Shards of Time: He Rises to the Throne

I've said too much. Nobunaga's look was fierce.

"What do you mean?" He asked. This isn't the right time for me to tell him. I need to keep his attention away from the topic. Out of impulse, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He seemed surprised at first but he eventually responded to my advances. When I noticed that his grip was loose, I flipped us over. Now I was on top of him. We broke the kiss to take a breath.

"Why can't you tell me?" he asked. I looked at him with an apologetic expression.

"It's not the right time. But Nobunaga, don't doubt me. I am your wife and everything I do is for the good of you and your future." I said. He sat up and looked at me.

"I will believe you but you have to tell me one thing." He said. I held my breath.

"What is happening with my father?" He asked. I took a deep breath before speaking.

"He's ill." That was all I said. I looked at him without a hint of deceit.

"You've been taking care of him?" He asked. Well, not exactly…

"Yes, if word comes out that the head of the Oda clan is ill then they will try to revolt to gain the power over Owari. That's why I'm asking you to never mention any of this to anyone especially your family." He knew why I emphasized his family. They've been trying to take the throne and they will try again when Nobuhide dies.

"Then I will heed your word." He said. I breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly, I felt his arms on my waist. I expected he'd do something obscene but I was surprised when he rested his head on my chest. I wrapped my arm around him and caressed his hair. He must be overwhelmed by the things he found out. I can't say I blame him but I'm glad we're finally getting along.

After the moment we shared, Nobunaga was once again called down to the audience chambers. It seems that Hirotada has given his answer to Nobuhide and I was right. He would gladly let his son be killed to prove his loyalty to Yoshimoto.

"Milady, the lord asked me to accompany you while he is downstairs." Sato said as she entered the Tenshu.

"I'm glad to see you Sato. Do me a favor, when Nobunaga asks where I am just tell him I'm roaming the castle." I said. She looked anxious but she agreed to do it. I walked back to my old room and got dressed in the shozoku. I snuck to the kitchen to grab something for Ieyasu. Afterwards, I made my way to Mansho-ji. I snuck in through the window. Ieyasu seemed to have waited for me.

"How are you?" I asked. He smiled at me.

"I'm okay. They've given me food and water today." He said. I sighed. Feeding a kid once a day is torture. I pulled out the food I packed and handed it to him. He accepted it and started to eat.

"You already know about your father, right?" I asked. He stopped eating and looked at me. He nodded slowly. I sat next to him and gave him a hug. He seemed surprised by what I did.

"Lady Nō, why do you come here for me?" He asked. I looked at him and patted his head.

"Because you are a good boy and I want to make sure that you're okay here. Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll help you become what you were destined to be." I said. He raised his eyebrow at me. He must think I'm crazy.

"How do you know that?" He asked. I smiled at him and waved my hand.

"I have powers. I can predict what will happen in the future." I said. His eyes widened. I giggled at his reaction. Suddenly I felt something was wrong. My chest started to tighten and I don't know why.

"I have to go. Be safe, okay?" He nodded and I left the temple. I went back to Owari, changed my clothes and went out the room. I strolled throughout the halls of the castle. When I turned the corner, I suddenly bumped into someone causing me to lose my balance. I thought I was going to fall but I felt a pair of arms holding me up. I opened my eyes and saw Nobunaga so close to my face. I felt all of the blood rush to my face. I quickly stood up and bowed at him.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to bump into you." I said. I was bowing to hide my blushing face. Nobunaga grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the nearest room. As he closed the door, he pinned me in between his arms. I looked at him with a confused expression. Weren't we okay a while ago? What's going on now?

"Nobunaga, is something the matter?" I tried to ask calmly. He looked at me, his eyes filled with sadness and anger. Something doesn't feel right.

"Father is dead." Nobunaga finally spoke. I couldn't believe what he said. I felt like my head was spinning after hearing the news. I cupped Nobunaga's face in my hands.

I know what's going to happen. Nobunaga is the real heir to the Oda clan but Nobuhide's sudden death will overwhelm him and he won't fulfill his duties. In the books I've read, Nobuhide's retainer will commit seppuku to scare Nobunaga into his duties. What if I can persuade him to accept his duties? Will it make a difference in the future? Even if it will, I can't let an innocent man commit seppuku.

"Nobunaga, listen to me. You are the rightful heir to the Oda clan. You have the power to accomplish what your father failed to. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side." I said. Hoping that my words can get through him; I wrapped my arms around him and kept him in my embrace. I could hear how fast his heartbeat was going.

