ERIA LOUIS

On a night that followed the fight with Shogun Yoshiaki Ashikaga and the departure of the Oda forces- Mitsuhide and Eria paid a visit to a certain luxurious manor within Kyoto. It was the place where the Shogun had holed up. Beautiful and fancy decor lined every room. If only there hadn't been a particular rat infestation… Much like any den where evil had stirred, it was quiet. Too quiet, to be precise. "It seems we've come too late." Mitsuhide commented. A sigh escaped from him as he continued throughout the suspiciously empty hallways.

Eria walked beside him. They'd lost the Shogun, yet she couldn't help the joy she felt at being with Mitsuhide. 'It's going to be alright. We're both going to be alright. That's all that matters… I'll bring Mitsuhide back to the Oda, we just need to defeat that bastard Shogun first.' Mitsuhide had been fighting Yoshiaki alone. He had always been fighting alone. But this time would be different. This time, he had Eria with him. Of course her role was to get in his way. But surely there was something else she could do for him…?

Eria could only hope so as she looked around the empty manor. "Hm… Do you think there'll be any clues as to where he's gone?" she pondered. "It is not likely," Mitsuhide answered, "But we must investigate regardless. After all, it doesn't need to be as direct as a clue to provide us information." 'That is true.' Eria remembered searching through Mitsuhide's manor alongside Ranmaru after he'd broken from the dungeons. There wasn't even the smallest scrap of paper left- yet that itself had told her a lot about Mitsuhide's goals.

But why was this place so quiet? That was the odd thing- most manors had someone maintaining them, even when the owner was mysteriously absent. Mitsuhide fell quiet as he stopped in front of a certain door. He put his hand on the door- still not making a single sound. "Mitsuhide?" Eria muttered. Mitsuhide frowned, "Take a step back, Eria, and keep behind me? All right?" he told her. Eria nodded, giving him a small smile as she stepped back. "Pardon me? Is the lord of the manor home?" Mitsuhide called out. Then he slid open the screen door- "Yaaaah!" a voice yelled out.

Mitsuhide quickly withdrew his sword, knocking back the one that came crashing down at him. The man who had suddenly charged at them when the door opened went flying across the floor. "It appears he is home after all," Mitsuhide smiled. The man who now laid on the floor was dressed richly enough for Yoshiaki's standards. The cruel look he wore in his gaze matched Yoshiaki as well. The man glared at Mitsuhide, "You dare return here so shamelessly, traitor?! I will never tell you the Shogun's whereabouts!"

"More like you can't. Am I right?" The man stuttered- "W-Wha…?" "Despite all the courtesy you lavished on him, he fled like a coward without a word to you. Correct?" Mitsuhide said. "How d-dare you mock the Shogun?!" the man fumbled. Flustered with rage, the Lord reached for his sword once again. From the sound of his tone, it appeared as though Mitsuhide had hit the bullseye. "I know you're here for information on where Shogun Yoshiaki has gone! I have dismissed my servants. Though I failed to be of use to him in Honno-ji, I will serve him- at the cost of my life!"

The Lord lifted his sword high and swung at Mitsuhide once more. Even Eria could see such a pathetic blow coming. Mitsuhide ignored it and kicked the man in the chest. He fell back, losing his grip on the sword. The Lord now lay curled on the floor, rasping for breath as his sore lungs refused to fill. "You had best stop there. Break off your ties with the Shogun while you still can." Mitsuhide warned him. "I-I would rather…!" The Lord rasped out a weak protest and reached for- not his sword, but rather a dagger. And lifted it to his own neck.

'Yikes! Let's not do that, especially for someone like Yoshiaki.' Before the man had a chance to slice his own throat, Mitsuhide had grabbed his wrist and twisted it back. "I should inform you: the Shogun will neither shed tears nor show anguish when he learns of your death. The first thing he will ask when he hears you have died is '...Who?'" Mitsuhide told him. But the man only glared at him once more, "I would not expect someone as noble as he to recall each of the thousands who have served him!"

Suddenly, Mitsuhide smiled- "And that somehow makes him worthy of dying for? Well then, what about suffering? Is he worthy of that…?" He asked, his tone suddenly crueler than before. Mitsuhide shoved the man down to the floor and stepped on his wrist, an awful crunching sound following suit. The Lord let out a shout of pain. "If your life is worth so little, then where is the harm in putting some of it to use studying how best to kill me? I will at least remember your name."

