15-The Enemy Side.
They'd planned to fight at dawn, and yet when they noticed it, the God of war and the tiger of Kai had both retreated alongside their armies. Even if his forces were at an advantage, it was surprising for Nobunaga and his men, to hear the enemy had ran away before the battle. Whatever reason they had, however, was unimportant. The only thing that mattered was that now he was able to go back to camp, to where Mia was waiting.
As it happened to him many times, he hadn't been able to sleep the night before, yet he felt no exhaustion. He'd been sleeping a lot better since Mia was at his side. He spent the whole night thinking about their conversation from the previous day. He'd only ever had one goal on his head, but when he heard her talk about living a simple life, suddenly he felt as if a new desire had been installed in him. She said it with such melancholy on her face, he truly wished he could make it happen. He had become more determined than ever to achieve his ambition, so that he and Mia would have the chance to live together in the peaceful world he always planned.
He'd been unable to anticipate how important she would become to him. She had an effect that was impossible to fight. When she confessed that she was always happy around him, rubbing her nose with his, he felt almost sheepish. Only Mia could cause that, and he couldn't get enough of it. He wanted to keep seeing her smile, hearing about her original time and the way she saw the world. He was prepared to devote the rest of his life to making her happy.
Having his enemies retired from battle, they now could go back to Azuchi, where he would fulfil his promise to her. For one day, they'd enjoy each other's company without interruptions. She'd be able to sleep for as long as it pleased her, and he'd be right at her side. And he planned to make it right. No trouble in the world would come between them.
With that thought in mind, he made the journey back to camp with his vassals behind him. Masamune and Mitsuhide were bragging about the cowardice of their adversaries, and also complaining about not getting a decent final battle. Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, however, were discussing the way they so easily surrendered their garrison castle. They claimed there had to be something else and they should be on a state of alert during their journey back.
Despite their worries, they all made it to camp without difficulties. Nobunaga had dismounted his horse and was ready to go meet his wife, when Mitsunari came running to them with a very concerned expression.
-Lord Nobunaga! – the man stopped and bowed, swallowing hard.
-What is it, Mitsunari? A surprise attack?
"Perhaps Hideyoshi and Ieyasu were right, and Kenshin had something planned".
Instead of answering, Mitsunari sank to his knees on the ground –I'm deeply sorry, my lord. I should've been more careful. I will take full responsibility for it.
-Mitsunari, just calm down and tell us what happened- Hideyoshi spoke to his vassal with a reassuring tone, but the white-haired man refused to lift up his head.
-Did they send Yukimura here? I'll deal with him myself- Masamune was ready to charge against any enemy that was thrown at him.
-It wasn't an attack to our troops- Mitsunari finally lifted his head –It's the princess. Someone has taken Lady Mia away. We haven't been able to locate her. I've sent our rangers to look for her, but they haven't found tracks of where they took her or who did it…
He kept explaining the whole situation, yet the sound faded away for Nobunaga. He got stuck in the thought that Mia had been kidnapped, the fact that he hadn't been there to protect her. And the worst part was that they had no idea who did it. He tried to pay attention to what his vassals were saying. They made all sorts of guesses on whether it could've been Kenshin or Kennyo, they made plans to look for her. But the fact remained that she was in a place where he couldn't take care of her, a place where she could be harmed and there was nothing he could do.
I woke up slowly, feeling my head really heavy. I took a big gasp of air as if I had been drowning. My memory started working at a very slow pace, while I tried to think straight. Someone had grabbed me, suffocating me. I thought he was trying to kill me, but he must've stopped once I passed out.
I tried to take in my surroundings. My mind was still dizzy, so it was hard to identify the place. The only thing clear was that it wasn't one that I knew. The walls were made of stones and I was laying on a bed with something that creaked when I moved, like straw. I tried to stand up a little, seeing that there was a wall of thick wood bars on one side. It was definitely a cell.
-Are you awake? - a man with blonde hair showed up behind the bars, staring at me as if I was just an insignificant insect.
-Who are you? - I asked drowsily.
-What kind of careless man brings his lover to a battlefield? I wonder if you'll make a good enough hostage. It doesn't seem as if Nobunaga has any appreciation for you.
-Excuse me? – with the little lucidity I had, I was already upset by the way he talked about Nobunaga. But he ignored me again, paying no attention to my complaint.
-There's no need for us to act like him also, Kenshin- another man showed up, though this one didn't ignore me and, above all, was not a stranger.
