Chapter 8 – Life in Oshuu
*Yonezawa Castle in Oshuu* Imaan's POV
My eyes snap open and I find myself in place I know so well. I sat the at the table as everything flashes before my eyes. My mum cooking at the stove. My dad sitting beside me as he reads his newspaper. My sisters and brother getting ready for school. Everything seemed normal. I was at home. I smiled at the familiar setting as my dad sets his newspaper down and smiles back at me.
"Why are you smiling, beta?" My dad asks as I smile at him
"Everything seems normal and peaceful" I reply but I felt something was missing. Something every important. My dad gently places his hand on my head as if to bless me or comfort me. I look up to my dad again only to see him lay on the floor dead. My eyes widen in horror as I quickly turn around to find my whole family dead. Drenched in blood. My home marred with blood.
"Mummy? Daddy? Sonia? Faraan? Khawla? ZANAB? MALEEHAH?!" I start to scream as tears stream down my face as an evil laughter echoes through the air. I turn to see who it is and I see my grandmother, laughing. My anger rises through the roof as I feel a powerful icy wind surround me as I unleash my powers and attack that bloody hag. "You BITCH! YOU DESTROYED EVERYTHING! CAN'T YOU FUCKING DIE?!" I scream with anger and hurt as my grandmother disappears and I see the one I love the most. "Mitsuhide…" my darling's silver-ish white hair dances around him as he smiles sweetly as he extends his hands towards me. I was about to take his hand, a bright blue dragon come in between me and Mitsuhide. The dragon stares at me for a while and it opens it's mouth and swallows me whole. At that moment, my eyes snapped open only to see a concerned Masamune looking down on me.
*Back in reality* Normal POV
Imaan's eyes snapped open as she sees Masamune staring down on her with concern in his unpatched eye.
"What… happened?" Imaan asks as she takes a deep and tries to sit herself up but Masamune stops her and gently pushes her back onto the futon.
"You were screaming and thrashing in your sleep." Masamune replies as he shivers, rubbing his hands together. Imaan takes notice.
"I must have frozen the room, didn't I?" Imaan whispers as Masamune nods. Imaan flicks her hand and the temperature returns to normal.
"Thanks, pretty lady" Masamune grins "Are you hungry?"
"Yeah" Imaan replies as Masamune smiles at her with his famous grin as Imaan giggles in return.
"Kojuro! Bring in in" Masamune orders as Kojuro smiles and nods.
"As you wish Masamune Sama" with that Kojuro leaves the room and immediately returns with a tray of food and places it in front of Imaan. "Please eat up Milady"
"Thank you, master Kojuro" Imaan slowly sits up and bows before she starts eating but couldn't hold her food as she gets out of the futon and leaves the room to throw up in the garden as she empties her stomach. Masamune follows Imaan and rubs her back to ease her. After Imaan relieves herself, Imaan tilts backwards as Masamune catches her into his arms.
"Kojuro! Bring me some water"
"Yes! Masamune Sama!" Kojuro rushes to kitchens as Masamune strokes Imaan's hair gently.
"Thank you, Milord" Imaan whispers softly as she breathes softly.
"Don't mention, pretty lady" at the same time Kojuro brings a cup of cold water and hands it to Masamune as Masamune brings the cup to Imaan's lips as she takes a sip and sighs with relief.
"Thank you, gentlemen" Imaan thanks Masamune and Kojuro as they both smile softly at her.
"No problem" Masamune replies as he helps Imaan stand up and leads her back to her room as he summons a maid and orders her to make something light for Imaan.
"Now, pretty lady. You know why you're here?" Masamune asks as Imaan nods her head. "Good. We need to start preparing for war."
"I know. The lord of hell must be stopped, but…" Imaan hesitates
"But what?" Kojuro asks as he seats himself next to Masamune
"Please!" Imaan exclaims as she takes Masamune's hands into her own. "Please! Don't hurt my Mitsuhide! Please spare my Darling" Imaan bursts into tears as she leaves the men of Oshuu utterly confused. Masamune sighs as he cups Imaan's cheeks, gently guiding her face to his, as he gently wipes her tears away.
"I promise I won't hurt your beloved in any way and bring him back to you" Masamune vows as Imaan smile brightly at him as she bows deeply.
"Thank you, Milord…" Masamune gently places his hands on Imaan's shoulders, as he makes her sits straight.
"Get some sleep, pretty lady. We will have a war council tomorrow morning. We will need there." Masamune gently lays Imaan onto the futon and leaves the room with Kojuro as he closes the door. Imaan sighs as she slowly closes her eyes as tears slip from the corner of her eyes.
"Mitsuhide, Darling… Please forgive." With that Imaan drifts to a dreamless sleep.
*Back at Kiyosu Castle*
Mitsuhide returns to Kiyosu castle, as he was ordered by Nobunaga. The minute Mitsuhide steps foot in Kiyosu castle, his eyes widen at the state of the castle. Ice everywhere. 'Was my Imaan in danger? Did Nohime try to do something to her?' Mitsuhide ran through the castle as his white danced around him while he ran. Mitsuhide arrived in the castle garden only to find Nohime dead.
"Hmph! Good riddance" Mitsuhide scoffs at the sight of Nohime impaled by Imaan's icicle. Her blood frozen on ice. Mitsuhide shrugs his shoulders as he quickly to his and Imaan's chambers only to find it empty. Mitsuhide falls to his knees as he couldn't believe Imaan had left him. Mitsuhide scans the room for evidence as his sights settle on the abandon letter. Mitsuhide reaches for the letter, uncoils the letter as he reads the contents of the letter.
"Lady Imaan,
You need to leave Kiyosu Castle! I overheard Lord Nobunaga and Lady Nohime planning to kill you tonight! I am somewhat glad they don't know anything about your pregnancy. I want you and Lord Mitsuhide to be happy and raise this child with love. I have sent a letter to the Lord of the Date clan and you and Lord Mitsuhide's child will be safe under his protection. I will tell Lord Mitsuhide the truth, so please Milady you must escape. Tonight.
Yours Faithfully,
Ranmaru"
The letter slips out of Mitsuhide's hand.
"My Imaan is pregnant?! With my child?!" Mitsuhide speaks out loud as smile full of love and happiness gives way. He was going to be a father! With the woman he loves! But fear and hate gave way soon, as his lord wanted to kill his wife and child. But, why hadn't Imaan tell him? To get the answers to his questions, Mitsuhide decided he was going to pay a visit to Oshuu soon. But after he brings Nobunaga down. "Now, Milord. You will face the true wrath of the god of death" Mitsuhide swore as he tucks Ranmaru's letter into the pockets of hakama and burns Kiyosu castle in the process. With that Mitsuhide leaves the burning castle behind and temporarily returns to Nobunaga's side.
