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Deceit of an Angel	By : Kerianya Category: +S through Z > Samurai Warriors Views: 2520 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Warriors, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Deceit of an Angel
- 2-The Aftermath of Battle
- 1
- 2
Deceit of an Angel

This is a Mitsuhide x Yukimura, Keiji x Ranmaru, Nagayoshi x Toshiie, Shingen x Yukimura (implied) and Mitsuhide x Ranmaru (implied) yaoi fic. The pairings are cast in order of importance to the story.

Warnings: Explicit yaoi, violence, death and evil Ranmaru and Keiji! Yes you heard it right, angelic little Ranmaru is a bad guy for once. That's why the title is "Deceit of an Angel!"

Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever, own any characters within this story. They belong originally to the history of Japan but legally to Koei, either in Samurai Warriors or Kessen III.

This story is dedicated to Melanie, who inspired the pairing of Nagayoshi (Ranmaru's big brother) and Toshiie (Keiji's adopted brother, or father depending on what you read. In this context, Toshiie is Keiji's brother.). She's also the other fan of Mitsuhide and Yukimura.

Chapter 1: Captivating capture.

The thuds as spear and halberd were brought together again and again were deafening Yukimura as he fought the eldest of the Maeda brothers, the only barrier to protecting his love. Behind an impregnable Keiji, Nagayoshi Mori and Toshiie Maeda were almost merrily carving a path through the Takeda troops to his beloved Shingen, who would stand no chance without Yukimura by his side. Nagayoshi's ruthlessness had earned him the title of "the Devil," and his lover Toshiie was not much better. They would both make mincemeat of the older man within seconds, unless Yukimura could get to him in time�

"Shingen!" He shrieked as Nagayoshi knocked the remaining soldiers aside effortlessly. He tried to run to his lover, maybe if he could attack Toshiie, Nagayoshi would leave Shingen to defend him�

"Where d'ya think you're going?" Keiji sneered, once again barring his way to the love of his life.

"Keiji, I beg you, let me pass." Yukimura half-shouted, half-sobbed. "Shingen�he needs m-NO!"

As he spoke, Nagayoshi's double-ended spear swung into his lover, the scythe-shaped spear slicing into his belly like butter. At the same time, Toshiie's spear drove into his back. Yukimura screamed as Shingen collapsed to his knees and his assailants withdrew their spears, smiling lovingly at each other as though they had been doing something trivial like preparing a meal.

Yukimura pushed past Keiji, using strength he didn't know he possessed to knock the giant to the ground, and rushed to Shingen's side. Nagayoshi and Toshiie paid him little attention as he cradled his dying lover into his embrace.

"Shingen, please. I beg you." He sobbed. "Don't leave me! I love you so much. Please Shingen I can't live without you!"

As the tears ran down his cheeks he watched Shingen open his eyes and lift a shaking hand to the younger man's cheek, wiping away some of the tears that fell.

"Yukimura�" he managed through laboured breaths "Please don't cry for me. I�I'm old�I have�lived my life. You have to�go on�with�out me. You deserve�to be happy�"

"No! You mustn't speak like this, my love. You have to save your strength�"

"Yukimura�don't kid yourself. I'm dying!" He coughed as Yukimura shook his head frantically. Blood spattered Yukimura's face. "If not for�yourself, then live�for both of us. I don't�want you�to follow me. You're too young�"

"Shingen!"

"If�you�love�me, then�live�on�without me�."

With that last word, Shingen Takeda drew his last breath, and died in Yukimura's arms. The young man began to sob uncontrollably, clutching at the older man's corpse. He never even saw the shadow creeping up behind him, sword hilt raised. He felt something hit him over the back of his head, then his world went black.

As Yukimura crumpled over Shingen's corpse, Ranmaru resheathed his sword.

"Who would have thought it?" He purred, wrapping his arms around Keiji's muscular neck seductively. "I never would have had the Sanada bitch to be so whiny."

"Yes, he was getting rather irritating." Nagayoshi agreed, pushing a curl out of his eyes. "Very foolish too, with his lover's killers only feet away."

"I think I'd be the same." Toshiie piped up. "It would destroy me to lose you Yoshi."

"You always were too sympathetic little brother." Keiji chuckled. Ranmaru rolled his eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with your relationship with my brother." He snarled, lowering his eyes to Shingen's corpse with disgust. "But that was disgusting! What's a cute young man like Yukimura Sanada doing with a creepy old man like Shingen Takeda? He'd be about seventy at least! He's old enough to be Sanada's grandfather! It's just wrong!"

