Its already after sunset when Nobunaga comes home from a long travel with the troupe and flops down on the floor pillow next to the low table in the once-abandoned now-home Y/N shares with him in the outskirts of Meteor City. The troupe often travels by foot when entering or leaving Meteor City to avoid detection, and he is exhausted. Y/N doesnt appear at the clatter of setting his katana down or the loud sigh he let's out, how strange. She usually greets him as soon as he enters the old house. He (grumbling) get back up to look for her after a few minutes of rest for his poor, tired legs.
"Hey! I'm back! Where are you?!" he shouts out to the small house. Even knowing she wouldnt know what time exactly he would be returning, he was still annoyed that Y/N may be out when he is returning home just to her (nighttime in Meteor City could be dangerous, so he always told Y/N that she should not leave the house without him or Uvogin with her at night.)
Nobunaga makes his way down the hall off the main room to an office he had allowed Y/N to turn into her own small studio, the only room in the hall with a light peaking through a crack in the door as he approaches. He slides the door open loudly, but stops short at seeing Y/N, asleep on the old, squishy sofa that was covered in various quilts and blankets to make it even softer. It appears she has fallen asleep reading one of the books Nobunaga had stolen brought back from a mission just for her. A book about a blooming romance between a rōnin and a princess in ancient times. Hes not one for mushy love stories usually, but something about that book had made him think Y/N might.
His annoyance dissipates at seeing her napping form. She always has that affect on him, like his own delicate oasis in a storm of chaos. Her frame is soft and delicate compared to his. Her hands are not calloused from years of battle. She still finds reasons to hum or sing while she goes about her day. When he is home he can pretend at a normal life, if only between missions. His own tiny bit of selfishness apart from the Spider.
He quietly walks over to Y/N, running his hand over her cheek until her eyes open. His lips curl up into a small smile as he finally gets to hear the one thing he has been longing for the past few weeks away...
"Nobu, welcome home."
Notes: okay, this is my first attempt at fanfiction, hopefully its okay. I did my best to think of how Nobunaga might think of a gentle partner, sorry if its OOC.
I know not what I normally write for but i’m feeling way out of it, so enjoy if you like Ikemen Sengoku!
You were an active member of the military for many years and now you were in war torn Japan 500 years in the past. The lord protecting you dismissed your claims to understand what he was going through, but when you happen to peek at the war table you see many things that needed correcting…
Part 1 Part 2* Part 3
*Song played
Nobunaga looked out at the battlefield before him. Things had progressed faster then he anticipated, and it was all thanks to you, though it had cost him dearly in the end.
“You swore!” Your voice echoed in his ears as an image of your tearing face flashed through his mind.
“My lord…” He looked over to Hideyoshi who had a concerned look on his face.
“Everything is fine.” He told him confidently, “Are we on course?”
“Everything will be ready come morning.” Hideyoshi nodded watching him turn from the field “My lord?”
“Ask your question?” Nobunaga took a breath in watching his soldiers walk about the camp.
“…” His right hand stayed silent for a moment, “I’m worried about Y/N…she didn’t seem enthused to be here. Perhaps…we send her back with the messenger. She can return to Azuchi and guarantee that Ieyasu gets our orders.”
Nobunaga turned and looked at him, “Why would her discomfort matter?”
Hideyoshi looked at him surprised, “I…I didn’t mean…forgive me sir…I overstep.”
Nobunaga felt his jaw twitch before he looked away, “Do it…We don’t need anyone worrying over a woman when they should be focusing on the battle.”
“Yes, my lord, at once.” Hideyoshi left him alone walking toward the infirmary tent to find you. He gave a sigh of relief seeing you ripping up material to use as bandages, “Y/N…”
You looked up letting out a sigh, “Yes, you need something?”
“Actually…I’m hoping to help you.” He gave you a soft smile, “I’m sending you back with a messenger…you’re going to pass orders to Ieyasu and make sure he and Mitsunari come in a timely fashion.”
