Malachi's POV

Several days passed, and eventually, I received my first job- "Do be careful, Malachi." Mitsunari smiled. "You don't need one of us to go with you? I mean, I wouldn't take Mitsunari for obvious reasons. Or me- because I don't want to." "Thanks for worrying, Ieyasu, but I'll be fine. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this task!" "..I never said I was worried. I just don't want to be the one to arrange a search party for you when you get lost." I smiled, knowing damn well how much it pissed off Ieyasu when I called him out for his true feelings.

"That means make sure I can find my way back, right? Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Ieyasu averted his gaze, "Ugh. It's like being woken up by the sun because you forgot to close the windows." "I'm sure Malachi never forgets, which must be why our lord entrusted her with this task!" Mitsunari smiled brightly, almost as if proving Ieyasu's annoyance.

However, it wasn't THAT big of a task. Ever since I stood up for Ranmaru and pleaded for his life, my own life here in Azuchi had been improved drastically. Turns out, "scary" Hideyoshi was just a massive sweetheart and a soft teddy bear, and he'd gone way out of his way to make sure everyone knew I was good. Ranmaru, who had been reinstated in his former post, used all his spare moments to come visit me, and we'd become fast friends.

With the help from those two, I'd gotten in good with the others as well. Now I was being forced to attend feasts and dining with the warlords, all while learning about them and their various quirks.

Past or present, reaching out and making friends is still one of the best ways to open up an array of doors, right? Well, on the topic of closed and locked doors.. I instantly shut mine every time Mitsuhide came into my field of vision. Mind-reader or not, some part of me always sets off alarm bells and tells me to run whenever I see him.

"Malachi, you've gone quiet. Is everything all right?" Mitsunari asked, concern gracing his angelic features. "Huh? Oh, sorry for spacing out. Anyway, I should get going on my errand!" I spoke quickly, then left as fast as possible.

Luckily, I've gotten more familiar with the town layout. Thanks to Hideyoshi and Ranmaru. One location I had made sure to burn into my memory was the clothier- where my errand happened to be located. Glancing at the fabrics, I reached out toward the bolt of silk. But instead, my hand met fingers that were silky smooth instead.

Bracing myself to be faced with Mitsuhide, I glanced up, but instead found myself face to face with a man I didn't recognize right away. "Could you be..?" He began, his voice breathy. But then, I realized who he was. "I remember you.. Yoshimoto.. Right?" Yoshimoto was that strange man who had referred to my kimono as "a fine piece of work", one of the ones with Sasuke on the cliff.

"What strange coincidence to run into you here. You were from Azuchi?" He asked, "..You live here as well?" I spoke hesitantly. Not wanting to directly answer his question. He shook his head, "No. I'm merely visiting for pleasure. And I suppose I was tasked with delivering a message as well."

I stared at him in confusion, narrowing my eyes slightly. "You know you put visiting for pleasure first right? Aren't you supposed to indulge after work?" I asked, he suddenly smiled. "Why would anyone do that? Beauty inspires and improves life. I couldn't imagine doing a good job if I was always putting off pleasure." With the way he spoke, it sounded as if he was accustomed to a life of leisure.

I suppose I can understand where he's coming from. But TOO much leisurely pleasure can lead to intense procrastination and therefore a fall in work balance. That's a road I certainly don't want to travel down again. Yet, his innate charisma was the main thing about him that felt noteworthy. As could be evident by the not-so-subtle crowd of onlookers captivated by his beauty.

"Are you interested in this fabric too?" He asked. I nodded, "Yes. I was just thinking the colors are subtle, but they blend together wonderfully to create a bold yet beautiful harmony, don't you think?" I asked, not realizing I had rambled on. Right after drawing, color and sewing was something that lay heavy on my mind. Just a side hobby.

Yoshimoto smiled once more, "A fellow aesthete. I was indeed thinking the same thing." Somehow, everything from his voice to his looks had a subtle way of reminding me of cherry blossoms right after they began to fall. "Yoshimoto, we've been looking for you." A familiar voice spoke from behind.

"Figures you'd be off trying to enchant more women." Another spoke, holding a similar tone of familiarity. Turning around, I was met face to face with Sasuke and Yuki. "Malachi, is that you?" Sasuke spoke, surprise evident in his expression. I nodded, "Yeah. And the guy with you, he's-" He cut me off. "It's the boar man!" I'm sorry, the what?

I subtly glared at Yuki, "..Okay. I heard something I really didn't like just now, and it just so happened to be directed at me." "Yukimura, this is Malachi." Sasuke spoke, his tone now calm and as uninterested as ever. He then turned to me, "Malachi, let me introduce you. The one who doesn't know how to speak to people is Yukimura. The one who does is Yoshimoto. They are my... associates."

