Third POV
Mitsuhide sat at his desk, taking a break. But in his case, that only meant more work as he perused the new missives that had arrived. "Hmm?" One letter in particular caught his attention. The sender hadn't left their name, but there were other clues to point to their identity. Mitsuhide frowned, his pale golden eyes narrowing, "How very interesting." He muttered, to no one in particular. A fragrance clung to the letter. So thick that it was sweet even to Mitsuhide's senses.
Malachi's POV
Today was a lovely day, perfect for a walk or just enjoying the scenery. But while we were heading out, this trip was none of the sort. "Mitsuhide! ..Wait.. up!" I panted. "If you cannot keep up, I will leave you behind. That means finding your own way back, you understand." Finding my way back in the middle of nowhere? I don't even know how to scout.. "Uh huh.. And you do realize that means you'll never see me again, right, bitch?" I glared at him as I spoke, but I didn't doubt he would do that. So I gripped the reins tighter and pushed myself to catch up. "You are aware I know you called me a bitch, yes?"
I rolled my eyes, "Yes, Mitsuhide. I remember teaching you cuss words in English." I deadpanned. "Then why did you-" "Because I know you won't do a single thing about it." Kyubei had been a nice substitute teacher. So nice in fact, that I'd forgotten I was enrolled in AP Survival-The-Mitsuhide-Way! If there's one thing to be said about Mitsuhide, he left no time to be scared. But.. I had missed being able to joke with someone and not get told off.
"Haha.. I.. oh shit.. made.. it.." "Yes, you did. Excellent job. You have my congratulations." I glared at Mitsuhide, "Alright, dickhead, I can hear the sarcasm." I thought riding a horse could be similar to driving a car. Instead, I felt like I ran a fucking marathon. "This is the point in a long journey where you will need to rest and water your horse. And yourself, while you're at it." I rolled my eyes once more.
Honestly, living among mortals is a bit of a nuisance. I had never once felt the need to drink water or eat in my entire existence, but I had to fake in front of these people. Or else.. My life could be put at stake. Letting out a sigh, I sat down next to the lake and watched as the horses drank. As much as I could get rid of my fatigue, I couldn't get rid of the sweat or heat. The breeze was a good way to help with that. But for once.. I could say I truly felt alive.
"If you can ride at that speed on your own, then you now know all that you need." "..I'll be honest. I wasn't sure I'd make it for a while." I muttered. "Yes. One would doubt you could learn as much as you have in the time that you did." I glanced up at him, a bit surprised to hear him speaking in fluent English. His accent was still a bit rough, but I could easily tell what he was saying. "..Uh-huh. Yet for SOME reason, you thought it was a good idea to put me through that anyway." Mitsuhide smiled, "Must I call Chimaki to soothe your spirits again?" He laughed with open amusement.
I could sense a repeat of the previous day coming, but instead of getting upset, I smiled a bit. Until I remembered the full events of the previous day. "So, speaking of the other day, you never told me if the rumor was false or not." Mitsuhide's smile fell, "What rumor might that be?" I gave him an annoyed look, "The one of whether you and Hideyoshi are fucking, duh."
I watched in amusement as Mitsuhide's eyes widened, "I do not believe I've heard that one.." "Because it's not an actual rumor. I mean the one of your supposedly inevitable betrayal. I already know what I believe, I just wanted to hear you say it." Mitsuhide narrowed his eyes at me, "..Hideyoshi, have you taken to disguising yourself as Malachi to question me?"
I gave Mitsuhide a 'what the fuck' look, "Mitsuhide, I don't think Hideyoshi could look like me if he even tried-" "Yes. I must know, however did you make yourself look smaller, Hideyoshi?" Did- Did he just call me short? "Mitsuhide, I don't think Hideyoshi's a shapeshifte- WAIT A MINUTE.. Why the fuck would Hideyoshi make a joke about a supposed rumor of you and him having sex?! Unless.. There's something you would like to tell me?"
"He wouldn't, that is how I'm aware it is you, Malachi. You edge Hideyoshi out ever so slightly in cuteness." I narrowed my eyes at him, "Cuteness? Really?" "Would you rather I pick another category?" Mitsuhide's laughter had me arguing with myself over whether being called cute or being insulted was more important. There's no way in hell I could be Hideyoshi, since I can't seem to understand how he has the patience to deal with this white-haired fuck everyday.
"Huh. I really can't get one straight answer after asking for two days? Is that fair?" I asked. "Why not tell me something first?" I felt my nerves build up, there was so much he could ask about. Some I had answers to, but would I really be willing to answer? "..Why does knowing the contents of my heart matter so much to you?" He asked.
"I- Because! Um.. I.." I had been prepared to answer confidently, until I realized that.. I didn't have an answer. At least, no answer I was willing to share. Mitsuhide just stared at me. 'Because he's all I've been thinking about? Nooo. That makes it sound like I'm in love with him..' "Because.. Because it's a secret. And.. Isn't it just a natural instinct to want to solve a mystery that's right in front of you, but out of reach?" Mitsuhide smiled, "A fair enough answer."