-Wait, you…! – I tried to remember his name, but nothing was coming to my mind.
-It wounds me that the goddess who stole my heart can't recall my name- he spoke in a smooth voice that could surely make many ladies faint. Not me, though. I was still looking for the memory of him when he spoke again –I don't like seeing you stress yourself so much, so I'll tell you. My name is Shingen Takeda.
-There's hardly any need to reveal so much to her, Shingen- the man beside him looked as cold as ice, and he talked the same way –It's not like she'll be with us for long.
I wasn't certain what he meant by that, but Shingen didn't seem to have "murder" written on his forehead as much as his friend -Don't be so quick to decide her fate yet, Kenshin. As much as I despise Nobunaga, the goddess is too beautiful to be sent away.
-Those are no grounds to decide whether she lives or dies- a deep voice came from the hall on which the men were standing. Its mere tone made me shiver with fear, I didn't even want to see the person to whom it belong. Yet, he revealed himself as well. It was a man, older than the others, with a long scar on his face and an expression neither cold nor warm, but filled with anger –She has fraternized with the Oda and that demon long enough to be infested by their ideas. And as I said, Kenshin, she is important to them. I've witnessed it myself.
-Wait a minute- I said, going back to the man with blonde hair and icy eyes -Kenshin? The Kenshin that Nobunaga was battling? Weren't you supposed to have a big battle today?
-If it were up to me, I'd be on the battlefield right now- he sighed in a more dramatic way than Ieyasu when he was annoyed –These two insist on making cowardly plans instead.
-We'll attack when the moment's right, Kenshin- Shingen changed his expression to a more serious one –Our troops are at disadvantage, so we'll follow Kennyo's plan for now.
-Kennyo? – that name made my blood boil, and it was more than enough to make me get up –You big coward! You had me kidnapped just to annoy Nobunaga? Why don't you get on the battlefield and fight him like a man?!
His only reaction was deepening his frown, but Shingen showed a lot more surprise –Well, who would've imagined the goddess had such a spirit?
-I told you she'd been spending too much time with them – said Kennyo, with despise in his voice –Is bloodshed the only language you understand?
-Oh, says the man who tried to have me killed. Spare me the judgement- I complained, not letting myself be intimidated by his hostile aura.
-Unlike Nobunaga, I haven't always been like this. It was his demonic ways that led to the destruction of my temple, the murder of my people… and my family.
The last thing took me by surprise, though I could not believe it –You're lying. Why would he kill your family? He only kills those who face him in the battlefield.
-He's a plague. He destroys everything he touches- Kennyo's anger kept raising as he spoke. I'd never met someone with so much rage in them, yet I was starting to understand. The reason I never liked war was because I knew the innocents also paid for it. I wasn't shocked to know that there were people who suffered from the side fire of Nobunaga's conquests. At the same time, it takes two opposing forces to create a battle.
-I don't like war either- I said –I don't believe killing is right under any circumstance, so I can understand your anger. But Nobunaga isn't trying to destroy the country. If you really want to stop the bloodshed, why don't you let him win?
I was expecting them to laugh and was ready to talk back, yet they all remained very serious and it was Shingen who answered me –Tell me, young lady. If a group of people live peacefully in the way they always had, and one man comes to force them into changing their lifestyle forever, should they just let him?
It was hard to argue against that. I knew what Nobunaga's plans were and I agreed with them, but that didn't mean everyone would do the same, and I'd never been the type to want to force people into accepting my beliefs, so I was left with nothing to say.
-No- was the only answer that could come to me, as I lowered my gaze.
-That's because you still have some humanity in you- he said –Don't get me wrong, though. I don't have much time left, and I'll use every card at my disposal to end that man.
His threat made me shiver with fear –What does that mean?
-Your fate will be decided according to the circumstances- Kennyo interfered –But as far as Nobunaga is concerned, you're already dead.
-What?! – I yelled, while they all just turned their backs on me. I could feel my blood turning cold –Wait, no. You can't do that. Please, I'll do anything, just don't tell him I'm dead. Hey! HEY!
I continued to scream as they walked away, completely ignoring me. I kicked the bars, trying to make as much noise as possible. It was all in vain, but my body didn't seem to understand. Even after the men left my sight, I kept begging them not to do it. Nobunaga's heart was on the edge of freezing forever, I felt like me dying would be the thing that shatters it completely.