"M-Mitsuhide Akechi! Y-You will regret this…!" The Lord threatened, though Mitsuhide showed no change in emotion. "Goodness, I thought you would have passed out from the pain by now. I'll have to try again." "N-No! St-...Aaaaagh!" With one final agonized scream, the man finally passed out. Mitsuhide stepped back from his limp form and turned to Eria. "Shall we go, Eria?" "Err… Yes, yes we shall.." she muttered.

As soon as they left- "That was a waste of time. I'm sorry you had to see it." Mitsuhide mumbled. "...It's fine." 'It's strange. I don't feel anything at having seen that… interrogation.' "Are you going to scold me for the horrible things I did in there?" Mitsuhide questioned, a grin playing on his lips. Eria feigned surprise, "...You secretly want to be scolded? Well then, perhaps you should call me Hideyoshi." "I could come to enjoy it, as long as it were from you- and as long as you were ready for payback." Mitsuhide teased.

"Payback? Why, that sounds like a war that'll never end. Hence why I must pass such a tempting offer…" Eria smiled. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it tight. "...I feel no need to scold you." She said, "I can understand how you think now." "...I see." He said nothing further, just twined his fingers in hers.

Eria knew Mitsuhide hadn't returned to that manor just for clues regarding the Shogun. It also seemed as though he was worried for the people that the Shogun had abandoned. He had purposely disabled that man's hands before they'd left so that he couldn't kill himself. Just how many people had Mitsuhide helped by smiling wickedly and cackling… by lying…? The more she learned, the more she found herself intrigued by Mitsuhide. But it also made her feel sad, sad for him. The path he had chosen was such a painful one, lonely too.

But, knowing that Mitsuhide had no need for her pity, Eria took a deep breath and met his gaze with a smile. "Mitsuhide, how about we take a break?" she suggested. "...Oh?" "I believe I spotted a restaurant along the way that looked good. Let's go!" Eria tugged his hand and began walking without waiting for an answer. 'Mitsuhide made his decision long ago… It's not my place to fret over his chosen path. Instead, I should make things a little lighter for him.'

"We must keep up our strength if we're going after that bastard Shogun, and eating enough is the best way to do so." Eria said. But Mitsuhide shook his head, "You didn't need to order such a spread of food. It's all the same in your stomach." He shrugged at the plates that covered the table before them. "You do know that there's more to food than taste, right? It could be texture, smell… But also how healthy it is. Some foods are better for you health wise than others. And besides, the occasional feast is also an appealing sight." Eria told him.

But he only frowned, "I've never been one for feasts." "Well neither have I. Now stop complaining and eat your damn food." Saying nothing further, Mitsuhide unenthusiastically picked up his chopsticks. Eria watched as he broke off a piece of fish. 'Good. He's getting some protein. I haven't forgotten the way he passed out the other day…' "You don't have to force yourself- but I think it'd be best if you cleaned your plate. All of them." Eria commented. "Are you perhaps trying to fatten me up so you can devour me, Eria?" he smirked.

Eria let out a small sigh, "Oh calm down. That's a long way from now." she teased. "So be it. I actually find the idea of your sweet lips all over me quite delectable." Eria froze up, '...Don't show a reaction. Don't show a reaction…!' Never before had Eria seen a man eat a piece of potato with such lust in his gaze. '...Fuck you, Mitsuhide.' "Hey! Don't make my mind wander to fantasies of you wearing not- …never mind." "Wearing… what now?" Mitsuhide prompted. He laughed, then picked up his soup and drank it. Yet somehow even that came across as sensual.

Eria let out a pleased sigh, "Glad to see that you're healthy enough to keep teasing me." "I assume you fed me so that I could continue to tease you- isn't that also the reason you came along?" He set the bowl down and placed a hand on Eria's leg. They were sitting together, and the sweetened shudder that ran through her body at such a simple touch made Eria very aware of the fact. Yet she could easily imagine more. 'God… He's a master at dragging my mind down to the gutter…'

Eria shrugged, feigning indifference, "...As long as it stays at the good sort of teasing- not that you'll have an issue with that." "I believe I can restrain myself. I don't know what I could do if I scared you away. I have plans to make you and I last a very, very long time, my love." Mitsuhide informed her with a laugh. It was a sight Eria treasured, seeing him laugh with such joy on his face. She placed her hand on top of his, and found herself gazing into his eyes when- "Have you realized your food is about to get cold?"

