ALEXIS' POV

I was in my room humming away as I got on with my work until the maids said to me.

"You seem happy today, Lady Alexis, did something good happen?"

"I'm just in a good mood after last night's performance, I didn't realise I had become so popular in Azuchi."

'Well, that and I met a handsome guy even though he's got that bloodlust for battle.'

I thought to myself when I remembered Kenshin saving me last night from the ronin. Just then, Sora started whimpering and then we looked at him.

"What's the matter, buddy?"

Suddenly, Sora started gagging and then he vomited onto the floor.

"Ew! Sora!"

"And we just cleaned this floor too!"

The maids shouted in horror and disgust.

"Uh oh, sorry about that ladies," I told them before I patted Sora's head. "What's wrong, boy? do you have an upset stomach?"

Sora whimpered in agreement and then I told the ladies.

"Sorry ladies, I'll take him outside, come on boy."

Sora whimpered as he slowly followed me into the gardens. Sora laid down on the porch and he was looking a bit poorly. Masamune and Ieyasu came along and then he started to check him out to find out what's wrong with him.

"What's the matter with him, Ieyasu?"

"It's probably an upset stomach, I'll bet one of the food merchants gave him some meat that he shouldn't have and now he's paying the price."

"Oh buddy, I'm so sorry, I should have known better," I apologised to Sora as I patted his head.

"Don't worry, Alexis, he'll be fine. He just needs some rest and drink plenty of water too."

"All right, thanks Ieyasu."

I told him before he stood up and left. Masamune stroked Sora's fur as he laid his head on his lap.

"Oh, poor guy, it's not your day is it?"

Sora whimpered in response as he gave Masamune that sad look in his eyes. I smiled a little and I said to Masamune.

"You sure you don't mind keeping an eye on him today Masamune?"

"Not at all and I'll make sure to give Sora some good food instead of that dodgy meat the food merchants gave him yesterday."

"Thanks, Masamune, see you later boy, be good."

I told Sora before heading back to work.

TIME SKIP...

Later that afternoon, I decided to do some shopping and maybe get a treat for Sora once he's feeling better. I got to the market place and I checked out some of the kimonos for sale so I can find a pretty one to wear for my next performance. Although it did feel a little lonely whenever I sang and played the guitar by myself since I was used to being on stage with Lizzy, John and Jessie, however, I will be back with them after I get back to the modern world.

I looked at the white kimono with a light blue butterfly pattern on it and then the merchant said to me.

"Like what you see, Lady Alexis?"

"I do but, it's a shame it's a bit pricey for me."

"I can make it cheaper for you, especially since you're everyone's favourite songbird."

I thought for a moment and then I said to him.

"I'll get back to you on that one, mind hanging onto it for me?"

"Of course."

The merchant spoke with a smile before I continued to look at the stalls. I looked at the hairpins for sale and then I heard a familiar voice.

Ronin 1: "This whole place pisses me off!"

Ronin 2: "Isn't there anything fun to do?"

'Oh no! it's those bullies again! what lousy timing for Sora to be ill!!'

I thought to myself as I tried to leave the market quietly but, they spotted me.

Ronin 1: "Hey does that woman look familiar to you?"

Ronin 2: "Yeah...I remember her!"

"Aw crap!!"

I shouted before I sprinted through the crowds as the ronin started to chase me.

Ronin 1: "Wait up you!"

"No way!!"

I yelled back as I continued to run for my life. I took a turn after turn, running madly as if I could escape back into the present if only far enough. After running for a while, I found myself far out of town and it has gotten dark too. I saw the silhouette of the castle, there were no lights this deep into the outskirts to guide me back.

'I wanna go back but, I can't, not until I know for certain those ronin have given up the chase...'

I sat down the grass while trying to catch my breath and I mumbled.

"If only Sora were here right now, he would have chased off those guys no problem."

"Hey."

I screamed in fright when someone spoke up like that.

"Why are you screaming?"

"Oh it's just you, Kenshin, but, don't sneak up on me like that! you nearly gave me a goddamn heart attack!!"

I said while holding my racing heart.

'One thing for certain, I'm glad it wasn't those two ronin.'

I thought to myself as I calmed my nerves. Kenshin crouched in the grass beside me.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"It's almost dinner time. I thought hunting bandits would help me work up an appetite."

