Shards of Time: Feudal Japan

I slowly opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar room.

"Where am I?" I slowly held myself up and scanned the room. This isn't my room. The décor was certainly of old Japanese period. It looked to be from the Sengoku period. I was about to stand up when the door flew open and a young girl came in carrying a tray. When she saw me, she quickly ran to my side.

"My lady, you are awake. How are you?" She said. Her tone held concern over me. Who is she?

"Who are you?" I asked. Suddenly, my head started to hurt.

"I am Sato. Master has assigned me to you, my lady." The more she spoke, the more confused I get.

"Who's your master?" I asked once more.

"My master, Saitō Dōsan; he was the one who rescued you my lady." She said. Saitō Dōsan? Why does that name sound so familiar to me? Where have I heard his name before? Just then, the door flew open and two people came in. One looked to be a servant who was carrying my kimono and the other looked to be a lord of the land.

Then it hit me. Old style of furniture? Weird looking clothes? A guy looking like a daimyo? I've traveled back in time to the Sengoku Period. That's why his name sounded so familiar. Saitō Dōsan was the name of Nōhime's father.

"Young lady, I see you have awakened. Tell me your name." He said. My name? I can't remember. All I remember is…

"Nōhime…" T'was all I said. Wait, that's not my name.

"Nōhime? Your name is…" He trailed off. Suddenly, a tear fell from his eye but he quickly brushed it off. He turned on his heel and left. The three of us were left there, confused.

"Milady, your clothes have been washed. You can change into it if you like." One of the servants said. I nodded and they helped me get dressed.

"Sato? Why did the Lord looked upset?" I asked. I was sitting in front of a mirror while she brushed my hair.

"Milady, the master's daughter was named Nōhime. She was only 5 years old when she was killed along with the master's wife." She said. From what I remember, there were no papers written that said his wife and daughter were killed. Did he hide it from the people? It must be fate that he found me but my name isn't Nōhime. Its… My head started hurting again. Whenever I try to recall something from my past, my head starts hurting.

After Sato brushed my hair, I excused myself and went out of the room. This Palace is massive. I've always wanted to see in person the architectural structure of Palaces from olden times. The ruins that I visited in the future held nothing but rubble. As I was walking, I saw Dōsan in the garden. I decided to approach him to thank him for saving me.

"My Lord." I said while bowing. He turned to look at me.

"Raise your head, child." He said. When I raised my head, I didn't get a chance to speak. He quickly came up to me and hugged me. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't know what to do. After a few seconds, he let me go and looked at me.

"If my daughter had survived, she would look exactly like you." He said. I'm still confused on how I went back in time but I know that life in this period is hard. I have to find a way to survive here.

"Then, if the Lord is willing, I would like to live here as your daughter." I bowed my head. Please say yes. Please say yes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and when I looked up; I saw that he was smiling.

"From this day on, the people of Mino Province shall know you as my daughter, Nōhime." He said. I have secured myself here. Now I need to figure out if I can go back to the present or not.

A day after I woke up, the Palace became busy as Dōsan announced to the whole Province that his daughter has come of age. So he hid her real daughter's death to the people. That's why in the present, there were no articles written that his family died.

There was a knock on my door and my adoptive father came in.

"Nōhime, outside this castle you will be called by your name but within the castle wall, you shall be known as Kicho. Do you understand?" He said. I nodded and he smiled at me. Sato came in carrying a beautiful kimono.

"Milady, this will be your dress for tonight's event." She said. This kimono looks familiar. It's the same one Nōhime was wearing in a painting in the Gifu Castle. I looked at my father and he smiled.

"I have prepared a banquet for you Kicho. My daughter's birthday was yesterday and she was to turn 18. When is your birthday?" He asked. My birthday? It was yesterday too. The day I died in the present was my birthday.

"My birthday is on the 9th of May." I said. My father looked at me.

"Yesterday is the 9th of May. Your birthday is the same as my daughter's. The gods must've sent you to me." He said happily. From what I read, Nōhime's real birthday wasn't verified. No one knew much about her. I wonder why.

"I'll leave you to prepare." He turned on his heel and left. Sato helped me to the bath and scrubbed me.

"I believe Milady is master's real daughter." Sato said while putting makeup on me.

"Why do you say that, Sato?" I asked.

"You resemble the master's daughter so well and you even have the same birthday. The gods must've seen how sad master has been ever since he lost his daughter and wife that's why they gave you to him." She said. Even though what she said was completely illogical, I can't very well explain why I ended up here so I can't really deny what she said. It's as good an explanation as any.

