ERIA LOUIS
They were all gathered in a single room within the confines of Honno-ji, waiting for a time they knew would soon arrive… '..It's way past midnight, and I'm not even tired. Like I'm almost back in High School… haha.' Nobunaga sat with arms and legs crossed, gazing up at the sky with a calmness unnatural for the current situation. Hideyoshi, meanwhile, hadn't once lifted the grip he had on his sword. Eria sat nearby, as she had been ordered to remain within sight. She kept her breathing quiet, staying alert for any hint of noise.
'...I can't hear anything.' But even without noise, the looming sense of danger was heavy. They had ordered the monks to retreat to safety, not wishing for them to be caught up within this mess. Vassals had been posted outside the door as guards, but not even they made a peep. But Eria could practically hear the tension within the room. They were all thinking the same thing: 'It's going to be tonight.'
Nobunaga's meeting with the court had been successful; they'd be leaving Kyoto tomorrow. If Mitsuhide had managed to find Eria that quickly, it was reasonable to assume that they knew where they were staying. The Shogun had only one chance to strike. And that chance was right at this moment. Eria clenched her fists, hearing her knuckles crack. At that exact moment, there was a call- "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" a vassal shouted.
Nobunaga smiled, "They are here." '...Looks like it's starting.' Eria jumped to her feet and peered over the balcony. Within the dimness of night, shapes were forming- frightening shapes. The temple was quickly surrounded. 'That's a lot of them! …Who's leading them?!' Eria squinted, and that's when she spotted them- '..Mitsuhide and… Yoshimoto?!' "My lord, wait here! Eria, get back inside and don't leave his side for a moment!" Hideyoshi commanded. "Okay. Be careful, Hideyoshi!" Eria answered. "We are counting on you, Hideyoshi." Nobunaga spoke. "Yes, my lord." With that final word, Hideyoshi was off. Leaving two door guards behind and taking the remainder with him.
It looked as if the enemy force were attempting to break their way in through the temple's main entrance. 'We are incredibly outnumbered.' And Mitsuhide stood at the front of it all. '...Huh? Who's that joining him?' Eria felt her blood turn to ice as she recognized the man who strode up to stand behind Mitsuhide, cocky grin and well defended. 'Ugh! It's that bastard Ashikaga!' "It is a matter of time before they break in," Nobunaga commented, causing Eria to quickly look over at him. Meeting her gaze, he spoke once more- "Eria, it is time to perform your role."
"..My role? What do you expect me to do?" she asked. "Mitsuhide will be here momentarily. You must keep your eyes on him at all times," he answered. Eria blinked in confusion, "How-?" her question was cut off by a loud crash. She turned towards the doors- or rather, the splinter remains of them… "It has been awhile, Nobunaga," Mitsuhide spoke, his tone cool and his grin calm. "Mitsuhide." Nobunaga looked back at the white-haired man. "...Mitsuhide!" she muttered, unable to keep his name from tumbling from her lips.
But he neither looked in her direction nor showed any reaction. Yet the frown that replaced his grin said otherwise. '...He's acting as if he doesn't see me.' Over a dozen soldiers poured in after Mitsuhide. Surrounding them in a semi-circle and herding them like sheep into a corner; Nobunaga, Eria, and the two guards. "I hope the Great Fool of Owari is not too foolish to recognize when he is bested." a voice spoke.
Yet upon hearing that voice, Nobunaga raised a cheeky eyebrow. "As opposed to you, who was too foolish to recognize all the times I called you an idiot to your face?" Nobunaga taunted. "He is trying to be funny, I see," Yoshiaki commented, flanked protectively by Mitsuhide and his pawns, and let out a mocking laugh. Eria felt herself want to gag at the mere sight of him, 'I forgot how fucking terrible his voice is, but his laugh is worse.'
