From the Military Notes of Ishida Mitsunari…

Okatsu is asleep. Not the restless sleep that plagued her when we were in Genba castle – she appears relaxed. She curls up into me the way Kitty does (I hope this will not cause a problem with Kitty when we return to Azuchi, as I intend to continue sleeping with Okatsu). I believe she is happy.

I am certain I am… this happiness is something I never expected for myself. In fact, I did not realize that people could experience this depth of feeling.

She says that I don't need to be more than I was… but that doesn't matter. I already am.

We are-

She is awake.

Wait… who is at the doo-?

I'm not sure what woke me up. It might have been the sun, slanting through the window at an angle far too high to be morning. It might have been Mitsunari's fingers as he traced a line from my cheek to the corner of my mouth.

It might have been the sound of running feet and angry voices…

Whatever it was, by the time the door slid open and-

Hideyoshi…

Mitsuhide…

Nobunaga…

and Mai piled into the room…

I was awake.

"Where the hell have you two been?" Hideyoshi yelped it over Mai's apologetic, "I tried to stop them."

"Oh my." Mitsuhide leaned against the wall. "There was no need to take your fake engagement all the way into a fake honeymoon." He sent a mocking look toward the pile of disheveled bedding that was mostly covering us up. "That is rather going far and above the call of duty."

I refused to cower in front of either Hideyoshi's disapproval or Mitsuhide's teasing. At least Nobunaga seemed to be taking things calmly – ok, well, he seemed amused at Hideyoshi's bristling and Mitsuhide's sarcasm… so… calmly amused.

With perhaps a slight bit of bravado, I rearranged the blanket to confirm that the important bits were covered, then said, with equal bravado, "If you believe anything here was faked, you don't know Mitsunari as well as you think."

That, at least got smiles from Mai and Nobunaga, the expected scowl from Hideyoshi, and well, no response at all from Mitsuhide.

"During your activities," Hideyoshi sounded like he was choking on the word, "did it occur to either one of you that we might be concerned over your well-being? At least once in the past ten days, you might have considered sending word of your safety."

Mitsunari froze, although he had grabbed my hand and did not let it go. "I am sorry, Lord Hideyoshi. I did not realize so much time had passed."

Mai actually snort-laughed at that.

As I didn't want Mitsunari to get into any trouble (any more trouble), I turned to Mai and Nobunaga who, hopefully, would understand the subtext of my explanation. "For the majority of the time we were unaccounted for, we were in a situation where it was not possible to send a message." And… probably best to gloss over the past three days since we had arrived at this Inn.

The two of them spent a moment in silent communication. "Understood." Nobunaga nodded to himself. "Make yourselves presentable, after which we will discuss current matters- not the least of which will be to commend your performance in repelling Iekane's forces."

Put like that, it sounded like we had successfully pitched a project to a client, rather than, almost singlehandedly holding off an insurrection for three days… but, details.

Then Nobunaga turned, and more or less propelled Hideyoshi out of the room. Mai winked at us and followed. Mitsuhide paused at the door then asked, "I take it you were searching for Akihira."

"Yes, sir." Even naked, Mitsunari hadn't dropped his formality. Of course, it was possible that Mitsunari had forgotten he was naked. "Unfortunately, even his more regular contacts were not able to locate him."

Mitsuhide rubbed his chin and looked at me. "That suggests that you might be in need of a new master."

"Okatsu has no need to employment." Mitsunari pulled me closer to him so quickly I almost didn't have time to pull the blanket with me (yeah, he had forgotten that we were naked). "I am able to take care of her."

Oh dear.

It seemed that we did still have a few issues to work out. None of which were worth discussing while Mitsuhide was in the room.

"I believe I heard Nobunaga calling for you, Lord Mitsuhide." Blatant lie, but I should get credit for saying it with a completely blank face.

"You must have excellent hearing." Great. Trust Mitsuhide to want to stick around to tease us both.

"I do, in fact." I looked around for something to throw at him, but came up empty handed. "Perhaps any discussion of future employment should wait for Nobunaga as he did make a prior offer."

Go away.

Besides which, I doubted I could work full time for Mitsuhide without wanting to kill him – and I would be surprised if he didn't say the same thing about me.

"If you wish me to leave, Brat, you need only to ask." He made a show of looking at his nails as if to suggest that he was only sticking around because he had yet to be dismissed.

