I'll survive my time here and make it back to the present. Accepting my three month stay in the Sengoku period in the employ of the warlord, Oda Nobunaga, I bowed to him and his men.
"I won't let you down."
But Nobunaga caught my chin and lifted it back toward him.
"I plan to take very good care of you, Chizuru."
I guess appropriate isn't in his vocabulary. And, wow, his eyes. They were ruthless and frightening. I'd never seen someone who could smile with such ferocity. There was no pleasure, no joy, in that smile.
"For the last time, don't just grab me!"
The carnivorous smile vanished as I swatted his hand away. The entire room went silent. It was then I realized what I had done and I hoped I didn't just cut my lifespan short.
"You," Hideyoshi shouted. "How dare you be so rude to…"
"Enough Hideyoshi," Nobunaga cut in.
I guess I'm spared. Leaning back, Nobunaga began to laugh, his voice deep.
What does he find so funny? Is it me? Because that's upsetting. I got up just to get away, sitting as far away from him as I could.
"You're not interested in her," Ieyasu questioned. "A stiff breeze would knock her over."
"I'm not so sure about that lad," Masamune said. "She just gave Nobunaga a good shove. She's a tough one."
"Or it was the reflexive jerk of a frightened animal," Mitsuhide joked.
Hello? I'm right here? Am I invisible to this gaggle of gossiping warlords? Or is that a murder of warlords?
"Chizuru," Mitsunari began. "It's all right. That's just the way they talk. It means nothing."
"You're probably right."
Mitsunari is the only decent human being here.
"Chizuru," Hideyoshi warned. "Next time you dare raise a hand against Lord Nobunaga…I will cut you down where you stand."
"Excuse me?"
Hideyoshi sitting in the spot closest to Nobunaga, looked at me with burning anger in his eyes.
"What?" I too locked my eyes with his, also with burning anger. "You're going to kill me for that? Didn't you see the way he just grabbed me?"
"I said enough!" This time Nobunaga raised his voice to Hideyoshi. Nobunaga's command shot though the room.
I stiffened, hearing it. But Hideyoshi looked positively abashed.
"My apologies my lord," said Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi bowed grimly, and I found myself doing the same.
"Hideyoshi, show this woman around the castle."
You've got to be fucking kidding me…Why him? Why couldn't it be anyone else like Mitsunari or even Masamune?
"My lord?"
"You want him to do it," I added.
"I have decided that Chizuru will be staying with us," Nobunaga announced. "It's time that you accept that Hideyoshi."
I guess he isn't all that bad. Hideyoshi was being a real dick here. But then again, Nobunaga doesn't even know that there is a line he's crossing.
"I understand," Hideyoshi replied.
Though his face made it obvious, I could clearly see he had more colourful words in his mind.
"Come on Chizuru," Hideyoshi said to me. "I'll show you the ropes."
"As long as it's not the gallows."
Why did it have to be him?
Hideyoshi walked out of the audience chamber and I followed after him.
"I still don't trust you," he said.
That makes two of us.
"And if you try anything with Lord Nobunaga, it will be the last thing you do."
Give me a break.
"He's the one trying things," I exclaimed.
"What was that?"
"I mean, yes, you're right."
I could already tell life here was going to be frustrating. Hideyoshi's attitude is granting, but I can't fault his loyalty. When I thought about it, it made perfect sense that he was wary of me. A stranger shows up out of nowhere only to get close to your lord. In the Sengoku period, you'd be crazy not to get suspicious. I had three months here. I wouldn't last if I kept butting heads with everyone.
"…Turn there and you'll find the cellar. There's the kitchen. Were you listening to any of that?"
"Sorry," I said as I came out of my thoughts. "No. I was thinking.
"All right. I'll go over it again then."
Huh? To my surprise, Hideyoshi very politely talked me through the layout of the castle again. He's taking this seriously, even with his doubts about me. I still don't understand the fan club, but he does seem to have some good traits. This time I listened very closely to what he had to say. We continued walking down long wooden corridors. He didn't mention anything about this one. I stopped at the turn to a long hallway.
