Third POV
The next morning, Malachi departed from Azuchi alongside Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and a handful of vassals. At their destination in Kyoto, the last few threads of the spider's web were being woven together.
"Lord Yoshiaki, the one you called for has arrived." A messenger spoke as he entered the room. "Finally, then? He has certainly taken our time." Yoshiaki groaned in annoyance. "..You have acquired yet another pawn?" Yoshimoto asked, a frown adorning his beautiful features. Yet Yoshiaki paid no mind to the barbs hidden within Yoshimoto's speech as he smiled wickedly. "Yoshimoto, this one is no mere pawn. He is the poison by which I will secure what is mine."
"Heh. I'm always up for a good poisoning!" Motonari smiled wildly. "Enter." The messenger commanded. Yoshimoto watched, his expression impassive; while Motonari watched towards the door with childlike glee glinting in his crimson eyes. When the lavish screen doors smoothly slid open- Both men found themselves rendered speechless. "It has been some time, Lord Yoshiaki. I hope you have been well." There stood a man, similar to that of a kitsune, with white hair and pale golden eyes, complimented by long white eyelashes.
"We are glad for your arrival, Mitsuhide." Yoshiaki spoke, his wicked smirk turning smug. "Mitsuhide Akechi..?" Yoshimoto muttered in disbelief. "Thought you were fishin' up minnows but ya got yourself a shark on the line, Lord Shogun." Motonari smirked. Yoshiaki frowned, "Of what do you speak? Mitsuhide is no shark. This one is and has always been my loyal vassal." Despite the harsh words from Motonari, Mitsuhide's smile remained. "The night I received your messenger, my excellency, I felt tears come to my eyes. 'At last,' I thought, 'the time has come.' Through all the days I was forced into Nobunaga Oda's repugnant service, there was not one in which I forgot my true lord."
A moment of silence followed, but only for a moment. Soon, Yoshiaki's wicked grin returned upon his distasteful features. "..You have not lost your talent for flattery." "Let me prove it to you that it is more than words." Mitsuhide adorned his own wicked smirk.
"I swear to you I will see our most hated enemy dead with my own hands."
Notes: While writing this chapter, I started to wonder if anyone has ever thought Yoshiaki was attractive. Specifically after the line where I nicely referred to him as ugly. I sincerely hope the answer to that question is NO.