The sun was setting and the party was about to start. I went down to greet the guests. The night was long and I was glad the party was coming to an end. I wasn't one to enjoy parties. I enjoyed solitude so much. After the party, I thanked my father for everything.

"I may not be your real daughter but you have treated me well, and I have my whole life to thank you." I said. He smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug.

It's been a few months since I arrived in this time period. The townspeople have treated me like a princess ever since. My father lets me do what I want to do most of the time since he's very busy. Apparently, there's trouble and my father is doing everything to keep things in check.

I had asked permission to take a horse and explore the province. I was granted permission and my father gave me his best horse. I rode the horse and went off to the outskirts of town. While I was taking a break near a river, I saw a billow of smoke rising somewhere in the east. I decided to check it out. When I arrived, an old dilapidated house was being swallowed by fire. I thought since it was a worn down house, no one would be in there but I saw a horse that was tied to a tree next to the house.

I left my horse and proceeded to enter the house. I was right, there was someone here. I quickly rushed over to a guy who was unconscious. He doesn't look like his badly injured. Maybe he was knocked out. I put his arm around my shoulder and helped him stand. I quickly got him out before the house collapsed on us. I took a deep breath of fresh air. Now what am I gonna do with you?

I looked at him and he seemed to be the same age as me. He had jet black hair and his clothes were that of a noble. I wonder who he is. He had a sword with him so he must be a samurai of some sort. I couldn't just leave him so I decided to put him up on his horse and take him to the nearest town.

We traveled for a few minutes, he was still unconscious but I could see a castle nearby. He must be from there. We were nearing the castle but I saw guards sprawled throughout the area. It would be a bad idea for me to go there. They might arrest me if this guy is really a noble. I decided to just let his horse take him there. I lightly tapped on the horse's behind and it went off to the direction of the castle. I ran away as quickly as possible back to Mino.

Sato greeted me by the gate of my father's palace.

"Welcome back milady." She said. I smiled at her and she walked me back inside the palace.

"Master is waiting for you in the dining area milady." I thanked her and I went on my way to the dining area.

"Father, you were looking for me?" I said. He motioned for me to sit next to him.

"My daughter, I will be in battle with the forces of Oda Nobuhide. I will be away for a while so I want you to stay in this Palace until I return. It'll be too dangerous for you to wander around in this time." He said. Oda Nobuhide? That's Nobunaga's father. I remember this battle. The rivalries between Saito and Oda have been going on for quite some time. They will be battling each other in Kanōguchi. But I distinctly remember that this will be a Saito clan victory.

"I understand, father. I will stay here in the safety of your Palace." I said. I didn't need to worry about him seeing as I already know the outcome of this battle.

It was the 4th of November and my father had already gone into battle. I know what happened on this battle but I can't help feeling worried. What if me coming here will change the outcome of battle? What would happen to me?

"Milady, I've brought you food. You haven't eaten anything since master left." Sato said while carrying a tray of food with her.

"I'm sorry Sato. I'm just nervous." I said. Sato reassured me and I ate the food she gave me.

The day was almost over. The battle must be coming to an end. I waited by the gates for father's return. Just as the sun had set, a group of horses came in the palace. My father led them in; most of the men were injured and they seemed to have been fewer than when they left. Well, this is war. It'd be a miracle if they came back unscathed. I ran to my father when he stepped down from his horse.

"Father!" I called out to him. He looked at me and welcomed me in his arms.

"Are you hurt?" I asked. He shook his head. Thank God. The doctors were summoned and they immediately did their jobs. I accompanied father inside the palace.

"Rest easy Kicho. I have defeated Nobuhide today but we have yet to settle anything." He said to me. I nodded and he smiled at me. It was getting late and my father advised me to retreat to my room. I nodded and went off.

"You must be relieved seeing the master come back alive, milady." Sato said while preparing my bath.

"Yes I am, Sato. I owe my life to him." I said. Sato helped me undress and I sunk in the bath.

"Milady, I don't mean to be rude with my question…" She said but I stopped her.

"Sato, it's okay to act casually around me. I do not see you as my maid but as a friend so you don't have to worry if you'll offend me. Ask me anything." I said. Sato looked at me and had a tender smile on her face.

"Milady, are you afraid that master will marry you off to one of Nobuhide's son to settle this war between the Oda clan and the Saitō clan?" The moment she said that, a flood of memories rushed over me. Nōhime was married to Nobunaga to end the feud between the two clans. Suddenly, my head started to hurt.

