Here we go again

Harumi was staring at the board in front of her. She was playing a game with Nobunaga and he was about to win. Now and again she would win a game but that was based more on luck than skill. Nobunaga was terribly good at everything he did, including playing games. Back in her own time she used to play video games with her younger brothers. She almost alway won with mario kart and other racing games, but they didn't have anything even slightly resembling those games where she was now.

"And that's another win for me." Nobunaga said with a smug expression while he placed his winning piece. Harumi looked at him with a raised eyebrow, it wasn't that she was a sore loser but it wasn't her favorite thing either.

"I thought you wanted to sleep over?" Was the only thing she said while looking at his still smug expression. "Keep winning and I'll let you sleep outside."

"You would never do that dear wife of mine." Nobunaga said, still smug, while he cleared the board for another round. When a knock came to her door they both looked surprised in the direction of the door.

"Do you normally invite company over this late at night?" Nobunaga asked her while his whole mood had changed. A few moments ago he was happy to have won yet another game and now, now he was very upset and getting angry by the thought that some men visited his wife this late at night. Masa-kun walked over and opened the door. Mizuno Nobumoto stepped in with a concerned look on his face.

"Lord Nobunaga-sama, Lady Nohime-sama." He greeted them with a deep bow.

"Why are you visiting my wife?" Nobunaga coldly asked. If looks could kill, Nobumoto would already be death.

"I'm not here for lady Nohime-sama lord. I have grave news that couldn't wait till morning." He explained quickly.

"Well, what is it?" Nobunaga asked when Nobumoto didn't continue on his own accord.

"Well, we just got the news that the Kiyoano clan is on his way to take Komaki castle..." Nobumoto said. "In just a few days they will enter our territory..."

"Okay, thank you. Call for a war meeting directly. We will make a plan tonight and leave first thing in the morning." Nobunaga said. Nobumoto made another deep bow and left the room.

"What is going on? Who is the Kiyoano clan?" Harumi asked scared.

"You have nothing to worry about." Nobunaga tried to calm her. "The Kiyoano clan has dominion over the region south of us. They will enter our territory in a few days, what means they are nowhere near the castle. But I want to stop them as soon as possible." Nobunaga explained.

"So, we are leaving in the morning?" Harumi asked still scared.

"No, I will. You stay here at the castle were it's safe." He said. "And the Kiyoano clan is very powerful so I'm gonna need most of the army and warlords to come with me. I need someone here to keep running the place."

"What?" Harumi asked. She was relieved she didn't have to join him but hearing that she had to run the castle while he was gone was scary within itself.

"I know you can do it. You are more than capable. And there are still my advisors to help you. Hidemasa and Nagahide are on a assignment right now. They will be back in a few days and also help you." Nobunaga said while trying to calm his wife down.

"I'm sorry, but I have to leave for now." Nobunaga said after some moments of silence between the two. Harumi nodded, not sure what to say.

"Are you coming back here after the meeting?" She asked when Nobunaga was at the door.

"Well, It will be very late once we're finished and I don't want to wake you." He said.

"You won't wake me." Harumi said immediately. "And please wake me when you leave so I can see you off." She said. Nobunaga looked at her for a moment, amazed. Then there came a boyish grin on his face.

"My lovely wife is concerned about my well being, what a lucky man I am!" He laughed.

"Shut up!" Harumi yelled while her cheeks turned bright red.

"No, I will never forget your words of concern for me Nohime!" Nobunaga laughed while leaving her room. Once he was gone she sighted and put her forehead on the table. Why did she say that? Well, it were her honest feelings but do to his reaction she was extremely embarrassed for saying them out loud.

When the blankets moves Harumi woke up.

"How late is it?" She asked sleepy while Nobunaga lay beside her.

"Just past tree in the morning/" He whispered. "Go back to sleep."

"Did you work everything out? How late do you leave?" Harumi continue to ask.

"We will leave at six." Nobunaga answered here while he made himself comfortable in her bed.

"Please be careful." Harumi whispered.

"Of course. And even though you are here, please stay safe." Nobunaga said while he faced her. The moon shone bright this evening so she could clearly see his face. "I wish I could be the one to protect to always, but I'm not putting you in the dangers of a warzone ever again." He continued with a serious look. Harumi had no idea how to answer. She felt her cheeks burning up again so she hid them with the blanked.

"Just come back in one piece, and get some rest." She said before turning her back to him an continued to sleep. When Nobunaga had to go he did wake her to say goodbye but Harumi was in a deep sleep so she didn't really register it. Only when she woke up a few hours later she remembered it.