Chapter Text
That night had started the same as any other.
I spent a long while staring at myself in the large, gold plated mirror. I was wearing a garish lime green dress, with a skirt that came down within a few inches of the floor, and full, poufy sleeves. At least this dress covered my boobs....mostly. My jet black hair was done up in an overly complicated braided bun, and my eyes and lips were colored with lime green eye shadow and lipstick. It was a routine that I had become all too familiar with over the last year or so.
The creaking of the doors announced the arrival of the current subject of my loathing; my current patron Bacchus Valrun. He wore his dirty blonde hair in a man bun and had a ludicrous handlebar mustache. He wore his favorite lime green suit with gold accents-which I always found to be utterly hideous-the buttons of which strained against his massive gut. While Valrun wasn't nearly as malicious or cruel as some of the others I'd had to deal with, I still found him to be only tolerable at best. "Ah! There you are!" He exclaimed with an ear-to-ear grin. "I was worried you would miss the party!"
"Of course not. I was just putting on the finishing touches." I told him, plastering on the fake smile I was well practiced in by now.
"Excellent! Why don't we head down together?"
I could think of about a thousand other things I'd rather do, but I simply responded. "As you wish." He took my arm in his, and I had to resist the urge to pull away. Together, we walked through his enormous flat and out on to the large balcony on the south side of the building. Here he was throwing his regular party-for-the-sake-of-party celebration. Or at least, that's how I saw it. He seemed to have no other reason for throwing these parties than entertaining his friends and stroking his own ego. Green and gold decorations hung everywhere. Seats were set up along the edge of the balcony. A dance floor was set up in the center, surrounded by long tables laden with food. About as soon as we set foot on the balcony, Bacchus broke away from me to go and join a group of his colleagues. I really couldn't be bothered to care.
I spent most of the evening wandering aimlessly, fending off several of Valrun's friends and colleagues. I spent a while near a table laden with over a dozen and a half kinds of sweets. These days, I took my blessings where I could get them, no matter how small, and things such as cookies and cakes were one of them. I could see a bank of storm clouds rolling in from the west.
The party seemed to last for ages before everyone finally started filing out. After dumping Bacchus' drunk ass in bed, I returned to my own room, finally getting the chance to ditch my current outfit. I released my hair from the forest of pins, opting for a much simpler ponytail with a single long braid at each temple, and wiped the makeup from my face. I worked my way out of the dress and changed into something simpler. A white blouse shirt, a denim coat trimmed in show white fur, a pair of brown jeans, and a pair of sturdy black leather boots. It's a good thing that I kept these outfits hidden, otherwise they likely would've gotten destroyed. I chose to spend most nights wandering in order to stave off the nightmares. I did so tonight, listening to the sounds of the storm as it began to pour outside.
I stepped out onto the balcony again, enjoying the cool feeling of the rain, listening to the boom of the thunder and watching the flashes of lightning. It almost felt as though the rain was washing some of the weight off my shoulders. I looked out toward the southeast, imagining I could see District 10 from there. I wondered what my family was up to right then, and hoped that they were still safe. My train of thought was interrupted as a bolt of lightning split the sky, a little to close to the building for my liking. It was just as I was turning to go back inside that a bolt of lightning struck right onto the balcony, and thunder seem to crash directly over my head. My vision was consumed in white, and my ears were ringing. Everything seemed to fall away around me. The entire world seemed to bend and twist with gray and white, and I felt as though I was floating in a vast, empty void.
***
When my senses finally returned, I was hit first thing with the acrid smell of smoke. I immediately felt adrenaline flood my system. I was on the balcony of a two- story building I'd never seen before, in an area that looked completely foreign. And this building made almost entirely of wood was on fire.
"What in the-?"
Adding to the strangeness I experienced, I turned to face the one who talked. This man was about a head taller than I was. His shaggy black hair was ruffled and messy from sleep, and his whiskey-colored eyes fixed me with a piercing stare. But what stumped me the most was what he was wearing; armor the likes of which I'd never seen. He had a sword at his hip and what looked to be a very old fashioned gun. And out of the corner of my eye, I saw a glimpse of another man dressed in purple robes and black armor. All I saw was a brief glimpse of chestnut hair as the second stranger disappeared amidst the flames.
No time to think about that. I scolded myself. I turned back to the first man. "Introductions will have to come later. Right now, we need to go! Take my hand!" After a brief moment, he took my hand in a strong grip, and I led the way. We bounded down the stairs, dodging and weaving around blooming flames, before charging out the front door and flying down the brick path. It was only when we were far enough away that the heat of the fires subsided that we finally stopped to breathe. The man tore his hand from my grip. He looked me over intently. I didn't like that look.
"You saved my life." He stated. "You may be some girl the monks snuck in for amusement, but I owe you my thanks."
"Well, I must've missed the instruction myself." I frowned at him. "I don't know how I wound up here. All I know is that I'm here."
He lifted an eyebrow. He must not have been used to getting talked back to. His hard gaze shifted slightly, and he asked. "What are you staring at? Surely you must know who I am."
