”
Mitsuhide clenches his jaw. In three strides he is standing beside you. When your gazes meet he's composed again. “Watch and learn.”
You study every tie and placement as he helps you don your armor for the first time.
“Think you can do that, little seamstress?”
“Easily.” You answer without hesitation.
“Good.” Fingers fly over the ties and the armor is once again at your feet. “Do it.”
“Pity, ” you meet his gaze, “I thought the first time you undressed me would be more entertaining.”
“You're playing with fire, princess.” his voice is low.
“I don't burn easily.” You pick up the first piece of armor and start to put it on exactly as you'd been taught.
Five days later the army assembled in Azuchi's courtyard waiting for the order to move out.
“Mitsuhide!” Hideyoshi calls as he jogs up, “Where is the princess? I can't find her.”
Mitsuhide’s gaze sweeps over his troops, passing over you before he answers. “I'm sure she'll be along. Maybe she's finishing the last minute commission.”
“Mitsuhide, now is not the time for your games.”
“Easy mother,” he nods to you, “she's where she belongs.”
Hideyoshi's eyes go wide and his jaw drops at the sight of you in armor. You smirk at him.
Whatever he was going to say is drowned out as Nobunaga's order to move out echoes through the ranks and the army starts their march.
**************************
Morning dawned bright and clear as Mitsuhide's troops set up on a ridge around the battlefield. The position has some tree cover. Chest high barricades adds to the defense. From this vantage point, the unit has a clear view of the entire battlefield.
Mitsuhide hands you your helmet. “You are to take no chances, little mouse. Understood?”
You nod, a sly smile bowing your lips. “I promise to only take the chances you would.” Standing on tiptoes, you brush a kiss across his cheek. “Spirits protect you, Kitsune.”
His gasp is a small victory. A treasure you never expected to find no matter how badly you hoped for it. You watch him leave praying to whatever gods decide to be merciful that he will be safe. When he was no longer in sight, you took your place behind the barricades.
The marksman unit had a system for firing that kept the enemy under a constant barrage of bullets. You select your targets with care. The hail of bullets would hardly matter if none of them hit their mark. Your rhythm was ingrained through hours of training. It was like a dance. One shot, one hit. Step back and reload. Listen for the next volley. Switch and repeat.
A flash of white on the battlefield stole your attention. What was he doing there? You narrow your eyes and study the battlefield. Hideyoshi's ranks were surrounded. No one else was close. You fire your shot removing one of the threats in an attempt to buy them time. As you lower your weapon you see the attacker moving towards Mitsuhide's unprotected flank.
Without thinking you reach next to you, grab the soldier’s gun and take aim.
“Princess! He's out of range!”
Your focus narrows, ignoring everything else you take the shot.
Mitsuhide was comfortable with the cadence of the rifle fire. It was exactly how the unit trained. There was a rhythm. When the pattern broke and two shots came fast on the heels of one another, he turned. The soldier charging him dropped his weapon and slumped in the saddle.
Looking toward the ridge he caught a glimpse of your kimono, a flash of your hair as you turned to reload.
“Who needs spirits when I have you, little mouse.” He whispered before returning his attention to the soldiers between him and Hideyoshi.
***********************
That evening the atmosphere in the camp is celebratory. While the battle was not over, the Oda had the advantage. The warlords gather for war council and you turn toward your tent.
You haven't seen your kitsune since the incident on the battlefield. When you turned for another shot the threat was eliminated and Hideyoshi's unit rallied. Mitsuhide was nowhere to be found. But Hideyoshi was safe so Mitsuhide was too. You didn't know if that was hope or confidence speaking.
You slip into your tent and the noise of the camp is dulled. As you start to remove your armor, you are caught in a fierce grip, a hand over your mouth muffles your scream.
“Shh. Quiet, little mouse.” You know that voice! You relax as relief flows through you. He couldn't get away with this; leaving you to worry all day. He deserved some sort of payback.
“Almost lost one of your tails today, dear.” you whisper when he releases you.
“But I didn't. Your spirits protected me.” His fingers trail over a knot, untying it.
“Just call me ghost.” his breath against your neck caused a shiver to run down your spine.” What are you doing, Mitsuhide?”
“It's customary to reward someone who's performed well in battle, little seamstress.” He releases another knot, “and since my first time undressing you was so unsatisfactory, I hoped you'd allow me to make it up to you.”
Your chest armor slides off as his lips graze over your neck.
You bite your lip on a moan. “I think that's a wonderful start.”