#ikemen sengoku angst fanfiction

[ikeromantic]

Mitsuhide Never 😡

For @nellzzz some Mitsuhide angst, because romancing the kitsune is never simple. Approx. 800 words of Never with our favorite foxy warlord.

Mitsuhide looked up from his work, a frown in place of his usual sharp smile. He hated being disturbed while he worked. There were few enough hours in the day to do all the things that needed doing. He readied a sharp comment that died on his lips as he looked up.

The chatelaine stood in the doorway, an uncertain expression on her pretty face. 

He felt his annoyance evaporate. A fluttery feeling replaced it in his gut, a warm, delicate affection that surprised him every time it struck. Mitsuhide was no blushing maiden nor virgin boy. But the chatelaine had this effect on him. He hid it behind his serpent’s smile. “Mai! What an unexpected pleasure.”

She took a step inside and looked around. It wasn’t her first time visiting his study but it seemed caution was her watchword where he was concerned. “Good evening.” Her eyes tracked around the room, looking anywhere but at him.

Mitsuhide stood and came around his desk. “Is there something you needed? Not that I mind you dropping in . . .” 

Mai startled as she realized he was closer. “I - I didn’t - I mean . . . I just stopped by to let you know . . .” 

He could see her struggling to tell him the lie she’d crafted before walking over. Knowing how ridiculous it would sound now that she was here and looking him in the eye. He let her flounder, his smile growing wider as she grasped for words.

“That is . . . tomorrow. Masamune is making lunch.”

Mitsuhide stepped closer yet. “He does that every day.”

“Mhmm. But! This one is special!” The words came out an adorable squeak. 

“Was that your excuse to come visit me? You wanted to see me so badly?” He chuckled. “You know you can come over anytime, Mai. And stay as long as you like.” His fingers stretched out to tuck a loose bit of hair back into her bun.

Her gaze snapped onto him as she slapped his hand away. “Hey!”

Mitsuhide laughed again. “It’s ok, Mai. You don’t need to pretend. No one is watching us here.” He leaned close, watching the way her eyes widened. The slight shift toward him as he body fought with her mind. 

“If you don’t care about the invitation, I can just go,” she replied, but her heart wasn’t in it.

“Do you want me to kiss you again, little mouse? Is that what brought you scurrying here, late at night and alone? If it was just an invitation to lunch, Masamune would have sent a servant.” The memory of their last shared kiss burned through him. A stolen moment after a feast, a dark hallway, the feel of her pressed against him. Breath coming in short gasps as lips parted and came together again. 

She looked away. “No.”

“I can tell when you’re lying.” He brushed against her cheek as he spoke, and felt a shiver pass through her.

“Don’t.” 

Mitsuhide slid his hand from her shoulder down her arm. “Why don’t you stay the night, hm? It’s late. And you told no one where you were going. Not even Masamune.”

Mai inhaled sharply. “How . . . damn it. Stop reading my mind.”

“Can you imagine what it would be like to make love to a man who knows what you want?” His lips grazed her ear. “One who reads your mind so that you never need speak your desires aloud? Merely think of them, and I will give them to you.” 

Her skin was hot and flushed, heart racing. “That’s never going to happen.” The words lacked any conviction, coming as they did with a needy breath. 

Mitsuhide bowed his head to press a kiss to the sensitive spot on her neck, just below her ear. “All you need do is permit me, Mai. Say yes. No one will know what happened here tonight. No one but us.”

He could feel she was at the cusp of surrender. She wanted him as much as he did her. It was only pride that held her aloft. Mai pushed him away. “Never. I don’t . . . I don’t want you.”

The words cut more deeply than he would let her see. He turned his smile hard and sharp. “I see my teasing has more an effect than I expected. Interesting.” Mitsuhide sat back down at his desk and picked up a piece of correspondence. 

“Mitsuhide.” Her voice was thick with emotion, a tangle even she couldn’t see all the skeins of. 

“Go, Mai. I am bored with our game and quite busy. Your message was delivered and I want nothing else from you.” He glanced up. “And you want nothing else from me. So why do you linger?”

Hurt and anger flickered in her gaze. She turned and stalked away without another word.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen mitsuhide #mitsuhide akechi #fanfiction #fanfic #otome #otome guys #light angst

[krys-loves-otome]

Trick or treat! Mostly treat, please!

Mostly a treat, you say? Which means there is a little room for trickery, yes?

And who is better at trickery than dearest Mitsuhide?

A while ago, I made an attempt of using clusters to try and map out my thinking process when it comes to fic writing, so I could try and visually see where ramblings could take me. Here's the IkeSen portion of that (admittedly quite large) clusterfuck of ideas, based on an idea from an old Fictober prompt: You Keep Me Warm

So, based on this image and that Mitsuhide is at the forefront of this idea, let's go have a lil wip!

----

The road to recovery wasn't an easy one, Mitsuhide was quick to realize, when he had found you had thrown your blankets off, once again. Even wrapping you as if you were a small caterpillar in the chrysalis did little to deter you. Perhaps he should next seek out midwifes for advice on techniques swaddling fussy infants as clearly his method was lacking. With a sigh, he knelt beside your bed and corrected the sheets, pulling them over your shoulders. It eased his frayed nerves that you were steadily gaining your strength back, thankfully. What he didn't like was discovering your chilled limbs whenever he checked on your during the night. Doubly frustrating was finding other parts clammy with fever. He wiped your brow with a cool, damp cloth. "…Is cold." you whispered hoarsely, shivering. "You'd be warmer if you kept your blankets on." Heavens above, he was turning into Hideyoshi, he thought with a bitter laugh.

Askbox Trick or Treat!

#meme thingys #krys's adventures in fanfiction #ikemen sengoku #mitsuhide akechi #ask box trick or treat #not an angst nor a bedwarmer but a secret third thing #I think that image was originally made last year? #and didn't make much from it #maybe a wip wednesday that originally featured Lancelot but I never got to include him #something to consider for later #lol

[writingwhimsey]

Second Chance Love Ch. 7

Chapter 7

Ava found herself sitting in between Mitsuhide and Ieyasu in one of the spare rooms of the castle. They were interviewing midwives. Ava couldn’t help but to keep looking down at her hands during the interview process. It felt so strange to have to interview midwives instead of back home meeting with a doctor…it felt even crueler that Hideyoshi wasn’t beside her.

Mitsuhide took notice of Ava’s behavior. He always took notice of everything, but he paid especially close attention to her. She seemed down, but also jumpy…especially jumpy when they brought up questions involving the midwives’ success rates if both mother and child living.

After what felt like the hundredth midwife to Ava, Mitsuhide was speaking up. “I think we should call an end to the interviews for today.” He said. “Come little mouse.”

“Where are you planning on taking me?” Ava asked him, looking at him suspiciously.

“I thought perhaps we could go out for a bite to eat. We do have to keep you and the little one fed.” Mitsuhide reminded her. 

“Well…food does sound nice.” Ava agreed. She was then looking over at Ieyasu. “You want to come with us?” She felt it was rude not to invite him. He had been helping with trying to find a midwife just as much as Mitsuhide had been.

Before Ieyasu could respond, Masamune was bursting in the room, his signature grin on his face. “Taking a break?” He asked.

“Yes, I was just about to take Ava into town to get something at one of the tea houses.” Mitsuhide answered.

Masamune nodded. “As you should.” He was then going over to Ieyasu and pulling him into a headlock. “And you’re coming with me. We haven’t had a good round of practice in a while.”

“Hey, let me go. You could just ask me to train with you like a normal person.” Ieyasu grumbled even as Masamune began to drag him off.

“Yeah, but you’d just tell me no. So I have to drag you off.” Masamune replied before the two disappeared.

Ava let out a small laugh. She was amused by Masamune and his antics.

Mitsuhide smiled. The sound of her laughter was like music. Even if it was a small laugh. He cherished the sound. Laughter meant happiness and healing. “I am glad to hear your laughter once again, little mouse.” He spoke aloud.

Ava turned to him, noticing how tender the look in his eyes was. She felt her cheek reddening. “Well…Masamune and Ieyasu are always entertaining. They’re like a comedy team.” She replied.

Mitsuhide was quickly turning his back to Ava and clearing his throat. “Yes…well come little mouse.” He informed her, his words short and clipped.

Ava followed him, her brow furrowed in confusion. There had been no teasing comment from Mitsuhide and if she was not mistaken…she thought she had seen a faint flush to his cheeks. 

Ava caught up to Mitsuhide and tried to look at his face. Whatever she had thought she’d seen must have quickly cleared up for now his teasing smile was in place. “Do you like my face, little one?”

Ava frowned. “I just…thought I’d…seen something.” She replied.

Mitsuhide was grinning devilishly as he came to a stop, turning to fully face Ava, his fingers going beneath her chin and tilting her face up so that her eyes met his. “Now, no need to be shy little mouse. If you like my face feel free to look at it all you wish. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of whatever you thought you saw.” Teasing her like this was easier.

Ava wrenched her chin from his hand and then shoved him back. “Oh, just stop it!” She was then marching on out from the castle, her cheeks pink and her brows knit together in frustration.

Mitsuhide chuckled as his long legs allowed him to quickly catch up to her. He was happy to get these reactions from her. Her fire was one of the things he loved about her. He was glad to see it returning. “Such strength you are showing.” He told her his tone teasing, though his words were the truth. “Able to shove me back like that.”

“Oh like you couldn’t have stopped me.” Ava replied, not looking at him. “No need to patronize me.”

“Think whatever you like, little mouse.” Mitsuhide replied, patting her shoulder.

Ava shrugged him off. “Can we just go eat? I’m freaking hungry. I’m growing another person you know.”

“Then let us get you some nourishment.” Mitsuhide replied, directing her to a tea house. It was one they had been to previously. They sat down, Mitsuhide taking the seat across from Ava. “Have whatever you like, little mouse.” 

“I will.” She replied, fixing a glare at him before proceeding to order one of everything on the menu.

Mitsuhide chuckled, but was happy to pay such a bill. He was rather excited that her appetite was coming back. “I see your stomach must be feeling just fine today.”

Ava fought the urge to stick out her tongue at him. “You did say anything…and it all sounded good.”

Mitsuhide gave her a genuinely warm smile. “Then I am more than happy to make sure you are well fed.”

“I thought that was Masamune’s job.” Ava quipped.

“It may be his job with cooking for you, but it doesn’t mean he is the only one that can feed you.” Mitsuhide remarked.

The food was soon arriving, their little table being completely filled. Ava quickly began to dig into the food. Mitsuhide just sat there, happily watching her enjoy stuffing her cheeks. She was definitely seeming to return to her normal self and he was rather happy to see it.

“Do I have some food on my face?” Ava asked after a moment.

“No, why would you ask that, little mouse?” Mitsuhide replied.

“Because, you’re staring.” She answered. “Perhaps you’re the one who likes my face.” She decided to tease him.

Mitsuhide chuckled. He enjoyed their back and forth. “I was just thinking how much you really do look like a little mouse.” He teased. And how utterly adorable you are. He added mentally.

Ava made a face at him, but then went back to eating. “You know…I may have ordered all of this…and I may be eating for two… but there’s no way I can eat all of this by myself. You should eat something too.”

“But I am not hungry.” Mitsuhide replied.

“How can you not be hungry?” Ava asked. “It’s been just as long since your last meal as it has been mine.”

“As you mentioned however, you are eating for two. I am not.” Mitsuhide countered.

“Okay, but, not all of this food is stuff you eat because you’re hungry. Some of it you eat just for the enjoyment of the food. Just for the flavor.” Ava went on.

“Hmm…eating food for enjoyment.” Mitsuhide pondered. “One would have to be able to taste food for that to happen.”

Ava blinked. “You…you can’t taste? Well that would explain…your eating habits at the banquets.”

“But do not let that stop you from enjoying your meal.” Mitsuhide told her. “I am just glad to see you more relaxed now.”

Ava frowned. “You should still eat some of this. If nothing else, it doesn’t go to waste.”

“Alright.” Mitsuhide told her, before picking up chopsticks and going to take a bite of some of the food.

“But…what do you mean by you’re glad to see me more relaxed?” She asked. “Was I that obvious?”

“You did cringe quite often in the interviews.” Mitsuhide told her. “Did these questions we were asking never occur to you?”

Ava sighed as she set her chopsticks aside. She took a sip of her tea before answering. “It’s just… in my hometown…things are…different…a lot different.” She explained. “Those things are… they’re not things most pregnant women worry about.”

Mitsuhide blinked. He knew Ava was not capable of lying… yet how could a pregnant woman not have to worry about the potential death of herself or the child? Or both? Those were concerns for many of the women in these times. “Perhaps one of these days, you’ll have to tell me more about your hometown. Like where it is.” He spoke. With as open as Ava was, there was still a great mystery as to where she had come from. She clearly came from some place much more peaceful than what he was used to. She’d clearly never had to lie and deceive… and yet she kept this one secret.

Ava looked at him a moment. “You mean…you didn’t read…that letter? The one you made sure… HE got.”

“That was never my place.” Mitsuhide replied. “Only to ensure he got it before you had a chance to truly disappear.”

“Well…maybe one day I’ll tell you.” Ava replied, still shocked that he hadn’t read the letter.  

Mitsuhide smiled. “I look forward to one day then.” Normally, he would have pressed for such details…but with Ava he wouldn’t pry her secrets from her. He would only help her and hope that one day would come.

“Is that why you brought me here?” Ava asked after a moment.

“Hmm?” Mitsuhide replied. 

“To let me have a break.” Ava clarified. “You…you could sense that I was having a hard time…during the interviews.”

“Sometimes one needs a break.” Mitsuhide replied.

“Well…thank you.” Ava told him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Just keeping Lord Nobunaga’s lucky charm in good spirits and good health.” He told her.

Ava nodded. “Well, whatever your reasons…still thank you.”

The pair sat and talked for a while. Ava eating most of the food and Mitsuhide even eating a few of the items as well. They were then returning to the castle. They were surprised when they saw an exhausted Ieyasu was talking to a young woman at the gate.

As they approached, they could hear the woman speaking. “I was told the Princess needed a midwife and I came here to apply for the job.”

“We ended things for the day. You can come back tomorrow.” Ieyasu told the woman.

“Look, I am not leaving until I see the Princess and have a chance to be her midwife. I want to make sure she is safe and well cared for. I want to help her.” The woman replied.

“Well, I am here so we might as well talk to you.” Ava said, something intriguing her about this woman. She appeared to be around the same age as Ava, with long dark hair she wore up in a simple ponytail and green eyes.

The woman smiled. She then seemed as if she was remembering herself and bowed. “I am honored to meet you Princess. My name is Akari and I would be honored if I could be your midwife.”

The group was soon sitting in the empty hall they had been in earlier. “So, what is your background?” Mistuhide asked.

“I have been a midwife for about the last ten years. I learned under my mother from the time I was a young girl.” Akari answered. “And not only did she teach me about properly caring for a woman during pregnancy and birth, but also supporting the mother after birth.”

Ava perked up. Akari was the first woman to mention such a thing. “Really?” She asked.

Akari nodded. “Yes, she taught me that some women can get rather melancholy after giving birth. She also taught me how to look out and protect the new mothers from infections.”

“Are you open to working under anyone else in caring for Ava?” Ieyasu asked.

Akari nodded. “Yes, I would consider it an honor to work under you Lord Ieyasu.”

“I didn’t say it would be me…” Ieyasu grumbled.

Akari smiled. “I just assumed since you are here now.”

Ieyasu seemed to grumble unintelligibly, but just nodded. Mitsuhide was fighting off a chuckle, though his eyes were looking over Akari, as if appraising her. “What makes you believe you are fit to treat our dear Princess?” He asked.

“As I’ve already said, I know how to care for her not only during pregnancy, but after as well.” Akari answered. “And I have not lost a mother or child.”

“Really?” Mitsuhide asked.

Akari nodded. “That’s right.”

“I like her.” Ava declared. She was then looking at Akari. “You’re my midwife.”

“Wait just a second, you can’t…” Ieyasu began.

