Mitsuhide's POV

Tonight is the night. The sounds of drums and flutes echoed through the cool night air, signaling the start of the show. They continued on, playing jauntily along in accompaniment with the various acts of the troupe. All to keep the audience enthused. However, one audience member showed no sign of amusement. He sat beside the daimyo and looked upon the stage with his eyes overflowing with boredom.

..He who shouldn't even be here. The fifteenth shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate- Yoshiaki Ashikaga. 'Oh, but my gracious lord, you really should take this opportunity to enjoy yourself. You will not have many after..' After having confirmation of the presence of my prey, I noticed that my wife... Malachi was acting odd. At least, more odd than normal. 'Is she troubled by something?' Malachi appeared to have been searching for someone in the crowd. But whoever it was, she hadn't found them.

"Is something the matter?" My voice broke the silence, but she didn't even bother to meet my gaze. "It's nothing you need to worry with." She answered, her voice distant. She kept her gaze turned away, and continued her search. Only more discreetly this time. I chose to leave her to it. All that mattered to me at the current moment was that she was not sad or frightened. I had worried that seeing the Shogun would bring back traumatic memories, but she seemed to be handling it well. I'm glad. Now.. To work.

I had a dual purpose for being in this region, so it was fortunate that Nobunaga had assigned me to this mission. The man attempting to persuade me into turning against my lord was nothing but a mere messenger. I'd tracked his master here. And it was all connected. I frowned. 'We are only now seeing these connections because Yoshiaki's plan has progressed this far..' But it didn't matter. There was only one regret I had. Dragging Malachi into this entire mess.

I felt the tears she had shed that night as if they were acid on my skin. I would never forget them. I glared at Yoshiaki from the sidelines, 'You, my most eminent lord, will suffer a fitting punishment for what you've done.'

"Erm.. Mitsu? What kind of show are you even putting on tomorrow?" "Why, it's a comedy. I wrote it myself." "...You write comedies now?" "You can judge for yourself at the show tomorrow. But what a show it should be."

I ran through my performance in my head once more, completely certain of the steps, when Malachi tugged lightly on my sleeve. "Could I see that script of yours before this shitshow starts?" She asked, no clear emotion to give away her intentions. I simply smirked, "And spoil the surprise?" I held up the kitsune mask I'd be adorning for tonight's performance to punctuate this. Tonight's role was one I was indeed suited towards. There had been little to no difficulty in penning a script and getting the approval of Kamekichi. It was to be the last performance of the night. A fitting end to this 'shitshow' as Malachi had called it.

'I told her the town would split their sides with laughter. And indeed, THEY should find it quite amusing.' Malachi, finally meeting my gaze, narrowed her eyes at me and raised an eyebrow, "You're not nervous?" "There's nothing to be nervous about." Good preparation had ensured that. Even the most grand plans come down to a series of relatively simple steps.

"Hey! Mitsu! Malachi!" Kamekichi called from atop the stage, an overly happy grin on his expression. Quickly switching into character, Malachi returned his grin- "Kamekichi! Great job up there!" Kamekichi descended from the stage, having just given the audience something to laugh at during intermission. "You're up after the break, Mitsu! Everyone's looking forward to your closing act!" I simply smiled in response, "Leave it to me." 'Alas, that this will be the last opportunity we have to talk..'

I bowed low to our gracious host, Kamekichi. "I really must thank you and the troupe for everything. These were a wonderful few days." Though I had been acting the whole time I was here, this was neither scripted nor a performance. "I thank you for this opportunity, from the bottom of my heart." Malachi joined me in a similar bow. "Yes, we're very grateful." She commented. "Don't get me teary-eyed, you two! Let's save all that for after the show, all right?" Kamekichi let out a jovial laugh, clapping both of us on the shoulder as he went backstage.

'Every one of you are better than society will ever take you for.. Though we may never meet again, I wish you all the best.' I turned my attention to the dark-haired one who stood beside me, "Malachi?" "Yes?" "Toward the end of my performance, I want you to come up onto the side of the stage." Malachi eyed me suspiciously, "Is this part of some plan?" But my smile only returned, "Didn't I tell you this morning? I had a rather large role in mind for you."

"Well, if you need my help. You've got it." "Indeed, I have a rather large role in mind for you. Now, let us set the stage."