"Where does this lead," I asked.
A dim passage had caught my attention. Hideyoshi came to a stop next to me.
"That path will take you to the tenshu," he said.
"The tenshu? What is that exactly?"
"It means 'master of heaven.' You saw it when we arrived. It's that loft at the top of the castle. Normally, it would be a symbol while the lord stay in the inner citadel, but that's not the case here."
"Are you saying Nobunaga lives up there?"
"Yes."
Figures he's got the penthouse suite. I turned, no longer interested in what lay beyond that uninviting hallway.
"Lord Nobunaga, said that he preferred to stay in the tenshu. That's just one the ways in which he and Azuchi Castle are unique. Anyway, now you know, I don't want to catch you wandering over here."
"Trust me, I'll be keeping my distance."
The idea of going to see that ogre of my volition was preposterous. Further down the walkway there was a group of men walking and talking.
"Our lord has made it back safely," one man said.
"I heard there was an assassination attempt," another said. "Poor fools."
"Indeed," a third one added. "Trying to kill Lord Nobunaga just makes him angry. Well, they won't live to regret it."
The men, their words a mix of respect and fear, drifted out of earshot again.
"Everyone is relieved to have our lord back," Hideyoshi said. "But I won't rest until we catch the ones responsible."
I couldn't share in either the men's relief or Hideyoshi's unease. My thoughts were elsewhere. They won't live long to regret it, huh? If there was one thing I remember about Oda Nobunaga from school, it was this well-known phrase: 'What does Nobunaga do to the bird that won't sing? He kills it.' Yeah, I'm going to stay as far away from him as possible.
"You've gotten awfully quiet,"said Hideyoshi.
"It's nothing for you to worry about. I'm not plotting."
"Lord Hideyoshi," a vassal said running up to him.
"Yes," he replied.
That man looks like he just saw a ghost. Breathing hard, another vassal came running up to Hideyoshi.
"I have a report from our scouts in the East," the other reported. "One of the regional daimyo has decided to revolt against our lord."
"A revolt?"
Hideyoshi grew grim.
"Chizuru, we're going back. We must get this message to Lord Nobunaga."
"Wait, we? I'm coming too?"
Without answering me, Hideyoshi led me right back to the audience chamber and explained the situation.
"A revolt?" Nobunaga sounded amused. "They don't intend to let me rest now that I'm back, do they?"
Nobunaga took the news with strange satisfaction. The report from the vassal said that a recently subjugated daimyo had heard about Nobunaga's near death experience at Honno-ji. Thinking Nobunaga was weakened, the man saw this as an opportunity for revenge and was raising his army. Revolt, revenge, and possibly a war. How can he be smiling? I had only grasped the gist of the report, and yet I was sweating with fear.
"What is your plan my lord," asked Mitsuhide.
"I'm considering."
"I volunteer to go," Hideyoshi said. "I'll give them a stern lesson about knowing their place."
"No," said Masamune. "Give it to me. I missed to chance for a good rumble back in Kyoto and I'm itching for action."
After a tense moment, Nobunaga stood up.
"I shall go."
Surprise crossed Hideyoshi's face and a little disappointment crossed Masamune's.
"Why are you going," Ieyasu asked.
Everyone seemed surprised. I can see why, I think. In the historical dramas, it's the leader's job to guide from afar. He never takes the front lines.
"My lord," Mitsunari said. "This is hardly a worthy opponent for you to go out and face. He commands a small force of no more than 2000 men."
Mitsunari's beautiful face was all business now.
"Then I'll only need 500."
"500," Ieyasu questioned. "That's too risky."
Seriously. Nobunaga could probably rally ten times that amount. Why is he putting himself at a disadvantage? Nobunaga's cold eyes gave away nothing. But he caught me staring at him and turned my way.
"Chizuru, you will come too."
