Chapter 2

It was a total of three days before I was completely recovered from my sickness. Mitsuhide had taken care of me the entire time. He was so attentive and didn't leave my side for a moment from the time he returned home. He even managed to complete all of his work, by having his desk pulled close and would write and whatever else he needed to do while I slept with my head in his lap. All of that just so he could stay with me.

I woke up feeling just like myself again. I was wrapped in Mitsuhide's arms .He was already awake and gazing at me with a gentle smile. "Good morning." I greeted him with a sleepy smile.

"Good morning, my dearest." He greeted me back. He was then kissing my forehead. "Your fever seems to be completely gone."

"Oh, so you were just checking my temperature." I replied, my tone playful. "I thought you were just showing me affection."

"I can't be doing both?" He asked, his smile turning teasing.

"I guess."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like myself again." I answered honestly. "No aches or pains today...and as you already said no fever."

"That is most excellent." He told me, smiling.

"I think I have your excellent care to thank for that."

"Well, I can't have my bride suffering now." He told me, lifting a hand to stroke my hair.

"I should probably be getting up soon so I can get back to work today."

"I don't think you should go back just yet." He told me, still stroking my hair.

"But I feel just fine."

"You should still have one more day to rest." He told me. "While I may be a lost cause in the self care department, that doesn't mean you should be. You should give yourself more time before getting back into your routine."

"I was already starting to feel mostly better yesterday anyways." I added.

"Well, if you won't listen to reason, then I shall have to give you something better." Mitsuhide said, that playful teasing smile on his face.

"What would that be?" I asked, though from his smile, I had an idea and my heart was beating hard for it.

He was then taking a single finger and running it down my cheek, then over the side of my neck, heading down to the slightly open part of my kimono. He leaned in closer then, his lips at my ear and his voice was smooth and pure seduction as he whispered. "I was gone for two weeks...my proper welcome home was a bit...delayed."

I felt myself shiver in response to the promise in his words.

"I haven't been able to tease you in quite a while." He went on, his lips moving to kiss my ear and then down my neck.

"Mmm...Mitsuhide...don't you...have work...to do?" I asked.

"Still trying to be responsible, are we?" He asked me with an amused chuckle, which danced over my skin. "If you are that worried, I have already finished all of my work. So all of my attention is yours." He was then back to kissing my neck.

"Mmm...well, if...you've already...taken care of...everything."

I could feel his lips curve into a smile on my neck. "That's a good girl." He then kissed back up my neck and then along my jawline. He finaly came to my lips, kissing me deeply and passionately. His tongue slipped past my parted lips and tangled with mine.

I moaned into the kiss as I felt the fire building inside me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself closer. After moments, Mitsuhide broke the kiss and pulled back slightly, lifting his hand to pull aside the collar of my kimono and he nipped at the tender flesh of my collar bones.

"I thought about you and everything I would do to you, every day while I was away." He told me, his voice husky with lust.

I felt my breath catch in my throat at the hunger in his eyes and his voice. "R...really?" I asked.

"Yes, really." He answered, his hands moving to untie my obi sash and open my kimono. His eyes drank in my form appreciatively and soon his lips were on mine once again. His hands roaming over my curves and lavishing them with attention. He cupped my breasts, his thumbs rubbing teasing circles around my nipples before he lightly pinched them.

I broke the kiss with the moan that escaped my lips from his touch. This caused him to chuckle in amusement.

"How I do love your reactions, Ava." He told me. "I couldn't get my mind off of you and the thought of you coming undone and writhing beneath me."

He was letting go of my breasts and sliding his hands down my body further. His lips were on my ear and then my neck, trailing kisses down as his hands went lower. Though his hands weren't going to the place where I wanted him, no needed him most. "Mmm...Mitsuhide...please?"

I felt his lips curve up into a smile on my neck. "What is it, my little mouse?"

"I need...more...you're not...low enough." I gasped out. I knew he knew exactly what I was asking for, but I answered him anyway. I was not patient enough to play coy in my desire for him.

He slipped a hand down between my thighs and found that sensitive nub and began to stroke. "Is this better?" He teased.

A jolt of pleasure instantly coursed through me and I cried out my answer. "Yes! Mitsuhide! Yes!"

He continued to stroke me finding that perfect rhythm. Just as I was getting closer, he changed tactics, resting his thumb against my bud and circling it before sliding a finger inside of me.

