ERIA LOUIS
'...What the hell is he saying?' Mitsuhide's smile fell, his expression turning serious, "Fewer people than you think act with good intentions, Eria." He shut the door behind him, an audible noise echoing through the room. '...What is he-?' Mitsuhide took one step towards Eria. Then another before he kneeled in front of her. Yet with his height, he still cast a shadow over her. A shadow limned in the palest of silver. "More take advantage of the good-hearted than you suspect, playing their sympathy for ill purposes." He whispered, his voice dropping, "...And they may be closer to you than you think…"
Mitsuhide caught Eria's chin, his low voice burning in her ears. And as his lips drew closer… 'Oh, 'living hell' may be right...!'
Mitsuhide blew softly into her ear, and at that moment, her mind was racing. Racing so intently that it was quite the intense place to be. "This is my manor," Mitsuhide began, speaking lowly into her ear, "No one will come if they hear screams. Knowing that, what will you do?" Eria froze, '"What will I do?" That- he's testing me, isn't he?! No... He's teasing me, damn it.' Mitsuhide enjoyed her reactions. He enjoyed the way she'd always react to his false threats. Eria knew that. But even with such knowledge, something inside her snapped.
"..What if I reacted this way?" Crossing her palms for a bit of extra force, Eria shoved him away with what strength she could muster. Of course, it was one of the defensive techniques he himself had taught her. But before she could even touch him, Mitsuhide caught Eria's hands in his. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, scowling. Eria narrowed her gaze, "What does it look like?" she smiled, though it held no kindness, "I'm simply putting your lessons to use, Instructor!" Then, she grit her teeth as the smile fell, "I was merely trying to talk to you, but all you do is joke around! Who's really the child between us, Mitsuhide? Me, or you?"
Frustrated, she continued trying to shove against him. And he just took it. He took it all, her force, her anger. '...Bursting into your manor thinking you'd be upset, that's on me. Thinking I could solve a mystery not even historians 500 years down the line couldn't solve, that's on me too. But...' "The rumors are just that, aren't they?! They have to be!" she shouted. "Eria…" Her name came out on a flat breath. Yet there seemed to be a small mist, hidden within that single breath. "Well?! Tell me the truth!"
Mitsuhide smiled, "...I am sorry. It seems I took my teasing too far." Suddenly, he released her hands and she quickly found herself falling forward. Only for her to land on his chest, or rather, he caught her. And he held her, wrapping his arms around her. Holding her warmly in his embrace. "...What are you doing." Eria muttered, refusing to look up and meet his gaze. "Do you not cheer someone up when they are sad? Is that not why you thought to come see me?" It was not an answer, but a much more infuriating question to her own.
'..He's telling me to be satisfied with his refusal to answer. ...If I was able to do that, I wouldn't be here in the first place.' Eria narrowed her gaze, biting her lip, 'Or perhaps he knows that as well. Maybe he's trying to tell me this is all he can give me.' It was the best insight Eria could figure out regarding his actions. If only it were so easy to see into someone's heart. Her temper seemed to dissipate as Mitsuhide caressed her back in warmth-filled, consoling circles with one hand, the other gently threading through her blonde hair. '...I can't seem to find the strength to stay angry with him.'
She wanted to. She desperately wanted to remain angry. How dare he enrage her, only to treat her like a princess? Who was he to dare to… make her feel better…? Eria felt her heart pounding. It felt... strange. For someone to treat her this way. For someone to… show her the kindness she never received. "...Do you feel better?" Mitsuhide asked, his tone soft. She curled her lip, refusing to give him a response. Mitsuhide let her go, and she immediately stepped back. Crossing her arms and turning her head, she tried to hide the small tears that'd formed in her eyes.
"It seems my powers are limited," Mitsuhide said, "Come. I shall find you someone more suitable." Eria didn't respond, though she was confused. Perhaps he hadn't noticed her reaction? Mitsuhide led Eria out into his manor's gardens, where she saw a rare and certainly unusual sight- 'That... That's pure white fur, even in summer… It's an albino fox?' "Chimaki, come greet our guest." Mitsuhide called out. Eria paused, "You named a fox 'Chimaki?'" she questioned. Mitsuhide nodded, "Yes. My vassals call her that as well."
