Mitsuhide's POV
"I see no pursuers. We can slow down now." I commented. Malachi nodded, "Good idea.. We shouldn't exhaust the horses. There's still a long way to go." With Malachi held in my arms, we rode under the stars. They provided sufficient light to find our way home. We had left our costumes behind. A shame, really. Malachi had altered them herself and that made them..special. Tonight brings our false marriage to an end. Tomorrow? I take on a new role: that of an unfathomable traitor.
Outside of the horse hooves and our breathing, the night was still and quiet. And so was Malachi. "Are you cold?" I asked. She shook her head, "No. Not one bit." 'She doesn't feel cold. What a relief..' I had prepared for our escape before the show began. We had traveled with little, the horse packed and waiting for us in the darkness beyond the stage. As for Kamekichi and the troupe, I had left behind a letter that should make it clear I had worked alone. ..Should he dare try to take revenge on them in spite of that, I had preparations for that too. They would be protected. A frown graced my lips. We had put an end to this region's dreams of rebellion and I had learned what the Shogun is up to. This trip was a success. The only thing I regret is-
Malachi was quiet as I caressed her gently in my arms. "You're unusually quiet. Were you dissatisfied with the conclusion of tonight's performance?" I asked, smiling. "Quite the opposite." 'I'm pleased to hear that.' Revenge may feel sweet. But the damage done to my beloved was irreversible. Perhaps I'd only gotten revenge for myself, a man enraged that his love suffered such indignity.
"..Thank you. For what you did." She spoke quietly, averting her gaze. 'You need not thank me.' "I was only performing my husbandly duties. I could not stay quiet after what they put you through." I frowned, not bothering to hide my displeasure at the situation. I was deeply sorry I had even gotten her involved in the first place. Were it not for me, she wouldn't have been there for that to happen. Yes. It was my fault. And nothing I could say or do would change that true fact. 'Let me at least shield you from the cold wind..'
I brushed back her bangs from covering her eyes, and kept her enveloped in my arms. Malachi didn't even fight the embrace. "Goodness, what have you done with my dearest wife? She's not normally this compliant." I teased. But rather than paying mind to my teasing, Malachi instead spoke- "You know, Mitsuhide.. I can't find any reason to hate you." "Oh?" "Torturer.. Traitor.. Tease.. God, you've really ruined my standards." she laughed, covering her face. '..Malachi, you mustn't..' I felt myself become flustered.
'You mustn't sound so serious when you say that.. Or else all that I've planned.. will be for naught.' All that needed to happen over these next two months were for me to stay by your side and keep you safe. That was it. I was content to love you one-sidedly. Selfishly. Hidden. Malachi didn't need to reciprocate, I had thought. '..I thought I wanted nothing for myself. But when I'm with you? I find I desire so much more..'
"..You do know, once we return to Azuchi, our pretend marriage will be over." I told her. "..I'm aware.." "Then I suppose I have no choice- I will have to cherish you dearly while I can, to make up for the lifetime we will lose upon our return." I drew a finger along the smooth curve of Malachi's ear. A small sigh escaped her lips, one that sounded both mournful and pleasurable. Then she looked at me. Her normally soft green eyes now darkened, as she no longer bothered to hide her desire and love. "..I have no arguments.. Even if the marriage was fake.. I don't think I'm ready to lose my husband." I found myself rendered speechless.
'My little one, you make it seem- if not easy to throw everything away, then so worthwhile..' Malachi's normally pale cheeks were as pink as summer's flowers. Her eyes almost pleading. And any sort of strong resistance to pleas I'd built up immediately crumbled at her feet. "If he truly must go.. Make me believe that he, that all of this, was real. Lie to me tonight. Just for tonight. I won't fight against it."
"My wife.. my Malachi.." I wrapped an arm around her and held her tight. She turned around in my arms and hugged me back. 'I was so content to be alone in my love for you. ..I never once asked for you to love me back. But I see now I was lying to my own heart.' I didn't want to let her go. Not back to her future. Not anywhere. Ever. I wanted to take her and run away with her. Make her mine. Just like she made me hers when she had pressed her head against me, and shared her warmth.
