Ikemen Sengoku Imagine: Being able to turn into a dragon.
Your day started earlier than you would have liked, not that you knew how early seeing as you had no way to tell time other than how high up the sun was. You tried hiding from the filtered sunlight under your blanket, but even with your body completely relaxed, you couldn't seem to fall back to sleep. Your biological clock was telling you it was time to get up, but you'd be damned if you didn't fight it...till your stomach growled.
You groaned in an irritated manner before angrily throwing your blanket off and literally rolling out of your mat. The floor felt nice and cold against your bare skin and you let out a sigh, perhaps if you laid on the wood floor long enough you would drift back to sleep.
The silence was interrupted by another growl from your digestive tract. You huffed and propped your head up with one hand, impatient tapping the your fingers on the hard floor as you thought about what you would eat today. Ieyasu seemed to have forgotten about your medicine since you and Nobunaga departed from the castle to the hot springs, and you had yet to hear that vial substance come up again. Of course it could just be that he deemed you healthy enough to not need it anymore, Ieyasu didn't seem like the forgetful type.
"Milady, are you up?" You recognized Kinu's voice followed by a gentle knock on your door, like she didn't want to wake you if your were still sleeping.
"I'm up, Kinu. Feel free to come in," you didn't move from your laying position on the floor, but you did turn you head to look at your maid when she slid the doors open and stepped in.
"Oh, Milday!" She covered her mouth, "You fell out of your mat," before covering her eyes, "And you're naked!"
You shrugged. Not like it really mattered. It wasn't a long way down from the too of the mat to the floor, just a couple inches, maybe three- tops. "I didn't fall," you groggily corrected her, "I rolled out of bed to try and get myself up, but that was all the energy I had left."
Kinu rushed to your side, "Milady you should have waited!" She took your sarcasm seriously, "I heard you were injured at the hot spring, you should be taking it easy."
"Princess, I don't doubt your strength, but a wound as nasty as what I'd heard shouldn't be taken lightly!"
"Kinu, I'm fine, really."
"Oh! I should go fetch Ieyasu-" she was rambling now.
She finally stopped talking and looked towards you, "I'm fine, you can check the wound yourself," you sat up and gave her your back. The maid stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she searched your skin with skepticism, "Milady, it was isn't nice to play tricks!"
You laughed at her expense, "But I'm not playing a trick on you Kinu, my wound has healed, that's why its gone."
"Ah!" She saw a thin line of pink skin on your lower back, "is that where you were hurt, Milady?"
You raised your head to look and see what she was talking about. It was hard to see but you saw she was pointing in the general area of where you remember being stabbed, "Yes."
She gasped covering her mouth again, "That's remarkable, Princess!"
"Yes," you turned around to face her again, and she tried her best to keep her eyes on yours, "But it's not normal for people to recover from such a wound so quickly, people may suspect something if they see its gone."
Kinu's eyes widened like she realized something, "Right! So we need to keep it a secret!" However her tone made a 180 when she realized something, "Wait! But Lord Ieyasu will probably want to check on you soon!" She gasped and covered her mouth, "How will we hide it from him?!"
"Okay first," you couldn't help but laugh slightly, "You're gonna' have calm down."
Kinu nodded obediently, "Right!"
"And next, I'm going to have to see if I can convince him to let me care for my wound myself again..." you remembered a couple days ago, when you were suffering from having withdrawn from the world, "Which will be tough, given what happened last time."
"Milady," Kinu smiled at you gently, "Why dont we just play it by ear?" She rikted her head slightly to the side, "For now we need to get you something to eat."
You returned her smile and nodded, "Yes," before staggering to your feet and moving towards the door.
You whipped around to look at your maid just before you reached the door, "Yes?"
You looked down at your bare body and huffed, before walking over to your closet to rifle through your many kimonos. You picked one quickly before dressing yourself and storming once more towards your door, "To the kitchen!"
Kinu trailed after you, "Princess perhaps I should get you your food?!"
"Nonsense, Kinu, I'm not helpless."
"I didn't mean it that way, Milady," She quickened her pace to step in front of you, "What I ment is perhaps you should take it easy? People might see you up and about and...spry?"
With a sigh, you gave in, "Fine, but I want to at least come with you."
Kinu smiled and nodded, "Of course, Princess. Follow me!" This was also an excellent opportunity for you to learn where the kitchen was located.
You followed Kinu down the hall and around the numerous twists and turns the castle seemed to have till the two of you ended up in the kitchen. The smell of food cooking immediately hit your nose, and you were never more aware of how much you were starving than now. The kitchen itself was a sight to behold - cooks and chefs running around and cooking various thinks in their pots, pans, and large bowls. You flinched back when a large fire flared in the corner, but the servants seemed to have it under control. You looked around, at a loss for words. You hadn't noticed Kinu leave your side.
