Morning Services

I woke up before the sun again. I tried to go back to sleep but eventually decided to go to the kitchen.

The warm light from the fireplace spills out into the hallway toward me and seems to carry the comforting smell of food my way as well. As I pushed the door open it I saw the familiar figure of Masamune Date slumped over the table. A bottle of sake and a cup next to his head. I rush to check the food that he's left unattended and my shuffling and moving things to prevent burns stirs away.

"Mitsuhi— oh... you." He's a bit drunk and sleep is still in his eyes as he sits up and stretches his arm with a yawn reminiscence of a cat.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping Date?" I ask as I stir the miso soup that he's neglected.

"Shouldn't you? We have quit the journey to embark on tomorrow, and you have training during the breaks." He came beside me to check on his food.

"I'm rested." I inform in a dignified manner as I step aside to let him finish his own food preparations.

His words came out teasing and knowing in a way that makes my limbs tense up. "I don't know how you could be well rested with the two of them snoring on either side of you."

He turned to look at me with his one humored sapphire eye to laugh at how stiff I was standing. "Don't worry. I won't hold it against you. I'm not Mitsuhi—" he clenched his hands and face in anger as he turned back to the food.

Once I relaxed enough to move I brought a hand to his shoulder and spoke gently. "You seem hurt sensei?"

He chuckled, a low sad sound, before sitting back down at the table. I sat across from him and waited for him to speak. When he did his hands were clasped tight, pressing his fingers between his knuckles. "I defended him so many times against everyone's suspicions... I thought it was just that his work required him to be distant and illusive."

"Why did you defend him?" I asked, making sure to remove any hint of judgment from my voice.

His whole expression darkens a little, missing all signs of his usual spark of mischief and adventure. "I've known him a very long time. I knew him before Nobunaga. When he joined his cause I campaigned vehemently to be allies with him and despite my brother's initial hesitancy to be a part of such a large movement for this country, he agreed because of Mitsuhide's involvement."

I got up to check on the food as he explained that he wasn't able to secure the alignment with the Oda for many months, it wasn't until shortly after Hideyoshi was made a Daimyo under Nobunaga.

I return to the table to place the rice, miso soup and some pickled fish in front of him. I poured us each a small cup of sake and he drank his quickly before turning to the meal. I rested the warm cup on my bottom lip and took a breath before taking my first sip. He ate slowly, as if his thoughts and memories were also being chewed on between bites of actual food.

After a second sip my voice broke the silence. I was mentally switching from concern for a soldier to tactician as the question left my mouth. "Since you've know him the longest... why do you think he did it?"

His head shot up to look at me as several different emotions ran across his face. Irritation, anger, sadness, pain, back to anger when he finally answered. "Because he believes it will be advantageous for himself. He's patient when it comes to what he wants, I made the mistake before of confusing that patience with loyalty, until it turned out to be his greed after all. My guess is that his mother's death also helps him justify being a gutless kit." He saw the confusion on my face and after a sigh he continued. "Two years ago his mother, the only remaining family member he had, was killed during a battle. He blamed Nobunaga... and Mitsunari... and well all of the Oda forces for her death."

We ate in silence until we were both finished and as he sat up and rubbed his stomach I stifled a laugh before speaking. "Should we add him to the list of people we plan to run through with a katana?" I asked.

He laughs a beautiful, full bodied, full of life again, laugh. "I won't be training you on how to use a katana for awhile. We will be focusing on your long range defenses first."

I huff. "Because long range attacks would have helped me when Kenshin sent a ninja to kidnap me."

"Fair point. Speaking of, I never did hear if you saw any defining characteristics of your captor?"

A chill ran through me as images of that night, that horse ride, that man, flash through my mind. My voice is hardly louder than a whisper. "His face stayed covered the whole time. All I saw were his striking jade green eyes."

He rubbed his chin as he spoke his deductions out loud. "From the descriptions that the one guard was able to give us before dying from his injury and everything you've said about the encounter, I have a pretty good idea of who it was."

"Who?" I asked a bit too forcibly as I leaned forward.

"I'm pretty sure you were abducted by Kenshin's bastard older brother, Nagao Harukage. He's on a level of his own when it comes to the Ninja arts. They call him the green eyed snake. He's one of Kenshin's favorite tools."

My throat was tightening again but I pushed through. "If you're speaking truth Date... he needs to be taken out. He's a huge risk to all of us."

The air in the room feels thick, and I can feel him fighting the urge to crack a joke to lighten to mood as he speaks. "I'm not sure what kind of spell you put on them to not only allow you to go but also ask me to train you, but it's clearly been put on me as well." He pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke.

The left corner of my mouth lifted before I spoke. "Let's just call it the Phoenix's charm shall we?"

He chuckled before grabbing our dishes and taking them to be washed. He placed the dishes in the water before turning back to me. "You should bring them breakfast." He suggests with a lift of his shoulder. "I can help prepare it since I know what they like best, to eat anyway."

