Chapter 8

I sat in the room Nobunaga and I were to be staying in at the daimyo's home. Our troops stationed nearby had arrived and brought with them food we knew was safe. One of the men that came had been an apprentice in medicine under Ieyasu and was able to confirm that the dumplings had indeed been poisoned.

When we had been given the news, Nobunaga had gone to question the baker and our host himself. That had felt like forever ago and he still hadn't returned to me. I felt sick to my stomach with worry and fear. I did not like this at all.

There was a knock on the door then and Masamune and Asuna were walking in carrying a meal Masamune had made with the provisions brought over by the troops. "Here you go, Lass. I even made you some dumplings." He said, as he and Asuna sat the food down for me.

I gave them a weak smile. "Thanks...you didn't have to do that." I replied. While I knew I should eat, I just couldn't get past the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Masamune looked at me with a worrying eye. "Lass..."

Asuna put a hand on his shoulder. "Give us a minute." She said, looking at him.

Masamune looked at her a moment and then nodded. "Alright, I should probably be getting back to work." He then looked back at me. "If there's something else you want just let me know. I'll make it for you. I did promise to keep you fed and fatten you up." He then gave me a smile and a playful wink before leaving.

Asuna came to sit beside me. "My lady...you need to eat something."

"I know...I just feel sick to my stomach." I replied.

"I know almost being poisoned has to be terrifying..." She began.

"Not as terrifying as actually being poisoned." I replied, recalling the last time, which really hadn't been that long ago.

"What?"

"I was poisoned once before." I replied. "I only survived then because of Nobunaga's quick thinking and Ieyasu had been with us to come up with an antidote."

"I had no idea." Asuna said, her face surprised.

"But I wasn't pregnant then." I said, needing to share my thoughts and Asuna was kind and caring. "If you hadn't of been here and stopped me from eating those dumplings...even if I would have survived...the baby..." I trailed off as tears welled in my eyes and a sob caught in my throat.

"Don't think about that, my lady." She said, putting a hand on my shoulder. Then without thinking, she pulled me into a hug. "I am glad that I was here to help you."

"I am, too." I replied.

Asuna began to stroke my hair in a comforting fashion. It reminded me of something from my youger years. It reminded me of my old home and my...No. I can't think about that now. I made my decision to stay here because I love Nobunaga and I can't stand the thought of being separated from him.

"Now, will you please eat?" Asuna asked me. "You need to keep your strength up and the baby needs it, too."

I nodded. "Alright...it would be a shame to waste a good meal, especially with all the trouble Masamune went to."

"Exactly." Asuna replied with a smile.

I sat up and picked up my chop sticks and began eating. It was delicious food, but I still felt the worry in the pit of my stomach.

"Something else is still bothering you." Asuna observed.

"I'm worried." I said.

"I can understand that. I would be, too after almost being poisoned."

"No, that's not it." I said. "I'm worried about Nobunaga."

"Why is that?"

"He was...very different when I first met him." I began. "He was...so cold and cruel...but the more time we spent together, the more I could see him thawing...that night that I wa poisoned...that coldness came out again and threatened to overtake him...but then he warmed again..."

"You are worried he will become cold again?" Asuna asked me.

I looked at her and I could tell there was something in her eyes. I couldn't quite tell what it was. I could see there was honest concern for me in her eyes, but there was something else, hidden behind her eyes. "Yes."

She smiled at me. "From what I've seen, as long as you're around there's no way of him becoming cold...at least not permanently."

It was then that I was reminded of that night that I knew I loved him. How I had made my decision to always share my warmth with him. That if he came to me covered in blood, I wouldn't mind wiping it away and warming him. "Thank you, Asuna." I said.

She nodded. "You really do love him, though? Don't you?"

I smiled and nodded. "More than anything." I answered. "He may be the Devil King, but for me he's someone different."

"I have seen that in the way he looks at you." Asuna admitted. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"Thank you."

She reached over and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I should probably see if there's anything else I need to do." She said. "But if you find you need anything, just let me know, my lady."

"Can you stop it with te my lady stuff?" I asked. "Just Ava is fine."