It was the last thing I expected to hear and the shock robbed me some of my fright.

"Why are you this far out of town?"

"Those two ronin from a few nights ago after my performance at that inn found me and they were chasing me."

"They were?"

"Anyway, I was trying to hide until the dust settled but, I seriously need to get back. I just hope I lost them for good."

I said as I looked around the horizon making sure I didn't see them sneaking up on us. I heard Kenshin take a breath in the still night. He kept his eyes on me, just staring silently. 

"Kenshin?"

"Stop mewling. I'll take you home."

"Really? you will?"

"Yes. The sight of you might lure those ronin out. Then I can fight them instead of hunting for bandits."

"How did I know you were gonna say that...?"

I said with a sweat drop running down the side of my head.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, I just wanna back home alive and in one piece if I'm lucky."

We stood up from the ground and I glanced at Kenshin after wiping the grass off my kimono.

'I know Kenshin has got a reputation for being the God of war and I know he's supposed to be scary but, I don't see why I should be afraid of him, besides, I do appreciate having him walk me home, I feel a lot safer.'

"If you can walk me back to the main road, that'll be far enough. The manor I work at is right there."

"Fine, now let's get going."

"All right."

He began walking first and I followed after him.

'The woman-hating God of War is walking me home again. This is one for the books.'

I heard our footfalls in the grass. The howling of the wind. They emphasised our silence. Kenshin, striding confidently, soon outpaced me.

"I'd forgotten how slow women walk."

"You walk pretty fast, you know."

Fighting my nerves and my kimono. I managed to pick up the pace but when I caught up to Kenshin.

"I wasn't trying to rush you. Walk slow, it's better you don't trip and fall. Women are supposed to walk slow, they're meant to spend lives in peace. Away from conflict."

'Yeah, that'll be the day when women wear more hakama in this period, then you'd change your mind.'

But, it was for the best not to argue with my rescuer, mid-rescue. Instead, I pondered the meaning of his words. They were less critical than they were...sad. My thoughts were interrupted when Kenshin asked me.

"That reminds me, where's that dog of yours?"

"Sora is back home right now, he's got a bit of an upset stomach so, he wasn't up for taking a walk with me this afternoon."

"I see, that explains why it's so quiet around here."

I giggled a little when he said this and I thought to myself.

'Changing the subject are we? well, I can tell there's a reason why he hates women but, it's best not to ask him about it since it might be a personal reason, but still...if he really hates women that much then he wouldn't do this, would he?'

Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted.

Ronin 1: "There she is! Grab her!"

I froze when I heard the ronin, their shouts and running footsteps rustling the grass.

Ronin 2: "You're going to pay for all the running you made us do!"

"Oh come on! enough already!"

I was sick and tired of dealing with them and it looked like I didn't have to anymore.

"This is a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to run into them so quickly, but, this way I won't be late for dinner."

I glanced at Kenshin and he was smiling. For all the delicate beauty of his face, his smile was like a knife. My eyes widen in shock since this was the most frightening smile I've ever seen. The ronin careened toward us. I hid behind Kenshin and I noticed there was a change in his stance, it was excitement.

Ronin 2: "Hey, isn't that the guy who saved that woman from us?"

"Took you long enough to realise but, at least that means your memory is good enough to recall your crimes.

Ronin 1: "Screw this guy! he got the jump on us last time but, it won't happen again!"

Ronin 2: "Eat this!!"

Moonlight glinted off their blades as they drew.

"Now, that's a half-hearted foray."

Kenshin parried one strike. The next, all in the instant after he drew.

Ronin 1: "Gah!"

The taller of the two lost hold of his sword with just that one hit. From where I standing, he was impressive in my mind but at the same time, it was frightening.

Ronin 2: "All right, you bastard!"

"Sad. Fighting incompetents just depresses me."

Kenshin didn't even appear to try with how easily he caught the shorter man's second strike.

'He's not gonna go easy them! he means it!!'

And I could see why. Kenshin's sword seemed to glow, carving lines of light in the air like an artist's brush. His poise. His elegance. He made fighting look beautiful, even to me.

Ronin 1: "Seriously, who are you?!"

"I don't give my name to lowlifes."

