Warning: This is based off a manga called Sengoku Strays. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do! I don't own anything but my OC, and I will probably end up using artistic license to butcher Japanese history, so I would just like to apologize in advance, and I don't mean to offend anyone!
[Narration]
{setting/stage directions}
"Speech."
'Thoughts.'
"English speech."
—¡–!–¡–!–¡— Scene shift/passage of time.
A whole line of text like this without quotes is a written letter or something similar.
WORDS IN ALL CAPS AND NO QUOTATION MARKS ARE SOUND EFFECTS.
Flashbacks and changes in POV will be labeled.
Unless stated otherwise, the POV will be third person omniscient.
If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask.
"Hm...? I kinda feel like he just casually treated me like property..." Kasane said, thinking out loud, as she furrowed her brow slightly.
"Yeah... I guess you hadn't noticed, but he tends to do that, Kasane..." Ayako said, sweat dropping. "At least he didn't nearly scrub your face off."
"Sorry, it looks like I'll be relying on you." Nouhime said to them, smiling wryly. These two strange girls were so interesting.
"Don't worry about it." Ayako said, smiling reassuringly at her. The doctor that Nobunaga had called for had already come and gone, and Kasane had gotten one of Nouhime's own haoris for her to wear, so Ayako was wearing Nobunaga's again. The doctor had given them a powdered medicine for Nouhime, and told them to mix it with some tea for her to help with the bitter taste. Ayako had tested a pinch of it, just to be sure it was safe, since it looked and smelled kind of suspicious, but other than gagging and nearly choking on the bitter tasting powder, Ayako seemed to be all right... She had died yet anyway, and it gave Nouhime a good laugh to see the funny face Ayako made when she tasted it.
"Helping you isn't any trouble at all!" Kasane said enthusiastically. "But the lord really does trust you, Lady Nouhime!"
"Yeah, he doesn't treat you like a child that needs someone to hold their hand every step of the way." Ayako said, still feeling a little chagrined over how Nobunaga had overreacted earlier. It was nice that he showed concern for her... but Ayako wished he'd treat more like she was a grown woman. They were only three years apart in age, after all.
"Is that how you see it...?" Nouhime asked Ayako, tilting her head slightly. It seemed to Nouhime like Ayako hadn't yet realized the truth behind Nobunaga's rash actions whenever it came to her.
"Hm? ...What do you mean?" Ayako asked, blinking in confusion and feeling a little curious.
"Hmph, it's nothing..." Nouhime said. If Nobunaga hadn't told her yet, she wasn't going to ruin the 'surprise.' "We are... something like 'kindred souls.' We have the same goal." Nouhime said, responding to Kasane's earlier statement.
"Kindred souls...?" Kasane asked. Ayako felt her chest tighten painfully. Was that the same as being romantic 'soul mates'?
'—No, I can't let this get to me! It's my own fault for falling for him even though I knew he was married...' Ayako thought. It might hurt to not be able to be with Nobunaga, but Ayako wasn't going to regret loving him. Nouhime noticed the glimmer of pain that was glimmering in Ayako's eyes, threatening to give away her inner turmoil. Luckily, Kasane hadn't been looking at Ayako, and hadn't noticed yet.
"Onihi—" Nouhime stared to speak. She trying to think of a way to help Ayako, when she was interrupted by a rather loud servant girl, who was giggling excitedly, and gossiping with friend as they ran past Ayako and Kasane's room.
"Did you hear? Lady Nouhime is back!" The girl said.
"I did! Let's ask her if she'll tell us more tales of her days roaming about in training!" The other girl said excitedly. Nouhime realized that the two girls were running in the direction of the room she usually stayed in. Nouhime was glad that they hadn't brought her there now. She was too tired to deal with things like that at the moment.
"... Roam... Roaming about in training!?" Kasane asked excitedly, as she stared at Nouhime, her eyes sparkling gin adoration, like a puppy who had just been promised an extra special treat. Kasane's aura of happiness at the possibility of hearing such tails was over flowing so much, that Ayako was sure she saw a halo of radiant light around Kasane. Ayako sweat dropped. She was glad Kasane was so happy, but... the tea that Kasane had started pouring was overflowing.
