[:)!]

[Akechi watches Hikage's reaction carefully, with a surprisingly keen eye. there's tension in the air-- something thick like butter, something easily cut through with a hot knife-- before it just. . . melts away]

You're right. You would be. And I can admire your resourcefulness.

[a small shrug]

At any rate, I don't care. Even if I may not necessarily need your protection any longer, you are still one of my allies.