"Mitsuhide, be careful not to get any blood on my robes as you finish the job," Yoshiaki told him. "As you wish, your excellency," Mitsuhide answered. "...Mitsuhide Akechi, you vile traitor!" one of the Oda vassals shouted, disgust in his voice. Overcome with rage, he leapt forward- only to be stabbed in the back by the other guard. The second guard pulled out his sword as the first turned to him, his eyes wide with shock as he shook. "W…Why…?" he muttered. "You were all fooled," the second answered; smiling, "I've been a loyal servant of the Shogun this entire time."
'A spy in the personal guard? God, if Nobunaga survives this, he really needs better vetting procedures.' "This is the end, Nobunaga!" the newly revealed traitor shouted. But Nobunaga did not fight as several enemies rushed at him. They held him, pinning his arms behind his back and forced him forward. "Nobunaga!" Eria shouted without thinking. "...Don't interfere, girl!" Suddenly, more soldiers grabbed onto Eria and held her in place. She struggled- though it was all futile.
"Mitsuhide, remove the Devil King's head from his neck and offer it to me as a gift of your true loyalty." Yoshiaki commanded, a hideous grin upon his lips. "As you wish," Mitsuhide answered. He withdrew a blade, one shined in silver and caught the moon's light upon its edge. Eria felt her breath catch within her throat, but she was not afraid. '...I trust you, Mitsuhide. I trust your ideals. I know that caring for people is apart of them! I refuse to believe that you'd sell your soul to scum like Yoshiaki, who only thinks of others as objects.'
Eria looked up from her position on the floor to meet his gaze. Nobunaga was also looking straight at him. But even so, Mitsuhide allowed nothing to show through. "Do it." Yoshiaki commanded, his impatience clear. Mitsuhide frowned, "..By your command." He swung his sword- blood spurt in a splash as steel cut through flesh. "Wha…wha…" a confused voice uttered. Yoshiaki Ashikaga looked down, staring with horror at his own bleeding chest.
"Dearest me. How clumsy I am," Mitsuhide mused, "I meant that to be a killing blow. Whereas that looks… oh, but that looks awfully painful." He commented. The enemy force quickly forgot about Nobunaga and Eria in their frantic rush to protect Yoshiaki. But they stopped. Mitsuhide stood behind the kneeling shogun, his crimson coated sword held to the man's throat. "I would not make a move unless you wish to startle me into accidentally slicing his neck," Mitsuhide threatened.
"...Y-Y-You have gone mad! You cannot possibly betray me here…?!" Yoshiaki shouted. "You're right in one thing-" Mitsuhide grinned down at the kneeling man, "I can't possibly betray you. I have no loyalty to you. I have always been and ever will be loyal to my own ideals alone." That fox-like grin ate away at the last few pieces of Eria's unease. A hint of relief filled her chest, 'I knew I could trust him…'
Suddenly, Nobunaga's laughter cut through the tense air, "That is why you are my left-hand man, Mitsuhide." "...My liege," Mitsuhide answered. Nobunaga straightened up his kimono and stood beside Mitsuhide. Eria walked over to join them. "Y-You…base, insolent villains…!" Yoshiaki shouted. He clutched at his robe, face twisted in anger. The wound was shallow, only enough to shame and sting. But even so, his voice trembled. "Do you not know the punishment for laying a hand on me is ruination?!" Neither Mitsuhide nor Nobunaga seemed to care. Eria sure as hell didn't.
"You may be under the delusion you control things, you fool upstart, but I am still the shogun!" he said once more, continuing on- "For harming my noble personage, you will lose everything, Nobunaga! The courts will see to it that you become nothing!" "There is no need for concern," Mitsuhide replied, "Lord Nobunaga will retain his good status with the court. For it will be Mitsuhide Akechi, traitor to the Oda forces, who is guilty of the most heinous crime of murdering the shogun." '...So that's why Mitsuhide did this.'
