Chapter 1

"Lady Ava, what do you think of this fabric?"

I turned at the sound of Saki, speaking to me. She was another seamstress that I worked with in Azuchi castle. I smiled at her a I looked at the beautiful silken fabric she held up. "The color pattern is quite beautiful." I agreed with her. I then spotted another fabric which would compliment this one perfectly. "Oh and then this one would be great with it."

"You have such an eye for colors, Lady Ava." Saki said, looking at me in an almost admiring way.

"You were the one to spot the first fabric." I told her. "In fact, I think that these will be perfect for the commission we are working on."

"You really think so?"

I nodded. "Now we'll just need these and a few more supplies and we'll be ready."

"Can we take a tea break?" Saki asked me. "I don't know about you, but I am getting a little hungry."

"Getting some tea and snack does sound nice." I agreed as we made our purchases.

Once we had finished with the fabric merchant, we were heading to a tea house. It was the same tea house I usually went to with Mitsuhide. It was definitely the best in town, though I am sure some of my fondness for it stemmed from the memories I shared with Mitsuhide.

"Is something wrong, Lady Ava?" Saki asked me.

"Oh, nothing." I answered, as I sipped my tea.

"Do you not like this tea shop? I thought I heard that you and Lord Mitsuhide come to it often."

I smiled at her. "Oh, I do love this tea house. I was just lost in thought."

"Oh, I should I have known." Saki replied. "This place probably makes you think of Lord Mitsuhide and miss him."

"It's alright. I know he'll be home again soon." I told her. Mitsuhide had left a week ago for a mission. There were rumors of rebellion and unrest in one of Nobunaga's recetly aquired territories. Naturally he went to investigate.

"You must worry terribly about him while he is gone. He does take on dangerous missions, doesn't he?" Saki asked.

"I worry...but I know he'll always come back to me." I answered. "More than anything, I just miss him."

We sat and talked for a little while longer and enjoyed our food. Then we were heading back to the castle and the other seamstresses. The head seamstress gave her seal of approval on the fabrics we had purchased and we were all soon getting to work on the recent order.

We worked well into the afternoon. Everyone was depating before it got too dark out for them all to walk to their homes. I walked through the streets of Azuchi now myself, the setting sun painting the sky beautiful colors of red and gold. Normally I stayed and worked later and would walk home with Mitsuhide, but while he was gone I knew I had to leave earlier. Though Azuchi was relatively safe, it was still best not to be wandering the streets alone at night.

I wonder if there will be a letter from Mitsuhide. I thought as I walked to his manor which was now my home as much as it was his. The maids welcomed me home and even had dinner ready for me. I was a bit disappointed when I found no letter from Mitsuhide. It had been a couple of days since I had last heard anything from him.

After I finished dinner, I headed for the bath. I washed up and then enjoyed a bit of a soak before getting out and drying off. I slipped into my night robes and began walking to the room I shared with Mitsuhide, toweling my hair dry as I went.

I stayed up for a little while longer. I had brought my sewing work home with me and continued to work on it. When I got into a project, it was hard to stop and also having something to work on helped keep me distracted from the loneliness I felt with Mitsuhide's absence.

I had another few nights spent this way, staying up late and working. There were even a few nights I stayed in my room in the main castle. Nobunaga had insisted the room remain mine even though I was living with Mitsuhide now.

There had still been no letter from Mitsuhide. I was in my room in the castle working quietly alone when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." I called.

Hideyoshi walked in the room. "I thought Iwould find you still here. Aren't you supposed to be taking the day off?"

"I know, but we got a really big order in and I couldn't just not do my part." I countered.

Hideyoshi sighed and shook his head. "Well, you're done for the day."

"What?"

"You're coming with me." He said, holding out his hand for me.

I placed a loose stitch in my work to save my place and set it aside. I took his hand and allowed him to help me up. "So, where are we going?" I asked as I let him lead me out of the room.