With the way Sasuke's voice had wavered, it seemed like he was hiding something. But I chose not to press further. "And what's your relationship to Sasuke?" Yukimura suddenly asked me. Hesitating slightly, I answered, "Sasuke and I are..friends. We come from the same hometown. Until I got swept off to Azuchi Castle." "You live in Azuchi Castle?" Both Yukimura and Yoshimoto spoke in unison, surprised.

Nothing I had said previously seemed to strike them as odd, until I mentioned Azuchi Castle. The temperature suddenly dropped over a dozen degrees and became very cold. "Malachi, can I have a minute? Yukimura, I'll catch up with you later." "All right. If he's a friend, I guess you've got stuff to talk about. Come on, Yoshimoto."

Yukimura dragged Yoshimoto off, leaving me alone with Sasuke.

"..Did I say something I wasn't supposed to?" I asked, my nervousness clear in my voice. "You did nothing wrong. Don't let it bother you." Sasuke spoke. "I was actually going to visit you soon, as there was something I had to tell you. I stopped you because now seemed like a good time." Sasuke explained. I nodded in response.

He suddenly met my gaze, intensity flaring in his own. "The Oda forces will soon be going to war." I was shocked, and had a lot I wanted to say. Mostly being, WHAT?! But there was no time. "I can't explain any further than that. I can only advise you to find a strong ally and stick close to them. Not even Azuchi Castle is entirely safe. Your best bet right now is getting the protection of one of Nobunaga's warlords."

"Fuck, they're all problematic in their own ways but.. Alright. I have some ideas. But how do you know there's a war coming, Sasuke?" I asked, silently hoping he wouldn't behave as strangely as he'd done when introducing Yukimura and Yoshimoto. "I'll explain next time. I'm sorry I can't protect you myself. No matter what, let's survive and return to the present together." "Sasuke, hold on-!" And with that, he was gone.

Third POV

"So, the war is finally starting." Yukimura spoke calmly. "Yes. It is a shame." Yoshimoto responded, his distaste evident in his tone. Yukimura shot him a warning glare, determination blazing there, "A shame?! Watch it, Yoshimoto.. My lord and I have been waiting for this. It might just be the only opportunity we have left!" Yoshimoto sighed, "I know. I'm well aware of the many trials you and my cousin have been put through, Yukimura."

Yukimura averted his gaze, a question lingering in his mind. "..Yoshimoto, if you hate the idea of war so much, then why did you even volunteer to be a messenger?" A bright smile found its place on Yoshimoto's face, "Azuchi is one of the treasures of our age. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see it. As once the heartless fires of harsh war consume it, no one will see its glory ever again."

Malachi's POV

As I wandered the corridors of Azuchi Castle, I thought back to my conversation with Sasuke. I never even got to ask him how soon this war would be. I had made my purchases and completed my deliveries, but my thoughts were still consumed by what Sasuke had told me. It was only a matter of time before the russet-gold sky bleeding over the castle walls began to take the shape of fire.. It didn't help with the added scent of dinner cooking in the kitchen.

But, all in all, it was difficult to believe there'd really be war. "There you are, Malachi. Been looking for you." Masamune spoke as he approached me. "..Masamune. I haven't seen you in your armor since.. since Honno-ji." I trailed off, recalling the blazing flames that had engulfed the temple.

Masamune smiled, "Yep. We got another battle on our hands." I felt my throat go dry. Looks like Sasuke was right.. And soon, had seemed to have meant soon soon. "Anyway, war council's about to start and Lord Nobunaga's called for you to attend." Confusion overtook my expression as I replied, "He wants me to attend war council? Why?" "You're our goddess of victory. The lucky lass who's going to help us win, aren't you?" Fuck, I forgot about that. I wanted to argue, but Masamune grabbed my hand and started walking.

Masamune was the same guy who frequently offered me handmade sweets throughout the day and grinned like a big cat when I'd finally accept them, much to my own dismay. So I had stopped thinking of him like that big scary warlord who'd thrown me over his horse without a regard for my own wishes, yet now- I suppose I'd forgotten that tigers were big cats too. And they could kill you. It felt as though I was looking at a different person now.

"Masamune.. Are you.. excited about battle?" I asked, almost fearing the answer I'd get. His smile widened, "Are you kidding, lass? This is the part I live for. A good war is a rare opportunity. As is the chance to take down both the tiger and dragon and earn everlasting fame."

The tiger.. And the dragon?