Chapter 1

I woke to the morning sun streaming in through the open window. The fall crisp fall air, filling the room. I rolled over and found that I was alone in the futon, however there was a letter beside me. I opened it up and found Shingen's handwriting.

Good morning, my love. I am saddened by the face that I was unable to be there when you awoke this morning...I miss my good morning kisses and the way you look in the morning light. However Sasuke and Yuki were quite adament that I could not see you this morning. I am counting the hours until I see you later this afternoon. I would count the seconds, but there are far too many of those. I do hope you got plenty of rest last night because once we are alone, we will have much to celebrate tonight and sleep is not something I plan on either of us having much of. Until our wedding, I will be missing you.

Love,

Shingen

I couldn't help the smile that came to my face. Today was the day we had been planning for the last few weeks. I sat up in bed, the excitement and my happiness overflowing. Just then the door opened and a group of maids were coming in.

"Good morning Lady Ava." Otsuna, an older maid, who I learned had played a large part in helping raise Shingen.

"Good morning, Otsuna." I greeted, smiling brightly.

She returned my smile with a warm one of her own. "We have your breakfast and as soon as you are finished, we will be getting you bathed and ready for the big day."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it." I said, bowing.

Otsuna smiled. "How many times must I tell you, you don't have to bow to me? You are about to marry my lord after all, making you the lady of this castle."

"Probably every day for the rest of time." I answered. "I was raised to show respect to everyone. In my home town station doesn't really matter."

"One of the many reasons we all love you." She replied. "Now hurry up and eat my lady."

I was getting up and eating and soon I was being led out of the room and to the bath. While I normally bathed myself or occasionally was bathed by Shingen when we bathed together...okay that actually happened quite often, but you know sexy times and all...Otsuna and the other maids insisted on bathing me.

"I can't wait to see how this wedding is going to be." Otsuna told me as she washed my hair. "I hear you are blending in some traditions from your hometown?"

"Yes, we are." I answered. "Starting with the one where it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."

"You sound quite disappointed with that one." She teased.

"It's silly superstition." I replied. "But then again it is nice to participate in some of the traditions."

"And Master Sasuke will be helping with performing the ceremony how they do in your hometown?" Otsuna asked.

"Yes."

"It's still so strange how you two are from the same place. I mean since it is such a far away place and yet you both ended up here."

Same time. I thought, however only Shingen, Yukimura, and Kenshin knew that. "Yes, life can be funny sometimes."

Once my bath was over, I was getting out and drying off. I was wrapped in a comfy robe and then taken to have my hair and makeup fixed. I insisted on nothing too fancy though. It just didn't feel like me or like Shingen, like us.

My hair was put in a simple yet stylish bun with a golden hair pin that had some small red jewels on it. My makeup was very simple, just a bit of color on my lips and cheeks. Now it was time to get dressed. I couldn't help but to smile as I slipped into the kimono I had made for the wedding.

It was made of the same scarlet color as were pictured in the Takeda banners. I had done some floral embroidery, small and delicate in black and gold thread, just along the hem at the bottom. I wore a black and gold obi sash that was tied by a scarlet cord, matching the scarlet of the kimono.

"You look absolutely beautiful." Otsuna told me, smiling.

"Thank you." I said, seeing the warm affection in her eyes.

Just a few more minutes went by and then I was being led out of the room and to a small garden area, where we had decided to have the wedding. We were blending Sengoku traditions and modern traditions to create our very own unique wedding.

When I walked out to the garden, our closest friends were there waiting for us. Shingen stood, waiting for me. He looked so handsome in the kimono I had made for him. I made it in the same colors as mine, though minus the floral embroidery. He smiled as soon as he saw me and reached out his hand.

I placed my hand in his, returning the happy smile. His large hand enveloped my own and he was leading me to a small table where we knelt down. The table was set up between two trees that formed a natural canopy and with the changing of the leaves, looked breathtaking. Kenshin had surprised me by being there at the table performing a tea ceremony.

We had practiced the steps over and over in the past few weeks. Shingen and I exchanged tea cups as part of the tradition. We finished the tea ceremony and then turned to face each other, knee to knee. Shingen took my hands in his, his eyes locked with mine. Sasuke came up and knelt beside us holding a pillow with two weddings wooden bands Shingen had made for us. The rings were simple and yet absolutely stunning, made from a Japanese Maple and polished up. He had also carved the characters for True Love on the bands.

