Malachi's POV

I hadn't even had the chance to mentally prepare before the next day came. And before I knew it, I stood on the edge of the battlefield. Please, God, or whoever is out there, honestly, I'm flexible. But please, just let me survive. I want to get the fuck out of this hell hole.

"Have I not told you that prayer is meaningless?" A deep, smooth voice spoke from behind me. The voice that just so happened to belong to Mitsuhide. I whipped my head around, glaring at him. But he only smiled at me, "Frightened? I already told you, we don't eat humans. You are under my protection. There's nothing to fear." I merely rolled my eyes, "Why would I have to worry about that if I'm not even human myself-" I slapped a hand over my mouth, but it had been too late. I'd already said it. But then I remembered the language barrier between us, and let out a sigh of relief.

Mitsuhide raised an eyebrow at me, but he seemed to have taken my words as a joke. His smile never faltered. "What did you just say?" He asked, "Insulting me like you did Lord Nobunaga?" "No! I simply said.. Could you stop with the whole reading me thing? It's a bit annoying at this point." His smile disappeared, he clearly didn't believe me, but he didn't press the issue. "Have you considered schooling your expression to keep your thoughts hidden? Your face is so loud it's practically screaming."

I stared at him from the corner of my eye, "Or maybe, you should stop being so perceptive." "What's that supposed to mean?" My lips quipped up in a smirk, "You know, you're the first human who's ever been able to read me so well, Mitsuhide. It's.. strange."

Mitsuhide stared at me curiously from the corner of his eye as he prepared his weapon. It was an old-fashioned- uh.. State-of-the-art flintlock rifle. "Are you implying that you are not a human, Malachi?" Mitsuhide asked, amusement danced in his tone. I almost answered 'yes' but I stopped myself. No, Mitsuhide is dangerous. I can't reveal myself to him. So, I came up with a quick excuse, "With the life I've lived.. It's hard to believe that I'm still sane enough to be considered human." I whispered as he continued his maintenance, from his movements, it was clear he knew that rifle inside and out.

He was calm, even when listening to me. Similarly to the rifle, he was attractive when still, yet deadly when the trigger was pulled. The conversation fell silent as I found myself mesmerized by his movements. It was graceful, yet knowingly as his hands moved over the weapon. A strange contrast of violence and beauty. "I had not foreseen that you would volunteer for the rear guard." He spoke, changing the topic. I was thankful he hadn't bothered calling out my thoughts again, instead, only offering a quiet observation.

"I hadn't foreseen being told I would attend a battle today. Besides, I can't imagine someone like me being any use in the fighting. With my skill set, I'm more likely to slow everyone else down." I explained, then added quietly, "Plus.. Rear guard seems less.. dangerous than front lines would be."

"You believe it's safe?" "I didn't say that-" I glared at him, knowing he was trying to find a way to mock me. I knew damn well that rear guard could be dangerous seeing as they're the ones who support the front lines. I just hadn't thought it was THAT dangerous. But, he seemed to ignore what I'd been trying to say. Instead, interpreting it in a way he saw fit. "..You'd think so, wouldn't you?"

I scowled at him, "Stop speaking in such a creepy tone." Suddenly, his smile fell, and his expression turned serious. "Malachi. You've seen how the castle operates. Who would you say is Lord Nobunaga's right-hand man?" I was taken aback by the sudden change of topic. And why would he ask such a simple question? "That's easy. It's Hideyoshi. He's always at Nobunaga's side, giving out orders for him and such. It honestly seems like he's in love with Nobunaga or something." I answered honestly.

Mitsuhide's smile now returned, "Very astute of you." He spoke, it sounded like it was supposed to be praise. But coming from him? Didn't feel like it. "Now who would you say serves at Lord Nobunaga's left?" He asked. "..Another simple question? What're you playing at, Mitsuhide?" "Nothing, just answer."

I let out a sigh of frustration, "That's another easy question, it's-" I trailed off, now realizing what he was attempting to tell me. "..It's you." His smirk widened as he noticed that I'd finally caught on, but his questions didn't end. "Clever girl. Now, what impact would you say my position has on our current safety?"