"To the battle?"
"My lord,"Hideyoshi cut in. "I'm not sure that's wise…"
"I've made my decision. Here's your chance to bring me luck again, Chizuru."
Oh, right, because I'm his lucky charm.
"You seriously believe I'm going to bring you luck? Against swords and arrows and who knows what else?"
"Yes, I only speak the truth. And what I say is final. Now prepare yourself. I want my men ready before sunset. That's when we march."
What? No! This is insane!
"I'm not doing this?"
"Chizuru, was it?" Ieyasu glared at me. "Nobunaga's orders are absolute. That goes double for pushovers like you."
I just looked at him frozen.
"We leave before sunset. I'll come for you later, Chizuru."
Nobunaga strode past me towards the doors of the chamber.
"And he'd just returned too," Hideyoshi said. "What bad timing."
"Don't take it too hard Hideyoshi," Mitsuhide said. "It's good of him to go out."
I stood there froze in fear.
"I can't do this. I won't go."
"Stop fussing and come on," Hideyoshi said.
"Hideyoshi, quit it. You can't make me…"
Hideyoshi grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the audience chamber.
"Chizuru," Mitsunari called after me. "I'll give you any assistance you need with the preparations!"
"Do try to stay on your horse Chizuru," Mitsuhide teased. "Falling off can be very painful."
After I had finished with my preparations, I wondered around the walkway outside and gazed up at the sun that was beginning to set. It was almost time to go. The orange light of the setting sun filled the corridor. I stared down at my toes as I pondered my predicament. Nobunaga would be here soon, where I would be forced to witness a battle. Suddenly, a shadow stretched across the floor in front of me. I held my breath and was surprised to see Ieyasu walking towards me when I looked up. I let go of that breath, relieved that it wasn't Nobunaga. He stopped in his tracks when our eyes met. He really was beautiful but as I remembered the cold way he treated me back at the war council, I prepared myself to be lectured. I don't think he likes me very much, and I can't say I'm the biggest fan of his either. It doesn't matter how beautiful he is.
"Something you want to say?" Ieyasu broke the silence with an eye roll. I guess I was starring, but really he could have just kept walking. He didn't have to stop in front of me.
"Hello." It was the only thing I could think of saying to hopefully get away from this awkwardness.
"Hm? You seemed so scared during the meeting, yet you still have the energy for a casual chat? You'd be better off using that extra energy to pack for the upcoming battle. I assume you'll do your best not to hold Nobunaga back?"
Well I've already done that genius. I started to feel Indignant and I lost all motivation to keep up the polite act.
"The only reason I'm going is because I didn't have a choice!"
"It doesn't matter. I have no idea what value Nobunaga sees in you, but he must have a plan for using you, or you wouldn't be here. If you don't start pulling your weight, you'll end up being tossed aside."
Oh, so now I'm just an object to be used?
"Don't treat me like an object!" All hope to having a civilized conversation with him was lost as I gave in to my anger.
"If you don't like it, you should go running back to whatever little village you wandered out of."
I wish I could do just that, dick!
"For your information, I've already tried running, but your friends caught me and forced me to come here. And in case you couldn't tell, I do want to go home but…I can't." I tried to control my voice from breaking. I couldn't go home until the worm hole opens again in 3 months.
"Oh," Ieyasu's expression softened. "Then I suggest you stop fighting it and let yourself be used."
"What? You can't be serious."
"It's easier that way. Trust me. You're not the first person to find yourself in such a situation. It happens all the time these days."
He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would back down. So why would he tell me to?
Putting an end to the conversation, Ieyasu walked past me.
"Hang on," I called after him, but Ieyasu didn't turn around and he was gone.
It was only my second day since arriving in the past…and I spent it witnessing a real live battle.
I want to go home! I want to be in my warm, safe bed where I can pretend that this is all a dream and that I'm not in a war! I found an empty corner of the war camp where I hugged my knees to my chest and pretended this wasn't happening. But the incessant noise made it impossible to ignore the reality of the situation. Tromping horses, men screaming, swords clashing, and guns going off.
