500 Years (Ikemen Sengoku)

Chapter 23: The First Snowfall

The view of the shimmering water of Lake Biwa slowly comes into view. The city has now livened up after the dark hours of night time. The streets are crowded with people and stalls being put into displays for the buyer. Steams come from restaurants and small stalls of variety of delicious food as people busying themselves in their small business.

Not too far from the energetic and freshen city, a castle stands magnificently and quietly in view by the shore of Lake Biwa. The shimmering effect of the water's surface reflect onto the castle, making it look like a spectacular object that came alive from painting.

"Akina." Nobunaga whispers to the young woman in his arm, his warm breath touches her forehead, gently waking her up from her sleep. "We're home."

She opens her eyes and straighten herself up slowly from his warm, muscular chest. Her eyes stunned in astonishment and happiness with the familiar sight before her.

"Azuchi." She mutters with disbelief, unable to believe that she is finally back here, a place where she is calling her home.

Through every struggle, it had felt so long since she was back here. Though it was only a few months, to her, it felt so much longer. Little does she know how much of a difference several months can make to her life. When she first came, this place is dangerous and scary with strange and cruel people around her. Yet now, it had become a place where she feels safe and happy to be at.

Nobunaga smiles as he looks at her expression. They dash toward the city unhesitatingly, making their way across the cheers and admiration eyes that are welcoming them back. In front of the castle's gate, small figures have been standing there, waiting for their arrivals ever since words got back that the Oda force has entered the province.

"Waiting at the gate, are they? They exaggerate the importance of my return." Nobunaga narrowed his eyes in disbelief as he looked toward the castle gates.

"Oh my... is that--." Her words were cut off when her gaze spots familiar figures standing at the gate.

Nobunaga stop the mount a few feet away and unmounted before he holds Akina down with both his strong hands. Her eyes were fixed on his fellow daimyos who are also looking at her intently.

As soon as her feet land on the ground, holding the haori up with her small hands, she runs toward the three figures at the gate with joy evidently on her face. Hey eyes almost as they could be burst into tears at any moment.

There was Mitsunari, with his unfairly gorgeous smile, and Mitsuhide, waiting patiently. Hideyoshi was waving enthusiastically, practically hopping with excitement.

"W-Welcome back, Akina." Hideyoshi said with a bright grin, holding off the tears of joy.

"Welcome back, Akina." Mitsunari greets the young woman with his signature kind smile.

"Well well, the fireball has make its way back." Mitsuhide stands next to Hideyoshi with his slick smile.

"Welcome back, Akina-sama." The chatelaines and a few soldiers behind the daimyos greet her with a bow.

"T-Thank y-you so much everyone..." She said in happiness as she wipes away a small tear at the corner of her eyes. "I missed you all so much..."

With her words, Hideyoshi couldn't hold him back any longer. He grabs Akina into a strong, tight embrace with his eyes tightly closed so he doesn't shred tears in front of his vassals.

"I was so against you going to war." Hideyoshi sniffs. "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you when it was reported that you went missing after falling into the riverbank?"