Ava looked over at him. “But I like her…and I am the one having the baby.”

“If our little mouse is comfortable with her, then this is who we should choose.” Mitsuhide agreed…naturally he would be checking further into Akari’s background. But for now… he would just keep an eye on the midwife and be sure she truly kept Ava and her child safe.

#ikesen mitsuhide #ikemen sengoku mitsuhide #cybird mitsuhide #mitsuhide akechi #ikesen #ikemen sengoku #cybird #otome #otome mitsuhide #cybird otome #fanfiction #fanfic #chapter 7 #romance #love #angst #fluff #hurt/comfort

[flimflam707]

Masterlist

About me:

Hello everyone! I'm flimflam. If you're new, welcome! I use my tumbr account to post my fanart, fanfics and just random stuff about the games/anime I enjoy.

I mainly focus around the Ikemen series, but I also really enjoy MXTX, Obey Me, Mystic Messenger, Ensemble Stars and Genshin Impact.

For more info you can see my carrd profile: https://flimflam707.carrd.co/

Feel free to ask questions or dm me. :) I'm always very happy when people show that they enjoy my works, so feel free to leave a comment if you wish to.

English isn't my first language, so I apologise if there are any spelling/grammar mistakes in my posts. Feel free to call them out so I can fix them. :)

Much love, FlimFlam <3

My personal favs ❤️

Ieyasu (black and white) My love Yves Lumine A prayer to my God Liam and Elizabeth The ultimate astronomer

Fanfiction

Ikemen Vampire 🌹

Life as a vampire

Chapter 1: A new beginning

Ikemen oc vacation

The invitation

Ikemen Sengoku 🌌

Hekima masterlist

Obey Me 🐏

Detective Satan and assistant MC

Fanart

Ikemen Vampire 🌹

Vincent angst :( Napoleon for b-day Flustered Isaac Isaac b-day Sebas being a meme Luka Klein (IkeVamp OC) Ikemen oc vacation doodles A walk under the cherry trees Sleepwear ship dynamic (doodle)

Ikemen Revolution 🌖

Luka b-day 2023

Ikemen Sengoku 🌌

Ieyasu (colored) Ieyasu (black and white) Horsieyasu

Ikemen Prince ⚔️

My love Yves Yves Kloss Yves art trade (made by @velkya99 )

Mystic Messenger 📱

Best boy Ray

Obey Me 🐏

Self-aware Simeon Manga Luke The birth of a devil Demon OC

Twisted Wonderland 🪄

Azul & Ursula Riddle's b-day2022 Riddle's b-day 2023 Cursed Images

Ensemble Stars ✨

Wataru Kanata underwater 4piece debut!

Project Sekai 🎶

Emu Otori

Genshin Impact 🍃

Lumine Venti

Bungou stray dogs 🐯

PM Dazai Teruko

MXTX 🐇

WangXian Xie Lian Christmas card "Dumbfuck author, dumbfuck novel!" Mobei jun practice A prayer to my God Bingqui Hua Cheng hanahaki disease

Milgram 🔪

Fuuta Yuno

Other ❤️

Seir (Salvus Aries) OC Mitchy (XY) Fav jpop artists A thank-you-gift (SHY fanart) Junie cutie Misha art trade

Artfight

Vampire 2023 🦇

K Raphaël Miriam Matica Slumber St Pierre Tibs and Lucy Lou Liam and Elizabeth Two unnamed orcs The drag club The ultimate astronomer Seed Finn Chantilly

#masterlist #cybird ikemen series #ikemen vampire #ikemen sengoku #ikemen prince #ensemble stars #twisted wonderland #obey me #mystic messenger #wangxian #salvus aries #fanfic #fanart #genshin impact #artfight #XY #tgcf #heaven official's blessing #mdzs #ikemen revolution #bsd #svsss

[flimflam-archive]

Masterlist

Welcome to my blog!

This is a blog to archive my works. My main blog is @flimflam707 , that is also the blog I use to interact with other tumblr-users.

Thanks so much for supporting me! I giggle everytime I get a notification :)

Fanfiction

Ikemen Vampire

Life as a Vampire

Chapter 1: A new begining

Ikemen OC vacation

The invitation

Obey Me

SSEvent

Detective Satan and assistant MC

Fanart

Ikemen Vampire

Vincent angst :( Napoleon for b-day Flustered Isaac Isaac b-day Sebas being a meme Luka Klein (IkeVamp OC) Ikemen oc vacation doodles A walk under the cherry trees

Ikemen Revolution

Luka b-day 2023

Ikemen Sengoku

Ieyasu (colored) Ieyasu (black and white) Horsieyasu

Ikemen Prince

My love Yves Yves Kloss

Mystic Messenger

Best boy Ray

The Ssum

June <3

Obey Me

Self-aware Simeon Manga Luke The birth of a devil Demon OC

Twisted Wonderland

Azul & Ursula Riddle's b-day2022 Riddle's b-day 2023

Ensemble Stars

Wataru Kanata underwater 4Piece

Project Sekai

Emu Otori

Genshin Impact

Lumine Venti

MXTX

WangXian Xie Lian Christmas card "Dumbfuck author, dumbfuck novel" Mobei jun practice A prayer to my god Bingqui Hua Cheng hanahaki disease

Bungou stray dogs

PM Dazai Tekuko

Milgram

Fuuta Yuno

Other

Seir (Salvus Aries) OC Mitchy (XY) A thank-you-gift (SHY fanart) Misha (arttrade)

Artfight

Vampires 2023

K Raphaël Miriam Matica Slumber St Pierre Tibs and Lucy Lou Liam and Elizabeth Two unnamed orcs The drag club The ultimate astronomer Seed Finn Chantilly

[mangolover]

Can Blood Piece Broken Glass Back Together? - Ikesen Kenshin angst fanfiction

Title: Can Blood Piece Broken Glass Back Together?

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku / Ikesen

Pairing: Kenshin X F!MC

Genre: Angst

Warnings: This fanfiction includes sensetive themes like: suicide, mental illness, depression, self harm, blood and excesive drinking, Please proceed with caution!

Spoilers: There are some spoilers here, one of them being really important for Kenshin’s character development and to better understand him.

Word Count: 1700+

Description: F!MC has been feeling depressed and suicidal lately and Kenshin isolated her due to his jealousy problems, leaving her with no other option to escape her darkness, but taking her own life and breaking his fragile heart.

Enjoy!

It was hard to face life these days... It wasn’t the first time she had felt like giving up. Even before she travelled 500 years back into the past and found the love of her life, those thoughts were like an annoying guest to her, coming and going as they wished. Back in the future it was alright, times were much more peaceful and she could go to any of her friends or to her family, sometimes even seeking professional help. But now… Now her family wasn’t even born and her friends were mostly his enemies, enemies of the one person she was ready to call her own world, Kenshin Uesugi, the man who had imprisoned her heart, body and destiny.

Nothing particularly bad happened, she just woke up one day and felt… empty. It haunted her from when she was a teen, ever since she lost herself because she wasn’t like other girls on Instagram... She didn’t know how to express her emotions, that was one thing she always struggled with. And being with Kenshin didn’t help her with that.

Kenshin had his own demons that haunted his mind. They left his dreams after she had helped him, but he was still helping himself and couldn’t help her. That’s why she was really happy when she had a chance to see Shingen and Yukimura. Shingen was wiser and older and dealing with his own demons so he could always spare some advice or lend a hearing ear which was helpful to her. She could barely go anywhere alone to scream and release every damned emotion she felt, so she’d find her antidote in her friend Yukimura. Yuki would always bring a smile to her face and to that she was very grateful.

But that bugged Kenshin. He was sickly jealous and didn’t want them to hear her beautiful voice, to smell her beautiful scent, to fell her warm embrace as they hugged her to make her feel better, but he couldn’t be there for her. He was a busy warlord with many enemies. So, the only way to stop those haunting voices in his head was to cut them off. He asked his once arch enemy and his vassal to never show up again or there will be a problem. Shingen understood the hidden motive behind his threatening request, he was painfully aware of his demons and didn’t want his friend that he cared about so deeply going down that damned spiral of self-destruction again. So they retreated back to their own land, silently apologizing to her in their heads.

With no one there for her anymore, a new wave of hopelessness washed over her leaving her in even worse state, but like a sign from any gods there are, Sasuke, her buddy from the future, was there with her. He was a busy man, after all he was Kenshin’s employee, his own ninja, but he could always find the time for her, because she was the reason he endured all those four long years of ninja training, only hoping to meet her again and be able to help her. And even if their plans have changed, they were still in this together. Sasuke would listen to her and help her, even whrn she was at her lower points, when she was too close to the rock bottom, he would be with her. He could see her pale face and how much skinner she had become in the last months compared to a year ago when she first arrived in this time period. She didn’t eat properly, she didn’t sleep enough and those thoughts, anxiety and stress were eating her from inside out, she even left her job as the seamstress and decided to sit out her days on the veranda, looking out at the miserable garden that was once full of beautiful flowers with prickly thorns that made her bleed and hurt Kenshin.

Kenshin was once again hurt by her relationship with Sasuke and he didn’t hesitate to pull his trusty sword Himetsuru-Ichimonji on him. He cared for Sasuke, deeply, but he couldn’t shut those horrible, distorted voices in his head that were growing louder by second, telling him the curse and blessing that followed him. He could not be harmed and killed in battle, but everyone around him that he cared and loved ended up getting hurt or dying out of his reach to help them. It was eating him inside out, leaving behind only a shell of a man he once was or could be and a glass heart in his chest, hard to break, but once broken, hardly put together again, slowly killing him…

Sasuke was forbidden from seeing or touching her, only if she was in immediate danger and Kenshin wasn’t there to run to her aid. That broke her, leaving her with barely any hope, not strong enough to outshine the darkness in her mind and soul anymore. With all her loved ones now abandoning her or being forbidden to see her due to the side she chose, she was almost completely alone. There was one last chance to stop it all, to prevent the turmoil that was coming.

She had been alone for a week now, looking for a way to punish herself for being so weak without hurting Kenshin. She looked at that dagger she received from Oda forces before she departed from them in case she ever needed to save herself. ‘Should I do it?’ was her thought as she stared at its blade, pressing it to her fingertip, testing it’s sharpness. It could easily slash someone’s throat in an instant without much pressure applied, she was sure of that as she almost cut her finger and dealt another punch to Kenshin’s still fragile heart. Healing process was never going to be easy, if she wasn’t aware of that before, she was now. She just hoped it would be quicker, but she knew better than to rush him and risk all the progress, all the baby steps they made, going down the drain…

She snapped out of it when she heard the footsteps down the hall, announcing the early return of her healing lover. She frantically hid the dagger. Making sure she doesn’t cut herself, for the sake of both of their sanity. He greeted her as he slid open the door, shutting it behind him when he saw her face with a plastered smile. She is glad he was home in one piece, but she couldn’t find a way to really smile again. Kenshin must’ve been tired because he sat on the futon waiting for her to come and cuddle with him, but she was holding herself back. Maybe she should just talk to him about her demons, he promised to protect her all his life after all. ‘Yeah, I should just talk to him, I love him. He deserves to know what’s going on.’ However when she saw that beautiful true smile on his face when he hugged her, placing an affectionate kiss on top of her head, she lost all her courage to tell him and risk losing this happy Kenshin she loved so much more than his sad side.

That proved to be a fatal mistake on her part.

She couldn’t fight her monsters when it was too dark for her to see ahead anymore. The last light of hope extinguished its flame and left her completely alone and lost, this time with no resort to turn to. The antidote was now useless, nothing could save her. She was too far gone. She finally broke.

She was standing in the middle of her room, finally wearing the kimono she sewed last night using the fabric the Oda clan sent her, the fabric Kenshin would rip off her and burn out of his jealous rage. She wrote him a letter, explaining her thoughts in the best way she could and begging him to not blame himself. This time, it was completely her mistake because the only one getting hurt was him. She took a deep breath and muttered an apology under her breath before she slit her wrist, deep, causing her blood to splatter everywhere, quickly leaving her body. Sasuke was worried about her and he finally found some time to meet her with Kenshin being occupied hunting down some bandits in town. He silently slid into her room and saw a horrifying sight…

There she was, wobbling on her legs, losing conciseness by seconds, he froze to the spot, only to see her holding a bloody dagger with a pained smile on her face. He had to act quickly, he ran to her side, tying a piece of fabric around her wrist doing anything to try and stop the bleeding and, in an instant, he was out in the hallway, running towards the medic’s room, begging her to keep her eyes open and stay with him, he couldn’t lose her when he could’ve helped her. After dropping her of there he practically fell backwards down on to the floor, still covered in her blood and running his hands through his hair, drowning in unbearable guilt. His usually stoic expression was now painted with hurt.

Vassals learned about this and Kenshin was soon brought back to his castle, demons running wild in his mind. ‘What the hell was she thinking? How could I let that happen? Why was fate punishing mr once again, wasn’t the first time enough?? Wasn’t Isehime enough of a punishment for me??!’

But nothing could bring Isehime back… He is the one responsible for her death… He failed to protect his first love from himself and his damned curse that still kept him alive, only to torture him more…

Few hours passed that felt like they were years, he couldn’t bring himself to go to her side now, not when she was still ragging her war, fighting, the only question was to die or to survive. She may thought this was the best way to hurt him, one quick and hard punch to that glass in his chest, but it was the worst torture he could imagine. She was still visible, dying out of his reach. He sat at the veranda where she spent so many nights with her demons, downing bottles of sake, one after the another, and poured himself another cup, the one brewed in Azuchi, one he shared with her. Now it lost its special taste all of a sudden, causing him to push it off the table and shatter into millions of pieces, just like his heart when the final blow was finally delivered… One of those shards from his heart must've flew and stuck in her wrist, deepening the cut and therefore preventing the blood from stopping...

But, sadly, blood can’t piece broken glass back together…

The end.

#kenshin uesugi fanfic #ikemen sengoku #ikesen fanfic #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikemen sengoku fanfic #ikesen #ikesen angst #ikemen sengoku angst #ikemen sengoku angst fanfiction #ikemen sengoku angst fanfic #ikesen kenshin #ikemen sengoku kenshin #🥭

[spoopy-fish-writes]

—Don't make me leave

Suitor(s): Mitsuhide

TW: Breakdowns, angst

Genre: Angst <3

Notes: Gender neutral MC || Haha, why do I do this to myself? I'm literally trying to tear my own heart out. I'm suffering. I experienced physical pain trying to write this

Mitsuhide couldn't see you as soon as he walked on until he actually took a look around and there you were. Wearing strange clothes similar to the ones that he had been told that you had you worn on the night of your arrival, the front of the top piece pulled over your head as you sat against the wall, hunched over, knees hugged close to your chest and body trembling uncontrollably.

He could hear your almost silent sobs and barely ineligible and shocked up mumbling, the sounds and words becoming clearer, the closer he came to you as he approached your form.

"Little mouse?" His voice was soft, lacking his usual teasing edge as he called out to you.

He got no response other than your quiet sobs and the incessant whispering that he could only just make out.

"Please don't make me go back. I-I can't. I don't want to leave. Don't make me leave. I want to stay here." The words spilled from your mouth almost as though you didn't know he was there.

"No one is making you go anywhere, little mouse." He softly pulled the front of your shirt away from your face and he couldn't help the way that his heart ached at the sight of you, eyes red with tears silently falling against your cheeks, your expression so broken that he was a worried that touching you would shatter you like glass.

You looked up at him, vision blurred and met a pair of gold ones, expecting to see his usual smirk but it was nowhere to be seen. He looked almost... Hurt and yet you couldn't bring yourself to focus on it, limbs weak, and mind in too much of a disarray.

He softly pulled you up, more delicately than you ever remember him treating you, and reached down to carry you in his arms.

Somehow managing to avoid every being in the castle in his usual Mitsuhide fashion, he brought you to his room, and say with you on his futon, your face buried in his chest and, perhaps subconsciously, you realised that it was okay for let everything out.

Your form shook with now unrestrained choked up sobs and he could feel your fears dampening the front of his kimono.

