A/N: Could also fit under ridiculous, but this would qualify for Hideyoshi, I guess? I also managed to finish all prompts within a month so, ayeeee, goal achieved!
“Ready?” Carnelian eyes met dark brown ones, a glimmer in the eyes as the question was posed. It was met with a roll of the eye and a sigh, a strand of hair swept over the shoulder with the flick of a wrist.
“I guess,” was the reluctant answer when Airi shuffled herself out of the room, the treasured pot carefully pressed against her stomach as she checked the hallways. “Empty,” she reported back to the man behind her as she stepped out fully.
“Ready for what?” Another voice pitched in. With a yelp Airi nearly dropped the pot from her arms as she spun around, facing a Hideyoshi exiting from another room, his eyes standing a storm as he frowned down upon her.
“Stealing sweets again? How many tim—”
“Down!” the female announced as she spilled the content of the pot, an endless stream of marbles rolling down the floor as a dark figure made a run for it from behind her. With a loud thud the pot hit the floor as well as Airi was quick to run after Nobunaga.
“You– Lord– What?” Hideyoshi sputtered, unable to form a reaction towards the situation posed. It was all quite ridiculous after all, the lord of the castle stealing konpeito from his own inventory and pranking his right hand with marbles, but it was the unfortunate reality in which Hideyoshi found himself as he watched both Nobunaga and Airi run off.
Pairs: Vlad (Ikevamp) x Anya Nosferatu (OC) | Mitsuhide Akechi (Ikesen) x Shinju Maeda (OC) | Virgilius Hildegard (Friend’s OC) x Adelaide Rosier (OC)
A/N: A few days left of the 30 days challenge and we already ran through all of the pairs twice. Switching it up by releasing several pairs for the last few prompts.
Vlad x Anya
The date was vaguely imprinted within her mind. June 27; a day that left her feeling conflicted. Both warm as cold, happy as distressed.
“Happy birthday, Anya!” Charles had announced it so innocently, the pureblood could only beam a bright smile back.
“Thanks, little red!”
“It is your birthday?” Faust had repeated, a scoff escaping him as his ‘well-wish’ and Anya let go of a relieved sigh that she didn’t have to beam a smile back at him with gratitude.
But before she entered the rose garden of the castle Anya made sure that she had her smile right back on her face once more, skipping into the area as she hummed a beat.
“Guess what, Princeling, it is my…”
She stopped in her tracks when she took in the scenery laid out before her. The blanket spread, a wooden basket on top of it containing various products that she loved. Pastries, bread rolls, jams and tea. There was even a stew prepared. It was a full on picnic so to say and one that she hadn’t started for once.
“It is your birthday,” Vlad had finished her sentence, a smile resting on his lips as he offered his hand to her, leading her towards the scenery set.
The warmth that spread from her chest at that gesture of goodwill was genuine, just as the little blush that had silenced her.
Perhaps her birthdays could turn into something to look forward to.
Mitsuhide x Shinju
Once upon a time he had seen it on a plastic card. When Shinju was still new and unknown Mitsuhide had somehow found her identity card and seen the date of her birth, written according to the western calendar. Back then he hadn’t thought much of it other than in confusion and just parked it away for later investigation.
Now it was different. Carefully he had sent Kyubei out to investigate, to figure out what the day meant and how to convert it to their calendar on the island. As it turns out, Shinju was born in the rainy season, and to top it off; her birthday had just passed.
A shame, really, but that didn’t deter Mitsuhide from celebrating it nonetheless when he found out about it. He knew, after all, that she would have done the same.
“What’s this? You are eating a meal without me needing to coax you?” Shinju had exclaimed in surprise, and Mitsuhide had only chuckled at the obvious happiness that radiated off her, having expected that reaction.
“There is more,” he told her, waving the female over conspicuously as he reached for his sleeve, pulling out a small package as he handed it to her.
“Happy birthday,” he told Shinju nonchalantly, and Mitsuhide would be lying if he didn’t enjoy the way her expression bloomed into one of surprise before morphing into a bright smile.
“Please continue to look after me!” she responded, polite and formal as ever, but the happiness she radiated spoke volumes of her truest feelings.