"Hmph. I had a feeling that was why you arranged this show, you sly kitsune," Nobunaga commented. Mitsuhide shrugged, "I suppose I should not be surprised to hear you anticipated my plan, my liege." Nobunaga was unable to harm Yoshiaki unless he wished to cause problems with the imperial court. But someone needed to stop the shogun… "...Well, that explains some things," Eria muttered, her arms crossed as she frowned, "You never told anyone this silly plan of yours, because you wanted to be the only one found guilty…"
Mitsuhide finally looked at her, but she now dared to not look at him. But she still saw his troubled smile. 'Mitsuhide figured everything out on his own, then put all he had on the line for it- all on his own.' Eria could feel her emotions well up, but the moment was interrupted- "Deceitful little scoundrel! Are you saying you had planned this all this time?! Even anticipating my messenger to you?!" Yoshiaki shouted. No amount of fancy clothes or words could conceal the ugly, wrathful monster that was Yoshiaki's true colors.
"You will not survive! My soldiers will slaughter your remaining guards and storm in here at any moment!" he threatened pitfully, "All of you will die here in Honno-ji!" Eria wanted to tell him to shut up, yet those pathetically shrill screams of his reminded her- Hideyoshi was currently fighting against unbelievable odds. But she didn't think even a hundred men could take him down- not when she was fighting for those he cared about. '...Yoshimoto is out there, too.' Would such a beautiful, ephemeral smile be able to survive a night such as this?
Eria wanted them both to survive. But how could this fight end with the Oda's victory and the survival of the remaining enemy commander? "Any moment now…" Nobunaga suddenly muttered as he looked out past the balcony. '...What the fuck is he on about now?' Eria looked out in the same direction. But while she saw more troops heading their way- "...Who is that?!" Yoshiaki shouted. A voice called out from below, "Is this where the traitor, Mitsuhide Akechi, is? He told me specifically to come chase him!" '...Masamune?!"
Hideyoshi sounded as equally surprised as Eria felt, "What are you doing here in Kyoto, Masamune?!" "Me? I was just chasing down a dangerous traitor to the Oda forces and, hey, what's this? Hideyoshi, are you being attacked…?" Masamune questioned, his tone failing to conceal his true intentions- "I had NO idea! But I can't imagine anyone's going to complain if me and my ARMY help an ally in danger!" Hideyoshi frowned, "...You could make it sound a little less brazen! Just guard my back, Masamune." "Your front seems like a lot more fun!"
Masamune's forces outnumbered those of the Shogun, and quickly overran them. "We won't retreat! Fight! This is our last stand!" One of the Imagawa shouted while Yoshimoto just looked wordlessly upon him. "You brought an army into Kyoto to do away with me?! You're mad! When the court finds out about this-!" Nobunaga interrupted another one of the Shogun's rants, "Have you been listening, you fool? Masamune and his men were chasing a traitor to the Oda forces. They arrived here by coincidence. If he happens to annihilate the unknown force aggressing his ally, Hideyoshi, that too is a coincidence. This incident is beyond the imperial court's purview."
Yoshiaki grit his teeth. 'So this is what Nobunaga ordered Masamune to do back in Azuchi.' "'Your excellency,'" Mitsuhide began, a hint of mockery to his tone- "it is time to gracefully die." he spoke, raising his sword up high. With that deadly glint, it came careening down- "You, pawn, take it!" Yoshiaki kicked one of his subordinates who stumbled forward just as he scrambled back. It was all too sudden… Mitsuhide's blade cut through its new, unintended target with an ugly and deadly force.
Eria stared in disbelief, hatred bubbling in her chest, 'That BASTARD! Using his own men like THIS?!' The rest of Yoshiaki's troops stood shaken. He glared at them, "What are you gaping at?! Get me out of here!" "...Y-Yes, my lord!" they stuttered. The remaining guards formed a wall around Yoshiaki, the mass of them escaping out the door. "Go after them, Mitsuhide," Nobunaga ordered. "Yes, my lord. But first, I would like to see Eria is sent somewhere safe-" Mitsuhide began, only to be cut off by Nobunaga- "Eria, you are ordered to stay with Mitsuhide at all times."