You panicked for a moment, and frantically turned around in your spot to try and locate her, and you nearly jumped out of your skin when she called your name from behind you. You whipped around to look at her, and she swiftly stepped back so you wouldn't knock the tray of food out of her hands, "Milady, are you okay?"
You sighed in relief, "Yes, sorry, just thought I lost you for a moment."
Kinu shot you a sympathetic smile and nodded, "Shall we head to the garden, Milady?"
You silently nodded in reply and the both of you exited the kitchen before making your way to the garden, where you sat in the grass surrounded by flowers, as Kinu passed you the tray and spread out a blanket before laying out all the food in front of the both of you. You took in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. It was perfect weather outside, not too hot, not too cold, and there was a gentle breeze to help cool you off as you both sat in the sun.
The two of you grabbed a bowl and began eating, enjoying nature and the sounds she provided to fill the silence, till Kinu spoke up, "So what does your kind often eat, Milady?"
You perked up slightly, raising a brow to look at her through the corner of your eyes before you let out a small fit of giggles, "A lot more than this."
Kinu looked at you, slightly wide-eyed and she opened her mouth to say something, but a familiar voice cut her off-
"Well if you ever feel the need to grab a midnight snack, keep an eye out for our castles resident mother hen."
The two of you whipped your heads around to look, only to come face to face with none other than Mitsuhide and his wicked grin. You audibly snarled at him, "What do you want?"
Kinu was a bit taken aback at your display of...abilities? She would have covered her mouth in shock if she didn't have a bowl in her hands.
"Now is that any way to greet the man who just got the others off your trail?" He leaned in closer to your face, as if daring you to do something.
He chuckled, moving to stand up straight again when he knew you weren't going to try anything, "I just got out of war council. The others are starting to suspect you." He glared down at you, hoping you would head his warning, "You need to lay low with your dragon antics."
Kinu seemed stunned, however you met his glare with one of your own and didnt break eye contact till the maid next to you spoke up, "Milady?" Kinu could practically feel the tension between the two of you and it made her shake slightly, "I though you said you hadn't told any of them?"
"I didn't," you spoke lowly, "He found out on his own."
The maid shrunk back, if she could disappear I to the ground, she would. For a moment she feared you might turn I to a dragon and rip him to shreds but you didn't.
"Thanks," you nearly spat at the white haired kitsune, "Qhat do you want in return?" You turned you back to him and took a bite to eat, chewing it, and swallowing before opening your mouth to speak again, "I assume I am now indebted to you?"
The sentence made another sly smirk creep on to Mitsuhide's face, "Why, Ryū," he spoke sarcastically, "I hadn't ment that at all, but since you offered so nicely!"
You grit your teeth and growled, shooting a glare at him with your vibrant dragon eyes.
"I'll be sure to collect my debt when the time arises- oh," he moved to walk away but stopped and turned back to the two of you, "Nobunaga ordered you stay at Ieyasu's estate while you heal so he can keep a close eye on you and make sure you weren't poisoned."
"Well that's going to be a problem."
"Oh?" He snickered, "and why is that?"
"There's nothing to keep an eye on, the wound is gone."
"It's true!" Kinu piped up, "I checked on it myself this morning- well I guess technically I didn't mean to look," she was rambling now, "I walked in, and Milday was laying down on the floor naked-"
"Oh she was?" Mitsuhide's interest had peaked.
"Mhm," she nodded, "And I was worried she was feeling ill because she was all sweaty, she looked like a mess, and her cheeks were flushed-"
You quickly put your bowl down and covered her mouth, not sure how far she had been planning to go with her explanation, but she had definitely said enough. Mitsuhide watched your actions and snickered before leaning over you, "Is that true, Ryū? Were you feeling ill? Or perhaps maybe she found you in such a state for a more sinful reason?"
How he was able to read you so well you had no idea, but his questions brought a blush to your cheeks when you remembered last nights...unfortunate events, "It's none of your business!"
"Really?" Mitsuhide extended a hand and gently cupped the side of your face, the gesture made you inhale sharply and a shiver went up your spine. "Your face is getting warm, Ryū," his voice was deep and husky, and it only made things worse. You weren't prepared for the purr that rumbled from your chest, but the sound made both your eyes widen for different reasons - his for having come to a rather interesting conclusion, and yours out of embarrassment.
He hummed, "Tell me," either forgetting poor Kinu was still here or didn't care, "How long has in been since you've been tamed."
You let out a shakey breath at his implications.
"Perhaps that's why you're always so sharp tongued? Or maybe you've never-"
"I am in no way innocent, I can assure you that," you were now taking this as a challenge, and your pride made you have the tendency to not back down. Kinu was eating her rice like she was watching an interesting TV show play out - not that she would have known what a TV was.