Hildegard x Adelaide
June generally marked the start of the summer holidays for the faculty members of Hogwarts. It meant that the school would be closed for the coming few months, allowing its students and the employees to enjoy some time for themselves. However, the closure of the schoolgrounds also meant three months of missing each other, and it meant the missing of the birthday of a certain lady.
“Happy birthday!” Party poppers were popped just as the cheers of her colleagues scalded through the hallway, all eager to celebrate the coming August birthday of the DADA professor. Adelaide had suspected that they had been planning something, knowing that it was fruitless to object against it.
“Thank you,” had been her response, regular and even, as if nothing had fazed her, and in a way it hadn’t. “You didn’t have to, after all, it is just any other day.”
To this she got a chuckle from Virgil, whose close-lipped smile was just threatening to reveal his fangs. “That isn’t true, miss Rosier,” he had told her and for a bit anticipation rose up within Adelaide as she felt herself flush.
“After all, it was the day that you came into the world.” Cheesy as the line was it still warmed Adelaide’s cheeks who felt herself a little at loss of a response in the face of Virgil.
“A what?” Ieyasu sounded exasperated as tried to repeat the word that Hye-jin had just asked of him. “Selfie?” It honestly sounded like a shorter word for ‘selfish’ which he didn’t think was something that could be taken.
“Yeah, a selfie. A picture! I need a commemoration of meeting you!” the female had said, once more leaning in sideways as she raised up two fingers next to her face, a bright smile on her face while gazing at the sleek rectangular she held in hands a distance away.
“Why?” the blond had continued to question, his eyes suspiciously going over to the display on which he could see himself and Hye-jin in miniature. Yet it was no mirror, as no second later the screen went black and revealed a still of the two of them.
“A commemoration, as I said. So that I can show it to my friends and family when I go back,” the female had said so nonchalantly as she pulled the phone closer, tapping away through her filters and whatever blemish there was to remove. Thus occupied, she didn’t notice the arm sneaking around her, a crabby expression on his face as he pulled the phone out of her hands, finally earning Hye-jin’s full attention.
“And who said you can go back?” The question is sharp as Hye-jin presses her lips together, needing a few breathless moments to find a proper reaction. Not that Ieyasu would give it to her.
Pair: Mitsuhide Akechi (Ikesen) x Shinju Maeda (OC)
The style of aikido, though still unknown in the Sengoku time, did have its roots in the time that the samurai class ruled. But the practitioners prefer to call it an art than a fighting style, and when one saw Shinju practice, one could see why. The lack of aggression and attack, the waiting stance in which one deflected and redirected the energy coming at them, the keen details and nuance laid upon keeping a balance and throwing the other out of balance. It certainly did look like a dance of waves crashing and coming together, only to roll apart once more for another collision.
It was even less of a surprise that when Shinju was practicing her hand-to-hand combat Mitsuhide couldn’t help himself but slip behind, deftly catching her reaching hand as he tugged her into a twirl. It earned him a gasp of surprise, but a quick recovery in balance, just as expected from her overall teachings and foundations.
“Very elegant, little lady,” he had smirked, tipping the female over in his arms ever so slightly to force her to grab hold onto him lest she was to fall.
But used as she was to the little tricks and teases of the man, Shinju let herself fall, her arm instead reaching for behind Mitsuhide’s neck as she pulled him over, using her own weight to roll the fox into the grass as she quickly found her footing again, hovering over him.
“Green looks nice on you,” she responded, perhaps a bit too triumphant as she was quick to jump at the feeling of cold fingers reaching for her ankle.
No idea why I came up with creating a son of Hiroyoshi, but I ended up liking the design
He knows how to cook and cleaning relaxes him … or at least when it lasts for five minutes
His pet is a little mouse he found on one of the ships, which he named Kai (in total he has had three pets, but he firmly believes that when Kai died, he reincarnated into Kai II and so on)
At first glance he seems to be quite reserved, but he is someone quite chill and who loves to make people around him laugh
His way of showing affection is by giving small gifts or favors
Although he smiles most of the time, when he is alone in his room, he lets his guard down and lets out a few tears
See Motonari as a kind of big brother
Doesn’t like cats
Thanks to MC he learned about Hideyoshi and is now his fan
Has gay panics with Masamune lol
Stargazing is one of his favorite hobbies
Please give him a hug
Pls interact with him, he needs friends
Oh my woooord, he is such a cutieeeee!!! ’omg, sir I’m your fan!’ what a polite little nugget. And then him being congratulated by Motonari!