Mitsuhide's eyes widened, "M-my…" 'So, I'm to stay with Mitsuhide while he hunts down Yoshiaki?' Eria smiled nervously, "Nobunaga, I'm afraid I don't think that's a good idea. Perhaps I should just stay out of the way this time?" "You will obey," Nobunaga replied, "Mitsuhide is too clever to be left on his own. He needs someone to get in his way." 'Ah. Of course.' Nobunaga smiled, "...Eria, when this battle is over, you are to bring Mitsuhide back to me." His powerful voice made it all clear. 'So, that's why Nobunaga brought me. Without someone watching him, Mitsuhide is liable to get mixed up in even more trouble.'
Eria sighed, "You can leave it to me. I'll see to it that I never leave Mitsuhide's side again." She took Mitsuhide's hand and gripped it tight as he gazed at her, surprised. It was almost cute just how speechless he was. "Your response, Mitsuhide?" Nobunaga prompted. Mitsuhide met the steel gaze of Nobunaga before his own softened in a funny sort of smile, "...If my lord commands it." "Neither of you are to die this night. Let us go!" Nobunaga ordered.
'Holy shit, this is a mess.' Down on the battlefield, it was difficult to tell who was an enemy and who was an ally- or if the combatants even knew themselves. Someone had launched fire arrows and once more, the grounds of Honno-ji were set ablaze. Smoke only served to add to the ever growing confusion. But the Shogun was nowhere to be seen. Had he already escaped? Mitsuhide and Eria stepped out onto the courtyard and were immediately spotted. An enemy began rushing their way.
"Eria, what is most important in battle?" Mitsuhide suddenly asked. The question bringing back vivid memories of the first battlefield Eria had ever stood on. Though it had seemed more cruel than valuable at the time, she could recall all that he had taught her. "...To always keep your eyes open and face reality, regardless of how brutal. For that will help you survive," she answered. Mitsuhide smiled, "You get full points. Now, we must go to work. I suppose I don't need to say this to you now, but… Do not leave my side. Understood?" "Never," Eria replied.
"Mitsuhide, prepare yourself!" An enemy shouted. "I am already prepared. Are you?" he asked. The soldier let out a pained groan as Mitsuhide said once more- "...My personal recommendation is to stay down unless you wish to die." With fluid swordsmanship, Mitsuhide cleared a path for himself and Eria through the seemingly endless wave of enemies. Eria kept close behind him the whole way. …They ran until Mitsuhide came to a sudden halt. 'What's he stopping for?' She peered past his shoulder.
Standing at the front of his wounded army was a man who appeared so incredibly out of place with the fire and chaos that surrounded them. "It was my hope, Eria, that you and I might meet again in a more pleasant environment," Yoshimoto smiled. Eria stared at him, "...I did as well." "The tides of battle have shifted in the Oda's favor. I suggest you and your vassals step down, Yoshimoto Imagawa," Mitsuhide spoke. "I was impressed by your plan, Silver Kitsune. Truly, you have earned your sobriquet," Yoshimoto praised.
Suddenly, he withdrew his sword. The steel rang like a bell as it left the comfort of its sheath. "Unfortunately," Yoshimoto began, "I cannot withdraw. There has never been that choice for me. Everything has led to this moment. The moment it all ends." Eria blinked; What was Yoshimoto trying to end? "Lord Yoshimoto, step back! We will fight-" one of his vassals shouted but Yoshimoto silenced him with a single look. "The injured are to remain silent. I, your leader, am taking up this fight in your stead." He had not raised his voice, yet all the power needed to silence the protest stood in his words.
For several moments, all eyes were on him. Yoshimoto Imagawa, head of a clan that had once been so powerful the entire country nearly bowed to him. With a battle cry, he stepped forward to strike… Yoshimoto was graceful, like that of a dancer. But Mitsuhide too was graceful, he moved light upon his feet. Watching them, it was almost beautiful. "Years of disuse have not dulled your skills. I see no more reason to hold back." Mitsuhide commented, his attacks becoming more swift yet keeping their precision.