Beside me, I sensed Mitsunari about to object to the term, 'brat,' so I imitated Mitsuhide's bored tone. "Lord Mitsuhide, you have permission to take your leave of us."

"As you wish." He bowed and left.

"Okatsu-"

I placed my fingers on Mitsunari's lips, until I was certain Mitsuhide had left and was not lurking in the corridor as he had when… Wait- what was I remembering? I was suddenly hit with two blurry flashes of memories. In one, I ran into a corridor carrying a bundle of clothing and nearly collided with Mitsuhide. Before I could sort though that, it was replaced by another image, another corridor, this one red and black, garish almost, that spun dizzily around while Mitsuhide scooped me up and said something about a head injury…

Neither of these things had happened.

Had I just gotten a flash of Katsuko's memories? Of Kayten's? Or of another of the so-called alternate's?

I rubbed my eyes, trying to push away the invading pictures. Was this what Kayten had to deal with all the time? No wonder she was so… difficult.

"Okatsu?" Mitsunari looked at me with concern. "You appeared to be … in pain."

Oh, he was so, so much better at understanding my emotions these days. Of course we had just spend the last seventy-two hours exploring each other physically and emotionally – basically it had been a love language immersion class. "I'm fine. Just remembering a … weird dream."

Maybe it would be good idea to think of the other Katsukos' lives as a dream. Otherwise, I might end driving myself crazy for real. Had any of the other (sigh) alternates gotten flashes of my life? If so, I hoped they had enjoyed the last three days.

I know I certainly had.

Keeping my smile (and probably leer) hidden, I watched as Mitsunari got up and gathered the clothing that was scattered around the room. Oh. He did have a nice butt. Not quite Captain America level, but, darned close. Oooh. I can now objectify my fake fiancée!

Hm… was our engagement still fake?

Mitsunari turned around and caught me staring. "Okatsu, I love you, but I do not wish to keep Hideyoshi waiting. If you continue to look at me like that, that is certainly what will happen."

"Understood. My apologies." I needed to get dressed too, of course. At least for me, I had a change of clothing that I had grabbed before leaving Genba. Poor Mitsunari was stuck in the clothing that had gotten rained on.

Aside from a couple of corner of my eye glances at my maybe-not-fake fiancé, I managed to get up and get dressed, without pulling Mitsunari back to bed for round twelve.

Once I was dressed in Katsu-the-messenger's clothing, I noticed Mitsunari was regarding me with a frown. "What's wrong? Does this hakama make me look fat?"

"Fat? You are perfect, no matter what you are wearing." He pulled me in for a quick kiss. "It is only that when you dress this way, I remember your work can be dangerous."

Oh right. We do still need to settle this first (sorry Hideyoshi). "It can be, but I can take care of myself." I put my hand up to stop his automatic protest. "Yes, I know you can take care of me as well. But I like what I do. As much as I love you, I wouldn't be me if I sat around all day and did nothing."

And then, because he still hadn't responded, I hugged him tighter. "Anyway, I don't even know who I will be working for. Nobunaga may want me to work as a translator." But hopefully not all the time. It could get pretty boring to be stuck inside with papers and such. "As for Mitsuhide, I don't think he would really ask me to do anything dangerous – he has his own spies and Kyubei for that."

"I hope you are correct." He kissed the top of my head. He was still holding on tightly, so I don't know how much of that had gotten through.

"We have time to figure it out." That was the best perk – since I had arrived in this era, I had been in a sort of limbo, while I searched for Toshiie and a way home. But now, I was home, and I knew where Toshiie was. If I could only figure out what had happened to Aki, it would be perfect. Although at least I knew that there were other people looking for him too… other versions of me looking for him. And since the other versions had also been trained by Aki, surely one of us would find him.

"Where are your sandals?" That was the first question from Hideyoshi once we had all crowded into Nobunaga's rooms for a debriefing session.

Mitsunari looked down at his feet, as if he hadn't realized they were bare (quite possibly he hadn't). "I seem to have misplaced… oh." At the last minute, he finally must have remembered they were now a pile of ash.

"We tried to dry them off after they got soaked in the rain, and they fell in the firepit." I kept my smile as innocent as possible. Hideyoshi seemed satisfied with the explanation, but Mitsuhide game me a look that suggested he knew what we had been doing while the shoes went up in smoke.