"To the audience hall." He answered. "Council ran over and now we are having dinner."

"And you definitely need to eat, Lass."

I looked up as I saw Masamune coming to join us, carrying a tray of food. The three of us walked into the audience hall together and all took our seats.

"Ah, I am glad to see you were able to succeed in your mission, Hideyoshi." Nobunaga said from his seat above everyone.

"What mission was that?" I asked.

"Bringing you here, of course." Nobunaga answered.

"You've been working yourself too hard lately." Masamune said.

"And if you're not careful you're going to end up making yourself sick and then I'll have to take care of you." Ieyasu grumbled.

"We would all hate for you to get sick, Lady Ava." Mitsunari agreed.

"Wait...so Hideyoshi, what you said was a lie?" I asked.

"Not entirely." Hideyoshi answered. "Council did run over, but we've been planning to have you take a break and join us for dinner all day."

"I cooked all of your favorites." Masamune said, grinning at me.

I smiled at them. "You guys...thank you."

I dug into the delicious food and enjoyed a nice evening with my friends. I still felt a bit lonely without Mitsuhide there, but I definitely felt lighter than I had since he'd left.

"Oh, Ava I think you'll want this." Masamune said, handing me a letter.

"Is this from..."

"Mitsuhide yes." Masamune answered. "Came in just as I was finishing up dinner."

I smiled as I looked at the folded paper, my name written on the outside in Mitsuhide's clear and elegant penmenship. I swear even the way he wrote my name was with the utmost care.

"I'm surprised you're not opening it right now." Hideyoshi said from beside me.

"Well...some things are better left for private enjoyment." I answered.

"Oh, does Mitsuhide write you some naughty things, lass?" Masamune teased.

I felt my cheeks redden. "No." I said. "It's just that I prefer to read his letters to me in private is all."

There was more teasing and banter back and forth before the night was over. Soon it was clearly too late for me to walk back the Mitsuhide's manor. So it was decided that I would stay the night in the castle. I decided to turn in and headed to my room for the evening.

Once I was alone, I eagerly opened my letter from Mitsuhide.

Ava,

I am sorry that this trip has taken longer than expected. I do hope you're behaving while I am away. I believe I am close to being finished with my business and that I will be home in the next few days. Do take care of yourself for me...I promise when I return I will reward you for your patience. I love you always.

Love,

Mitsuhide

"You better be coming home soon, Mitsuhide." I said, as I finished reading the letter. I could hear the teasing and yet sweet tone of his voice as I read the letter...and the steamy promise in the last lines.

I fell asleep that night with a smile on my face as I hugged his letter to my chest. It was a couple of days later, I woke up in the room Mitsuhide and I shared. My head was pounding and my body ached all over.

"Lady Ava..." A familiar voice called from outside my door.

"Saki?" I asked.

She opened the door and smiled brightly at me. "I thought we could walk to the castle together today." She then noticed my appearance. "You're still in bed? You're face looks quite red as well. Are you feeling alright?"

"Just a little...headache." I answered, though I knew it was more.

Saki walked over and knelt down by the futon. She placed her hand gently over my forehead. "Goodness you have a terrible fever, Lady Ava."

"A fever?" came the voice of one the maids.

It was decided that I would stay home and in bed, resting. Saki agreed to take word of my fever to the castle. I wanted to argue, but I knew everyone was right. I was also feeling terribly weak and unable to get up from the bed.

"I hope I'm better before Mitsuhide comes home." I muttered to myself right before I fell back to sleep.

Mitsuhide...

Mitsuhide arrived back in Azuchi in the morning light. It was still rather early, the merchants were just opening up their shops in the market. He quickly made his way to the castle to report to Nobunaga and finish up any work he would have for the day. Then his goal was to find Ava and steal her away for the rest of the day.

"Ah, I see you have returned, Mitsuhide." Nobunaga greeted him as he walked into the tenshu.

"My lord." Mitsuhide greeted with a bow.