"Why all the concern?" Keiji reached over and tilted Ranmaru's chin to face him. "You're making me feel jealous."

Ranmaru smiled and kissed Keiji passionately on the lips.

"Darling, you have no need to." He purred when they finally broke apart. "You know I prefer a real man in my bed�"

The four stopped smiling when they heard the sound of hoofbeats. As though they had been scalded, Ranmaru and Keiji sprang apart, just as Mitsuhide rode up to them.

"Mitsuhide!" Ranmaru's expression was a joyous one as Mitsuhide dismounted. He threw himself into the older man's arms. Mitsuhide smiled, and drew Ranmaru into a much gentler kiss than the one he had shared with Keiji only moments before.

"I'm so glad you're safe, Ranmaru." He smiled when they broke their kiss

"As am I." Ranmaru agreed, resting his cheek against Mitsuhide's breastplate. "When I lost sight of you, I was so frightened for you."

He looked up at Mitsuhide, and smiled.

"But I had no reason to. Everyone is safe and well, Shingen Takeda has been defeated and killed, and Yukimura Sanada is our prisoner."
Nobunaga's brow wrinkled as Ranmaru patiently explained the facts to him.

"So, you killed Takeda and took Sanada captive?"

"Yes my lord."

"Wouldn't it have been more�advantageous to do it the other way around?"

"Possibly, my lord." Ranmaru sighed. The idiot was going in circles again! "But fate does not allow for what is more advantageous on the battlefield. However," he let his lips twist into a wry smile, "I believe that the situation we are in will provide a great advantage for us, and completely demoralise the Takeda."

Nobunaga raised a brow. "Go on."

"As I am sure you have realised, Shingen Takeda is dead, and was killed in hardly no time at all. Not very flattering for an army to have such a fragile leader. The loss of Shingen, regardless of how useless he was as an exemplary leader, is already a devastating blow to the Takeda's morale. But a leader is easily replaced in time. However, to add insult to injury, we defeated Yukimura Sanada, Shingen's little slut and the best samurai in their army, with almost as much ease. What's more, we take him captive. He's already demoralised by grief as it is, which made it so easy for us to disable him. If he isn't completely and utterly destroyed now, there are plenty of ways that such a state could be created. When we eventually release him to his people, if at all, they would be so destroyed by their hero's mental and emotional state that we could literally pick them off at our leisure."

Nobunaga smirked. "I like it. But tell me, Ranmaru, how are you intending to crush Yukimura's spirit into dust?"

"I'm sure that after all their hard work the troops would appreciate a little plaything to relieve their stresses. I think that they would appreciate Yukimura very much."

"Ranmaru!"

All eyes turned to Mitsuhide, who stood open-mouthed, staring at his lover as though he had never seen him before.

"How could you even think of suggesting such a thing?" He spluttered. "It's�it's inhumane and sickening to boot. Look at him!"

He stepped out of the way to reveal Yukimura curled up in the corner. His wrists and ankles were shackled, appearing to be tied together as he hugged his knees to his chest. Tears ran unchecked down his cheeks as he stared blankly at the air in front of him. Occasionally his breath would catch and his eyes would screw shut before slowly opening again. His entire body was shaking visibly and he nibbled his lower lip almost constantly. He appeared completely oblivious to the scrutiny he was under.

"Would you honestly throw the poor boy to the mercies of some of our troops?" Mitsuhide beseeched. He'd been almost overcome with pity when he had seen Yukimura after he'd regained consciousness. Mitsuhide had seen the painful realisation that Shingen was dead dawn on the boy all over again. The tears had started almost immediately, and as he was shackled and dragged before the Oda he had not struggled one bit, blindly letting them do what they wanted. It had been a sight to touch all but the hardest of hearts�

Which it appeared Ranmaru had. He merely stared at Yukimura with a looked of bored distaste before treating Mitsuhide to an incredulous look.

"Why would I care about him?" He asked irritably. "He would not care for me if our positions were reversed, and we all know that they would do the same thing to one of us."

"So that automatically justifies us sinking to their level?" Mitsuhide retorted

Ranmaru threw his hands in the air.

"For goodness sake Mitsuhide why must you insist on being so damned pious?"

"Why must you insist on being so cruel?"

"Enough!"

All eyes turned to the forgotten Nobunaga. He glowered at the feuding lovers.

