Malachi's POV
I didn't see Mitsuhide for the rest of the day. As worrying as that prospect was, I figured something must've come up to stop him from pursuing after me. Or he may have decided to leave me alone for the day after my injury, or worse.. He was researching what creatures bled violet. Suddenly, a voice from beyond the door broke me from my thoughts.
"Malachi? Do you have a minute?" I instantly recognize the warm and light voice of Hideyoshi. He pushed open the door, but didn't even take one step in before bowing apologetically. "I apologize for being too busy to see you." "No worries, Hideyoshi. I got the tea you sent along with Mitsunari. It was.. Um.. it was good." I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but he didn't return it.
"You're welcome. I've been meaning to ask you-" Oh no.. "Has Mitsuhide been giving you any trouble? Saying anything to make you feel bad or playing any tricks that go too far?" I was taken aback. It was sweet that Hideyoshi had come to check up on me, but.. I was honestly thinking that Mitsuhide may have let something slip.
"Oh! Um.. No broken bones so far, just some blood- I'll need to check again in the morning. But I'll be fine, I can handle Mitsuhide." I answered honestly, attempting to keep my tone light-hearted so as to not worry him. But his expression only darkened, "That alone has given me a pretty good idea of how he's treating you and-" Then his eyes widened, "Blood?! You got hurt under his watch?!" Shit, I shouldn't have said that part.
"Hideyoshi, I'm fine. It wasn't Mitsuhide's fault. I just pushed myself too hard and tore some scar tissue, that's all." His expression only turned more alarmed, "Scar tissue? You have scars?! From what? How long ago was this?" "Calm down- The scars are from before I came to Azuchi. I'm a bit reckless in case you haven't noticed. It's nothing I can't handle. The scar has already closed back up." He didn't seem too happy about any of this despite my reassurances, his golden eyes narrowed. "I still don't like the idea of Mitsuhide being your instructor if you're going to get hurt."
"Really, it's okay! I'd like to think that I give it my best shot and I get better as I go along, surprisingly, Mitsuhide's not a bad instructor. Plus, I doubt I'll get hurt again. We'll take this as a lesson learned." I explained, keeping a genuine smile on my face. In reality, I wasn't only reassuring Hideyoshi, but myself as well. Finally, Hideyoshi smiled too. "You're really special, Malachi." He patted me on the head, almost like an older brother would.
"Let me know if you even suspect he's pushing you too hard. I'll make sure he stays away from you." A wave of worry trickled through my body. Was that just his older brother instincts, or does Hideyoshi truly feel that strongly about Mitsuhide? "You don't like Mitsuhide, do you? ..Or trust him." I muttered, my voice quiet. Suddenly, the smile fell from Hideyoshi's lips, his expression darkening once more. "I.. want to trust him. I really do." I let out a small, almost inaudible, gasp of surprise. Perhaps I was wrong about my assumption towards their relationship? Hideyoshi's voice sounded truly conflicted.
"My gut tells me his motives are good, but he's so evasive. I need something concrete. And he refuses to give me that. It's difficult to trust a man with that many secrets. You be careful with him, Malachi." Hideyoshi explained. My gaze dropped, staring down towards the floor. "I.. understand what you mean. Even I can tell Mitsuhide is hiding something, despite the short time I've known him. It's like.. There's a mist surrounding him. Sometimes you can see through it, but other times, it's too thick to even spot a silhouette." I explained, "Heck, just in the few days he's been my instructor, my opinion of him keeps changing."
"Try knowing him for years." "I'd rather not if I'm being honest.." I laughed slightly, but Hideyoshi only continued speaking. "..I keep thinking how handy it would be if I could only peer into his mind." Huh. They've worked together, side by side for years, and not even Hideyoshi can read him? That's.. almost concerning. Three months was certainly not enough time to find out, yet my curiosity towards Mitsuhide was killing me. Maybe I could slowly build off based on what the others know? I could always ask around town..
I knew well what the castle thought. I knew well what I thought after my short time knowing him. Perhaps the town thought differently? Maybe Mitsuhide's the type to behave differently outside of work? He did suggest that I'd have tomorrow off.. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity?
The next day I wandered into a local cafe in town and began a conversation with some women who looked to be my age. "..You'd like to know about Lord Mitsuhide? Honey, do we have stories for you!" One of them began. I gave her an earnest smile, almost pleased to finally find something, "Yes. I'd certainly be happy to hear them. I've been working with Mitsuhide, but I'm curious to know what he's like off-duty, if you get what I mean?" One of the women suddenly gave me a look of disapproval.
"Oh, you are barking up the wrong tree, sweetheart.! Tempting as it is, do not get close to that one!" My smile slowly fell, I was confused. What on Earth is she referring to? "And if you get involved with him, you have to prepare for your life becoming a LIVING HELL." One of the women warned. Hold on! You're telling me Mitsuhide is THAT bad? "We get you. He's got the power, the prestige! The sex appeal, well, you know! You're not the first one to go down this path."
