A Song for the Devil

Fire on Fire

My name in Rina Satomi. I am the princess of my clan. To ensure the peace between my clan and the Oda I was betrothed to Nobunaga, known as the Devil King of the 6th heaven.

Due to the many battles that Nobunaga was fighting to achieve his dream to unify Japan our wedding was postponed for a year and during that time I travelled with him. I helped heal the wounded and before battles I would perform dances and sing for the troops quickly gaining the reputation of Nobunaga's song bird.

They may have called me his, but we spent very little time together, and he only ever touched my hand to guide me when necessary.

In that whole year we hardly spoke more than greetings and farewells. The only way I got to know him was through the gossip of his soldiers and maids. His men though he was a god, not only charging into the battle with them, but often times sending men back to head quarters when they had only received minor injuries. The women of his castle spoke of rumors of what a carnal lover he was to both women and men. At the time it simultaneously frightened and exited me that my soon to be husband was so experienced.

Despite our engagement it was not Nobunaga I found myself day dreaming of. My mind should have been fixated on black hair and carnelian eyes but instead it repeated the images of the chestnut hair and golden eyes of Nabunaga's right hand man, Hideyoshi. I blame my infatuation on the mere fact that he spent more time talking and keeping an eye on me, of course for his Lord, not for my sake.

I knew that his care for my well being and safety wasn't because he cared for me, but rather it was to keep something that belonged to Nabunaga safe. Despite this, I engaged in flirtations with him whenever we were alone. It escalated until one night, when they returned to headquarters after a particularly harsh battle, I was summoned to perform for them.

I forgot myself and my position during the song, forgot to give each of the leaders only a small bit of attention, and give most of my gaze to Nabunaga. That night I struggled to take my eyes off Hideyoshi. He was covered in wounds from battle. When his eyes met mine a heat rose throughout my body and I knew that not only did he see it, but the devil king sitting next to him along with all of the other vassals in the audience. I rushed through the song when I noticed the shift in Nabunaga. When the song was done I didn't wait to be dismissed to leave and walked quickly to my tent.

I shivered wondering what kind of punishment I was about to receive as I washed the paint from my face. I was still removing hair pins and jewel when I heard heavy footsteps approaching my tent. My body froze at the words of the guard stationed outside of my tent. "Lord Oda."

He entered without asking for permission or announcing himself. Even with my back turned to him I could feel his wyes on me. My throat was tightening as I turned to face him. "My lord." I spoke softly.

He stepped towards me until we were less than an arms length apart. "Would my song bird like to nest somewhere else?" He asked, and despite the anger, I could hear the hurt.

"My lord?" I questioned.

"Your eyes were fixed to another man throughout your song. I can arrange to have the two of you joined within the week." His eyes were cold and distant.

My heart sank as I realized that instead of fighting for my affection he would rather give me away. The sinking heart in my chest turned angry and that anger spread throughout my body. He looked amused as the fires of anger spread across my face. "Lord Nobunaga, this is the most we have ever spoken of our engagement since the day it was set and it has been close to a year since that day." I lost all sense of formality and respect for him as I continued to ramble. "You don't show me any care or attention, you have sent Hideyoshi to check on my well being instead of courting me yourself. The rumors may be true that you're a brilliant strategist, a fierce warrior, and an exceptional hedonist in bed, but in matters of the heart you are truly an idiot." I heard the guard outside the tent gasp at my words.