Only when my hands and feet got sore because of all my fighting, did I sink to my knees, with tears that felt from my face without control. I didn't know where I was and there was no exit besides the bars, which were too thick for me to ever break. If they told the Oda that I was dead, no one would be coming to my rescue any time soon. Only I could do it.
I took in a few deep breaths. The only way to screw their plan was to show Nobunaga that I was still alive. Whatever they had planned for me, they had to come back. I needed to think of a strategy, something that would get me out of here. I would not stay in this cell forever.
His vassals decided that while the scouts went out to look for traces of where they could've taken her, he and his army would follow the direction that Kenshin and Shingen had travelled with their soldiers. His forces tracked the footsteps of the Uesugi-Takeda alliance, getting further and further away from Oda territory.
-My lord! Riders! – Hideyoshi warned them, as they noticed a pair of men approaching them. They had no banderment, but their armours were not of the Oda colours.
Nobunaga signalled for his crew to stop, letting the men get closer. Everyone was on the lookout for more people to show up, but it seemed as if the two riders were alone.
They stopped a few meters away from him and one of them yelled –We have a message for Nobunaga. If he wants to hear it, he needs to approach us, alone.
Hideyoshi was quick to talk -Don't do it, my lord. It could be a trap.
-What little faith you have in our lord- Mitsuhide showed his usual wicked smile, that never failed to upset Hideyoshi –Two men hardly seem like they could challenge him, and if there is any attack from the distance, we have our weapons ready.
-I don't see why we can't take them and just get the message from them by force- Masamune suggested what sounded most logical, but it was when the distant riders added something.
-It concerns the Oda princess, and the only way to hear it will be to approach us alone.
Those words were all that took to make Nobunaga certain. He turned to his men and told them to stay in their places, watching out for any suspicious movement. While still hesitant, they all agreed and he led his horse to the messengers.
-Speak quickly- he demanded as soon as he was before them. One of the men took a paper from his clothing and handed it to him. Nobunaga unfolded it to read its content:
"You were too careless with your wife, or perhaps you don't even care for her. Because of you, she's now been given the poison that failed to kill her at Yoshimoto's manor. Meanwhile, the Uesugi-Takeda forces are coming your way, with my men to support them. You may defeat us, you may not. The fact remains that the princess will be dead in less than an hour, and there is nothing you or your entire army can do about it. I hope that stays in your mind as you fight, just as I carry my family's deaths in my memory every day.
Kennyo"
His hands trembled as he read the message, but it wasn't from anger. The night that she got poisoned, Mia was clear that the thing that worried her the most, was him feeling guilty about her death. However, there was no denying that he was the only reason she was on the edge of dying again. No one else could be blamed. His way of conquering had often raised anger, one that he was prepared to fight. But Mia wasn't. She only got involved because he forced her to marry him.
He wouldn't allow it. Under no circumstance he could let her pay for his mistakes. He looked at the messengers and started speaking –Tell Kennyo I have on offer for him.
Nobunaga discussed his idea with the two men. They looked at each other with surprise, but accepted in the end. Having ended their conversation, they went back the way they came and he rode to his men.
Hideyoshi was the first to speak, worried as always -What happened? Is Mia okay?
-Kenshin has taken her hostage. His army is coming this way, but I can only save her if I face him alone in a face to face fight.
-My lord, you can't…!
Mitsuhide soon interrupted him –Wherever this fight is taking place, it would be easy to hide some men for your protection.
-I will not risk Mia's safety- Nobunaga spoke as solemnly as ever and all his vassals remained silent –You must defeat the Uesugi army once in for all. I will deal with Kenshin.
None of them liked the idea, but the sound of horses approaching was audible now. The fight would start shortly, so there was no time to waste arguing. The warlords agreed to Nobunaga's terms and let him ride on his own, while they prepared themselves for the battle that would finally decide which side had the victory.
Nobunaga had full trust in his men. He believed that whatever happened, they would carry on his legacy and complete his ambition. They'd be furious when they find out about his plan, especially Hideyoshi, but to him there was no other option. His mind was settled. Mia's life was all that mattered in that moment.
There was only one thing in the cell and it was the bed I woke up on. Neither the pillow nor the mattress would be of help to hit someone, so I removed them to check the box spring underneath. It was made out of pieces of wood and maybe if I pulled one of them, I could use it. I checked each part of it until I found a piece that was loose.