We kissed as he continued to stimulate me and I was reaching for him to undo his kimono. I wanted him so badly. I wanted his skin against mine. I wanted to return the pleasure he was so freely giving me. He drew his hand back for a moment only to return it, adding another finger. My hands trembled from my pleasure as I finished removing his clothes. Finally, I had him free. I trailed my hand down his defined chest, over his stomach and finally found his arousal. I grabbed it and began to pump his shaft.

Mitsuhide groaned into the kiss we shared. He pulled back, his fingers still inside me and his thumb still circling. "Hmm...it appears my little mouse...wants to play." He gasped out, having a hard time containing his pleasure.

"I only...want to...return...the...pleasure...you're...giving me...I want to...make you feel...as good...as you...AHHHH...make me...AHHHH...feel." I managed to get out between my gasps and moans.

Mitsuhide was then withdrawing his hand from me and grabbing my hand to remove it from him. I looked at him questioningly. The answering look in his eyes was an uncontrollable heat, I could almost feel. The next thing I knew, he was grabbing me by the waist and lifting my hips up and then he was suddenly sliding inside of me, his hips meeting mine.

"Ahhh...Mitsu...hide!" I cried out at the sudden fullness and the pleasure it brought.

He was leaning over me now, his lips once again at my ear. "When...you say...such...precious things...it only...make me...want you...more." He told me as he began to thrust.

I met each thrust with the bucking of my own hips. I felt the heat building up inside me and I was soon crying out his name over and over as each wave of pleasure crashed over me. When we both finally found release together, Mitsuhide called my name. Then he gathered me in his arms as he rolled to the side, taking me with him as he still remained inside of me.

Mitsuhide kissed my forehead and stroked my cheek gently with his fingertips. "You are far too beautiful for words." He told me.

I felt myself blush. "I'm glad you're home." I told him as I snuggled closer, resting my head against his chest.

We ended up spending the rest of the day in bed, making love off and on throughout the day. Oh the number of times I called his name...far far too man to keep count.

The next day after we woke up and had breakfast, we dressed and headed to the castle together. Mitsuhide held my hand as we walked through the castle town. I couldn't help the smile that came to my face.

"You look unabashedly happy, little mouse." Mitsuhide observed.

"I'm just happy you're home and we get to enjoy our walk together." I answered.

Mitsuhide brought our joined hands up and then placed a kiss on the back of mine. "I will always do whatever I can to keep that smile on your face." He told me.

"Lucky for you, that's pretty easy...you're the reason I smile."

"Well...I'm glad."

I looked up at him after that curt response. I could see a very slight flush on his cheeks. I felt my own grin widen. Haha! He's so cute when he blushes! This doesn't happen too often!

It was then we stopped walking and Mitsuhide lifted my chin with his fingers, his thumb tracing my lower lip. "Don't be too proud of yourself now, else I will have to steal this smug smile from your lips." He told me, his voice playful and suggestive.

My cheeks were now burning, but I glared at him, playfully. "You just can't let me have a moment of enjoying the fact that I made you blu..."

Mitsuhide stopped my words with a gentle kiss on my lips. "You saw nothing, little mouse."

I sighed, but still smiled at him. "If you say so."

We resumed our walk adn were soon reaching the castle. Mitsuhide walked me all the way to the room with the other seamstresses. "I'll come pick you up at the end of the day and we'll walk home together." He told me, lifing a hand to stroke my cheek.

I smiled up at my beloved. "That sounds perfect." I replied, glad to be back to our routine. I stretched up and we shared a brief peck on the lips before Mitsuhide was heading off and I went to join the other seamstresses.

Once I entered the room, I was instantly greeted by Saki throwing her armsaround me in a hug. "Oh, Lady Ava I am so glad you're feeling better and are back!"

I smiled as I returned her hug. "I'm glad to be back. I'm sorry if I worried you."

"Oh, you have nothing to apologize for. I was a little worried that first day, but I knew you would be well taken care of." Saki replied.

"We are all just glad to have you back." Ohatsu, the head seamstress said. "And you couldn't have come back at a better time. We just got another big order in."

"Well, then let's get to it." I said, smiling.

We all took our seats and got to work on the latest order. Naturally conversation started flowing as we worked. "I see Lord Mitsuhide has returned and you two are just as steamy as ever." Lin, another seamstress said to me.

"Yes, he came back the same day I took ill." I replied. "It's thanks to him that I am better. He took such god care of me."

"Oh, I bet he did." Saki said, waggling her eyebrows suggestively at me.

I couldn't help but to giggle and my cheeks turned red. "That only came after I was recovered."

"Well, I hope you recovered quickly because if I were you and I had Lord Mitsuhide taking care of me, I would want to be better very quickly." Jin remarked.