Sounds like he didn’t adopt Motonari’s way of speaking and hasn’t been initiated into the scheming side of all thing, or inherited it from his sly father!
“A must have, and so are these fried udon noodles.”
Two heads, one red and the other dark hung over the menu card, eyes eagerly roaming over the many choices provided by the city.
“Karaage as well, but let’s grab some Korean style fried chicken along with it,” Shinju suggested, eyes shining as she thought of all the food she had missed in the time she was stuck in the Sengoku. “Oh, and let’s have some ramen as well,” came her next suggestion as she deftly tapped on the dishes within the app.
“So,” Asuga tried to come between, a little concerned at the amount of food ordered. The two Maedas didn’t seem to hear the concern however as they rose their head in unison and asked her in choir:
“What do you want to eat?”
The question startled her, a muffled chuckle joining her, the rest of the company more amused than baffled, having half expected this to happen.
“They don’t look alike, but they’re indisputably related,” Kyubei observed as he peeked at the list of items already picked before Shinju ushered herself between the two of them with the tablet.
“I can make some recommendations based on what you like, I’m sorta familiar with this place,” the female offered to which Airi audibly muffled a scoff.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you could be considered a co-owner of sorts,” she chides teasingly before returning to her own screen, jotting down her own choice of orders.
Surprise! I have returned!! I hope people still remember this lovely little (confusing) story. I want to start pulling myself out of my hiatus and writing rut. I will definitely work on a masterlist for this story because the tagging system sucks and I sometimes need a reminder of what chapter I’m working on. This will be for the both of us. In the meantime, please enjoy this update. It’s been sitting in my files for months now, but it’s also kind of short. I didn’t want to push myself too hard. I’m hoping to get everything going soon. No more sad chapters!!
Thunderous cracks echoed throughout the courtyard disrupting the tranquility of the early morning. The Akechi vassals gathered at the entrance of the training hall, eyes glued to the sparring match playing out in front of them. Quiet whispers and gasps were barely heard as wooden swords continued to connect in explosive strikes. Mouths parted in awe watching their lord maneuver with calculating and precise movements while he pushed his young, feminine protege back. Yet, she did not relent as she moved back in, parrying off his blows with succession.
When Natsume had announced that she would be training under Mitsuhide, many found her claims to be very odd. No one expected much from such a ridiculous claim. However, in the six months that had passed, Natsume had proved to everyone she meant business. She adapted to Mitsuhide’s kenjutsu, learned to wield the rifle, and poured over many texts to further her education. Horse riding came natural to her having spent time in her childhood at the family vacation home out in the countryside. When Mitsuhide wasn’t busy training her, Natsume dedicated her time to tending to the manor. Those that weren’t aware of Natsume’s living arrangement mistook her for Mitsuhide’s wife—something she had grown tired of correcting. If it meant keeping suitors away, she’d run with that lie in the meantime.
With a forceful swing, Mitsuhide smacked the wooden sword out of Natsume’s grip. Before he could land the decisive blow to her, Natsume blocked his attack with the back of her wrist. She immediately stepped in, clutching a fistful of Mitsuhide’s kimono in her other hand. Natsume twisted her body, pulling Mitsuhide over her shoulder with all her might. She fell with him, pinning him down on the polished floor with her body as she reached behind her to draw out her dagger. She held the blade to his neck, smirking triumphantly.
“I got you.”
Mitsuhide chuckled. “Mm. Impressive.”
A closer look made Natsume realize how flushed his cheeks were, a sheen of sweat covering his face. Even his snow white hair stuck to his temples. She could feel his body heave up and down as he breathed laboriously. She did it. She beat Mitsuhide.
Just as she was about to revel in her victory, Mitsuhide pushed her back, knocking the dagger out of Natsume’s hands. She yelped as she was suddenly pushed onto her back, legs restricted by his as Mitsuhide towered over her. Gaining control of his wooden sword, Mitsuhide drew back ready to plunge it into her. Natsume gasped and she began to flail trying to kick Mitsuhide off of her. He struck, bringing the weapon down on her. Natsume shut her eyes, feeling the blade rip through her hair. A slight breeze caressed her cheek as the floor cracked next to her ear.
