Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Love Brings Betrayal ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

DISCLAIMER: All Main Characters In This Story Belong To Koei Games. All Characters In This Story Are From The Game Samurai Warriors By Koei Games.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

Lady Oichi had arrived back at the Oda's Castle late at night. Lord Nagamasa had sent her away so that she wouldn't have to fight her brother, or watch him die he said. Either way, this would be his last battle with Oda. He would die, or Nobunaga would die.

 

Nohime had seen her in the castle garden crying. She was wearing short white dress with a sheer purple and pink overcoat. She was a small woman. She had a small ponytail tied with a pink ribbon on the top of her head, the rest of her hair falling around her face. She had a kind and innocent face. A soft voice. So much the opposite of Nohime. Nohime wore revealing kimonos, high sandals. Nohime `s voice was soft, but it wasn't just that. Her voice was breathy and seductive. Nohime's face was less than innocent looking, but innocent she was... except in battle. She was ruthless yes, but she wasn't cold-hearted. Yes, she and Oichi were complete opposites.

 

She felt sorry for Oichi and Nagamasa. Not only because of Nagamasa sending her away but also because of what she was being forced to do. When Nobunaga had seen that Nagamasa had sent her away, he was happy. He wanted to make Nagamasa suffer. So he decided to put Oichi into the battle against her husband. But not just in the battle, she was leading the attack.

 

Nohime couldn't believe it when she heard that Nobunaga was going to do that to his own sister. That means that unless Oichi was killed in this battle, she would be the one that was going to kill Nagamasa. Nobunaga was indeed fitting for his title, the Demon King.

 

Nohime had gotten up early to say a `sad goodbye' to Nobunaga. All for show of course. Even as she stood here the men were preparing to leave. She walked over to Oichi, “Oichi? It will be alright. If possible stay as far away from Nagamasa as possible. And if he wins... well then that's wonderful. You can be happy again.”

 

Oichi turned to her, her face red from tears, “Why are you trying to make me feel better? You're marrying the man that wants me to kill my own husband. You should not be wishing for Nagamasa to win.”

 

“Did I ever say that I wished for him to win? No, I said if he wins. I do not care who wins. If Nagamasa wins then I will be forced back to my home. If Nobunaga wins, I will stay here and so will you. We have no choice but to accept whatever outcome happens. But it is your destiny to fight today. For better or worse. And who knows, maybe Nagamasa will choose to surrender at the last second. Hope is always something to believe in Lady Oichi, remember that.” Nohime turned to leave as horns sounded. It was time to leave for battle.

 

Oichi stood and walked past Nohime and Nohime followed. They both arrived at the South entrance of the castle. Nobunaga was mounted already. Oichi went to her horse and mounted with her head down. Nobunaga didn't say a word to her. He didn't care that he was about to make his little sister battle her own husband.

 

Nobunaga gave the signal and the army took off. Nohime frayed sadness. Hideyoshi, Magoichi, and Mitsuhide were behind her at the gate giving her privacy. Hideyoshi leaned over to Magoichi, “Lady Nohime seems distraught over Lord Nobunaga's departure.”

 

“Hey maybe I can help her get happy. I've been told I'm an expert at makin` women happy in ways they never dreamt of.”

 

“Magoichi! That's Lord Nobunaga's future wife you're talking about. Watch it. Honestly. Can you believe him Mitsuhide?”

 

“Honestly Magoichi, can't you keep your filthy thoughts away from married women?”

 

“Hey when a beautiful lady is in my sight I can't stop thinkin of her and other things. Not my fault,” he paused, “And I gotta tell ya, Lady Nohime is really sexy. I've been controlling myself like mad! I have a different fantasy about her every time I see her I swear! Like I have this one fantasy where she's standing under a waterfall naked... the water sliding down her body in droplets....” Magoichi's eyes glazed over.

 

Hideyoshi laughed, “I know the feeling. I can't help but notice her as well. And don't either of you tell Nene but... I have a few fantasies about Nohime as well.”

 

Magoichi laughed, “Hey how about you Mitsuhide?”

 

“No, I have not. She is quite beautiful and attractive but I see her as my Lord's wife. And I do not cross that line. Even in fantasy,” If only Magoichi knew that Mitsuhide had seen his fantasy come to life. He still couldn't get the image of her like that out of his head.

 

“Are you sure, you're lookin at her pretty intensely...”

 

“Well... okay, I'll admit thoughts crossed my mind. But I can control them.”

 

“Man I just feel sorry for you. I mean you gotta protect her all day, everyday. And just that. Watch over her. That's it. That's gonna be rough. Although watching could include lots of things, if you know what I mean,” he elbowed Mitsuhide good-naturedly and winked.

 

Hideyoshi laughed, “Ah Magoichi, ever the ladies man.”

 

A high-pitched voice rang out, “Mago! Mago! MAGO!!”

 

The three men turned to find Gracia, Mitsuhide's daughter, running toward them. Mitsuhide smiled lovingly when he saw her.

 

“Hey Gracia, what's up,” asked Magoichi.

“Has Lord Nobunaga left yet?”

 

“Yah he just left, why what's up?”

 

She started to swing back and forth on her feet, “Oh nothing, I was just curious. I mean what with all this bad stuff happening and all. I feel so bad for Lady Nohime. She looks so sad.”

 

“Yah, she does.”

 

Gracia looked at her father as if just noticing him, “Hello Father.”

