Playing with Fire

Prologue: Thunderstruck (2/3)

The calculations to determine whether or not Riko survives this situation had so many factors that the mere use of simple addition and subtraction goes far into the depths of integral calculus. And boy, was Riko bad at math. The contingency plans were doubtful - if she ran away, she would die. If she stayed, she would still die, if she didn't watch her mouth.

What difference did it make, really? Sengoku history had slam dunked Riko real good, and the migraine she contracted put the poor girl into the depths of her despair. Not even the sounds of another group incoming had yanked her out of her internally panicked state.

"Lord Nobunaga!" A man called, going over to the two. He had led an army of men, who waited on standby behind him.

"Mitsunari? Why are you here? Where is Hideyoshi?" Nobunaga asked the man, who got down from his horse to properly present himself. Riko nervously looked at the two men, listening into their conversation. The names were getting familiar, not like that made anything better. Riko would rather stay in jail for a week than to witness all of this.

"Lord Hideyoshi sent me ahead," Mitsunari responded, turning to the burning temple and frowning. "We have received the message about the assassination attempt. My men have searched the grounds for the assassin, but it seems they have already fled."

The recollection of the shadows had become vivid - nightmarish. Riko couldn't help but hang her head low, the tip of her hat hiding her face. It was so much to absorb, she just wanted to fall over and shut down.

"If I may ask, who is this?" Mitsunari turned to Riko, and the attention snapped her out of her silent grief. "I saw the two of you leave the temple together."

Riko looked up, seeing that it was nearing pitch black outside. The fires must have been a luring spot for everyone then, seeing how it still hadn't died down. Pretty dangerous, she thought, all of them should leave soon not to attract any unwanted visitors.

"Riko, present yourself to my subordinate." Nobunaga gave Mitsunari a nod, then waited. Riko's eyes narrowed as her lips pursed, showing an expression of disbelief as she stared at him. She saved his life, touched her without permission, and NOW he had the audacity to disrespect her even more?

Rolling her eyes, she gave a small groan, turning to Mitsunari - reluctantly complying. "I'm Chinatsu Riko. It's nice to meet you."

She had a nearly sarcastic edge to her voice as she introduced herself, trying so hard not to be petty and lash out at the most powerful man of all Japan. Mitsunari didn't notice as he didn't react, but within Riko's peripherals, she could see Nobunaga glaring at her, his crimson eyes stabbing her side like daggers. Riko stiffened, she could've sworn it just became colder. She kept her face stoic as she faced Mitsunari.

"I'm Ishida Mitsunari, and I serve at the side of Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who is the right-hand man of Lord Nobunaga." Mitsunari gave her a smile, and somehow it strangely warmed her at how genuine it looked - purple eyes that sparkled within the night sky and ashes. Riko found this aesthetically pleasing as her mood softened.

"I don't know who she is, but she roused me and sought me to safety." Nobunaga said to Mitsunari, whose smile became brighter as he bowed.

"She did! And I can't thank you enough for saving our lord's life!" Oh, how he expressed his gratitude could make Riko contract diabetes - he was so sweet, she couldn't help but give a small smile herself.

"It was nothing, really..." She shrugged, looking away. "I did it without thinking."

"Oh?" Mitsunari was intrigued by her response, as well as Nobunaga. "What brought you here, by the way? You don't look like a nun, and your attire is unusual. Are you from abroad?"