"Oh not me, I'd be happy to let him play doctor with me." Rin, yet another of my coworkers said.

"Hey now, that's my fiancé you're all fawning over." I replied, though I knew we were all teasing.

"Oh we fawn over all of them." Rin said.

"Yes, and if we're talking about playing doctor with any of them, then we should get Lord Ieyasu. I mean he is basically a doctor." Jin said. "And I'm betting he knows a thing or two about the human body."

"True, but then there's Lord Hideyoshi. He's so sweet and he makes time for everyone." Saki added.

"We can't forget about sweet Lord Mitsunari." Ohatsu said, surprising me by joining in on this conversation. She usually stayed out of these types of conversations being that she was an older woman.

We all looked at her surprised. "You think about Mitsunari?" I asked.

"I've seen him reading with those cute little glasses...and that sweet innocent looking smile of his." Ohatsu said. "I just feel like I'd like to teach that a boy a thing or two."

We were all just stunned to hear Ohatsu talk this way. We couldn't even giggle like we normally would.

She looked back at us. "What? You girls think just because I'm older that I can't get in on these things? That I don't think about all the handsome men we are around? I may be old, but I'm not dead."

Something in the way Ohatsu spoke reminded me of my grandmother and her spunk. I couldn't help but to laugh. "It's not really that. We know you're still a woman and have eyes." I told her. "We're just used to you not joining us on these parts of our conversations."

"Yeah, normally you just sit and sew quietly listening to us and giving us a disapproving look." Rin agreed with me.

"Oh, that's only to hide my laughter." She replied.

We all continued to talk and laugh as we worked. We ended up having so much fun and finishing our commission early. We then headed into the castle town together to do some shopping to stock up on supplies.

When we returned to the castle to put up our supplies, Ranmaru was there. He greeted us all with a smile. "Hello ladies!"

Everyone smiled instantly at his bright greeting. He was too sweet. Rin leaned over to Ohatsu, "There's another innocent you could teach." She whispered.

We all laughed at that, but thankfully Ranmaru hadn't heard or at least he pretended not to. "What brings you here, Ranmaru?" Ohatsu asked.

"Lord Nobunaga asked me to fetch Lady Ava." He answered. He then turned to me. "He wants you to attend council."

"Alright." I agreed, though I still didn't understand why Nobunaga would even want me there.

Ranmaru smiled and then came to take my hand and lead me away. "Alright, let's go Lady Ava!"

I waved to the girls. "I'll see you later." I called over my shoulder as I waved to them.

"Later!"Saki called back, waving.

Ranmaru and I were soon entering the main audience hall. Everyone else was already gathered there. I normally took a seat in the back of the room, but recently had started sitting with Mitsuhide. It felt both right and quite unusual, given that Mitsuhide was Nobunaga's left hand man.

"Everyone is here." Nobunaga said, as I took my seat beside my love. "Lord Tae Jun is seeking to ally with us. He is well connected and his policies and ideals line up well with my own."

I recognized the name. Lord Tae Jun controlled a large portion of shoreline which would be quite vital for us to have on our side. Being able to have open trade with other lands was something that would greatly help us and in this time the only way to do that was by sea. We had been in negotations with Lord Tae Jun for quite some time by this point.

"Hideyoshi, you will be going to finalize the alliance." Nobunaga went on.

"Yes, my lord." Hideyoshi promptly agreed.

"Mitsuhide, you will be joining him." Nobunaga added.

Oh come on Nobunaga! He just got back and you're already sending my overworked love away from me? I thought, though I did my best to school my features so that I wouldn't get a lecture from Hideyoshi.

"My lord is sending Mitsuhide with me really necessary?" Hideyoshi asked.

"Are you questioning our lord's orders?" Mitsuhide teased from beside me.

"Of course not." Hideyoshi replied. "I was just thinking of Ava. For some reason she has chosen you and you did just get back." He spat this part out in an abashed tone.

I had a hard time not laughing at Hideyoshi. I didn't doubt that consideration for me played a part in it, but it was also just how these two were.

"It is out of consideration for Ava that I am sending him." Nobunaga declared.

"What do you mean?" I asked, finally speaking up.

"Lord Tae Jun has requested to meet the Oda princess." He answered, an amused smile on his face. "I figured once Mitsuhide heard this news that there would be no stopping him from attending."

"Another man requests to meet my bride? I see. Thank you for your consideration, my lord." Mitsuhide said.

Not that I was going to question getting to go on a trip with Mitsuhide, I couldn't help but to ask aloud. "Why? Why would he request to meet me?"

