A/N:
Thank you for waiting! I'm free for the winter, so I'll get back to writing and updating!
•♤|Nobunaga Focus|♤•
"Your rules are flawed." Nobunaga's voice echoed throughout the court, chilling the atmosphere. "If it were more flexible, then our lady wouldn't have been fatally hurt."
The Justice court gave off hushed whispers from above. Nobunaga's demonic eyes narrowed as they glowed ever so menacingly upon them, and he mustered up all his strength to prevent himself from lashing out.
"What happened to her?" One of the justices, Karma asked him.
"Her Ladyship was shot twice defending a human. I saw it with my own eyes." He replied to her. "I wanted to help her, but your pathetic boundaries kept me from doing so."
More whispers. Nobunaga's patience was running thin, and he felt the burning brimstone go aflame when he tightened his fist.
"I'm afraid we can't--"
"You can't what? Keep the responsibility of the one you hold so dearly alive? Those bullet wounds would have killed her in that status!" Nobunaga roared, the demonic edge of his voice had cut the atmosphere into horror as he growled. "I am your only hope to bringing Lady Judgment back, and yet you do absurd things to lessen the efficiency of this task."
If Nobunaga were to rule the Crowning Court in Caelisia, there would be a lot of executions at hand for incompetency. Nobunaga glared at the justices, his hand gripping on the hilt of his sword.
"Tell me one good reason why I am to only see her when she dreams." Nobunaga hissed.
"The higher council does not allow those outside of the ranks to be within her presence." They replied with hesitancy.
"Hmph. Absolutely foolish." Nobunaga spat. "This caste system is nothing but an absolute waste. Sometimes I wonder why it wasn't the Vanigahens who sought favor of the heavens. I bet they don't believe in such an absurd social construct."
The courts gasped. "How dare you--"
"Let me speak!" Nobunaga cut them off, his powerful persona had put him into a field of command. "Your selfish desires have caused this to happen. The only way to bring back Lady Judgment and set things straight in this region is to remove that restriction you have on me."
There were whispers again, and this time, another justice, Discernment, spoke up.
"See it that you'll be able to see her Ladyship no matter what. We ask forgiveness for our ignorance." He said to Nobunaga.
"Very well. I'll make sure Lady Judgment is never to be harmed again." Nobunaga felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders, and soon he left the courts through a summoned portal that lead back to Earth – more specifically, (Y/N)'s room. It was a new sight for him to see, seeing the simple set up of a small home.
Nobunaga explored the room, looking through the pictures and the papers on her desk. He smiled at the sight of his lady smiling with what seemed to be friends and family around her in the picture frames. (Y/N) had taken another identity and lived a far more suitable life than her former – sometimes he wondered if he should really bring her back to the spirit realm.
"Meow." A noise came from above, and Nobunaga turned to see Jojo on the mattress of the top bunk. The black cat gave a stretch before hoping down from the bed and approaching him, poking his nose at the hem of Nobunaga's haori. Nobunaga bent down to inspect the cat, and Jojo looked up to inspect him as well.
"And who might you be?" Nobunaga asked the cat as he let out his hand. "I don't recall her ladyship adopting a pet."
Jojo sniffed his hand and circled him. Nobunaga's eyes followed the cat, and soon, Jojo sat in front of the spirit warlord and chirped. Nobunaga stared at the cat, unsure of what to do.
"Well, who knew that Lord Nobunaga would sneak into Lady (Y/N)'s house. At least you weren't attacked by her guard cat." A familiar voice was heard from the doorway. Nobunaga looked up to see Masamune, holding a hyperactive Shogetsu.
"What are you doing here?" Nobunaga stood, his eyes narrowed. "Did you lay your hands on (Y/N)?"
Masamune chuckled as he set down the baby tiger, who rushed over to the black cat to play. "Well, it started with this impudent kit running away from home, and her ladyship didn't want to play with me and tricked her way to escape, the clever kitten. What are you doing here?"
"They have shifted their conditions with me." Nobunaga replied. Masamune's dragon ears perked up as he gave a look of surprise. Nobunaga continued, "I was about to use my blade against the other Justices and the council."
"... Why? What happened?" Masamune grew concerned. "Did you get into trouble with them?"
"(Y/N) was hurt this morning, and I took action right away before they try to do something against all six of us." Nobunaga replied. "If they hadn't complied I would have waged a war."
Masamune frowned. "... How did Lady (Y/N) get hurt? It's impossible."
"She... She was trying to protect her fellow humans. She's grown attached to this realm." Nobunaga replied, unsure if he should detail the events from before at the moment. "I don't know where they took her afterwards, but from what I can tell, she's probably being treated right now. No one fought back when she was taken."
"I'm sure I'll find her when the sun starts to set," Masamune was shaken by the surprising news. "Are you planning to tell the others?"
"Yes. Expect to be in the audience chamber in an hour," Nobunaga replied. "I have to see how far the council had allowed me to faze between the dreamscape and reality."
"You'll get to interact with her the same way Mitsunari does, I'm jealous." Masamune gave a toothy grinned. "Leaving me out of all the fun."
"The fact that you are under her roof nullifies your argument." Nobunaga huffed as he started to walk away.
