Notes: This chapter contains Mitsuhide threatening to kill Hideyoshi, Mitsuhide completely disregarding privacy, and implications of rape.
Malachi's POV
I had taken a small rest and engaged in a small debate with myself before finally deciding that Hideyoshi was my best bet at this whole nightmare with Mitsuhide Akechi.
"Lord Hideyoshi will be done with his bath shortly. If you would please wait here." "..Thanks." I sighed, figuring that it'd already been pretty late. Adrenaline from my fear and panic had kept me going for a bit, but by the time I managed to drag myself here, it was past midnight. I was exhausted, but way too panicked to rid myself of my fatigue. I still didn't know what I'd tell him though. All I knew was that Mitsuhide had been meeting with someone who wanted nothing good for Nobunaga.
Was it one of Kennyo's agents like rumors suggested? Or was this 'lord' referring to an actual lord? I never wanted to hear this news. Let alone be the one to bring it. Just then, Hideyoshi entered the room, his hair still damp. The minute he saw me, his eyes widened. "Malachi, what's the matter?! You're as pale as a ghost!" "I.. Hideyoshi.." I tried to speak, but my voice was still weak.
"Our apologies for intruding on you so late at night, Hideyoshi." Mitsuhide walked right on in, mid-conversation. If my blood had already been cold before, it was ice now. The suffocating thick scent of incense followed Mitsuhide. 'OUR apologies?' Oh fuck, Mitsuhide, what the hell are you planning?!' Hideyoshi relaxed slightly, but he still looked tense. "Mitsuhide. I didn't realize you were with her."
"He's not-!" I began, but Mitsuhide cut me off, not missing a single beat. "That's right. I was looking for her." I hadn't even noticed I was still holding onto the stack of letters until Mitsuhide smoothly took them from my hands. The same messages I'd originally been told by Hideyoshi to deliver.. "I was out of my manor when Malachi came by. It seems she ran through most of the castle town looking for me." He smiled calmly.
Hideyoshi narrowed his eyes, his signature displeasure playing across them. "Why were you out? I told you to be expecting these before tonight." "It was truly urgent. I informed one of my vassals to go back and tell Malachi where I was, but they missed each other." Suddenly, Mitsuhide glanced at me from the corner of his eye, "..Isn't that correct, Malachi?" He leaned closer to me in a familiar gesture, but only to whisper-
"You should note that Hideyoshi is unarmed." I tensed even further. I knew what he was implying. He was essentially telling me that I should go along with it, because he could easily kill Hideyoshi right here and now. Mitsuhide put just enough pressure on my shoulder as to be unmistakable. Hideyoshi turned to me, "Is it, Malachi?" I could tell Hideyoshi was searching my eyes for the answer, but I knew I couldn't let him find anything. For his own safety, I didn't avert my gaze, but rather, I made sure the emotions in my eyes were different to the ones in my mind.
I knew Hideyoshi was smart and cautious, he probably already suspected that something else was going on. Mitsuhide casually let his hand fall to rest on the grip of his sword. I knew that if I let anything slip here, Hideyoshi would be in danger. Right now, all I could do without causing problems was get Mitsuhide the hell out of here. I let out a sigh, and smiled the best convincing smile I could manage. "I hate to admit it, but Mitsuhide's telling the truth. And.. I am very glad to have finally found him.." I grit my teeth, and silently hoped that it did look like I was smiling rather than grimacing.
"I wish I'd known. I didn't mean for you to spend all that time searching." Hideyoshi took my shivering hands, warmly folding them into his bigger ones. At that moment, I felt as though I wanted to cry and tell him everything. But.. I couldn't. I knew his life was on the line and.. So was my own. Hideyoshi frowned when he felt just how cold my hands were though, "You're cold. I'll tell the maids to reheat the bath. Why don't you stay and warm up-?"
"Do not bother. I will see to Malachi." Mitsuhide interrupted as he stepped in between us. Before I could even get a word out, he took me away from Hideyoshi. "Like I trust you with her after making her run around all night!" "Nor will I hand her over to you. I made Malachi search for me. It is my responsibility." This felt like a nightmare and I had no idea what to do. A single wrong move and this entire thing could blow.