"What are you huddled there for, Chizuru?"
"Just leave me alone."
Nobunaga, sitting on a cloth folding chair at the centre of the camp, looked over me, intrigued.
"I'm amazed the woman who dragged me from that burning temple cowers at this."
Everything about that situation was different. I didn't even know where I was, or who you were.
"I acted without thinking. Now I really wish I had."
I was amazed I'd interrupted a man with a sword about to kill someone, but that was beginning to feel normal compared to this.
"Anyway," I said. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"You'd really ask me that?"
He let out a snide laugh, like my comment was somehow hilarious. Just then a vassal rushed into the tent, beaming in triumph, to kneel before Nobunaga.
"A report," he said. "We've breached the tiger's mouth. The vanguard's spearmen are in."
The what did what? This is why I sucked at Civilization.
"Continue pressing the assault," Nobunaga instructed. "Break through the second circle and fire the castle."
"Yes, my lord."
I could see historical military jargon was going to be a challenge. I think I can parse this through. Nobunaga's forces have gotten past one layer of the castle's defences, right? If he's telling them to keep attacking, I assume that means he's winning.
More reports came from the front lines of battle in rapid succession, and Nobunaga sent out orders just as quickly. He did it without losing his cool. We came here with less troops, and yet Nobunaga hasn't once looked worried. I'm beginning to see what made him so worthy of study in history. While I was admiring him, strictly as a historical figure, another vassal arrive with a report.
"My lord, the enemy commander has sallied out!"
He's come out to fight?
"He's come to risk his life in battle, rather than hole up and wait to die." Nobunaga smiled. "I admire his courage." Nobunaga rose from his chair, his hand resting on his sword. "I'll put an end to him personally."
"You're going out there too," I asked. I didn't really like being so close to Nobunaga but at the same time, I didn't want him to leave me all alone in this war.
"What else would I be doing? You must be growing bored just sitting there. You'll come as well. I want you to see this."
On second thought, going with him would be much worse.
"I'm actually quite comfy here, so I think I'll pass…"
"See that she's put in her saddle, he instructed a vassal."
"Yes my lord."
Oh, listen to me, will you! My insistence fell on deaf ears as I was led out of camp and put astride a horse. At Nobunaga's side, I rode onto the battlefield, while I received an eyeful of horrors of war. Ugh. This is awful. Through the guards protecting me, I could see men fighting with swords and spears. Each scream, groan, and shout shook me. A pungent, burnt smell pervaded the air. I don't want to be in this nightmare anymore! On top of that, I was slipping to the side a little more with each thud of my horse hooves hitting the dirt. I screamed and Nobunaga cast a quick look back when I screamed, but he didn't turn around. I came tumbling out of the saddle and fell to the ground, landing on the dirt. It really hurt. I did my best to make myself small, afraid of the horses still running by.
"Archers," I heard the enemy commander shout. "Aim for Nobunaga! Fire!"
A chorus of whirling wails filled the air as the enemy launched a volley of burning arrows. They were supposed to have been aiming for Nobunaga, but the arrows seemed to all be heading my way. Those fiery lights came closer and closer. I couldn't scream for help. I couldn't see a safe place to move to. I'm going to die. An arrow was hurtling right down on me. And then I saw it split into two and fail harmless to either side.
"What worthless archers to have mistaken me for this woman," Nobunaga said with a wicked smile.
Nobunaga, astride his horse, covered me from the enemy's sight. I shakily got to my feet and looked up at him. With his sword drawn, Nobunaga's face cut a striking profile, illuminated by the light of the fires.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, I think. They came awfully close though."
"Good, I won't let my enemies take my lucky charm so easily. You're mine to protect and keep."
With a laugh, Nobunaga turned back toward his opponents.
"I'm the one you're facing! You won't make that mistake twice."