You fought the urge to have a go at Mitsuhide right here in the middle of the garden- with Kinu still present. You were still very much riled up from last nights dreams. You glanced towards your maid, having almost forgotten she was there, and shoved Mitsuhide away.
"Another time then," he smirked before walking away.
Once he was out of sight you let out a relieved sigh, "You mention this to no one, Kinu."
"Of course, Milady," she held an impish smile, much like a child who knew a secret no one else did, and she wouldn't be completely wrong. You were going to get back at him - some how, some way.
The two of you quickly finished your meal, Kinu leaving your side to take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen while you stayed in the garden to wait for her.
"Princess," the sound of another familiar voice caught your attention - the voice of someone you currently weren't speaking to.
Hideyoshi sighed when you didn't turn to look at him and he walked closer to you, "Princess."
"I am not speaking to you, so whatever you have to say, you had better say it to Kinu and have her relay the message," you crossed your arms stubbornly.
Hideyoshi frowned, he guessed he deserved that, but at the same time he felt you couldn't claim him. After your first night here, when you broke down infront of him, he had begun to thought that maybe you were trust worthy. Especially when you opened up to him about wanting to go home. For a brief moment he saw a scared little girl who was a victim of circumstance, but as it became more and more evident that you were hiding something, he began to feel manipulated.
"Look," he came around to kneel beside you, "I get that you're angry."
"Oh I'm more than angry," you swiftly turned around to look at him and shoved a finger in his face, "I'm pissed! You know I thought you were a hard ass at first, but after everything you did for me I actually started to think that you might be one of the nice ones. But after what you said yesterday, I take it all back!" You turned around again so you wouldn't have to look at him, "Fuck you, go to hell Hideyoshi!"
Hideyoshi looked genuinely hurt by your words. His brows furrowed, his mouth was slightly agape in shock, and he took a step back as of you had struck him physically. He regained his composure as quickly as he could before clearing his throat to speak, "I came to inform you that Lord Nobunaga has requested you stay with Ieyasu while you heal-"
"Don't bother, Mitsuhide already told me."
"He did?" Hideyoshi paused and blinked, that would explain why he ran into him on the way here, "Well, I'm here to escort you there."
"Yes and I refuse to go, or at the very least, I refuse to go with you." You definitely weren't going to make this easy for him, you heard him sigh in frustration, "Princess."
"Don't call me that!" You turned around and growled at him, "I'm not a princess! I understand you all wanting to keep up appearances in public, but we all know I'm no princess! Make up, cards, jewelry, as nice as I think those things are- it isn't me!" You sighed in an effort to calm yourself, "Besides if I were truly a princess you all would have more trust in me than what you actually do," but before you knew it, you got heated again, "So why dont you let me go?! Why do you keep me here?!"
You hadn't realized you were now walking towards Hideyoshi, and he was stepping back, finding himself unable to speak as he stared into a pair of colorful vibrant eyes with slitted pupils- a stark contrast to what they normally were. The once gentle breeze was now a steady gust of wind, and Hideyoshi no long just thought you were hiding something.
"Kick me out, set me free, turn me loose on the streets- why keep me locked away if you obviously don't want me here?!"
"Princess," he breathed, "Your eyes." As he studied them more, he noticed the glassy look in them. You looked like you, for the second time infront of him, were on the verge of tears from all your spent up anger, frustration, and deep seeded sadness - especially when you recoiled back and held a look of confusion on your face.
You looked around, noticing that you had once again let your emotions get the best of you. You backed away from Hideyoshi, and he attempted to reach out for you, but you bolted so quickly he didnt have the chance to grab you. You could hear him calling your name as you ran out of the garden, and you weren't sure if he chased after you, but you were sure you had easily lost him. Where would you go? What would you do? Skip town? Everything was a blur as you ran off the castle grounds and into the town, you were so distracted you bumped, shoved, and ducked through the crowds of people till you were met with a second set of larger gates. As you approached them you held your hands out and gates flew open - slamming back on to the walls they were attached to, and you kept on running.
You hadn't intended for anyone to know, not even Sasuke.
Why did you always have to let your emotions get the best of you? That night you saved Nobunaga and the same night when you had Sasuke cornered, each and everytime you hadn't thought about your actions, you just did.
You hadnt noticed that as you were running it began to rain till you stopped in the middle of a field. Your running slowed to a stop and you frantically looked around, not quite sure where you would go. It felt like your head was spinning, you replayed what had just happened with Hideyoshi in you mind over and over, and it brought tears to your eyes. A small sob wracked your body and you fell onto your knees with a crash of thunder.
"It's not safe to tto go walking alone outside the town walls. Though I suppose any woman who hangs around that fool Nobunaga wouldn't realize it." A voice you didnt recognize.