"I didn't expect you to like this so." I chuckled. "..Just for tonight. I'm lying as well." '"Just for tonight." Yes, of course.. This cannot last..' I kept it on repeat to myself. Feeling rationality just within my grasp. But then, Malachi spoke once more-
"Did I ever tell you how good an actor you are? Not just on stage, but this entire trip.." I felt my face flush a deeper shade of pink, '..Lie to you, my love? Oh, if only these feelings were feigned..' Every last strand of rationality I held onto and all my good sense crumbled like sand in my hands. I feared to speak, for it seemed even the briefest response would reveal how painfully my voice shook. "..I'm..much worse at acting than you think."
"That's not-" I couldn't resist anymore. I placed a hand under her chin, fully intent on kissing her, but she pulled away in a panic. "You.. You can't!" "I can't?" I gave her a look of confusion as she covered her mouth and averted her gaze once more. Why couldn't I do what we both clearly wanted?
"Mitsuhide.." She whispered my name solemnly. "There's.. There's a lot I've still kept from you. A lot I've lied about. And.. If you really want to.. k..kiss me.. Then I have to tell you the truth.." I stayed silent, prompting her to continue.
"I'm.. I'm not a woman. Despite what my appearance and voice may suggest, I'm.. A guy. And I don't want you kissing me under the pretense that I am a woman because I never bothered correcting anyone." I stared blankly at him. Did he really believe that mattered? Woman or man, it did not bother me in the slightest. Malachi was still my beloved. "Is that all? Good." I placed my hand back under his chin and forced him to meet my gaze, "I do not care what sex you are. You're still Malachi in my eyes." Without wasting a single breath, I pressed my lips to his.
It was just a touch. One maddening touch. 'I must have lost my sanity.. Both of us have..' As I pulled away from our chaste kiss, I sucked in a breath of cold air. The more frigid the better. And then, I forced a smile. "What a curious expression you have. It was only a kiss." I poked his forehead lightly. Tease him. Yes, that's right. "Hm.. I don't know. Was that 'only' a kiss?" He asked, staring playfully at me. "Not only, in truth. It was my attempt to show my dearest wif- husband, how much I love him."
Malachi stared down at his hands, clearing trying to hide his smile. "So, you kissed me because I'm your.. husband, huh?" "..You cannot be surprised. I just told you I would cherish you as a husband until we returned to Azuchi. Or is the problem that it was not enough?" "No-! It's just.. I didn't think you'd still want to kiss me, even after I told you that I'm a guy and have been lying this entire time." Though he snapped at me and said that, he did not let me go. Nor did I let him go.
'..You and I should never have met.' I had submerged myself in the shadows, avoiding all light. For that was the only way I could fully achieve my goals. I would do the same if I could choose again. And I don't intend to change my ways going forward. It is simply that.. I had not realized just how weak I was. How starved for love I'd been. How the- yes, the taste of it could break me down so easily. We should never have met, he and I. Yet here he and I were, chasing a love that felt so forbidden. But I would never ask for it not to have occurred.
For the short while Malachi and I had until our return, I treasured this: A life I could not have and would soon lose..
Something is off. By the time we approached the city, I had regained something of my former self. Which is why, the moment I saw the soldiers at the gates.. I knew something had gone wrong in my absence. This is going to go badly. Very quickly. But I didn't want to worry Malachi. So I kept my concerns to myself and smiled at him. "You did well, Malachi." Yet he only looked at me suspiciously, almost as if he'd realized it too.. Figured.. Malachi's not as stupid as he lets on. "..Thank you." was all he said.
Our pretend marriage had ended at dawn. But now, it seems, I will have to give up my love for him as well. The good news is.. He will be free of me. I helped him down off the horse. This will be the last time I ever get to touch him.. ..If I'm allowed one mercy, let me think of him, at least. I had originally planned to give Malachi a gift upon our return. Something to celebrate our long trip together. It was my heart and all the love for him that came with it. It would be his to keep, forever. However-
"Don't move! You'll come no closer." A dozen soldiers drew their weapons and circled around me. I was forced down to my knees, arms twisted behind my back. While this turn of events may have been unplanned- "..Such a warm welcome home." I commented. "What the FUCK are you doing?!" I heard his shout of surprise.
"Mitsuhide Akechi, we're arresting you for conspiracy against Lord Nobunaga!" ..It was never outside the realm of possibility. The only question that remained was 'who,' and I was never fond of guesses without more information. I had a few too many enemies right now. It had been a pleasant journey.. Truly, it was.
I looked at Malachi, hoping to burn his image upon my heart so I might never forget it as I returned to the dark tunnel. ..Now, it is back to work. Though I may find it more difficult to focus than it was before.. For I've found something more important than myself.