We had written our own vows for the occasion. "Ava, you came into my life, carrying with you the spark of life. I had long ago resigned myself to fate and yet you changed my fate. You have brought me so much love and joy that I had thought I would never see. You are my goddess, my angel, who has made all of my dreams come true. I swear to you that I will spend the rest of my life giving you the same joy and happiness and loving you every second as you deserve." After pledging his vows to me, Shingen took one of the rings and slid it onto my left ring finger.

I could feel the tears of joy welling up in my eyes. His words had been absolutely beautiful and I knew he truly meant them from his heart. "Well, I don't know how I'm going to follow that up." I found myself saying, making Shingen chuckle and earning a laugh from our gathered loved ones.

Shingen reached up a hand to wipe away my tears and give me an encouraging look.

I smiled at him. "Shingen, I never expected when we met for you to be serious. I took you for a flirt...a handsome flirt, but still a flirt. But then as I got to know you, I couldn't think of anything else but you and wanting to know more. Before I knew it I had fallen completely in love with you. You have made me the happiest I have ever been and I can't imagine being with anyone else. I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life with you, sharing all of the love in my heart and making you as happy as you have made me." I was then taking the other ring from the pillow and placing it on Shingen's left ring finger.

"I now prnounce you husband and wife." Sasuke said. "You may kiss the bride."

Shingen smiled at me as he wrapped his arms around me. "The part I've been waiting for." He said before pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was warm and tender and full of love and joy.

We broke the kiss after a few moments, but Shingen still held me in his arms, looking at me as if no one else were there with us. "My wife." He said, smiling at me.

I couldn't help but to smile back. "My husband."

"You guys do know the rest of us are still here, right?" Yukimura spoke up.

"Cut them a break." Sasuke said. "They did just get married."

"Yeah, but you don't live with them." Yukimura said. "They're always like this."

"I think you forget I spent time with them after Shingen had been healed." Sasuke countered.

"Can we get to the banquet already?" Kenshin asked. "I need some sake...and entertainment before I get bored."

While I could feel my cheeks heating up from bashfulness, I also couldn't help but to laugh at our friends. Shingen joined me in my laughter. "Some things never change." He said. "Alright, let us celebrate!"

We were all heading inside then to the dining hall. Shingen kept his arm wrapped around me as we walked. We all took our seats to enjoy the food and sake. When I went to sit beside Shingen, he surprised me by pulling me into his lap.

"Beside you isn't close enough?" I asked, my tone teasing as I looked up at him.

"Never." He answered, kissing my brow.

"You know, I didn't think they could get any worse and yet here they are." Yukimura complained. Though I could see a smile on his face. He was very happy for us.

"Yuki, you might learn something about women and how to treat them by watching us." Shingen replied, teasing. "If you don't learn, how are you ever going to start a family?"

"I will never understand your obsession with wanting your best vassal to have a family. Having attachments dulls your blade. Look at Sasuke, he's the perfect ninja." Kenshin said. "No attachments and his loyalty is to me."

"I think people fight better when they have someone they love to fight for." Shingen countered. "Besides, love is the best thing life has to offer."

When he said that last part, Shingen hugged me tighter to him. "I can agree with that." I said.

"It appears my goddess is on my side once again." Shingen spoke, smiling.

"Were we in a battle?"Kenshin asked. "If so, we should really put our strengths to the test. You and Yukimura versus me and Sasuke. Then we'll see which one of us is right."

"Sorry, but I have better things to be spending my energy on tonight." Shingen replied and then gave me a wink.

I giggled and my cheeks reddened. Then I looked over at Kenshin. "How about no fighting on my wedding day, okay?"

"Here, have more sake and pickled plums, Lord Kenshin." Sasuke said, pouring Kenshin another cup and handing him another plate full of pickled plums.

The party continued and soon musicians were brought in, which I had not been expecting. It was then that Sasuke was announcing that we would be doing some more traditions from our "hometown."

"What traditions are you talking about now?" I asked, eyeing Sasuke suspiciously. The only ones that really were left that involved the music would be first dance and a father-daughter dance, which we clearly couldn't do as my father was somewhere five hundred years in the future.