"Go away," you hissed, "I'm not in the mood for bullshit," you turned around to look at the stranger and saw a large man wielding a katana slowly making his way towards you.
"Don't scream," he chuckled, "Or do. No one will be able to hear you in the rain."
You growled, glaring at the man with a dark look in your eyes. There was another crash of thunder. Your body language seemed to tense, you weren't sure how you would handle this situation- well you had a few violent ideas, but you refused to act upon them. You mustn't take your anger out on a random bystander.
"You're coming with me," he pointed at you, "And if you don't like it, blame Nobunaga."
"I fail to see how this is the fault of a man who isn't even here right now," you slowly stood to your feet so the man wouldn't perceive you as a threat, "We all make our own decisions in life, no one can truly force us to do something we don't want to."
"Well you don't have a choice."
You stared down the tip of his sword and glared at him. You normally were against taking your anger out on other who had nothing to do with why you were so upset, but for this man, you might just make an exception.
"Don't touch the woman," a chilling voice cut through the sound of rain, and you looked over the mans shoulder to see one of the last people you expected to come looking for you- Ieyasu.
"Hm?" The man whipped around, "That's-!" The man tensed when he saw the blond haired warlord, he scrambled to fix the scarf around his face, before turning back to face you and grabbing you wrist, "We're going. Come quietly."
"Fuck off!" You tried to give an easy tug, more of a warning really.
"Quit struggling!" He tried to yank you along.
"No!" You yanked your hand back harshly, causing your would-be kidnapper to fall to the ground.
"Insolent wench!" He spat mud out from his mouth, "I wont let Nobunaga's concubine get the better of me!"
"Concubine?!" There was obvious rage in your voice, you were fully prepared to tear this man apart, "How dare you!"
"There's no denying it," he stumbled to his feet, finding it slightly difficult to regain his footing in the mud, "You can't fool me!"
He raised his sword in the air to strike you, and you prepared to defend yourself, but when the strange man brought his sword down, Ieyasu leapt infront of you - sword drawn as he parried the attack, "I told you not to touch her."
"Ieyasu?" You were more than just a little suprised. He was also one of the last people you expected to defend you.
"Damn you!" The man yelled out as he staggered back.
You glared at both men from where you stood, "What are you doing here," your voice was firm, obviously having already worked through the shock.
"Bringing you back," he spoke as if it was obvious, "Lord Nobunaga tasked me with the job of watching you while you heal- from that point on, you became my responsibility. Like it or not, your life is in my hands."
"If you don't want to die, I suggest you stay right where you are," he was so demanding, you almost didn't recognize him as the one who normally sat quietly during war councils.
"Fine," you could have handled this on your own, but you supposed this was for the best. The more people who knew about you the worse off you would be.
"I dont know what you're hoping to accomplish here," Ieyasu's emerald eyes narrowed and he turned his attention back to the stranger ahead of him, "But you can't have the woman."
The rogue ronin didn't seem to be backing down.
"If you leave immediately, I'll forget about this."
"Well aren't we full of our selves," the stranger taunted, causing a low growl to rumble from your throat, but it was drowned out by a crash of thunder. Raising his sword once more, the man charged toward Ieyasu. However, Ieyasu didnt seem phased, he stood his ground and readied his sword, before swinging it across the blade of your attacker - breaking it in half and causing the man to stumble back.
"We're going back to the castle now." Ieyasu turned to look at you briefly, "Keep up, or I'll leave you behind," before he began to walk away back towards Azuchi.
You rolled your eyes again, and followed him. As your mood lightened, so did the rain and by the time you were both back behind the towns walls, the rain had completely stopped. The both of you were soaked, and even though Ieyasu disnt show it, you were sure he was probably chilled to the bone.
He did save you. Even though you didn't need saving.
With a sigh, you hiked up your body temperature and went to stand next to the blond.
It's been a while since I posted something. I just want to let you all know that these last few posts are just me cleaning out my drafts.... I've been inactive for a very long time, but I held on to everything hoping I would regain the muses I once had for these stories. Unfortunately, I haven't, and I don't think I ever will. This story was based off of a Roleplay a couple friends and I had going....or rather, the remainder of it was supposed to be based off our role-play. However, almost a year ago, a member of our friend group passed away, and we have not touched our servers since. I dont think we ever will again. I haven't even picked up ikesen, ikerev, or ikevamp since. There are just too many memories.... This blog will officially fall inactive till further notice. Though, I will keep it up so my stories will always be here for you all to read if you wish. I'm not going to promise I'll come back to it as I don't like making promises I can't keep. Sorry for the long wait and disappointing results, but I really did have fun writing stories for you all while the inspiration lasted. Hágoónee'! (Goodbye)