Yoshimoto dodged each and every single one, but they were close. Eria felt her heart pound. '...I… I don't like this.' Swords clashed, steel screeching as the two pressed harder and harder against each other. They leaned in closely, glaring as they contested one another, until Yoshimoto whispered… "The strength of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven's left-hand man is no lie. You are a fitting last opponent." "What are you trying to say?" Mitsuhide asked. "I beg you, Mitsuhide. Kill me with your next strike." Yoshimoto answered.
Mitsuhide's eyes widened, "...You're asking me to kill you?" 'Wait, what?! What the fuck?!' "Why?" Mitsuhide asked. "The prideful Imagawa will never accept their fate and move on. They are forever trapped…" Yoshimoto answered, "...As long as I live, that is. Take my life here, and in doing so release them. Then I would ask you to let them go. For mercy's sake, please…" the man pleaded. Mitsuhide stared at him impassively, "That is certainly a request." '...He hadn't left Echigo of his own accord. It was his glory-hungry clan that forced his hand…'
Yoshimoto's position had forced him back to a battlefield he'd despised. So he decided that to put an end to it all, he must lose for good. The only cost being his own life. "You are sure?" Mitsuhide questioned. "Yes," Yoshimoto answered. Their blades parted and broke away. Mitsuhide readjusted his grip, just as Eria saw Yoshimoto ready to let his fall- "You can't! You can't do that!" she shouted, subconsciously forcing herself between the two men. Mitsuhide came to a dead halt as Eria stood in front of Yoshimoto, shielding him.
"Yoshimoto, please… Run. Just run! You have to!" she pleaded. "...Eria?" he muttered. "Yoshimoto, please don't argue with me. Just go now. Live! For all that's good, live for your own sake! Forget about your clan and what they want. Think of your family, those you care about!" Eria begged. Yoshimoto froze, "My…family?" he questioned. "Sasuke and Yukimura are still looking for you, everyone back in Echigo is waiting for your return! Life is too precious to throw away for something like bloodlines and clan responsibility. It's your one and only life!"
"Eria, I-" "...My goodness. Little one, are you really attempting to shield an enemy in front of me?" Mitsuhide questioned, a frown on his lips as he pulled Eria into his arms. He drew her back, protectively. When Eria looked up at him- "Yoshimoto's not an enemy. He's-" "I am already aware that you and he have spoken under more pleasant circumstances than these," Mitsuhide replied, then looked to the man in question, '...Yoshimoto Imagawa, take your vassals and go." "You would spare an enemy of the Oda forces? You're softer than the rumors say." Yoshimoto commented.
"Do not be mistaken; the rumors are right," he told him, "I am only soft to Eria's requests." 'Oh. Really now?' Yoshimoto blinked, "I'm surprised to hear that after our last conversation. You're not so immovable after all. …Very well, I will withdraw. Though it is not on your account." His golden gaze drifted to Eria as he smiled, "It seems I, too, am partial to Eria's requests." That veil of ever-present sadness seemingly lifted from Yoshimoto's face. That smile of his for Eria, it was like wisteria within spring.
When he sheathed his sword, his vassals cried out. "Retreat?! Because the enemy has granted us their PITY?! We knew you were a disgrace! Fine then-! If you will not fight to the end, then we will die to defend the honor of the Imagawa clan!" "...There is no honor in death!" Yoshimoto yelled, "Choosing to die here is a disservice to all the lofty goals you claim to stand for!" His normally soft voice grew to be loud and commanding, his vassals staring in shock. "...As I have only myself just learned." he added, then looked back to Eria, "Thank you, Eria. I am glad we met. I hope we get the chance to meet again."
"And I do not," Mitsuhide hissed. "Be well." Ignoring the little burst of jealousy from Mitsuhide, Eria and Yoshimoto exchanged their goodbyes. "Stay safe, Yoshimoto." The Imagawa forces escaped within the smoke and chaos. As for the rest of the Shogun's forces- "...It's over. We won," Hideyoshi breathed a sigh of relief. The fires were extinguished and smoke cleared, giving way to a quiet night. Too quiet.