The albino fox pranced over to Eria; her movements graceful. Though, her name was peculiar. After all, chimaki was a mixed rice dish, wrapped in reed leaves. But what was most peculiar was how friendly Chimaki was to people. 'She's... She's so pretty.' As Chimaki stopped before Eria, Eria cautiously put out a hand to pet her. "Very good, Chimaki," Mitsuhide praised, "Perhaps you can succeed in soothing Eria where I have failed." Eria froze, '...Mitsuhide took me out here just to... cheer me up?' Instead of walking away, instead of telling her to stop overreacting, instead of giving into her demands… Mitsuhide had chosen to show Eria a fox, just to make her happy.
She didn't even know where to begin. "...You have to explain how she got the name 'Chimaki.'" Eria mumbled. "I was working in the garden one day when she snuck in. It seemed she was hungry and searching for food. I gave her the chimaki I had tucked away in my sleeve. Her den is outside the manor, but she comes here quite frequently." Mitsuhide explained, a near-fond smile on his lips. Albino animals typically had more difficulty getting food without being hunted. Eria could only imagine how much Chimaki must've appreciated the safety of the garden.
"You like the dish chimaki that much? It's a bit surprising. Considering how it sounded like you lack a sense of taste." Eria commented. "I don't like it. Kyubei insisted I start carrying 'real food' around rather than munching on whatever I found in the garden." Mitsuhide told her, "I found it taxing that you must unwrap reed leaves first. Giving it to the fox saved me from letting it go to waste." "You dislike food you have to unwrap? Are you always in such a hurry to eat...? That doesn't match your lack of taste." Eria mumbled, "Besides, from what I've heard... Once the leaves are off, chimaki is much better for you in the long run."
"In the 'long run,' staying alive is most important. The food itself is not." Mitsuhide retorted. "And eating healthy is more likely to keep you alive than simply eating will." Eria replied. After the fox, Chimaki, had enough of being pet, she let out a noise and walked away. It was certainly an odd sound, though her fur was incredibly beautiful. "Your mood seems improved." Mitsuhide commented, poking Eria gently in the cheek. And it was only then she'd realized she had been smiling- until the uninvited poke of course.
She narrowed her gaze, "That has everything to do with Chimaki and absolutely nothing to do with you." "...So be it. Regardless of the source, all I care about is that you are smiling." He told her. Eria cared about the source. Though Mitsuhide truly looked satisfied with just that. She stared at him, dumbfounded, until she heard a voice from inside the manor. "Lord Mitsuhide? You asked to be alerted when…ahem…" Kyubei spoke, seeming to stop himself once he noticed Eria. "Ah, yes." 'Right... Mitsu still has work to do.'
Eria turned towards the exit, raising a hand in goodbye as she spoke- "I'll leave you to your work. Sorry for-" "I will see you tomorrow for your riding lessons, Eria." Eria paused, her hand lowering, "...You're actually going to be present this time...?" she questioned. By this point, it'd been days since he'd last had time to directly instruct her. "It's important I see the results of your practice. I do hope you can impress me." He answered. Eria smiled, "...I'll do my best."
As Eria walked back, she let her mind wander. She hadn't actually figured out whether Mitsuhide was indeed a traitor or not. And all her frustration quickly came back to the surface, rearing its ugly head. But despite Mitsuhide playing her as if she was just a fiddle, she couldn't stay upset with him. Perhaps she'd have another shot tomorrow. Eria didn't think Mitsuhide would turn traitor. But she wanted to hear the words from him directly.
MITSUHIDE AKECHI
Mitsuhide sat at his desk, taking a small break. Which only meant more work in his mind. He was in the midst of perusing new missives that'd arrived. Suddenly, one letter in particular caught his eye. The sender hadn't dared to leave their name. Yet other traces spoke volumes of their identity. "How very interesting." Mitsuhide muttered. A fragrance clung onto the letter. One so thickly sweet that even Mitsuhide's senses caught it.