Taking a moment to tune in with my senses, I paid close attention to the emotions in the surrounding area, in particular, Mitsuhide's and Hideyoshi's equally. Hideyoshi seemed cautious and suspicious of Mitsuhide still, but also genuinely concerned for me. While on the other hand, Mitsuhide seemed.. jealous almost. ..What?
But.. I knew that Mitsuhide held all the power. Act out against him and things go to hell. He himself once taught me that the best thing to do in a terrible situation is wait for the perfect opportunity to turn everything around. Swallowing my distaste, I hesitantly leaned closer to Mitsuhide. And he placed his arm around me. "There, you see?" He smirked, almost smug, at Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi simply let out a sound of annoyance in response as his frown deepened. "Hideyoshi, you really mustn't frown like that. I simply wish to see her well."
"I have room at my manor where she can rest. And as her instructor, it is most appropriate she stay with me." Mitsuhide explained, the smile never leaving his face. "Don't 'appropriate' me. What matters is what Malachi wants. Malachi, if you don't want to go with him, just say so." 'I wish it were that easy Hideyoshi. But I have no choice.'
Mitsuhide turned his attention to me, "Malachi, are you ready?" 'Ready for the hell that awaits me?' Mitsuhide's words were like a sweet poison. They smelt of death, and yet.. As soon as I regained my composure and calmed down a little, I felt a strange sense of euphoria building within me. A part of me was hoping that maybe if I go with him, he'll finally open up to me. But the other.. Had severe doubts that'd be the case.
I sighed and took his hand, imagining that I was following him underneath the yellow 'caution!' tape and past every single warning sign. "Yes, I think it would be better for me to stay with Mitsuhide tonight. I sincerely apologize for all the confusion, Hideyoshi." "..Are you sure?" Hideyoshi asked, his voice laced with concern. I did my best to give him a reassuring smile and nodded, "Yes. I'm sure." 'I am.. So, so sorry for lying to you, Hideyoshi. But it's for the best.'
"Enjoy the rest of your evening." And with that, Mitsuhide began to lead me out. "Good girl, Malachi." He whispered, only just loud enough for me to hear. 'Oh.. Oh god.. Oh fuck.. What did I just do?!' The false-positive state I'd been in when I agreed burst like a bubble popping right into someone's eye, and I was left with nothing but buckets filled to the brim of regret.
"..Now, onto business." Mitsuhide had 'taken care of me'. Almost to a degree that would've left Hideyoshi feeling jealous. After a warm bath and fresh change of clothes, I found myself in Mitsuhide's room. But his words only brought back my fear, this time doubled. 'Might as well get this over with..'
"..Just be honest. Are you going to kill me? Feels like a waste if you ask me but.." I trailed off, feeling too nervous to continue speaking. Mitsuhide smiled, "You're right, it would be a waste. Not for the clothing or bath. But because without you, whomever would I tease?" I only stared at him in response, "Hideyoshi seems like a fantastic candidate." 'So.. Seems like he's decided I am not worth killing. So much for the classic telling someone the truth in their final moments only to kill them.'
I was a bit angry to be honest. Death sounded much more appealing than continuing to deal with this fuckery but it seems I would not be getting my way today. "There won't be any problems if you simply stay quiet about what you saw tonight. However, your actions have demonstrated that is not likely to be the case." Mitsuhide spoke, then added- "Which is why I'm prepared to give you a different offer." 'Uh-huh.. And what might that be?'
"I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of checking your room. Which is where I found this-" In Mitsuhide's hands, he held my bag which I'd brought with me from the 21st century. He had pulled it out a drawer and held it just out of my reach. "..I already searched it. These items you so casually possess would mystify even the Western traders." As soon I had given up on fighting him for it, he emptied the contents upon his desk.
My wallet, make-up kit, handkerchief, packet of tissues, smartphone and charger, my 'Hottest Warlords' travel guide, sketchbook.. All of it was laid bare atop the table before us. "I thought you were a little girl with no mysteries. But you carry secrets. Very rare and interesting secrets." I glared at him, "Coming from an asshole like you, I'll take that as a compliment." "You'll fluster me." "Doubt it."
