ALEX'S POV

The next day, we got to the location where Uesugi Kenshin was marching with his band of mercenaries. Nobunaga had taken me to the frontlines where we saw Kenshin and some of his soldiers. I kept taking glances at the sky to see if it was getting darker yet since it was already in the afternoon when the battle started. Nobunaga noticed this and he asked me.

"What's the matter with you? why do you keep looking at the sky?"

"Uh, I was just keeping an eye out for any arrows that might be flying towards us."

"I see, hang on!"

I held onto his waist for dear life as Nobunaga spurred his horse into a gallop. Nobunaga took down some of the soldiers with his sword and then we saw Kenshin. I was shocked when I watched him take down our men with a smirk on his face. I was shocked when I saw the bloodlust in his eyes and then Nobunaga smirked.

"So he finally reveals himself."

"*Gulp* now I know why he's known as the War God."

"*Chuckle* don't be scared, as long as you're here, my luck won't run out."

"Ugh, are you always this arrogant?" I mumbled.

"What did you say?!"

"Nothing! nothing at all! uh, hehe..."

"Bigmouth."

"Shut up!"

I shouted at Shadow. Just then, one of the Oda soldiers came over to us and he told us.

"My lord, the Uesugi forces have begun their withdraw."

"They're retreating?" I asked Nobunaga and he told me.

"No, since it's starting to get dark now, they're withdrawing from this battle for tonight and then they'll continue tomorrow."

"Seriously? when will this ridiculous war between you and then War God end? it feels like the apocalypse."

"It's a phrase that means the end of the world, it's complicated to explain."

"I see."

Nobunaga mumbled and then we made our way back to the camp. Once we got back to camp, Nobunaga left to talk to Hideyoshi about strategising for tomorrow's battle while I was in one of the tents getting ready to sneak out of here. I stuffed the pillow under the bedroll to make it look like I was asleep and when I was about to leave my tent I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Ba-dump!

"Ngh!" I grunted in pain as I held my chest in pain.

I glanced at my right hand and I noticed for a split second my right paw. 

"Not good! Alex, you better hurry! I can't hold back! it's gonna dark at any minute!"

"I know...but...it hurts every time it gets closer to the full moon..."

I spoke while feeling the pain in my chest. I snapped out of it and I quietly and carefully snuck out of the tent. I looked around to make sure Nobunaga or any familiar faces were around and I then weakly made my escape.

NOBUNAGA'S POV

Once I was finished with the strategies for tomorrow's battle, I decided to check up on Alex since she wasn't looking too well since the battle earlier. I went over to her tent and I called out to her.

"Alex? are you in there?"

I moved the flap of the tent out of the way and I found a bump in the bedroll.

"Alex? are you awake?"

I asked her but she didn't respond. I walked over to her bedroll and I gently shook her but, she didn't wake up. I was confused by this and I pulled the covers off only to find two pillows stuffed under the covers along with Alex's spare kimonos.

"She's gone?!"

I left the tent and I looked around for her and she was nowhere to be seen. Hideyoshi and Masamune spotted the worried look on my face and then Hideyoshi asked me.

"Lord Nobunaga, what's the matter?"

"Masamune, have you seen Alex?"

"No, I haven't seen the lass since my men and I got here, why?"

"I went to check up on her since Alex wasn't looking too well but, when I got to her tent she wasn't there."

"What?!"

Hideyoshi shouted in a shocked tone and then one of my men came running over to us.

"Lord Nobunaga!"

"What is it?"

"I just saw lady Alex heading into the woods."

"Why is she heading into the woods on her own?! doesn't she realise that it's dangerous?!"

Hideyoshi shouted and I asked him.

"Was there anyone else with her? did one of the Uesugi soldiers try to kidnap her?"

"No, she was on her own and she doesn't look too well, she looked liked she's about to collapse at any moment."

I frowned a little and I said to Hideyoshi.

"Hideyoshi, go and find Ieyasu and tell him to come with me, we're gonna look for Alex."

"Let me come too."

"No, you stay here, someone needs to be in charge of things while I'm gone."

"All right, but, at least send Masamune to go with you."

I nodded my head and I asked him.

"Any objections Masamune?"

"None my Lord, but, can I go on ahead and look for the lass?"

"You may."

Masamune ran off and then he got on his horse and he went into the forest ahead of us. Once I got Ieyasu we went after Masamune.

'Alex! what were you thinking? why are you running away in the middle of the night especially with the Uesugi forces skulking about!'

ALEX'S POV

I got deeper into the forest, I panted heavily while dripping in sweat and then Shadow said to me.

"Alex, are you gonna be all right?"

