A Song for the Devil

Summoning

Nobunaga sent the scouts out ahead of us, along with my horse. We hadn't ridden together like that since my return to Azuchi, unlike that ride I felt connected to him. We rode slowly through the forest, admiring the midday light that spilled through the leaves, and spotting small animals that darted here and there. Nobunaga leaned back a bit, resting his hands on his horse and tilting his head back while I took the reins. His voice is full of peace as he spoke. "Your village is surrounded by forest like this."

I hummed. "Yes. I spent a lot of time in those trees."

He sat back up and wrapped his arms around my waist before kissing my shoulder. "We should pay your family a visit."

I grabbed one of his hands and squeezed. "Perhaps after our first child is born."

The sun was beginning it's decent when we returned to the hot springs. After relaxing in the waters we ate and decided to spend the rest of the day curled up in the futon reading. While we were away the daily letter from Hideyoshi along with two new books from Mitsunari came. When Nobunaga finished reading his letter he crawled onto the futon where I had been waiting with my books beside me. He picked them up and observed the titles. "Ninja Arts or Mythology—" He handed me the Ninja Arts title and we settled in.

I don't remember falling asleep. The sound of approaching horses woke me up. Our books were resting on our chests as I stirred awake. I attempted to carefully remove his book from his chest trying to not disturb his rest but before the full weight of the book left him he hand carefully gripped my wrist. With eyes still closed and a little smile on his lips. "I heard them too."

When he released my wrist and I took the book, to place it on top of mine next to the bed. "Should I stay here? Or—"

His eyes opened. "Would you mind sitting on the patio? I think you'll know when it's safe to come back inside."

I kissed his cheek before whispering. "I'll be nearby if you need my help." He laughed softly before I left the futon.

I sat on a cushion on the patio, just out of sight from the room. A new moon graced the sky, allowing more stars to shine than normal. The sound of nearby crickets came to a halt as footsteps approached our room.

I could hardly hear the voice on the other side of the door asking for permission to enter, but I could identify the stress in it.

I peered over my shoulder to watch Nobunaga stand from the futon and allow the guest entrance. Hideyoshi stood in the doorway, in his usual green kimono, red hakama and matching red jacket, all brought together with gold and white cords. His golden eyes are more irritated than I've ever seen him as he enters the room. I turned back as he slid the door shut.

"I raced here as soon as I received your note— and then my scouts say there was an incident this morning when you went for a ride. I told the two of you to be safe and careful. I should have known you would get into trouble." Hideyoshi's voice is tense. "Where is your wife?"

In direct contrast, Nobunaga is calm and collected. "She's is near. I had no idea the scouts would report to you about our little race this morning. It was just some fun that got a little out of hand. We rode back together on the same horse though, so we weren't separated again."

I hear foot steps, pacing, that must be the worrier. "Why did you summon me Nobunaga? Your page said it was urgent, and when my men told me about your trip to the lake I worried something horrible happened."

Nobunaga softened his voice. "We didn't mean to worry you this much kozaru. Stop pacing. You're starting to unravel." A nervous chuckle. Using his pet name for Hideyoshi now hopefully relaxes him, although I'm not completely confident that was the right move. I found myself mentally praying to whatever god would hear me to give my husband the courage he needed.