The fallen, scattered about the courtyard, were heartlessly abandoned by their Shogun, and would never dare utter another word. '...At least they emerged victorious.' Eria couldn't say she held any relief. Relief did not belong in such a brutal scene. Mitsuhide sheathed his sword as he too contemplated the view. This much too real aftermath of battle; Life standing hand in hand with Death. Yoshiaki had escaped, leaving his men to fight to the death without a leader. And fight to the death they did. 'These poor men… They died for some bastard who didn't even acknowledge them as people.'
With the help of the monks, they bid their souls peace. Then Nobunaga gathered them, every single one of them battered and singed from flame. "You have done well," he praised. Both Masamune and Hideyoshi thanked him. "...You took longer than I anticipated to catch up to me, Masamune," Mitsuhide commented. "That's all you've got to say to me?" he smirked, then said- "I was late because Ieyasu and Mitsunari were arguing with me over who got to go. Told 'em to keep each other company. You should be thankful I didn't just hand it over to the lads after our little chat in the rain."
Mitsuhide smiled, "I am very thankful. I'm thankful to you, and to Lord Nobunaga. To Hideyoshi…and to Eria." Hideyoshi frowned, glaring at the white-haired man, "You can take your 'thank you' and hold onto it under you and I are done, Mitsuhide!" 'Oh God, Hideyoshi, no punching!' Hideyoshi marched up and grabbed Mitsuhide by the shoulders, "I hope you're ready because I've got a hundred questions for you and I'm going to get an answer for every single one."
"Can it not wait until tomorrow?" Mitsuhide asked. "And give you a chance to escape? No way! No excuses. You're not getting out of this one!" Hideyoshi glared at him. "It's not that. It's just…I'm…rather tired…" Mitsuhide smiled but his voice trailed off. "...M-Mitsuhide…?" Hideyoshi stuttered. Suddenly, Mitsuhide collapsed onto Hideyoshi's chest. "Mitsuhide!" Nobunaga and Masamune shouted.
"...Mmm…?" A slight groan escaped Mitsuhide's lips as his eyes blinked drowsily open. Eria's gaze drifted to him, "Ah, Mitsuhide. You're awake?" "...Eria…?" he mumbled, his long eyelashes fluttering as his pale golden eyes opened. Mitsuhide looked at Eria from where he laid atop the futon; and Eria could feel the knots in her stomach slowly unwind. '...I'm glad he woke up.'
Eria had been at his side until nearly dawn; bandaging old wounds, dabbing sweat from his brow, making sure he was warm enough… "I seem to have fainted in the middle of our discussion… Have I been asleep all this time?" he asked. Eria nodded, "Mhm. We're still at Honno-ji. And Hideyoshi was the one who put you to bed." A gentle smile formed on Mitsuhide's lips, "All that trembling rage and he still tucked me in? Alas, it seems he's a mother hen to the end." A chuckle fell from him as he sat up.
"You should lay back down, Mitsuhide. Everyone else is still sleeping," she told him. "...Sleep and miss seeing you?" Mitsuhide asked, a mischievous glint in both his eyes and smile. She could feel the coolness of his palm as Mitsuhide gently cupped her cheek, drawing her to look back at him. No words could even begin describing how precious these moments felt. "You seem unharmed. I'm so very glad…" Mitsuhide sighed, relief and tenderness within his voice. A tone that almost brought tears to Eria's eyes. 'I… I missed when he'd hold me like this…'
"You're still so quick to cry, my little one," Mitsuhide commented. "...Only with you…" Eria replied, her tone quiet and almost shaky as she smiled. She grasped his hand as he brushed her tears away. "...You're way too reckless, did you know that?" she said, her tone hardening, "Have you even slept since breaking out of prison? Eaten at all?" "I took sufficient care of myself," Mitsuhide answered. Eria glared at him, "People who take sufficient care of themselves don't pass out like that, Mitsu!"