"I don't know...I should be used to the pain by now but...it's hard not to feel the urge to shift during the full moon..."

I glanced at the sky and I noticed that it was almost dark and I could feel myself getting close to shifting. I panted heavily again until I felt that sharp pain in my chest again.

Ba-dump!!

"Ahhh!!"

I collapsed onto my knees and bending over while clutching chest. I gritted my teeth in pain and I mumbled.

"S-Shadow...please...don't come out...not yet..."

"I'm trying...but, it's so hard not to...resist the urge to shift..."

I slowly got onto my knees and right when I was about to stand up on my feet, I heard someone call for me.

"Alex! where are you?!"

My eyes widen and I knew who that voice belonged to. 

'Shoot! it's Masamune and...'

I sniffed the air and I noticed that there were two more scents with him.

"He's brought Ieyasu and Nobunaga with him! damn! I wasn't expecting them to come looking for me this quickly!"

"What are we gonna do? the full moon is not even here yet and with those guys searching for us-"

"I know! I don't need reminding!"

I snapped at Shadow. I took a deep breath and I then I quietly got away from Nobunaga and the others. I hid behind some bushes while I waited for the others to go away until I saw their horses panicking a little.

"Hey! what's the matter with the horses?" Nobunaga asked until Masmaune realised something.

"Hang on, they did this before in the forest when Alex first arrived in Kyoto, I don't know why they were reacting to her badly but, this could mean she might be close by."

"Are you sure?" Nobunaga asked Masamune.

"Yes, when I tried to catch Alex she landed on the back of my horse and then it got scared and it nearly bucked her off."

"I see."

Ieyasu sighed annoyingly and he then spoke up.

"Why did she come out here? is she stupid or something?"

I frowned at that comment but, this wasn't the time to be annoyed at Ieyasu. I snuck away from the others and once I got far away from those three, I collapsed onto the ground again and this time the pain got worse. I clutched my chest in pain and I could feel myself shifting at any moment now.

"Alex, I'm sorry...I don't think I can hold back...anymore..."

"Me neither...at least...the other won't be able to...see me become a...monster..."

I told Shadow with a small smile on my face until another familiar voice spoke up.

"Alex?"

My eyes widen in shock and when I looked up it was Sasuke. 

'Sasuke...no! of all times for him to show!'

"What's the matter with you? You don't look well."

Sasuke tried to come over to me but, I yelled.

"No! don't come any closer!!"

Sasuke was surprised by my outburst and he looked at me confused.

"What's wrong? did Nobunaga do something to you?"

"No, I'm just not feeling well right now...please, don't come any closer...and you need to get out of here...Nobunaga, Masamune and Ieyasu are looking for me right now...if they...see you they'll kill you."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take for an old friend, now come on, I find a spot for you to rest."

When Sasuke touched me, I growled like an animal and I smacked his hand away.

"Don't touch me!!"

Sasuke was shocked by my outburst until I heard the sound of horses coming my way.

"Dammit, not now!"

"Alex!" Nobunaga called out for me.

When I turned to look Masamune, Nobunaga and Ieyasu had come along. My eyes widen in shock and then Shadow spoke up.

"Oh for god's sake! it's one thing after another!"

"Tell me about it..."

I told her and then Nobunaga and Masamune got in front of me protectively when they saw Sasuke.

"It's Uesugi's ninja!"

"Well, well, planning to do a night raid are we?"

Masamune spoke with a smirk on his face as he drew his two swords. I frowned a little and then Nobunaga spoke up.

"Alex, I don't know why you came out here but, I will personally punish you when this is over."

"No! you got it all wrong! Sasuke isn't here to-"

Ba-dump!

"Ahhhh!!!" I screamed in pain as I clutched my chest. 

Nobunaga and Masamune were shocked by my reaction and then Masamune said to Ieyasu.

"Ieyasu, you better check what's wrong with the lass, we'll deal with this ninja."

Ieyasu nodded his head and when he touched my forehead he was shocked.

"What the?! she's burning up! she might be suffering from a fever, come on, better get you back."

"No!!" I yelled as he tried to help me onto my feet.

I shoved Ieyasu away from me before taking off running. 

"Alex! come back!" I heard Masamune shouting at me.

I ran and ran as fast as I could to get away from the others. However, I came to a dead-end when I got to a cliff. I turned around to run in a different direction but, that was until I saw the three warlords and the ninja coming towards me. I took a few steps back and then Ieyasu said to me.

"Alex, it's all right, we're only trying to help you."

"You can't help me...not from this!"

"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked me.

"Please, this is why I tried to stay away from you guys, I don't you to see me shift."

