ERIA LOUIS

It was Mitsuhide, except he was with someone. Someone Eria didn't recognize. "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," Mitsuhide replied, his usual grin wide, "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." Eria watched on in confusion. Letter, what letter was he referring to? And... that man's lord? Who was he?

"...Together, let us put an end to the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven." Eria froze, her blood turning to ice as she heard the words that fell from Mitsuhide's lips. What had she just walked in on…? The stranger smiled and nodded quickly, "Excellent. If you are so resolved, then I would invite you to join my lord quickly. I can bring you to him now if you wish." he offered. But Mitsuhide shook his head, "I will come when the time is right. …I think your lord may find me more useful to his cause if I remain at Nobunaga's side."

The stranger seemed to ponder Mitsuhide's words, then nodded in agreement, "That is true." Horrified by the exchange she stood witness to, whether the men knew or not, the messages- the ones Hideyoshi had asked Eria to deliver- slipped from her hands, clattering to the ground. The sound alerted them, and Mitsuhide was quick to look directly at Eria. Panic soared through her chest as she scrambled to pick up her mess, even if it didn't matter. They'd already seen her. "Who is there?!" the stranger shouted. Eria didn't stick around much longer, quickly running from the scene.

MITSUHIDE AKECHI

Watching as Eria fled, a sigh escaped Mitsuhide. "This is most unfortunate," he mumbled. "It is more than unfortunate! If that woman reports us, this could all be for naught. You can't let her escape!" the messenger shouted. Yet Mitsuhide remained calm as he met the gaze of the panicking messenger, "That girl is something of a special case. If you would please leave things to me."

ERIA LOUIS

Eria ran through alleys and whatever other twisting passageways she could find. Anything to get away from that strange man, and… Mitsuhide. That was when the strap of her sandal snapped, causing her to go flying forward. Just barely saving herself from the painful impact that would've been the ground. Pressed against the alleyway wall, Eria listened for any pursuit. Yet all she could hear was a hammering heartbeat and ragged breathing, both most certainly belonging to her. She had to keep going. But where could she go? Who could she tell, what would she even say?

'End the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven,' that was definitely what Mitsuhide had said. And it didn't sound good for Nobunaga. But who was that other man, and his 'lord'? But then there was the issue of Mitsuhide. She hadn't really thought he'd betray the Oda, but what did she really know about him? "Eria, wait." The voice made her freeze, covering her mouth to muffle the scream of fear she wanted to let out. But her true fear was for the one who now stood before her. His once familiar form outlined in glistening moonlight like that of a lunar eclipse.

Eria looked at him. Something inside her seeking the familiar, something that would give her hope. But his face remained completely shrouded. "Mi…Mitsu….hide." his name fell from her lips on ragged breaths as he approached her. Casting a long shadow over her. "You must listen carefully," he told her. Eria stepped back, only to discover she was backed into a wall. A deep, penetrating chill despite the balmy air reached down to her legs, keeping her frozen in place. She couldn't run from him.

Mitsuhide leaned in close, placing his hand beside her head, and whispered in a low, low voice- "You heard and saw nothing." Any coherent response only served to fail Eria. "You will be a good girl and forget everything that happened tonight." Mitsuhide told her. Eria glared up at him, "You... You want me to… pretend?" "No, you are to keep silent. …If you value your life." Not a single ounce of the once warm bickering the two had shared, nor even the stern care of a man who'd once been Eria's instructor could be found in that ice cold voice.

He could do it. She knew he could. "I…" Eria mumbled. "Yes?" Mitsuhide prompted. "I refuse…" she muttered. Mitsuhide's gaze widened, "You what?" She didn't know the cost her words would hold, yet she said them anyway despite the way she trembled. "I wanted to… trust you… so badly!" she hissed. "Eria…" Long, familiarly alabaster fingers moved throughout the still night to caress her cheek. Just as they had done so many times before. But she slapped them away. Kicking off her torn sandals, Eria ran.

