Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Love Brings Betrayal ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 11 )

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 11

 

Mitsuhide led Nagamasa outside to a tent where Nobunaga was waiting for them. Nagamasa had made a decision and was ready to confront Nobunaga with it.

 

When they entered the tent soldiers were lined up in two isles, almost as if leading the way to Nobunaga. Mitsuhide noticed that Nobunaga had brought Nohime, and she was seated beside him. They locked eyes and Mitsuhide saw a single tear roll down the side of her face. Her face was calm. Poised, emotionless. The tear barely showed. But Mitsuhide knew her. He saw the tear just like last time.

 

Mitsuhide and Nagamasa walked to the middle of the “isle” and stopped.

 

“Nobunaga, you look well.” Nagamasa's face showed fatigue.

 

Mitsuhide stood a little behind Nagamasa, looking directly ahead at Nobunaga, “Lord Nagamasa has chosen the shame of surrender rather than sacrifice his wife and men.”

 

Nobunaga was leaning on his elbow, he raised his head, looked at Nagamasa and replied, “And what does that leave you with now? Honor? Or perhaps, love?”

 

Nagamasa's face became angry, he turned quickly and drew out Mitsuhide's sword. He pointed it at Nobunaga and the soldiers tensed and grabbed their swords. Nobunaga stopped them and looked directly at Nagamasa, “If you wish to kill me, then do it.”

 

Nagamasa's face faltered, “I'm sorry, Lord Mitsuhide.” Nagamasa brought up the sword and slit his own throat. The soldiers gasped as Nagamasa fell, without a sound, to the ground at Nobunaga's feet. Mitsuhide stood there, looking at the fallen Nagamasa as if it were an illusion.

 

“Mitsuhide.”

 

Mitsuhide lifted his head and shook it softly, “Huh!”

 

“What do you see in Nagamasa's death?”

 

“The pride of a warrior.”

 

Nobunaga stood, “The only reason Nagamasa participated in this battle was to sacrifice himself for honor. And so I allowed him to. That was his desire. However,” he walked past Mitsuhide, “for him to take his own life...,” He paused, “What do you desire of me, warrior?”

 

Mitsuhide turned and went to his knee and bowed his head, “That is simple. To see you as ruler of Japan. And to see you put an end to these wars.”

 

Nobunaga turned and began to walk away, “Watch and you'll see.”

***

Nobunaga walked out of Oichi's room and shut the door quietly. He would make sure she wasn't disturbed; she needed time to grieve for Nagamasa.

 

Nobunaga on the other hand was quite happy. His brother-in-law turned enemy was dead and he was getting married to a beautiful woman. Sadly though, because of these unexpected events the wedding was pushed back a few days. Not too many but at least three days.

***

Nohime was walking out to the garden with Oichi. Nohime had requested of Lord Nobunaga that Nagamasa be given a proper burial for Oichi's sake. Nobunaga had agreed, and so Oichi had begged him to let her get one last look at Nagamasa.

 

And that is where Oichi was headed, Nohime in tow. Nohime had been surprised when Oichi had asked for her company but hastily agreed to go with her to view Nagamasa.

 

They walked through the garden slowly and silently. Oichi's head was down; Nohime's facing straight ahead.

 

They came to a stop at the entrance of Nagamasa's temporary tomb. Oichi walked in first and took note of how empty it felt. She saw Nagamasa lying on the ground on his back. It had rained after his death and there were puddles all around him and under him. The soldiers had just left his body out in the rain as if it were nothing. As if he was nothing. He wasn't `nothing'. He was Nagamasa Azai, Lord of ÅŒmi. Oichi's face fell suddenly. He was Lord of ÅŒmi.

 

Nagamasa wasn't Lord of ÅŒmi anymore. He had taken his own life and left her alone. She should be angry... but she wasn't. In her eyes it was all her fault. She might have been able to stop him. She should have refused to leave him. She could have been there with him to help fight her brother. Then Nagamasa might still be in her arms and not laying dead at her feet.

 

Oichi turned, “Lady Nohime, could I have a few moments alone? Please.” Nohime inclined her head and walked away and back up the garden path they come from.

