ALEXIS' POV

A few days passed since I've arrived in the Sengoku period. Hideyoshi still thinks I'm a spy and he's been keeping a watchful eye on me but, Sora tends to scare him off every now and then, which was funny for me and Nobunaga. Aside from that, I've been working hard as the caretaker, some of the maids were a bit surprised at first because it wasn't every day their 'princess' becomes a caretaker and helps them with their workload. Sora was also being helpful with the maids since he was used to helping me with the house chores back home too.

Right now, I was helping the maids with the floors and then Sora came back with a bucket of fresh clean water for us to use. He was being careful not to spill as he carried the handle. Sora carefully places it on the ground and I smiled at him.

"Good boy, Sora."

Sora barked in response and then one of the maids said to me.

"I was expecting him to run around and make a mess but no, he's actually helping."

"Of course, whenever I did the house chores, Sora decided to be my little helper, it's become a habit now."

Sora barked happily and he wagged his tail. Another maid patted his head and she said to me.

"Well, you've taught him well and he's got good manners too, even though he's scaring poor Lord Hideyoshi."

"Not my fault."

I said as I got back to work. While was working, I thought to myself.

'I thought living in Japan was gonna be a nightmare for me since I didn't feel like I belonged here but, since I came to this time period, everyone here has been kind to me so far, but, I better continue to follow Sasuke's advice and not get too close to the warlords, I wanna get back home after three months passed and then I'll be back in Canada.'

I smiled a little when thought about this and I then began to hum as I continued with my work. The other maids heard me and they smiled at me and then Sora wagged his tail happily since he loved hearing me hum. One of the maids came over to me and she said to me.

"You have lovely humming sound, Alexis-sama."

"Thanks."

"When we heard you sing for the first time, you sounded so beautiful, almost like a songbird."

"Songbird? that's a first, my friends back in Canada referred to me as an angel whenever I performed for my audience."

"If anyone is an angel it has to be Mitsunari."

The maids spoke with smiles on their faces. Sora whimpered in response while I sweatdropped and chuckled a little.

'He may have an angelic smile on his face but...'

I recalled his little clumsiness a few days earlier and how he's still as a statue whenever he starts to read some military books or anything to do with the upcoming war. 

'Mitsunari does tend to get a bit absentminded whenever he's not taking care of himself properly.'

I thought to myself before Nobunaga showed up.

"Nobunaga-sama!" The maids shouted before they bowed to him.

"Alexis, working hard?"

"I am, Nobunaga-sama."

"Good, anyway, I'm going on a hunting trip and I'm taking you with me."

"Can I ask why?"

"You're my lucky charm, I can do whatever I want with you."

I sweatdropped a little and I mumbled.

"That's his reason? how ignorant can he get?"

"What was that?"

"Uh, nothing! I didn't say anything!" I chuckled nervously after I said this.

"Anyway, we're leaving as of now, come on."

Nobunaga said to me before he grabbed my hand and then he led me out of the castle with Sora following us. Once we were at the gates, Nobunaga placed me on the back of his horse and he then sat behind me. 

"So where are we going?" I asked as I got comfy in the saddle.

"You'll see when we get there, hang on," Nobunaga told me before he spurred his horse.

I quickly held onto his waist for dear life as he made his horse go into a gallop. Sora followed after us and luckily, he had the same stamina as a wolf so he had no problems keeping up with us. We eventually got to our destination where we were able to view the mountains and the horizon itself looked beautiful.

"Wow, what pretty view."

"I'm glad you like it, I came across this hunting ground and it's become my secret place since. I've never shown anyone this place until now, promise not to tell?"

"I promise," I spoke with a smile on my face.

Nobunaga then looked up to the sky before he whistled loudly. I looked up too and then a hawk came flying towards us and then it sat on Nobunaga's arm. The hawks black feathers and he had an evil look in his eye when he glared at me.

"What an impressive hawk."

"His name is Haguro, I brought him out here to do some hunting."

"Question, why is he glaring at me like that? he's not going to attack me, is he?"

I asked as Haguro screeched at me which kinda made me nervous a little. 

"Don't worry, he doesn't attack unless I tell him to."

"Where have I heard that before?"

