Chapter Text
“She still hasn’t left her room.” Mitsunari spoke during the council.
“She’s barely eating anything either.” Masamune added. “I make her favorites, but she just picks at the food.”
“It has been three weeks.” Ieyasu said.
“We can’t allow her to go on like this.” Nobunaga agreed.
“I don’t think it will be that easy to bring back Lady Ava’s smile…not after that.” Ranmaru added.
“Her grief is too great.” Mitsuhide agreed.
“I tried talking to her, telling her the only way we can honor the dead is to keep moving forward.” Masamune said. “But she wouldn’t listen to me.”
“She’s too bright and her heart is much softer than that, Masamune.” Mitsuhide replied.
“You have an idea, Mitsuhide?” Nobunaga asked.
Mitsuhide nodded. “I believe so, yes.”
Carnelian eyes met amber ones. “Then you have my permission. Whatever you believe she needs then do it.”
Mitsuhide bowed his head. “My lord.” He was then getting up and leaving the room before Nobunaga even called an end to the council.
Nobunaga sat on his dias looking rather disgruntled. He looked at the empty place to his right. “You stupid monkey.” He said to where no one else could hear.
Ava…
Ava lay in her futon, her doors open to the garden. She stared blankly outside. It was raining outside. It had started raining she wasn’t sure how many days ago now, but it was about the same time she had run out of tears. It was as if the sky were crying for her. Even the heavens wept now for the absence of the sun.
Had it been days, weeks, or months since she’d last left her room? Since she’d last slept? She couldn’t tell. She was a shell of her former self, missing the warmth of the sun who had made her life in the Sengoku much brighter. She couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes…so much blood…and then he was gone.
It was then that the door to her room was thrown open. “My goodness, I came to see Ava, but it appears I have stumbled upon a corpse.” Came the familiar silvery voice.
She didn’t turn or move at the barb. “Sure.” She said, with none of her usual bite in her tone.
With her back to him, Ava didn’t see the frown on Mitsuhide’s face at her lack of life. She had always bit back whenever he teased her. Of course now was not the time to give up. He schooled his features and let out a sigh. “It appears I must take drastic measures.” He said before reaching down and yanking the futon cover back from her body.
Finally she looked at him, though her eyes didn’t widen nor her lips begin to scold him. She just looked at him none of her usual spark in her eyes. “What…are you doing?” She asked slowly, almost mechanically.
“I am getting you out of here.” He answered.
“Just…please…go away…leave me…alone.” She said, though there was no true emotion in her voice.
“Sorry little mouse, but I can’t do that.” Mitsuhide replied. He was then reaching down and picking Ava up. “We’ve lost one bright sun. I’m not about to lose another.”
Ava looked up at him, emotion flickering in her eyes finally. “I…”
Mitsuhide looked down at her. “We are bringing you back to the land of the living.” He informed her. He carried her out of her room and didn’t set her down until they had reached the baths.
“What…are we doing here?” She asked.
“You haven’t left your room since the funeral. That was three weeks ago. Before we take you out, this is what you need.” He informed her.
Ava hadn’t really thought about how long it had been. “I… uh… "She stammered.
Mitsuhide gave her a smile. "Come on now. Get in, or would you prefer I strip you down and throw you in myself?” He asked, his tone teasing. “I can even scrub your hair and back.”
For the first time in weeks emotion other than grief flashed across Ava’s face. Indignation. “I can bathe myself! I was…just waiting for you to get out so I could have some damn privacy!”
Mitsuhide gave her another smile, this one somehow seemed gentler to her. He was indeed happy to have gotten a reaction out of her. He put up his hands and backed out of the room. Ava threw the door closed as soon as he was on the other side. “So cold to me, throwing me out here like this when I am simply trying to care for you.” Mitsuhide called through the door.
“Just…shut up Mitsuhide!” Ava barked out at him.
Mitsuhide was almost grateful for the door between them. It allowed him to openly show the happiness on his face. Though it was a far cry from who she had been before, something of the old Ava was coming back to life. Emotions were finally sparking to life in her once again. “You might want to forget about me and get in the bath before the water gets cold.” He told her. “And there is a fresh change of clothes in there for you as well.”
“I’m…getting to it. It would be easier to forget about you if you’d leave me alone.” She replied.
“I apologize, but I can’t do that.” Mitsuhide replied. “Now get to your bath. We have places to be.”
“Places?” Ava asked.
“You will see when we get there.” He told her. “Now, come on.”
“Alright.” She called as she began to remove her robes. She climbed into the bath, letting the warm water wash over her skin. “You know…I don’t really want anywhere though right?”
“I know.” Mitsuhide replied. “But what you want and what you need are two different things.”
Ava sighed. She went about cleaning herself up. She was sure she had taken baths in the time since the funeral, but she honestly couldn’t remember. She’d locked herself in a haze where every movement she made was mechanical. She ate only enough to survive and spent most of her time lying in her futon. She hadn’t even felt like sewing or sketching a design.
She felt like she was still moving somewhat mechanically in this bath, but perhaps her movements weren’t quite as stiff. She was feeling slightly aggitated by Mitsuhide. The first thing she had felt besides the emptiness that had been consuming her for weeks now.