Startled, Eria pulled her hand back and turned around. "There you are, Kyubei." Mitsuhide commented calmly. "Kyubei?!" Eria nearly shouted, surprised to see the black-haired man. He smiled, "I am sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Mitsuhide. Lady Eria, I'm pleased to see you're well." Eria let out a nervous chuckle, "...What are you doing here?" "I called him here," Mitsuhide answered. "I apologize that it took so long to find you. I had assumed you were still at Honno-ji." Kyubei explained, "Little had I imagined I would find the two of you enjoying a romantic moment in the middle of a restaurant."

"...Meaning you saw…" Eria muttered. Just how long had Kyubei been waiting quietly behind them before speaking? It was a question Eria was not looking forward to the answer of. She could feel her face burn with embarrassment, all while Mitsuhide remained cool. "How goes the hunt, Kyubei?" Mitsuhide asked. "As you might expect, my Lord." 'The hunt? Does he mean the Shogun?'

The three of them finished off the meal, and Kyubei guided them to a nearby inn. "You'll be staying here for the night. I've already prepared horses and packed your things for our search tomorrow," Kyubei explained. 'Wow. Kyubei really is amazing. I'm not even mad that he interrupted us earlier.' "...And I mean 'our.' I will not be left behind again, my lord." Even though Kyubei was smiling politely, the look in his eyes suggested just how annoyed he had been at being left in the dark.

"Indeed, your face tells me you can't be negotiated with. At some point, I seem to have lost control over my vassals." Mitsuhide commented. "Rather, my lord, you taught them to act just like you. Underhandedly." Kyubei corrected, causing Mitsuhide to lightly clap him on the shoulder. "...Thank you for your loyalty," Mitsuhide smiled. But Kyubei brushed him off, "There's no need to thank me for something you've always had." Knowing Kyubei would be going along made Eria feel a little more relieved. She gave a small nod to him as Mitsuhide entered the inn.

"Well, I believe I'd like to thank you for all you've done, Kyubei," she said. "I should be thanking you, my lady." Kyubei corrected with a gentle smile, "I was quite relieved once I learned you were here in Kyoto by my lord's side. Please, continue to stay with him." 'Huh. It seems like Kyubei truly cares about Mitsuhide…' Kyubei bowed his head to Eria. But she didn't really know what to say, so she bowed to him in response. "...I hope you will continue to stay with him- with us, as well."

"...What are you both doing?" Mitsuhide interrupted. Eria stood up straight, and smiled, "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." "Yes, nothing." Kyubei confirmed. He and Eria exchanged smiles before she followed Mitsuhide into a nice, comfy room. "You can use this room, Eria. I will be in the next room over," he informed her. "...That far away? ..I'm only kidding. Go on and get some rest. I'll be off to bed once I double-check everything. Don't stay up, got it?" Eria tried to keep her tone light-hearted as she told him goodnight. Yet he caught on-

"You need not look so disappointed." Mitsuhide spoke lowly, hugging Eria from behind. Almost like he knew how lonely she'd feel. "...Well, what about you? You could look a little disappointed for me." Eria retorted. "Alas, my emotions don't tend to show on my face." He smiled. 'That's true. You tend to express them elsewhere…' His lips caressed her ear, bringing warmth and wordlessly telling Eria that he would miss her. "If I spent the night with you, I'm afraid neither of us would get any rest. So I shall leave you with that image until we are done. Can you wait for me, my little one…?"

Eria let out a near-breathless sigh at the suggestive tone, "...Just barely." Her heart was racing as she turned around in his arms. But then- she heard a voice. "I am sorry to interrupt-" 'Kyubei, are you fucking kidding me?!' It seemed Mitsuhide shared her sentiment as he turned towards the door, "Indeed. What is it?" Kyubei slid open the door, a stern look upon his face. "My lord and lady have…guests," he informed them. 'Huh? Guests?'

Eria failed to suppress her gasp when she saw who entered the room. "What interesting guests they are," Mitsuhide commented. "Hey there," "We're sorry to intrude so late at night, Eria." 'Yukimura?! Sasuke?!'