"I take it your mission was successful?"

"Indeed. The rebellion was taken care of before it could ever truly begin."

"Good." Nobunaga said, smiling.

Mitsuhide continued giving his report and the two discussed some other matters before Nobunaga was excusing Mitsuhide. Once he left the tenshu, he was greeted by his most loyal vassal, Kyubei. Mitsuhide had set for him as soon as he had arrived.

"Welcome back, my lord." Kyubei greeted him.

"Thank you and did you bring me those reports I asked you for?"

"Yes." Kyubei answered handing him the reports. "You are wanting to get your work all taken care of so you can spend the day with Lady Ava?"

Mitsuhide eyed his vassal. "You are becoming quite bold, Kyubei."

"I was only asking because I have something to tell you about Lady Ava."

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Mitsuhide asked, having a hard time concealing his worry.

"She has a fever. She's stayed home in bed today."

Just as Mitsuhide was about to turn towards the exit, he was greeted by a familiar voice. "There you are, Mitsuhide. You have a lot of explaining to do."

Mitsuhide turned to see Hideyoshi coming up to him. "You've come to scold me again, mother?" He teased.

"You listen here, Mitsuhide. You disappeared off to who knows where and then just popped back in. You had better give me a detailed explanation of what happened."

"I just finished giving our lord my report. If you'd like to know, I am sure he would be happy to share the details with you. Now if you'll excue me, I have just been informed that my dear bride-to-be is in need of my care." Then without giving Hideyoshi time to stop him, Mitsuhide headed off.

He went to Ieyeasu first to get some medicine. "She worked herself too hard again and made herself sick?" Ieyasu asked as he handed Mitsuhide the medicine.

"It would appear that way." Mitsuhide anwered. "Thank you."

Once he had the medicine, Mitsuhide was heding towards his manor and the room he shared with Ava. When he walked in, she was sound asleep in their futon. She had kicked off the heavy futon cover off in her sleep and her kimono was in disarray. Her face was clearly flushed with the fever and a light sweat coated her skin.

Mitsuhide looked at her with tender concern in his eyes. He left the room to grab a few more things and then returned with a bowl of cool water and two hand towels. He knelt down in the futon and gently pulled his beloved closer and rested her head in his lap. He picked up a hand towel and rung out the excess water before folding it up and placing it gently on her forehead. He then grabbed the other and dipped it in the cool water before dabbing at her face and then the exposed skin of her neck and chest.

"Ng..." Ava groaned and then her bleary eyes opened.

"Shh, it's alright little one." Mitsuhide spoke to her, his voice gentle.

"Mi..tsu...hide?" She asked, her eyes unable to focus from the fever. "Are you...home or am I dreaming?"

Mitsuhide smiled at her. "I assure you, I am home."

"Mmm...I'm sorry." She mumbled. "You're finally home...and I'm sick."

"You have nothing to apologize for. Though if you wouldn't push yourself so hard, you wouldn't get so sick."

"You've got...room to...talk." Ava countered.

Mitsuhide chuckled lightly. "True, but I would like to see better for my beloved." He was then gently running hi fingers through her hair.

"Hmm...feels nice." Ava murmured sleepily.

Mituhide reached over for the medicine and spoon he had brought form Ieyasu. "Before you fall back to sleep you need to take this."

"Is that...Ieyasu's?" Ava asked.

"Yes."

Ava made a face. "No...tastes gross."

Mitsuhide chuckled. "My dear you have to take it to bring down this fever. Be a good girl now and I'll make sure you get a reward."

Ava grumbled unintelligably but then parted her lips as Mitsuhide brought the spoon of medicine closer. She took it and swallowed, making another face as it hit her tongue.

"There, now have some water." He said, helping her to sit up just a bit more and then holding a cup of water to her lips.

Ava drank the cool water and then was settling back down onto the futon, Mitsuhide's lap serving as her pillow.