ERIA LOUIS
"Mi…tsu…hi…de! Wait… for… me!" Eria called out, the breath gone from her lungs as she attempted to recapture it. "If you cannot keep up, I will leave you behind. That means finding your own way back, you understand." Mitsuhide told her. Finding her way back in the middle of nowhere. Well, it'd be a nuisance, considering she held no scouting skills whatsoever. Yet there was no doubt in her mind that he'd actually do it. Eria gripped the reins and pushed herself to catch up.
Kyubei had been comparatively nicer as a substitute teacher. So much so that Eria had forgotten she was enrolled in AP Survival-The-Mitsuhide-Way! Yet there was one thing Eria could say about Mitsuhide. He didn't leave her any time to be scared. "I… made it... Holy shit..." Eria panted. "Yes, you did. Excellent job. You have my congratulations." Mitsuhide praised, though it felt faux. Eria glared at him, "Thank... you... But also... Fuck you." "My... What a foul mouth."
Eria had thought riding a horse would be in comparison to driving a car. Yet it felt more like running a marathon. "This is the point in a long journey where you will need to rest and water your horse. And yourself, while you're at it." Mitsuhide explained. Without saying anything further, Eria sat down next to the lake and watched as the horses drank. The summer breeze felt nice and cool on Eria's sweat-soaked skin. Causing her to subconsciously push up the sleeves of her kimono. "If you can ride at that speed on your own, then you now know all that you need." Mitsuhide said.
Eria let out an exhausted laugh, "...I honestly didn't think I'd make it for a while." "Yes. One would doubt you could learn as much as you have in the time that you did." Mitsuhide agreed. Eria rolled her eyes, "...Mhmm.. Yet for SOME reason, you chose to put me through such grueling training anyway." "Must I call Chimaki to soothe your spirits again?" Mitsuhide laughed, open amusement in his expression. Eria shook her head, knowing well that if this were to keep up, a repeat of yesterday would occur.
"Speaking of yesterday… You never answered my question." Eria brought up. "What question might that be?" "...Um. The one about whether the rumors of your plot to betray Nobunaga were true...?" Eria said. "You don't lack persistence," Mitsuhide commented. Eria sighed, looking back at the lake, "...I know my own stance. I just wanted to hear you say it, that's all." "...Hideyoshi, have you taken to disguising yourself as Eria to question me?" Mitsuhide questioned. Eria almost laughed, but slapped a hand over her mouth as she looked back at Mitsuhide.
"Uh- Mitsuhide..? I don't believe I share any traits with Hideyoshi. You know... He's tall, muscular, with brown hair, golden eyes. I'm... short, lacking in any muscle, blonde hair, hazel eyes..." Eria mumbled. "Yes. I must know, however did you make yourself look smaller, Hideyoshi?" "...I'm about to pull a Hideyoshi and strangle you. I'm NOT Hideyoshi." Mitsuhide's lips quipped up in a smirk, "I'm aware. You edge him out ever so slightly in cuteness." Eria looked at him, deadpanned, "...Cuteness? Really?"
"Would you rather I pick another category?" Mitsuhide questioned. His laughter had Eria's brain arguing over whether being called cute by him or being derailed by him was more important. There was absolutely no way Eria could ever be Hideyoshi. She didn't have the saintly patience that stood necessary to deal with this every day. "...Is it really fair that I can't get a straight answer after asking for two days?" Eria asked, "Surely, you can just answer this once?" "Why not tell me something then?" Mitsuhide prompted, then asked- "...Why does knowing the contents of my heart matter so much to you?"
"Because…!" Eria started, only to abruptly stop. Mitsuhide stared at her, confused as she struggled to search for an answer. It was not as if she didn't want to answer him, far from it. She just simply did not hold the answer. Because he was all she could think about? No- That was… much too mis-interpretable. "Err… Because... You keep it a secret. Isn't it just human nature to be curious about what someone is keeping from you?" Eria answered. "A fair enough answer." Mitsuhide shrugged. Eria continued- "I've just... I've never met anyone who… was as villainous as you, yet also nice. I was laughed at for daring to call you nice. But I know you've done… some cruel things."
