Malachi's POV

"What?!" Was the only word spoken from Hideyoshi's lips when I'd told them the engagement was faked. I kept my head down, not daring to look at any of them. "Malachi. What do you mean the engagement was fake? You yourself told me that you love Mitsuhide." Nobunaga spoke, his voice holding that same commanding tone I hated so much. "Isn't it obvious? Mitsuhide did what he does best. Play with people's emotions.. We were never truly engaged. He only said that to ensure I'd stay quiet."

This now seemed to have caught their attention. "Stay quiet? Why did that idiot need you to stay quiet, Malachi?" Hideyoshi asked. "..Because I knew. ..I knew what he was plotting and he needed me to stay silent so he made up the engagement so it wouldn't seem strange that he kept me so close to him." Nobunaga still held his expression of indifference while Masamune looked surprised. Hideyoshi, on the other hand, seemed enraged. "Why didn't you tell anyone?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"..Because he threatened you, Hideyoshi. That night.. When I came to your manor and I was all pale and he suddenly showed up? That was the night I found out. And he threatened to kill you if I said anything. So I went along with him to ensure yours and everyone else's safety.. I don't want to believe that Mitsuhide is actually a bad guy. I want to believe that he's doing this for some noble cause but.. God, I'm so pissed!" But before Hideyoshi or Masamune had a moment to say anything, Nobunaga interrupted.

"Yoshiaki doubtlessly plans to have me assassinated in Kyoto. And Mitsuhide will surely be there." He turned his attention to me, "Malachi, you will go with us." I wanted to argue, I wanted to argue that I never wanted to see that mangy kitsune again. But all I could muster up was a small, "..Fine." Hideyoshi and Masamune looked at me with a mixture of concern and surprise.

"I'm going there for.. For him. I want to discern the truth." Even if Mitsuhide lied to me, even if I just dug his grave even deeper, I won't regret it. Because.. I want to believe that some part of what we shared was true. Lucille always taught me to not leave loose ends so.. It's not like I'm going against her wishes..

"My lord, it's too dangerous to bring Malachi! Even we don't know what awaits us! And even after what that stupid asshole put her through?!" Hideyoshi argued, his eyes sharply narrowed and his frown deep. "I understand you feel sorry for her on account of Mitsuhide and what happened, but-" Nobunaga interrupted him, his own crimson gaze narrowed, "It is not out of pity that I bring her, you foolish monkey." "M..My lord?" Nobunaga smiled, "I am bringing her because she will be more useful to us than an army of guards."

I think he's overestimating me here. Correction: I know damn well I am. What on Earth does he expect from me?! I looked into Nobunaga's crimson eyes, almost as mysteriously confident as his smile. Well, I have zero idea what he wants, but it won't change my decision. I'm going, no matter what.

I took a deep breath and met Hideyoshi's concerned gaze, "I appreciate the concern, Hideyoshi. But I am well aware of the danger and I still plan on going. I'm definitely no match to an army, but I can at least pull my own weight." Hideyoshi's eyes widened, "Well, I-" "Hideyoshi, if you're still worried, best thing you can do is keep an eye on her yourself. Don't think she'll need it though." Masamune spoke, his own smile confident. Hideyoshi simply let a small noise of his displeasure escape his throat.

With a sigh of defeat, Hideyoshi placed his hands on my shoulders. "Just don't be reckless. If anything happens, come find me right away. And stay in sight!" He smiled warmly at me. I rolled my eyes playfully, a smile of my own forming on my lips. "Alright, mother." "Malachi, can you ride?" Nobunaga interjected. I nodded, "Yes. A certain white-haired dumbass taught me." "You will be expected to keep pace with us. Do so, and I can promise you your safety." "Alright. Sounds good."

"Now, Masamune-" Nobunaga turned his attention to the one-eyed man, indicating he should come near. Masamune did so, bending down on one knee. Nobunaga spoke in a tone too quiet for me to hear, but whatever he had said, it brought a smile to Masamune's lips. "Do you understand?" Masamune nodded, "..Perfectly, my lord. Now, if you'll excuse me." With that, Masamune left. Humming as he did so.

"Lord Nobunaga? What did you discuss with him?" Hideyoshi asked. "That is not for you to know." "..My apologies." Hideyoshi seemed no more satisfied with Nobunaga's brush off than I was, but he didn't press the issue and neither did I. But I certainly wanted to know. I've never seen Masamune that happy before except when he's going off to a fight. "We leave at morning's light. Make sure both of you are prepared." "Yes, my lord!" "Okay!"

I knew that soon, I'd be seeing Mitsuhide in Kyoto. But I had no clue what our reunion was going to be like, or if any of us were to survive. All I knew, is that I'd be there. I had to see him. And I had to learn the truth. Even if it had the taste of fire and ash. After all-

I'd already consigned myself to hell for him.