Malachi's POV

Mitsuhide caught the man's fist mid-swing, a nonchalant smile on his lips. I was about to ask what he was doing here, when I realized.. I had been able to sense his presence this entire time. I just hadn't paid attention to it because I was so focused in conversation.. "You were watching me." I spoke, a statement, not a question.

Mitsuhide nodded, "I said you could have the day off from your lessons- not from being observed." I was annoyed, but then realization struck me. He's been watching me this entire time. He heard me ask all those questions about him. "..Lord Mitsuhide, what you heard was..!" One of the warriors began in a panic, but Mitsuhide cut them off. "I heard nothing. And this argument never happened. Is that understood?" "Y-yes!" "Good. If anyone asks what you were doing, you can say.. why, say that you encountered a kitsune." Mitsuhide spoke, his tone low and dangerous.

He released the man, who fell backwards. The others look equally terrified. "Excuse us!" The fight having been drained out of them, the three warriors fled. So.. They were mean, but cowardly. Suddenly, Mitsuhide turned his attention to me, a teasing smirk on his face. "For all that you claim to be frightened, you certainly throw yourself into danger." I averted my gaze from his, "I wasn't going to willingly stand by and listen to them spew their bullshit. I appreciate you stepping in but.. I could've handled it." I muttered.

"One good turn.." Mitsuhide said. "Huh?" "Nothing. Now then.." Oh fuck. That's right.. Mitsuhide was watching as I went behind his back to investigate him.. "Listen- before you get mad at me-" I began. But he interrupted me, "Would you like to share a drink?" I jumped back a bit, startled, and stared at him in confusion. "Um..?"

Suddenly, I was with Mitsuhide inside a restaurant. "Two teas and whichever dessert is your most popular for the lady." He ordered. "I'll have those right out!" The owner replied. I felt the need to apologize, but I had no idea what to say! "Now, I must say, Malachi, you found a very interesting way to spend your day off." Mitsuhide commented.

I rested my elbow on the table and stared down, covering my mouth with my hand. "I apologize.. It was wrong of me to go behind your back like that." I noticed Mitsuhide shift a bit, "You're sorry?" He spoke, seeming slightly surprised. "I shouldn't have resorted to talking about you behind your back all because I was annoyed I couldn't read you. I apologize for what you may have heard. I will never behave in such a way again."

Silence followed for a moment, until I looked up and saw Mitsuhide smiling. "You are far too contrite for your imagined sin, little mouse." He began to laugh. He.. wasn't upset, surprisingly. I stared dumbly at him as the tea and dessert plate was brought out. "Stop looking like a scolded pup and eat that rather colorful fruit dessert, Malachi." I leaned back a bit, narrowing my eyes at him. "..You sure? I was almost positive you brought me here to scold me."

"Do I look like Hideyoshi? I gain no pleasure from scolding people." He spoke, his smile never faltering. "As for why I brought you here, this is a treat for putting up with my lessons." I wanted to believe he was merely teasing me but.. Somehow, he sounded.. genuine? "That's why you brought me here?" I asked, almost in disbelief. "Yes. That and for before." "Before.. what?" Rather than answering me, he simply told me to not let it bother me. But it still did.

Mitsuhide took a sip from his tea, pleasure evident in his expression. Before..? Could he be referring to the stuff with those rude men? Well.. At least he seems happy. Huh.. That's a.. strange thought.. Actually, I think sharing a meal with him is weird too. The silence was getting to me so I stared down at my untouched cup of tea and muttered, "Is.. Is the tea good?" "It is certainly tea." He spoke flatly. Wow, Mitsuhide is just full of puzzling responses today, isn't he?

"Do you want some of these fruit slices?" I asked, hoping to not have to eat it myself. I turned away, almost feeling bad for refusing to touch the tea or dessert. But.. I wasn't in the mood to put on an act and pretend like I liked something when I didn't. Not being a huge fan of tea or sweets in a time when tea is literally most of what they drank and sweets are thought to be the best thing to get for women is a fucking nightmare. "I'm not hungry, no thank you." He answered. "Sure.. But as far I'm aware, you don't eat sweet treats just because you're hungry. It can be for pleasure too." "So I have heard." He replied.

Wow, I've never had more of a difficult time creating conversation. Letting out a sigh, I picked up one of the peach slices and took a small bite, trying to avoid showing my displeasure on my face. After biting through the soft outer layer, a quick rush of sweet peach juice spread across my tongue. Making me feel sick. Mustering up my best smile, I glanced at Mitsuhide, "Are you.. positive you don't want any? It doesn't hurt to just taste it.." I was desperate to get this off my plate. I hated sweets, and couldn't stand peaches or tea.. But I didn't want to be rude to Mitsuhide.

"Nor will there be any benefit in my doing so. My only concern is whether I am hungry or not." But he seemed determined to watch me suffer I suppose. "You think there's no benefit? From my understanding.. Eating something that tastes good makes others happy. Have you never experienced that?" I asked. "Of something tasting good? No." Eh? What the fuck has he been eating all his life? "Are you sure?" He smiled at me, "They would be wasted on me, however sweet they taste to you."

Then it hit me. Does.. Does Mitsuhide not have a sense of taste? If that's the case.. Then I stopped pushing him to try them. And instead, sucked up my dislike and finished off the plate. Hearing him set down his teacup, I looked up. Mitsuhide was sitting more relaxed, an arm rested on the table. In that state of attractive recline, he easily caught the gaze of every woman in the restaurant. Not mine, though, thankfully. The issue is that I could see HIS gaze was solely taken up by me. He's just.. staring at me.. watching. "..Is my displeasure that interesting of a show to witness?" I asked.

Mitsuhide smiled at me, "You are a sight enough just as you are. Displeased, or not." Is.. Is he trying to make fun of me again? I gave him a fake smile, "Well, there's more peaches if you want to join in on the.. fun." I muttered, gently pushing the plate in his direction. "There's no need for that. I am having a pleasurable enough time watching you enjoy yourself." He.. isn't making fun of me? Well, he's certainly not acknowledging my obvious dislike.

I let out a shaky breath, my pale skin slowly burning pink. I kept my gaze on him, to see if his expression would turn mocking. But his smile remained gentle. It's so.. difficult to tell what he's thinking. But at that moment.. I felt almost as if I knew exactly what he was thinking, and tried to ignore it. Funnily enough, I was so absorbed in his gaze that I couldn't taste the sweet fruits either.