Her heart thundered, her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened in shock. Mitsuhide playfully smiled down at her, triumphantly leaning against his wooden sword. It took Natsume a moment to finally react. She scowled at him, drawing her legs out from underneath him.
“You sore loser!” Natsume shouted, glaring daggers at Mitsuhide. “You can’t stay down, can you?”
She did not wait for his response. Natsume whirled around, her arms crossed as she pouted. However, she soon noticed the crowd near the door. The vassals always gathered whenever she trained with Mitsuhide. She politely bowed to them before making her way out the exit. Their eyes followed her as Natsume stopped by the small fountain. Mouths once again fell agape as she splashed herself with water, damping the pure white kimono top. Her eyes were closed as she brushed her wet locks back revealing the fair skin of her forehead. Water droplets raced down her slender neck, slipping beneath the fabric of her top and into the valley between her breasts. They could only imagine what she looked like bare before their hungry eyes.
“Alright. That’s enough from the lot of you. Back to your posts,” Mitsuhide ordered.
The group of men jumped. “Y-Yes sir!”
Mitsuhide watched as they dispersed under his orders before approaching Natsume. “Must you always have your way with them?”
She scoffed. “Oh? Why do you care?”
“I don’t, but it seems to me you revel in teasing them a bit too much.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just innocently cooling off,” she replied with a wink.
“One of these days, you’ll regret those words,” Mitsuhide commented.
“Oh please. They won’t do anything with you around. Besides, they’re well aware about incurring Nobunaga’s wrath if anything happens to me.”
“Speaking of Nobunaga-sama, you and I have been summoned.”
“What for?” She inquired, as she began to dry herself off.
Mitsuhide ran a small handkerchief at the back of his neck. “I’m not sure, but he wants you at the council.”
Natsume looked dumbstruck. “Hah.”
That was an obvious lie. Mitsuhide knew more than he let on. Still, it had been a few months since Natsume came to live with Mitsuhide. She briefly wondered if she was due for a check up.
A change of clothes later, and Natsume soon found herself back in Azuchi. Their arrival had been announced as such: Lord Akechi and his page. Natsume shot him another glare. At this rate, she was bound to rack up a list of made up titles.
Natsume walked behind him at a respectable distance. She could feel all eyes on her as she and Mitsuhide entered the familiar audience hall. She did not see Mai, nor the usual Oda vassals. The only ones to greet them were Hideyoshi, Mitsunari, and…him. Crystal blue eyes met deep carnelian orbs—a smirk adorning his lips. Natsume stared back indifferently. He meant nothing. She let go along with her past.
Hideyoshi immediately crossed the room, meeting up with them. However, he quickly pulled Natsume into his arms, taking her by surprise.
“Tell me, has this mongrel been treating you right? He hasn’t done anything to upset you?”
Natsume shot Mitsuhide a startled gaze before looking back at Hideyoshi. “What are you talking about?”
Mitsunari chuckled. “We haven’t heard from you since you left. Although, Lord Mitsuhide always assures us that you are doing well. I’m happy to see that it is true.”
“I never lie,” Mitsuhide stressed.
“Bullshit. That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard from you. As long as Natsume is okay… Frankly, I still find it hard that you chose him over Lord Nobunaga,” Hideyoshi said, as he released Natsume.
She sighed. “You make it sound like I married him…”
Mitsuhide smirked. “Isn’t that what happened?”
“Settle down, everyone,” Nobunaga cut in.
Natsume had no choice but to swallow her retort, as everyone took their places. It was an impromptu meeting, nothing serious of the sort. Which meant Nobunaga’s territories were at peace. So then, why was she summoned?
“I’ve called you here today, Natsume, to discuss the trip you requested to Sakai,” Nobunaga continued.
Natsume clicked her tongue. “You’re still on about that?”
“I have never forgotten.” He turned to Mitsuhide. “As per the agreement, I am relieving Natsume from your care, Mitsuhide.”