I glared at him as I spoke as I crossed my arms over my chest. "How do you know?"

His back was to me as he spoke and washed the dishes. "Because I've cooked for them both for awhile now."

"That is not what I mean." I scowled.

He turned around and leaned back against the counter as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I still have one good eye. I'm pretty sure everyone knows— except maybe Mitsunari..." We both titter at our oblivious friend.

"So basically we are Azuchi's worst kept secret before being back for one night." I grumble with my head between my hands.

"Only for those who know those two. During war counsel, even as we discuss going to war and what that letter from Kenshin could mean, there's something different between them and about them." He tilted his head up to stare at the ceiling.

His words brought a sense of fear. What if I make them weaker? What if the three of us make each other weaker and I lose one of them? What if people lose confidence in them as leaders?

Masamune's voice pulled my mind back into the kitchen. "They sit closer now— and there's something more stable about the two of them."

"What does that mean?" I ask tentatively, somewhat anxious for an answer that will calm my nerves.

"Hideyoshi was more focused on the discussion rather than trying to make sure that everyone was using their manners and following the rules, I even got away with trying to get Ieyasu to crack a smile. Nobunaga doesn't seem so cold either. He seemed more willing to hear other's ideas. I mean, his decision is still final, but you could tell he was taking more time to think over what the rest of us said." He sighed in relief as he looked back down at me, a gentle smile on his lips. "What did you call it? The phoenix's charm."

There was some silence as he finished washing the dishes and I let the feeling of relief sink in from Masamune's words.

As he started preparing and assembling the meals I would bring to the tenshu I watched with curiosity. One meal consisted of rice with an egg, cooked root vegetables,a small amount of some shredded chicken, some pickled ginger and a small bowl of miso soup. The other meal constited of a bowl of rice, pickles, soup, a fish salad and dango on the side.

"Hideyoshi still prefers a simpler meal, despite his position and money. I try to include something sweet for all of Nobunaga's meals in an attempt to keep him away from eating so much konpeito." He spoke confidently as he positioned the food on a tray for me.

I looked it over while he finished brewing the tea. "What if I want to spoil Hideyoshi?" I ask, eyes still cataloging the meal.

There was a soft laugh to his words. "You really do love them both don't you?"

I looked up from the food. "What gave me away?"

He walked over to a cabinet and grabbed a plum and two lychee and then hands them to me. "Hide these in your sleeves and wait until he's finished eating to offer them to him. Thank me after." He winks with a devilish smile as he hands me the tray.

They are just starting to wake when I enter the tenshu and upon seeing me carrying a tray of food Nobunaga pokes Hideyoshi in the ribs. "Am I still dreaming?"

Hideyoshi dreamily smiled at me as he sat up. "What's this? You're serving us breakfast?"

I just nodded as I set the food down and gestures for them to come and eat. Nobunaga quickly made his way to me, pulling me by my hips against his and pressing his forehead to mine. "What did we do right?" His eyes are very serious. I wasn't expecting so much affection from simply bringing a tray of food for them so I'm a blushing mess under his gaze.

I thought for a moment. Why was I so willing to serve them this morning? "Too many things to count." I push my lips to his, and once his smile subsided he deepens the kiss. He's letting me come with them, they've arranged for me to learn to fight, for the first night since our wedding we didn't have sex, proving that our relationship isn't only about carnal pleasures and making children but is also about giving each other what we need and that feels like something to reward.

When Nobunaga left me to sit Hideyoshi was close behind him, pulling my hand to his lips and kissing the top . "You didn't tire yourself getting up to make it did you?" He asked with his signature concerned look. I pushed my hand from his lips to place my palm on his cheek. "No. I only prevented the food from burning when Masamune fell asleep."

From our side Nobunaga spoke after swallowing a bite of rice. "I'm guessing he was seeking comfort at the bottom of a bottle or two of sake."

Hideyoshi's eyes only grew more concerned. "I'll check on him before we leave. If he isn't up for training you I'll do it." He grabbed the wrist of my hand that is on his cheek and turns to kiss my palm before going to eat.

I sat between them. "You should teach me to shoot before we leave." They both nod in agreement with mouths full. "And I should be equipped with throwing knifes, or maybe something more like the hair pins." They are still nodding in agreement while they eat until Nobunaga paused and poured tea for all three of us and spoke as he handed us our cups. "You will be equipped and trained to defend yourself. You will also have two guards with you at all times." I nodded in agreement.

When he finished his meal Nobunaga got up and went to one of the cabinets. He came back holding one of his guns. He sat behind me on the floor, bringing his legs to my side and his arms around me with the gun. His chin rests on my shoulder. "Don't grab it unless your ready to kill." I don't hesitate to grab it. It's heavy and smells of hot metal and sulfur. He slowly and gently shows me where to pour the gunpowder, where to put the bullet, and makes sure to point out how to avoid getting burned or hurt. "Our fastest shooter can get two shots in a minute."