I asked as I glanced at Sora. Nobunaga looked at Sora and he asked me.

"You told me Sora is good at hunting, how good is he?"

"Are you challenging your hawk against my dog?" I asked with a smirk.

"Maybe."

"Why don't we make it interesting? what do you say to a bet?"

"I'm listening."

"Whoever catches their prey first wins. If I win, you'll give me a raise and give Sora a nice juicy dog bone but, if you win, well, I'll leave that up to you."

"Sounds interesting, let's get started."

"It's on Devil King!" I said as I got off the horse.

I knelt down to Sora and I told him.

"Okay, Sora, this is new territory for you but, I know you can do this. Think you can catch prey before that bird brain?"

"*Woof! woof!*"

"Atta boy! go do your thing!"

I told him before he puts his nose the ground and he starts to sniff for any small animals that came by recently while Haguro took off into the sky. While we waited for our pets to come back with their prey, I was telling Nobunaga about Canada and he seemed very interested.

"So, you spend most of your time singing and playing that weird instrument of yours?"

"Not really, believe it or not, I used to spend most of my summers at John's uncle's ranch. It used to be my summer job, that usually means I worked only during the summer. Sora loved it up there and John's uncle taught Sora how to hunt and he got pretty got good at it too."

"Impressive, and this ranch, is it another fancy word for a farm or something?"

"Something like that but, a ranch is larger than any farms I've seen around here. You see, a ranch is much bigger where you get to keep more horses, a herd of cows and other livestock you can get your hands on."

"Interesting, I might do a little more research on this ranch you mentioned."

"Hehe, forgive for laughing, Nobunaga-sama, but, you almost sounded like a curious child just now."

"Well can you blame me? not only is it my ambition to unify Japan, but, I plan to travel around the world afterwards so I can see what it has to offer."

I was surprised when he said this because when I read the stories about this guy I wasn't expecting to find out that he has a curious side to him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Why did you decide to unify the country through conquest when it's turned almost everyone against you? it sounds to me you've got a death wish on your hand."

"It's the only way to bring me closer to the world I wish to see."

"You mean a unified Japan?"

"A strong and prosperous Japan that can compete with foreign countries on equal footing. Bringing the country under my rule so it doesn't tear itself apart is the only first step to helping it grow. "

I can see the determination in Nobunaga's eyes when he said this. They painted a picture of a man who was ruthless but, clear-minded.

Just then, we heard a rustling sound from the bushes. I was nervous at first because my first thought was an assassination attempt but, it was Sora and he had a rabbit in his mouth. I cheered to myself and then Sora came over to me with the rabbit and then he drops it onto the ground.

"Yes! victory is ours! nicely done Sora!"

Sora wagged his tail excitedly as I scratched his face.

"I wouldn't celebrate just yet, Alexis."

"Huh?"

I looked over my shoulder and Haguro came back with a mouse in his beak.

"What the?! when did he get back?! never mind, Sora got here first!"

"No, he didn't, Haguro got back first before your dog got back here so unfortunately, you lose the bet."

"Ah, dammit!!"

Nobunaga laughed at my reaction and then Sora whimpered in disappointment. I looked Sora and I knelt down to him.

"Nevermind buddy, you gave it your best shot."

I said as I patted the top of his head. 

"Anyway, since I won the bet, I got just the thing I want you to do."

Nobunaga spoke with that mischevious smirk on his face. I sweat dropped nervously and I said to him.

"Please go easy on me..."

"*Whines*"

Sora whimpered at Nobunaga as well before we headed back to the castle.

TIME SKIP...

By the time we got back to the castle, it was already dark and I didn't know what Nobunaga had in mind but, I had a feeling it was gonna be bad. I got to the Tenshu and before I entered the room, I looked at Sora and I told him.

"Sora, if anything happens to me make sure you protect me, got it?"

Sora nodded his head before I entered Nobunaga's room. 

"Excuse me, Nobunaga-sama," I spoke up before opening the sliding door.

"You asked for me."

"I did."

Nobunaga said to me before I sat down in front of him.

"I'm dreading to ask you this but, what are you gonna command me to do since I lost the bet."

