Chapter 7 – The Escape
*Imaan's chambers* Imaan's POV
After I read the letter Ranmaru had handed me, I sat there shocked. Lord Nobunaga and Lady Nohime ha plans to kill me? No! Not just me but my and Mitsuhide's child?! Never! I declared to myself. our child is innocent. I will never allow them to even think about hurting my child. I was lost in fear and hate, that my aura as a Yuuki Onna started to swirl around me. My aura disappeared when Ranmaru places a gentle hand. I look up at Ranmaru and nod.
"Come, Lady Imaan. We need to leave. NOW" with that I take Ranmaru's hand and leave my chambers and to the stables. As we quietly make our way to the stables, Lady Nohime walks out from the shadows with her guns pointed to me and Ranmaru. Without wasting a second, I change into my Yuuki Onna form as my white hair dance around in the icy wind.
"Get behind me, Ranmaru" I order as Ranmaru nods and gets behind me as I direct my cold and icy glare to Lady Nohime.
"Don't think I would let go so easily" Lady Nohime takes slow and deliberate steps towards, her guns never moving away from my face.
"What made you think that I would let you live, IF supposedly, hmmm I don't know, you can't kill me" I taunt as a smirk grace my lips and my eyes narrowed as I felt an icy get colder and colder by the second.
"I was only supposed to get rid you, but I could get rid of the brat as well" Lady Nohime eyes Ranmaru evilly, who peeks from behind me but I shield him from her by using my kimono sleeve. "I haven't got time for this" Lady Nohime declares as she pulls the trigger.
*Normal POV*
BANG!
"Urgh!" Imaan groans in pain as Nohime shot Imaan in the shoulder as Imaan presses down on her shoulder in pain. "Now, you die" Imaan shoots Nohime an icy glare as she blasts her away with an icy wind. Imaan pants as she falls to her knees as Ranmaru grabs her arm and pulls her away from Nohime, who currently lays unconscious.
"Come Lady Imaan, we need to leave." Ranmaru helps Imaan on her feet as Imaan hisses through her clenched teeth. Imaan and Ranmaru run through the castle as they make their way to stables.
*The stables*
Imaan and Ranmaru reached the stables as they both quickly mount their horses as another bang shoot through the air. Imaan and Ranmaru whip their heads to the sound to Nohime standing there, covered in frost.
"You Bitch!" Nohime shrieks as she fires another shoot to Imaan but only to have blocked by a thick wall of ice.
"Fuck this shit!" Imaan curses as her palm faces the ground, her ice blue eyes now cold and devoid. "now you're really dead" with that Imaan summons all her strength and huge icicles form and are aimed for Nohime. Nohime tries to run but is immediately is pierced as the sharp point of the icicle pierces Nohime's chest as she draws her final breath as she lays lifeless, her blood staining the clear icy blue icicle. Imaan pants in pain as sweat rolls down her delicate features.
"Lady Imaan?! Are you alright!?" Ranmaru panics as he sees the blood staining Imaan's white kimono.
"I'm fine…" Imaan pants before continuing "…We… need… to…move" with that Imaan and Ranmaru move forward as Imaan struggles to keep her eyes open.
"Just a little longer my lady" Ranmaru encourages Imaan as she nods and keeps her eyes on the path ahead of her.
*Somewhere in the forest*
Two men wait in the forest for Ranmaru's and Imaan's arrival as one of them starts to get impatient.
"How long are we going to keep waiting like this, Kojuro?" Masamune sighs with annoyance as his unpatched eye narrows and the crescent on his helmet shines in the moonlight.
"A little longer, Masamune Sama" Kojuro calms his impatient lord but both men raise their heads to the sound of distant hooves beating against the ground "They're here, my lord"
"About time, bloody Oda's" Masamune curses as he still can't figure out what possessed him to help the lady of Oda clan. Kojuro moves in front of Masamune as he waits for Ranmaru and Imaan to reveal themselves. Ranmaru is the first to show himself then followed by Imaan, who has already reverted to her human form. Ranmaru mounts his horse as he bows to Kojuro and Masamune.
"Milords, I am Ranmaru of the Oda clan" Ranmaru introduces himself as Kojuro nods but Masamune has his sight fixed on Imaan.
"And this is Lady Imaan, as explained in your letter?" Kojuro confirms as Ranmaru nods.
"Please keep her safe with you, Milords!" Ranmaru bows deeply as Imaan weakly calls out to him.
"Ranmaru…" Imaan dismounts her horse but immediately collapses onto the ground, which shocks the men from the Date clan and Ranmaru.
"Lady Imaan!" Ranmaru shouts as he runs to Imaan, but only to find out she has passed out due to the bullet in her shoulder. Ranmaru turns to Kojuro and Masamune with tears in his eyes. "Milords! Please save Lady Imaan and her child!" Masamune and Kojuro nod as Masamune picks Imaan up in a bridal style as he mounts his horse at the same time.
"Don't worry kid, your lady is safe with us" Masamune assures Ranmaru as he gestures Kojuro to leave.
"You go ahead, Milord. I'll watch your back" Kojuro mounts his horse as Masamune speeds his way to Yonezawa Castle. Kojuro glances at Ranmaru and nods before he leaves as he follows closely behind his lord.
"Be safe, Lady Imaan" Ranmaru prays as he makes his way back to Kiyosu castle as he awaits Mitsuhide's return and tell him about Lord Nobunaga's and Lady Nohime's plan.