"Shift? what are you talking about?" Nobunaga asked me as he tried to take a step closer to me.

"Don't come any closer! if you do! I will jump off this cliff and I mean it!!" I shouted at him.

Nobunaga stopped in his tracks and then the surrounding area got bright and bright. When I looked up the full moon appeared from the dark clouds.

3RD PERSON POV

The full moon appeared from the clouds and then Alex's pulses got stronger and stronger and more painful. Alex gritted her teeth and then she looked at the others one last time before she began to shift.

"I'm sorry...this is why...I couldn't tell you about my secret...I'm so sorry..."

Alex said with tears in the corner of her eyes until the warlords and Sasuke heard her bones started to crack and change form. Nobunaga and the others were shocked when they watched Alex gone on all fours on the ground and her body got bigger and bigger. Alex screamed in pain and then black fur surrounded her body after her kimono was torn to shreds.

ARROOOOO!!!

A howl appeared after Alex transformed into her wolf form. The others were shocked when they saw Alex transform and then Sasuke shouted.

"Alex! is a...werewolf?!"

"A what?!" Masamune shouted after witnessing Alex transformed the way she did.

Alex shook herself and then she looked at the others with a scared look on her face. Alex whimpered and her ears went back in fear. 

"Alex, it's all right, no one is going to hurt you."

Nobunaga spoke calmly as he tried to get closer to her. Alex whimpered a little and she backed off a little until she glanced at Masamune's drawn swords. Nobunaga noticed this too and he said to him.

"Masamune, I think Alex is frightened what we might do to her, put your swords away."

"Oh," Masamune understood this before putting his swords away.

Alex cautiously took a step closer to Nobunaga and then she sniffed his hand. Nobunaga carefully placed his hand on top of Alex's head and then she started to relax under his touch. Alex whimpered before rubbing her head against his chest. Nobunaga smiled a little as he continued to pet Alex's fur.

"It's OK, Alex. You can tell us all about it when you get back to your normal self."

"Whatever that is."

Alex joked and then Nobunaga's eyes widen when he heard her voice. Nobunaga pulled away from Alex and he looked at her blue wolf eyes and she said to him.

"Shh, don't tell anyone that you can hear my voice, I'll tell you how you're able to hear me through your mind once day time comes, all right?"

Nobunaga nodded his head and he scratched the top of Alex's furry head. Suddenly, Alex growled angrily and then Nobunaga looked at her shocked.

"What? what's wrong?"

"Oda Nobunaga!"

Nobunaga looked over his shoulder and it was Kennyo. Nobunaga stood up from the ground and he drew his sword.

"Nobunaga, that's the guy who tried to kill you at Honno-Ji!"

Nobunaga looked at Alex shocked when he noticed that it wasn't her who spoke to him.

"That monk over there smelt like smoke when Alex and I first met him!"

"Kennyo huh? all right."

Nobunaga mumbled and then the other two warlords drew their swords. Nobunaga looked at Sasuke and he told him.

"Sasuke you go back to that War God and tell him that we're retreating tomorrow because of this guy but, don't tell him what happened to Alex either."

"Understood, Lord Nobunaga."

Sasuke said before he disappeared into the shadows quick as a flash. Kennyo led a small group of monks and they had their swords at the ready. Nobunaga had a cocky smirk on his face and then he said to him.

"Some monk you turned out to be, so you decided to show yourself."

"You knew I was coming for you?"

"Mitsuhide informed me that a monk was behind the rebellion and the fire at Honno-Ji before we came here to deal with Kenshin."

"I see, but, let's see if you can fight your way out of this one, no woman is gonna save you now."

Kennyo said as he drew his sword from his staff. Alex growled angrily and then she got into a pouncing position. 

"Shadow now's the time to let the hunt begin."

"You need to tell me twice!"

Shadow smirked a little before one of the monks charged at Nobunaga. 

"Die, Devil King!"

Shadow growled and then she leapt into the air and then she pounced on him. The monk looked at Shadow in fear before she sank her teeth into the monk's neck. The monk tried to scream in pain but, it didn't come as Shadow twisted his neck and then she broke his neck. Kennyo and the other monks looked at Shadow in shock and then she released her teeth from the dead monk's neck and then she glared at the enemies. 

"What the hell?! is that a wolf?!"

"No way! it can't be!"

"Don't just stand there, brothers! kill the Devil and his little pet!!" Kennyo ordered his men.

They snapped out of their shock and then they charged at Nobunaga and the other warlords. They fought against Kennyo and his brothers but, they were being defeated. Kennyo and Nobunaga fought against each other and Shadow spotted this. Kennyo and Nobunaga were fighting dangerously close to the cliff. Shadow ran towards them and then Kennyo smirked at Nobunaga.