"M-milady, are you okay? Should I call the imperial doctor?" She said. I shook my head and reassured her.

"No need. I'm fine. Just a little headache." I said. I stood up from the bath and Sato helped me get dressed. How could I forget? The reason Nobunaga and Nōhime were married was to settle a feud. I went to bed with thoughts running amok in my head. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well for the following nights.

It's been a week since the battle at Kanōguchi and I've been restless ever since. I kept waiting for the day when my father would betroth me to Nobunaga. Just as I anticipated, the Oda clan arrived in the palace. I don't want to marry Nobunaga. If I change what happened today, will it affect the future? I didn't wait for an answer. I got out the back door and got on a horse. Sato saw me and tried to stop me.

"Milady, your father is looking for you. The Oda clan has come here to settle the feud." She said. I shook my head.

"Sato, forgive me." I said. I pushed her down and ran out of the palace.

I don't know where to go but I have to keep running.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Saitō Dōsan sat face-to-face with Oda Nobuhide and his 2nd son Oda Nobunaga. They were waiting for Lady Nō to arrive.

"Dōsan, our clans have been in turmoil for a while and since you have defeated me in Kanōguchi, I propose a truce." Nobuhide said. Dōsan thought long and hard about it and ended up agreeing with him.

"It would benefit the both of us if our clans were to be at peace with each other. I offer my 2nd son to marry your daughter." Nobuhide said. Nobunaga looked at Dōsan and bowed his head.

"My daughter is no ordinary woman. I hope your son can treat her kindly." Dōsan said. Nobuhide assured him that Nobunaga would do well with her.

"Now, where is she?" Nobuhide asked. Just then, Sato busted through the door, panting.

"Sato, what happened?" Dōsan asked.

"Master, milady took your horse and fled the palace." She said. Dōsan, alarmed, called for his men to search the area and bring her back.

"Sato, tell me. Why did Kicho run off?" Dōsan held Sato tightly while looking at her intently.

"She found out that you were to betroth her to the son of Nobuhide." Sato answered honestly.

"Lord Dōsan, if you'll allow me, I'd like to search for her as well." Nobunaga offered. Thinking that it would be a good idea, Dōsan approved and Nobunaga got on his horse and set off.

Not knowing where to go, Nobunaga ran to the outskirts of town thinking that she would be brave enough to leave. Nobunaga arrived at the border of Mino and decided to take a break in a nearby river. As he let his horse drink, he noticed another horse tied to one of the trees near the river. It's an imperial horse, thought Nobunaga. He came up to it and saw that there was no one there.

Nobunaga was alert. He snuck around the vicinity to check if she was still there. Just then, he saw a maiden sitting by the edge of the river. He walked closer to her but she immediately noticed.

"Who's there?" She asked. She stood up and looked at Nobunaga.

Even if I try to run away, they'll find me. I won't even survive out here if I don't go back. I guess I have no choice. Suddenly, I heard a twig snap.

"Who's there?" I immediately jumped to my feet and faced him. That face. It's him. It's the guy I saved. What is he doing here?

"I'm here to take you back to Mino, milady." He said. The symbol on his clothes; it's the Oda Crest. Could he be…?

"Are you… Oda Nobunaga?" I asked. He looked up at me and smiled.

"I didn't know that I was well-known in your province." He said arrogantly. It's true. He really was an arrogant prick. Not to mention his face is completely different from the paintings in the present. He's much more handsome than I thought. It seemed that I was staring when he let out a chuckle.

"Am I that handsome that you can't take your eyes off of me?" he said. Well, at least the manuscripts in the present captured his attitude. He took a step forward and I took a step back.

"I don't need you to take me back. I'll go back on my own." I said.

"You'll go back knowing what your fate holds?" He asked. He must be referring to my marriage with him.

"Such is fate. I can't change anything." I answered. I tried to walk past him but he held my wrist.

"Do you have any idea what your future holds once you marry me?" He asked. I remember reading that Nobunaga and Nō's marriage was political and there was little love involved in them. Will I be able to change that? I pulled my arm away from him.

"I don't care. If it'll make my father happy then I have no qualms with it." I answered. I went back to my horse and untied him from the tree. Behind me, Nobunaga followed suit. Just before I could hop on my horse, I felt two muscular arms wrapping around my waist. I was surprised when Nobunaga made me face him with his arms still around me.

"What are yo---?" He suddenly pulled me closer to him. Our face only inches apart.

"Would you like to rule Japan by my side?"