Malachi's POV

It was another bright and early morning in 16th century Japan. In all honesty, I was still secretly praying that one day I'd wake up from this horrid nightmare. Letting a sigh of annoyance breathe past my lips, I stood up from the futon and stretched my arms above my head. Taking another deep breath, I wandered over to the windows to open them, hoping that fresh air would clear my mind.

There was one decent thing about 16th century Japan though. The sky was always clear without the annoyance of clustered skyscrapers creating an obstruction, and birdsong was clear without the sound of trains or cars. It was strangely.. peaceful. Despite all the warring going on around me.

At this point, it had been several days since my new life had started within Azuchi Castle. And oh, what a beginning it had been. I thought back to the moment I had agreed to this hellscape.

"I won't let you down." I spoke reluctantly to Nobunaga. A bold smile rested on his features, "I plan to take very good care of you, Malachi." It was from that moment on, despite my reluctancy and hesitation, I had become the Oda forces' chatelaine. A role in which I'd been given by Nobunaga Oda himself.

However, what did this role entail? Wonderful question, I have no idea. No tasks were assigned to me and no one told me shit. Just fantastic. But I have a new sort of determination in my step this morning. I was determined to find my purpose and role. No more sitting around.

I dressed myself in one of the kimonos I had been provided with, struggling, of course. And changed up my hair style to be shorter, dyed with purple streaks, and more out of my face, held back by a rainbow rhinestone clip I had found within my bag.

Of course I could've always spent these next three months goofing off, but I had a job waiting for me back home. I had to keep that 'ready to work' attitude going, or who knows what I may devolve to? I roamed around the empty halls, hoping to find one of the maids so I could offer help. Instead, I found trouble.

"Malachi, what have I told you about your hair?" I sighed audibly, turning around to be met with a very unhappy Hideyoshi. Looks like HR was about to scold me again. "You told me to wear it normally.. And this style isn't just normal, it's popular in my time peri-... place. My.. place." I muttered. One thing I am truly thankful for, is the language barrier.

Being able to speak both Japanese and English certainly came in handy. Especially at moments like these. I had a tendency to randomly switch between Japanese and English, which did lead to some confusion. However, I mostly only spoke in English when it came to insulting others or when I was unsure of how to say something in Japanese. Such as the phrase 'time period'..

Hideyoshi narrowed his eyes at me, clearly not pleased with my explanation. "Whatever your place was, you're in Azuchi now. You should think harder about how to fit in." He scolded me. Yet without missing a beat, he continued, "Lord Nobunaga has made you a princess of the Oda clan. You represent him. And you should comport yourself like a princess. That includes not slipping up your speech."

I bit back my tongue, so tempted to cuss him out but I knew I couldn't. "..I.. shall do my best, Toyotomi." It seemed Hideyoshi truly wasn't a fan of what I'd done with my hair. Yet I had no intentions of changing the length or color. Instead, I removed the clip and stuck it on my sleeve, letting my bangs fall over my face once more. But knowing Hideyoshi, that, too, would eventually piss him off.

Yesterday before making the decision to shorten my hair, I had pulled it back into a short ponytail. But that led to me getting weird stares and some annoying comments on it.

"Hideyoshi, what am I even supposed to be doing? I do have a job, right? What did the previous chatelaine do?" I asked, the desperation and exasperation was clear in my voice. But I had grown sick of not doing anything. "We didn't have a previous chatelaine. Which is why your job is to stay out of everyone's way." He told me, his voice harsh and cold.

He narrowed his eyes at me once more, "I still don't trust you, and I'm certainly not giving you free access to the castle or its staff." I didn't even ask to be here. You literally saw me run at the first chance. I'd do it again if I thought it were smart!

At this point, I didn't care about my role anymore. I crossed my arms and stood my ground, I'd grown sick of Hideyoshi's behavior. But before I could say anything, I was interrupted.

"Perhaps we should let her take your job if you plan to spend all your time babysitting her, Hideyoshi." A calm voice spoke. The alarms immediately went off when I saw who it was approaching. Mitsuhide Akechi, I glared at him from the corner of my eye as I recalled our previous encounter.

I still have no clue exactly what Mr. Mitsuhide "I may have betrayed my lord, but who knows?" Akechi is fully capable of. After all, the last time we were together, he kissed my hand. Not dangerous per say, but certainly an overstep of boundaries.

"I'm watching her closely for the sake of everyone's safety." Hideyoshi told him, then for probably the millionth time today, narrowed his eyes. "Speaking of people I need to keep my eye on, why didn't you show up to council yesterday, Mitsuhide?" "I had an important errand."

Hideyoshi, clearly not satisfied with that response, continued to press Mitsuhide for information. "And what errand is more important than a summons from our lord? Tell me where you were." "To tell you the nature of my errand would turn it into an error." Mitsuhide replied calmly.