"No. Afraid not."
"You saved me without knowing who I am? Not expecting a reward or favor?" His lips curled in a smirk. "So be it. I will tell you my name. I am the man who will rule all under the sun-"
I had a sinking feeling that I wasn't going to like what he was about to say, so I cut him off. "Actually, never mind."
He looked surprised for a moment before his smirk returned. He released a laugh which echoed across the plaza. "You are a curious woman. No one has ever spoken to me with such impudence before. You intrigue me, which is almost as worthy of praise as saving my life. I am the lord of Azuchi castle and Daimyo of Owari, Nabunaga Oda." I gave him a look which clearly stated that I wasn't fazed by his name. But in my head, I was beginning to piece things together. His mannerisms, his clothes, this place, the building that was now burning to ash, and the sign on the gate, engraved with writing I couldn't read....it made me recall a memory from my time in the Capital. A group of historians discussing the great cataclysm that had happened over a hundred years before, and split the old world apart.
"This may sound like a strange question, but what year is it?" I asked.
"It's 1582. Why?"
The answer hit me like a punch in the gut, and my brain rushed to calculate. I even pinched myself to make sure that this wasn't a dream. I had no idea how, or why, but I had somehow traveled over 550 years into the past. Nobunaga's voice cut through the fog in my head. "Well? I've given you my name. It's your turn." I remained silent for a moment, considering what to say. He seemed to take that as an invitation, for he stepped forward until he was almost nose-to-nose with me, clasping my chin between his thumb and forefinger and forcing me to look him in the eye. "Your name." He stated.
Not gonna happen, buddy. I lightly swatted his hand away, and after a brief pause, I said. "Vivian. Vivian Evergray."
"An interesting name, but a good one." He commented.
"Glad you approve." He seemed amused by the snark in my response. I took a sizeable step away from him as my mind scrambled to try and figure out what to do. My ears picked up the sound of galloping hooves as a large group of men approached. One of them, a tall, silver-haired man dress in a long purple and white coat, leaped down from his horse. "Lord Nabunaga! You're safe!" He exclaimed.
"Mitsunari?" Nobunaga said. "Why are you here? Where's Hideyoshi?"
"Lord Hideyoshi sent me ahead. He should be here shortly." Mitsunari turned to observe the burning temple, frowning with contemplation. "We received information about an assassination attempt. It appears to have been true. I had my men search the grounds, but whoever it was had already fled." He then turned and looked me over. "If I may ask, who is this? I saw the two of you leave the temple together."
"Vivian, present yourself to my subordinate." Nabunaga said briskly, motioning to Mitsunari and waiting. I regarded him with a frown. I'd had just about enough of men speaking to me like that. I didn't give a single fuck who he was.
"I am not one of your subordinates. I don't have to follow your orders." I crossed my arms over my chest and gave a casual tilt of my head.
"Then you are choosing to disobey me?" His whiskey stare hardened into an iron look. Though I found myself a tad intimidated by him, I wasn't about to show it. After a tense moment, Mitsunari decided to break this up himself, saying. "Please, this is on me. It was rude of me not to introduce myself first." He gave a rather charming smile. He seemed like a nice enough guy, which was a good change. He was also quite a looker. "My name is Mitsunari Ishida. I serve at the side of Lord Hideyoshi, Lord Nobunaga's right-hand man."
"Good to meet you. My name's Vivian."
"I don't know who she is, but she woke me up and saw me to safety." Nobunaga cut in.
"She did? I can't thank you enough for protecting our lord's life!" Mitsunari clapped his hands together, practically beaming at me. I shrugged and replied. "It was more of an....instinctual reaction, really."
"But what brought you here tonight? You don't appear to be a nun, and your dress is unusual. Are you from abroad?" It was only when he said this that I realized I was still wearing the outfit I'd had on when the storm had swept through the Capital. and they were currently coated in ash and soot and burnt in several places. Yeah, I guess compared to everyone else, I do look pretty weird. I thought for a long moment, carefully measuring how to respond.
"I'm from far to the west, in a country you've probably never heard of. As to how I got here, I'm not entirely sure of that myself." That was at least partially true.
"You poor thing. The smoke from the fire was very disorienting I'm sure." Mitsunari commented. "Come sit down over here and take some fresh air. Someone will bring you a fresh change of clothes. Once you've freshened up, you'll feel much better I'm sure." He led me over to a flattened rock to sit down on. He held my hand as I sat down on the rock, and continued holding it for several minutes until a soldier approached with a bundle of clothes. "Now then, let's get you changed, shall we?" I was led to a nearby camp in a broad open field. Mitsunari showed me to one of the tents, handed me the clothes, and closed the flap to give me privacy. What I had now looked to be some kind of dress, very different from any I'd seen before. The outmost layer was made of a lightweight, breezy material, and there were several layers which I took to be worn underneath. The dress was a lovely dark forest green, patterned with beautiful golden flowers and trimmed in gold. There as also a golden sash belt. After what felt like several hours of fiddling around with it, I finally got to a point where it seemed to be appropriate, and made my way outside. Mitsunari was waiting for me and showed me to the center of the camp, where a long table was set up.