There the two of you sat, neither knowing just how long you had been there, you in his unusually caring embrace and him with his heart aching for you, waiting and hoping for you to calm down. To perhaps be able to see the smile that would come to your face whenever you replied to his teasing with a witty remark or when you saw something new or unusual.

After a time, tears no longer streaking down your face, you lightly pushed yourself a few inches away from him, releasing a shaky breath. Your eyes were still yet to meet his, gaze fixed on your hands which had come up to grip at his kimono as sobs wracked through your body.

He didn't say anything, didn't pressure you into looking up at him or talking but you could tell that he was still there, still waiting but giving you your own time and space to do whatever you needed. You could tell through his arms wrapped around your middle, his hand that lightly stroked through your hair and his other hand which gave your waist a reassuring light squeeze.

It wasn't long after that that Mitsuhide was met with your steady breathing, the slow rise and fall of your chest as you leaned into him.

He set you down on his futon, attempting to leave you be and yet- he couldn't. He couldn't just leave you there. So... frightened and vulnerable.

He tried to leave. He really did. But with each passing second, his resolve broke and he found himself setting himself down beside you, arms wrapping around your waist and drawing you towards him.

It felt- comforting having you there with him. Warm even and he wished that he could live in this moment forever, his vulnerability hidden from the world and yet frozen in time for all to see with you in his arms, the source of the warmth that filled him and threatened to over flow.

Tears started to spill from Mitsuhide's eyes and yet he couldn't fathom why. Had he been asked, he wouldn't have been able to give an answer. No snappy response. No teasing reply. He would have frozen. Paused to ask that himself. Why?

Maybe it was how vulnerable you looked. Terrified out of your wits and yet you still clung to him of all people. Maybe that was it. How, despite your fear, it still clung to him. The man who had tried to desperately to push you away and yet you still followed after him.

It was with that thought that he was finally lulled to sleep, your form tucked snugly against his chest and his mind strangely at peace.

-----------

Thin rays of light peaked into Mitsuhide's room, illuminating the area and bringing the Sun's warmth but he felt strangely cold. He had slept sounder than he had ever remembered sleeping in what was likely to be years but the warmth that he recalled feeling ever so vividly the night before completely gone from him and it was mere seconds later that he realised why.

You were gone. In any normal situation, he would have simply gotten up and continued with his day, likely thrown in a passing trading comment about the night before. Perhaps you were embarrassed. After all, it wasn't a light experience to fall apart in front of someone and then share a bed with them.

But this wasn't a normal situation. In your place, just barely peaking out from under the pillow, was a piece of paper, hidden away but clearly left there for him to find.

Taking it out carefully, he recognised your handwriting across the paper and his heart jumped into his chest. Tears pricked at his eyes before he could stop them and soon they were falling freely, each dripping to the floor like a gem, shattering upon making contact with the ground.

It didn't matter to him at this point. He was within the safety of his own room. There was no one to see him there and that wasn't his concern. What was his concern was what he held in his hands, the words that he was reading, what they meant.

There is was, a note detailing your departure from the Sengoku. From how you were from the future to things about wormholes that neither you or he could evidently understand through your very vague and confused description. Everything down to how much you appreciated his help the night before and were sorry to have had to leave him so abruptly. And there it ended with a line of thanks to everyone in Azuchi they mentioned how much you cared for them all.

Mitsuhide wasn't one to believe everything first time but he knew, he just knew, that that was it. You were gone.

He clutched the paper close to his chest and brought his knees up to his chest, oh so reminiscent of your own position when he had found you earlier, and the tears continued to slip down his cheeks; silent, just as yours had been, and invisible to the rest of the world, just as yours had been; years of moments that he could have shared with you in a future that he realised that he wanted oh so badly, slipping out of his hands as the tears slipped from his lashes.

He didn't want you to leave either and yet you still had. Slipped from his fingers as if he was trying to hold onto smoke. Now he was the one wishing to leave. If only to see you once more.

Tags: @simplycuriouscourage @a-chaotic-dumbass @otome-scribbles @laito---sakamaki @vcl-1807 @shad0cat @rurifangirl @ikerevandotherthings @theblueberryreign @lucyw260

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#ikesen mitsuhide #ikesen #angst #why do i do this to myself #ikemen sengoku #ikesen fanfic #I need to post this now so I don't have to see it in my schedule and cry until it gets posted #spoopswrites #ikesen fanfiction #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikemen sengoku fanfic

[the12thnightproject]

Twelve Lies I Told Shingen Takeda Chapter 40: The Twelfth Lie

Kenshin and Yukimura's scheme puts Katsuko in a bind. She promised herself she wasn't going to lie to Shingen again... but to save his life, she will tell one more.

Excerpt:

“Damn it, Katsu, I’m a physicist, not a philosopher,” Sasuke peered at me hopefully through his glasses. “Normally, you would have laughed at that.”

“Sorry. I know you’re trying.” I summoned up the ghost of a smile. “Why is this suddenly so difficult for me? It’s not like haven’t spent the last few years of my life lying to everyone.”

He was quiet a long moment – knowing him it was because he was examining the data before him, then choosing his words carefully. “Probably because you never cared as much before.”

Ouch. Ok. Not choosing his words all that carefully.

I must have visibly recoiled because Sasuke continued. “Sorry, obviously I’m unlikely to make an adequate psychologist either. I didn’t mean to suggest that I ever considered you to be uncaring. Simply that as someone who’s known you for almost four years, you often seemed somewhat… apart from things. Once you were revealed to as… well… you, you’re having to put all the pieces of yourself back into one person again, and some of the things that didn’t serve you as Katsu, or even as Kaya, are ummm… coming back online.”

“Alright. There were about three different metaphors tangled up in that, but I get your point.” Having my conscience return at this point was rotten timing, but my life was full of rotten timing. “It still leaves me questioning my judgment.”

“What I said earlier – that there’s no right answer – goes the opposite too,” Sasuke said. “It is equally true that there’s no wrong answer either.” He looked up above the trees, where the sun was resting on the one lone cloud visible in the otherwise clear sky. I suppose he was so used to looking for answers in the cosmos that it was his go-to. “Perhaps that isn’t much of a comfort, but if you keep telling yourself that, maybe it will be easier to keep up the charade.”

“Maybe…” Our conversation was cut off when Yuki and Mai, who had been having another of their siblingesque spats, got tired of bickering and dropped back to chat with us.

Of necessity, due to her complete inability to carry out a deception of this magnitude, Mai had been kept in the dark as to our plans. So Sasuke immediately changed the subject midstream. “What’s to question? Even if Dr. Strange kills Dr. Who, Dr. Who could simply regenerate into a more powerful being.”

“I’m still going with stalemate.” I picked up the thread of the imaginary conversation. “Sorcerer versus Time Lord might be the first working perpetual motion machine.”

Mai jumped into the debate. “I vote Dr. Strange. In the blink of his eyes, he can figure out the only way in one billion simulations that will kill Dr. Who… so he’ll always be one step ahead.”

Yuki slapped his hand to his forehead and groaned. “Not again. It was bad enough when there were only two of you doing that.”

Link to Chapter:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32812042/chapters/88207693

@ocfairygodmother

#ikemen sengoku fanfic #ikemen sengoku #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikesen fanfic #ikesen shingen #shingen takeda #ao3 link #ocfairygodmother #fanfic #ikesen yukimura #cybird ikemen #ikemen kenshin #ikesen kenshin #ikesen sasuke #there's some angst in this one #more than some #ikesen spoilers

[lordsister]

Until Next Time (Nobunaga Oda x Reader)

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Pairing: Nobunaga Oda x Reader

Prompt #1: “Why do you write? he asked. So I can take my love for you and give it to the world, I reply. Because you won’t take it from me.” - Lang Leav

Prompt #2: “I didn’t think you were the type to lose your sanity for a girl.” “I didn’t either.”

Warning: None! Slight angst, I guess?

Intended Audience: Female Audience

Word Count: 775

Ko-fi: Click here to support me on ko-fi!<3

Disclaimer: I do not own Ikemen Sengoku or any of its characters. All of that loveliness is the property of Cybird. I do, however, own the plot of this fanfic. Please do not repost this on any other website.

Other notes: This is @rikumorimachisgirl​‘s prize for winning third place in my 1000 follower raffle. Merry Christmas, dear!! I hope you enjoy what I came up with!💕 It was my pleasure to write this for you!

Tag list: @yesmarsx​ @nad-zeta​ @jiyuu-chan​ @chibinerdyfangirl​ @kisara-16​ @cheese-ception​ @cailann​ @vespeshadowmoon​ @ravenarld​

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       Drip, drip, drip splatters of black ink made dark exclamations across the paper, but you didn’t care.

       Your eyes ached with the strain of writing in the dim, the shadows of night and succor of sleep fended off by the paper lantern lit in the corner of your room and the throbbing need in your gut that forced you to put brush to paper again and again. Whatever drowsiness you had felt after a long day of work disappeared under a sudden bout of yearning that made your heart pound and filled your veins with a burst of lovesick adrenaline.

       It was tiring, loving and loving with nowhere to go. You’d tried to throw yourself into your work, into sewing and your duties as chatelaine, but it had only worked for a time, and mildly at best, taking the edge off a hunger that would never be satisfied as far as you knew. This - writing out your love in stories and poems and personal accounts and whatever else came to mind - was the only thing that had really had any effect, leaving your heart a little lighter and allowing you to sleep peacefully at night without twisting and turning to dreams of red eyes and an arrogant smile. 

       If only he’d let you love him, let you take away the trauma and pain, but the task he’d set for himself wasn’t finished yet, not by a long shot, so he would continue to hold you close at arms’ length, near but far, until he could allow himself to slip, to be vulnerable for you. After it was all over, he promised you...

       Shaking your head, you pressed the brush down more harshly. There was no reason for you to torture yourself by going down that path again, thinking that maybe it was actually because you just weren’t enough, unworthy to stand at the side of the great Nobunaga Oda. He didn’t want to accept your love yet? Fine. But you wouldn’t give him the relief of your love only when it was convenient for him. 

       With no outlet for your love you would write it, every word, every emotion, every bit of pain and anger and oh so stubborn love that refused to be quelled no matter how much you tried to put the feelings away, to hold his promise close and stay far away from him at the same time.

       “Why do you write?” he’d once asked, red eyes curiously soft as they met yours.

       “So I can take my love for you and give it to the world,” you’d replied. You’d wanted to scream at him, to punish him for dangling you on a string, but instead all you’d been able to do was smile, sadly, but understandingly. “Because you won’t take it from me.”

       The screen door slid open behind you, but by then you had long since succumbed to the growing heaviness behind your eyelids, slumped over your writing desk and smudging words of choked adoration not yet dried.

       …

       …

       ...

       Thick, calloused fingers wove through your hair, careful not to disturb you as you slept. A soft sigh passed your parted lips as you turned into the familiar warmth of the man holding you, your cheek to his broad chest as you fell still once more. Nobunaga drank all of it in, using the sight of you asleep in his arms to tide himself over until the next time he needed you close. 

       He didn’t regret his actions towards you. It was a necessary sacrifice if he wanted to focus on unification, but that didn’t mean he didn’t feel the ache of your absence acutely. You belonged beside him, smiling that smile that came so rarely in this warring age.

       Now, holding you like this, perfect and peaceful and everything he wanted in a vulnerable, innocent little bundle, it was almost enough to make him regret for the first time in his life. 

       He heard Mitsuhide sigh from the hallway and had half a mind to glare at the other man for interrupting one of the few moments he could steal with you, doubtless there to discuss his latest act of cunning. “I didn’t think you were the type to lose your sanity for a girl.” 

       Nobunaga chuckled, pressing his lips to your hair and breathing deeply. “I didn’t either.”

       When you woke up the next morning tucked safely in your futon you would be none the wiser to his visit. The love in your heart would sit quietly until the time he would accept it, his whispered promise lingering against your skin like a blessing.

       All until next time...

#ikemen #ikemen series #ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikesen x reader #ikemen sengoku x reader #ikemen x reader #ikemen fanfiction #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikesen fanfiction #otome #otome x reader #otome fanfiction #fluff #angst #ikesen nobunaga #ikemen sengoku nobunaga oda #ikesen nobunaga x reader #ikemen sengoku nobunaga x reader #nobunaga oda x reader #until next time (nobunaga oda x reader)

[darkkitsuneprincess]

Kitsune (Kitsune!Mitsuhide x MC)

So, I started on this some months back because I couldn’t get the thought out of my head, then stalled because I started second-guessing myself. Then Cybird announced that they’re finally (FINALLY!!!!) giving us everybody’s favorite snek [the anticipation is @#(%(* KILLING ME]. I got excited. I squeed. And, well, I smutted.

This one is kinda long. I have no idea what the hell I was thinking.  I’d apologize, but I’m really not sorry.

___________________

Title:   Kitsune Pairing: Mitsuhide x MC Rating: E (Very NSFW) Word Count: ~8500

Description: The illicit affair between Mitsuhide and MC is interrupted by one of his new ventures. Upon his return, she learns the truth of both her pet and her lover.

 ~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

He entered through the open door like a phantom on swift, silent footsteps. The air pressure changed, pulling my shoulders upward and drawing my awareness to the open space behind me. The only true indication that I was no longer alone came from the lingering scents of cinnamon and gunpowder embedded in his clothes. I carefully lay my sewing to the side, my hands slick and shaking.

“Mitsuhide,” I said without turning, thankful my voice remained steady.

It could be no one else; Lord Mitsuhide was the only man who would stalk the halls of the castle so late, much less come into my room uninvited. Though uninvited was a bit of a misstatement. I left my door open with one intention only: to tempt him inside.

This relationship—strained at best in civilized company and little more than carnal in private—was beyond the niceties of social station when we were alone.

“Princess,” he replied, his voice flat so as to wield the honorific like a weapon.

His voice echoed to me from across the room, covering the sound of the door sliding closed, but in the next instant fingers slid down my spine through the layers of my clothing. On their ascent, those fingertips turned to a palm, pressed flat between my shoulder blades, which urged me forward until my face and chest lay flush against the table.

Thus began the ritual of mutual pleasure.

It started a few months after my sudden arrival in Azuchi of the past, once news circulated of my position as a hostage delivered by the Satori clan to Oda Nobunaga. Lord Nobunaga, while distant and unfeeling in his position as rising Shogun to the new order of Japan, took me in and gave me the honor of “Princess” in his home while continuing his conquest of the remainder of the big island. His closest allies gathered months before I arrived, and though they have come and gone about their business, one has remained constant.

The white-haired demon—a negotiator and spy for our Lord—began this affair with barbed words and teasing phrases in passing, which turned to uninvited touches and whispered words of seduction. When he discovered that I’d kept his confidence regarding these interludes, he appeared at my door late one evening, letting himself in unannounced but not entirely unwanted. There truly was valor in discretion, it seemed.

He and I had danced around one another for three months, our battle tactics vastly different yet similar enough that each could anticipate the other’s next move…until that night he came to me in search of pleasure.

Cold fingers rested atop my head while I sat with my sewing in my lap, drawing a shiver of anticipation out of me. He said nothing at all; only moved his hand down the column of my throat to my shoulders and lower, to my hip. My body grew hot and my head fuzzy when the warmth of his body pressed against my back. With swift, silent movements he positioned me as he wanted me. When he took me, I came apart in his arms.

After that first visit, enacted entirely without sound, I began leaving my door open on evenings when I desired company. Mitsuhide, reading the intent in that action, would come to me late in the evenings when all others would retire and take pleasure from my body.

His actions held no affection that I could recognize; only the desire a man holds for a woman’s body. I allowed his touch, so desperate was I for human interaction. His years as the Left Hand of the Devil King taught him how to read me as well as he would a book and he used that knowledge to his advantage. Though he was cold at best, he was not without great ability. His deft fingers knew what touches made me cry out. He understood well how to use his body to make mine beg. Just his presence created a familiar ache of need.

Mitsuhide gathered the layers of my kimono in his long, slender fingers and, adjusting his own clothing so as to free himself, he took me without preamble in one swift, smooth thrust.