"...Is he…?" Eria mumbled, turning to see that Mitsuhide wasn't following her. But that, by no means, meant he had given up. Suddenly, she felt a drop on her neck and grabbed at it in self-defense. All she'd caught was a tear, her own. Had she been crying when Mitsuhide reached for her? Eria brushed her cheeks dry with the use of her kimono sleeve. More than the cold fear, she felt a horrendous sense of betrayal. Heart-shattering sorrow. Even if he was a tease, and much, much worse… She never wanted him to be this…

Eria didn't want to believe that the past entire month had been some part of a scheme. She wanted to trust the man who helped her. Eria had wanted Mitsuhide to be her foundation in this terrifyingly unstable world. She'd stopped running. The ground beneath her felt like it was much too shaky to walk on.

MITSUHIDE AKECHI

"Little one, you trouble me so." He said, long watch even after she'd ran. Mitsuhide bent down and picked up her torn sandals, taking them with him as he walked. He frowned, speaking quietly to himself- "I had grown fond of playing the kind instructor to you. …Now I must find something else." His fingertip stung with an unusual heat. He brushed at it, believing he felt Eria's tears there. But, even so, his hands held nothing.

ERIA LOUIS

As Eria rested, she pondered and eventually came to the decision that Hideyoshi was her best shot. "Lord Hideyoshi will be done with his bath shortly. If you would please wait here." the vassal informed her. "...Thanks." Eria mumbled in response. She hadn't even realized that it was so late already. Adrenaline had been what kept her going for a bit, but by the time she managed to drag her overly exhausted body to Hideyoshi's manor, it was well past midnight.

But what could she say? All she knew was that Mitsuhide had been meeting with someone, someone who wanted nothing good for Nobunaga. Had that man been an agent of Kennyo, just like the rumors? Or was the lord he kept referring to an actual lord? Eria had never wanted to hear news like this, let alone have to be the one to share it with everyone else. Just then, Hideyoshi came in. His hair was still damp. His gaze quickly flooded with concern once he noticed Eria, "Eria, what's the matter?! You're as pale as a ghost."

Eria took a breath, "Um... Hideyoshi, you see-" "Our apologies for intruding on you so late at night, Hideyoshi." Eria froze. How did he know she was here? Mitsuhide had walked right in, mid-conversation. A thick, suffocating scent of incense followed behind him. '"OUR apologies?" This can't be good!' "Mitsuhide. I didn't realize you were with her." Hideyoshi said. "He isn't! He's-!" "That's right," Mitsuhide interrupted, "I was looking for her." He smoothly took the stack of messages still held firmly in Eria's hands from her. …The same messages Hideyoshi had originally asked Eria to deliver to Mitsuhide.

"I was out of my manor when Eria came by. It seems she ran through most of the castle town looking for me." Mitsuhide explained. Hideyoshi frowned, his gaze narrowed, "Why were you out? I told you to be expecting these before tonight." "It was truly urgent. I informed one of my vassals to go back and tell Eria where I was, but they missed each other." Mitsuhide's gaze landed on Eria, "...Isn't that correct, Eria?" He leaned towards her in an ever-familiar gesture, only to whisper in her ear.

"You should note that Hideyoshi is unarmed." He whispered, his threat loud and clear. It was true, though. Due to Hideyoshi being unarmed, Mitsuhide could easily kill him. He put just the right amount of pressure on Eria's shoulder, so as to be unmistakable. That was… unless Eria followed along with Mitsuhide's version of events. "Is it, Eria?" Hideyoshi questioned, his gaze searching hers for an answer. Hideyoshi was a smart and cautious man, there was no doubt in Eria's mind that he probably suspected something else to be going on.

In what seemed to be a casual gesture, Mitsuhide's hand fell to rest on his sword's grip. If Eria were to let Hideyoshi follow down that path, his life would be in danger. She had to get Mitsuhide out of there. Eria smiled and nodded, "That's correct. And I am… so very pleased that I found him." She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, praying that her grimace would go unnoticed. Hideyoshi sighed, "I wish I'd known. I didn't mean for you to spend all that time searching." He took Eria's hands into his, folding her cold hands in his large ones.