 

“Hello Gracia. You are up quite earlier than usual. Are you sure everything is alright?”

 

“Oh yes Father. I just had a bad dream is all.” She smiled sweetly and grabbed onto Mitsuhide's arm, “Father, do you think we could go out to the markets today? Please?”

 

“Of course. We will leave momentarily. I will ask Lady Nohime to accompany us as well. It may take her mind off this sad departure.”

 

// Nohime is quite the actress. I know inside she is happy. I must agree with her on Lord Nobunaga's behavior, he does not treat her as a wife. And that is wrong. And surprisingly, I myself am a little happy as well. What is this woman doing to me? //

 

Mitsuhide walked over to Nohime, “You are quite the actress.”

“Why thank you. Are you sure the gazing isn't to much?” Mitsuhide put his arm around her as if comforting her.

 

“Gracia and I are heading to the marketplace. Would you like to come with us. It may take your mind off all of this sadness.”

 

“Yes I'd love to accompany you and Gracia.”

 

***

When the group returned from the marketplace it was almost lunchtime. Gracia had spent quite a lot on jewelry. She loved bracelets and Mitsuhide seemed happy to oblige her. He said it was because her mother had been the same way and it made him happy to see that in his daughter as well.

 

Gracia ran to her room happy. Mitsuhide and Nohime chuckled at her. “Was your late wife as energetic as she is?”

 

“At times. She was a good woman though. When I first began battling she once sheared her off her hair to buy me a professional sword.”

 

“That sword must mean so much to you.”

 

“Yes it does. I would never give it up, only for Gracia I believe would I ever even consider giving it up.”

 

Nohime smiled, “I hope that if Lord Nobunaga and I have children,” she paused and then frowned, “If he and I ever have children I hope he will be as good of a father as you are.”

 

“Thank you Nohime,” he offered his arm, “Shall we head to the great hall for lunch?”

 

Nohime took his arm, “Yes we shall,” she looked up at him, “Mitsuhide, when should we try to meet for... our rendezvous?”

 

“We should try to wait for a few days at least. Just to be safe.”

 

Nohime smiled and leaned into his arm, “Mitsuhide, I am sorry for putting you through all this pressure. I know how much you value Lord Nobunaga.”

 

“I have dedicated my life to him. But that also means to you too now.”

 

***

ÅŒmi, Odani Castle, Four Days Later

 

A guard rushes into a war room, “Lord Nagamasa, we have received word from our scout that Lord Nobunaga is approaching the castle!”

 

Nagamasa stood quickly, “Hurry prepare the men. We have waited for this moment. Have the army ready as quickly as possible. Today is the day we will send the Demon King back to hell where he belongs.” The guard bowed and ran as fast as he could to alert the men.

 

“Oichi, my love, my wife. Please forgive me. I have put you through so much. Please forgive me.”

 

Nagamasa walked to his balcony and saw the approaching army. Nobunaga's army outnumbered his by many, but he believed he could win this battle; he had to for Oichi's sake. He looked closer at the approaching army and saw a woman leading them, “Oichi?!”

 

Nagamasa's face filled with rage and pain as his heart fell, “Nobunaga, you bastard! How dare you make Oichi fight me! I will send you to hell for putting her through this pain! That is a promise.”

 

Nagamasa grabbed his helmet and his lance and headed out to the stable to mount his horse. His rage building with each step. The last battle would be fought today, and it would end today. In a few hours one of them would be dead. Him or Nobunaga.

 

***

 

Oichi couldn't stop the tears from falling as she approached the castle with her brother, “Why must you make me do this?”

“Oichi, you must do this. You are an Oda by blood, not an Azai. He is your husband yes, but I am your brother. Why would you choose him over me?”

 

“Because I love him. I trust him. He loves me. If you cared for me at all you wouldn't make me fight my own husband!”

 

“Would you rather me kill me him brutally? I would have you give him a quick death, where he could see you one last time. He would die with his wife by his side.”

 

“It will be your hands that his blood will stain. You are forcing me to kill the man I love because you broke your promise. You made him choose you or his other ally. This is all your fault and will always be. You have poisoned our happiness with your greed and hatred.”

“If that is what you desire to believe Oichi.”

 

***

The battle had begun. Nagamasa had rode into battle, determination evident in his gaze. He had made a plan; he would work his way toward Nobunaga in his main camp. He could break through easily if he kept his mind on Oichi. If he won they would be free. They would be happy again.

 

Nagamasa cut his way through the enemies that got in the way. Garrison by garrison he made his way toward Nobunaga. His army was dwindling by the minute but he didn't care. He would not let Nobunaga get away with this! He would not be chained down by him any longer!

 

// Why must fate pit me and my wife against each other. If she were to be hurt... wait... she is hurt. By all of this. I am hurting her. Nobunaga is hurting her. If I die she hurts to the very core of her soul. If Nobunaga dies she loses her brother and part of herself. She will hurt either way. I must stop this. In any way that I can. I will not take the chance of sacrificing Oichi for selfishness! //

 

***

Nobunaga sat on his horse inside his main camp awaiting Nagamasa to storm through.

 

“Lord Nobunaga,” yelled a messenger. He galloped through the main camp on horseback. He reared his horse to a stop, “Lord Nobunaga, Lord Nagamasa has left the battlefield. We have obliterated his forces and he fled.”

 

Nobunaga laughed deeply, evilly, “We will find him.”