"Wait here. I'll bring you a warm cup of good, clean water to clear your throat." He gave that charming smile again before trotting away. He kind of reminded me of Wade, the youngest of my three older brothers. With Mitsunari gone to fetch water, I was left alone with none other than Nobunaga, who was eyeing me as though I was the most succulent steak he'd ever seen in his life. "You clean up nice. And that color compliments your eyes quite nicely." He commented. Why did that sound more like a threat than a compliment? Not caring for the way this was going, I turned my gaze back to where Mitsunari had disappeared, waiting for him to return. On the horizon, I could see the billows of smoke from the building beginning to clear. Seemed they got that fire under control. Someone came in through the camp entrance, but it wasn't who I was expecting to see.
This man wore golden colored armor, with blue and white clothes underneath. A single gun rested in a holster at his right hip. He carried himself with grace, crossing the camp with long, fluid strides. Strands of his silver hair fell into his face as he regarded Nobunaga. "My lord, I see you are well." He spoke in a deep, velvety voice.
"Mitsuhide." Nobunaga regarded him.
"I hurried here when I heard about the attack, but it seems there was nothing for me to worry about." The man called Mitsuhide gave a broad, vulpine grin.
Nobunaga chuckled. "You Worry? Don't make me laugh. I've never even seen you sweat."
As the two men exchanged pleasantries, a third man burst into the camp, skidding to a stop in front of us. He panted as he ran a hand through his hay-brown hair and straightened his green and white heraldry. "Lord Nobunaga! Are you injured?" He exclaimed.
"Hideyoshi." Nobunaga answered him. "The only injury I suffered is to my pride in letting my assailant escape."
"I see." The man called Hideyoshi smiled, and visibly relaxed.
"Now he arrives." I commented aloud. This turned his amber-gold eyes on me, his smile quickly lowering as he said. "Aren't we outspoken? Have we met?"
"Let her be. Her name is Vivian. Oh yes, and she saved my life." Nobunaga explained.
"You saved Nobunaga's life?" Mitsuhide's pale eyebrows lifted, and his golden eyes portrayed an emotion that I was unable to read. I already didn't like him. His grin returned as he commented. "You do have some strength about you. And ten-fold courage it seems." The way he smiled sent an icy shiver trickling down my back.
"Mitsuhide, what are you doing here?" I could see a good deal of history between the two men as Hideyoshi glared at him, and none of it was good apparently.
"I was wondering the same thing." Mitsuhide gave a pretty solid poker face. "I didn't know you were in Kyoto. What about the campaign?"
"When I heard about the threat upon Lord Nobunaga's life, I dropped everything to come here. But I never heard anything about you in Kyoto."
"Are you implying something?" The two men eyed each other with iron stares. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Can you swear before our lord that you weren't plotting anything?"
Mitsuhide's response was silence. A long moment passed with the two of them eyeing each other like irate cats. Finally, Mitsuhide smiled again and said. "All men have secrets in these chaotic times. Are you saying you act with no ambition of your own?"
"Stop being evasive. Confess." Hideyoshi hissed. He placed a tight grip on the handle of his sword, preparing to draw it. "If I find you played any part in this attack on our lord, I will show you no mercy."
"That's if it even was him." I cut in. Both men looked at me with surprise, so I continued talking. "I caught a glimpse of someone at the temple. It was quick and fleeting, but I'm certain it wasn't Mitsuhide."
"Vivian was it? Stay out of this." Hideyoshi looked at me with contempt. "We'll settle things with you later, and learn why you've schemed to get so close to Lord Nobunaga."
I strode forward until I was nearly nose-to-nose with him. "I was there by chance. I'm not the schemer here."
"Enough!" Nobunaga barked. "Hideyoshi, regardless of what brings Mitsuhide here, I am alive and well."
"My apologies, Lord Nobunaga." Hideyoshi took a step back, releasing his grip on his sword.
"Hideyoshi, Mitsuhide, give us a moment. I have something to discuss with Vivian." The two men stepped out of sight as Nobunaga approached me. I faced him with as much confidence as I could muster. "Your strange dress and mannerisms aside, you saved my life." He stated, his mouth curling into a cat-like grin. "You intrigue me, and that is no small feat. And yet still, you withhold something. Why?"
"I'm afraid I cannot divulge everything. At least, not yet. There are those who would seek to end my life and the lives of my family were they to discover my absence."
He narrowed his gaze with curiosity. "If you would divulge their names, we could provide protection for you and your family. Name those who wish you harm, and they will die."
"As much as I wish to, I can't. Even the slightest misstep on my part could result in my family's execution."
"And there's nothing I can say to change your mind?"
"Not until I can be sure that there is no longer a sword at their necks." My tone gave a clear indication that this conversation was over.
"I see." Nobunaga sighed. "You will remain with us until such time as you feel comfortable enough to divulge the names of those who wish you harm."
Seeing no alternative option at the time, I agreed.