#mitsunariishida

As she walked into the archives, she noticed him sitting at a desk knowing he wouldn't even realize she had entered. When he was reading, he was in a completely different world. A bomb could explode right next to him, and he wouldn't notice. She had seen the other warlords pull his hair, knock into him, and so much more to prove the point he just doesn't notice. She admired that he could get so lost in reading she wished she could.

As she walked through the vast room, she was as quiet as possible, but he noticed she was here. She hadn't done or said anything, but he woke up from the place he had gone to while reading when a feeling crept over him. It was the feeling she was around. He always knew when she was even without seeing her. He had compared her to a book once before, but she was so much more, he didn't know the words to describe the feelings he had or even a reference point to figure them out, but he wanted more, so much more than just to be her friend.

"Princess," he softly spoke," Is there something I can help you find?"

"Oh no, Mitsunari. I am just looking for something to distract me." She said back smiling.

He wanted nothing more to be the distraction she desired. He didn't even know how to distract her. "I do understand the wanting of a good book but if I may?" He said in his hushed tones," I could use a bit of distraction also. Would you care to go for a walk with me?"

"Are you sure you can take a break? You looked heavily engrossed in your studies of that book." She replied.

He chuckled in his angelic way," Yes princess this is for future reference not really pertinent to anything now. Please say you will come?"

"Alright, Mitsu," she came over to stand with him as he reached out for her tiny hand and led her out of the castle with nowhere in particular in mind for a destination.

They ambled down a lane that leads to the forest and then the stream where they once held hands in the water. He wished for a time like that again but had no idea of how to make it happen. He still had her hand in his, and he felt so much lighter than his usual self.

They reached the river bank, not in the same place they were last time, but a new more secluded spot and she bent down touching the water again. He stood in back of her just staring at the picture before him. He wished he was an artist so it could put this on paper so he would remember it forever not that he forgot any interaction he had ever had with her. He couldn't remember even if he tried. He thought to himself this river was becoming his favorite place.

"The water is cold." She said looking over her shoulder back to him.

"It is?" He asked moving a little closer.

"Oh yes, Mitsu. It feels good even if it is cold but not freezing." Her smile got brighter as she spoke. He knelt down and placed his hand in the cold water as it rushed around his more massive hand. He glanced at her as she was looking at their two hands inches apart. He wondered what she was thinking if it was about him. How did she see him?

"Princess?", he began cautiously,"Why do you call me Mitsu and not my full name?"

"Oh does it bother you Mitsunari?" She asked the continued,"Where I am from we often call people by different names. Its called a nickname. It's a sign of affection in a way."

He thought back and grinned his angelic smile. "Princess you only call me by a nickname." He said shyly,"Is it because of an affection?"

She thought for a moment, and her smile grew, and his chest began aching. Why was her smile making his chest hurt? He hoped she knew, but he was afraid to ask.

She was going to answer Mitsunari's question when she noticed he was slightly shrinking back. His hand was only an inch or so from hers in the river, so she moved it into his and twisted her tiny fingers within his. His face went blank. She saw the change instantly. Hideyoshi had joked that he thought Mitsunari might have a crush on her a few times before but she willfully ignored it. She knew at that moment he must have but didn't have the experience or the knowledge even to know he did. She looked into his light amethyst eyes and her gazed softened. "Yes, Mitsunari it is because of affection that I call you Mitsu." She squeezed his hand in the water. His face became so full of love in that second. He had no idea that he had become so much more to her than just a friend. She didn't know how to go on because of his sweet innocence.

He looked at her and saw his world tilting. When she squeezed his hand, he nearly stopped breathing. She had some sort of affection towards him. She had only given him a nickname. All the times they had shared filled his brain. He didn't even realize his other hand was moving to cup her cheek. He just looked at her and saw it. She leaned her head I to his palm, and his head went blank. "Princess..." he choked out. He had no idea of what to do.

"Oh, my angel Mitsu. My sweet Mitsu, you have no clue do you?" She said in her soft low voice.

As he was going to say something she stopped him by placing her forehead to his. Nose to nose they just sat there for a while. Then her eyes closed as she moved her face away. He wanted to scream out, but then he found her placing her lips on his. A kiss. He had never been kissed before that he could remember. Their wet hands still joined were now out of the water and placed on his chest as she grew closer and closer till she was sitting on his lap. The kiss was sweet and straightforward. "Oh" was all he could say. He wanted more but again didn't know what to do.

"Mitsu. Trust me." She whispered.

"I do princess. I just want—- I want—- I don't know the words." He grumbled out.

"I know my sweet Mitsu." She said whispering against his lips." With you, we can only go slowly so you can learn. You will learn the words and the actions. It's like a book, but the story never ends. I do promise the rewards will be the best ever."

"You promise Princess?" He whispered back.

"Mitsu this will be the best book ever." She said with the most dazzling smile ever. She was entirely too beautiful to him.

They began the walk back to the castle both distracted from talking. Mitsunari had one last thought that the river was ultimately his favorite new destination but he would only go there with her. He glanced down at her as she glanced up. They both smiled at each other.

From the garden which had an unobstructed view of that path Hideyoshi, Nobunaga, And Ieyasu were there staring at the couple walking back. Hideyoshi smiled and said,"I knew it!"

Nobunaga grinned,"So my fireball likes that type? Interesting."

Ieyasu looked and shook his head as he grumbled out something like," Doesn't she know she could have anyone she wanted? Not just that bumbling oaf?"