"That remains to be seen." Nobunaga replied, his smile still amused. "You will all leave in three days."

There were a few other things discussed before council was dismissed. Mitsuhide and I walked home, holding hands once again. Though I was definitely looking forward to getting to join Mitsuhide on a trip for once, I couldn't help but to feel nervous.

"Ava."

I looked up at Mitsuhide as he said my name, his voice tender. "Yes?"

"You have been quiet since the news of our trip. Are you that nervous to go somewhere with me little mouse?" He asked, his tone teasing.

I glared at him. "You know that's not it."

He chuckled and then brought my hand up to his lips once again. "You have nothing to worry about. We do have three days to prepare and make you a proper princess. Then of course Tae Jun's territory is another three days ride."

"So...you're going to be playing my teacher again?" I asked, almost hesitantly.

A devilish grin came to Mitsuhide's face. "But of course."

I remembered how grueling my lessons with him had been in the first place. I remembered how much he crammed into my head in those first lessons. Now we had even less time than we'd had for those. Though I had become much stronger because of those lessons and I had skills to survive on my own. "Alright, then we should hurry home because you have a lot to teach me."

Mitsuhide smiled at my determination. "That's a good girl." He told me, leaning in to kiss my forehead. He was then leaning down to place his lips at my ear. "And now that we are lovers as well, I will have more rewards for you doing well in your lessons."

I felt a shiver of anticipation run down my spine. "Then I will definitely be the best student."

We made our way home quickly and my princess lessons began. Over the course of the next three days, Mitsuhide worked with me on proper etiquette and the customs of Tae Jun's lands. While Mitsuhide had been no less strict on these lessons than he had on our first lessons...he did indeed give me rewards, in kisses, touches, caresses.

We finished going through a practice dinner. "And look at that you didn't make any mistakes." He told me as he came up behind me and pulled me into his lap.

I smiled up at him as I leaned into his embrace. "Is this my reward for not making any mistakes?" I asked.

"Only the start of it." He answered, sliding one hand down my body and then pulling up the hem of my kimono, exposing my legs. He slid his hand up my thigh as he began to cover my neck in kisses. Soon his long fingers were between my thighs, stroking me.

"Ah...Mitsu...hide!" I cried out as he stimulated me.

"You've been such a good girl with your lessons." He told me. "You deserve a very fitting reward."

I felt his long fingers slide inside of me then and continue their work. "Ah!" I cried out and arched my back as the pleasure began to wash over me.

Mitsuhide continued to lavish me with kisses and stroke me with his fingers. I was completely undone, but still wanting more. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, his hand withdrew from between my thighs. I was about to cry from the sudden emptiness until I felt him repositioning us and moving both of our robes aside. Then, gripping my waist, he pulled my hips back onto him and thrust into me.

"Ah! Mitsu...hide!" I cried out once again.

"Ava!" He groaned my name as he continued to thrust, both of our pleasure building until we reached that peak together.

Afterwards we lay together, holding each other. Mitsuhide kissed my forehead. "You've been doing so well, it was hard for me to restrain myself as long as I have." He told me.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? You've been doing a good job of not letting that show."

He chuckled and then kissed me tenderly. "I think you are ready and will be a fine princess...my princess."

I smiled at him. "Well, if you think I can do it."

"I know you can."

We shared another kiss before snuggling up and falling asleep. The next day we met with Hideyoshi at the castle gates to head out.

"I hope you two are ready." Hideyoshi said.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I replied.

"Don't worry little mouse, I won't let you falter." Mitsuhide told me. "Just remember our lessons and eveyrthing will be just fine."

Hideyoshi looked at us. "Wait, you asked Mitsuhide to teach you how to be a proper princess?"

"Who else would I ask? He is a pretty good teacher." replied.

Hideyoshi sighed and shook his head. "This is going to be a disaster."

"I do know how to be proper when the time calls for it." Mitsuhide replied.

"Well, it's too late now." Hideyoshi said with a sigh. He then looked at me. "I still don't know what you see in him, but there must be something good in there if you love him and believe in him this much."

"Oh, don't act like you don't care, too Hideyoshi." I replied.

"We should get going. We don't want to be late." Mitsuhide said.

The three of us mounted our horses and then headed off. Though a part of me wanted to ride with Mitsuhide, I knew that I needed to be on my own horse when we arrived. Not to mention I couldn't let my riding lessons from Mitsuhide go to waste. It also felt good that I could ride beside him and keep up. It felt good that I could stand on my own next to my beloved.