Notes: Realized it's a bit difficult to tell when Malachi is speaking English or Japanese. So any dialogue in bold is meant to signify Malachi speaking English.

Malachi's POV

"We're sorry to keep you waiting, my lord." Masamune apologized as he forcefully dragged me into the assembly hall. "Everyone is here then." Nobunaga spoke, his tone flat. After taking a singular step inside the assembly hall, I was ready to turn around and run. I felt so incredibly out of place in here. I didn't even fully understand why I was here, surrounded by these Warlords.

Every single one of them was armed from head to toe. The room was tense, none of their usual smiles had been kind enough to grace their lips. This was what it had meant to go to war. I thought back to my conversation with Masamune before he dragged me here.

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.

At that time, I had felt nervous about telling Masamune no. But now here I was, wishing I'd let go of my nerves and had actually stood my ground rather than face this. "You all know why we are gathered here." Nobunaga began, a sudden amused smirk found its way to his lips. "The Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo have returned from the dead to challenge me." He spoke, almost as if he was proud of that fact.

Without thinking, I blurted out, "Who the hell are the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo..?" I wondered, thinking about how Masamune had mentioned wanting to fight them prior. "Shingen Takeda and Kenshin Uesugi. Nobunaga's greatest foes. We thought they died years ago." Ieyasu told me. A look of realization dawned my expression, "Ohh. That's why that sounded familiar.."

Ieyasu gave me a suspicious look, "..Are you serious? Until recently they controlled almost the entire east and south. They should be a lot more than 'familiar.'" He spoke, giving me a glare. I put up my hands defensively, "In my defense, I'm not even from this country. Of course I don't know your history or wars. But, thank you for explaining anyway."

As Ieyasu turned his attention away from me, I thought back to the night on the cliff. When I had met Kenshin and Shingen.. It was probably best if I kept that information to myself.

Shingen looked curiously at me. "Hmm. Smoke from Honno-ji and a woman- sorry, a man all alone at night. Perhaps you're a ghost? Though you're the prettiest ghost I've ever seen."

Two more men joined us on the cliff. "Your ability to spew cheap pick-up lines never ceases to amaze me." One of them spoke, he had blonde hair and mismatched eyes, one of them being blue and the other being green.

"I just call it like I see it, Kenshin." Shingen smirked.

It was hard to believe, but those two really are famous rival warlords who've been lucky enough to grace the cover of a lot of different types of media and merchandise in the future. And now.. They were plotting an attack on the Oda forces. The fact that they both held animal-themed nicknames already spelled trouble. Furthermore.. Sasuke was with them. Which explains how he even knew about the war in the first place.

All this told me was that Sasuke, Yukimura, and Yoshimoto were enemies. And I hadn't even known it.

"Malachi? You're looking a little pale. Are you ill?" Mitsunari's concerned voice broke apart the thoughts I had so quickly scrambled together. I quickly snapped my head up, meeting his concerned violet gaze. "Oh.. It's nothing. I'm fine." I tried to smile, but based on his expression, it looked off. But, really! It was nothing. I just so happen to be friends with an enemy spy, no big deal. Yeah, no, can't say that.

Suddenly, I felt my entire body turn cold when I realized that- Any one of these guys could've seen me in town with them today. They may not have recognized Sasuke. But they would've most definitely recognized either Yoshimoto or Yukimura. And that's what was worrying me.

Out of nowhere, I felt as though someone was watching me, their gaze stabbing uncomfortably into my skin. Looking around subtly, I found the uneasy feeling right at its silvery source. It seemed as though Mitsuhide had been staring at me. But, I didn't look at him. I decided to let him believe I hadn't noticed, I had no reason to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had made me uncomfortable once more. Besides, it was apparent he could easily read me. And I didn't want him knowing what I knew.

I turned my attention back to the meeting, in which Hideyoshi was now speaking. "Reports state that they're already on the march. Their destination is our Garrison on the Eastern border. Their troops number under 10,000. Less than they'd require for a full-blown invasion of Azuchi." He explained. But Nobunaga's smile only widened, his excitement clear in his crimson gaze. "Then this is but a greeting? A bloody handshake from the battle-crazed God of War?"

"Give me the vanguard, my lord. Unless anyone else thinks they can take it from me?" Masamune spoke up, his blue eye reflecting the same excitement in Nobunaga's. I felt my uneasiness rise subtly yet quickly. "Could you wait for him to finish, at least? You're not the only one who wants to lead this battle." Ieyasu commented, his annoyance as clear as day in his tone.