I bit down into my own sleeve to stifle the unladylike moan his ministrations sought to bring out of me, only to discover an equally primal sound clawing its way out of him. The sound both thrilled and frightened me. As many times as he’d come to me—and there had been many—he never made a sound except to respond to my greeting. To know I’d caused that sound after all this time was as intoxicating as the undulation of his hips when he moved inside me.

I put aside my growing feelings for him and gave myself over to the pleasure of his touch; allowed Mitsuhide to use my body as a tool, bringing both of us to swift and powerful release.

A quiet grunt escaped him as he pulled away and adjusted his clothing. My kimono fell back in place a moment later, hiding the evidence of our union. Were anyone to enter, they would be no wiser.

I did not rise; did not turn. I lay against the table, my body spent and my breath a stuttered series of gasps, as my door slid open and closed again.

***

I received word the next morning that Mitsuhide had left in the early hours of the morning, which meant I would not see him again for many days. My heart beat harder in my chest for his absence; my eyes burned. I wondered, as I often did, if last night’s visit would truly be the last.

The castle’s maids whispered of rumors that our lord had sent him once again to uncover information of dubious origin, which came as no surprise. There seemed to always be a new threat, a new and unseen danger threatening our Lord’s precarious hold on this war-torn land and Mitsuhide always ended up on the front lines, back lines, and all the lines in between. And no matter how many times my secret lover and his vassals moved to quell a new uprising, another always seemed to take its place.

I paced the hallways for days after his reported departure, mourning the loss of his presence. Though his affection was cold and sparing at best, I craved it just as I craved air to breathe. The days themselves were consumed by my sewing and other duties, but my nights… my nights were lonelier now than ever before.

At night, the unseasonable heat of the early Kyoto spring drove me out of my room and into the garden. The peace I’d always found by coming here turned to loneliness as I mourned something I wasn’t completely sure I’d had to begin with.

Yet I walked among the rows, feeling the soft breeze which fluttered through the rows of prematurely blooming sakura trees, their blooms lending a gentle perfume to the night air. I made my way to the small reflecting pond and, tucking my kimono carefully beneath me, took a seat to watch the crescent moon dance across the still surface.

My attention lost focus, my mind drifting once again to Mitsuhide and his forbidden touch. It was wrong of me to want him; more wrong still to even dare to think I could love him. Our Lord often compared him to the kitsune, swift and sly, and rarer still than the touch of the gods themselves.

Movement along the garden’s far wall drew my attention, pulling me from my melancholy ponderings, but there was nothing there. I watched the line of blooming flowers for any sign that I wasn’t alone, dipping back into the land of daydreams while wishing desperately that the moment came from the man whose attentions I craved.

The moon kissed the garden’s walls when I finally rose and returned to my room, exhausted and lonelier than I could ever remember being.

***

I walked the halls of the manor for several more days, noticeably out of sorts even to myself. No amount of Masamune’s joking or Hideyoshi’s mothering could bring a smile to my face. Ieyasu’s sour tone resonated more and more with each passing day to the point when even Mitsunari’s perpetual happiness grated on my nerves. The maids had begun to compare me to Ieyasu in hushed whispers, but I couldn’t find the wherewithal to care. If I were honest with myself and everyone around me, I would admit it was due to the absence of Mitsuhide, but I refused to admit the truth. I’d left my door open until I could no longer keep awake, but he still had yet to come home.

Nobunaga relieved me of my duties to keep me away from the rest of his household staff and sequestered me to my room with fresh books from the latest group of missionaries and my few outstanding sewing commissons. By the end of the day I’d finished the first book and set out to return it to the castle library when the rumors came from the kitchen girls that Mitsuhide had returned from this new adventure late last evening, and my heart gave a painful twist at the thought that he had not graced me with his presence.

Cold and sparing as it was, I craved his attention. I wanted to know that he thought of me as often as I of him. Even passing in the hallways, he scarcely spoke to me except to tease me, but the look in those ever-changing, quicksilver eyes was one of tenderness. Affection, almost. If I were a lesser person, I’d have believed he used those interactions as an excuse to touch me.

I knew the truth, though. He was not, and had never claimed to be, a good man. He was savage and brutal, but I craved his attention. When he was present, I struggled to avoid his verbal torment despite the fact that I often sought him out.

But it was his stark absence that truly made my heart ache.

I moved through the remainder of the day and into the evening without seeing or hearing much, so the decision to enter the gardens that evening was also not a conscious one. It wasn’t until I was seated under the sakuras, watching the breeze gently ripple the surface of the reflecting pool, that I thought about my location. It was quiet here, peacefully removed from the bustle of the castle, and for the first time in days, my chest didn’t ache. Perhaps the wounds were healing in his absence. With time, I thought, I may even be able to love another. I had any number of suitors from which to choose.

A soft chittering sound interrupted the silence, drawing my attention to the wall beyond the reflecting pool. What I found in the darkness was not at all what I expected.

It started as a flicker of white in the dark tangle of bushes, accompanied by a snuffling and finally the appearance of a small animal. It was a fox, I realized; snow white with silver-blue eyes and a wide, bushy tail. It sat at the edge of the pool and stared at me, its tail wrapped around his front paws. It remained immobile, and I made no move to go to it. We remained locked in this impasse for over an hour before the creature, as if realizing it had wasted so much time, rose and turned back into the bushes. It paused just before disappearing and glanced back at me.

There was intelligence in those eyes that shook me to my core.

Taking that as my signal to return to my room, I rose and slipped back into the hallway surrounding the garden. That night as I fell asleep, I did so thinking of that beautiful fox and its intelligent eyes.

***

Another day passed and though word came that he had taken an audience with our Nobunaga, Mitsuhide still did not come to me. His continued absence tore at my heart, reminding me in the harshest of ways that I was little more than a cure for boredom in his eyes. I told myself again and again his attention meant nothing, but I felt the lie like a barb in my heart each time it passed through my mind.

It meant something to me.

That night, I returned to the garden, taking up my seat beside the reflecting pond to clear my head. Slowly, the tension of the day left and my shoulders sagged forward, exhaustion claiming my senses.

A tiny, familiar sound drew my attention. When I looked up, my vulpine friend sat beneath the raining sakuras. The sight of the little animal brought a smile to my face.  I held out my hand to him. He closed the space between us silently, no longer afraid of me, and pressed his tiny, white head against my outstretched fingers. Those intelligent eyes looked up at me, and when his tail moved, I nearly fell backwards in surprise. His one tail was actually…seven.

“Y-you are kitsune?” I asked, and the way the animal looked at me, its head canted to the left and its snout upturned, told me that not only did it understand me, it agreed with my assessment. My heart leapt into my throat when it slinked over and placed itself in my lap, curling up with its head against my knee and going to sleep.

I sat there silently, the weight of this revelation causing my heart to stutter as I stroked the sleeping god’s soft, downy fur. The small, repetitive motion helped to clear my head of anything but its presence, and when I found myself nodding against the tree, I lifted the kitsune into my arms and took it with me back to my futon where it nestled down beside me and returned easily to its slumber.

Night after night it returned to my side and lay against me as I slept. The ache in my heart eased, replaced by a newfound affection for the creature. I found myself thinking of Mitsuhide after that, not in loneliness but instead as if he were the animal which had taken up residence in my heart. He’d been called many things in my time there – oni, kitsune, snake… yet I couldn’t reconcile the gentle animal in my arms with the man who kept my heart in a vise.

My spirits improved and as the days passed, I began to return to a version of my former self. The others resumed their teasing affections. I began to smile again. I did not speak of my nightly visitor to anyone; no one would have believed me.

So it remained my secret, which I allowed to fill the void in my chest.

***

On the ninth day following Mitsuhide’s return, I woke to find the kitsune gone and a maid fetching me to visit the inner quarters of the tenshu after council, where Lord Nobunaga sat at his desk, head bent into his work. I tapped my fingers against the wood frame of the shōji and slid it to the side while announcing my arrival. Still he did not look up from the papers in his hands.

“I have messages which need delivering,” Nobunaga said by way of greeting. “Several of them. I trust you know the way.” After all this time, I’d not reached the level of friendly banter with him that I had with most of the others. His presence intimidated me.

“Yes, my lord,” I replied and swept the bundle of letters from the corner of his desk.

“One more thing.” he said as I made to leave. I turned back and he motioned to the table beside the door. “That package is for Mitsuhide. Take it when you go.”

“Yes, my Lord.” I said again though I wanted to question him. It was unlike Mitsuhide to not keep quarters in the Manor given recent tensions with a few of the local Daimyōs. His continued absence gave me pause and, given the lateness in the day, I found myself concerned for my return safety.

The clearing of Nobunaga’s throat told me I’d remained immobile longer than he felt was appropriate. “Mitsuhide is expecting what’s inside that package, so I suggest you make haste.”

“Yes, my Lord,” I repeated and swept it under my arm beside his letters before exiting the room. The shōji slid closed behind me and I released a shudder. The maids and pages swore Nobunaga showed great affection for me, which, given the intensity of each encounter with him made me question his dislike. He showed no affection at all.

***

I made quick work of my letter deliveries despite the insistence of hospitality by those in receipt. Lord Nobunaga’s most trusted Daimyōs were never anything less than considerate where I was concerned. I often found myself daydreaming all manner of romantic intrigue starring each of these handsome men, yet my body and, inexplicably, my heart belonged to the least available man in our Lord’s assorted collection.

Having finally extricated myself from Masamune’s impromptu banquet and subsequent attempt at seduction, I turned toward the outskirts of town, a concerned eye cast toward both the setting sun and the gathering clouds overhead. It was already late in the day and the air itself felt heavy with the threat of rain. Leaving the delivery to Mitsuhide for last meant the longest walk back to the Manor and was, in retrospect, a foolish idea. I found myself torn, however, between want of his company and anxiety at seeing him after so many days without one of his nightly visits. He rarely kept an audience in his own home since becoming Nobunaga’s “left hand”, so to speak, which made me wonder yet again if my presence might be the reason for his extended absence.

By the time I reached Mitsuhide’s manor, clouds completely obscured the sun; dark, heavy orbs that promised more than just rain.

***

He knelt at his desk, silver head bent over some piece of correspondence. In his pale left hand he held a brush, marking down notes in his perfect, precise writing. Should I not have intimate knowledge of his corporeal form, I might have thought him a ghost in his perfect paleness.

Mitsuhide did not acknowledge my presence as I crossed the room, bowing formally despite his inattention, to place the package on his desk. When he made no move to speak, I turned to leave, a curious mixture of relief and disappointment coursing through me as I reached the door.

“The Princess certainly is in a hurry tonight,” he said, his smooth, deep voice startling me and causing me to misstep. Grasping the door frame, I managed to right myself before I tumbled to the floor. “My, my…she is quite the clumsy one as well.”

“Fool,” I snapped, berating myself under my breath.

“What was that?” he asked, humor and irritation battling for dominance in his voice. “Did you say something?” Mitsuhide rose from his desk, his head lilting to one side as he studied me. He drifted closer, his movements a smooth, graceful flow that also lent themselves to his spectral image. The look in his eyes—pure derision—made me want to scream at him, to let out this toxic swirl of emotions he caused inside me. I craved his touch, yet I wanted desperately to escape him. So potent was my confusion that I found myself incapable of moving despite the lack of physical restraint.

“I just stumbled a bit is all. I will be going now.”

“Stay.” The single word echoed across the room as an order.

I paused, rooted to the spot by his command as he stepped up behind me, his large, cold hands landing on my shoulders and sliding along my arms. He leaned down, his breath tickling over the fine hairs which had slipped loose from my bun. His touch was so familiar, yet so foreign.

“You are quite entertaining tonight, little mouse,” he said. His lips slid along the curve of my neck, not quite touching yet igniting a trail of fire over my skin. I shivered, torn between wanting him and wanting to push him away.

“I should leave,” my traitorous tongue offered.

Mitsuhide released me immediately, his hands falling away as he took a step back. “Yes,” he replied, voice flat and wholly without affect. Whatever spell he’d begun to weave was broken.

I could not meet his eyes as I fled his room.

I ran down the hall as fast as my sandals would allow, the hard, wooden soles clacking loudly in the empty halls. The sun was completely gone from sight, and as I reached the door the first bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.

“No…” I said aloud, the word leaving me in a gasp as I slid to a halt. There would no way I would make it home in this weather. I wouldn’t even make it to Masamune’s manor, though it was the closest.

Panic set in, and I began to wonder if perhaps Nobunaga had organized this event himself. After all, if any one man were capable of successfully ordering the sky to rain, it would be him.

A gust of wind and a peal of thunder greeted me as the sky split wide and rain began to pour. Embarrassment heated my cheeks as I thought of returning to Mitsuhide and begging sanctuary for the night. Going out in the storm in search of shelter at Masamune’s home almost seemed preferable to offering an apology to the deviant trickster, because even with an apology there was no guarantee he would not turn me out anyway.

In the face of a second bolt of lightning, I took a breath and prepared to step out into the deluge.

Hands wound around my waist, jarring a scream out of me as I was pulled back against a firm, lean body—one I knew very well.

“Surely you were not thinking of going out in this storm,” he said, one hand sliding up my body, between the valley of my breasts, to close around my throat. Long, cold fingers gripped my skin, squeezing just enough to partially constrict my airway. My heart raced, my pulse fluttering wildly against the hands that held me captive.

“You know full well Lord Nobunaga would separate my head from my shoulders if I allowed his lucky charm to catch her death in the rain.”

“It’s warm enough,” I choked out against the pressure of his palm on my windpipe. I did not want to go out in the storm, but I saw no other option. I wanted to give in to this new game of his even less. “I’m not afraid.”

Even though I wanted him.

“Be that as it may, I quite enjoy living.”

Mitsuhide lifted me by the waist as if I weighed nothing and backed away from the door. I watched, mortified and furious, as my freedom shrank away in a flash of lightning and rain.

“Let me go, Mitsuhide,” I demanded. He laughed in response, a bitter, violent sound.

“No.”

“Now.”

“No.”

He backed down the hall, allowing me to see the still open door, until we reached the bend in the hallway. He turned then, carrying me back into his room where he dropped me unceremoniously to the floor before returning to his desk.

“Pretend to be obedient and stay there,” he said, lifting his brush and sweeping it through the prepared ink once more.

“Why?”

“Obedient girls are rewarded,” he replied without looking at me. “Now be quiet.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll sew those pretty lips shut.”

I did not doubt for a moment that he would. Knowing his profession—spy, assassin, trickster…he carried many names and many insults upon his unflappable person, and he did so in the name of our Lord’s “greater good”—I trusted that whatever horrible thing fell from his mouth would be the unwavering truth. Yet something about him still brought out the worst in me.

Defiant, I rose from the floor and straightened my disheveled kimono, paying close attention to the collar which had come loose under his hand.

“I do not recall giving you permission to move,” he said, still not looking at me.

“I did not ask.”

This time he did look at me, that thin smile dancing on his lips but not reaching his cruel eyes. He looked like a man on the hunt and I fought the urge to run, not wishing to end up his prey.

Never run from a wild animal. That will make it chase you.

“You must not want your reward, Princess.”

“You have nothing I want.”

His lips curled tighter, his smile widening as humor danced in his fool’s-gold eyes. “How cute,” he said, lying his brush to the side and rising in a fluid, graceful motion. He seemed to float across the floor rather than walk, coming toward me with that same dark, hungry expression I’d seen before. “Though you and I both know that is quite the monumental lie.”

I took a step back. “But it is my lie to tell,” I said, retreating further in the face of his advance. He stalked me like a predator, smooth with a focused intensity that made me question everything about this moment. “And so long as I do not admit the lie, it remains the truth.”

Mitsuhide paused, his smile sharpening. “Such sass…”

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”

He laughed. “It seems my pet has found her claws.” The humor—short-lived as it was—melted from his eyes and he closed the remaining distance between us. My back found purchase yet again against the wall and he crowded into my personal space. That liquid silver gaze bored into me, his scimitar grin sharpened by the contempt in his eyes. He leaned close to my ear, his breath whispering over my skin as he spoke.