'It's overflowing...' Nouhime thought, sweat dropping, as Ayako gently tilted the teapot up so that it wasn't pouring anymore and removed it from the mesmerized Kasane's hands. Ayako then proceeded to mix the medicine in with the tea as the doctor had instructed. "So, that's what everyone's saying, huh." Nouhime said, sighing.
"What...?" Kasane asked, deflating slightly, feeling a little confused.
"You saw it, so there's no point in hiding it... my health isn't perfect." Nouhime said.
"You have a weak heart... right? I had a friend who has a similar condition, and your pulse is uneven, like hers." Ayako said. Nouhime nodded, smiling a little ruefully. Onihime really was sharp.
"My heart has been weak since birth. Even after short bursts of intense action, I can't get my body to listen to me." Nouhime explained.
"That's horrible...!" Kasane said, appalled. Ayako frowned thoughtfully.
"That sucks... is it usually this bad?" Ayako asked sympathetically. She knew Nouhime probably didn't want their pity, but Ayako couldn't help but be worried. Her friend had needed constant check-ups with a doctor and had to take a special medicine... they didn't have all that in this era. Sure, there was medicine, but they didn't even know what the exact condition that made Nouhime's heart weak in the first place was. So, they couldn't be sure it was actually the best medicine for Nouhime's condition, or if something else might actually be better for her.
"Oh no, it isn't life threatening. Don't worry about me. But with me bedridden at times, I might have become a weak point... for Kazusanosuke's many enemies to strike at. That's why only some people know about my condition." Nouhime said.
"Here you go." Ayako said, handing Nouhime her cup of medicinal tea.
"Thank you." Nouhime said as she accepted it and continued speaking. "So, I left the castle and went to recuperate. Everyone is under the impression that I went to off to train. Word is that I caught a wild boar with my bare hands."
"Th-That's quite the misunderstanding." Kasane said, as she and Ayako sweat dropped and smiled wryly.
'I bet the one who came up with the boar part was Nobunaga...' Ayako thought, laughing wryly, as Nouhime downed the bitter tea in one gulp, not even wincing at the awful taste.
"Y-You're amazing... not even flinching after tasting that vile concoction!" Ayako said in awe. Nouhime smiled wryly in amusement at Ayako's enthusiasm over that.
"Well, I have been taking this stuff for years..." Nouhime said.
"Still, and it's not like the rumors of your strength are completely false. Even if it's only for a few moments, you're a great fighter." Ayako said honestly. "Though that boar thing is a little farfetched... Those things are vicious."
"I'm a fighter to the end. I feel better being seen as one than as a 'Lady.'" Nouhime said, smiling humbly. Ayako nodded in agreement.
"I totally understand. Who wants to be thought of as a fragile little doll that's only good for playing dress up and bearing children? Not me—being a fighter beats being a fragile flower any day in my book." Ayako said.
"Kazusanosuke also thinks that way." Nouhime said, smiling at her.
"Hm? Then, how did you fight so well before?" Kasane asked.
"Well... I studied martial arts under with my father since a young age to build endurance, but... without endurance, all Imanaged to get good at was losing to him. My days in Mino are so nostalgic..." Nouhime said as she remembered her childhood.
"Haha, it sounds like your dad and mine would get along pretty well. My dad taught me how to fight too." Ayako said, smiling.
"So you're amazingly strong, but have no endurance." Kasane said, smiling wryly and sweat dropping as she laughed nervously and refolded the outer kimono they had removed from Nouhime earlier.
"My marriage into the Oda family was to quell the pointless dispute between our two provinces. I wanted to do what I could do, as a warrior." Nouhime said seriously. Ayako smiled softly, and a little sadly. It must've been hard, marrying a stranger for the sake of others. Both Nouhime and Nobunaga had had to go through the same painful experience. Ayako was just glad that everything had worked out for them in the end.
"Wow, that's so cool...!" Kasane shouted in admiration.
"Seriously, you're really strong. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Ayako said firmly, smiling at Nouhime.
"You're both so passionate." Nouhime said, smiling. "Kasane... was it. I've already heard about Onihime's circumstances from Kazusanosuke, but why are you here?"
