Samurai Love Ballad Party: A Series of Short Stories

The Hair Pin

Akechi Mitsuhide x Helena
Rating: G

Today is a big day. Lord Nobunaga is having a meeting with Lord Tokugawa so he ordered a meal fit for the occasion. I get up at my usual time to train. Early mornings are peaceful and convenient for me to do this so I don't have to worry about anyone getting hurt since most of the retainers and pages are still asleep. The only people up should be the guards and the cooks. The yard is peaceful and so I go there to do my routine.

I'm about three quarters done with my training when I catch a glimpse of someone run by. I can hear them chanting "Oh my god, oh my god", clearly late for something. "Was that Helena," I mutter as I watch the figure turn the corner and vanish from view. It was then that I thought I saw something fall to the deck as the person in question rushed away. Seeing as how my focus was broken, I might as well end my training and see if what I saw was true or just my eyes playing tricks early in the morning.

Wiping my sweat on a towel, I walk over to the spot where I thought I saw something fall and sure enough, there, on the deck outside my room, was a hair pin. It wasn't the fanciest pin, but it's beauty was meant for the woman that owned it. Pretty sure this belongs to Helena, I thought to myself as I examined it. Of course, to be certain, I'd have to go find her and see if that were true. Imake my way to my room to wash before heading to the kitchen.

On my way to the kitchen, I bump into Inuchiyo. He had his usual scowl on which caused me to chuckle a bit. "Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine this fine day," I muse as I stop to see what was the matter.

"Don't start, Mitsuhide. Hideyoshi was all sunshine and puppies this morning when he saw Helena in the kitchens. Took all my will not to have at him. The nerve of that guy..." His scowl was deepening so much so I worried how face would be stuck that way.

"You worry too much, Inuchiyo. Helena is a smart and capable woman who can handle herself well. I, myself, have faith in her hold to her heart's true desires."

Inuchiyo looks at me slightly dumbfounded as I spoke. I forget how my formalities can be on the more genteel of warriors. "Y-You're right. Of course..." Turning his gaze to the side, he sighed before walking off. So hard being the best friend, isn't it? Good thing I am not.

I continue my way to the kitchen and see that Hideyoshi is still there talking to Helena. This should not bother me, yet Inuchiyo's words linger in my mind and I cannot help but notice all the little things that transpire between them. Finding their closeness rising something most foul in me, I swiftly step in and come between this conversation. "Hideyoshi, I've been looking for you. Lord Nobunaga needs to see you regarding the irrigation system in progress in one of the villages we visited the other day."

The man turns to me with a smile and nod. "Alright. I was waiting until he was settled, but I guess that was a bad idea." Shrugging with a chuckle, he waved goodbye to Helena and I and was soon gone from the vicinity.

"Lord Mitsuhide," Helena greeted me with a smile as if nothing had happened. I feel just slightly relieved. "How can I help you?"

Carefully pulling the hair pin from my pocket, I presented it to her. "I was not sure if it was you or not, but I saw someone rushing by this morning and this had fallen from their person. I was wondering if this belongs to you."

The surprise on her face indicated that it was hers as she reached up and felt what wasn't there. Reaching for the pin, I smiled as I took it in both of my hands. "Please, allow me." I delicately place the pin in her hair and smile as so step back. "Beautiful."

The rose color that graced her cheeks only made my heart ache more as this was the woman I truly loved. "Th-Thank you, milord..."

"It's of no consequence for the woman who's taken my heart." I caress her cheek briefly before taking my hand back quickly. "Are you busy? I wish to take a walk and would like you to attend me."

Helena brightened at the offer. "I would love to! Please allow me to pack some snacks and we can go." She's off before I can say anything, but it doesn't matter. I get the chance to be with her in peace and not worry about my jealousy rearing its ugly head. As I wait for her, I think about the hairpin and chuckle in thanks for it giving me this chance with the one I hold most dear.