-Tora-
We rode back to Azuchi with the horse Masamune's vassals had brought us. Once we reach Azuchi, we walked the rest of the way back to the castle gates. 'What should I do about that kiss?' My feelings on it had been a constant flux. "All right Tora?" 'It's just a one-time deal, right? I mean, the mood was right, but that doesn't mean anything. But, do I want it to?' "Are you listening?" "Whoa!" I suddenly realized that Masamune had stopped and was looking directly at me. "Listening to what?" He pursed his lips into a thin line, "Yeah, you weren't listening." Masamune rested his arm on my shoulder. "Well, I'm listening now." That was a complete lie. My attention was straying again by merely being close to those nice, soft, very kissable lips of his. "I'll explain about today to Lord Nobunaga. You just get back to your room, change into something warm, and rest. Your lips are blue." 'Then I guess they match you. Oh, what am I thinking!' Masamune, as if somehow reading my thoughts, touched my lips. His index finger clung slightly to my lower lip as he brushed it. 'This is not helping me forget about that kiss.' I could feel my cheeks begin to burn at the simple action. "Maybe you shouldn't do that?" "Do what?" He seemed genuinely clueless as to what he was doing and the effect it had on me. "Put your finger on my lips. Because you know, a bit ago we were-" "We were what?" The familiar warm smile spread on his face as he looked at me curiously. 'He's not this clueless, is he? Or is he just messing with me again?' I shook my head, "No, nevermind." "It sounded important, but if you say so." He laughed merrily. Again, I had no idea what he was truly thinking.
'It was just one kiss. If Masamune's already forgotten about it as frustrating as that is, then maybe I should too.' I sighed and made myself breath nice and slow. That's when I remembered-"Oh Masamune, thank you for the tour." 'Our little lake adventure caused me to completely forget I'd asked him to show me more about life here.' "Huh? Oh, that." "You picked a good place to take me. It's given me somethings to think about." His expression turned nonchalant, which didn't suit him at all. "To be honest, I was going to go there today anyway." I nodded, "I wondered since you had snacks packed." "I thought it could be fun to fulfill your request while I was doing my errands. As for your end of the bargain, it didn't leave me speechless, but I'll say we're even for now. I'm looking forward to next time though." Masamune curled a lock of my black hair around his finger. Being slightly damp, the strands clung to his finger, almost as if they belonged there. "I've got high hopes for you." 'I think I have some high hopes of my own.' Rubbing the lock between his fingers, Masamune smiled a handsome, carefree smile. "See you tomorrow. Hope you don't stay cooped up in your room." With a pat on my head, Masamune entered the castle grounds. Now I was alone with my pounding heart. 'Maybe he hasn't forgotten about the kiss? It is Masamune, so it's hard to tell. He could just be incredibly casual about it. Casual about fighting, casual about kissing. Both of those traits are going to take some getting used to.' I hurried to my room and did as he instructed.
Once I laid down, I thought back to the kiss and felt my body becoming hot and bothered once again. I scolded myself, turned over and allowed the darkness to take me into sweet oblivion away from the handsome, one-eyed warlord. The next few days were busy, but without incident. 'Our supplies of gunpowder and spears are good.' "Oh Tora. Nice to see you. Thank you for all you've been doing lately." I smiled at Mitsunari's praise and turned to face him and Hideyoshi. "You're welcome. And good afternoon, you two." "They've got you inspecting the armaments today? Looks like you're working hard." "You've grown to such a wonderful chatelaine. I've seen you in the archives, with the seamstresses, taking care of the entire castle." I smiled as my chest swelled with pride. "Well, everyone's so cooperative no matter where I go. That makes it easy. Whether Nobunaga has a specific task for me or not, I've always got something I can do." 'Today's inspection of the weapons and armor is, of course, a Nobunaga task.' Mitsunari beamed at my eagerness to do my job the best I could. "The seamstresses speak especially highly of you, and not just for your management. They said you're amazing at sewing and taught them things they'd never heard of." "I heard you picked the new flower arrangements for the castle interior, too. Everyone says your color choices were perfect ." Hideyoshi added with a smile. "I had no idea people were talking about me." 'Sewing and coordinating colors are both things I just love to do. I'm more than happy to put my skills to use in this time.' "You seem to be enjoying yourself." Mitsunari observed. I nodded, "Oh, I am. I like being useful." "You've been more useful than I anticipated. Keep it up. Serve Lord Nobunaga well."