"It's simple, you shall warm my bed."

I sat there in silence before shouting.

"WHAT!!???"

I backed myself against the wall and I said to him.

"Are you frigging serious?! that's what you want me to do?!"

"What's the problem?"

"What's the problem?! I'll tell you what the problem is! I ain't sleeping with some guy who I hardly know!"

"I already told you before, you can't deny me, Alexis."

Suddenly, Sora got in front of me and he started snarling and growling at Nobunaga. I frowned at him and I then said to him.

"Listen, Nobunaga-sama. You're the commander of the Oda forces, shouldn't you be sleeping by now?"

"Don't be concerned for me, I sleep only a few hours a night."

Sora stopped growling when heard Nobunaga said this and I thought to myself.

'Only a few hours a night? that can't be healthy.'

"You mean you only sleep a few hours every night? it's not healthy to get little sleep."

"Yet it is, how I have slept for as long as I can remember. It's become a boon, a necessity when I have enemies on all sides."

I was surprised by this and I didn't realise that he couldn't sleep because he thinks it's not safe for him to sleep. I couldn't imagine how many enemies he might have outside of Azuchi but, he had survived his 'assassination' and I wasn't going to let him ruin his health now.

"Why are you looking at me that way, Alexis?"

I smirked at Nobunaga and I said to him.

"Tonight, Nobunaga-sama, I shall put you to bed."

"What?"

"Lie down on your futon."

I pointed at his futon and then he laid down on the futon and I was surprised by his obedience. 

"Like this?"

"Yes, just like that."

I came over to him and I knelt before him. 

"What's next?"

His eyes sparkled with curiosity. I tucked him in and Sora decided to help, making me giggle a little and for some reason, Nobunaga seemed to be enjoying the experience. With his head only poking out the futon, he looked like a sweetly eager child. Which was good because...

"When I used to babysit my neighbour's kids, I used to tuck them into bed like this and then I'd sing them a lullaby. It usually works because they used to tell me that my singing voice soothes them and makes them feel safe."

"Does it now?"

"Of course, now close your eyes and listen to my singing voice."

I said as I Nobunaga closed his eyes and I gently ran my fingers through his hair before I began to sing.

Play video~

https://youtu.be/LGwLHpMJ5t0

Intro

I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Nobunaga began to relax as I continued to stroke his hair and then he had fallen asleep but, I decided to keep going so he can get a peaceful night's sleep.

Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby even when the musics gone, gone

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh *Sora howls with Alexis*
La, la (la, la)
La, la (la, la)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
La, la (la, la)

Just close your eyes, you'll be alright
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh *Sora howls with Alexis' singing at the end*

I looked at Nobunaga and he was fast asleep. 

"Nobunaga-sama?" I whispered but, he was in a deep sleep.

I smiled at him and I whispered to Sora.

"Still works."

Sora whimpered before licking my face and I giggled quietly before patting his head. Suddenly, Nobunaga grabbed my sleeve in his sleep which took me by surprise. I carefully removed his hand from my sleeve and then Sora got under Nobunaga's arm and then he laid down next to him. I smiled at this and then gently placed his arm down and then Nobunaga held Sora like a teddy bear. 

'Aww~ how cute! I wished I had a camera on me right now.'

I snapped out of my thoughts and I then whispered to Sora.

"Be sure to stay with him all night Sora, I'll come and get you in the morning, okay?"

Sora nodded his head and then I quietly left the room. Once I left the room, Hideyoshi was outside and he then said to me.

"What did you do?"

"Do what?"

"Get Nobunaga-sama to sleep like that? are you some kind of enchantress or something?"

"Nope, my singing voice tends to make some people fall into a deep sleep and it even works on those who have sleepless nights like Nobunaga-sama. Also, Sora is like a pillow and he's a really good guard dog as well."

"I see, so that's how you did it."

"Leave him be, trust me, Nobunaga-sama needs all the rest he can get."

I said as I walked past Hideyoshi and he then said to me.

"Alexis."

I turned around and he continued, "I still don't trust you but, I'll only say this to you only for tonight, arigato."

I was surprised by this but, I smiled afterwards.

"You're welcome, Monkey," I said before I headed back to my room.