Mitsuhide was a man who'd been oh so careful as to never show weakness. The fact that he'd pass out in front of them like that was proof enough he had been pushed way past his limits. Eria let out a breath as the anger dissipated from her voice, "...You had known about the Shogun's trap before anyone else, correct?" His mask had been put back in place. Eria tried again. "That little treachery of yours… That was all fake, wasn't it? You pretended to betray the Oda so that you alone would bear responsibility, correct?"
"That is-" "Don't lie to me, Mitsuhide. Not tonight. Or… Or I'll leave you, alone in this room. Do you understand?" she threatened, narrowing her gaze at him. He smiled fondly, "You've become quite skilled at negotiations. I've taught you well." It hadn't been a direct answer, yet it told Eria enough. '...I think he's ready to talk to me… I hope.' "There's just one thing about this whole mess I don't understand…" Eria began, "Why do this all alone? Wasn't there anyone within the Oda that you could trust?" she asked. '...How rich of me. Talking about trust… But that's not important right now.'
"It became clear to me we had a spy. One who had infiltrated deep," Mitsuhide answered. "...Did that really have to mean that you couldn't say a word to anyone?" she questioned further, "Like… Not even Hideyoshi? Even after he came to visit you in the dungeons?" "...Yes, he did." Mitsuhide mumbled. Eria sighed, "You couldn't trust Hideyoshi with this? Nor Nobunaga? At all?" He shook his head, "...I could not. First of all, Hideyoshi is positively wretched at anything involving subterfuge or deceit."
He continued- "That is why everyone loves and admires him so. Because he's awful at lying, he's always trustworthy. He needs to remain that way. One of us needs to remain in the light. And the light suits him well…" Eria just stared at him. She felt almost struck by the way Mitsuhide spoke of Hideyoshi. "As for Lord Nobunaga… He has bloodied his hands enough. I have seen the lengths to which he has gone for unification. 'Devil King' is a sobriquet he earned for my choices at Enryaku-ji. It's my responsibility to prevent that from happening again. Masamune. Ieyasu. Mitsunari. Ranmaru… None of them are suited for the type of work I do…"
The smile he wore was neither self-pitying nor was it proud. It was just as if he was speaking a matter of fact; some common knowledge that all would know. 'There is… so much I still don't know about you… But I suppose that could go both ways.' Mitsuhide had seen a need for one person to carry the sins of others. And without ever consulting anyone else, he had decided that someone would be him. He chose to submerge himself within darkness just so everyone else could keep their place within the light.
"...But why would you go to such lengths?" Eria asked, "If the world is nothing but a battlefield of ideals, what ideal is worth sacrificing everything for?" "...For peace." Mitsuhide answered. 'Peace?' Mitsuhide's expression darkened as a frown befell his lips, as though he were recalling some dark memory. "Before Nobunaga's rise, the land was a…nightmare of paucity and war. Our lives…we of the lower class, meant nothing. No one cried when we starved to death on the streets or worse… Else the crying would never stop. That kind of chaos must never be allowed again… If only because I cannot bear to be trapped in that living hell once more…"
As Mitsuhide closed his eyes, Eria couldn't help but wonder if a piece of him wasn't still struggling to survive the memories of such a time. But then he reopened them, "...Just so you are aware, I'm not especially loyal to Nobunaga or the Oda forces. That kind of loyalty means little to me. I am neither a good nor a kind man. Everything I do is for my own purposes. But Lord Nobunaga stands the best chance of ending this too long war. When he does, it will finally…finally be over. As long as that happens, I will gladly be a casualty."
'...His life wouldn't be the only thing he sacrifices, though.' Eria cast her gaze down, "...You wouldn't even get to see it. People would curse your name. Friends, allies, anyone who came to hear your story…" "I've known worse things." He replied, his tone so nonchalant that it almost angered Eria. "...You would die going to be known as history's greatest traitor. And no one would ever know the real reason you fought." she said. "As long as peace came as a result of my death, I would be satisfied." His smile told Eria that he had no regrets.