You made a face before looking down at the material in your lap, “Is this your idea or his?”
He frowned before kneeling down in front of you, “If truly matters…mine…”
You looked at him and nodded, “Okay…”
“What happened?” He reached out taking your hands in his stopping you from your task, “For weeks you two have been good for one another, and then…”
“He then he broke his word.” You told firmly eyes holding great saddness, “I won’t go into the details, but…I thought he was a better man…turns out I was wrong…”
“He had to have a good reason.” He watched you shake your head, “No please…listen…”
You looked at him as he sighed looking down before he looked back to your face, “Nobunaga is not a man who easily trusts anyone, and he has expressed that he believes in you. I have to believe that he had a good reason to do whatever it is he did, he always does. It may not seem like it…but he does…”
You sniffed looking away as you squeezed his hands, “You’re a good man Hideyoshi…but I can’t let this one go that easily…I don’t let my guard down a lot and for some reason I did around him, and he took away everything in an instant…”
You told him you would be ready when he needed you to leave before he left. He walked out feeling confused. His mind reeled as walked back to the war tent.
“Everything settled?” He looked up at Nobunaga who was looking at the map of movements.
“…” Hideyoshi felt a protectiveness grow inside of him “As well as it can be…”
Nobunaga looked at him, “What does that mean?”
“What did you do to her?” Hideyoshi stood in the entrance of the tent, “What did you do that betrayed her so much?”
He watched his lord stand up straight staring at him, “She didn’t tell you?”
“No, I think she respects you enough still to give you your privacy…” Hideyoshi looked away from him.
“I broke her trust. I told her I wouldn’t let her go home.” Nobunaga told him looking down.
“She wants to go home?” Hideyoshi questioned him looking surprised. He thought you were happy here.
“…she…” Nobunaga reached for a figure on the map, “she has people that need her…that depend on her…”
“I don’t understand…I thought… you agreed to let her…” Hideyoshi pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I can’t let her go.” Nobunaga told him crisply.
“And I’m sure you have a good reason as to why…but you should try and explain…” Hideyoshi began again.
“I need her!” Nobunaga’s voice raised and then softened as he placed the piece in his hand gently on the table, “I need…her…”
There is was. Hideyoshi knew then exactly what had happened. Though he knew Nobunaga would never be able to admit it to anyone but himself, “Possessing someone isn’t the same as needing someone…I don’t think for one second, Y/N, will allow you to possess her. She’s not an item…she’s a…genuine rarity…”
Nobunaga looked up as he went on, “Forcing her to remain…will only push her away and make her cold…She won’t be the same person we know now…”
Hideyoshi stepped over to the dispatch satchel taking into his hands, “I’ll send them on their way, if no objections sir?”
“Do it.” Nobunaga turned from him looking back at the movements.
“At once.” Hideyoshi bowed before turning to leave. He knew he struck a nerve. He only hoped it was enough to make his lord see reason. For yours and his sake.
Nobunaga hung his head thinking back to a few days prior. He had spent all morning with you discussing strategy and tactical movements. Then it all just fell apart so quickly…
“Personally…” Nobunaga watched you as you moved around the table pointing at the pieces on the map, “I wouldn’t go this way…you’re more likely to get ambushed.”
“And your suggestion?” He leaned forward watching you calculate possibilities. He felt his cheek twitch as you reached out moving the pieces.
“Take the bulk of the force this way…send a small force ahead along the other…” You were carefully moving his troops around trying to find the best way to save their lives while preserving his plan, “You will get a better idea of the enemy’s movements, while still beginning to move your forces. You sacrifice the element of surprise, but at the end of the day you will have a pincer option. Even if you do not use it and have them rejoin you, you’ll get a second wave of relief.”
He began nodding slowly taking the movement into consideration as he moved around the table to your vantage, “There’s a risk…”
“Of course, there’s a risk. War is risk.” You looked at him as he stood next to you, “The person who does nothing, does nothing.”