She smiled. "Alright, Ava." She then bowed and left.

A few moments later the door slid open and Nobunaga was entering the room. He sat down beside me and put his hands on either side of my face, holding me and looking into my eyes. He stroked my cheeks with his thumbs. "How are you feeling?" He asked, his eyes full of warmth and concern.

I felt relief flood through me as I saw that warmth in his eyes. "I am fine." I answered.

"Then why do your eyes tell me you feel conflicted?" He asked.

So, while I could hide this part pf my feelings from Asuna, I couldn't hide it from my husband. "I'm just...scared of some thoughts I was having." I answered.

"Tell me."

"I've survived being poisoned once before, stands to reason I possibly could have again...but I was just me then." I began, placing my hand over my belly. "Even if I would have survived...the baby...and that thought...I felt...I would want...the ame fate for the person who could hurt our baby."

Nobunaga kissed my forehead. "I believe that is a perfectly normal response from a mother." He told me. "I have always heard that you do not mess with a mother bear's cub."

"It still scares me...that I could think that."

"Then do not let these thoughts come to you." He said. "Let me carry that burden. You are both safe, thanks to Asuna. I will find out who is responsible and see that they are properly punished."

"You don't think it was the daimyo or the baker?" I asked.

"I do not believe they acted on their own." He answered. "I am not certain if the daimyo was involved at all...that is what I will have Mitsuhide find out, when he arrives."

I wasn't sure I wanted to know what Mitsuhide would be doing differently than Nobunaga.

It was then that Nobunaga released my face, but then wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him. "I am just glad that you are safe." He was then kissing the top of my head.

I nestled into his embrace. I still felt my conflicting emotions, but I did feel a little more at ease as he held me. "Me, too."

Asuna...

Asuna stood on the porch looking up at the moon. She felt so many conflicting emotions running through her. She felt relief that she had been able to help Ava. She was glad that Ava was alright...and she felt angry at whoever had tried to poison her.

I understand the hatred of Nobunaga...but to harm Ava. She thought to herself. Though even I am starting to wonder about Nobunaga. Is he really as bad as I have believed? Ava acknowledged that he had been different...could her love have really changed him?

"There you are, Asuna."

Asuna was pulled from her thoughts and turned to see Hideyoshi approaching her. "I just needed some air."

Hideyoshi placed a hand on her shoulder. "I want to apologize to you."

Asuna was honestly surprised. "Huh?"

"I see that you really do care for Ava and that you do not want to harm her or our lord." He said. "I am sorry that I treated you with such suspicion." He was then bowing politely to her.

Oh but you do have a right to be suspicious of me. She thought, but she kept that to herself. "I just wish it hadn't of taken someone almost poisoning her for you to believe me." Asuna replied. "And I am glad that Ava is alright. She doesn't deserve to have something like that happen to her."

"She does not." Hideyoshi agreed. "I am glad you were with us to prevent her from getting hurt."

Asuna couldn't help but to smile. "I am very surprised you can admit you were wrong."

A small smile came to Hideyoshi's face. "Hey, I am not all that bad."

"Hmm, I guess not. Must be why you have so many fans." Asuna said referring to the girls back in Azuchi.

Hideyoshi's face reddened and he coughed. "You could just accept my apology and us start over."

Asuna grinned. "Oh I already have accepted it...teasing you is my way of saying that."

"Teasing...don't tell me you're one of those who likes to show affection to their friends by teasing? I don't need another Mitsuhide or Masamune."

Asuna laughed. "You must enjoy being teased though since you surround yourself with people who tease."

"It does seem to be the people that I find myself with." He did agree. "But everyone of them are good people...including you."

"I appreciate that." Asuna said, looking at Hideyoshi. She wasn't sure why, but as she looked into his golden eyes, she felt a pang in her chest.

It was a couple of days later when Ieyasu and Mitsuhide arrived. The message had gotten to them quickly through a chain of messengers and then the pair had ridden out as soon as they got the orders to come.

"Everyone is alright?" Ieyasu asked, as he dismounted his horse.

"Yes, Asuna stopped Ava from eating the poisoned dumplings." Nobunga answered.