I managed to convince Nobunaga to dress appropriately for the funeral of his father. Everyone in the family started showing up. After Nobuhide's burial, the war will begin.

Soon after Nobuhide's burial, his brothers and sons arrived at the castle. They fought over who was to take over the clan. Nobuhide's last words were for Nobunaga to succeed him as he was Nobuhide's true heir. Nobunaga called for his father's retainers and generals to the audience chamber for a war council. My presence was also needed.

"We pledge our allegiance to you Nobunaga. We are at your service." One of the generals said.

"Masahide, from now on you are my retainer." Nobunaga ordered. I smiled knowing that 2 of the unifiers of Japan have come together.

"My lord, what are your plans?" One of the generals asked. I was sitting next to Nobunaga on the dais and I looked over at him.

"I intend to unify Japan." He said proudly. My heart started to beat faster. Why am I feeling this all of a sudden?

"Your brothers and uncles will wage war on you for the power over the Oda clan. We await your orders." Nobunaga looked intently at his vassals. Nobunaga will have to kill them all in order for him to be the rightful heir without anyone trying to overthrow him.

"We'll kill them." He said. Everyone was calm. I expected a different reaction but this is okay too. They started planning for the attack. After the council, I went back up to the Tenshu to rest. It has been a very stressful week and I haven't even visited Ieyasu. I hope he's doing well.

Moments later, Nobunaga entered the room. I was in the balcony getting some fresh air when Nobunaga came up behind me. I turned to look at him and his face was grim. If I had it rough this week, Nobunaga's had it worse.

"Nobunaga, you should rest. It's been a few days since you've last slept properly." I said while I held his face. He met my gaze and sighed. I held his hand and pulled him to the bed. He lay down and I tucked him in. I went to the other side and lay next to him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.

"In the next few days, my brothers and uncles will attack this castle. They'll kill anyone in this castle." He said. I looked up at him to meet his gaze. I've already expected this. Ever since I time-traveled to this time period, war was always on my mind. I was just patiently waiting for the day when I can see it for myself.

"Do you want me to run away?" I asked. He shook his head.

"If you run away, I won't be able to protect you. They might hunt you down." He said. My heart started beating faster. My face felt hot and I can hear how sincere he is. He wants to protect me.

"I need you to stay by my side." He said as our eyes met. I buried my face in his chest. I don't want him to see me flustered over what he said.

"Then I will stay by your side." I answered. He held me in his arms until we both fell asleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard a loud bang somewhere inside the castle. I looked over and Nobunaga wasn't beside me. Someone must be attacking the castle and Nobunaga jumped into battle. I had a feeling that I needed to protect myself. I pulled out my father's dagger out from under the bed and hid it under my pillow.

I went back to bed but I couldn't sleep. Just then, I heard movement by the balcony. Someone must have snuck up from the outside. They must've thought that Nobunaga was still here. I feigned sleeping while waiting for the attacker to reveal himself.

"Nobunaga's not here but his wife is. If you were married to me, you'd have been spared tonight." It's Nobuyuki's voice. I heard him raise his sword. As he swung it down, I pulled out my dagger and blocked his attack. He was surprised and I pushed him off. I stood up and went into a defensive stance.

"So this must be why my brother is quite smitten with you. Join me Nō and become my queen." He offered me. Like I'd listen to the likes of you.

"Nobunaga is the true heir to the Oda clan. You have no place in it." I said. His face grew dim.

"I gave you a way out but it seems you value death more than your life." He charged at me but his movements were too slow. As he swung his sword, I managed to dodge it and I immediately went straight in with my dagger. I stabbed him right under his ribs. He dropped his sword, blood dripping from his mouth.

"How…" As he spoke, I dug the dagger deeper until his body fell to the floor. I took out my dagger and shook the blood off. I put it back inside its sheath and I held onto it. Nobuyuki's lifeless body lay on the floor. I noticed that my yukata was covered in blood; so were my hands. I remember something from my past. It's not the first time I've held a weapon but it's the first time I've hurt someone using one. But I felt no remorse. He deserved to die.

My head started to hurt when I recalled some of my memories. I tried to stop myself from remembering anything. I stood in front of Nobuyuki's lifeless body and I noticed that the castle had grown quiet. Have they been defeated? Or has Nobunaga fallen? I felt a chill when the thought of Nobunaga dying crossed my mind. I was deciding whether I should go down or not when the door flew open.