Eria sighed, "Maybe I'm trying to rationalize it, so I'll feel better. Or maybe I'd like our eventual ending… if you were secretly a good person. I'm not entirely sure." "...I see." Mitsuhide joined Eria in looking out over the lake. His voice, when he spoke, sounded as calm as the undisturbed waters. "In my experience, categorizing everything into absolutes like good and evil or nice and cruel is not as easy as it seems to be. You are best served defining me by the values you yourself consider important." Mitsuhide told her.
Eria blinked. '...Judge him by… what matters most to me, rather than others' values?' Nothing in his words dared hint to his future loyalties. But to Eria, Mitsuhide's words were valuable, just as if not more. "In any case, you've shown over the past two days how much you care about me. And I appreciate that." Mitsuhide smiled. Eria blinked again, heat rising to her face as she refused to meet his gaze, "I... um... well…" She felt more embarrassed than usual. Was it simply because she had not expected him to say anything?
"And I apologize for my callous neglect of your deep-seated feelings for me." 'Nevermind, he's teasing me' "...I wouldn't say my feelings are deep, not at all." Eria replied. "Now, now. Do not be shy. Or else how can I embrace you to show my thanks?" Eria scoffed, "Mhmm.. For a moment, I thought we were actually getting along rather than you deciding to use this as a chance to tease me. My mistake." "And yet, your mind seems at ease now." Mitsuhide smirked. "...All because you were joking with me-? Be honest. Have I ever once looked at ease because of your teasing?"
"Are you perhaps unaware of it? Dear me, this could indicate a serious condition." Mitsuhide reached out a hand, cupping the side of Eria's face. The pad of his thumb brushed over Eria's cheek in small circles, slow yet soft. What sounded like thunder on the horizon- Eria was quick to realize was her heartbeat. "...Your hand is too low to be checking for temperature... Are you trying to console me again? Mitsuhide smiled, "I wonder which?" It seemed that was that. Mitsuhide had no more truth he was willing to give.
He caught a lock of Eria's hair that'd been hanging loosely, framing her face, and held it in his long fingers. Feigning playing with it only to let it slip through. "I believe the horses are rested enough for the trip back. Let us return." Mitsuhide said. "...Alright." Eria was slow to tell him to let go. So slow that he'd already drawn away before she had the chance. Yet her heart continued racing and her cheek remained disobedient. Consistently reminding her of what Mitsuhide's hand had felt like on her skin.
His touch had been unnaturally cool, but so gentle. Perhaps the cold was the lives he'd taken. But... How could death feel so gentle? If Mitsuhide were not so filled with contradictions, the choice of how to view him would be so much simpler. He was always doing things Eria didn't like. Or... At least, she didn't think she should. But she always hated it when it came time for him to leave. Maybe she was just a masochist. Or perhaps it was psychological conditioning. Mitsuhide certainly had… experience in that department.
He knew how far to push Eria, but also how to draw her back to him with sweet whispers dipped in an unspoken intimacy. 'A living hell.' But even if it was hell, it would only last two more months at the most. Then, Eria was home free. "Eria?" Mitsuhide called out, looking over his shoulder, "Do you wish me to leave you behind again?" "I'm on my way!" She mounted her horse and followed behind his silver mare- just a small distance out of reach. But she didn't lose him either. She simply thought about how much she'd grown over the past month.
In the beginning, she'd fought everything and everyone just to keep her head above water. Now, she found herself on solid ground where she could walk, run, ride even. "Hey, Mitsuhide." Eria called. "Yes?" She raced her horse to catch up with him. Her face was flushed when she did, the wind cool against it as she shouted- "Thank you for everything." Mitsuhide's gaze widened, "Whatever has come over you?" "Just… Thank you for all you've taught me. You may be devilish and make me want to scream… but I truly am grateful to you."
