you both are aware that the other knows. you're aware of the small challenges he places for you to see if you'll show your hand and he delights in the choices you make. "sorry my lord, i have reason to believe that dish is poisoned." you watch as he tilts his head back with a smile and stretches his arm out in front of him. his eyes watching carefully (a glint in them you aren't able to discern), you take the tray of food and leave the room.
hideyoshi has no proof. he knows there is something off about you, knows the details you tell them are never quite enough to link you back anywhere but just enough for them to see the threads you've carefully left out. he trusts nobunaga's decisions and thus keeps quiet as you grow ever closer to his lord. you've saved his life on more occasions than he can count but your reflexes feel too fast for a mere maid.
he's not sure who you're reporting to-- he has more enemies than he can count narrowing down who sent you would be a difficult task-- he has the resources to find out if he wanted. nobunaga instead finds himself enjoying the game of cat and mouse you play. he allows you close to him and perhaps it is foolishness on his part when he allows you to his bed chambers. perhaps it is foolishness to share in a drink with you or offer a piece of candy with a small *shh* and a promise of a secret.
you might as well be just as foolish. you allow yourself to sleep in his company, not saying a word when calloused hands brush hair from your face or smooth a wrinkle in your brow as you sleep. you have a job to do, one you've been waiting for. primed for. and yet, one night you get close enough.
the dagger in your hand millimeters away from the skin of his throat. it would be swift, over and he wouldn't even know. it would be kind to get it over with so quickly and still you hesitate. you carefully wrap the dagger and stash it amongst your things as you cover yourself in the blanket of your futon and try to forget how close you were to being done.
"why didn't you do it?" you both know what you're referring to when you have breakfast together the next day. it is the first time he has ever outwardly shown you he is aware. he doesn't seem angry, only a curious gleam filling his eyes.
"I couldn't my lord." an admission far greater than the words alone can convey. you sip from your cup and look at him over the rim. there's a pleased look in his eyes that makes you want to roll your own and a hint of red on his cheeks you decide is a trick of the light. it would be better, safer, for both of you if it was.
"you manage to always surprise me. I wonder how you will do so next."
"who can say my lord, the trip is only a few days."
we blame @cottonlemonade for these thoughts
a kunoichi is a female ninja