“What is it you desire of me?”

He did not touch me, yet I could feel the heat of his body radiating through the layers of my kimono. I could smell his skin—a heady mix of gunpowder and rain—and my belly quivered, my body craving his touch. My heart hammered against my ribcage as Mitsuhide held me captive between his body and the wall, still without placing his hands on me. I cast my gaze downward, the smooth, pale skin of his chest behind his parted kimono filling my vision.

A body completely without color in his skin, I thought, fascinated and terrified by the power emanating from him. My mind drifted back to the small animal in the gardens, its snow-white fur brightly reminiscent of his body.

“I asked you a question, Princess,” he said, closing the last bit of distance between our bodies. Mitsuhide placed one hand on either side of my head, caging me against the wall, and leaned into me, his body brushing mine as he breathed. One knee slipped between my legs, his muscular thigh adding a delicious new pressure to my center. A wanton moan escaped my throat and he responded with a chittering growl, the sound both foreign and familiar. When I forced myself to look back into his pale eyes, I realized exactly why.

“Kitsune…” I gasped as I recognized the familiar silver eyes of my seven-tailed companion sitting deep in his face. For an instant, his sculpted façade slipped and I saw the surprise behind it. Then the veil fell neatly back into place just as quickly and his lips curled back into that savage smile. For all my daydreaming, I never thought it would actually be true.

“Bold words, he said, his voice carrying a new edge. He flexed his thigh against me, drawing another inappropriate sound from my throat. “Potentially foolish words.”

“Foolish that I should figure out your secret?” I replied, emboldened by this knew knowledge. My heart swelled in my chest as I thought of Mitsuhide sleeping peacefully at my side night after night, his true form revealed to me. I stared back at him, unashamed. “You’ve come to me night after night when you’d have me believe you were avoiding me.” His eyes narrowed at my words. “I would argue that my deduction is actually quite clever. Kitsune.” The word came out with more conviction this time; the connection between this man and the pale animal which frequented the gardens was tenuous at best, yet once it made itself, it could not be broken. He stared at me with the same intelligent curiosity as the animal. The taste of his scent on the back of my tongue as I inhaled worked to further the notion in my mind.

Mitsuhide released me, backing away in a hasty retreat. He could not hide the surprise that I’d figured it out.

“Are you going to deny it?” I questioned, pushing away from the wall and following behind. Now that I knew, I needed to hear the truth. “You have never once been honest with me, Mitsuhide. Now would be a good time to start if you ever expect me to speak to you again.”

His expression turned cold and hard when he glanced back over his shoulder at me. “It is but one of the many things I have been called, little one.”

“Even when you refuse to come to me, you have still maintained your visits,” I continued, wildly wondering how far I could push him before he struck me down. I had no proof save this instinct. Still I followed him across the room, stopping just short of touching him as he stepped up to the open garden door. And as much as I wanted it to be him, part of me prayed I was wrong.

“My, you are quite brave to corner an animal,” he responded, turning to stare down at me.

“I do not fear you,” I lied.

“You should.”

“Why?”

He tilted his head to the side. “Animals are dangerous.”

“You are not.”

“Then you are as naive as you are beautiful.” He advanced on me as my feet carried me backwards, halting only when his arm went around my waist and his mouth was a hairsbreadth from mine. His sake-sweetened breath slid over my lips as he spoke.

“I ask you again, Princess, what do you want of me?”

My mouth opened and closed, yet I was incapable of sound. The proper words with which to verbalize my comingled desire and fear eluded me, dancing just out of reach of my tongue. His presence—the scent of his skin, the heat of his body—overwhelmed my senses.

“Why the hesitation, little one?” I felt the curve of his smile against my lips. “You were so bold only a moment ago.”

I remained still under the weight of his presence, fighting the urge to sway into him and make that simple contact I both feared and craved.

“I…I want you to love me.”

Laugher was not the reaction I expected. Mitsuhide’s long fingers lifted to graze the side of my face before tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Do not laugh at me,” I said, my voice cracking.

What makes you think I was laughing at you, little mouse?”

Those steely eyes bored into mine, but when he smiled, his gaze softened. My sinuses burned with the same shame that heated my cheeks. He made me feel so small and helpless.

“I told you the truth,” I replied. “And you laughed. What else am I supposed to believe but that it was at my expense?”

I closed my eyes against the sensation of his fingers sliding through my hair and willed my pulse to slow.

“You are truly an entertaining creature,” Mitsuhide said. “You dare to call out the true form of an immortal being. You demand the truth from one known to tell nothing but lies. Yet all you ask for is my love.”

Shivers of anticipation danced along my spine. His presence, the scent of his skin, the sound of his voice…I was so lost to the spell he cast that I could no longer deny my love for him. Though, there was a lingering hardness in the way he looked at me that made me question whether or not I should even be here.

“Little mouse…”

“Does Nobunaga know?” I asked, stopping whatever he intended to say. He froze and the room chilled from the sudden tension emanating from him.

“No.”

I closed my eyes and released a breath.

“Why,” he asked, drawing my attention back, “when given the opportunity to ask a favor from a god—particularly one whose secret only you know—do you ask for the one thing you already have?”

A faltering breath fell from my lips as the reality of his words settled around me.

“Y-you…” My bottom lip quivered as I stared up into those ever-changing, quicksilver eyes. “But you act like you despise me.”

That signature smirk returned to his lips. “I do no such thing.”

“You look down your nose at me like I’m stupid. Your gaze tells me you have nothing but contempt for me.”

“Not you, little one. For myself.”

“You tease me. You lie to me. You—”

“—come to you every night I am able,” he finished for me. “I believed I could keep my distance from you, my alluring little seamstress.” His fingers continued their conquest of my body, tickling down my neck and over my shoulder, then along the line of my arm to twine with mine. “It is unfair of me to draw you into my life,” Mitsuhide continued. He lifted my hand up between us and pressed his lips to the back of my knuckles, sending a frisson of pleasure down my arm. “Yet I discovered a uniquely frustrating inability to stay away from you.”

“Mitsuhide…”

“Let me finish,” he replied, harsher than either of us expected. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly recovered his placid expression. “I came to you with the intent of satiating a hunger—a hunger you and I have shared for quite some time if your open door is any indication.”

The tears I’d fought for so long slipped over my cheeks, leaving thin, wet tracks along my face that Mitsuhide wiped away with the fingertips of his free hand. “But you never…”

“Never what?”

“You never spoke. You never made a sound until…” my voice trailed away to little more than a whisper when I managed to speak again, “…until that last time.”

“Mmm…yes.” Mitsuhide blinked; another action I could not consciously remember ever seeing. “As long as there was no verbal interaction put to this, I believed that you and I could keep from speaking its true name.”

“Even if you made no noise at all, I would know it was you.”

“And I, you,” he admitted, though to do so appeared physically painful. “I thought the physical release would purge the desire for you from my mind.”

“But it had the opposite effect.”

“Yes. And knowing I would be leaving you again for an undisclosed amount of time was surprisingly difficult. There was, as always, the chance I may not return.”

“With seven tails, surely you’re old enough to know how to escape any situation.”

His lips curled at the corners and a new sparkle came into his eye. “You are not wrong, little mouse. But my work, as you know, is not for the faint of heart.” Mitsuhide’s knuckles brushed over the arch of my cheek, just the faintest whisper of skin on skin. “And to think that my death could break your heart reminded me just how cruel I’d been to you.”

“Then why come back to me at all?”

An expression of incredulity passed across his delicate features. Mitsuhide had never appeared more ethereal—more inhuman—than he did in that moment. “Surely you are able to parse the answer to that from the conversation we’ve already had.”

“And now you’re teasing me again.”

“Of course. Would you expect any less of me?”

My heart fractured under the weight of his words. Even now, he refused to be honest with me. Though I knew it would do no good, I turned my gaze back to his and said, “yes.” My heart thumped hard, giving me more pain. “I’ve laid out my heart for you and asked for only one thing in return. I thought maybe you’d tell me the truth without talking in circles.”

Mitsuhide’s face reflected something between humor and exasperation. The urge to punch him joined the desire to kiss him.

“Did I not tell you that you already have the one thing you want? What more is there to the truth?”

I shook my head. When I tried to step back, I realized that his arms were around me, holding me against him. “I can’t help but wait for the moment when you tell me you’re kidding and break my heart again.” My voice cracked on the last word, the emotion I’d been trying—and failing to hide bubbling to the surface.

“Y/N…” His touch was so tender that it brought fresh tears to my eyes as he cradled my face in his hands. “I am sorry,” he whispered and closed the distance between us.

My breath stuttered and the world stopped turning as Mitsuhide’s lips brushed over mine. Just the tiniest touch of skin to skin. My heartbeat faltered then exploded into a gallop when his mouth closed over mine. Every hope, every daydream became a reality in that moment. My lips fell open as his tongue swept inside, offering me the first taste of him.

Mitsuhide drank from my lips as if I were water in the desert, a desperate, hungry, possessive action that turned my knees to jelly. I was so wrapped up in the deliciousness of his kiss that I didn’t notice he’d lifted me until my back landed on the soft down of his futon. His long, lithe body came down over me, his hips settling between my knees as he continued to devour me.

My body was so attuned to his presence that I began to shiver, my sex weeping in anticipation of his touch.  Mitsuhide’s fingers moved to my waist where he tugged loose the ties holding my clothing together. Cool air drifted over my newly-exposed body, causing me to shiver. It was then that my lover righted himself onto his knees above me.

His hungry gaze raked over me, but it was not without that darkness, I noticed. I reached to close my kimono over my now-unbound breasts when he stopped me with a single word.

“No,” Mitsuhide demanded and I paused mid-movement, allowing my arms to fall away. “I want to see you. All of you.”

With the tips of his fingers, he slid the fabric down my arms and bade me pull my arms free. The silk was parted at my hips already, crushed beneath his knees and baring my entire body to him. My skin flushed a deep crimson under his scrutiny.

“I should not crave your attention the way I do,” he said, his voice a low rumble in the still night air. “I should send you away, for your safety and for mine…but gods help me, I can’t.”

He fell forward again, crushing his mouth to mine. His own clothing fell open, brushing against my body as he bore down on me once more. With one hand he drew my leg up around his waist and I wound my arms around his neck again, holding him to me. The feel of his body against mine was such exquisite torture. Mitsuhide broke the kiss, moving down over my throat again with lips, teeth, and tongue, but this time he didn’t stop at the base of my throat. He continued downward, his hands still moving over every inch of my skin. His warm, wet mouth slid over my breast and he took my nipple between his teeth at the same time he thrust his hips forward, rocking his erection against my center. We both groaned and when he tugged on my sensitive flesh with his teeth, little sparklers of pleasure erupted along my nerve endings. He kissed and teased his way down my body, drawing out sounds I knew I should be embarrassed by, but I was so far gone in the spiral of pleasure that I didn’t care who might hear me.

Each sensation, though familiar, was also a new experience. His lips tickling along my ribs, his teeth nipping at the underside of my breast, those roughened yet graceful hands pushing my kimono completely off and further parting my thighs…I writhed under his touch, my fingers tangling in his silken, white hair. With each new sensation I moaned again, his name tumbling from my lips over and over.

One finger slid along my sex, gathering my wetness and bringing it up to circle my clit with tiny, gentle movements. My hips rose under his touch and a long, desperate cry echoed out from my throat. Mitsuhide laughed, the music like ice-coated bells.

“You respond so beautifully to my touch, little one.”

Beyond words, I tightened my fingers in his hair and urged him upward. He obeyed the silent command, his lips finding mine at the same moment his fingers plunged inside of me. He swallowed my cry in a hungry kiss, his tongue and hands working in tandem to drive me out of my mind.

Every muscle in my body quivered in desperate need for release, but Mitsuhide was in no hurry. His slow, languid movements betrayed no need of his own, though when he kissed me, I could feel the tension radiating from him.

He worked my channel with his digits, filling and stretching me, drawing me to the absolute brink of pleasure before slowing his movements. Even in a lover’s embrace he still insisted on teasing me.

“Mit…su…hi…de…” I uttered between gasps, “please…”

“Please what, little mouse?” The smile on his lips was both arousing and infuriating.

“More,” I choked out, tears sliding from the corners of my eyes as he brought me to the point of release only to deny me yet again by removing his fingers completely.

“More what?” he asked, humor dancing in his eyes as I bit my knuckles to keep from screaming. He took my hand, pulling my fingers free of my mouth. “I cannot understand you when you mumble.”

“Mitsuhide!” I cried out, my body sweaty and shaking from the repeated denial. “Don’t tease me.”

“Now why would I end my favorite game?” he asked. “You do make such lovely sounds when I tease you.” His fingers slipped along the lips of my sex again, though no matter how I tried to urge him back, he touched me only with the lightest of contact.

“I…I need you,” I admit, my face heating in a mix of embarrassment and frustration. “I need all of you.”

“In good time, love,” he replied, dipping his fingers back inside once more. My body arched as he curled his long digits, finding my most sensitive spot and bringing me back to the threshold of ultimate pleasure. I held tightly to his shoulders, my fingers digging into his bare skin, as the first tingles spread.

He pulled his fingers away again and I screamed in frustration, my nails digging into his skin hard enough to leave marks. Then he was over me, his hard length sliding inside with one fluid, graceful motion, and I shattered. My whole body spasmed under the waves of intense pleasure. Mitsuhide claimed my lips again, kissing me deeply as he began to move.

My cry of pleasure turned to a lingering moan as each slow, deep thrust transformed my orgasm into tantric plateau of ecstasy. The intensity of each sensation increased tenfold when he curled himself around me, braced on his forearms with his hands cradling my head, lips and teeth dancing along my neck and shoulder. I circled my arms around his body, feeling the flex of muscle that accompanied each thrust. Time and again he returned to drink from my moaning lips as the speed of his movements lost their gilded edge. Each new sensation grew more frenzied and needy, as if he’d had the thought to devour me from the inside out.

Mitsuhide shifted positions ever-so-slightly yet reached deeper, dragging more and louder, carnal sounds from my throat. My body writhed; my head tossed from side to side. Every inch of my skin burned, every breath carried a sweet ache, yet my lover remained quiet, the only sounds issuing from him coming as tiny, breathless gasps.

He whispered my name, his lips against my earlobe, and gave a single, desperate order: “Again.”

For a second time, I came apart in his arms, screaming his name as every muscle in my body seized beneath him. My head flew back and his teeth sank into my throat, no doubt marking me as he let go a long, low groan and buried himself to the hilt, filling me with his warmth.

I fell lax beneath him, sweaty and exhausted, my arms shaking from the exertion of holding him to me and his weight dropped enough to pin me to the futon. We lay in that weak, twisted embrace until I began to drift into unconsciousness. Only then did Mitsuhide roll to the side and pull me into his arms, peppering my face with gentle kisses. With one hand on top of my head he guided me to lay against his chest, tucking my hair behind my ear and leaning his chin against my forehead.

Yet again as I was just on the brink of sleep, he laughed.

“I must say, I am surprised at you,” he said, his own voice not as smooth and sturdy as before.

“What?” I mumbled sleepily, tilting my head up.

He kissed my forehead. “You never asked what was in the package you delivered.”

No…no, I didn’t. But I had more important things in my head…and other places. This was not how I intended this evening to go, but I wasn’t the least bit sorry it had.

“So, what’s in the box?” I asked, knowing he was waiting for me to take the bait.

“Would you like to see?”

“I don’t know,” I answered, leaning up on one elbow to look down at him. “Is it going to attack, explode, or otherwise injure me?”

That frustratingly unreadable smirk appeared on his beautiful lips. “The only way you’ll find out is if you open it.”

“Me?”

“Of course.”

“Why me?”

“Why would you not open a gift to you?”

Wait…what?

“So…this was all a setup?” I should have known. Sneaky fox.

Literally.

“Possibly. Though I can’t say I’m entirely disappointed by the outcome of the evening.”

All the malice, all the venom, was gone from his gaze. When Mitsuhide looked up at me, it was with love and adoration. My heart skipped a beat and I leaned down to kiss him softly. When I pulled back, his eyebrows rose.