He glanced just a moment to look at Eria. "I only did it to pass the time while I kept you under observation." He stated. Eria smiled, shaking her head, "Whatever your reason may be, I'm still grateful." "...If you insist." Mitsuhide turned away and was quick to pick up speed. Yet his response had been unusually brief. 'Was he… actually flustered?' Eria shook her head, not fully believing it but thankful she got a chance to express her gratitude. Beside them, the lake sparkled in the sunlight as Eria chased after Mitsuhide. That day marked the official end of Eria's first month in the Sengoku period.
The very next day, Eria was back to her work as chatelaine. Hideyoshi had asked her to deliver a pile of messages to Mitsuhide. It'll have been her third time seeing Mitsuhide in as many days. Hopefully, she wouldn't lose her cool around him again. 'Third time's the charm' as they say. …Even so, she found herself getting lost on the way to Mitsuhide's manor. The path she took was just a dead end. Only an isolated shrine with no one there to attend it. Or so she'd thought.
When Eria turned around, she spotted what appeared to be a figure. It was Mitsuhide, except he was with someone. "I thank you for graciously accepting my sudden visit. It seems you are just the man my lord took you for." the stranger spoke. "Not at all. My apologies for not speaking with you in more welcoming conditions. I'm sure you see the need for privacy. However, I couldn't turn your lord down after reading that most intriguing letter." Mitsuhide spoke, smiling as he said- "...Together, let us put an end to the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven."
Eria froze. What had she just walked in on…?
MITSUHIDE AKECHI
Read a part of chapter 8 in his POV...
'She must be nearly exhausted by now.' Mitsuhide stopped his horse and turned around. "I… made it... Holy shit..." Eria panted. Her hair was in disarray and her breathing heavy as she came to a stop. Needless to say, the lake's beauty was lost on her. "Yes, you did. Excellent job. You have my congratulations." Eria glared at him, "Thank... you... But also... Fuck you." "My... What a foul mouth." Even though she seemed to have taken his words as false, her growth truly was impressive. Especially for someone who had such a short period of time to learn as she.
Mitsuhide had brought her out here to confirm that. A final test of sorts. And Eria had passed. "This is the point in a long journey where you will need to rest and water your horse. And yourself, while you're at it." Mitsuhide explained. Eria had simply nodded, dismounting and sitting by the lake as she watched the horses drink. The gentle breeze only served to tease her sweat-dampened hair and skin. But as always, her thoughts were so plain to see.
Eria was enjoying the cool air, evident by the way she rolled up her sleeves and the way her eyes closed in pleasure. When Mitsuhide looked at her- He could feel the cool breeze too. A refreshing feeling, it was. One that left his heart tingling pleasantly. "If you can ride at that speed on your own, then you now know all that you need." Mitsuhide told her. Eria let out an exhausted laugh, "...I honestly didn't think I'd make it for a while." But even so, her smile told Mitsuhide that she'd gain some confidence. Something that would serve her well.
"Yes. One would doubt you could learn as much as you have in the time that you did." Eria rolled her eyes, "...Mhmm.. Yet for SOME reason, you chose to put me through such grueling training anyway." Mitsuhide smiled, "Must I call Chimaki to soothe your spirits again?" His smile was placating, but she only shut her eyes as she fell quiet. 'Something is on her mind.' Mitsuhide sat beside her, resting his hand on his chin as he waited. Waited for her to decide whether she would talk about it or not. "Speaking of yesterday… You never answered my question." She finally brought up. "What question might that be?" Mitsuhide asked.