"Ranmaru, I am impressed by your little strategy. I had no idea that you could be so delightfully ruthless�"

Ranmaru smiled his seductive smile, letting his lashes fall and rise slowly. Nobunaga smirked; Ranmaru had learned how to use his beauty very well.

"However, I am afraid that with regards to the prisoner's fate I would have to agree with Mitsuhide."

Ranmaru's expression froze.

"You would, my lord?"

Nobunaga nodded.

"Though I am reputed to be a cruel man, I am only cruel when cruelty is needed. Yukimura has clearly been through enough suffering this day to last a lifetime. He will be imprisoned, nothing more."

Ranmaru scowled, but bowed respectfully.

"As you wish it, my lord." His musical voice came out as a purr, but his eyes flashed with anger. Nobunaga turned to Mitsuhide.

"Seeing as you appear to have more concern for the prisoner than for your own lover at this point in time, Akechi, I will hold you responsible for his welfare."

Mitsuhide bowed.

"My lord." He replied shortly, before turning to the guards stood either side of Yukimura and motioned for them to lift him to his feet. Yukimura let out a whine as he was hauled to his feet, and Mitsuhide's heart ached to see him hang unresisting in their grip.

"Come on, let's get him downstairs." He turned to another guard. "Arrange for the healer to prepare their sleeping draught and have it brought down to the dungeons."

The guard blinked.

"The sleeping draught?" He said. "What do you need that for, Mitsuhide-sama?"

"Are you questioning my orders?" Mitsuhide snapped. The guard appeared to shrink.

"N-no sir." The guard babbled, turning to head to the healers' quarters. "I-I'll do as you asked sir!"

With that he was gone. Mitsuhide gave a wry smile, before following the guards who were half dragging the distraught Yukimura towards the dungeon.

The audience chamber quickly emptied as the officers went about their different businesses, leaving Ranmaru and Keiji alone.

"You ok babe?" Keiji asked, putting his ands on Ranmaru's shoulders.

"Yes." Ranmaru replied before giving Keiji an urgent glance.

"Keiji, this is probably the best chance that we will ever have." He hissed. "Let's do it tonight!"

Keiji nodded.

"You're right, as always." He grinned. "Give me an hour then meet me by the stables. We'll do it then."
Yukimura whimpered as he felt an unkind hand push him into a little cell. He landed heavily on his hands and knees with a loud cry.

"I don't recall such harsh treatment of an obviously distraught prisoner being part of my orders."

Yukimura raised his head a little at the sound of that smooth, educated voice. He'd heard it defending him before, although he couldn't remember what from.

Gentle hands closed around his arms, guiding his body into a sitting position. Cringing slightly, he turned to see a handsome man with long raven hair looking back at him. He recognised the man as Mitsuhide Akechi, one of Nobunaga's most respected generals. His dazzling emerald eyes looked kind, and he did have a reputation for being one of the nicer samurai in the Oda ranks.

"Did you hurt yourself?" He asked softly. Yukimura blinked dazedly then lifted his palms up in an almost child-like manner for Mitsuhide to inspect.

"I don't think so�" he managed in a small voice. Mitsuhide smiled

"I'm glad. Do you think that you can stand up Yukimura?"

Yukimura tried to move his legs then shook his head.

"The chains, they're a bit too heavy."

Mitsuhide nodded, then reached out a hand to a guard behind them.

"The key, if you will." He said in a much less gentle voice than he had used on Yukimura.

"But sir�"

"Are you questioning my orders?" Mitsuhide snapped. Yukimura jumped as he saw the older man's eyes flash angrily as he scowled at the guard. He saw a key appear very quickly in Mitsuhide's gloved hand. They were very nice gloves.

"I really have no idea what kind of training they're giving the recruits these days." Yukimura looked up as Mitsuhide's voice returned to its gentle soothing tone. Sure enough, Mitsuhide's expression had softened again and was directed at him. He resisted the urge to blush.

"All I can remember is that when I first joined the army," Mitsuhide continued as he unlocked the shackles around Yukimura's ankles, "I would never have dared to question even in my mind the orders of a ranking officer and it wasn't 'ages ago', thank you very much!"

Yukimura stared at Mitsuhide in disbelief. He couldn't believe that the guard had muttered that to his colleague right in front of Mitsuhide. Shingen would have had their heads for such rudeness�

But Shingen was dead, and he was at the mercy of the demon lord.