 

When Oichi was certain she was alone she sunk to her knees and put Nagamasa's head in her lap, they way she used to. After a few moments of silence Oichi buried her face in her hands and began to sob, “No! No!” In those few moments she had fully realized that Nagamasa had indeed left her, and he wasn't coming back to her.

 

She clasped her hands together as if pleading and looked up at the sky, tears streaming down her cheek, “Why did this have to happen?!” She lays her face in her hands again, “He's dead! And it's all my fault...” She leans forward and slams her hands on his chest, “I'll never feel his touch ever again!”

 

Suddenly she hears Nagamasa's voice in the air, “Oichi?” She looks up, “Do you like flowers?” She looks back down at Nagamasa's body and reaches into his blood stained war coat that he wore for extra armor. She pulls out the purple flower he had given her oh so many nights ago. She holds it delicately and then places it in her hair, “Nagamasa, I... I love you.”

***

Nohime walked through the garden thinking about Mitsuhide. When she had fallen in love with him she didn't know. What she did know was that if anything were to happen to him... she would break down. She was a strong woman but if anything happened to him... She didn't even want to think about it.

 

She didn't know how Oichi could seem so strong about this. Maybe Oichi was stronger than she appeared... or she was just a really good actress. She truly didn't know which category Oichi would fall into. But then that didn't matter. All that mattered was Nobunaga had driven Nagamasa to suicide. Intentional or not, Nagamasa's blood was still on Nobunaga's hands. She was marrying a murderer and there was nothing she could ever do about it. And the wedding was coming in just a few days.

 

If only she could feel Mitsuhide's touch one more time... no it could never be. Never again. Never again was she allowed to touch him. Kiss him. Hold him. Never again. She could almost relate to Oichi... Oichi's husband was dead and Nohime's love for Mitsuhide could never be.

 

Which would be worse? Knowing that the man you love is dead and knowing you won't be able to feel his touch again? Or knowing that the man you love is alive and knowing that no matter how strong the love is and no matter how near he is, you can't touch him? Which was worse? Were they equal? Possibly. All Nohime knew is that she understood Oichi on a deeper level than she ever had before.

 

***

Mitsuhide stood on his room's balcony looking at the sunset. It was beautiful... just like Nohime. He almost chuckled. Nohime was kind of like a sunset. So beautiful and calming and... untouchable. She was a star. So close and yet you could never reach one and hold it in your hands.

 

He shook his head, “When did I become a poet? What is she doing to me?”

 

He knew what she was doing to him. She was making him fall deeper and deeper in love. And she wasn't even doing anything. Everyday when he woke up, he loved her more. Whenever he saw her he got nervous and happy. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Everything reminded him of her. And now he couldn't even touch her.

 

He won't even be able to look at her after her wedding night. He would feel to guilty. He was probably more nervous about the wedding night than Nohime was. She wasn't a virgin anymore... by far. He only hoped Nobunaga didn't notice. If he did... there would be hell to pay. But if he had to he would tell Lord Nobunaga that it was him who took Nohime's innocence from him. If it would save Nohime from his wrath he would do it. He realized that he would do anything for that woman. He believed that he would even sell his first sword, the sword he had sworn he'd never sell. Love did crazy things to a man that's for sure.

 

Owari, 1580

Nobunaga and Nohime's Wedding Day

 

Nohime was sitting in her chambers alone. Today was her wedding day. It had finally come. Nohime was looking at herself in the vanity mirror. She was physically ready for the ceremony, but not emotionally. She contemplated running away while she had the chance, but there were guards all over the palace to make sure no unruly guests got in the castle.

 

Nohime sighed sadly. She started to feel a hint of guilt. Here she sat in a white kimono... she felt ashamed to wear the color. And yet... it made her happy too. She would never regret her decision to make love with Mitsuhide. Never. The only problem was she could never do it again. The only man she was allowed to share a bed with now was Nobunaga.

 

Nohime had promised herself that she wouldn't cry anymore. She had promised the same thing to Mitsuhide too. But when you cannot be with the man you love and you have to see him everyday... it's hard not to cry. To see the love of your life and not be able to acknowledge the love was torture. And that would be her life everyday until the day she died.

 

Nohime stood up and walked out of her room to the great hall where the wedding was going to be held. But... she couldn't stop herself anymore. Her stomach was full of tension; her eyes burned with unshed tears. And she let them fall as she walked with her head down.