"Nō…" Nobunaga came in the room but immediately stopped when he saw Nobuyuki's body on the floor. He looked at me from head to toe; slowly examining me if I was hurt. I didn't even care how I looked. Nobunaga was covered in blood. He looked terrifying but I wasn't the least bit scared.

"Nobunaga…" I ran to him and wrapped him in my embrace. I felt his arms around me and all of the fear inside me had faded.

"It's all over." He said. I didn't pull away. I wanted to feel his warmth. What I had done to Nobuyuki frightened me. I had no idea I was capable of taking another person's life. I didn't want to believe that I had developed feelings for Nobunaga up until now. Even though the events of tonight have been crazy; this is only the beginning.

As Nobunaga swung his sword, it struck his uncle. As the body fell, the castle grew quiet. Nobunaga scanned the room and it was filled with dead bodies. His vassals had valiantly fought against the attackers. None of his men were killed much to his relief.

"Masahide, all my brothers and uncles have been accounted for?" Nobunaga asked. Masahide came up to him and reported.

"There had been no sight of Nobuyuki, my lord." Nobunaga's eyes widened. He immediately knew who Nobuyuki intended to kill. He had left his wife in the Tenshu in his haste to defeat all who opposed him. He ran up as quickly as he can. When he opened the door, he saw Nō standing by a dead body. Upon closer look, he saw that it was Nobuyuki.

"Nō…" Nobunaga called out to her. She seemed to be in a daze, thought Nobunaga.

"Nobunaga…" When Nō called out to him, it quieted the demons inside him. She ran to him and wrapped him in an embrace. Nobunaga was speechless. It would seem that Nō was frightened although she still managed to defend herself. Nobunaga wrapped his arms around her and reassured her.

"It's all over." But the truth was it was far from over. Both of them knew what it entailed. Nobunaga ordered for the proper disposal of the bodies. The sun had risen by the time the bodies were removed from the castle. Nobunaga looked for Nō and he found she had fallen asleep on the chair. He bent down to observe her face.

Nobunaga knew that he had developed feelings for his wife. He didn't want for it to happen because he was worried that she'll be in more trouble if his enemies found out that he favors her. He carried her back to their room and he laid her on the bed.

"Nobunaga…" Nō muttered in her sleep. Even in her sleep, her thoughts were of her husband. Nobunaga's face was flushed when he heard his name being called. He left Nō to rest while he went to finish his business. He stood in front of his men who fought valiantly beside him.

"I am Oda Nobunaga, the new daimyo of Owari." He announced. His men looked relieved. They had won the battle but there was a bigger obstacle to cross and that was what Nobunaga wanted.

To unite Japan.

I woke up to the smell of dried blood. Ah I remember what happened this morning. I killed Nobuyuki and I saw Nobunaga covered in blood. I must've fallen asleep when they were taking the bodies out of the castle. I stood up from the bed and went out the Tenshu. When I opened the door, Sato was already outside and was about to knock.

"Good morning milady. My lord asked me to take you to the dining area." She said. I quickly grabbed both her arms and examined her.

"Are you okay Sato? Did you get hurt last night?" I asked frantically. Sato shook her head.

"I'm fine milady. All the servants were hidden during the attack. What about you milady? Did you get hurt?" She asked. I shook my head and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'm okay Sato." I said. She smiled at me and we walked to the dining area. When I arrived, there was food already on the table but Nobunaga wasn't there. I looked around hoping to see him but it was only me and Sato in the room. Why do I feel disappointed? Sato must've noticed my disappointment.

"My lord is out on the courtyard giving the orders to the soldiers. He said you should eat without him." Sato explained. I nodded and sat down by the table. After breakfast, I went out to the courtyard. I want to see him but I don't know why. I finally saw him. He was at the far left side of the courtyard talking to Masahide. I walked up to them and Masahide immediately noticed me.

"Milady." He said while kneeling in front of me. I told him to stand. He excused himself and left me alone with Nobunaga.

"How are you?" I asked. His face was serious. Gone were the playful and flirtatious looks of his. He's finally accepted his role as the daimyo of this province. And soon he'll be known throughout Japan. He has only begun his journey but I feel proud of him. He's grown up.

"I'm fine." He answered. He's sterner now than before. But I understand him. I don't want to be his burden. I want to help him. Maybe it's time I told him the truth.

"Have you eaten anything today?" I asked. He shook his head. Don't be stubborn, you need food for energy.

"Would you like me to cook for you?"