"Something will be found for you to wear before we return to Azuchi." Nobunaga waved his hand in the air as if such a problem was beneath his notice. "If we can find nothing that fits, perhaps Mai can help."

"Of course. Also," Mai turned to me with a frown. "Shohime said she would pack up all your things and bring them to Azuchi." There was a note of hurt in her voice.

Right. When I left, I had abandoned the clothing she had made. I hadn't meant to hurt her feelings, but obviously I had. "I'm sorry. I would have loved to have taken them with me, but I thought I was returning to a life where they would not have been used." Not a lot of call for formal kimonos in modern Japan. I mean, I could have worn one on special occasions, if I had been a special occasion kind of girl. But. I wasn't. "I did take the blue-green one with me. I couldn't bear to part with it, even if it would have been impractical back in our village."

Mai continued to look a bit pouty, but she didn't say anything more. Looks like I had my work cut out for me to repair that relationship.

Nobunaga gently stroked her arm before moving the conversation along. "I am given to understand that your former employer went missing after the Battle of Genba?"

"Yes… my father, in fact." No use hiding it at this point, especially since Hikosane had already told Mitsuhide. To conceal it from Nobunaga after that would be disingenuous. "My intention was to look for him near our home in case he had somehow made his way back there. However the place was deserted – even his chatelaine was gone." And where was Fume anyway? Another thing I would need to investigate. I mean, I didn't like her, the feeling was mutual, but I hoped she was ok at least. "Our search led to a location where communication was impossible. Once we exhausted the search, we came here and intended to send you a message today."

Hopefully they would never discover that we had arrived on-

"The innkeeper noted that you and Mitsunari have been here for three days." Hideyoshi delivered that tidbit in the tone of an outraged parent… a.k.a his normal voice.

Thank Okitane. See if I send you a Christmas card this year.

"I am sorry, Lord Hideyoshi." Mitsunari punctuated that statement by bowing low to the floor. Should I do that too? "This was solely my responsibility, as Okatsu is not used to having people concerned about her."

The objection to this characterization of myself as a lost, orphaned waif (though 'orphaned' might be technically true) froze on my lips when Hideyoshi turned and gave me a gentle smile. "Okatsu, from now on, please understand that there are people who will worry if you are late or missing." Then he… patted me on the head.

!

I must have looked surprised at the gesture, for Mai turned and stage whispered, "You'll get used to that."

"Monkey is correct." Monkey? Nobunaga nodded at Hideyoshi. "You were instrumental in the Battle of Genba, and we will continue to consider you a Princess of the Oda, if that is your desire."

Well, I could do without the Princess designation, but now wasn't the time to protest. "I would like to continue living in Azuchi, in whichever capacity you would find useful. Thank you, Lord Nobunaga." Because it seemed like the proper protocol at this moment, I followed that up with a respectful bow.

"Excellent. I am certain your knowledge of the Nanban language will be useful indeed." He nodded to himself and I had a dark visions of a future filled with paperwork and official diplomatic functions.

That was fine. If I could be with Mitsunari, I'd eventually figure out how to arrange my days to my satisfaction (my nights, clearly, would be very satisfying). "As you wish, sir."

"It's settled then." Nobunaga waved us out of the room. As I made my escape, I heard Nobunaga and Mai making plans to visit the Inn's onsen.

I managed to avoid turning around to advise them that it was worth it to wait until night, when the stars over the vista of the mountains spread across the horizon like a velvet blanket. Nobody needed to know exactly how Mitsunari had spent our second night here.

It wasn't… completely settled.

Hideyoshi wanted to talk to me. Hopefully this wouldn't be an 'offer I can't refuse.' Mitsunari had been willing to stay for moral support, but I turned him down. If the conversation grew uncomfortable, I didn't want him stuck between myself and his lord.

I accompanied Hideyoshi into what was at some point going to be a very nice garden, though at the moment it was just a jumble of rocks and mud. We walked quietly for a little while, picking our way to the driest points. He'd called this meeting, he could begin it when he was ready.

"You were originally planning to return to your home with your brother – what made you change your plan?" Hideyoshi brushed some invisible dust off a large stone and gestured for me to sit.

I sat.

Of course, now, he was looming over me. "Mitsunari asked me if I would be permitted to come back and visit him – and I realized that if I left, there was no guarantee that I could return. My village is … not very accessible."