"..Tell me these secrets of yours, Malachi. What in the world are you?" I narrowed my eyes at him, "And what if I refuse to answer you?" "Whether you tell me or not, possession of these items alone are enough to have you executed with little question. ..Which, again, I'd prefer not to do." I stared at him, eyes wide and mouth agape. I knew he was right, the whole 'I'm a time-traveler' defense won't work. Seems he held my life in his hands once again. But I couldn't believe it. How in the world would THIS be considered dangerous?!
"How the fuck is any of this considered dangerous? One of those items won't even fucking work here, two are for cleaning purposes, another I rarely ever use, and oh my god! A 'Hottest Warlords' travel guide! Outdated information, how scary! And a sketchbook that literally has nothing but drawings in it." I spoke angrily, my tone sarcastic. But, Mitsuhide only smiled, "This is where I'd like to offer you a deal. I keep your secrets safe, you keep mine."
I narrowed an eye at him, "You call that a deal? I believe the word you're looking for is blackmail." "Shhh.. You wouldn't want anyone to overhear us, would you?" Mitsuhide pressed a finger to my lips. I felt my heart leap in my chest, fuck. It seemed like he still held some kind of effect over me. "..It's that or tell me who you really are." "No."
Suddenly, Mitsuhide's whole demeanor darkened. "Very well. I believe you're aware that I'm used to prying answers from reticent lips." "Ah. So now I'm going to be tortured? Magnificent." "..Torture? The necessity of that remains to be seen." I tilted my head in confusion, what did he mean? But before I had time to ask, he continued. "Did you know that what really BREAKS a person is pleasure and relief? It's more effective after pain, but.." "..Excuse me?"
Mitsuhide drew his finger from my lower lip, letting it journey sneakily and carefully down to my collarbone. Leaving a tingling path of warmth in its wake. "P..Pleasure?" I stuttered out, my earlier fear gradually building. "Yes. Pleasure can make one forget everything. How many secrets spill out with long sighs in the midst of passion..?"
'Hold on there! I am NOT interested in exchanging secrets for sex, Mitsuhide! That market is long closed.' I quickly stood up, but Mitsuhide followed me and took me in his arms before I could even react. "No, thank you! Don't you dare go thinking you can force me into doing THAT with you! I will not be interested no matter what you try." "Then shouldn't you best tell me now? I could easily turn this into a reward for you.. If you're going to end up begging me for more- and you will- wouldn't it be better to get it over with now?"
I was horrified at what I was hearing. As much as I didn't want to believe it, it was undeniable what Mitsuhide was hinting at. But.. Surprisingly, I expected him to be holding me so I couldn't struggle, but he wasn't. If I felt bound, it was not by ropes or chains, but rather, beautiful silk and silver threads. "Or, if you prefer to draw out this game to the point of tears, I can do that too.." Mitsuhide smiled as unnaturally cold fingers danced gently along the edges between my kimono and skin. '..Why is he doing this? Why is he trying to twist and manipulate my emotions and feelings like this?'
I stared at Mitsuhide, my mind tossing a month's worth of memories into the blazing hot fire. But, it stopped once I finally noticed the look on his face. One small glance and I could tell that Mitsuhide was forcing himself. He was more skilled than this, I knew that for a fact. I'd never been able to fully grasp what he was thinking, but right now, I had some insight. "Tell me, before my offers stop being kind." He spoke, his tone impatient and frustrated. My heart felt betrayed and ready to break. And I didn't understand anymore. Did I really think my own life was worth knowing what he hid from me? I had a theory.. And so, I reached out.
And I touched his cheek. Mitsuhide's hands were always so cold, yet I felt warmth there. 'I knew so very little about you that I thought it was easy for you to torment me like this. To leave me hanging between life and death. But if that were the case-' "Why do you look so miserable right now, Mitsuhide?" He drew in a sharp breath, his face flushing the ever so slightest hint of pink.