Malachi's eyes narrowed. "Mind informing me what I should do for my supposed 'big role' at the end?" "Just follow my lead." We will see to it that this daimyo never can and never will plot rebellion again. As for the man who dared to make her cry- that wretched Shogun- I'm afraid I must allow him to go free tonight. ..But not before he suffers twice the humiliation he made her feel..

Malachi caught my eye, her concern evident in those green eyes of hers. A sigh left her lips, "Be careful, at least.. Okay?" "Are you concerned for me?" I smirked, my tone teasing. But rather than getting annoyed with me like normal, Malachi's expression softened. And she smirked back, "What? Can't a wife be concerned for her husband?" But then she added quietly, "..Faux husband." That 'faux' was so clearly an afterthought this one time that it brought a smile to my face. "Real or not, it means a lot to me. Thank you."

My upcoming performance; the festival happening around us; the deafening music; it all faded away on the gentle night breeze. All I saw was Malachi, beautiful in the early dusk and the gentle glow of the firelight. Everything she says to me holds so much meaning.. She always seems to surprise me. "You.." She started. "Yes?" I encouraged her to finish her sentence, but she seemed to have a change of mind. "T..That is.. What are you waiting for?! Don't you have a show to put on? Go on!" She gently pushed me towards the stage.

I merely smiled at her outburst of flusterment, "Yes, yes. I'm going now." But before I did, I gently brushed back her bangs and leaned forward, pressing my lips to her forehead. From the way she startled, I could tell- '..Have I surprised you, my love? If so, take what I have done as but a momentary loss of good sense, on this festival evening.' I slipped on my kitsune's mask and retreated backstage.

Third POV

Mitsuhide need not have fled for fear of hearing Malachi complain about the kiss. Rather, they looked.. Blissful. Happy, even. Keeping their gaze steady on the stage, they waited for the appearance of their kitsune. When suddenly, they were called by the familiar voice of a friend. "Malachi!" "Hey there, dancer boy!" Malachi turned around and was met by the ever familiar- "Sasuke?! Yukimura?!"

Malachi broke through the crowd to catch up to his two friends. "I thought I spotted a familiar occipital surface among the audience. I'm glad I was correct." Sasuke commented. Malachi gave him a confused look, "You spotted me by.. The back of my head? Never mind- I'm glad to see you two again." "You're really happy to see your enemies? Geez, you make me forget we're on different sides sometimes." Yukimura commented.

Malachi rolled their green eyes at Yukimura's comment. "The only designation you fall into that I really care about is 'friends.' Speaking of friends, how's the search for pretty bo- I mean, Yoshimoto, going?" Yukimura answered with a shake of his head. "I think he knows we're onto him. We snuck into that fancy manor to see him, but he was already gone." Malachi himself looked worried.

"Yoshiaki Ashikaga had many other hidden supporters throughout the country. It is likely Yoshimoto and his vassals have already left to seek refuge with another one of them." Sasuke explained. Malachi averted their gaze, almost solemn. "Ah. Sorry you missed him." But suddenly, the entire mood of the conversation changed when Yukimura asked-

"Hey, Malachi? The guy dressed as a fox who was with you just now. Was that Mitsuhide Akechi?" Panic shot across Malachi's expression, filling their gaze. Yukimura took note as he continued, "I don't know what Azuchi's 'Silver Kitsune' is doing with you, but I have an idea why he's here. The daimyo's plotting against Nobunaga, isn't he?" Realizing there was no sense in keeping what they already suspected, Malachi let out a sigh of defeat. "Yeah. We're here to investigate him."

"..And it is sounding like you've found him guilty." Sasuke commented, having noted the presence of Yoshiaki Ashikaga next to the daimyo, along with Yukimura. The two had had their own suspicions about him. "As it turns out, the Oda forces aren't the only ones dealing with rumors of rebellion. We have them too." Sasuke added. Malachi drew in a sharp breath, having not expected this news.

"No one scary yet, just a bunch of nobles whose only power lies in their pedigree. But they've been communicating with someone." Yukimura added on. "Do you think it's-?" Malachi was cut off by the sound of drums. The time had come for the final act to begin.

"That's all the info we've got to share with our enemies." Yukimura spoke, while Sasuke now added on- "But we will be very interested to see how Mitsuhide Akechi deals with the threat of rebellion." "Yeah. You and me both.."