"Yes, she recognized the poison by the smell and from her medical studies." Hideyoshi explained.

"My, my how very fortunate." Mitsuhide said. "I notice our lady isn't here."

"She has not slept much since the incident." Nobunaga said. "It has finally caught up to her and she is sleeping."

"She was up and ready much quicker before when she was actually poisoned." Ieyasu noted.

"Yes, well she was not pregnant then." Asuna spoke up, having been told she needed to be there to work with Ieyasu. If Mitsuhide couldn't get information out of the baker and te daimyo about where they got the poison from, then perhaps Ieyasu and Asuna could find where it came from through their work. "Her fears are not for herself."

"They never are." Nobunaga commented.

"She never does have much concern for herself." Ieyasu agreed.

"But then that is where her strength lies." Mitsihide said.

Asuna couldn't help but notice how all of these men cared for Ava. MItsuhide and Ieyasu had rushed here to help right away. Though Asuna knew that it was partially because Nobunaga had made the order, she could also tell that both men were concerned for Ava.

Ava...

I woke to bright sunlight spilling into the room. I hadn't been sleeping well since the almost-poisoning and I guess my body had finally had enough. I sat up, stretching. I looked at the futon and noticed that it was in complete disarray.

I kicked away the futon cover and stood up, stretching. I felt sweat running down my back and my face felt warm. I loosened the collarof my night robes and brushed them open slightly so that my shoulders were bared. I then pulled my hair up, getting that heat off of my neck.

It was then that there was a knock on my door and it opened up, Masamune coming in with a tray of food. "Glad to see you're awake lass..." He greeted me and then taking in my appearance gave me a wicked grin. "Though it looks like you might have been waiting for someone else."

I felt my cheeks get even hotter and I pulled my robe back up tight. "I was hot!"

Masamune laughed. "Hot for Nobunaga." He teased.

"Just...leave the food and get out." I huffed.

Masamune only laughed as he sat the tray down. It was then that Nobunaga was coming in the room.

"What is going on?" He asked, taking in my glare at Masamune and his laughter at my expression.

"Nothing, I think I ought to leave you two alone, though. I think your wife missed you, my lord." He then winked at me before walking out the door.

Nobunaga walked over to me and cupped my face with his hand. He looked into my eyes. "Are you feeling rested?" He asked, concerned.

"I am feeling a bit better." I answered. "Though I'm not sure I'll be feeling much better till we get out of here and get back home."

Nobunaga pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "I am sure it will be soon. Mitsuhide and Ieyeasu are already here. We will learn what happened."

"They're already here?" I asked surprised by how quickly they got here.

"Yes."

"That was fast."

Nobunaga smiled at me. "I don't think you realize just how important you are to everyone."

"I'm not that special." I replied. "Besides, you are their lord and gave them the order to get here quickly as possible."

"That may be, but you are irreplaceable to all of us...more me than anyone, but you are quite beloved by everyone else as well." He told me.

I had to laugh as I leaned into him. He's so cute when he gets jealous. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He replied, brushing his lips across mine.

It was then that my stomach let out a loud growl.

"You should eat." He said, pulling me to the tray of food Masamune had brought in.

"Have you eaten?" I asked, as I sat down to dig in.

"Yes." He answered. "Besides, all of this tray is for you."

It was then that I noticed the rather large spread that was on the tray. It looked and smelled delicious and contained all of my favorites. "I can't possibly eat all of this." I said, though I felt like it was a lie.

Nobunaga laughed. "Eat your fill, Ava. There is no shame in it." He was then reaching over and patting my baby bump. "You are carrying a growing Oda in your belly afterall."

I smiled and then picked up my chopsticks. I dug into the meal, it was rather nice to have these peaceful moments. In a way it was almost surreal, having this peaceful moment and smiling just days after someone had tried to kill me.

"I am glad to see you smiling again." Nobunaga said. "I missed it."

"I'm sorry to have worried you."

"You have nothing to apologize for." He told me.

Before anymore could be said, Hideyoshi was coming into our room. "Mitsuhide has answers." He announced.