Suddenly, my curiosity dissipated and my shock reemerged, showing its ugly head. But before I could speak, she continued talking- "For one, he actually talks to people like us! No surprise girls swoon over him. 'He's my silver moonlight!' they'll all say. But the moment you try saying that to his face? You stop existing to him. He's never once taken anyone seriously!" Well.. Those are some- interesting dating profile reviews.. But that's not what I was interested in..
"..You can pretend there's something going on, but he'll never admit any feelings for you. It's not worth the run around! That said, no matter how hopeless it is, you just can't forget him... Ahh, he's just.. too good!" She swooned. I felt as if I was going to vomit. "Wait, that's what you mean by a 'living hell?' I thought it would be worse." One gave me a confused look, "What do you mean 'worse?'" "Ma'am.. As I said, I work with Mitsuhide. I've experienced his teasing firsthand. Kinda figured that's how he'd be with potential suitors. However, that's not what I was interested in.. Not really into men who are so secretly evasive that you can't read them.."
"Some women go for him anyway, even knowing all of that. Well, we've warned you." She and the other one patted the woman who had started crying on the shoulder as they left. I sort of just stood there awkwardly.. 'Well, I've learned nothing. That was completely useless. And to think, I threw away my social anxiety for that bullshit.' But I mean, I could definitely see what they meant. Mitsuhide had an inexplicable draw, almost like a phantom flame to draw in moths, only to burn them.
Well, luckily for me. Falling in love with him would never be a problem I'd face.
Suddenly, I heard another voice speak behind me. "You there, girl. We heard you asking about Lord Mitsuhide?" I turned around, "Um.. Yes? I was." The clothing of the men I saw approaching suggested they were high-ranking samurai. "You're that special maid they just hired, right? Listen, don't be taken in by his looks." "..Why do women think he's so special anyway?" I was no longer confused, but rather, upset. Why was everyone assuming I was asking about Mitsuhide because I'm interested in him? I'm not!
"What can you say? He's good at tricking people. I guess that's why they call him a kitsune." That caught my attention. People called him a kitsune? From what I could recall, a kitsune is a trickster spirit that takes the form of a silver fox with multiple tails. Well, Mitsuhide certainly had the look down. "Ha! I prefer 'schemer' myself. What else do you call a guy who keeps in close contact with his own lord's enemies?" "Eh? Is that true?" I asked, feeling like the conversation had finally turned in a direction I liked.
But despite my asking, I wasn't even that shocked. After all, in the history I knew, Mitsuhide Akechi was a traitor. He had been the cause of Nobunaga Oda's death. "Yeah. He's got no honor. It's only a matter of time until he'll turn against Lord Nobunaga. Sooner rather than later." One of them explained. But.. I found myself doubting his words. Did Mitsuhide really have no honor?
Even though I too thought of Mitsuhide as suspicious. But no honor? That was a decently heavy insult for a Warlord. And from what I've heard, I get the impression that Mitsuhide thinks about right and wrong more than a lot of people do.. Suddenly, one of the warriors turned the conversation in an interesting direction.
"Did you know, girl, Mitsuhide came from the lower classes? That is, he came from nothing. I heard it was through some dirty trick he got his high position at all. He didn't earn it, that's for sure." For the first time since the commotion in the hallway, I felt my blood boil. "I find that very difficult to believe." I spoke, my voice hard and cold. This seemed to upset the warriors, "Oh, yeah?!" Judging from the looks on their faces, they weren't exactly used to someone telling them anything else but "Yes, sir."
Well, I tried being polite. And while I may not know Mitsuhide that well, I certainly know more about him than they do. "In my time working alongside him, I've found Mitsuhide to be incredibly intelligent and hardworking, if a bit of the teasing type." I explained, trying to keep my cool. Yet, I narrowed my eyes at them. "Why should it matter what 'station' he was born into? Nobunaga clearly values Mitsuhide for his skill set."
One of the warriors glared at me, anger burning hot in his eyes. "Who taught you to share your opinion?! Don't you know how gracious we're being by talking to you in the first place, woman?!" Well, thanks for reminding me I'm in a time period where women are possessions. But I won't tolerate that. "If it's just my opinion, why is it so fucking offensive to you? Aren't I just an object in your self-centered eyes?" I bit back. "That's enough mewling out of you, maid!" One of them shouted at me.
The enraged warrior reared back to throw a punch in my direction. I honestly wasn't shocked though. After all, no wonder the warring states are warring if a simple opinion is enough to turn people violent? I was about to throw my hands up in defense when suddenly.. I sensed a familiar presence approaching.
"It's a sign of weakness to resort to violence because you can't win an argument with wit."