Tears pricked his eyes as the realisation struck him again. The pain coursed through his body like a blossoming rose of broken glass. He bowed his head and nibbled his lip as Mitsuhide continued to chide the unfortunate guards behind them.

"�and if I ever hear of you mouthing back at anyone again, I swear that I'll have your hides! Now get out of my sight before I change my mind!"

"Yes, Mitsuhide-sama!" The two guards scuttled away. Mitsuhide's hands rested gently on Yukimura's shoulders once again.

"I apologise for that." He smiled the most charming smile Yukimura had ever seen.

"That's alright." He managed. "They were being disrespectful to you."

He felt a hand gently guide his head to face Mitsuhide. The gloves were so soft against his slightly wet skin.

"You're crying."

Yukimura pulled away from him. Mitsuhide's concerned expression had only made him feel worse.

"I have just lost the love of my life to two of your friends." He whispered bitterly. "I'm sorry if you were expecting laughter."

Mitsuhide bowed his head respectfully.

"Forgive me." His voice was so gentle and soothing that Yukimura turned to look at him. "I spoke out of turn. It was inconsiderate of me to do so."

"Why�why are you being so nice to me? I'm your prisoner, aren't I?"

"I regret to say but your are right."

"So why are you being so kind to me? Standing up for me and worrying when I cry."

"Chivalry demands it of me." Mitsuhide replied simply. "I couldn't honestly call myself a man if I did not treat you well." He looked across at Yukimura, who tried to edge away.

"That isn't my little way of saying that I want you in my bed, by the way." He added. "Granted, you are very attractive, but you couldn't lure me away from Ranmaru even if you wanted to."

Yukimura flushed and looked away in embarrassment.

"The idea had never crossed my mind." He lied. The Akechi, with particular regards to Shingemoto, were well known for their special methods of torture, and Shingen had warned him to being careful to their charms.

"I wouldn't have blamed you if you had." Mitsuhide replied. "My brother, not so sadly missed by us all, gave my family a reputation for such things, particularly to younger prisoners. Of course, my relationship with Ranmaru only makes things worse. I've been called a pervert so many times since we fell in love." He finished with an almost bitter sigh.

Yukimura blinked.

"How old is Ranmaru?" He asked. Surely their age difference wasn't that big�?

"He's eighteen. He'll be nineteen in May."

"Well, surely that doesn't make you a pervert." Yukimura protested. "It just means that people are jealous that you won him over and they didn't. I mean how old are you? Twenty-four? Twenty-six?"

Mitsuhide chuckled.

"Try thirty-five. I'm almost twice Ranmaru's age, and his family take every opportunity to remind me about it."

Yukimura gaped momentarily.

"Thirty-five?" He squeaked. "B-but you don't look that�that�"

"Old?" Mitsuhide finished. "It's what I am, Yukimura. Thirty-five years are a long time in this day and age."

Yukimura flushed. If Mitsuhide was this handsome at thirty-five, how handsome was he ten years ago�

Stop it! He mentally slapped himself. You just lost Shingen, the love of your life. THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE!!! You can't dishonour what you had with him by lusting over another man!

He angrily wiped a tear away, stood up and stepped firmly away from the older man�

At least, he tried to. Just as he tried to walk he tripped over the loosened shackles around his ankles. He cried out as he began to fall, but gasped as a pair of arms caught him and pulled him back into a sitting position. He lifted his head to gaze into Mitsuhide's eyes.

"Do you mind telling me what just happened there?" He asked the young man sternly.

Yukimura cracked at this, simply burying his face in Mitsuhide's chest and sobbing uncontrollably as his grief was finally released. Unbeknownst to him, Mitsuhide smiled. Yukimura would have gone insane if he hadn't let go of his grief.

"That's right," he soothed, stroking the trembling boy's head, "let it all out. Cry for him."

"I loved him�" Yukimura whimpered, his voice muffled against Mitsuhide's tunic.

"Of course you did."

"I tried to help him. I tried so hard�but I couldn't get past Keiji until it was too late. I-I failed him�"

Mitsuhide hugged him closer. A thousand damnations on Ranmaru and his little clique!

"You didn't fail him, Yukimura." He whispered. "You fought to try and save him, and you even managed to knock Keiji away. Nobody could call that a failure�"

"Then why isn't Shingen here?" Yukimura sobbed. "Why is he dead and I'm still alive to go on without him? Why didn't he want me to go with him when he knows I can't live without him?"