“Thanking me already, little mouse? You don’t even know what you have yet.”

“I already got my gift,” I tell him.

“I’m afraid not,” he replied, rolling over me and pinning me to the futon once more. “I do believe what happened here tonight was my gift.” He punctuated the words with a thrust of his hips against me, drawing another small moan out of me. “Your gift is on my desk.”

“Then go get it.”

“Yes, Princess,” he replied, still mocking me, and rose from the floor. His naked form was a glorious sight, all lean muscle and sinew moving with silent elegance across the room and back. He returned and knelt beside me, shameless in his nudity, and placed the package in my hands.

I tested the weight in my hands. It wasn’t heavy; small and compact and empty, I’d assume, if Mitsuhide hadn’t insisted I open it. My fingers shook with a new burst of nerves as I loosened the twine and unfolded the paper to reveal a bundle of pure-white silk fabric adorned with deep blue bellflowers.

The Akechi crest.

“There is more,” he urged, lifting the bundle and turning it in my hands to show where it was folded. “I hadn’t dared hope you would believe my truth,” he said as I began to unfold the sides of the fabric. “Or that you would be so accepting of one so cruel. I’ve lived the lives of a hundred men and never have I met one so pure and lovely as you. No matter the form, you’ve been so kind to me—foolishly gentle, I might say—and though I knew I shouldn’t…”

The last corner of fabric fell away to reveal a small, silk collar made of fine silk and adorned with bellflowers, the colors inverted from its wrapping. A small lock dangled from the metal rings fastened into its ends. It was just large enough to fit…

“Though I’ve tried to push you away countless times, I cannot help that I want you bound to me,” he said. The façade was gone, stripped bare to reveal the truth beneath his mask. “It is known that a collared kitsune is beholden to the master who holds the key,” he continued, producing a tiny key from…somewhere. “For without the key, the kitsune cannot take its human form.” He lifted my free hand and placed the key in it. It was a perfect match to the lock and my breath caught in my throat. “That master is the one to whom the kitsune will always return.” Mitsuhide tucked his fingers under my chin and lifted my watery, burning gaze to meet his. “Protect that key, little mouse,” he said and pressed his lips to mine. I leaned into him, my heart full to bursting. “As long as you own that key, I am yours.”

The collar and the key clattered to the wooden floor as I pulled him back into the futon, into my arms. We kissed until my lips were swollen and sore. Mitsuhide made love to me again and again, until we were spent and weak, tangled in each other’s arms and unable to move.

“Mitsuhide?” I asked, my ear pressed to his chest to listen to his strong, steady heartbeat.

“Yes, love?”

“I love you.”

He chuckled and kissed my forehead again. “And I, you.”

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikemen sengoku mitsuhide #ikesen mitsuhide #ikemen sengoku fanfic #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikesen fanfic #ikesen fanfiction #ikesen smut #snek smut #angsty smut #angst #lots of angst #mitsuhide is kinda squishy #mitsuhide x mc #one shot

[ikeromantic]

Kyubei - Lie - 🥹

So I didn't mean for it to happen but this turned a bit angsty. Ah well. Kyubei really shouldn't lie! Approx. 900 words.

Kyubei kept his gaze on the floor, unwilling to look up and force himself to see her. If he did, he wasn’t sure he would be able to hide his feelings. This way, he could smile and pretend everything was fine. As long as he didn’t look up.

The chatelaine poked his shoulder. “Come on, Kyubei. I know something is up. And Mitsuhide won’t tell me anything!”

“Nothing is up. You’re imagining things.” He shrugged. “Lord Akechi is just trying to tease you again.”

She was quiet for a moment, her finger still lightly pressing into his shoulder. Then, “I don’t know if I believe you. It looks like you’re packing up and that’s not normal.”

Kyubei held in a sigh. She’d noticed the barren rooms in Akechi’s manor, the disappearance of most of his staff. It was all in preparation for what came next, his ‘betrayal’ of the Oda. But he couldn’t tell her any of that. “Just spring cleaning.”

“I don’t see anyone cleaning.” She grabbed his shoulder fully, as if to shake the truth from him. “Kyubei. Please.” 

The plea in her voice brought his gaze up, reluctant and slow. Her eyes were wide with worry and he could see she’d been chewing on her lower lip. It was red and a little swollen. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her . . . what exactly? He wasn’t sure if the truth would be better than the kind lie.

“Tell me what’s going on.” 

He sighed. “Nothing for you to worry about. Can you trust me that far?” 

“I -” The chatelaine studied his expression, as if she might find the truth hidden there. “I trust you. It’s your boss that scares me.” She took his hand, holding onto it like a lifeline. “I know something big is happening and . . . I’m worried. For you.” 

Kyubei felt his heart stutter at those last two words. A confession pushed against his clenched jaw. All the words he wanted to say piling up in his chest, making it hard to take a breath. He wanted to tell her what was about to happen. That he might have to go into exile. Or worse. And that he loved her. 

But he knew such honesty would only hurt her more in the end. This way, she could go on with a smile on her face if he could not come back. Innocent of the crimes that would forever taint the Akechi name. Able to move on with her heart to another that was more worthy of love. Free from the bond those three little words would build between them. I love you.

“I am glad you trust me, at least,” Kyubei said finally. “You are right that Mitsuhide is up to something - but he always is.” He tried to smile at her and hoped it looked normal. “This is just part of another ploy. Nothing to worry about.” 

“But -”

Kyubei squeezed her hand. “There is nothing for you to worry about,” he repeated.

She sighed and nodded. “Alright. Just . . .” The chatelaine stepped close and wrapped her arms around him in a tight, sudden hug. “Be careful.”

He stood stock still, too stunned by the unexpected embrace to do more than nod. She was pressed against him, every line of her connecting with his body. The feeling sent confused signals shooting through him. Heat like the summer sun, lightning shocks racing through his flesh. He needed to push her away and could not bear it if she let him go. 

His arms chose the desires of his heart, and reached to hold her. Wrapping around her waist, palms flat against her back. Kyubei held her as if she were something precious and fragile, irrationally afraid that his touch might break her. 

She looked at him with such affection. Her lips parted, leaning close enough to kiss. “Kyubei, I have a confession to make. While you are still here to listen. I lo-”

He stopped her words with the gentlest brush of a kiss across her lips. Even that, he thought, was too much. But it would be worse if she finished what she started to say. “Friends need not make confessions to each other.” The lie hurt them both. Cutting her in a moment of vulnerability and twisting his heart into a pained knot. 

The chatelaine pushed away from him with a look of sharp grief. Her eyes were damp with an onrush of unshed tears. “Friends. Yes. Sorry.”

In that moment, Kyubei hated the life he’d chosen. The schemes and plotting, the endless deceit. He pushed away every good thing in his life to follow in the footsteps of his lord. And now he’d pushed away the best thing. Telling himself it was for her own good did not make the agony less. 

“I will see you when I return,” he said, his words laced with heavy regret. 

She nodded. Swallowed back her emotion. “When you come back, we need to talk.”

“Of course.” He tried for another smile. “There are things I want to say to you too.” If I come back, Kyubei thought. If I am not imprisoned or dead or exiled . . . if if if. The words felt like a lie.

The chatelaine reached for him again, her fingertips grazing his arm. Then she dropped her hand and fled his presence, her face in her hands.

Kyubei watched her go.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen kyubei #kyubei #fanfiction #fanfic #otome #otome guys #fluff #light angst

[ikesengoficss]

A dash (read: barrel) of angst in the form of Mitsuhide? Perhaps he's been solving incident after incident, but misses a barely-connected overarching gathering of information between them that centers around endangering MC, or she's somewhere unexpected while he's working and gets caught in the crossfire, or people think he's a traitor and takes it out on MC, or lots of other stuff! Mitsuhide's a wonderful angst magnet for us. Loads of things to go for, throw stuff out there! c:

MITSUHIDE ANGST! YES. YAY YAY THANK YOU. I really, really, really enjoyed writing this. I hope you like it! I couldn’t really tell if you want this to be a headcanon or fic, so I made it a headcanon in the end. 

Please leave me your feedback! :)

Mitsuhide Angst Headcanon: letting stress out on the MC when she is almost killed

“I miss you in my bed,” you had whispered the night before.

How he wanted to lay down in the comfort of your soft embrace.

You were almost killed today. He would have followed you to the grave if you had. He blamed himself entirely; and that blame, that fear, that heart wrenching thought that continued to linger in the back of his mind, that one day you could very well be killed, and it could be his fault, lead to his aggression and anger towards you.

Here is where it all began:

Mitsuhide was investigating on a recent attack on Nobunaga’s life when he was touring Kyoto. 

These were no ordinary bandits; Nobunaga’s life was almost nearly stripped, and all of Azuchi’s fearless warlords knew this was a more serious case then ronin.

For weeks, he had been investigating. Late nights, some days not seeing you, and that was the real thing that was killing him. He’d never admit it, but he was tired. And this investigation seemed to drag on, and on, and he was getting nowhere.

Until he found the bastards. Each warlord, you too, took a sigh of relief when Nobunaga called for a war council so Mitsuhide could share the important information, and planning could begin.

They were not just relieved to have a lead, but everyone could see the frustration and turmoil in Mitsuhide as he fought with all his might to find these men.

Mitsuhide asked you not attend the war council.

“Why not?” 

In truth, he didn’t want you to attend because he’d discovered the culprit behind the attacks was actually an elder posing as a beggar in the city. 

You had become great friends with the man, usually stopping to give him whatever you can, having lunch with him, and such.

Unfortunately, he was actually a very famous samurai, and he was out for Nobunaga’s head.

Mitsuhide did not want you to find out this way. He didn’t want you to have to hear their plans to kill the guy. He also didn’t want you to find out the man was using you.

he knew you had connections to the Oda all along. 

So he lied. He told you Nobunaga had asked for you to not attend this meeting.

He gently caressed your cheek, before cupping your chin and tilting your head back. Your pout was adorable, but he didn’t want to see that now. “I promise you. This is almost over.”

The council began, smoothly at first. Mitsuhide gave all the information he had, and was praised by his lord. Then Hideyoshi continued with what he had,

and the planning began from there. The seven warlords began to strategize; when they’d attack, how, where. It was all going smoothly to plan,

until a horrid scream came from the courtyard.

Mitsuhide recognized it in a heartbeat, and was on his feet in seconds. The door was swung open, and he shoved past vassals who were shouting, “Enemy attack!”

He couldn’t find you, where were you? His mind was screaming. Were you kidnapped? Shit.

“Mitsuhide!”

In a bed of grass, he saw you, flailed on your back as you fought off the old samurai who’s dagger was pointed towards your neck. Your hands were shaking as you gripped the wrist of the man, fighting to keep the knife from slicing down into your throat, killing you instantly.

The tip was so close to piercing your skin. It just barely touched.

Mitsuhide shot. Ending it there.

He dragged you back to his manor, not speaking a word. His face was hard and his mind was racing.

He pulled you to his room, and went straight to work. Not speaking a word. 

This went on for hours.

“Mitsuhide…?”

Your soft voice… was so angelic. He wants to hear you say his name again, he wants to always have your voice imprinted in his mind… but if he hears you speak it again, he’ll be reminded of how he almost lost it.

“Mitsuhide?”

So beautiful. And he could have never heard it again. Never hear you say his name. Or the soft little murmurs you make in your sleep. Or the way you laugh that’s a little high pitched and chirpy, but he could listen to it all day.

“Mitsuhide, please look at me.”

Your eyes are rare gems, and how he was able to obtain them, he’d never know. So he couldn’t look at you, because he almost lost those gems. If he was a second too late, he could have stared into them having lost all light.

He wants you to just go back to your sewing. He wants you to just leave him be so he can focus once again. He needs time to relax, he’s so tense.

He can feel your soft palm against his cheek, fingers just caressing his warm skin. And your hand goes down to his shoulder, down his arm, and to his hands, where you slowly begin to pull the quill from his hand.

He’s ready to let it drop, to succumb to your warm touch, but instead,

A fire was suddenly lit within him.

 And it burned.

“Foolish girl! Did you forget you were almost killed today?!” he snapped. “Are you that heedless of what is going on right now? Dragging my attention away to do some silly charade of yours will only put not only you in more danger, but the whole of Azuchi,

“So I suggest if you have nothing useful to say, or do, you just continue to mindlessly sew with no care in the world.”

You didn’t look angry. You look hurt as you stood in front of him, hands pulled back to your chest with an aghast look on your face. He could see the tears brimming in your eyes.

He regretted his harshness immediately, but he stood by what he was saying. He needed you to understand, you were almost killed. You could have died, and it would have been because he told you to stay outside. He was trying to protect you, but in the end put you in more danger.

But your tears broke his heart. You turned away from him, nodding, hugging yourself tightly. 

He heard you sniffle and begin to quickly wipe at your face.

“You’re right, so I’ll just leave for now to let you work,” you mumble, heading for the door.

If he could smash his head against a wall right now, he would. He snapped again; “No, you will stay here. Did you not listen to anything I just said?”

“Oh, I listened to everything you said. Especially the part about me being useless. So I’ll get out of your way.” You turned back towards the door.

He could kick himself. He wanted to stop, but he couldn’t. He was terrified. He’d never been so scared in his life.

He was on his feet in an instant, striding towards you to grab your arm and yank you back. 

You squeaked as he did. 

His gold orbs sharpened; you could get lost in those eyes, as if drifting on clouds, b right now, you felt you were crashing in the waves of his fury that mirrored through his eyes.

There were tears streaming down your face, even with the defiant look you gave him. It didn’t stop him from continuing to yell; 

“You are just as dense as the day we met. You don’t understand a thing. You don’t understand that if you walk out that door right now, there could be someone behind there ready to kill you. Because of your connections to Nobunaga, and because of your connections to me, you have a target the size of the castle on your back.

“So for heaven-sakes, just listen for once and quit being so stubborn.”

He begins to pull you back in the room, but you tug your arm from his grip and press a hard shove to his back. He snaps back around with a glare, but he’s met with a hard smack to his face.

If looks could kill, he’d be crucified. 

“You’re wrong, Mitsuhide. I understand completely. I understand more than you believe. I understand because every night I am watching you work to keep me, and everyone else safe. I understand, because I am at every meeting, and I hear what you say about the danger we are in, and what is still needed to be done to create the peaceful Japan we strive for.

“I understand because I’ve watched you work endlessly at night to find these men and bring them down. I’ve watched you stress over this for so long. We all have.

“So don’t you dare try and tell me I don’t understand. That’s a lousy cop out for how you’re feeling right now, which again, I understand.”

Oh, he could scream. “Cop out!? You don’t understand,” he growled. “All you have just said hasn’t shown any understanding of your throat almost being slit today, and it would have been my fault.”

“Why do you keep blaming yourself for this?” you retaliate. “No one could see that attack on the castle coming.”

“You were in that garden when they attacked. If you had been in the council, you’d have never been attacked.”

You laughed, breathlessly, your hands frantically shook in front of you as you retorted, “That’s not your fault! I wasn’t allowed in that meeting. It was Nobunaga who said I wasn’t to attend-“

“I lied!”

He hollered it. 

It was almost so out of character. Not the lying, but his broken scream. He lied to you in order to protect you, but it didn’t at all, and he would have to live with that. His hands ringed through his snowy hair, knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.

You watched, heartbroken, as he suddenly broke down in front of you. There was no holding back already, but if there was anything in him that he was restraining him, it was all out now.

“I lied to you and it almost got you killed! I didn’t want you to hear how that… that fucking old man you had become friends with was using you just to get to the throne. I didn’t want you to hear how you were betrayed, and I didn’t want you to feel the pain of that.

“I didn’t want you to hear our gruesome plans of killing the man. I didn’t want you to hear about all the torture we had done to just get this information.

“I wanted to protect you from it, so I told you to stay outside, but instead of protecting you, my ineptness almost killed you. I almost lost you today, and it would have been my…”

his voice began to fade as his gaze lowered down to your arm— the arm he had yanked on to stop you from leaving the room. A bright red hand print had appeared. 