I smiled nervously, fear overtaking my voice. "I.. I don't think I want to answer that.." But, Mitsuhide wasn't having it. "It's no good to close your mind off. Not when you're so close. Finish your thought." Hideyoshi is serving at the front, protecting Nobunaga. They're the biggest targets, and our enemy's highest priority.

They're also the best defended. Mitsuhide controls the rear. Making him the third most vital target.. And.. less.. defended. My heart began pounding as realization set in. The sound loud, like thunder over a gentle plains. Except.. The Earth trembled under my feet. And I realized that loud noise wasn't just my heartbeat increasing..

The next time I spoke, my voice was low and shaken, my realization clear. "Tell me it's not.." "Quiet, little one." But Mitsuhide only hushed me, placing a finger to his lips. And so, I listened.

On the horizon, a cloud of dust was kicking up. Dark specs slowly forming shapes from within. It was soldiers on horseback, riding under a pale blue standard. "Enemy attack!" One of the vassals shouted. Clearly, I'd made a mistake in agreeing to this position. "Leave enough troops at the front so as not to arouse suspicion while you stealthily send a strike squad to attack their rear." Mitsuhide spoke, smiling. "It seems the God of War is blessed with both an excellent tactician and skilled troops." Mitsuhide, I don't think this is the time to admire or envy him.

Mitsuhide's smile remained unfaltering as he turned to his own command and gave directions. "Is everyone ready for a little challenge?" He asked. "Yes, my lord!" The vassals spoke within unison. I ran a quick hand through my hand, pushing my bangs from my vision. Realizing that I'd feel less terrified if I had something to do, I turned to Mitsuhide. "Mitsuhide! Give me something to do." I spoke, attempting to not sound too nervous and not too demanding.

"Nothing." "..Nothing?" "Your orders are to stand behind me and cower like a frightened mouse in her very first battle. Do you understand?" He explained calmly, as if it was the most simple thing in the world. Well, I certainly didn't feel afraid anymore. I felt more angry. Despite my body still shaking, I glared up at Mitsuhide. "When there's chaos going on around me.. You expect me to do nothing but stand behind you?" "I am merely paraphrasing what you yourself said. You claim to not be useful in a fight. There's no need to pretend otherwise. You win just as many games by knowing which pieces not to move."

Mitsuhide gave my shoulder a pat, and surprisingly, I felt some of my tension leave. But I was still mad at him. Instead of speaking further, I watched as he raised his flintlock rifle high. A sadistic smile graced his lips, "..Let us give them a fitting greeting." His troops responded with an affirmative cry.

Holy shit. The ground shook heavily beneath me, almost as if the Earth were to rip in two as the two opposing armies raced across the plains. Within mere minutes, chaos unfolded. The place I'd been once standing was unrecognizable. There were gashes in the Earth, smoke enveloping the sky. Ear-shattering steel screeched without end. Men and horses screamed in pain. Blood splattered both skin and dirt. I felt sick to my stomach as I stood behind Mitsuhide, watching this all unfold. But what could I even do? The plain and simple answer was nothing. All I could do was stand there, feeling small and helpless.

I.. I thought I'd seen it all. But I genuinely had no idea what I'd be in for. Mitsuhide also stood witness to all of this unfolding. His pale golden gaze impassive, his experience clear as the sky had been before the smoke. "There he is." He suddenly spoke. But.. I had not a clue as to who he was talking about.

One of the men suddenly shouted, "Our goal is to take Mitsuhide Akechi's head! Press onward! Advance!" I then realized who he'd been referring to. That must've been the enemy general, even an inexperienced observer such as myself could see the way his command rallied the troops. They turned to us, a dozen bows raised. Then, and only then, did Mitsuhide move.

Mitsuhide positioned himself in a way that would block me from arrows, and planted one leg down. He shouldered his rifle, and lit the fuse. His target fixed in his line of sight. "You might wish to cover your ears. But do not shut your eyes." I stared at him in disbelief, "..You're telling me I should watch?" "You've been living in a veil of innocence. This is the reality you must learn to face."

