Mitsuhide's POV
The next day came, and now it was time that I teach Malachi self-defense. "You should know how to defend yourself at the barest minimum. We'll start by practicing." Surprisingly, she seemed calmer than she did yesterday. "Thank you. I'm looking forward to this." Is she? Not only was Malachi in higher spirits today and calmer, but she was positively agreeable. "My. What softened that sharp tongue?" Her smile remained genuine, but she rolled her eyes at me. "I could always sharpen it again if you like. Besides.. I was fighting you before because I didn't think you were worth trusting. I decided being afraid is useless." "You DECIDED to no longer be afraid? Interesting."
I had worried that Mitsunari and the others were going to tell her something. It seems my fears were correct. Though, as long as she is willing to take my lessons to heart, the damage is not irreversible. I looked into her eyes- similar to that of looking into a mirror, but much more crystal clear- and I smiled. Suddenly, her smile dissipated and her soft green eyes met mine, "..You know, you won't see anything more interesting by staring at me." She spoke, her tone laced with nervousness. "Are you certain of that? I consider you quite interesting just the way you are." Emotions so easily crossed that pretty face like changes during a weathering day.
Changing the topic, I began our lesson. "Today, I'll be teaching you an incredibly simple technique. You'll learn faster if you experience it for yourself, which is why I want you to attempt to grab me." I explained. She gave me a curious look, almost like she thought I was crazy, but didn't argue. "Alright.. Here I go.." came out in muttered whispers. She ducked low to throw herself at me, and I stepped aside as if I was dodging a charging bear. "Ah! Fuck!" She went tumbling to the floor to which a string of curse words could be heard. I walked over and looked down at her, amused once I saw she was not badly hurt.
'There there. Let your pride not be bruised like your backside. You really put your all into it.' "That was a well-executed charge, Malachi." I praised, but she glared at me. "Don't patronize me. It was shit." "The trick here is to never be standing directly in front of your opponent. Congratulations. You've learned an important lesson." "What did I just fucking say?" Malachi frowned at me, her brow furrowed with shame and anger.
'Yes. Let both shame and anger teach you. They will not let you forget. Being able to move at the right time is vital to defense. ..She needs to be able to protect herself and I have such a limited amount of time to teach her.' I wished I had more time with her. If only because I was enjoying it. Alas, it was not meant to be. Onto our next lesson-
"In order to wage war effectively, you must understand its instruments." I began my explanation, "Do you remember this weapon? It's a Tanegashima, also called a rifle. Would you like to hold it?" Malachi stared at the rifle, before she finally answered- "Fuck no. Fuck this." "Oh, don't be like that-" "If I refused to let my own father teach me to shoot, why would I let you, Mitsuhide?"
Suddenly, Malachi was forced to hold the rifle as I handed it to her without accepting her refusal. She nearly tripped over in an effort to not drop it. "..It's heavy." 'Yes, it is. And though I knew it would, it still feels wrong to make you shoulder that weight.' "Be careful holding it; they're known to accidentally go off. Never point the barrel at something you're not ready to kill." I explained.
Her expression grimaced yet she held her fake smile firmly in place, "..Lovely. Can I put it down now? Or will that cause it to explode too?" Despite her sour and sarcastic comments, and to my delight, she kept her spirit even as the training grew more and more intensive.
"Now that you know how to clean and prepare the rifle, now it's time to learn to shoot it." Though Malachi knew why we were out here, her body still tensed when I said it. She despised the idea, as she should. However- Lord Nobunaga seemed quite taken with the idea of bringing Malachi to battle with him, much to her own dislike and the dismay of Hideyoshi. I would have other responsibilities. I couldn't always be there to protect her like last time. Malachi needed to know how to defend herself, or else she'd die.
It was faster to teach her the gun rather than a sword. Most likely better for her too. The shockwave from a bullet often stopped or properly slowed down a man, whereas someone wounded from a sword could still get close and kill you. "I've set your target on that tree. Focus now. Don't close your eyes." But, she still seemed nervous.
"Um.. I've been thinking. I'm not joining the Oda forces as a soldier. Is it really necessary for me to do this?" "Why is it important to learn anything but for the experience? No more talking. Take aim." Malachi loaded her rifle, got into position, and took a deep breath, placing her finger on the trigger. Though.. It was clear to me that the little mouse was shaking.
In Malachi's mind, she was holding the gun that I'd used to shoot that enemy general. I didn't need to take a look at her face to know that much. "Fire." A loud bang erupted from the barrel of the gun, a noise I was all too familiar with. I checked Malachi. With her small form, the recoil had been quite the nasty surprise to her. But, at least she knew now. It wouldn't catch her off guard when she had to use the rifle in a fight.
I smiled at her, "That was amazing, Malachi. I've never seen someone who not only failed to hit the target but missed the tree entirely from just five feet away." I teased her in hopes to draw out that same fiery spark that could carry her from a bad mood. But, no emotion returned to her eyes, leaving them hollow. "..I didn't want to hit the target." She muttered, her voice soft as she bit her lip.
"I didn't want to feel good when you said 'Congratulations, you did it'- not when 'it' is shooting something." She explained, making it become clear to me that she had felt it. And she wasn't in a hurry to deny that she did. When aiming at a living target with a lethal weapon, the horrors of impending death is not the only sensation you feel. You feel power. Overwhelming, heavy-bearing, power with the knowledge that in your hands, you hold someone's life and death.
'So few realize it is not the enemy that is frightening. It's what you can DO to someone you've declared an enemy.' I knew Malachi was good, she's better than I originally thought. "Never forget how frightening it is. The moment you feel good about it is the moment you've died." She looked up at me, her once hollow gaze now sparked with curiosity. "Is this your way of telling me that you feel scared every time you have to shoot someone, Mitsuhide?"
In the mirror of her softened green gaze, I could see myself.. 'You would sympathize with me now?' I smiled at her, "I wonder, will you ever cease to astonish me?" Perhaps she was the true Satori, come down from the mountains? I ignored her question and turned her back toward the target. "Now, try again." I encouraged. "I don't want to-" "Again." I insisted. Defeated, she sighed, "..All right." She could hate me if that's what it took. I have good reason to push forward on this harsh training. I couldn't bear to allow her to die..