Wait.. Are they all as battle-hungry as Masamune and Nobunaga? Am I surrounded by battle-crazed psychopaths right now? "If you really want it, lad, we could have a friendly contest here for it? What do you say?" Masamune's smile widened. Seems he really was just that battle-hungry. Ieyasu rolled his eyes, scoffing, "..Does the word ally mean nothing to you? But if you want a fight, you'll get one." Alright, I do not want to be present for that.

"As much as our lord appreciates the enthusiasm, that's enough posturing from both of you." Hideyoshi interrupted the two, his disappointment evident in his golden eyes. Then he turned back to Nobunaga, his expression serious, "Lord Nobunaga? Your orders?" "We depart tonight. I will allow no squabbles to delay our preparations." Nobunaga commanded.

Tonight?! Shit, have fun with that I guess. But, please, leave me out of it. I watched as Masamune and Ieyasu, seemingly unhappy with the decision, responded in affirmation. "Malachi," I tensed up once more as Nobunaga spoke my name, I glanced over at him, meeting his gaze hesitantly. "As my lucky charm, you will accompany us. See that you fulfill your task well." ..Excuse me, what? Did this psycho just say he plans to bring me, an untrained and pathetic fool, to a battlefield?!

But despite my anger, something inside me knew that this was the reason he'd asked me here. I stared down at my hands, biting my bottom lip nervously. "..Listen, probably not a good idea to bring me along. I'll only be a burden rather than an asset. I have no useful skills required on a battlefield." I tried to convince him, but he only smirked in further amusement.

"The woman who fearlessly drove off my assassin and pulled me from the fire balks now? Perhaps your true power comes out in battle. I cannot wait to see it." His smirk only widened as my fear slowly made itself present within my expression. "No, my true power comes out in arguments. But fine, hope you like screaming in a language you don't understand. Because there'll be a lot of that." I glared at him, making sure to not slip up a single word of my speech so he understood exactly what I was saying.

"Our lord's right, don't be afraid, Lady Malachi. Everyone in the Oda forces is really strong!" Ranmaru gave me his signature bright smile, almost like he was attempting to reassure me. But I was having none of it, "Strong? ..Strong..?" A laugh left my lips, and I pointed at Nobunaga, speaking in English rather than Japanese to avoid getting in trouble. "This is the same bastard that I had to drag out of a burning building because his first instinct to being awoken surrounded by fire was to ask me who I was. He has little to no survival instinct."

I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my anger as the other warlords shared a confused look. "..I have no idea what she just said, but I think she's angry." Ieyasu commented. "Malachi.. What exactly did you say about Nobunaga?" Hideyoshi asked me, his eyes narrowed in a dangerous look.

Smiling nervously, I lied straight through my teeth. "I.. I said. I understand. I will accompany you. But I'd like to ask for something, if that's alright." "Speak." Nobunaga commanded. Fuck, now I have to actually think of something or else Hideyoshi may just kill me. "All I ask is that you do not put me on the front lines. I will be of little to no use as I have zero fighting skills." I then lowered my voice, "It's uh- A bit embarrassing.."

Clearing my throat, I continued, "I'd most likely be of more use if I could help take care of the wounded or something.. I have some medical knowledge.." I half expected Nobunaga to tell me no, that he wanted me beside him. But instead, he smiled, "Very well." I let out a sigh of relief, thankful he wasn't just going to put me on the front lines with a dose of laughter.

But then, his next words sent a chill down my spine. "Mitsuhide, I am entrusting Malachi to you." "As you wish, my lord." Wait a damn minute- Mitsuhide is in charge of base camp? Fuck that, I don't want to stick with him! I'd rather use this as another opportunity to escape Nobunaga! All Mitsuhide had to do was glance my way with his stupidly alluring gaze and I'd instantly trip up.

Mitsuhide smiled, almost as if he too was attempting to reassure me, but it only made me feel sick. "Do not fear, Malachi. Nothing unfortunate will happen to you while you are under my watch. As long as you are very, very good.." I let out a nervous laugh, "Haha.. Okay.. But no promises." I gave him a fake smile of my own, but his smile only widened. He was clearly enjoying my suffering, the sadistic fuck. This was clearly going to be very, very bad.

It felt like I'd dug my own grave. But little did I know, it wasn't even the required seven feet deep yet.