I didn't have time to retort as my eyes widened. I took in the next moment slowly, as if time had slowed down to move in slow motion. A finger caressed the cold black steel of the trigger- and squeezed. A crack sounded as if skies were tearing open. Smoke blossoming from within the barrel like a deadly rose. And a smile that I'd never seen falter.. For just a single moment, I had gotten to see it fall. Then, time resumed.

A loud scream of pain came from the enemy general's lips. Clutching his chest where his heart lay, he fell from atop his horse like a cold stone. "My lord!" Enemy vassals quickly turned frantic. His squad of archers lowered their bows, racing to their fallen lord's side. But, it was too late. The man did not get up, signifying his death. ..I had just watched Mitsuhide kill someone.

"It is over." He spoke, his voice calm. Almost like he hadn't just murdered someone.. "Their general is defeated!" With the announcement of the enemy general's death, cheers erupted from our side as the leaderless fled in a panicked frenzy. But the fire and bodies of the deceased remained.

"Malachi, can you stand?" Mitsuhide turned to me, smiling once more. I slowly put out a hand, feeling the dirt beneath me. I hadn't even realized that in my shock, I'd sunk to the ground. "It seems you need a hand." Mitsuhide put his arms around me and raised me to my feet. The touch of a human felt both foreign yet necessary, I felt the urge to cry, but instead, I shoved Mitsuhide away from me.

I kept trying to tell myself that he had to, that he had to shoot him. If he hadn't, who knows what would've happened. But.. No matter how many times I repeated it in my head, the outrage and shock of witnessing another man murder someone remained.

That thought, that one singular thought, kept replaying in my mind like a twisted memory. I couldn't make it stop no more than I could accept the dread nestled within my gut. Mitsuhide, taken aback by my rough shoving, looked at me in surprise. "Malachi, can you speak?" I felt my skin turn ice cold, and one by one, my senses dissipated.

Third POV

Mitsuhide knelt down to gently pick up the unconscious body of Malachi off the grounds, and carried her off the battlefield. Meanwhile, Yoshimoto stood in the middle of the enemy camp, like a beautiful flower remained untouched by the flame of a scorched field. "We have word from Kenshin. The battle is finally over. It was a draw. We are retreating." He spoke calmly to his vassals.

Yet his vassals spoke out, open about their disappointment and outrage. "A draw?! Grr! What are they doing?! If only we were allowed on the front lines!" "How long do they intend to let that swine Nobunaga live?! His death is the only way to avenge the Imagawa's destruction!" "I guess the tiger and the dragon were all talk!"

Yoshimoto listened in silence as their heated voices continued rising, louder and louder. His leveled voice barely heard over the outbursts. "This is how it should be. Kenshin's goal was always to draw out Nobunaga. This battle is meant to judge their strength so as not to lose more than they gain." He tried to explain calmly, but that only pissed them off more. "..Listen to our lord talk! As if he knows anything that's going on. He wouldn't, since he never joins our councils!" "All the better. Have him beg Lord Kenshin for a chance to prove himself in battle. Maybe then his opinion will mean something!"

"I have no intention of interfering in Kenshin's battles. We are lucky enough to be given sanctuary by him. But we are nowhere close to equals. I beg you to remember that it took much to convince him to let us assist the rear guard." Yoshimoto explained calmly, continuing, "This is not a war of revenge. Not our war. Let the fallen Imagawa clan lay where they fell."

Grumbling angrily, the Imagawa vassals left Yoshimoto in camp, alone. "We could have ruled this land! We had the power, the numbers. It's thanks to that weak-willed puffball we lost!" "He doesn't even care about re-establishing our clan! There's got to be a way!" Suddenly, another voice spoke.. Deep and mysterious. "..I hear you men speak of rulership. That is a topic of great significance to my lord." "Who are you?!"

Though the mysterious man was clearly dressed for travel, it was evident that whoever he served spared zero expense in outfitting his agents. "I serve one of great majesty and sense the same illustrious pedigree in you gentlemen of the noble Imagawa clan." He smiled, continuing, his voice like that of a whisper on the wind. "In fact, my lord sent me to see you out after hearing rumors of your survival."

"What does your lord want..?" The messenger's smile widened, deep, and chilling. Clearly pleased that he'd piqued their intrigue. "Something that I believe aligns closely with your own goals."