-Yes!
With that done, I put everything back in its place. I had two strategies. I thought that if a guard came in, I'd knock him out. But if it was Shingen or Kenshin, I'd try to reason with them. They were men who had fought against Nobunaga, I didn't trust my strength or speed to defeat them. However, I would consider my options even with a common soldier. I'd have to catch them off-guard to be able to hit them.
I would've been scared if it wasn't because I was getting used to this time period. I was determined to survive and I'd fight to the last second to do it.
Yet, my determination started waning as time went by. I was so ready to escape, but no one was coming near. The place was silent as a crypt, no outside noise filtered in. The loneliness made my mind betray me, by giving me thoughts that I was trying to avoid. I realized, by that time they already must've given Nobunaga the fake news that I was dead. I worried about his reaction, that he did something which got him killed. I couldn't bear the idea of getting out of here, just to find out he didn't make it.
I shook my head, trying to make the negative thoughts go away, but my hands were trembling now. If anyone came in, I felt like I'd be more invested in finding out what happened to him, rather than attempting to escape.
The overwhelming silence began to scare me, as the light started getting lower. Night was coming near, and soon I'd be trapped in complete silent darkness. My stomach growled for some food, my mouth got dry with thirst. If they weren't going to kill me, they'd have to bring me something to eat and drink, right? It didn't seem like they'd let me starve to death.
Fear was taking over me, when I finally heard a door opening. I stood up with a mix of panic and relief, trying to see who was coming. And the person I saw was one I didn't expect, yet I realized I should have.
-Sasuke? – my confusion turned into realization as my memory started working –I forgot! You work for them, don't you? That's why you were in Azuchi. Wait, did you have something to do with this? Sasuke, did you bring me here?!
-I assure you I had no part in this- he finally spoke as he moved the engine that lifted my cell's bars –Lord Shingen must've realized I had some sort of attachment to you and would be against taking you hostage, so they didn't tell me anything about this.
-How did you find out? – I asked while getting out. The feeling of freedom was remarkable, but I still had a few questions left.
-I was on the field, in the battle against the Oda, when I heard Masamune and Hideyoshi talk about how our side had taken you. It was then I realized something even more important, the reason why Nobunaga could've been absent.
-He wasn't there? – fear came back to me as I heard Sasuke explain everything.
-Mia, you need to get out of here quickly.
-What about you? What if they find out you helped me?
-Yukimura assured me, before I came here, that he'd be answering for me as Lord Shingen's closest vassal. Plus, I don't think neither he nor Kenshin would be happy that Nobunaga died at the hands of someone else. They might even thank me for saving him.
He seemed fully confident in what he was saying, but there was something that still wasn't clear for me –What do you mean save him? Where is he?
-The Oda were surprised when they saw Lord Kenshin in the battle. They said Nobunaga had received a challenge from him, but Kenshin knew nothing about it. And if our side didn't defy Nobunaga, there was only one person left.
-Kennyo- I said, cursing the man in my head.
Sasuke put a hand on my shoulder and got closer to me –I believe Nobunaga must've made a deal with Kennyo, offering him what he wants in order to save you.
He didn't tell me what that involved, but I could make up the idea in my head, and it made my blood get frozen with terror.
Nobunaga arrived at the old temple of Honno-Ji. He didn't see anyone there, but he was confident his enemy would show up. He climbed the steps to enter the place and walked towards the centre of it. Once he reached that spot, he took his sword, still in its sheath, and put it on his lap as he sat on the floor to wait, which he didn't need to do for long.
Just a few minutes, and he could hear footsteps approaching. He was staring at the wooden floor, and only looked up when the man was right in front of him.
-You really came alone- Kennyo had a bit of surprise in his eyes full of rage.
-Did you do your part? – was all that Nobunaga asked.
-If I tell you I didn't, what would you do?
He chuckled and just looked down –Hope.
He was looking for some hint of doubt in Nobunaga's intentions, but he wouldn't find any. Nobunaga had already made peace with the idea of his death. If Kennyo didn't give Mia an antidote to save her, then at least his dying would open back the portal to take her back home. Her time surely had advanced medicine that could save her. So, one way or another, at least she'll get to live. And if she went back to her time, she'd return to the life she should've lived if they had never crossed paths.
Because dying was his real destiny, and sooner or later, destiny would've set them apart. It had been foolish of him to think he could have something as precious as her, after all that he'd done.