"I've never known anyone like you- scratch that.. I've never known anyone as 'villainous' as you, but also.. strangely nice." I explained, a small smile gracing my lips. "Masamune actually laughed at me for admitting to thinking you may be nice. I've known you've done some.. cruel things. And I acknowledge that. But maybe I'm just trying to rationalize it? Maybe.. Maybe I just want you to be one of the villains who isn't actually a villain. I'm not really sure.." I trailed off.
"I see." Mitsuhide sat down next to me to look out at the lake. When he spoke, his voice was as calm and gentle as the undisturbed waters. "In my experience, categorizing everything into absolutes like good and evil or nice and cruel is not as easy as it seems to be. You are best served defining me by the values you yourself consider important." He explained. Judge him not by what others care about.. But what's important to me? Nothing in his tone hinted to his future loyalties, but to me- Mitsuhide's words were just as, if not more, valuable.
Suddenly, he smiled. "In any case, you've shown over the past two days how much you care about me. And I appreciate that." I wanted to think he was just teasing me, but.. I couldn't sense anything of the sort. He was.. Being genuine? "Oh.. Um.." God, I feel much more embarrassed than I normally do. Perhaps I wasn't expecting him to say anything.. "And I apologize for my callous neglect of your deep-seated feelings for me."
"I- WHAT?!" "Now, now. Do not be shy. Or else how can I embrace you to show my thanks?" I glared at him and stood up. "Let's say, hypothetically, that I DID have feelings for you. It could never be." "And why is that..?" "We live in two separate worlds, Mitsuhide. Surely, you've noticed? Your loyalties lie.. wherever you've put them. And mine? My loyalties lie with my family and my blood. There's no way it could ever be." Mitsuhide stared at me, "Your loyalties do not lie with Lord Nobunaga?" "When did I ever suggest that they did?"
Silence ensued, until I spoke again. "I really thought we were having a conversation that wouldn't end in you teasing me or me being upset. I guess I was wrong." "Yet you seem at ease." "..Because of your jokes-? Be honest here. Have I ever once looked at ease with you?" "Are you perhaps unaware of it? Dear me, this could indicate a serious condition." Mitsuhide stood as well, then reached out a hand and cupped the side of my face. He gently brushed the pad of his thumb against my cheek in small circle motions, slow and soft. I could hear my heartbeat thundering loudly within my chest.
"..A little too low to be checking for temperature. Or are you trying to console me again?" Mitsuhide smiled, "I wonder which?" It seems he isn't in the mood to tell the truth. Mitsuhide caught a lock of my dark hair in his long fingers, feigning the motion of playing with it only to let my hair slip through. "I believe the horses are rested enough for the trip back. Let us return." "All right."
I was too slow to say '..Let go' to him. So slow in fact, that he drew his hand away before I had the chance to say it. Come on now, Malachi.. Calm down. Slow your beating heart. Not only was my heart being disobedient, but my cheek too. Constantly playing a reminder of what Mitsuhide's hand had felt like. His touch was unnaturally cold. ..Could it be all the lives he'd taken? Was death really so gentle? If Mitsuhide was not completely made of so many contradictions, the choice on how to view him could've been so much simpler. For one, he was constantly doing things I don't like. Or.. think that I shouldn't like. But one thing remained the same.
I always hated it when he had to leave. Maybe I'm a masochist, maybe it's psychological conditioning. I know for a fact he's got experience there.. Mitsuhide knew how far to push you, and how to draw you back with sweet whispers and unspoken intimacy. 'A living hell.' But.. Even if it is hell, it can only last two more months. Then, I'm out of here. One way, or another.
"Malachi? Do you wish me to leave you behind again?" Mitsuhide's voice broke through my thoughts. "Oh- On my way." I mounted atop my chestnut-colored horse, and followed after his silvery mare- just ever so slightly out of reach. But, I made sure not to lose him. Maybe.. I really have grown up a lot here. During my early days, I fought everyone and everything just to stay above the water. Now, I found my feet on solid ground where I could walk, run, ride.
Feeling a rush of adrenaline, I raced my horse to catch up to his. "Hey, Mitsuhide." "Yes?" "Thanks for everything." Mitsuhide's eyes widened at me. "Whatever has come over you?" I smiled and gave a small wink, "That's a secret. But.. Just know that I think you're devilish and you make me want to scream. But.. I'm grateful for what you taught me." Mitsuhide glanced back a moment to look at me. "I only did it to pass the time while I kept you under observation." I rolled my eyes, "Whatever you say. Still grateful." And.. We both know that's a lie. "..If you insist." Mitsuhide turned his gaze forward and picked up speed.
His response had been unusually brief.. He couldn't have possibly been flustered, could he? No. No way in hell. Right? Ah.. Who cares? At least I got to say thank you. The lake sparkled as I chased after Mitsuhide. Today, marked the official end of my first month in the Sengoku period.