"..Um... The one about whether the rumors of your plot to betray Nobunaga were true...?" Eria said. '...She's still concerned about that…' "You don't lack persistence." Mitsuhide commented. "I already know my stance... I just wanted to hear you say it, that's all." Eria said, closing her eyes once more. "...Hideyoshi, have you taken to disguising yourself as Eria to question me?" Mitsuhide watched as Eria nearly laughed, only to stop herself before saying-
"Uh- Mitsuhide..? I don't believe I share any traits with Hideyoshi. You know... He's tall, muscular, with brown hair, golden eyes... I'm... short, lacking in any muscle, blonde hair, hazel eyes..." Eria mumbled. "Yes. I must know, however did you make yourself look smaller, Hideyoshi?" "...I'm about to pull a Hideyoshi and strangle you. I'm NOT Hideyoshi." Mitsuhide's lips quipped up in a smirk, "I'm aware. You edge him out ever so slightly in cuteness." Eria looked at him, deadpanned, "...Cuteness? Really?"
"Would you rather I pick another category?" Mitsuhide questioned.
Eria's sweet frown only delighted Mitsuhide. Although he was sorry his delight came at her expense. No matter how many times he would deceive her, she continues to approach him with such honesty. 'There is so little honesty in my life.' Perhaps that was the reason Mitsuhide felt so refreshed. Not the wind, but Eria and her light. Yet he was the shadow. And the two would never mix. 'You've been unfortunate enough to get tangled up with me for now. But patience, little one. It will not last long.' A storm was coming. And Mitsuhide knew that once it'd arrived, it would pull him from Eria.
Perhaps knowing that he and Eria would soon be apart, that was the cause for the pain in his heart. Injured he may be his smile did not falter. "...Is it really fair that I can't get a straight answer after asking for two days?" Eria asked, "Can't you just tell me this once?" "Why not tell me something then?" Mitsuhide prompted, then asked- "...Why does knowing the contents of my heart matter so much to you?" Mitsuhide had flipped the conversation back on her, yet to his surprise, her response remained earnest.
"Because…!" She sounded so confident, yet her words failed her. 'You see? You have let your good nature take you in a direction you do not yet fully comprehend.' "Err… Because... You keep it a secret. Isn't it just human nature to be curious about what someone is keeping from you?" Eria answered. "A fair enough answer." Mitsuhide shrugged. She was as innocent as a child, in many different aspects. And much like a child, she wanted to know why adults kept things from her. "I've just... I've never met anyone who… was as villainous as you, yet also nice. I was laughed at for daring to call you nice. But I know you've done… some cruel things."
Mitsuhide looked at her, a strange mixture it was and yet… Eria had appeared delightfully frightened despite her brushing it off when Mitsuhide had feigned being a satori. And now here she was, peering straight into his soul. Eria sighed, "Maybe I'm trying to rationalize it so I'll feel better. Or maybe I'd like our eventual ending… if you were secretly a good person. I'm not entirely sure." "I see."
It seemed as though she understood that the two of them could not remain together. Even if Mitsuhide did not dare question what she meant by it. He only could wonder what she would do, once she finally discovered his motives? If it would change anything, or nothing at all?
"Did you know, girl, Mitsuhide came from the lower classes? That is, he came from nothing. I heard it was through some dirty trick he got this high position at all. He didn't earn it, that's for sure." Eria's gaze hardened, "I find that difficult to believe." "Oh, yeah?!" the Samurai challenged. "In my experience working with Mitsuhide Akechi, I've found him incredibly intelligent, if a bit of the teasing type. Why should the class he was born into even matter when Lord Nobunaga clearly values him for his skill?"
Eria hadn't given ground to those men, despite her being weaker and outnumbered. It was clear that her ideals were steadfast, and that she refused to let them buckle against any foe. And to think that she was looking for a way to define Mitsuhide in positive terms. It was her who deserved praise. Eria did not look at birth, status, or anything when she looked at others. She only saw the person. Eria saw him. Her eyes were a tempting path out of the darkness he'd given into. But he had reason to stay, the choice of leaving was not one he could take.
Mitsuhide looked away from her and toward the lake. The wind causing disturbance to the stillness of the water. …To the stillness of his heart. "In my experience, categorizing everything into absolutes like good and evil or nice and cruel is not as easy as it seems to be. You are best served defining me by the values you yourself consider important." Mitsuhide told her. And her questions seemed to stop at that. She was absorbing his words, persistently thinking them over.