He looked at you a smirk coming to his face as you stepped away looking at the map again, “I still find it incredible that where you’re from allows you to be so bold.”
“Because I’m a woman?” Your eyes flicked up to him.
“No…” You both looked over to Mitsuhide stepping inside sly smile on his face, “Because you’re just a solider.”
Nobunaga followed him with his eyes as he stepped over toward you. You smirked looking at Mitsuhide. When did the two of you become so close? “And…soldiers are not supposed to make suggestions?”
You looked over to Nobunaga, “Generally not…”
“You see…” Mitsuhide reached over to move a piece, when his hand came back it landed on top of yours, “should a soldier want to speak over a general’s orders or ideas…it could mean two things. One, he’s very loyal and seeks to advance himself by taking the general’s position someday, or two, he seeks to undermine the general and take his position now.”
“Neither one of those sounds particularly honorable.” You made a face as he took your hand holding it palm up.
“Indeed, it is not…” Mitsuhide smirked as he began tracing your hand, “Such small hands…”
“Mitsuhide…” You both looked over to Nobunaga who had stood up straight and now held a tense serious look, “Have you come here with news?”
“No, I just happened to hear voices and thought I’d drop in.” Mitsuhide smirked looking at you, “You see I find it very inspiring to watch someone at work.”
“Go inspire yourself elsewhere…perhaps with our assassin friend.” Nobunaga moved around the table placing himself next to you as he stared into Mitsuhide’s eyes, “See if he has anything else to say.”
“As you command…” He bowed low before taking his exit.
Nobunaga flexed his hand that had balled up as you spoke, “All ways have to be on your toes with that one…”
He turned to you as you moved the piece Mitsuhide had moved back to its place, “Yes…he’s sly but efficient.”
“Not always a great combination.” You looked at him with a smile, “You’ll never know if you can truly trust him.”
“Our goals are aligned…as long as they remain so, we have nothing to worry about.” He watched you nod absently you hand went to your wounded side, “Does it bother you?”
You glanced down dropping your hand, “It’s tender, but fine. I can now add being poisoned to list of injuries I’ve attained over the years.”
“You’ve been injured before?” He looked at your curiously, “How?”
Your eyes widened a little surprised by his directness, “Well…uh…I’ve been shot, stabbed, blown up…uh…hit by a vehicle, broke a few bones…that’s the short list…”
“And the long list?” He stepped closer to you, you looked away, “You told me when you first arrived that wouldn’t keep things from me. That you would answer all my questions…”
“Yes…I did…” You wrapped your arms around yourself, a movement he found you did when you felt vulnerable, “There are just…some wounds I’d rather not discuss. They were traumatic enough…I’ll tell you, if you must know, but…”
You looked up to him smiling eyes full of sadness before you finished, “I hope you would be considerate enough to realize that not all things should be spoken aloud.”
It was instinct what happened next. His hand finding your cheek the contact making your eyes shut as you leaned into touch. He could feel heat rushing to your face under his fingers. He lowered his head to your ear as he whispered, “Those who have been touched by war the way we have…deserve all respect and consideration.”
Your eyes opened and you turned your face to meet his gaze, “Nobunaga…”
There was a look in your eyes that he couldn’t decipher. Something that wouldn’t move past your delicate lips. “Yes?”
You didn’t say anything for a long time as he let his presence wash over you. Your hand fell over his before you pulled it away kissing his palm, “Thank you.”
He reached for you as you turned away, catching your wrist in his burning palm, “That is the second time you’ve done that…it must have meaning.”
Your gaze was locked with his as he stepped closer to you. He could see your mind working to formulate an answer that would be sufficient, “It does.”
He let out a soft laugh before he took that final step making you bump into the back of the table. He smirked feeling your pulse race under his fingers, “You don’t really think that’s enough of an answer, do you?”
Your eyes flitted away for a moment before returning to his, “I had hoped…”
“I’m afraid not this time…” He whispered as his other hand reached up absently taking a loose piece of hair between his fingers.