"This is usually the point in our hometown where the bride would dance with her father. Since that is not possible in this case, we are changing it up a little." Sasuke declared. He was then walking over to me and offering his hand.

I took his offered hand and allowed him to pull me up. "What are we doing?" I asked.

"You'll be dancing with me, as a big brother of sorts." He answered, leading me out to the middle of the room.

"Awe, Sasuke." I said. feeling myself getting emotional.

"I am quite happy for you, Ava." He told me as we danced. "You and Shingen seem to be perfect for each other."

"Thank you." I said.

We danced for a few more moments before Yukimura was cutting in. "Alright, my turn." He said. "Your next brother."

I smiled at him. "You guys are too sweet."

"Oh for me this is more about torturing Lord Shingen." Yukimura said with a teasing grin.

"What, are you playing keep away with me now, is that it?" I asked.

"Something like that." He answered. He was then looking down at the floor. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For saving Lord Shingen and for making him so happy." He answered. "I know I give you guys a hard time, but I am really happy for you two."

"I knew you were secretly sweet." I teased.

Yukimura rolled his eyes. "I swear you two were made for each other."

After a moment more with Yukimura, Kenshin was coming up to us. "Okay, my turn."

"You, too?" I asked, very surprised.

"Only because Sasuke and Yukimura promised to train with me later." Kenshin replied, taking my hand in his and pulling me into a dance with him.

I smiled and hid my laughter. Though he said it was for a bribe I knew it was because he actually did care about Shingen and me. "Well, I am happy that you agreed to it."

"Don't be so happy." Kenshin replied. "It will also annoy Shingen and after all that I put up with while he lived in my castle, he deserves a little payback."

"I also wanted to thank you for presiding over the tea ceremony at the wedding. You did a wonderful job and it really means a lot to us." I told him.

Kenshin just sighed. "It wasn't as boring as I expected it to be." Despite his words, he had a tender look on his face.

We danced a few more moments before Shingen was coming up to us. "Alright, I think you have all had your fun in playing keep away with my bride long enough." He said, his tone playful as always.

That was when I saw the look in Kenshin's eyes change. He was then wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me against him, while drawing his sword with the other. "If you want her back that badly, you'll have to fight me for her. She is my hostage now."

Shingen arched a perfect brow. "I thought we just went over the fact that I will not be spending all of my energy on a fight with you when I have my wedding night with my bride tonight."

"You're cured, aren't you? You should have plenty of energy to spare now that your health has returned." Kenshin countered.

"Come on, that's enough Kenshin. Put the sword away and let me go." I said, biting back laughter. It was strange how this had all become normal to me.

"This bastard owes me a fight." Kenshin said, looking at Shingen.

"Lord Kenshin, I already promised to train with you if you behaved." Sasuke said.

"But we train all the time. I haven't had a good fight with my greatest rival in ages." Kenshin countered.

"Just let Ava go already." Yukimura said. "Besides you won't just be fighting Sasuke, you'll be fighting me too. I can probably convince a few others to join in. Make it a real challenge for you."

"Just come and drink your sake for now. We'll train tomorrow." Sasuke said, acting as the amazing handler he was. "With Shingen's permission maybe we can even explore the ceilings here. I can even set some traps for you."

Kenshin sighed and released me, putting his sword away. "Alright." He was then walking away to take his seat once more.

Shingen then pulled me into his arms smiling. "And here I thought we could get through one evening without Kenshin pulling out his sword."

"It wouldn't be a party if he didn't." I replied, as we began to sway to the music. "It makes sense now why he agreed to the dance, though."

Shingen laughed. "You don't realize how much everyone else cares for you, too." He replied. "If I'm not careful there's a line of men who would gladly steal you from me."

"I doubt that." I replied. "But in any case, you're the only one for me. There's no one else I'd rather spend my life with."

Shingen lifted a hand to cup my cheek. "You keep speaking like that and I'll have to take you from this party early." He said, his voice low and seductive.

"And that would be a bad thing?" I asked playfully, desire already sparking in me with the promise of his words.

"Well, there are a couple of more surprises that I don't think you'll want to miss." Shingen replied.

"Like what?" I asked.

"We had some gifts sent over...from Azuchi." He answered.

My eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I know in my last letter to them I told them we were getting married...but we hadn't figured out when yet."

"I wrote them." Shingen answered. "For obvious reasons, I couldn't invite any of them, but I did want to have something for you. I know you care about them."

