With Motochika close now, Mitsuhide could see that his friend was whole and unharmed. A living, breathing man, and most definitely not a ghost. This really was happening; the one he had lost and grieved for, the one without whom Mitsuhide felt unworthy of name, stood before him.

For a moment the samurai said nothing, did nothing, merely staring at Motochika. After a few seconds, however, he stepped forward and in one swift movement did something he very rarely did unprompted.

Mitsuhide embraced Motochika tightly, pressing his forehead against the other man's shoulder in order to hide his face.

"It is... good to see you too," he said quietly. "You cannot know how much."