'...So… This is how he really feels. This is the Mitsuhide that history never knew… That I longed to find.' Eria hadn't a single clue what sort of horrible life Mitsuhide had lived up to this point. The little he had let slip painted a vivid enough picture. How he'd ended up this way, became accustomed to pain… Mitsuhide Akechi had survived a hell that left too many bodies. Yet he still lived there. Only kept alive and sane by the belief that he could help it end. It was his kind, strong, and warming light that kept the darkness at bay. And Eria didn't know what she could contribute-
…Except to add her light to his, and stay at his side. So he wouldn't have to be the only one there. Eria reached out and hugged him gently. She let out a small laugh and smiled, "...I can now see why Nobunaga decided to order that I stay with you. You really don't carry an ounce of self-value…" "It's true I have placed my needs rather depressingly low on my to-do list." Mitsuhide chuckled. "Anddd you admit it… Much too easily as well." Eria's hold tightened; she tried to ignore the heartbreak she felt.
"...Eria, I know you have a place to return to and that place is not here," he began, "I wanted to wish you goodbye the night I left Azuchi, but I couldn't do it. …When it comes to you, I'm afraid I cannot lie to my own heart." He took in a breath, "There is no one I treasure more…" he told her. She held onto every word; spoken so huskily that they tilted on the edge of shattering. '...Haha… Nor I you, Mitsu…' "It is too late for me to change who I am. I would not do it if I could. But despite all my sins- …I want you to stay with me." He admitted, a slight plea in his tone. As though he thought after all this time, she would still reject him.
"...You say that as if I have any other choice than to stay with you. I… I don't want to ever have to leave you again, I don't want to be apart… I have no intention of returning to the present… I just want to be here with you…" she whispered. '...I think he's driven me mad. Who even am I? Saying such lovey flowery words such as these? …I never wanted anything like this before I met him… Like he, I had decided I'd spend my life alone; consumed within my own work. But here I am… Wanting to stay with him… What's so different compared to the others…?'
Mitsuhide had risen from a truly grim life with a singular desire, one he'd risk death and worse for… But Eria would never ask him to give it up. She'd be nothing but a hypocrite to do so, with little to no right. Instead, she wanted to help him make it come true. And when it had, she'd do all she could to help them both return to the light. …Where such a kind and caring man deserved to remain. Even if she had to cast herself to such darkness, she'd do it.
"If you are sure this is what you want…then I won't let you go again… I won't ever leave you." Mitsuhide whispered as he held her tighter, a tragic yearning flickering within that pale golden color. '...It would seem I've finally caught my kitsune. …And it would seem he's caught me as well.' Eria reached up, cupping his face, "...I promise you, Mitsuhide, for as long as I'm alive… I will never, ever leave your side. Never." He smiled, leaning into her touch as he breathed- "...Thank you."
They both smiled and kissed, a kiss possibly to be the sweetest and warmest ever shared between two people. A promise etched deep within. "...So, do you think you're going to sleep tonight?" Eria asked once she pulled away. Mitsuhide gave a playful shrug, "I suppose I should. I can hardly lavish you with affection were I in danger of passing out again." '...I forgot this part of him. I was mostly referring to that he may need to recover from all the mistreatment…' Mitsuhide looked at Eria, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"...That being said, it would not be too much to ask that we sleep side by side tonight, would it?" he asked. Eria sighed- still smiling- and shook her head, "I told you I wouldn't leave your side, didn't I? …I don't mind." Mitsuhide drew Eria down with him as she pulled the heavy futon cover up around them. They fit together so perfectly, so… naturally. 'Oh, right… I almost forgot.' "...Mitsuhide? There's something I need to tell you." Eria muttered. "What is that?" "I love you." Mitsuhide smiled, "I am aware- I can tell what you are thinking, remember?" He pressed a kiss to her brow and closed his eyes.
He fell quiet now. But the fast beating of his heart kept Eria company. His breathing slowed and quieted down as Mitsuhide drifted off for some much deserved and needed rest. The sounds that reassured Eria that Mitsuhide was alive, and laying right next to her were more welcome than most. Not even the chirping of birds that dawn brought forth. But their song had announced that they'd both survived the night, and that made Eria happy…