Once her bath was over, Ava dried off and slid into the clean kimono that had been left out for her. She didn’t take notice of the beautiful fabric as she once would have. Normally something this beautiful would have spoken to her inner fashion designer, but that light was still out currently.
She exited the room to find Mitsuhide waiting in the hall for her. “I guess I’m ready.” She said.
He looked at her. “Not with your hair like that.” He replied. “I supposed I’ll have to fix it for you.” He was then taking her by the hand and leading her back to her room. He sat her down in front of her mirror and grabbed her comb and began to comb it out.
“I can…do that.” Ava protested, though it was weakly.
“I don’t think you would do a proper job in your current state little one.” He replied. He set the comb aside and his long slender fingers began to pull her hair up and style it. He didn’t do anything too fancy, but he did choose something that suited her. “There now you’re presentable.”
“Thanks…I think.” Ava replied.
Mitsuhide thought he detected a bit of bite to her words. Yes, bite back at me, little mouse. He thought. Give me all of your negative emotions. I’ll take it all for you, until you’re ready to face it. He encouraged her in his thoughts. “Alright, now come along.”
“Where are we going?” Ava asked.
“Out.” Mitsuhide answered.
“I don’t really feel like going out.” Ava replied.
“Do not make me carry you once again little mouse.” Mitsuhide replied. “Only this time I will throw you over my shoulder.”
Ava huffed. “Fine, I’m coming.”
The pair left the castle, Mitsuhide leading Ava through the town. Ava was surprised to see that the rain had finally stopped, though dark clouds still managed to hang in the sky.
Mitsuhide took her to a tea house and ordered a rather large assortment of food and tea. “Why did you order so much?” Ava asked.
“Because you need to eat.” He answered simply. “Now start eating or would you prefer I feed you?”
Ava shot a glare at Mitsuhide. “I can feed myself…I’m just…I’m not all that hungry.”
“Masamune says you have only been picking at the meals he brings you.” Mitsuhide replied. “You need to eat more than that. It’s not good for your health you know.”
“Fine.” Ava replied, picking up her chopsticks and she began eating.
After eating, Mitsuhide took Ava with him as he ran various errands through the castle town. When the day was over instead of taking her back to the castle, he took her with him to his manor. “Why aren’t we going back to the caslte?” She asked.
“To give you a change of scenary.” He answered. “You’ve been locked up in your room for too long already little mouse.”
“So the solution is to stay with you?” She asked.
“Where better for me to keep an eye on you?”
“Why?” Ava asked.
“Why what?” Mitsuhide asked.
“Why…why are you…doing all of this?” Ava asked.
Mitsuhide gave her one of his sugnature smiles. “Why indeed.”
Just then one of his vassals appeared, bowing. “My lord, I finished preparing the guest room as you requested.”
“Good work Kuyubei.” Mitsuhide replied, he was then taking Ava’s hand. “This way little one.”
Ava followed Mitsuhide to the room and went behind a changing screen to put on her night robes. When she came out, she looked down at the futon that was laid out for her with little interest.
“Is something wrong?” Mitsuhide asked.
“I just…I don’t feel much like sleeping.” She answered.
Mitsuhide saw it in her eyes. She hadn’t slept in days…she couldn’t else she see the horror of her love dying before her eyes. He knew that haunted look, he had seen it in the mirror many times. He found himself sitting on the floor by the top of the futon. “Come now.” He said, patting his lap.
Ava looked at him. “What?”
“Come, I shall be your pillow, just for a little while.” He told her.
“I don’t see how that will help.”
“Just come, I know a few tricks.” He replied.
Ava hesitated a moment more before going over to lay in the futon, her head resting on Mitsuhide’s lap. He brushed her eyes closed and soon long cool fingers were stroking her hair. “You should really get some sleep. We have another busy day ahead of us tomorrow, little one.”
Ava seemed to let out a huff. “You’re forcing me out again?”
“Yes, you are my assistant now.” Mitsuhide informed her.
“Whatever.” Ava replied, her eyes still closed.
Mitsuhide continued to stroke her hair for what seemed like hours before her breathing finally evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep. He gazed at her sleeping face. She didn’t appear to be resting peacefully, a pained expression on her face.
“I promise it will get easier to carry little one.” He whispered to her sleeping form.
Mitsuhide continued to watch over Ava as she slept. Every time she would start to cry or show any sign of discomfort, he would sooth her by patting her back or stroking her cheek. He was determined to help her get some rest.
Ava began to stir. An anguished cry left her lips. “Hideyoshi! No! Don’t…don’t leave…don’t do…this.” She then broke down into sobs, though her eyes remained closed.
Mitsuhide stroked her back. “Shh, Ava, sh.” He soothed her as one might sooth a child. “I know it hurts now, but it will get easier. You are not alone.”
His words and actions seemed to sooth her and she was soon resting a bit more peacefully, though she still had a pained expression on her face. Mitsuhide let out a small sigh. “You are not alone, Ava.” He whispered to her sleeping form once again. If it took guarding her dreams all night, he would do it. Anything for her.
He looked out the opened window and up at the stars. “I will look after her. You left and now it is up to me.”