"You come from the same place as Mai. She mentioned that." As always, Hideyoshi's voice softened when he said Mai's name, and I, in my newfound happiness, was reminded to step very carefully. It wasn't only the physical path that was full of obstacles.

Nor was I sure that he knew exactly where, or more specifically, when we were from. "Mai and I discovered we came from the same place, but my brother and I had to leave it seven years ago, so she and I had never met before."

To be honest, I believed that Mai and Nobunaga really ought to bring Hideyoshi (and Mitsuhide at least) into our confidence, or we would continually having these awkward conversations. "My brother decided to return home and originally I intended to go too. But when Mitsunari told me how he felt… I couldn't leave him."

Even the memory of his touch on my cheek brought back that warmth, and the expression he had had on his face would be etched into my mind forever. Without my permission, a smile invaded my face. Feeling embarrassed, I turned away from Hideyoshi.

"I've never seen you smile… not like that." Hideyoshi's voice sounded strained. "I believe your feelings for Mitsunari are honest."

"They are… but isn't that Mitsunari's business?" I understood that Hideyoshi felt somewhat parental toward Mitsunari – pretty much everyone in Azuchi did as well. But my feelings were mine. Mitsunari's were his. What we chose to share with each other were ours.

Hideyoshi hesitated, and I could almost see the gears grinding in his head. "I only want to… Mitsunari … he's … not… experienced."

Well, he was more experienced now than he was three days ago… but I was curious to see where this was going and in any case, I wasn't going to volunteer any information about my sex life with Hideyoshi (or anyone else, not even Mai, although I was certain she would eventually ask).

"He's always been brilliant, but in certain ways he's very young." Hideyoshi seemed to be dancing around some extremely annoying ableist language here, and once again, just like that first day in the garden of Azuchi, I found myself annoyed on Mitsunari's behalf.

"Inexperience and ignorance isn't the same as stupid. Mitsunari is a genius, he is kind, and he makes me want to be-" I stole Mitsunari's phrasing, "More than I was. He may appear to be unfocussed and absentminded, but he takes everything in and saves it until he needs it. Stop treating him like a toddler… he's not… he's a man, and the best one I have ever met."

Whoops. Did not know that had been building up. Sorry Hidemama.

He turned red, then almost purple, at my impoliteness before the words eventually sunk in. When he finally spoke again, he sounded very very tired. "You. … Are correct. I beg your pardon. I only wanted to reassure myself that you won't break his heart."

"I know that, Lord Hideyoshi. That is why I didn't stab you with this fan." I indicated the war fan that would be carried with me everywhere from now on.

"But perhaps that was simply the story I told myself." He got that far off look in his eyes again, and I wondered if what he was really afraid of was an empty nest. Then he shook himself out of it and looked at the fan and sighed. "A war fan? I suppose it's better than you wandering around with a sword stuck in your obi and an arsenal strapped around your legs."

Well, still had all three knives on me, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. "It was a gift from Mitsunari, so I'm not giving it up without a fight."

"It was? It seems he knows you better than I thought." He laughed, finally. "I suppose we'll need to train you how to use it."

"Sure. I look forward to that." Being allowed to continue all my training was important to me. "I honestly don't want to be any trouble. I have every intention of being useful."

He nodded. "I am aware of that." He turned us back toward the Inn. "I suppose I should help find Mitsunari a pair of sandals… er, do I want to know what really happened to them?"

"You… really do not." I fought back the impulse to be embarrassed about that by concentrating on the feeling of cold wet feet.

Apparently he was able to figure it out anyway, because that response prompted a courtesy cough. "Well. Then. Why don't you pack your things – I'd like to get us all back to Azuchi before Keiji accidentally knocks it down with that cannon that he stole."

Ooof yeah. Good idea.

He turned back to me. "When you pack, put the wet things on the bottom of your bag so the damp won't get everything else wet."

I know. "Yes, sir."

He turned. And then back again. "Check the room twice before you leave – Mitsunari often forgets things."

Sigh. "I will, Lord Hideyoshi."

Once again he turned… and then back. Of course. "See if one of the tea maids can help you put your hair into a more… tamed… style."

Yes. Yes. "Will do, sir" Yeesh could we leave this Inn and spread out so that we aren't all on top of each other? The trip back would be excruciating with Hideyoshi micromanag…

Oh.

Hell.

Mitsunari lived in Hideyoshi's manor.

If I moved into his room, I would effectively be living with my mother-in-law.