"I'm not here for word games!" Hideyoshi let out a hiss. I could've sworn I saw a vein appear on Hideyoshi's brow as he grabbed Mitsuhide and yanked him forward. Sighing, I figured I should at least try to step in before things got out of hand.

"Hey, Hideyoshi! No strangling him until.. Uh- I mean.. No strangling in general." I turned away, silently embarrassed at the words that nearly left my lips. Hideyoshi didn't bother putting Mitsuhide down, but he seemed perfectly content with glaring at him for the time being. Mitsuhide, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm. Almost like absolutely no threat of violence could bother him.

From what I've gathered looking at them here, it probably wasn't too difficult for Hideyoshi to hunt down Mitsuhide after the whole ordeal at Honno-ji in the previous timeline. Luckily, no one's died here. But I don't think now would be a good time to start.

A sudden commotion could be heard further down the hall. "..Coward! You dare show your face here?! I hope you're ready to pay for your treachery with your life!" Another voice, one filled with fear, could be heard as well, "Wait.. please!" A furious outburst could be heard coming from the courtyard, causing both Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide to forget about their own confrontation.

The castle's certainly lively today, isn't it? Trying to get a look for myself, I spotted one of the vassals with his sword drawn; he was just about ready to swing upon a frightened-looking young man. He scrambled back for cover. Until finally, he dashed towards me, using my sleeve to hide.

"My lady, you have to help me! Please!" He cried. I felt something tug on my conscience, telling me I should help him. But.. I have no idea who he is. "My my. It appears our wayward child has finally found his way home." Mitsuhide spoke, still completely calm.

"Ranmaru? Ranmaru, you're okay?!" Hideyoshi spoke, concern and relief both evident in his tone. I recognized the name Ranmaru, specifically of Ranmaru Mori, a boy who was Nobunaga's page and often described as beautiful. They say he died in the flames alongside Nobunaga at Honno-ji. I suppose if Nobunaga is alive.. It only makes sense that he is too.

I had been so lost in my thoughts though, that I just now noticed the vassal had turned his attention to me. "Princess Malachi, I ask you to release that traitor. You need not defile your reputation by shielding him!" I felt myself cringe on the inside, I hated being referred to as a princess. But that's not the issue right now!

"Hm.. Perhaps we should clarify something first. I'm not exactly shielding him, it's more of he's using me as a shield." Also, reputation? What reputation? How does this guard even know my name? Clearly fired up about whatever was going on, the vassal began to explain what had happened. "Ranmaru abandoned our lord during the fire and fled like a coward! The punishment for treason is death!"

I couldn't believe it. They were actually serious about killing him over something like that. I change my mind, maybe I am shielding him. "If death is my sentence, so be it. But please, I beg you! Let me see Lord Nobunaga first! I have to apologize to him..!" For the first time in years, I felt my heart shatter a bit as I gazed at his soft gray eyes, now glazed over with tears as he began to sob.

I firmly stood my ground and protectively threw out my hands in front of him. "Put down your weapon, now." I demanded, I was not going to stand here and watch them kill him if I could do something about it. But, I don't know how it happened. I guess maybe it was the fake-princess in me, but I found myself glaring harshly at the vassal, almost as if I was daring him to disobey.

Even Mitsuhide, who seemed utterly unflappable, looked.. Well not exactly impressed, but he had taken notice. I don't know how things work here, I don't get the rules, I sometimes slip up speaking the language! Maybe ending his life makes sense to them but.. "If Ranmaru was truly a coward, he would have kept running. He wouldn't have bothered to come back. He is clearly and utterly sorry. Isn't it worth it to hear him out? Does it really do the Oda forces any good to kill a useful ally? Shouldn't you be pleased that he's still breathing?"

"My lady, as a princess and a woman, you may not understand, but a man and warrior has responsibilities he has to-" A loud slap sound echoed through the corridor as my hand collided with the face of the vassal. "Do NOT speak to me in such a way! Class, gender, sex, race, health, age, whatever- Not a single thing like that matters when you're talking about a life!" I glared at the vassal, anger burning in my gaze. Beside me, I could hear the astonished voice of Hideyoshi whisper, "..Malachi? You really feel..?"

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the laughter coming from Mitsuhide. I was tempted to get snappy with him too, but there were more serious matters at hand.

Hideyoshi was now glaring at the vassal too, "Sheathe your weapon as she commands." He told him. "But Lord Hideyoshi-!" The vassal tried to argue, but Hideyoshi interrupted him. "Ranmaru's fate is for Lord Nobunaga to decide. Meanwhile, I'll take custody of him." "Yes, my lord." the vassal muttered defeatedly, and wandered off.