The drums beat a background rhythm. They were accompanied by a flute. The first actor took his place on stage, he was dressed in white with a kitsune mask shrouding his face. "It would seem he is putting on a Kyogen play. Or what we would consider a Kyogen play." Sasuke commented. "That's.. A short, comical Noh drama, right?" Malachi and Sasuke spoke in hushed whispers to each other as the first scene was set.. "Yes. The only one I'm aware of that opens with a kitsune is the classic 'To Catch a Fox.'" "What's that one about?"

Sasuke stared up at the stage, deep in thought. "In brief, a clever kitsune convinces a fox hunter to stop hunting. But the other actor looks less like a hunter and more like-" The lord character took center stage now. Both Sasuke and Malachi quieted down, their focuses returning to the play. It was clear it was a variant on 'To Catch a Fox' but now it was a noble lord who had accidentally and foolishly incurred the clever kitsune's wrath.

The lord comically bemoaned how his complete idiocy had cost him what small threads of power he once held, and threatened to use any means necessary to get it back. Just then, a handsome youth appeared before the lord- The kitsune had chosen to disguise himself as human. To Malachi, both the kitsune and the actor who played him were spellbinding, and he watched Mitsuhide with starstruck eyes. Almost feeling as if the whole 'disguising as human' felt reminiscent of their own life.

The disguised kitsune promised to help the lord take over the land, and gave him all sorts of suggestions- Every single one of them hilariously bad ideas, which made the audience burst into laughter when the lord tried them, only to fall to failure. The kitsune repaid the vicious and stupid lord by making him look the fool in front of the kitsune- and the audience. Everyone within town split their sides laughing, just as Mitsuhide had predicted. Only two didn't find it as amusing.

None other than the daimyo and Yoshiaki Ashikaga. They knew enough to be cognizant of the fact that the idiot lord was a parody of none other than Lord Yoshiaki himself. Yet Yoshiaki did not move a muscle as he watched. "Heh. That's pretty funny. I guess you guys have some talent on your side." Yukimura smiled. "Outside of the political ramifications, it is an excellent performance. I hadn't realized Mitsuhide Akechi hid such talent." Sasuke commented. Malachi quietly listened to their comments before realizing- "Sorry guys, my time to get up on stage!" "Huh?" Both men breathed out in surprise. "See you two again somewhere!" Malachi waved goodbye to the two men and raced back toward the stage as the play drew to a close.

The lord, having realized he'd been made a complete and utter fool of, let out his rage on the kitsune, only to fail once more. The audience burst into uproarious applause, while the daimyo only shook with anger. Spotting Mitsuhide's signal, Malachi hurried onto the stage.

Mitsuhide's POV

Malachi awaited for me at the edge of the stage. With a comical stage kick, I completed my 'punishment' of the lord. "And that is our story!" I called an end to the play. Loud cheers followed afterwards. "Silence! Silence, all of you!" The daimyo burst out in his enragement. But his shouts were easily drowned out by the townspeople's laughter and applause.

But the daimyo did not go ignored, not by me. I gave him a dramatic bow, noting how Yoshiaki's eyebrow twitched in response. With his attention secured, I lifted Malachi up in my arms and carried her to the center stage. "..That woman.." Yoshiaki muttered. "Mitsuhide? What-" Malachi began. 'What next? The finale, of course..' I kissed her on the lips.

..Through the barrier of my mask, of course. Then I lifted it, so she could see my smile. "They should have never made a kitsune's wife cry." Malachi stared at me, a multitude of emotions covering her face. "..You did this.. All for me?" A troubled smile crossed her lips, before she threw her arms around my shoulders and hugged me tight. "Oh, dear!" '..Yours is the greatest applause I could ever receive.' But our blissful moment did not last long, as we were interrupted.

"..Performer! Take off your mask! Someone, catch that kitsune!" The daimyo shouted. But he was interrupted by Yoshiaki, "Belay that order. Tell me, why did you select this play be performed in my honor?" "L..Lord Yoshiaki, it was not by my will that they-!" The daimyo made a pitiful attempt to explain, but it fell on deaf ears. Yoshiaki glared at him, "That kitsune bowed to you at the performance's conclusion! If you did not command it, then who? Do not think you can lie to me." "M..My.. My lord!" Everything went perfectly according to the script.

I turned my attention to the girl still in my arms, "I believe that brings our festival to an end. Hold onto me, Malachi." "I don't plan on letting go.." She quietly smiled. I bowed my head in thanks to the audience in advance; their enthusiasm would be essential in delaying our pursuers. Holding my wife- feigned though our relationship may be, there was none I loved more- I took her and fled into the night..