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It… is?

[Don’t SAY THINGS LIKE THAT FUDOU, SHE CAN’T HANDLE IT?]

Ichi hopes that is the case. She does not want him to bully you… Ichi is used to it, but… she will not allow Akechi-sama to be mean to you.

Truly, Ichi does not want to think about what he might be doing…

Of course!

-HE WILL SAY THEM.-

Ichi did not think it… wise, to be out and about during everything.

She would much rather have your company than Akechi-sama’s. Though, he has not been out as much, either… even so…

Ichi hopes her presence is not a burden upon you, Yukimitsu-sama.

Of course it’s not!  It’s always good t’have you around?

[Her head inclines slightly. She isn’t sure what to say–she knows, on some level, that his lack of presence after everything has something to do with her brother.]

Ichi is… fine.

…

Lonely. But… fine.

Lonely...?

……

……………………

-He doesn’t need to be told. He already knows. He knows, because nothing about him has changed.-

-The disappointment…stings.-

So soon?

I suppose you may enter, even though from your tone I can tell you shall break my heart.

-He slides into the room, shutting the door behind him.  He is certain he isn’t welcome at his side with that tone, so he approaches to kneel before him, his head already lowered--and just as much, his blade placed just before him, out of his own reach as he tucks his hands in front of him but within Nobunaga’s heel.-

I can’t ask for your forgiveness, Nobunaga-kou...  I...

I couldn’t do it.  The result would change... I wouldn’t’ve been able to meet you.  In the end, I... I thought going against your orders would’ve protected you more.  

-By now, his forehead is pressed against the floor, tears already freely rolling down.-

I would’ve had to’ve broken Souza Samonji, who I know you love, an’ Yagen, that Hasebe you’ve talked to...

-Nobunaga likely already knows of his failure to murder Mitsuhide as he had been directed--he can hear the others speaking already, most likely.-

-He does not dare enter without permission.-

[He gives his hand a squeeze.]

The air is fresher here, I find. Still cold, of course… but fresh.

… are you hungry?

Yeah.  It’s much better than that place.

[He’s still holding onto his hand, in turn.] … at least we are back home.

... Yeah.

-He takes Souza’s hand quietly.-

[He keeps his hand on his head, lifting his other arm up to drape around his shoulders and pull him close.]

You are not useless to us. Not to me.

No matter what he said to you, nor what he offered you…

That man cannot presume to hold dominion over the flow of time. That is a saniwa’s duty, not that of a warlord. You’ve seen, firsthand, what it can do to us… and it makes me sick, that he would have let that happen to you.

…

You have been a tremendous help. Even with my brothers here, I… I do not think I would have been able to last as long as I have here, without you. Can you feel it…? My legs… haven’t stopped shaking since we arrived.

You are keeping me–all of us grounded. And that is the best help I could have ever asked for.

-He rests his face against Souza, his arms holding him tighter.  Sobs start to finally crack his voice.  What were in the ashes before bubbles up with the last few flickers of anguish.  He does not feel that pain as if his skull was warping, as if his spine would rip from flesh and he would change it all.-

-His cries continue, they don’t stop, even if he feels Souza’s own shaking.-

-It’s okay, since they are together.-

I’m scared.  What’s he going to do whe-when he knows... I didn’t... I couldn’t...

[With everyone gawking over Nobunaga, he turns on his heel to draw closer to him. He knows how he feels. Had he been in his right mind at Okehazama, he would’ve wanted do the same.]

Fudou-kun…

[It feels awkward. But he knows he needs it. He reaches over, hand curled around his head, and pulls him into his chest.]

I know. I know, Fudou-kun.

But he has no right to put that kind of pressure on you. He should love you even with the circumstances in mind.

It’s all right… I am here.

-He does need it, and he does turn toward him, his arms going tight around him.  He pulls his hands into Souza’s clothes and balls his fists against his chest.-

I-I can’t...  I want to... I want him to be... I wanted to stay by his side and be his general!  He told me.. he... he had so much faith... 

I-I’m useless all over again to him...!

I’m useless again, I couldn’t protect Nobunaga-kou... I...

-His voice thunders with the fires, with the fighting outside, with what must be coming.  But just as much as this place will be in due time, it crumbles to ashes as violently as it roared.-

I don’t want lose my memories of being with him.  I want to protect why I’m... I want to protect everything, you, where you’re happy... I don’t want him to hurt Master or b-back home...  

--Fudou-kun.

S-Souza...

-Those sensations aren’t real, fortunately, but it takes Souza voice to remind him.  He trembles a little bit, the heat and smoke starting to overwhelm his memories more than they do his senses.-

I...  He said he believed in me... 

-Souza’s attention goes to this Nobunaga who... who he doesn’t exactly recognize.  But it’s...-

-Protecting this Nobunaga and allowing through with orders, he...-

-His hand tightens on his blade as he turns away from the scene.-

-Mitsuhide would be here soon, wouldn’t he.  Nobunaga could be proud of him, he would be.  He would be loved even more if he agreed to carry through with the plan.  What would happen if he disrupted history here and now?  He can feel his fingers struck with a certain dreadful tightness, like rigor as pain pulls at his spine, his skull, threatening to split his jaw into mandibles to be loved and to be held.  To never seen this scene and to kill that bastard.-

I believe in you.

-He hears the saniwa’s announcement to go and he pauses when he hears his voice.  He holds his gaze, his chest puffing out a little bit.-

....

I’ll make sure the mission is a success, Nobunaga-kou.

I’m not a useless blade... you know?  I’m Oda Nobunaga’s most beloved blade!!!

[He makes sure to stand in a way that isn’t overtly threatening or imposing–then again, how could someone like Souza be imposing–keeping that soft, neutral expression.]

I look forward to fighting side-by-side with you, in that case.

… and I can stay by your side, while we are there. If you’d like. Even if it might not affect things… still. I sympathize. That place is unpleasant, no matter the circumstances.

…

That man…

Did he imply that he wishes for you to…?

Yeah... I...

...

-He doesn’t say anything for a few beats.-

I don’t know what he’ll do.  When we get back.  The fact I’ve said anything, I...

[His own expression doesn’t shift, but his eyes don’t stray from him. He can tell he’s jittery.]

I was taken from that place rather early… but I was still there.

Likewise. I am rather unused to combat, so I hope you will watch out for me, as I will for you.

…

[He leans in and lowers his voice a little, so no one else hears.]

Are you sure you are going to be all right?

-There’s something about it, and Souza’s voice is... is comforting, in a way.  He can talk to him about anything, right?-

Of course, we’re teammates.  I mean, even if I’m staying with Nobunaga-kou!

I-I’m sure, it’s... It’s nothing that’ll affect things.