Mitsuhide gently but forcefully tilted Yukimura's chin, forcing him to make eye contact.

"Never talk like that." He hissed. "Shingen loved you! He knew that you were young, and you had your whole life ahead of you. He wouldn't have wanted to watch you throw your life away in his name."

"You wouldn't understand!" Yukimura screamed. "I love him! Without him I have no life to live! I love him so much�"

"Then you should live for him as much as for yourself." Mitsuhide replied. "Honour the love you shared and life. Die and cheapen everything that was good and lasting between you."

Yukimura's sobs were immediately ceased.

"The first part�" he murmured, almost as if under a spell. "Shi-Shingen said the same thing�"

"Then grant him his last request." Mitsuhide wiped a tear from Yukimura's cheek. "If he were to see you walking towards him tonight in the afterlife do you think he'd be pleased?"

Yukimura shook his head, tears running fresh down his cheeks.

"No�" he whimpered. "He'd be angry. He believed that suicide was the way of escape for cowards to take."

"Well there you are." Mitsuhide's tone was almost cheerful. "Do you want Shingen to spend eternity thinking that you're a coward?"

"No." Yukimura looked away. "But I don't want to meet someone new�"

"Did he tell you to?"

Yukimura shook his head. The repetitive motion made him feel dizzy.

"Not in�so many words." He replied. "But I knew that's what he meant. Do you think I'll find some new love?"

Mitsuhide hesitated.

"Nobody could honestly tell you the answer to that." He replied carefully. "If you were to find love with someone else, then that would be fantastic, but if you didn't then that would be fine too. Nobody would think any less of you whatever happened, least of all Shingen. He would just want you to be happy."

"But how can I carry on?" Yukimura's voice was a hoarse whisper. "I loved him so much. He taught me everything I know. He was always there when I needed him, with an answer or a way to sort things out. But now he lies dead when I need him the most, and I need him because he isn't there and I know I'll never see him again."

"You're going to feel like this." Mitsuhide assured him. "I know that you don't believe me now, but trust me when I tell you that it will start to get better. You have to be strong, and Shingen will be watching over you the whole time."

Yukimura managed a small smile.

"You know," he whispered, "don't tell anyone, but I think�I think that Shingen would have liked it that you were here with me.

Mitsuhide returned the smile.

"I'm honoured that you think so, Yukimura."

Their gazes locked as he spoke, and as they looked at one another neither noticed that their faces were slowly getting closer�

But a clink heralding the opening of the dungeon's ancient door broke the spell. As Mitsuhide looked up at the sudden intrusion, Yukimura felt an unexplainable sense of disappointment.

The intrusion turned out to be a pretty little healer's maid. She curtseyed nervously, but the smile she gave Mitsuhide was a familiar and friendly one. Mitsuhide returned the smile. Yukimura felt a pang of jealousy as he witnessed the exchange. Why did they seem so cosy?

"Hello Rika." Mitsuhide smiled.

"Mitsuhide-sama." Rika smiled in return.

She was a pretty little thing, looking about fifteen to sixteen years old. Her gleaming copper hair was plaited and twisted into a practical but elaborate knot. Her jade green eyes were large and framed with thick, curly lashes in her pixie-like face. Little orange freckles dotted her cheeks, making the overall appearance on of absolute cuteness. To Yukimura, with her luscious lips and innocent demeanour, she looked like Ranmaru�

She was holding a steaming mug in her long, delicate hands. Mitsuhide opened the cell door, and took the mug from her hands.

"Ouch!" Rika grinned.

"Be careful Mitsuhide." She giggled. "It's hot."

"Really?" Mitsuhide's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I would have had no idea."

He smiled and turned to Yukimura, handing him the steaming mug. He took it gingerly and peered into the fluid depths. The mug was filled with a thick, syrupy fluid, a lovely magenta in colour that smelled�warm, like sitting by the fire with bread and honey on a snowy winter's night.

"What is this drink?" He asked, feeling a little irritable watching Mitsuhide chatting merrily with this pretty, elf-like girl.

"It's a sleeping draught." Rika answered. "Mitsuhide-sama ordered that one be made for you. From what I heard you'll need it if you want to sleep tonight"

"A sleeping draught?" Yukimura murmured. Mitsuhide nodded.

"I know it might sound weird to take a sleeping draught, but this one really does work."