He bent down and kissed her forehead. "See, now that wasn't so bad."

Ava gave a sleepy smile to him. "Guess not."

Mitsuhide began stroking her hair once again. "Just rest now, I'll be right here with you." He assured her.

"Hmm...love you.. Mitsuhide." Ava said, her eyes already closing.

He smiled. "And I love you, Ava."

Mitsuhide continued to sit there with Ava's head resting in his lap. He kept the towel dampened on her forehead with cool water and used the other to keep dabbing at her face and neck and chest. He gazed at her tenderly, watching as the redness in her cheeks slowly began to cool, signaling the fever also coming down.

"While I would much rather you be well, coming home to care for you is quite...enjoyable." He mused to her sleeping form. "Seeing you rest so peacefully on me."

He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there like that when there was a knock on the door. It slid pen before he had a chance to reply and Masamune was entering carrying a tray with a covered dish on it.

Mitsuhide quikly pulled the futon cover back over Ava to hide the disarray her kimono was in. "Why must you aways barge in here as if it is your home?" Mitsuhide asked.

"Ah, you're back. I hadn't heard that." Masamune said with a smile, ignoring Mitsuhide's question. "Did hear that the lass was sick with a fever again. Thought she could use some nice soup to help her recover."

Masamune was then walking over to sit the tray down beside Ava's sick bed. He was then taking a seat there as well.

"You've delivered the soup, you can go now." Mitsuhide said.

Masamune smiled at his friend. "Now, now here I am trying to help and you're trying to get rid of me. Don't tell me she's not really sick and knew you were back before anyone else and took the day off to spend with you?" He said, a teasing smile on his face.

Mitsuhide just glared at him. "Trust me if that were the case, you wouldn't have come in the door because...well it would have been rather obvious."

Masamune chuckled. He stayed for a while to chat with Mitsuhide before leaving, giving him the instructions on warming the soup up whenever Ava stirred.

Ava...

I woke up and looked at the room around me. The walls were all modern and decorated with posters of my favorite fashion designers and a couple of idol groups I loved as a teenager.

"Awe, you're awake. I'm so happy to see that."

I turned my head and saw my grandmother sitting beside my bed, smiling at me. "Obaasan?"

"You gave me quite the scare you know that. Your work called and told me you collapsed with a fever. You've been working yourself too hard again."

"I just...I know things are tight. I just...I really need to save up for design school."

Obaasan smiled at me. "You're so much like your mother at her age. She would work herself sick all the time."

"I know." I replied.

"You just have to slow down and take better care if yourself, alright? And don't worry, I'll be right here with you." Obaasan was then taking my hand and giving it a squeeze before kissing me gently on the forehead.

"Obaa-san?" I murmured sleepily, as consciousness slowly came to me.

I heard a faint chuckle from above me. "I think you're a bit off, my dear little mouse."

My eyes popped open and Mitsuhide's face came into view. He was leaning over me, a teasing smile on his lips. "When did you get home?" I asked.

"This morning." He answered. "I gave my report to Lord Nobunaga and when Kyubei found me, he told me you were sick in bed with a fever."

"Have...you...have you been taking care of me since you got home?" I asked.

"Of course." Mitsuhide answered. "I see you don't remember when I first got here and you woke up."

"I remember waking up this morning and feeling terrible." I said. "Did...did I say anything embarrassing?" I'd been having some crazy fever dreams since I had fallen back to sleep.

"Oh nothing too terrible." Mitsuhide answered, mischief in his eyes. "Just your undying love for me and how much you missed me. You even tried to disrobe, telling me you needed me so."

I felt my face heating up. "I...I did not. You're teasing me right now."

Mitsuhide laughed. "Don't be so sure. Just look at the state your kimono is in. It took everything in my power to push you back into bed and keep your clothes on you."