The air seemed to grow colder around Kenshin. The ronin began to back off trembling.

Ronin 2: "Okay, listen, we were just having fun. It was all a joke. Let's talk-"

"There's nothing to talk about. I was wrong.

Ronin 2: "What? you were wrong? ...Right! you were wrong."

The ronin stopped, looking wary.

"I thought taking your meaningless lives was a waste of time. But I wrong, your lives aren't meaningless, they're harmful."

He brought his blade up in an executioner's stance, with the attendant solemnity.

"You can still learn your lesson, in your next life."

Kenshin's voice was almost a hiss, an icy thread crackling along with the wind.

'He's gonna kill them!'

I thought to myself as I watched the men cowered, knowing they were doomed. I couldn't pull my eyes away from them, seeing their fear. They had chased me. Frightened me, nearly to death but, they're still people. Kenshin's sword came at them with deadly accuracy.

"Stop!"

Steel hung in the air, frozen by my call. Kenshin glared at me.

"Don't...don't kill them."

I heard the fright in my voice.

Ronin 1: "L-Let's get out of here!"

Ronin 2: "Y-yeah!"

The two ronin tumbled over each other in their escape. Once they were gone, a huge relief came over me. I sighed in relief while holding my racing heart.

'Sheesh... that was one intensive fight, now I know why he's known as the God of War.'

I thought to myself after calming my nerves.

"Why did you stop me?"

Kenshin spoke with unflinching harshness and I knew he couldn't understand what I had done.

"It's because I didn't think they deserved to die for what they did. That's all."

"Mercy for the men who threatened you and hounded you here? where does this pity come from? Just how coddled is your birth home that they raised you to think that way?"

'Maybe a person from this period would think the modern-day is one big coddle-fest.'

He might laugh, but I didn't believe I was wrong.

"A person's life isn't something you should be in a rush to take. You can never give it back. And it doesn't just affect one person, it affects everyone who knows them. Don't you have people you'd miss if they died?" I asked Kenshin.

All light--all life--left his eyes.

"I wouldn't miss anyone."

"You don't mean that."

Gleaming sword still clutched in his hand, Kenshin came towards me. I took a few steps back from him with a shocked expression on my face.

"Uh, Kenshin-"

"All lives are equally meaningless to me. They die so quickly, in the blink of an eye. The beat of a heart. I've taken lives just like that. And just like this..."

Kenshin grabbed my shoulder and pushed me roughly onto the grass. I lost my breath before I could shout. Stunned, I could only look up at him. I look up and saw the moon-silvered tip of his steel sword come at me. I squeezed my eyes shut and I waited for the impact but, it didn't come. I slowly opened my eyes and I saw Kenshin's sword planted deep in the ground off to one side. I wasn't scared of it. Not anymore. I was scared of the look in Kenshin's different coloured eyes.

"You're living on a knife's edge. You need to see that. As a woman who lacks the power to fight against this era, you'll only fall like all so many others."

'How strange...my heart is pounding, I'm terrified right now but, I can't seem to look away.'

All I could think of was why was Kenshin's gaze so hollow.

'He has the look of someone who's given up on everything...'

I thought to myself as my blue eyes looked into Kenshin's mismatched coloured eyes.

'Is he really trying to threaten me? ...if so, then why does he look so threatened himself?'

My thoughts were racing in a curious direction, but, I couldn't stop them, nor could I put them into words.

"...I'm not myself tonight. Forget what I said."

Kenshin pulled his sword from the earth and stood up. That look he once held in his eyes was gone now and they were bright once more. I sat up from the ground and I thought to myself.

'What was he trying to tell me just now?'

I asked myself as I sat up but, my legs refused to hold my weight. Kenshin sheathed his sword with fluid elegance. He stood there and stared at me like he was waiting.

"Well? are you coming?"

"You're still planning to walk me back after all that?" I asked after my racing heart started to settle down.

"Yes, unless you want to sleep out here in the fields?"

"No not really, but, weren't you only coming along for the fight?"

Kenshin sighed, discarding my question.

"Can't you stand? Has fright taken your legs from you?"

He offered me a hand to help me up.

"You're a troublesome one."

'...You may be trouble to...'

I thought to myself as Kenshin took me back to town.