"This is where you finally fall, Nobunaga, I will avenge my brothers' death!"

However, before Kennyo could send the final blow to Nobunaga, Shadow towards Kennyo and then she got in front of Nobunaga in time and then she pounced on top of him. Kennyo dropped his sword and Shadow had him pinned down. She snarled and growled at Kennyo while having him pinned down. 

"Master Kennyo!!"

One of the monks shouted before charging at Shadow. She saw this coming but, Shadow was unable to dodge in time. The monk had struck her shoulder, causing her to whimper in pain loudly. Shadow limped away from Kennyo and his brothers. 

"Master Kennyo, are you all right?!"

"I'll be fine but that wolf..."

Kennyo looked at Shadow who was snarling and growling at Kennyo even though she was still injured. 

"She protected Nobunaga, why?"

"Ouch...damn that monk got us good..."

"You got careless, you idiot! is it any wonder why Apollo is always scolding you?!"

"Now's not the time for a lecture!"

Shadow growled and shouted before charging towards Kennyo and then she struck down the monk who attacked her. Kennyo was shocked by Shadow's stamina and then she got in front of Nobunaga protectively before howling loudly. The others looked at Shadow with surprised expressions on their faces until they heard rustling from the bushes. When they turned to look several more wolves appeared from the darkness and then their alpha, a dark grey wolf called Zion, growled at the enemies. 

"You called for us, Shadow?"

"We can use your help right about now, my friend."

"No problem, you make sure the Devil King and his allies are safe, let us handle these so-called monks, CHARGE!!!"

Zion shouted before howling loudly to signal the attack. The pack ran towards the monks then they took them down one by one. Kennyo was shocked by this and then Zion and Shadow stood next to each other while snarling and growling at him. Kennyo looked around and he knew his brothers won't last for much longer.

"Retreat! fall back!!"

The remaining monks heard him and they made a run for it. The wolves including Shadow howled in victory while Ieyasu, Masamune and Nobunaga stood there with dumbfounded looks on their faces.

"Uh...what the heck just happened?" Masamune asked the others out of the blue.

"I believe...we just got saved by wolves," Ieyasu answered his question.

"So it would seem..." Nobunaga said as he glanced at Shadow.

Shadow walked towards Zion and she said to him.

"Thank so much, Zion."

"Listen, normally my pack and I don't save humans but, for you, we'll do it anyway. After all, you were the one who taught us not all humans are that bad considering the fact that you've got a human form yourself."

"*Giggle* well, I'm glad you came to help us, Alpha Zion."

"See you around Shadow, howl again if you ever need us."

Zion said before he howled again and disappearing into the woods. Shadow looked at the others and she was relieved to see them without a scratch on them. Nobunaga sighed and then he checked her over.

"Are you all right? does your injury hurt?"

Shadow shook head for a no but, when Nobunaga touched her injury she whimpered in pain. 

"I thought as much, Ieyasu."

"I'll take a look, honestly, why did you have to be so careless?"

Ieyasu mumbled at the last sentence as he wrapped a bandage on Shadow's leg and shoulder. Shadow whimpered a little after Ieyasu tightened the bandage. 

"There, that should do it, the injury doesn't look too bad so, she'll be all right once she gets some rest."

"Thank you, Ieyasu. Let's get back, will you be all right to walk?"

Shadow nodded her head and then she followed after the warlords. Once they got back to camp, Nobunaga told Hideyoshi what happened with Kennyo and he made up a story about Alex not feeling well and Kojuro, one of Masamune's men, had taken her back to Azuchi to get some rest and they found Shadow on the way back to camp. 

Hideyoshi looked at Shadow and he asked Nobunaga.

"My Lord, are you sure it's safe to bring this wolf back with us? I mean she won't bite, will she?"

"Well, yes and no, she managed to protect me and I gotta admit, I was impressed by how she defeated those monks."

Shadow barked happily while wagging her tail. Once everyone was ready to leave, Shadow leapt onto the back of a cart where the vassals were carrying the supplies. The vassals looked scared at first but, when Shadow laid down and relaxed a little, they were surprised that she didn't try to attack them.

"It's all right," Nobunaga told them.

"She won't hurt you besides, that wolf is injured, she doesn't have the energy to attack you."

The vassals understood this before they left. Shadow raised her head a little and then Alex said to Nobunaga through the mind-link.

"Thank you for not telling anyone about what happened."

"Just make sure you get some rest you've got some explaining to do when we get back."

"Understood."

Alex said with a smile and then she fell asleep on the way back to Azuchi.