Mitsuhide's POV

"Lady Malachi, this just isn't fair!" Ranmaru protested. "I don't really know what to say.." "You mustn't let it worry you, Ranmaru." Ranmaru glared at me, "Are you going to say that to everyone in the castle? We all feel the same way!"

Ranmaru's hostile reaction towards my recent closeness with Malachi was more than crystal clear. "..You two don't look like you're joined at the hip. So why don't you get away from her, Lord Mitsuhide!" Is his reaction jealousy, or is Ranmaru eager to keep as many potential allies in his court as possible? Regardless, Ranmaru is not liable to let Malachi go easily. But neither will I, under any circumstances.

It had been several days since that night. I had requested and received permission to have Malachi go from my student to my assistant. As busy as I may be, this allowed me to keep her nearby at all times with little to no question. And she simply believed I was tightening my watch on her. But in fact, it was to keep her safe from an enemy who could and most certainly would use whatever nefarious means necessary to get rid of her. I expect she finds my constant presence a nuisance. My apologies to Malachi for thinking this, however- I can think of nothing finer than to spend every moment at her side.

"Lord Mitsuhide, you need to learn how to share!" Ranmaru frowned. He turned his attention back to Malachi. "Lady Malachi, come play with me, please?" Ranmaru begged. Malachi gave the boy a sympathetic look, "I really wish I could.. But I have a small problem." "Wherever she goes, I follow." I smiled. Malachi's expression turned deadpan as she pointed at me, "There's my problem." A mischievous grin found its place on Ranmaru's face, "Ooh, that's too bad! Because I didn't invite you! Let's ditch him, my lady!"

Ranmaru grabbed her sleeve and I must admit, I felt no guilt when swatting him away. "..Oww, oww, ouchies! I think you broke me! Meanie! Don't you know I'm fragile?" "My apologies. Shall I glue you back together? I could fix that gaping hole in your mouth while I'm at it." "You're super scary, you know that?!"

Ranmaru darted away with such agility beyond the suggestion of his age or his job. "Lady Malachi, you need to quit working for Lord Mitsuhide! He's clearly evil!" Ranmaru protested. Malachi gave him an exasperated smile, "You don't think I know that? I agree, but- ah!" I drew a finger across Malachi's back, her shoulders trembling with an exquisite shiver as she covered her mouth. "But?" "But..Button. I think I dropped one.."

Malachi's voice was even, yet her ears betrayed her. They were bright red. 'My dear little one.. You permit me too much.' Malachi gave no sign that she disliked what I had done, or that she wanted me to stop. I'd received several similar signals from her throughout these past few days. And so, I developed a rather bad habit of teasing her in this method.

"There's something wrong here, and it's not just Lord Mitsuhide's existence. I bet there's something going on." Ranmaru spoke, his voice dangerously low. "Be careful your comments do not escalate to charges, Ranmaru. Remember your position." Ranmaru glared at me, "I'm already doing that. In case you didn't notice." His glare had gone from childishly petulant to fierce within seconds. I smiled. Did he really care to challenge me? How amusing.

"..Malachi, we are meeting with Masamune next. You may go ahead to inform him." "What about you?" "I will be right after you. Go on." "Okay.." Malachi cast a small glance back at me as she began to leave, almost as if she was worried. Once she was out of earshot, Ranmaru spoke. "I don't know what you mean to do with Lady Malachi, but if you hurt her, you'll regret it. She saved my life- it belongs to her."

"Alas, you're too late." I told him flatly. "You.. You didn't-!" I smiled, "I tease." ..In part. And in part, it is the truth.. But through baiting Ranmaru this way, I can manipulate the conversation to better learn his true ambitions. And it seems, that rather than be interested in my plans, he is genuinely worried for Malachi's safety. "If you truly wish for her continued safety, you will be very cautious about what you say."

"Wow, gee, a threat. I'm soooo scared." He rolled his eyes, speaking sarcastically. "More like a warning. But if you safely ignore it- as long as you are certain you have nothing to hide." He averted his gaze from mine, "..Like you're one to talk." Ranmaru spun around and left. ..Ranmaru, does your 'handler' realize the dangers of sending you head first into such a complicated web? Though you may be an incredibly talented agent, you are much too kind to bear the burden placed upon you.