Heaven and Hell

I returned to the tenshu to rest to find Misayo and a few other servants packing our things into trunks. Misayo fussed around me, apologizing for the room and asking if I'd like snacks while I waited for them all to leave.

"No. I'm fine Misayo. I'd just like to be left alone for a bit until my husband returns from his meetings." I keep testing it out, calling him my husband. It feels comfortable.

Misayo extended a note to me. "This came for you shortly after council." She bowed when I took it and then hurriedly returned to the packing, quietly instructing the others to hurry as well.

I sat at the desk and opened the note:

"Rina,

It was wonderful to have your presence in the council today and I hope you continue to attend.

I found some interesting scrolls on some lesser known and rare fighting styles that I thought you would appreciate. I asked your handmaid to pack them for your trip to the hot springs. I also snuck in some of my favorite collections of legends and mythology.

I hope that the two of you have a restorative time at the hot springs and look forward to reading your thoughts and questions from the reading when you return.

Mitsunari"

Ever since Nobunaga arranged for us to be in communication there hasn't gone more than a day without notes between us discussing the reading materials he provides me. The violet eyed angel of the Oda's forces and I had become close intellectual friends. I was still his student but he admitted to me in one of his notes that the way I question things has caused him to look at some of his tactics and plans from different angles "perhaps it's the female perspective" he had wondered in a recent note.

When I finished the note I placed it in a drawer for safe keeping. Misayo had taken it upon herself to collect the notes from the drawer when it could no longer fit the notes and keep them in a small chest. The other day she was close to complaining about the fact that the box would fill up soon as she would need a larger container any day now.

I pulled some paper out to write my thank you and communicate that I look forward to reading what he finds when I return from the hot springs.

When I finished writing the servants were taking the chests of our things out of the room. I handed the note to Misayo and thanked her for their fast work. "Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave you to rest?" She asked with a smile. She was smiling a lot since the wedding.

"No. Thank you Misayo." I waved her off before climbing into the futon.

I wanted to get some rest before the trip to the hot springs but my mind was too busy to allow me to succumb to rest. Hideyoshi wanted both of us. I don't doubt either of them being able to care for so much affection, but I had to search myself to see if that was something I could truly handle without being overwhelmed.

Nobunaga, the devil king of the sixth heavens and the man who I have happily given my heart and soul to. His determination and commitment to his vision for the future of Japan, the fire in his hungry red eyes. I not only want to be there to see him achieve that goal, I want to be by his side, I want to do my part to make it happen. His fire spreads and has the ability to draw people to action.

My mind began drifting into thoughts of the Nobunaga's kisses and how they warm my blood and makes me move. His hands leave trails of heat wherever he touches. There's something feverish about the way we touch each other. As my thought turn to the way his tongue felt as he licks and uses his teeth, grazing my skin when he makes his way down, my hands drift over my body. He moves me even when he's not near me.

One hand rested at my breast, slowly massaging over the fabric of my kimono while my other hand traced down my stomach and further. My fingers stay light on the sensitive outer gates between my legs. As I stroke and slowly part myself my mind plays the way he breathes my name; hot breath in my ear and it's no surprise to me that I'm already wet and craving more.

As I press two finger to the sensitive pebble I begin to imagine Hideyoshi. I've never felt his kiss, except on my forehead. That kiss did tell me things though. He will be attentive and, just like Nobunaga, care greatly about my pleasure, possibly more than the Oda. When Hideyoshi held me by the pond I didn't feel fire. I felt calm, even on the heels his emotional confession. I felt at ease in his arms and with his forehead kiss. It felt like a breath after being underwater.

What might it be like to share a bed with both of them? All consuming fire and steady consoling air. Heaven and Hell on one futon. Hideyoshi tending to both Nobunaga and I; the hungry devil king and his thirsty Phoenix. Would we consume him?

I was lost in these thoughts, not even realizing that soft moans were escaping me when the door slide open and my fiery devil husband entered.

"Not exactly the meal I was anticipating before we left." He remarked as he lay down next to me, kissing me deeply, adding to the fire I had already started.

His strong hands pulled my legs apart so he could nestle between them. With one push of his face my hand was suddenly replaced with his lips and tongue. My toes curled as his tongue swirls around and pushes around my aching flower. He pulled away after a moment and I whined in protest. He chuckled before pressing against me again. His lips tugging on the sensitive nub before pressing his tongue into me eliciting an excited moan. He hummed into me as his tongue pulsed in and out. The way he pressed his nose against me while his tongue reaches into my core sends waves of pleasure that eventually crash, leaving me in a spasming mess as he pulls away with a triumphant smile. "Come, lets eat." He commands as he reaches his hand out to help me get up.

We ate our meal in the tenshu, flirting shamelessly wether or not servants were present. When we finished our meal we made our way to the gates where our horses are waiting for us along with Hideyoshi.

I managed to subdue the blush that threatened it's way to my cheeks upon seeing him. His eyes were focused on Nobunaga as we approached. A look I would have assumed was because of his loyalty before now filled me with a strange mixture of gratefulness, excitement and a hint of jealousy. When his eyes shifted to me for a moment the jealousy was whisked away by the wind.

Nobunaga assisted me on to my horse and went to mount his own when Hideyoshi came to my side. "I hope you have a wonderful time." His eyes lowered along with his voice.

"We will. Although I'm wondering if we should have used that list again for this trip." I raised my eyebrow while keeping my voice just above a whisper.

His sigh and slow blink before he spoke was exactly what I wanted. Making him flustered was going to be my game now. "You're going to make me regret that list forever aren't you?"

I laughed, which brought Nobunaga's attention to us. "Making my bride laugh. Hideyoshi!" His smirk was perfection when he spoke. Hideyoshi looked concerned when he snapped his attention back to his lord.

Nobunaga smiled at me before continuing. "Remind me to reward you when we get back for such a gift to the world." Hideyoshi's cheeks dusted a soft pink as he lowered his head. Apparently my husband already plays this game with Toyotomi.

My eyes rolled as I huffed a laugh. "Should we go before you make people sick with your public shows of affection dear husband?" I laughed my words.

"Please be safe while your away. I will take care of everything here." Hideyoshi bowed as he waited for us to leave.

The further we rode from Azuchi the more an ache grew in my heart; I was looking forward to the hot springs and the time with Nobunaga though. Leaders and warlords aren't regularly so available with their time, but with the majority of the larger regions under his control; now is the time to do this.

The sun was setting as we approached the inn by the hot springs where we would be staying. Our things and a small number of guards had gone ahead of us.

I didn't have a chance to hit the ground when I dismounted because of the strong arms that picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.