She felt a knot in her stomach. Natsume couldn’t help glancing over to Mitsuhide. Their eyes briefly met before Mitsuhide bowed respectfully. Neither of them could object. It was an agreed term if Natsume wished to live outside the castle. Nobunaga could whisk her away at any given time and without consent. Unfortunately, Natsume was still under his rule.
“I have gone to great lengths to make this a reality for you, Natsume. As it so happens, I have a bit of business in Sakai,” Nobunaga said.
“We are to meet with merchants looking to exchange goods and services. They’ve been so generous to reach out to Lord Nobunaga for an audience,” Hideyoshi added.
“Sounds suspicious,” Natsume muttered.
“Which is why I will also be accompanying the entourage. You and Mai will be in good hands,” Hideyoshi assured.
“Mai is also coming?” Natsume queried.
“Was that not part of your request?” Nobunaga inquired.
It was true. He truly was following every bit of that silly request from months ago. Despite knowing she wasn’t going to be alone with Nobunaga, Natsume couldn’t shake this foreboding feeling. She had focused solely on her studies and training. Living with Mitsuhide had given her a sense of normalcy.
Natsume clutched her hands. No need to worry. Mai will be there, and I guess I can think of this as going shopping. Whatever 16th century Japan has to offer…
Still, her hand slowly crawled over to Mitsuhide’s. He felt her fingers clutch at the folds of his sleeve, yet Mitsuhide made no move to notice her touch. Natsume’s fear had become clear to him. She still feared Nobunaga even after all this time away from him.
………
As promised, Natsume stood outside the castle gates bright and early the following day. The Akechi maids made sure she had everything she required packed by the time she returned to the manor. Natsume had even been gifted with a new kimono–a light blue color printed with a myriad of bellflowers.
“To remind you of me,” Mitsuhide replied as she held the fabric in her hands.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Natsume quietly asked.
He grasped her chin in his hands. “You’ve nothing to fear, Natsume. Play your role well, and you shall find yourself back here.”
“And, if Nobunaga takes me back?”
Mitsuhide smirked. “He won’t. Trust me.”
Natsume sighed. So far, Mitsuhide had not proven a thing to back up his promises. He wanted her trust with no gain whatsoever. Natsume wondered what he could be plotting.
He held out the reins of his white horse for her to take. “This is for you.”
“Isn’t this one yours?” Natsume inquired with a quirk of her brow.
“I am loaning you my steed. Anything to ease those nerves of yours.”
“I’m not so dependent on you. I simply hate—”
Mitsuhide leaned in. “Yes?”
“N-Nothing.”
A mirthful sparkle shone in his golden eyes. Yet, before Mitsuhide could continue with his inquisitive teasing, the ecstatic joy from Azuchi’s chatelaine interrupted the two. Both Mitsuhide and Natsume looked behind them as Mai ran towards them with exuberant joy.
“Natsu! Hey!”
“Blinding,” Mitsuhide quietly murmured.
Natsume shot him a look. “Huh?”
He merely shook his head as Mai joined the two. “Isn’t it a bit too early for your enthusiasm?”
“No way! I finally get to travel with Natsume after so long! Besides, I’m looking forward to all the fabrics Sakai has to offer. We must visit every shop, Natsu!”
“Yeah. Yeah,” the raven haired woman replied as she took the reins from Mitsuhide. Natsume quietly took a deep breath, hiding against the horse.
“Mai! Natsume! Are the two of you ready?” Hideyoshi asked.
“We’re raring to go!” Mai exclaimed.
“Good. We’re just about ready to set out,” Nobunaga declared.
“The men are ready to march ahead as soon as you give the word, my lord,” Mitsunari informed.
“Excellent.”
Hideyoshi turned to the girls. “Mai, Natsume. Mount up.”
“Aah!”
Mai glanced at Natsume who wordlessly, and with practiced ease, climbed atop Mitsuhide’s white horse.
“U-Um, Natsu…?”
“What?”
“You’re riding…alone?” Mai sheepishly asked.
“Can you really handle yourself?” Nobunaga inquired amusingly.
She shot him a glare. Mitsuhide chuckled. “She’s a natural all on her own.”
Natsume rolled her eyes. “I grew up riding horses. What’s so weird about this?”