***

Nobunaga stood looking in a mirror putting on his red cape. He had an almost sinister smile on his face. His happy smile. Today Nohime would be his wife. Forever. He laced his cape and went over to the balcony. He watched as guests arrived from every entrance to his castle.

 

He turned away from the balcony and looked around his chambers. Today Nohime would move her things into his chambers and it would be their chambers. He was truly excited. Nobunaga began to walk toward the door. He decided he should head to the great hall to take his place.

 

He did feel a little guilty that he had never taken the time to talk to Nohime but he would try and remedy that after they were married. He knew he did not love her; this marriage was strictly political. Even so she was the perfect bride for him. Beautiful. Deadly. Dangerous. Bloodthirsty. Battle lover. She was absolutely perfect. And she was all his. Only his. For all eternity.

***

Mitsuhide stood fixing his armor. Today could very possibly be the worst day of his life. The thought of Nohime marrying anyone other than him cut his heart in two. His heart felt as if it were dying all over again. He never thought his heart could die again after his wife had died. She had been his heart, when she died so had his heart.

 

Then he'd met Nohime. She made his heart come alive again. And now... after a few short months... it was dying again. But this time the death would be slow and painful. He had to see her everyday and pretend that he didn't love her.

 

Mitsuhide walked out of his chambers slowly. Hesitantly. Dreading the wedding. Nohime was marrying his Lord. He had to watch Lord Nobunaga touch Nohime's hands, her hair, her neck. He had to watch him be her husband. And every time he would see it he knew he would die a little inside. Love truly was a battle that never ended in his favor.

***

The wedding had been unpleasantly pleasant. It was a glorious occasion for some and a hideous one for others. For Nohime it was more than hideous. The wedding was over and now it was time for her wedding night. This would be the night that would count. Tonight could be one of her last nights alive if Nobunaga realized that she was no longer a virgin. She was nervous; hopefully her nervousness would trigger a “virgin effect” to Nobunaga's mind. She could only hope so.

 

Nohime was sitting in a chair in Nobunaga's chambers. Now her own as well. She watched as her personal items were being moved into her new rooms. Nobunaga was guiding the men moving the bigger items.

 

When all of her things were in their new homes Nobunaga ushered the men out. Then he turned to Nohime. He stood over to her and looked her in the eyes, “Come Nohime. We shall retire. It has been a long day. You must be exhausted.”

 

“Yes my Lord.” Nobunaga offered his arm the way Mitsuhide had always done for her. There was a small difference though. Mitsuhide had always smiled at her. So sweet was his smile and his eyes. Nobunaga didn't even look at her. He was a cold man indeed. And the night was only going to get colder still.

 

***

Mitsuhide stood on the balcony in his chambers looking out at the sky. He was trying to keep his mind off of what he knew was happening tonight. He almost couldn't stand it. He almost wanted to charge into Lord Nobunaga's chambers and steal her and carry her off. But he couldn't do that. They would never have any peace if he did that.

 

“Father?” Mitsuhide turned at the sound of Gracia's voice.

 

“What is it Gracia?”

 

“Are you okay father? You seem so sad lately. And not just melancholy. Sad as in the sadness you showed when Mama died.”

 

Mitsuhide looked away. Had anyone else noticed his sad demeanor? He wasn't sure but he had better be more careful just incase. “I am fine Gracia, don't worry about me.”

 

“But I do worry Father. You were so happy a few days ago and now... you are so sad. Something must have happened. Please tell me.”

 

“It matters not Gracia. I will be better soon.”

 

“I hope so Father. I cannot bear to see you so sad.”

 

Mitsuhide smiled, “Gracia, my daughter. Worry not about me. I will be alright. I promise.”

 

Gracia looked up at her father. He was lying to her. He wouldn't be okay. She knew it. But she wouldn't press the subject. It hurt him so much. She could see it in his eyes, “Alright Father. I will trust you in this.”

 

Gracia went up on the tip of her toes and kissed Mitsuhide's cheek softly. Then she turned and walked slowly to the door. She stopped and looked over her shoulder and she whispered softly, “I love you Daddy.”

 

Mitsuhide heard his door shut softly, “I love you too Gracia.” He looked over at his bed, “And Nohime, I miss you so much. And I love you to the very core of my soul. Forever.”