"I didn't know how you felt about flavouring, but I had them add cinnamon to it." Rika piped up. "Drink it now. It thickens as it cools. My big brother had to eat it with a spoon because he left it too long."

Yukimura gazed at the syrupy drink. Steam was still billowing out of it as though it were a forest fire in a cup. He nervously took a sip of the scalding drink. It tasted delicious. He could almost smell the fire and honey on the bread�

"Why are sleeping draughts so hot?" He murmured, taking a bigger sip of the sweet syrup.

Rika looked up.

"Because they work quicker when they're hot." She replied.

Yukimura nodded quietly. He'd wanted Mitsuhide to answer, but obviously it was much more likely that the pretty young healer's maid would know the answer. He continued to drink his sleeping draught, the hot fluid leaving a pleasant trail down his throat. He could feel it pooling in his belly like honey pooling in a bowl. It was lovely.

Finally, and yet all too soon, the drink was gone. Handing the cup over to Mitsuhide, he stood up, a little shakily, stepped out of the shackles that were still lying about his ankles and sat on the surprisingly comfortable bed. As soon as he did so, his eyelids felt heavy. He yawned and spread out on the mattress, pulling the blanket over his body.

"Y'know�" he slurred as his eyes closed "that was a really good drink�"

The minute the last word had left his mouth, he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. He didn't hear the other two quietly leave.
"How is Hidemitsu coping with his fever?" Mitsuhide asked as he escorted Rika back to the healers quarters. His sixteen-year-old brother had come down with a severe fever the week before and had been put under Rika's care.

"He's getting much better now." She replied. "He pinched my bum this morning so he can't be feeling that ill, can he?"

Mitsuhide laughed. Hidemitsu was young and warm-blooded, and like all the young men within their age group he had a tremendous crush on Rika.

"That wouldn't surprise me." He replied. "Hidemitsu is very fond of you, you know."

"I know Mitsuhide. But how can I go out with him when you're going out with my big brother?"

"I cannot see how that would cause a problem, Rika."

"But my big brother and your little brother are best friends, it would be funny. Anyway, I have far too much studying to become a healer to do before I should consider a boyfriend."

"Now that, my dear Rika, is an excuse." Mitsuhide chuckled. "But if you did want to have a relationship with my brother, Ranmaru and I would be the first to support you."

Rika stopped dead in her tracks, uncertainty clear on her face.

"Mitsuhide�if I were to tell that I was worried about something that upset you, would you be angry with me for telling you?"

Mitsuhide blinked then took her tiny hands in his own.

"Rika, I've known you since you were little. You know that I see you as my little sister. There is nothing that you could say that would make me angry with you. Now, what is it?"

Rika blushed, then looked up into his eyes.

"I think Ranmaru is sleeping with Keiji."

"What?"

"You remember when Hidemitsu was taken with this fever and you were sat with him? Well, when I went to go get a change of underwear for him I heard funny noises coming from yours and my brother's room. The door was a little bit ajar so I peeked in and they were both naked and they were kissing and�um�you know�" She fumbled with a corner of her apron, her face was beet red.

Mitsuhide was taken aback.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"Ranmaru caught me." She replied. "He caught me and told me that if I was going to tell you then you would not believe me and you'd just think that I was a silly little girl. He promised that it was just satisfying his curiosity, but on my way to the dungeons I saw them kissing. They didn't see me. I thought you had a right to know."

Mitsuhide nodded.

"Well, I think that I shall have to have a word with Ranmaru about this. Thank you for telling me Rika."

Before she could reply, he was on the way to the bedroom he shared with Ranmaru.
He didn't bother to knock when he reached the bedroom door, simply sliding it open. He was half disappointed to find the room empty. There was an envelope on the pillow of their bed, addressed to Mitsuhide in Ranmaru's neat and meticulous hand. He picked it up, and sat on the bed as he opened it.

Mitsuhide,
I'm so sorry. I never meant it to happen but I am leaving you. I have fallen in love with Keiji and we are running away together tonight.
Please don't try and follow me. I won't come back with you. I don't love you any more.
Please forgive me for not telling you to your face, but it is better this way.
Ranmaru X

Mitsuhide was glad that he was already sitting down as he read the letter again, and a third time. The letter seemed far too short to be the end of a relationship.

A solitary, but large tear trickled down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly. There was no way that Rika had been mistaken about her brother's fidelity now.

I think, he thought, folding the letter up, that I too should have a sleeping draught tonight.
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Deceit of an Angel