You bit your lips together again looking away from him before you spoke quietly, “…it…it means I…care for you…”
“You…care for me?” He looked as surprise for a moment before confusion fell on his regal features, “You barely know me…why would you care for me?”
“Does it matter?” You looked into his eyes before shaking your head a little, “You’re enigmatic…”
He stood completely still as you went on, “You’re strong…smart…care about those around you, even though you’d never admit it. Despite everything I’ve put through from running away and fighting you tooth and nail that first week…you never once considered getting rid of me…so I stopped fighting and started talking to you…and I found…”
“What did you find?” He felt himself holding his breath for your answer when you trailed off.
You swallowed before you spoke with a smile, “Peace…I found peace and safety. More than I’ve felt in years…”
“And kissing my palm…that’s your way of letting me know?” He pulled your wrist up looking at your hand.
“It’s the only way I can…” You voice sounded strained making him look at you, “I’ve already told you…I don’t belong here. When it’s time for me to go…I don’t want…it…”
“Don’t want it to be…” He let go of your hair and let his finger trail down your cheek, “what?”
You shut your eyes involuntarily at his touch, “Why is it important for you to know?”
“Because…if you’re to leave me…” He leaned forward toward your hand he held brushing his lips against your palm, “I want to know I did everything to make it harder for you.”
Your eyes sprung open with surprise, “Harder?”
“I don’t want you to go…” He whispered before pressing your hand against his face, “You’re my lucky charm after all…so tell me, you don’t want it to be…what?”
“…difficult…messy…” Your other hand took hold of his haori, “I don’t want to leave a trace…”
“It’s too late for that…” He let go of your wrist moving his arm around your waist, “You saved my life twice now. You given me no choice but to feel something for you…”
The surprised moan that escaped you when his lips met yours set his mind afire. He expected you push him away and tell him no, but you didn’t. In fact, you seemed as if you needed him as much as he needed you.
He pulled away to look at your face. Your eyes were dark with passion it was beautiful. He shook his head before he spoke, “I can’t let you go.”
“What?” You blinked looking at him, “But…you said…”
“I did…but now I can’t.” He took a step away from you looking away from you, “You’re too valuable to lose…”
“We had a deal…” You shook your head, “I can’t stay here…I don’t belong…”
“But you do.” He looked back to you his face becoming serious, “At my side…”
“Nobunaga…” You frowned and he could see the trust that you had built with him was shattered.
“We’re done for today…” He turned from you heading for the exit.
“No!” You moved in front of him putting a hand in his chest, “You can’t do this…please…”
“It’s already done…” He shook his head as he attempted to move around you. You stayed in his way and he sighed, “Move or be moved.”
“You swore…” You whispered to him tearing up. He focused on his breathing to make sure he didn’t show any emotion, “You said you understood the need to get back to those who depend on me. You told me if I cooperated you would let me go. Why…why break that?”
He shook his head, “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
He tried to move around you, but you stepped in his way again. He scowled before he leaned forward in a swift motion scooping you up onto his shoulder. You let out a growl as struggled with him. He grunted as he felt you hit his back.
He set you down and out of the way before he turned to leave again only pausing when you spoke, “I will not make this easy for you!”
His mouth opened slightly but he didn’t turn around. He pushed himself forward leaving you alone in the war room and proceeded to make his way to the tenshu. On the way he saw Hideoyoshi and instructed him to keep you busy over the next few days.
“Is everything alright, my lord?” Hideoyoshi questioned him.
“Yes…everything will be fine.” He told him before retiring.
Everything was not fine. He let out a heavy sigh before he walked out of the war tent. As he moved toward his tent he stopped seeing you readying a horse.
As you felt him staring at you, you looked up meeting his eyes. He felt a chill rush through him as you stared him down. Hideyoshi was right, you wouldn’t simply succumb to be a trophy for him. You were not a thing to be placed on a shelf.
Yet he desired you so much it pained him. He had tasted you on his lips and since then had no rest. He turned from your gaze walking away. Pride…would make him a lonely man.