“Ah, of course,” Mai quietly murmured. She had forgotten how vastly different her life in the modern world had been from Natsume’s own life. Mai had been an office worker with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Natsume was an heiress with a budding singing career. There was still so much about her that Mai had yet to learn. Even in this turbulent past, Natsume remained a very private person.
Natsume suddenly reached down as she held out her hand to Mai. “Come on.”
Mai’s eyes widened. “Eh?”
“What are you waiting for?”
Mitsuhide stepped behind Mai, and firmly lifted her up and onto the saddle. Mai couldn’t help but yelp as she momentarily squirmed.
“Mi-Mi-Mitsuhide!”
“You looked like you could use a lift,” he joked.
“Don’t be silly!” Mai cried, her face and ears flushed.
“If you fall off the horse, I’ll leave you behind,” Natsume warned.
Mai immediately settled down. “Got it…”
With one final look at her liege, Natsume guided the horse forward. An entire trip with the Oda army. She had spewed the request as a means to keep Nobunaga at bay. But with Azuchi’s famed chatelaine sitting in front of her, Natsume knew she would have to make full use of Mai if she truly wished to keep Nobunaga in check.
Mitsuhide’s words echoed in her mind. “Play your role well.”
As if I have a choice, Natsume thought.
………
Sea birds cried up above in the sky as the port of Sakai bustled with life. Numerous ships docked at port unloading cargo from various places including foreign, merchant ships showcasing rare and valuable goods. To the untrained eye, every item seemed like a rare luxury painting a mysterious, illusory world beyond one’s reach. But, for those who knew what to look for, those who were experts in imported goods, every item was scrutinized even to the minute detail.
A large, scruffy looking man approached a lone figure who stood watching his precious cargo be unloaded. The poor man dared not keep his gaze trained on his master—there was just no way such a beautiful man could exist, he thought. He dropped to a knee, holding out a folded letter. The elegant man reached down to take the note, unfolding it in one swift movement. Hazel eyes quickly skimmed through the contents of the hastily written note.
“This has been vetted?”
The scruffy man nodded. “Yes, m’lord. Their procession should arrive in approximately three days.”
The letter crumpled harshly in his master’s beautifully pale skin. With a poised pivot, he walked away from the port as his white cape fluttered behind him leaving the scruffy looking messenger behind. He paid no mind to the ogling gazes that trailed after him as he approached a small hut nearby. Those inside raised their heads only to quickly acknowledge him with the respect he deserved.
“Master Kichō.”
“I need eyes here and here,” he ordered, pointing to two areas on a map.
“Understood.”
“Are we still keeping tabs on those Oda scum?” Another asked.
“Nobunaga has taken the bait. He will arrive in three days,” Kichō replied.
“So, it’s true that he’s wooed by exotic goods,” another quipped.
“The finest this country has to offer,” another mocked.
The small hut erupted into laughter. However, Kichō remained stoic. “Our goal is not Nobunaga.”
“Right. Folks out there say he has a woman he cares for deeply.”
“The Oda princess.”
“Never laid eyes on ‘er, but I ‘ear she’s a real beauty.”
“A rival to Master Kichō, then,” one lackey joked.
Kichō simply stared back coldly. “Do not be ridiculous. We merely need her to serve one simple purpose.”
“To fan the flames of war!”
To that, the men cheered and laughed once more. War…it was all Kichō could think of in order to save the future. He’d sacrifice anything even if it meant the blood of an innocent soul. He had sent his message not too long ago, and now he was set to deliver another fatal blow to Nobunaga right where it hurt the most. His most beloved treasure would soon be Kichō’s prisoner.
So… two days ago I started a sketch and I liked how it turned out. This would be a representation of one of Kenji’s fears: not leaving his mark on the world by not being “special”
The people in the pictures are Kenshin (his father), Kibou (his older brother) and Sara (his mother and my MC)
And a mini dialogue between the brothers bc why not
Kibou: You know? Yesterday when we were coming back from the battle with father, I saw some very beautiful mountains. I thought you might like to see them. Maybe you could do a painting
Kenji: If you tell me where it is, I might consider it
Kibou: Actually…I was thinking that we could go together! You know, like a brothers trip!
Kenji: What a great idea!
Kibou: Really?
Kenji: No
If anyone wants to know more about them, I’m open to questions!