But how strange of Mitsuhide it was to say that. He failed to recall the last time he'd spoken his mind to someone like that. It would seem that he lost a bit of control whenever he was with her. And yet, he found that to be distractingly pleasant. Mitsuhide was too used to the act of over-analyzing his feelings from a place of detachment. So he was not accustomed to feeling like this- so spontaneous and so warm… "In any case, you've shown over the past two days how much you care about me. And I appreciate that." "Oh… well… um..." When Mitsuhide smiled, Eria blushed.
'My, my. After all the times she stared so impolitely at me, she has the nerve to blush now? …This is exactly why I tease you; you know.' "And I apologize for my callous neglect of your deep-seated feelings for me." "...I wouldn't say my feelings are deep, not at all." Eria replied. "Now, now. Do not be shy. Or else how can I embrace you to show my thanks?" Eria scoffed, "Mhmm.. For a moment, I thought we were actually getting along rather than you deciding to use this as a chance to tease me. My mistake." "And yet, your mind seems at ease now." Mitsuhide smirked. "..All because you were joking with me-? Be honest. Have I ever once looked at ease because of your teasing?"
"Are you perhaps unaware of it? Dear me, this could indicate a serious condition." Mitsuhide let his hand move where it wished, settling upon the soft skin that was Eria's face as he caressed her with the pad of his thumb. Her gaze seemed to darken at his touch. 'That is a tempting expression.' "...Your hand is a little low to be checking for temperature. Are you trying to console me again?" she questioned. Mitsuhide smiled, "I wonder which?" Perhaps he was teasing her again. Or perhaps he was going a step further.
He wanted to go further than that. To see her fall apart and become like clay in his hands. He wanted to bring Eria to the verge of tears- yet only the verge. Just to pull her back. Yes, to pull her back towards him… Mitsuhide felt… conflicted. 'Something is… very off about me right now. It's as if I'm slipping.' He had polished the skills that stood necessary for living in such darkness. To keep his sanity amidst the horrors that he willingly undertook. Distancing himself from his emotions and remaining on careful guard of his words were some of his more... rudimentary skills.
But Eria had come and shined a light into his life that he was not ready for. He had stumbled, weak, and unable to see. …But she was the one who was lost here. Not him. He must see her out this place- the place he chose to dwell. Mitsuhide took a few strands of her hair between his fingers, wondering if the light felt just as silky smooth as she did, and slowly let go. "I believe the horses are rested enough for the trip back. Let us return." He said. "...Alright." The soft feeling of her blonde locks lingered within his fingers, even after he stood.
'I am… more drawn to her than I expected. Not that I'll let that knowledge lead to anything.' Mitsuhide shrugged and mounted his horse. "Eria?" He called out, "Do you wish me to leave you behind again?" "I'm on my way!" A second set of hoofs against the ground quickly joined him. "Hey, Mitsuhide." Eria called out. "Yes?" With the skillful use of her horse, Eria caught up to Mitsuhide and shouted- "Thank you for everything." she told him. "Whatever has come over you?" "Just… Thank you for everything. You may be devilish and make me want to scream, but I'm grateful to you."
'I believe that's the first time she's smiled at me that way. …I mustn't… I dare not get used to it.' "I only acted for my own purposes while I kept you under observation." Mitsuhide told her, his voice strained. Had he just spoken... the truth? Not that his purposes were anything particularly special. '...I just wanted to keep you near.' Eria smiled and shook her head, "Whatever your reason is, I'm still grateful." "...If you insist." Mitsuhide fixed his gaze forward and rode harder. His blood was pumping, hot. Cold, detached feelings slowly turned warm. Turning into passion, turning into-
'...Turning into something I do not need. Perhaps I shall nap in the warmth of the sun for a while, but only temporarily. This is not the place I belong.' So accustomed to the dark that he was, the light streaming off the lake hurt his eyes. Turn away… Turn away… In just a single month with Eria, everything he'd grown used to was shaken to its very core.