"Masamune?" I ask as I lift it and aim towards the patio.

Hideyoshi speaks as he leans back in his elbows, finished with his meal. "Ieyasu." The playful smirk on his lips is nice to see, relaxed enough to play, and he knew that hearing that our healer is the fastest shooter would surprise me.

I take a moment to think it over before speaking. "I suppose that makes sense. His hands are very adroit."

Nobunaga shifts to the side so he can look into my dark grey eyes. "What do you know of his hands?"

Hideyoshi is snickering as I bring the gun back to up to rest and look into those jealous carnelian eyes. "I've worked by his side for over a year healing the wounded..." His forehead lands on my shoulder. "Right. That makes sense."

He got up from behind me. "That is your gun now. I'll show you how to care for it tonight." He takes it to put it to rest.

I crawl into Hideyoshi's lap, my legs wrapping around his waist. "Did you enjoy your meal?"

He smiles softly, a slow lazy blink rests half open on me. "Yes. Thank you." He leans to kiss me but I pull back and his brows wrinkle with confusion.

My words are silky as I reach into my robes. "Would you like something sweet?"

"Yes." He says impatiently as he continues to lean forward for my lips, pushing the tray of food onto the floor a moment before my upper body lands on the table. I can feel him growing between my legs. Someone enjoys a hunt.

I lift the fruit out and drop them onto my chest. His eyes go wide. "That bastard." He whispers as he grabs them, still leaning over me. "Did he tell you anything?"

"Only to thank him later." My eyes are now half lidded as I bite my lips. He quickly peels one of the lychee. "Have you had one of these before?" He asks. I shake my head. He presses it into my mouth as he adjusts himself to be able to lean over me better. "Be gentle when you bite. There is a bitter pit you need to avoid." He instructs and I adhere. As my teeth sink into the creamy white meat of the lychee berry my mouth begin to fill with its soft floral juices and my own saliva. I close my eyes to focus on the new flavors and a slow pleased moan rumbled through me. He's getting harder between my legs. His rubbing against me and the pleasure of a new flavor in my mouth is building that knot in my core and embers of desire are starting to heat up.

I don't know when Nobunaga came back, but when he did he chose to rest on the futon and watch instead of participating. I opened my eyes to see that Hideyoshi had taken a bite of the plum as he watched me. I pulled the pit from my lips and threw it in the direction of the trays he'd pushed over before.

His lips crashed into mine like a tidal wave. The mixture of the sweet lychee and the tart plum mixed as our tongues found each other. He moaned as I moved my hips against him. My hands found his chest to push him and despite him being much too strong for me to actually move, he did. "Please. Please come inside." I beg.

The gentle, attentive Hideyoshi disappeared for a moment, replaced with an animal, as he flipped me over on the table. His fingers make quick work of my first orgasm. While I was still recovering from the crash Nobunaga had been beckoned by Hideyoshi to come and bring oils. I was just regaining sense enough to raise my upper body from the table when he entered and was not his usual slow patient self.

I can hardly hear his ragged breath over my own pleasured cries. "Hah! Ah! Ah! Hah! Yes! More!" He meets my needs and trusts deeper. The sweat builds at the base of my neck enough for it to drop down my neck as the sound of us slapping together finds a tempo I can just hardly hold onto.

I feel greedy. We are heading to war today and I feel greedy for my warlords. "Nobu—" I whine. As if they had been waiting for me to say the magic word, Hideyoshi pushes in deeper. I cry out as I feel him release inside. "Good." I whisper as he rests his forehead on my back.

After he pulls out I slowly rise and turn to see them kissing, Hideyoshi leaned back against Nobunaga and stroking his length. The way they moan together is too beautiful. Nobunaga pulls away from the kiss, stroking Hideyoshi's jaw. "You did such a good job." He whispers into his lover's ear making the spent man smile somewhat lazily.

Hideyoshi moves to watch as Nobunaga pulls me to him. As soon as I sit on his lap I use my hand to guide him inside. I get a pleased hum when I'm filled to the brim with him and move my hips so he brushes against my internal walls. I want more. I want him to wear me out and make me forget about the impending war for a few moments. I begin to lean back, bracing myself on his knees as I continue to rock my hips. When he thrusts into me I fall back against the floor and groan when he doesn't move, worried I hit the ground too hard. "Don't stop!" I command with a fist hitting the floor and he obeys.

In the position he is tilted up inside me and I don't get a break from the light that flashes when he reaches further into me. All I see is stars, so many stars as he breaks me over and over again in his lap until he reaches his own point of bursting with a growl I'm not sure I've heard from him before.

He leaned forward to pulled me up into an embrace as he carefully removes himself. "That was—." He breathed heavily.

I finished the statement as we continued to catch our breath. "Beautiful. Both of you. Beautiful." I reach out to grab Hideyoshi's hand.

Nobunaga laughs into my neck. "Only you get to call us that." I laugh before kissing his shoulder.