Malachi's POV

Mitsuhide led me outside to a small garden. Trees surrounded the area with a small pond in the middle, a red bridge leading across and lily pads laying calmly atop the water. And there, I saw an interesting sight- A pure white fox, in summer, was playing amongst the grass. 'Is.. Is that an albino?' "Chimaki, come greet our guest." Mitsuhide called out to it.

"It's named Chimaki?" Mitsuhide nodded, "Yes. My vassals call her that as well." The albino fox pranced over towards me, almost gracefully. Her name was quite a peculiar one. If I remember correctly, 'chimaki' is a mixed rice dish, wrapped in reed leaves. I was startled as she leaned forward to sniff my hand. 'How is a fox this friendly towards people..? And.. she's so pretty.' I cautiously held my hand out for her, gently running it along her soft white fur.

"Very good, Chimaki. Perhaps you can succeed in soothing Malachi where I have failed." I was taken aback. Did Mitsuhide really take me out here just to try and cheer me up? He could've just walked away, or you know, told me the truth. But instead, Mitsuhide showed me a fox to try and make me happy. I.. I had no idea where to even begin with that. What even are his motives? "..You're lucky I actually like foxes. But.. Why did you decide to name her 'Chimaki'?"

"I was working in the garden one day when she snuck in. It seemed she was hungry and searching for food. I gave her the chimaki I had tucked away in my sleeve. Her den is outside the manor, but she comes here quite frequently." Mitsuhide explained, a fond smile on his face as he spoke. As much as he must've wanted to hide it, I could tell he was fond of the fox. Albino animals have such a difficult time getting food without being hunted, so Chimaki must appreciate the safety of this place. I smiled, "You like chimaki that much? The food- not the fox. It's a bit.. surprising, since to me it sounded like you don't have a sense of taste."

"I don't like it. Kyubei insisted I start carrying 'real food' around rather than eating whatever I found in the garden. I found it taxing that you have to unwrap the reed leaves first. Giving it to the fox saved me from letting it go to waste." Mitsuhide explained. I felt a wave of confusion come over me, "You don't like food you have to unwrap? What, are you always in such a hurry to eat? ..It doesn't really match with your lack of taste." I wanted to argue that chimaki was good for you, but I had no room to speak. After all, I hate rice. "..It's probably better in the long run."

"In the 'long run,' staying alive is most important. The food itself is not." Mitsuhide wasn't wrong, but he wasn't completely right either. After Chimaki herself had enough of being pet, she made a sound that.. I don't think I could describe even if I tried, and walked away. Huh.. So that's the noise foxes make? She was beautiful though.. "Your mood seems improved." Mitsuhide commented. Mitsuhide poked the side of my face, and I just then realized just how genuine of a smile I'd had- until the uninvited cheek poke, that is.

"..I wasn't smiling at you, so you can't count that as a success." "Yet you were smiling as you turned to me. I believe you'd best surrender and continue being happy." I'm not sure how to be happy with that.. I glared at him until a voice called from inside the manor. "Lord Mitsuhide? You asked to be alerted with.. Ahem." It was Kyubei. "Ah, yes." Oh, I forgot. The Sengoku period isn't exactly a 'weekends off' society, he probably has work. "I'll leave you to your work. Sorry for my-" I put my hand up as a goodbye, but Mitsuhide's next words stopped me dead in my tracks.

"I will see you tomorrow for your riding lessons, Malachi." I glanced over my shoulder, my eyes a bit widened. "You're actually going to show up this time?" It had been quite a few days since he'd had any time to instruct me directly. "It's important I see the results of your practice. I do hope you can impress me." I smiled, "I'll try.. And I hope you can impress me with the results of your english." "I shall try as well then."

Walking back to Azuchi Castle, my mind began to wonder. Well, I wasn't able to figure out whether Mitsuhide was a traitor or not. I lightly kicked at the road in an attempt to let out my frustration- but then I felt bad for doing that. Despite Mitsuhide's constant teasing and playing me like a fiddle, I could never stay upset with him. Maybe.. Maybe I can give it another try tomorrow. I don't actually think he'll turn traitor, but I wanted to hear the words directly from his lips.