“… fault.”

He did that. That was him.

He felt hot; really, really hot. His face was burning, and his eyes hurt. Why couldn’t he see you clearly, why did everything looks so distorted? He didn’t realize he was crying until he looked down and saw his teardrops plunking against the wooden floors. There was an unbearable pain in his chest,

he couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t stand. He crashed to his knees, his bones making a painful sound against the wooden floor boards.  

He sobbed. 

He wanted to stop, but for some reason he couldn’t. He could only muster a thousand,

“I’m so sorry.”

He’d never felt so broken before.

He’d never felt so pathetic.

He’d never felt so much pain before.

He felt cold.

But then he was warm. He couldn’t see properly at first, but he could feel the encompass of warm arms wrapping around his shaking form. He could hear the gentle shushing in his ear, and feel rain of kisses along his face, collecting his tears.

“We’re not going to fight anymore on this,” you whispered into his hair, hands stroking up and down his back soothingly. “We are not going to fight.”

He slumped in your arms, the fire that had been ablaze within him had finally gone out as he lost all fight. He began to relax in your arms, listening to you console him. I should be comforting you, he thought. Why am I acting like this?

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“I know you are.”

You help him from the ground, taking a hold of his hand and leading him to the futon. You carefully pull back the blankets, and pull him down and under.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m going to sleep, and you are too.”

“I—“

You silence him with a kiss, allowing your lips to linger. “No, Mitsuhide. You need to rest now. We all do. Look at how tired you are. Look at how it’s bringing you down. You’ve worked so hard, and now you need to rest. We will figure this all out in the morning, so for now, we are going to sleep.”

Mitsuhide didn’t fight as you pulled him to your chest, his cheek pressing against your soft breasts, your arms wrapped tightly around him. 

For once, he allowed himself to be pampered this way. He closed his eyes and let sleep succumb him. 

He’d take your words to heart. Tomorrow he’ll fix things. 

Tonight, he will rest.

He remembers what you said those couple nights ago; “I miss you in my bed.”