As soon as the vassal had left, I felt the adrenaline that had once been pumping through my veins had drained away. I never felt so relieved in my entire life. "My lady! Thank you! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you soo much!" Ranmaru turned to me, smiling brightly. I felt a nervous blush rise to my face, "W-well.. It was Hideyoshi who.." I tried to speak, but Hideyoshi cut me off. "No. Thank you for standing up for Ranmaru, Malachi. Truly. And I owe you an apology."

I blinked at Hideyoshi in confusion, "For what?" "I misjudged you. I'm sorry." As I stood still, Hideyoshi bowed down to me, almost as low as he had to Nobunaga. "S-stop! Come on now, Hideyoshi. I don't need any kind of treatment like that. Besides, as much as it annoyed me, it's perfectly understandable why you behaved the way you did." I spoke, trying to smile reassuringly.

I remember seeing the girls at the gate, I knew he could be friendly. But I didn't expect such an earnest apology from him. "I think I misjudged you as well.. So, raise your head. And maybe, we could start over as friends?" Hideyoshi slowly lifted himself up and gave me a bright and friendly smile, "Hey there! Don't steal my lines before I have a chance to say them." He gently patted my head. And just like that, the days of antagonistic bickering ended. At least between Hideyoshi and I.

"I'll have to give you a full apology later. For now, I need to take Ranmaru to see Lord Nobunaga." Hideyoshi turned his attention to the boy in question, "Ready?" Ranmaru muttered a quick yes but then turned back to me. "Lady Malachi, was it? I promise, I will never forget what you did for me!" "Oh- It was.. Um. It was nothing. No worries."

"..You may not have to remember for long, Ranmaru." And with that creepy sentence out in the open, the cheerful mood had turned sour once more. And I was forced to be reminded of Mitsuhide's presence. Ranmaru's smile disappeared at the grisly comment. Without another word, Hideyoshi left with the young man, taking the passage toward the tenshu- the loft where Nobunaga resided. Leaving me alone with Akechi.

It might not have meant much, but after what Mitsuhide said. I couldn't help praying for Ranmaru's safety. Dear god, I know this is a lot, but let Nobunaga show Ranmaru what little ounces of compassion reside in his heart. "Praying to God never works, I'm afraid." I jumped a bit, startled at Mitsuhide suddenly speaking again.

"How did you-?" "Action will serve you better. Why not write a petition to our lord to spare Ranmaru's life? Though the result may be the same." He smirked at me. I scoffed, "We both know that Nobunaga would never listen to me, Akechi. And for the record, how did you even know what I was thinking?" "Have you heard of the mythical creatures called satori? They live deep in mountains and can read people's minds."

I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing full well he was trying to tease me again. There was no way in hell he was a satori. If he was, I would've been able to sense it by now. "It's that hard for you to believe?" I scowled at him, feeling the alarm bells going off in my mind once more. "Fear not, little one. We only eat those who mean us harm- or who reveal our identities." Wow, he's really trying to play these games, huh?

Suddenly, Mitsuhide placed a hand on my cheek. My entire body froze up, completely tense. Never thought I'd see the day where I felt threatened by a caress. "You're lying, aren't you? Satori aren't real." I spoke, attempting to keep my voice level and not reveal TOO much information. Mitsuhide smiled, "You're right. I am lying." Mitsuhide pulled his hand away, yet the damage had been done. And all he did was smile knowingly. It seems he took his pleasure in a sadistic way.

"It's rare to find a woman so innocent and kind yet cautious and distrustful at the same time in this turbulent era. You certainly have a beautiful heart, though." He spoke, a smile on his face almost as fake as plastic. I narrowed my eyes at him, "You're mocking me." It was not a question that left my lips, but rather, a statement.

Yet, his smile didn't falter. "Good girl. That's very clever of you to realize." He patted my hand similarly to how Hideyoshi had done earlier. Except his fingers were longer and smoother, and the gesture was less welcome.

Satori or not, he was clearly a monster. Or sadistic at the very least. "..Lovely chat, truly, I've had fun. But I'm done with this conversation." I spoke, the tone of my voice was about as fake as the smile on his lips. Turning around, I walked quickly back to my room. But all be damned if I couldn't still see his grin in my mind. His laughter followed too. Yet softer, a whisper almost. Like the winds that flowed through Satori-haunted mountain ranges.

Third POV

Mitsuhide's perfectly crafted smile turned slightly bitter, then vanished completely. "It is truly a rarity to find someone so hostile yet so kind and so willing to protect others at the cost of everything. Free of corruption, yet so open to others." Closing his eyes, he recalled Malachi's smile for Hideyoshi, who'd recently antagonized her. For Ranmaru, whose return welcomed suspicion. "..Isn't she aware that innocence is naught but the lack of knowledge? Her kind nature is not long for this world.."