At that one moment, Eria wanted to just let out everything she knew. But she couldn't. Hideyoshi frowned once he felt just how ice cold her skin was, "You're cold. I'll tell the maids to reheat the bath. Why don't you stay and warm up-?" He tried to offer, but Mitsuhide interrupted- "Do not bother. I will see to Eria." He said, stepping in between Eria and Hideyoshi. Before she could say anything, Mitsuhide took her away from Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi glared at the white-haired man, "Like I trust you with her after making her run around all night!" "Nor will I hand her over to you. I made Eria search for me. It is my responsibility." Mitsuhide argued. It was a nightmare unfolding. How could Eria get out of this without anyone getting killed? One wrong decision, and the entire powder keg would explode beneath Eria. But Mitsuhide held the power here. Act against him, and everything would fall to hell. He himself once taught Eria the best thing for a bad situation is to wait for a chance to turn everything around.

Swallowing back her distaste, Eria leaned towards Mitsuhide and allowed him to put his arm around her. "There, you see?" Mitsuhide smirked. Hideyoshi let out a noise of annoyance. "Hideyoshi, you really mustn't frown like that. I simply wish to see her well. I have room at my manor where she can rest. And as her instructor, it is most appropriate she stay with me." he said. "Don't 'appropriate' me. What matters is what Eria wants," Hideyoshi spat back, turning to Eria once more, "Eria, if you don't want to go with him, just say so."

Eria wished she could. She truly did, but there was no other choice. Mitsuhide glanced at her, "Eria, are you ready?" '...Ready for what's to come, you mean?' His words were like sweet poison. They spelt out and fully intended death, and yet… As soon as she'd resigned herself, a strange sense of euphoria build within her. If she were to follow him, perhaps she could finally figure out what she wanted to know? Maybe he'd finally open up to her...

Eria took his hand, imagining as if she were following her beneath the yellow tape and past every warning sign. Giddiness without an ounce of fear. "Yes, I think it would be better for me to stay with Mitsuhide tonight. I apologize for all the confusion, Hideyoshi." Eria answered. "...Are you sure?" Hideyoshi questioned. Eria smiled once more and nodded. 'I'm so sorry for lying to you. But this is for the best.' "Enjoy the rest of your evening," Mitsuhide told him, and began to lead Eria out.

"Good girl, Eria," he whispered. The dread set in at those three little words. ...What had she just done? That dreamlike hypnosis-state she'd been in when she had agreed burst like a bubble. Leaving her with nothing but regret. She looked at him, but couldn't place herself back into that comforting, fatalist state than she could even begin to tell what Mitsuhide was thinking.

"...Now, onto business," he said. Mitsuhide had 'taken care of Eria' all right. So much to a degree that would've left Hideyoshi jealous. After a warm bath and a change of clothes, she found herself in his room. Yet his words only served to bring back her fear and doubled it. '...Let's get this over with.' "...Are you going to kill me? Seems like a… a waste of time, but... Ha- what do I know?" Eria muttered, avoiding his gaze. Yet she could still see the way he smiled, "You're right, it would be a waste. Not for the clothes or the bath. But because without you, whomever would I tease?"

Eria startled. He wasn't going to kill her? Not going to permanently silence her? A part of her felt angry. If he were to threaten death, why not go through with it? 'Wait- what the fuck is wrong with me?' "There won't be any problems if you simply stay quiet about what you saw tonight. However, your actions have demonstrated that is not likely to be the case. Which is why I'm prepared to give you a different offer." Mitsuhide told her. A different offer… What could he mean? "I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of checking your room. Which is where I found this-"

Mitsuhide pulled Eria's bag out of a drawer, and just held it temptingly out of reach. "...I already searched it. These items you so casually possess would mystify even the Western traders," he informed her. As soon as Eria had given up the fight for it back, Mitsuhide emptied the bag's contents upon his desk. Eria's wallet, makeup kit, packet of tissues, smartphone and charger, sketchbook, 'Hottest Warlords' travel guide… "I thought you were a little girl with no mysteries. But you carry secrets. Very rare and interesting secrets."