He missed it too. So, so much more than you could imagine.

~~~~~

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Mitsuhide cried in his dramatic route, and it broke me :’(

#Ikemen Sengoku #Ikemen Sengoku Headcanon #IkeSen #IkeSen Headcanon #Ikemen Sengoku Fanfiction #Ikemen Sengoku Fanfic #IkeSen Fanfiction #Ikesen fanfic #Ikemen Sengoku angst #BIG BIG ANGST YEET #Ikesen Angst #REALLY BIG ANGST BRUH #Mitsuhide Akechi #Akechi Mitsuhide #Ikesen Mitsuhide #Mitsuhide Angst #seriously #this kinda hurt #ikemen #ikemen series #cybird

[writingwhimsey]

100 Follower Celebration Request

@zulablaise this one is for you! An angsty to sweet one shot of the best pirate boi and your OC Tomoe! I hope you and everyone else enjoys!

Ikesen MotonarixOC (Tomoe)

Prompt "Please...don't leave me?"

No warnings. Bit angsty and then sweet and fluffy

Making Up

Motonari paced about the room he shared with Tomoe. "Dammit." He muttered as he raked his fingers through his hair. It had been hours since she'd left, going into town to meet up with some of the other seamstresses she'd met. Before she'd left, they'd gotten into a bit of an argument. She'd left mad.

"Why'd I have ta go and open my big mouth like that?" He muttered to himself.

Tomoe had received a letter that morning. It was from Hideyoshi, telling her he would be coming with Mitsuhide and Masamune to inspect the Mouri Navy. Of course, he had thrown in there that he was going to make sure that she was still okay and being well taken care of by Motonari. He also said Masamune was planning on making a big feast.

She had laughed and shaken her head, but smiled. Motonari instantly felt prickly at that. The naval inspections weren't anything new. Visits between the Oda forces and the Mouri clan were becoming something of a regular thing since the alliance formed. Motonari and Tomoe even went to Azuchi from time to time for these visits.

What had gotten under his skin was Hideyoshi. Though the man claimed Tomoe was like a sister to him, Motonari couldn't help but to feel like that was a lie. Something Hideyoshi used to keep distance between himself and Tomoe while still being able to be close to her. Motonari was jealous. And when he got jealous, sometimes he just couldn't control his mouth.

"I'm startin' ta think these inspections are more about makin' sure yer okay than about checkin' on my fleet." Motonari had grumbled. "Lookin' fer any excuse ta take ya back to Azuchi."

"Oh, that's not true." Tomoe had insisted.

"Yer old lady seems pretty certain I ain't treatin' ya right." He countered.

Tomoe had sighed. "He's just a worrier."

"Sure." Motonari had replied.

"Like any good big brother." Tomoe added.

"Big brother my ass." Motonari had muttered.

Tomoe looked at him, arching a brow. "Really? Why does it bother you so much?" She had asked, a hint of that fire coming to her tone.

"Because he's a damn liar 'bout it that's why." Motonari had answered, finally blowing up. "Lyin' ta himself."

"Even if that were true it doesn't matter." She had said. "He's not the one I love. That's you. I don't know why we always have to have this conversation every time Hideyoshi is brought up."

"I just don't like other people tryin' ta steal what's mine." Motonari had remarked.

Tomoe shot a glare at him. "You can't steal what doesn't want to be stolen." She reminded him. "Doesn't matter who tries. I thought you trusted me by now?"

Motonari could hear the hurt in her voice on the last words. "Course, I trust you, flower girl...I just don't trust the others."

Tomoe sighed. "Well, then trust me by reminding yourself that it doesn't matter how anyone else sees me. You're the only one I want." She was then getting up. "I gotta go. I'm running late to meet the other girls."

Motonari could tell that he had hurt her as well as pissed her off. He wasn't sure which part of that was worse. He let out a sigh as he paced about the room, thinking back on the conversation. He knew she was right. "She's gonna end up leavin' me if I don't get my shit together." He berated himself.

"Might I suggest some fresh air, my lord?" Hiroyoshi asked, as he came to stand in the doorway.

"That ain't gonna do me any good ya old goat." Motonari replied, grumpily.

"I believe you will find the view in the garden rather soothing." Hiroyoshi replied, unaffected by Motonari's anger. "I know the princess often finds herself there." He was then bowing and leaving.

Motonari stared after the old man a moment before exiting the room and heading for the castle garden. When he walked out there, he saw his girl standing under a tree and gazing out at the flowers. He was glad he caught onto Hiroyoshi's hint.

He stood there a moment, watching her. The sakura blossoms danced in the gentle spring breeze around her. She looked so beautiful and perfect. She was his everything and he knew he didn't deserve her. He knew she could do better than him. But he couldn't help himself when it came to her. She was the one good thing in this world. The one good thing he wanted to stay good. The one good thing he wanted to keep.

He felt a lump forming in his throat as he made his way over to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "I'm sorry, Tomoe." He said, burying his face in the crook of her neck and breathing in her scent. "Please...don't leave me?"

Tomoe let out a little gasp at Motonari's words. They tugged at her heart strings. She had n't been thinking when she'd left angry. She'd spent a good chunk of the time she'd been out with the other girls thinking and worrying over Motonari and their fight. She had been thinking that perhaps she could have handled it better.

Slowly, she turned in his arms, wrapping her own around him and resting her head on his chest. "I'm not going to leave you." She said. "That's...that's what I was trying to say earlier. I love you, Motonari."

Motonari hugged her tighter, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "I'm always afraid of losin' ya. Yer the one good thing in my life...the one thing I want to always hold onto."

Tomoe hugged him tighter. "I'm sorry, too...I shouldn't have left before we had the chance to make up." She told him. "I could have handled everything better. I know you trust me. It's just sometimes...I wish I could get you to trust others, too."

"I already trust more than I used to." He replied. "It's just...I'm always afraid one day yer gonna wake up and realize ya can do better."

"I don't think there's anyone better for me than you." She replied, pulling back slightly so she could look into those ruby eyes.

Motonari tugged off his gloves and lifted a hand to cup her cheek. "I'm no goody good." He reminded her. "And I can be an ass."

She smiled at him. "I know and I don't want a goody good. I want you. I want my pirate boy, his nice ass and all."

Motonari chuckled. "You...yer somethin' else, flower girl."

"I love you, Motonari."

"I love you, Tomoe." He replied before bringing his lips down to meet hers.

This wasn't their first fight and it certainly wouldn't be their last. But they both loved each other too much and wouldn't ever give up. This love of theirs was worth fighting for.

#ikesen #ikesen motonari #ikemen sengoku #ikemen sengoku motonari #motonari mouri #ikemen series #cybird ikemen #cybird #otome boys #cybird otome #fluff #fanfiction #fanfic #motonari angst #motonari fluff #motonari sweet

[flimflam707]

Hekima (ikesen oc - credits: @sh0jun )

Welcome everyone! Me and shOjun have been writing a fanfiction about the ikemen sengoku OC Hekima. The story will be full of action, angst, comedy, fantasy and possibly romance (?)

Although we have written the story together, the oc is originally from @sh0jun , so make sure to give them much love as well!!! <3

We suggest that you read the introduction first, that way you will understand Hekima much better and as a result will enjoy the story way more!

We hope that you will enjoy reading about Hekima's adventures as much as we loved writing it!

Masterlist

Introduction

Chapters:

Prologue Chapter 1: The interogations

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikesen fanfiction #ikesen fanfic #oc #original character #ikesen oc #Hekima #oc: Hekima #ikesen Hekima #fanfiction #fanfic

[krys-loves-otome]

You Should Always Tell The Truth

Rating: Teen Pairing: Ieyasu & Houki (Friendship), Mitsunari x Houki (It’s blatant, but not the focus here) Summary: Ieyasu notices one day that Houki isn’t feeling well. When he tries to investigate, he’s in for a few surprises. Warnings:  Fluff and Angst, References to Being Poisoned, Implied Depression/Acceptance of Fate, Emotional Hurt/Comfort Also on Ao3!

My Fanfic Masterlist

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Even crossing to a different world, the papercut was still red and inflamed. Her escalating symptoms were now becoming harder to ignore, real fear settling into her entire being.

She had been poisoned on Vale Island and she was going to die a slow, painful death in Japan, away from her family and information native to her world so she could search for the antidote. Who even knew if this world had an antidote to her poison, or how long she was going to live in agony as it killed her.

Well, the most logical thing to do in this kind of situation, she felt, was to take care of her symptoms as they came. Fevers and poor appetite could be eased with herbs and tea, chills so bad her hands shake required a warm blanket or two, and fatigue required a nap. Simple enough.

Hiding it for long, however, wasn't an option.

She wasn't at all surprised that the first to catch on was Ieyasu.

His cold, blunt behavior was oftentimes just enough of a deterrent for her to avoid him, but they often met because of a mutual interest in Azuchi's archives, so she couldn't avoid him forever.

Bundled into her warm jacket despite the warm summer outside, she scanned the archive's collection for anything that could point her towards researching local plants and, if she was lucky, their medicinal properties.

She wasn't alone in the archives for long, however.

"Even in this heatwave, you insist on wearing that heavy thing?"

She turned, surprised, to see Ieyasu staring at her, his brows furrowed and his mouth corners turned down in his usual frown. And, she also noted, lighter dressed than she was used to seeing the grumpy lord. Even his ice walls seemed affected by the summer heat.

"The archives need to be kept cool to preserve the books and scrolls. Too long spent down here brings a chill after a while."

"Not that cold. You're dressed like it's going to snow any moment now." Judging by the tinge of red on his face and sweat on his collar, he probably wouldn't have minded it spontaneously snowing in the archives.

Stranger things have happened in her life, snow indoors seemed quaint, all things considered.

Houki decided to ignore him and returned to her perusing of Azuchi's tomes. Ieyasu, no matter how irked he seemed by her presence and state of dress, still kept a careful eye on her.

The two kept quiet as their eyes scanned back and forth across the titles and names, pulling out what looked intriguing and putting back what wasn't.

After a few moments of silence, Ieyasu broke it again.

"When did that happen?"

He nodded towards her bandaged finger, sounding offended that this was the first time he was noticing it.

"...Papercut." She started. "They happen sometimes. A common hazard to book lovers. Mitsunari gets them all the-"

"I don't care about that idiot's papercuts. What happens to him during his weird reading trances is not my concern." His tone was sharp, but his hand grabbing yours showed none of the hostility of his voice. "I'm more concerned about why you're pale and shivering while I'm boiling in my own sweat."

He carefully unwrapped her bandage, frowning deeper at seeing the angry red cut, mostly healed, but its color was concerning.

"Again, when did this happen? Hours ago? Days?"

She looked away from him, feeling ashamed she hadn't said anything sooner. She had been used to hiding it on Vale Island for her safety, her new habits escaped her notice.

"Before… coming here. Before Honnoji."

His eyes widened in shock while his breath stalled in his lungs. In the next breath, he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her along behind him.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner, stupid?!" Whatever book he had picked up previously was now haphazardly dropped to the floor in his haste. "We're going to my palace. Now."

Any protests from the girl went unheard as Ieyasu dragged her along, his grip tight on her.

"Any other symptoms besides being cold? Fever? Shortness of breath? Nausea? Dizzyness?"

She told him as honestly as she could about her symptoms: fevers, easily becoming tired, unusually weak, cold chills, sometimes loss of appetite. He seemed to be making a mental list of her symptoms.

Once they had arrived at his palace, he set to work making a disinfectant and an herbal tea. Houki sat nearby, feeling fatigued from the brisk walk. Ieyasu, while waiting for the tea, sat in front of her with the disinfectant and treated the cut the best he could.

"...It was poison." Houki said quietly, shocking her caretaker once again. "It's the only conclusion I can think of to explain all of this. The timeframe, the symptoms… It makes the most sense."

He was quiet, tending to her finger and stewing in his thoughts.

"Even idiots like you have enemies, too. Not really that surprising."

She looked away again, biting her lip.

"It was a letter meant for my cousin."

"...Your cousin?"

She nodded.

"She was the one meant to go, to go to the Summit. She was the one with the highest scores, always careful about her decisions. She was the most perfect candidate that Jiyel could have sent."

Her eyes lowered, unsure of the situation, even now.

"And yet," she continued, "when the time came, she ran off and got married. Everyone was furious, as one would imagine. It didn't help when she refused to write home about why she decided to run away."

"Could be many things," Ieyasu murmured, "Too much pressure put on her. Could be trying to hide something: marrying below her, an affair, a bastard child."

"...I wish it was that simple of an explanation." Houki sighed. "But the letter I received made it clear she was threatened to be killed if she came to the Island. Surely news of her elopement would have spread to her aggressors to see that their threats had worked."

"Not quickly enough." He rebandaged her finger, tight yet comfortable. "And now you're paying the price just from being related to her."

Houki didn't say anything, agreeing with his sentiments, but refused to let the spiraling negative thoughts circle down any further down. The most logical thing would be to accept her fate as it was, dying slowly in a place far from her home because fate decided to be cruel to her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm mug of tea thrust into her hands.

"Most people would be sobbing and begging for a cure or cursing their fate in your place. You're oddly calm about all this."

"Why waste emotions on something I can't change?"

His eyes narrowed.

"The odds aren't exactly in my favor, Ieyasu." She took a sip of tea, thankful for its warmth, its taste, however, not so much.

"The poison's origins being unknown puts us at a disadvantage, even more so as it's origins are most certainly not native to Japan, so neither of us knows if anything here would be able to stop it, let alone treat it." She was lucky she found what she could on the Isle, but coming to Japan set her back to square one. Or before it, really, since everything she once knew from her world was useless here. Different universes meant different ecosystems, meaning plant properties could be different as well. A helpful plant at home might be poisonous here and vice versa.

"I'm the only person in this world with this kind of poison. Failure to help me will be no one's fault but the poisoner-!"

His hand smacked the table before them, rattling the teapot and his medical equipment set there, startling her.

"Stop talking so calmly about this." His brows were furrowed again, but something seemed different from his other gruff expressions. Worry, perhaps?

"You already risked your life getting Nobunaga out of Honnoji, and spend your days caring for that clumsy idiot like you're his nursemaid. I'd be expecting a normal person to be tearing their hair out and screaming if they knew they were dying on top of that."

"Ieyasu…"

"Speaking of which, do you think either of them will handle it well when they find out about it?"

She looked away. Even imagining Mitsunari's sweet face twisted with sorrow was painful.

"You know that idiot will be heartbroken once he figures it out. Then he'll be hounding me, constantly, for some way to help you, if there's a way to save you if he can't find it himself. He'll be more troublesome and annoying than ever."

He sighed, exasperated.

"You're both about to get more annoying either way."

"...Both of us?"

"Do you think I'd hear the end of it if I saw something wrong with you and didn't do anything about it? It'd be more trouble to ignore you and watch you die than the others hounding me for letting it happen." He turned his back to her, searching through his notes and dried herbs near him.

"Anything you're allergic to?"

"Not that I know of. At home, at least."

He nodded.

"We'll start with the basics for an antidote. Keep a journal so we can track your symptoms. See what works and what doesn't."

A plan, logic, her comfort. The delivery was rougher than she was used to, but she appreciated the attempt, nonetheless.

"Get the idiot involved, but only as a last resort. He'll notice things about you that you don't. And don't send him here with news, just send a letter copy of your combined notes. The less he's here bugging me, the better."

"He'll come of his own accord, you know…"

"Don't remind me," Ieyasu grumbled, noting that she had finished her tea, her color looking better at least. He gathered leaves and stems together, putting them in measured bags.

"...Thank you, Ieyasu," she said softly.

His shoulders stiffened, everything else frozen about him, save for when he turned towards her. He sighed, defeated.

"One more thing."

His hand rested on her shoulder, giving it a gentle shake.

"Cry to your idiot, if you want. Or Hideyoshi. He's good at comforting others. Logic-ing out your problems alone will only take you so far, and they'll get worried. Even if you've accepted you're going to die, no one's going to think badly of you for expressing when you're scared or need someone's hand to hold."

"...Even yours?"

She could have seen his clothes and hair prickle to attention, like a cold chill spreading through him through his toes and into his hair. His eyes closed and he took in a breath, biting his lip.

"...Yeah, mine too."

She smiled, warmed by his words, short as they were. He looked away from her, his ears turning red as he handed her a bag of herbs. His final task done, he sent her back out, watching her walk away. An offer to walk her back died on his tongue when her 'beloved idiot' came looking for her. He took the opportunity to slam the door in Mitsunari's face, half-listening at his pleas to be let in. Houki took mercy on Ieyasu and pulled Mitsunari away, saying she was feeling tired and wanted to walk home with him. Ieyasu could feel his insides turning when he offered to carry her if she was tired, the rest of the sickeningly sweet conversation fading thankfully as they walked away. Once they were gone, Ieyasu sighed heavily, looking at his extended hand.

"...The idiot didn't even take it when it was offered to her." He clenched his fist, closed his eyes and slid to the floor.

#krys's adventures in fanfiction #ikemen sengoku #ieyasu tokugawa #ikesen ieyasu #houki of jiyel #ikesen oc #fluff and angst

[janumun]

To Love a God and a Devil

Rating and Type: 18+ and Multi-Chapter

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Pairings: Uesugi Kenshin/MC, Oda Nobunaga/MC, Kenshin/MC/Nobunaga 

Tags: (current chapter only) Angst, Denial of Feelings/Unrequited Love

Summary: 

When one of your very first friends in the Sengoku period turns out to be none other than the God of War, enemy to your warlord boyfriend Oda Nobunaga, bitter truths you had never wanted to confront start bubbling up to the surface, threatening to destroy the happy lie you had draped yourself in. Stuck in between your feelings for a God and a Devil, will falling in love with these two deadly enemies be your ruin? 

.   .

Chapter 1 

This was a bad idea. This was not a bad idea. This was a bad idea. This was not a bad-

“Hey.”

You hadn’t had the foggiest idea that the man currently seated in front of you was THE Uesugi Kenshin when you had first met him. The Oda’s enemy and your friend, Kenshin; your very very good friend. You swallowed.

Just then, a pale hand invaded your line of sight; strong lithe fingers gently capturing your jaw. Your eyes swivelled up to meet his beautiful heterochromatic ones. “Your mind is elsewhere. I don’t like you thinking of anything else when you’re with me.”

“Kenshin…”

The tightness in Kenshin’s jaw softened when you called his name and you thought you almost saw him smile before you blinked and it was gone, replaced by his usual stoic expression.

You gently touched his hands, lowering them as you smiled. “Sorry. Work has been a little hectic lately and I haven’t been getting enough sleep.”

Kenshin frowned. “What kind of fiends do you work for that they make you push yourself like this?”

You dragged your now soggy noodles around with your chopsticks as you shook your head. “We’ve been over this. My employers are wonderful people.“

He snorted at that. “You should come work for me instead. Your work hours would be flexible and I would pay you far more than whatever your current masters do.” Your smile widened at his well-meant, albeit awkward kindness. You shook your head at him again.

“Thank you but no one forces me here, Kenshin. I like what I do.”

“You’re always rejecting me with that same gentle smile.” He turned away, making you instantly miss his eyes on you.

“Makes me wonder if perhaps the issue is that you don’t want to be with me.” He muttered the last sentence under his breath, your ears failing to catch the words.

“What?”

“Nothing. Let us go. We do not have much time together as is.” Kenshin remarked, rising from his seat . “I am a busy man and am needed to attend to other far more important tasks than accompanying you all over this lackluster town.”

You grinned at that, following suit just as Kenshin casually reached for your hand before leading you out of the cozy establishment. You looked down at your conjoined hands, his fingers interlaced with your own as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

You and Kenshin had met long before things had gotten serious between you and Nobunaga. Your relationship with Kenshin had taken even more working on than with Nobunaga had but you were glad for the effort because you had gained a precious friend in the seemingly stoic warlord.

Once Kenshin had opened up enough to consider you something resembling a friend, he had taken to acknowledging your bond through the subtlest changes in his actions.

You came to know of Kenshin’s extreme dislike of women thanks to Sasuke (and Kenshin refusing to let your bodies touch in even the slightest ways possible). You had tried to maintain a respectful distance after his initial rejection even though it had left you a little stunned.

However, fate kept bringing the two of you together until Kenshin was forced to begrudgingly accept your presence as the “annoying woman” in his life and then a little less begrudgingly as the two of you began to spent time together and understand each other a little better.

It had taken time for Kenshin to shift from calling you “Sasuke’s annoying woman friend" to your actual name. You still remembered the surprised joy that had taken over the first time you had heard your name leave his beautiful mouth in that smooth graceful voice.

Everything about Uesugi Kenshin had enraptured you from the moment you had laid eyes upon the man; beautiful than any other being you had ever known. However, there had always been a sort of stale melancholy to his gaze that left a jarring chip in his perfect facade, but even that imperfection was fascinating to you. You realized you wanted to know more about him and as time passed, your curiosity only continued to burn brighter.

Shortly after he had started calling you by name, he had stopped maintaining that unspoken distance between you both and even took to small harmless touches to your person (hesitantly at first) and then when you had allowed him access to more, he  became more comfortable with physical acceptance. You were honestly delighted at the time, with the progress you had made with your unexpected friend.

The handshakes when you used to meet (you had ended up teaching him that modern way of greeting when you had tried to say hello once), the hugs you sneaked in whenever either of you had received happy news (though you weren’t sure if Kenshin was entirely comfortable with it, even though he always returned your bear hugs in his awkward cute manner), the casual touch of his fingers on your head when fixing a stray strand or the way he held up your fingers for vigorous inspection on days you stabbed yourself with sewing needles - the different ways in which he showed his acceptance of you, as someone important to him; you cherished that.

Even now, as you walked hand in hand down the street - a habit Kenshin had developed while keeping you close to him along the crowded roads of Azuchi - you kept glancing down at your hands wondering if that something natural you had cultivated with him over time wasn’t actually developing into something inappropriate. Should you be doing this now that you knew who he actually was – no - now that you and Nobunaga were lovers, was the relationship between you and Kenshin appropriate?

You spent so much time with him in town, fairly comfortable in each other’s company that it had started to make you feel guilty at some point.

But why?

Nobunaga knew of your “friend" Kenshin in town (even though he didn’t know WHICH Kenshin, heck, even you hadn’t known yourself until a few days back).

He knew you and Kenshin went almost as far back as your acquaintance with Nobunaga. He knew Kenshin was an important person to you. You never kept anything from Nobunaga, and yet recently, spending time with Kenshin had become something far more, something you weren’t entirely comfortable with. When you were with Kenshin, you felt-

No. You were utterly and very happily infatuated with your handsome devil warlord and when you had started dating Nobunaga several months ago, Kenshin had strictly been a friend.

Or had he?

You internally berated yourself for feeling so guilty over potentially nonsensical stuff, vowing to focus on enjoying your time with Kenshin for now. After all, it was his last day in Azuchi before he returned to Echigo. Who knew how long it would be before you saw him again?

The thought was like an ice cold splinter lodging deep into your heart. You already missed Kenshin terribly. You really must have been fonder of him than you initially thought. It made sense considering he was one of the very first people you had taken to during your initial difficult days with the Oda lot, you rationalized, but even your voice of reason was starting to sound not very convincing.

Kenshin’s voice pulled you out of your looping thoughts. “Choose whichever you like.”

Your head whipped up to note that he had led you right up to one of your favorite clothiers. You turned questioning eyes to Kenshin who gave you a soft smile in response. “Consider it a departure present… before I leave.”

The statement did nothing to uplift your already low spirits and you turned back mutely, trying to swallow past the lump in your throat. “Kenshin… this is… I…”

“Do not tell me that you cannot accept. Let me gift you something you like. Please.” His voice was low and pleading and so close to you, your protests died on your tongue. You reached for the closest fabric, absently admire the texture of the fine cloth beneath your fingers. Every piece on display was gorgeous but somehow it all seemed to lack any real warmth to it.

In the end, you settled for a pale blue fabric with swatches of green shimmering swirls running its span. It was a breath-taking piece and you had no doubt that it would make a lovely kimono, however the present also made you sad. It was a farewell present. You weren’t ready to say goodbye to this man. Why was that?

It wasn’t as if Kenshin was leaving forever. But… his visits were always so uncertain and you had no way of knowing if you would see him a few weeks later or would have to go months without hearing a single word of him.

Your thoughts were simmering in woe by the time you reached the crossing where you were to leave him. The sun was just starting to set and the world around you was awash in lovely pale gold. Even the sight of the setting sun seemed to be mirroring the state of your heart.

Suddenly, slightly cold digits were curling around your wrist, stopping you in your tracks. A pale hand took hold of your chin pulling your face upward until you were staring into his odd eyes tainted with concern.

Shoot. That was totally your fault wasn’t it? You hadn’t been mentally present the whole time you had been with him. Kenshin was probably done with your absent mindedness, the way he was frowning at you.

“What are you not telling me?” His question was direct but you didn’t have an answer.

Come to think of it, even Kenshin didn’t know you were a chatelaine in his enemy’s castle, did he? Sasuke would never have given you away and you had never mentioned it yourself.

Kenshin continued, even as you failed to answer. “You have not been happy at all today, you haven’t properly smiled at me even once. Tell me, what has you so bothered?”

You tried to laugh it off. “Nothing’s going on Kenshin. I’m just tired.”

“Tell me. I will stand here until you tell me what it is that has you feeling so sad.” The dig between his eyebrows was deeper now as if he were puzzling out a way to best rid you of your anxious heart. “Let me into you. Let me fix your pain.”

You stared at his face and the sincerity in his gaze melted you, loosening your tongue before you even realized you had said anything. “I miss you…”

“What?” Kenshin’s mismatched eyes widened at your confession and you regretted ever opening your mouth in the first place but you couldn’t stop. Your mouth seemed to have taken a life of its own as words tumbled out of it in rapid succession.

“You’re leaving and I’m going to miss you. I started missing you the moment I saw your face this morning, knowing that you’d be leaving as soon as twilight fell. I, Kenshin, I… I guess I love spending time with you.” You hardly had any idea what you had just blabbered to him but seeing the stunned look on his face shut you up finally.

Your face softened at his bewildered look and you paused, letting yourself breathe for a while, gathering your thoughts. You couldn’t overwhelm him with emotions that weren’t even his fault. No. That was your cross to bear. “I feel like we’ve grown closer over time, haven’t we?” You gave him a small smug smile. “To think I could become besties with the woman-hating Lord of Echigo. I feel pretty proud of myself right now.”

Kenshin had yet to speak a word to you and you pulled at a hair strand to filter the awkwardness you had created. You reckoned your best strategy now was a tactical retreat. “A-Anyway, thank you so much for the present. I’ll have a kimono ready to show-off the next time you’re in town. Travel safe, and I’ll see you later.” You spun on your heel, lifting your arm in a hasty wave, ready to flee the scene before steady arms circled your waist, refusing to let go.

“K-Kenshin?” Your voice came out unnatural and high-pitched. Kenshin was hugging you.

Okay, heart, slow down, its a goodbye hug. Turn around, hug him and then, let’s leave.

Your traitorous heart refused to obey even as you turned in Kenshin’s arms, ready to give him a quick hug but what you got instead shattered all your thoughts of fleeing, leaving your mind a blank canvas.

Something soft pressed against your mouth and you identified the softness, all too late as Kenshin’s lips. You stood there frozen in your lip lock for a few moments before Kenshin withdrew just enough for you to stare into his face.

You instantly regretted meeting his eyes. His gaze had always been your prison and the frightening fact was that it was a captivity you had never willingly wanted to escape.

You whispered his name on a hoarse croak. Your mind was screaming. You weakly pushed at his arms that still held you too close for comfort.

Kenshin let go but just as you thought to move away, his hands were cupping your cheeks before his mouth took yours again, firmer, surer this time and you found yourself fall completely slack in his embrace. The urge to resist drained out of you, leaving you limp against him.

Kenshin’s hand wrapped around your lower back, crushing your body to his. His kiss was like a needy, desperate prayer and your heart ached at the feeling of utter helplessness at being unable to respond to him. Kenshin’s tongue brushed against yours, snapping you out of your self-induced catatonic state.

Shocked at yourself, you pushed him away. You had just betrayed Nobunaga. You had let a man other than your lover kiss you and all of that so willingly. You had no excuse. In that moment, you were the most terrible person on Earth.

You heard Kenshin call your name as if from the other end of a long tunnel. His voice sounded panicked… scared and you ached to tell him the truth, but you couldn’t. Not without potentially throwing the lives of your friends in mortal peril.

You backed away, staring at him with your hands over your mouth, horrified at what you had done. You had failed your lover, you had probably even lost one of your best friends in that moment because you had developed undeniable feelings for him.

As the gravity of the situation hit you hard and fast, you sincerely wished you were dead in lieu of the acute pain you now felt tearing your heart in two. “I’m sorry.” You choked out. “I-I can’t… I shouldn’t have, Kenshin… I have a lover, I shouldn’t have… I’m so sorry.”

You turned heel, running away from him as fast as your legs would carry you. You heard Kenshin’s desperate shouts behind you but his footsteps didn’t follow, perhaps realising the magnitude of the damage you had caused. You preferred it that way. If Kenshin started hating you after this, it would be more than you deserved.

.

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Chapter 1 (you are here), Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8

[A/N: This fic is an angst with a happy ending comprising a total of 8 chapters. I will be upping a chapter or two daily. I wrote this back when Kenshin’s Birthday Event was on over at IkeSen. I hope you’ll enjoy reading just as much as I did thinking of these two together with one MC (top two IkeSen favorites! Also appearances put in by my number 3: snake)]

#ikemen sengoku #ikemen series #uesugi kenshin #ikesen kenshin #oda nobunaga #ikesen nobunaga #a pickle writes #kenshin/mc #uesugi kenshin/mc #nobunaga/mc #oda nobunaga/mc #kenshin/mc/nobunaga #ikesen #ikesen fanfic #fanfiction #angst with a happy ending