I felt myself tearing up. At Shingen's thoughtfulness of writing to Nobunaga and the others even though they were still enemies. And at my friends' thoughtfulness to send a gift even though I was marrying their enemy. I had no words. I just stretched up and gave Shingen a kiss. "Thank you." I said to him.

"Anything for you my princess." He told me, kissing my brow.

It was then that the gifts were being brought in. One of the gifts was a delicious dessert prepared by Masmune. The other was several bolts of fabric that they had sent for me in my work. There was also a letter, which I read.

Ava,

Though your choice in a husband is one we can't agree with, we all wish you well and only want you to be happy. We hope to have another visit from you to Azuchi soon. Lord Nobunaga has kept your room at the castle as you left it and it will always remain here for you. Should you ever come to your senses to leave Shingen, we will welcome you back here with open arms.

Your friends and family always,

Nobunaga

Hideyoshi

Mitsunari

Mitsuhide

Masamune

Ieyasu

"I can't say that was the most flattering letter." Shingen said. "But as I told you earlier, there is a line of men ready to take you away from me should I give them the chance."

"No one can take me from you." I told him, folding the letter up and putting it away. "My heart is yours, along with the rest of me."

Shingen smiled at me, pulling me close. He gently kissed me on the lips. "As I am yours." He said, but there was a fire in his eyes.

I could see the emotions there, all mixing. Love, passion, desire, and a hint of jealousy. I found my own desire sparking, a roaring flame deep within me at that look. I felt heat through my kimono wherever he touched me.

"I think it is time we call it a night and go to our room." He said in that seductive purr.

I nodded. "Yes."

Shingen turned to everyone. "Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate. Stay and enjoy the food and sake for as long as you like. Good night." He was then sweeping me up into his arms and carrying me out of the room.

As soon as the doors were closed behind us and we were in the main hall, Shingen's lips were on mine in a passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling myself as close as possible to him. We broke the kiss, but he kept me in his arms and carried me all the way to our room. He didn't set me down until we were to the futon. Then he was over me.

We were a tangle of limbs as we kissed once again. Shingen's hands expertly untied my obi as his lips traveled down my neck and then back up it to my ear. "I almost forgot to tell you how beautiful you look tonight." He whispered to me. "It's almost a shame to undress you after you worked so hard on our wedding clothes...almost."

I shivered as his words washed over me. I was sliding my hands to untie his kimono as well. Soon we had each other bared and we were skin to skin. Shingen raked his teeth over my ear, where he knew I was so sensitive. His hands enveloped my bared breasts, all eliciting moans from me.

"I have so much to make up for from not getting to love you last night." He murmured, his warm breath washing over my flesh. He pulled back to look at me, his gaze all fire and love. He took a teasing finger and ran it from the base of my throat, between my breasts, and over my stomach.

I shivered in response to his touch. My eyes were already half-lidded with the pleasure that coursed through my body. Oh the things his touch does! I thrilled internally. "Sometimes the anticipation helps to build the pleasure." I replied, coyly.

Shingen gave me a wicked smile. "Is that so?" He was then leaning over me, kissing my neck. He rested a hand on my thigh, his thumb rubbing in circles teasingly close to my inner most heat and yet just staying out of reach.

I gasped. "What are you doing?" I asked, though I already knew.

Shingen smiled at me. "Using anticipation to build your pleasure." He answered.

"More like teasing me to frustrate me." I said.

Shingen chuckled and leaned in once again, kissing my neck. He then brought his thumb to that senstive cluster of nerves and continued that circular motion he had been doing on my thigh. He then thrust a finger inside, working up a rythm.

"Ah...Sh...Shin...gen!" I cried out as he finally gave me what I most craved.

I felt his lips curve into a smile on my neck. "I can deny my princess nothing." He whispered to me as he continued to work me.

All too soon he withdrew his fingers from me. I was about to pout when I felt him position himself between my parted legs, wrapping them around his hips. He was then filling me in a more complete way.

My bucking hips met each of his powerful thrusts. We were lost to pleasure, neither of us able to speak only gasps and moans escaped our lips as we crested that wave of ecstasy together.

We spent the rest of the evening making love like this before finally collapsing and falling asleep in each others embrace. I had never felt more happy or more loved.