"Then I should play dirty if you say it like that." Masamune gave a chuckle as the warlord left the room, Jojo following him out into the hall.
"Masamune said that you guard (Y/N)," Nobunaga spoke to the cat, who looked up at him. "It seems that you are forbidden to leave this house, as was I to leave her dreams. But that changes today."
Jojo gave a meow, not like the black cat understood what he said anyway. Nobunaga picked up the cat, holding him in his arms. Jojo didn't seem to mind, although he shifted around to adjust. Nobunaga found it peculiar that this guard cat found favor in him. Maybe it could see a past connection? His scent? Perhaps (Y/N) had talked about him? Nobunaga was yet to find out soon as he left the house with the cat.
"You are to help me find (Y/N) and to help pull her out of despair. Do you understand?" Nobunaga commanded the cat. Jojo was latched onto his kimono, the outdoor scenery nearly giving the poor feline a sensory overload. Nobunaga took it as a form of acceptance, and he grinned.
•◇|Mitsunari focus|◇•
"Impressive..." The doctor muttered as he overviewed the physical state of (Y/N). (Y/N) laid unconscious on the medical bed in a hospital gown, bandaged and hooked up to an IV. She wasn't pale anymore, and the machine noted that there was nothing to worry about. The nurses had recently replaced the bandages, then one of them called the doctor report how quickly (Y/N) was healing.
"She hasn't woken up yet," One of the nurses said. "I believe it's due to shock."
"I see. Then her time here will be cut short – we'll have to focus on slow therapy sessions to make sure she doesn't go into a state of delirium." The doctor told the nurses, before turning to the sleeping (Y/N). "You're really lucky, miss (Y/N)."
As the nurses continued to do their routine of cleaning up, (Y/N) laid still, her breathing becoming uneven as her fingers twitched. She gave a small whine, and the nurses turned their attention to her. They noticed that she was experiencing a nightmare, and thus prompted them to get some medicine to calm her. As the two left, someone else came by, sitting by the bedside.
"I won't be here long, but I'm glad you're okay..." It was Mitsunari, he had dropped by to check on her – by means of her being his client, his Lady, and his friend. "I brought good news for you, and I hope it'll raise your spirits."
Mitsunari took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and gently tucked the parchment into (Y/N)'s hands. His hands carefully grasped hers, taking notice how small and soft they were, and he treated her hands like a fragile glass ornament. With a sigh and a smile, he slowly picked up her hands – Mitsunari placed a soft kiss on her fingers.
"I'll be back soon." Mitsunari whispered as he placed her hands on her sides before standing up and leaving the room.
As soon as Mitsunari left, the nurses came by with their medicine. At this time, (Y/N) was slightly at ease – but her breathing still wasn't levelled. After the nurses injected something into her IV, (Y/N) let out a sigh. Her nightmare phase was over.
It didn't take long for Mitsunari to finish up his work back at his office – see that his enhanced cognition that he was finished when the sun had set. He had also received requests from Kara, Chunhei, and Minnie, the three girls wanted to find a way to visit their fellow member and friend in their tight schedules, as well as have their small gifts given to her. Mitsunari found this sweet how each girl had a personalized gift for his Lady.
"I got (Y/N) a fluffy blanket since she's always napping in her favorite corner," Minnie showed off the (favorite color) fleece blanket. "She'll look so cute as a fluffy burrito!"
"I'm giving her an outfit," Chunhei grinned. "I'll make her wear it on our first concert and photoshoot. She's the main visual after all."
"Chunhei, that's at risk for a wardrobe disaster – knowing your style!" Minnie gasped, only to have the other chuckle.
"It won't be a disaster if everyone likes it!" Chunhei winked. Mitsunari tilted his head in confusion and curiosity, wondering what clothing was in the box Chunhei was holding. He then turned to the youngest, Kara.
"What did you bring for (Y/N), Kara?" Mitsunari noticed how quiet and bashful she got when the other two were announcing their gifts. When he smiled, she opened up.
"It's not much because I don't have money..." Kara replied shyly, looking down and holding out a stuffed grocery bag. "I bought her a lot of her favorite snacks."
Mitsunari beamed, his smile growing wider. "I'm sure she'll like it a lot, Kara. It's the thought that counts."
"You really think so, Mitsunari?" Kara smiled as well. "(Y/N) is very lucky to have you."
Mitsunari gave a giggle, he really was lucky to have (Y/N). Was this what Nobunaga meant when (Y/N) was described as a lucky charm? The angel felt warm as the girls continued to converse with one another. He thought about the soft feeling of her hands, and he blushed...
The sound of the door closing woke him, he gave a longing sigh, standing up, grabbing a folder, and going over to the closet behind him. Once his hand touched the knob of the door, sigils appeared along the brass, glowing. He took a deep breath as he knew that today's meeting was going to be hectic, knowing that those who haven't heard about what had happened to (Y/N) would throw a massive fit.
He hoped that Nobunaga doesn't lash out onto all of them, Mitsunari knows that despite (Y/N)'s close connection to all of them, it was Nobunaga who held deep ties to her for who knows what, especially how much pride he took when speaking about her. In fact, it was unclear who was the closest to (Y/N), so the whole outcome will be at random.
With the folder in hand, he hoped that what he brought would calm everyone down.