Eria glared at him, "Coming from a prick like you… I suppose that's a compliment." "You'll fluster me." Mitsuhide let out a breath, and stared directly at her, "...Tell me these secrets of yours, Eria. What in the world are you?" She grit her teeth as her gaze narrowed further, "What'll happen if I refuse?" Mitsuhide shrugged, "Whether you tell me or not, possession of these items alone are enough to have you executed with little question. …Which, again, I'd prefer not to do." Eria's gaze fell as she bit down on her lip.

Mitsuhide was right. The whole 'time-traveler' defense wouldn't work in such a superstitious age. Again, he held Eria's life in his hands. He smiled, "This is where I'd like to offer you a deal. I keep your secrets safe; you keep mine." Eria, too, smiled, though it was an angry one- "A deal, you say? I believe the word you're searching for is 'blackmail,' Akechi." "Shh... You wouldn't want anyone to overhear us, would you?" He whispered, pressing a finger against Eria's lips. Eria felt her heart leap at that small touch. '...Damn it. Damn you, Akechi...!'

"...It's that or tell me who you really are." Mitsuhide informed her. Eria leaned back, crossing her arms and staring at him defiantly, "I refuse." "Very well. I believe you're aware that I'm used to prying answers from reticent lips…" Eria rolled her eyes, sarcasm dripping from her voice as she said- "Ah, now you're going to torture me? Fantastic." "...Torture? The necessity of that remains to be seen," Mitsuhide began, smiling as he said- "Did you know that what really BREAKS a person is pleasure and relief? It's more effective after pain, but…"

Eria's composed demeanor quickly fell, "Wha-?!" Mitsuhide drew a finger down from Eria's lower lip, allowing it to sneakily journey down towards her collarbone. In its path, it left behind a tingling warmth. "...P-Pleasure?" Eria muttered, fear clear in her voice. Mitsuhide's smile dissipated as he narrowed his gaze, "Yes. Pleasure can make one forget everything. How many secrets spill out with long sighs in the midst of passion…?" he whispered. Eria tensed up, her voice shaky as she spoke- "I... I have no interest in such an act with the likes of you!"

Eria jumped to her feet. But Mitsuhide was quick to follow, taking her into his arms before she could even react. "I... I said I had no interest!" Eria stuttered out. "Then shouldn't you best tell me now? I could as easily turn this into a reward for you… If you're going to end up begging me for more- and you will- wouldn't it be better to get it over with now?" Eria had expected Mitsuhide to be holding her tight so that she couldn't struggle. Except… he wasn't. If she were to feel bound, then it was by gorgeous silk and silver thread rather than ropes and chains.

Mitsuhide smiled, "Or, if you prefer to draw out this game to the point of tears, I can do that too…" Unnaturally cold fingers danced along the edge that stood between Eria's kimono and her pale skin. 'How… How dare he twist and manipulate… everything I felt like this…' As Eria stared at him, her mind began to miserably toss a month's worth of memories into the flames of heartbreak. But it stopped as soon as she noticed the look on his face. '...Is. Is he forcing himself to do this?' Mitsuhide was much more skilled than this. Eria had never once been able to see so clearly into his thoughts, but at this point, she felt a rush of insight.

"Tell me, before my offers stop being kind." Mitsuhide demanded. Eria's heart felt ready to break, she felt so betrayed, and she'd been so far gone that she had thought dying would be worth the truth. Why had she become like this? But she had a theory and chose to reach out. Eria reached a hand out, and pressed it against his cheek. His hands had always felt so cold, but she felt warmth when she touched him. Eria knew so little about him, she thought it would be easy for him to torment her like this. To leave her dangling on the line between life and death. But if that were actually the case-

"..Why do you seem so miserable right now, Mitsuhide?" Eria asked, frowning. Mitsuhide drew in a sharp breath as his face flushed…