I looked down at myself and my kimono was definitely in a state, for sure. My shoulders were bared and one leg was sticking out. My breasts were just barely contained in my night robes. Though I knew that this could easily happen from sleeping not so peacefully, my mind couldn't concretely deny the posibility that Mitsuhide's words were the truth.

Mitsuhide's laughter pulled me from my thoughts. "I see the conflict in your eyes. You can't tell if you believe me or not."

I glared up at him. "Okay, now I know you're just teasing me."

"Well, you did just call me grandmother. I couldn't let you get by with that." He replied, that teasing smile on his face.

"I was still dreaming." I replied, huffily.

Mitsuhide bent down, removing a towel from my forehead as he did, and then placing a gentle kiss there. "Your fever seems to be gone." He said with relief. "How are you feeling?"

I couldn't help but to melt a little at the tenderness in his eyes. He must have been so worried about me. I thought. "My head still hurts and my body aches a bit still, but definietly better than I felt this morning."

"Good." He said. "Are you hungry? Masamune brought over some soup a little while ago for you."

"I could eat." I replied.

Mitsuhide was then helping me to sit up, only then did I realize I had been using his lap as my pillow. He remain sitting behind me and then pulled me into his lap and brought the tray over for me. I thought about telling him I could sit up on my own, but decided against it and leaned back into him.

"And here I half expected you to tell me you didn't need to use me as your chair." He teased.

"Hm...well I missed you and being in your arms after so long apart...it's nice."

I felt his arms wrap around me then, pulling me closer. His lips were at my ear. "Then in my arms you shall stay."

I snuggled into Mitsuhide's embrace as he hugged me tighter and kissed the top of my head. "I love you, Mitsuhide."

"And I you, Ava." He replied. He was hen reaching for the spoon on the tray of soup. "Now, here let me continue to take care of you."

"I can feed myself." I said, feeling my cheeks redden.

"Now, now you have to keep your strength up, which means conserving your energy, which means alowing me to do these little things for you." He said, his voice soothing.

I relented and allowed Mitsuhide to feed me. When I had finished, Mitsuhide set the tray aside and gathered me into his arms all the more tightly.

"Now what were you dreaming about?" Mitsuhide asked, stroking my hair.

"Hmm?"

"When you were waking up, and called me your grandmother, you said you were dreaming." He answered. "What were you dreaming about?"

"Oh...well it was...kind of more of a memory." I answered. "Just about a time my Obaasan took care of me when I was sick when I was younger."

"Was that a rare occurance?"

"No." I answered. "My mother died in an accident when I was young and my dad...he didn't have any idea how to take care of a young daughter...so my grandmother raised me."

"I see." Mitsuhide replied. "Well, at least I know I don't remind you of your grandmother."

I looked up at the sound of his teasing voice. "Oh I would never make that mistake."

Mituhide chuckled and kissed my forehead.

Though he was usually good about hiding his thoughts, but I could tell there was something hiding in his eyes. I lifted my hand up to touch his cheek. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, my dear."

"I know there's something bothering you, what is it?"

"It's nothing...I just missed you." He replied, though I wasn't quite sure that was all that was bothering him. He was then kissing the palm of my hand.

"I missed you, too." I replied, figuring that I would drop the subject for now. Partly because he didn't seem to want to talk about it and partly because I was so tired.

He was then lifting his hand up and his thumb was stroking beneath my eyes. "You look sleepy. You need to rest."

"Hmm, but then I'll miss you." I replied before letting out a yawn.

"I will stay right here with you." He reassured me. He was then lying us both back in the futon and pulling the cover over us. He kept me in his arms.

I snuggled close, breathing in his scent. His hands were rubbing soothing circles in my back. I soon found myself falling into a dreamless sleep.

Mitsuhide...

Mitsuhide laid there holding his love in his arms. She slept soundly, a peaceful expression on her face. A twinge of sadness was in his heart as he looked at her, so many thoughts swirling through his head.

He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "You've given up far more than I anticipated, my little mouse." He murmured to her sleeping form.