ALEXIS' POV

"I love you, Alexis. Thank you for loving me."

That voice I heard in my ear, it was Kenshin's real voice. It sounded gentle and warm. The nightmare we had been trapped in was over. 

"Thank you, Kenshin."

Suddenly, all the weariness I hadn't let myself feel for that last few days hit me like a ton of bricks. I entrusted my body to him and I was too tired to even hold myself up. Sora ran over to me to check up on me.

"Alexis? what's wrong?"

Kenshin looked at me with a deep worry in his eyes. 

"I just worked myself up, and now I'm feeling the after-effects."

"I know how worked up you can get."

Sora barked in agreement before nuzzling his face against Kenshin's. I heard him chuckled before he petted Sora's head.

'Now that's the Kenshin I know.'

His expression was full of life again. That creeping chill was gone and it's nowhere to be seen. 

'I wasn't too late to save you.'

"Welcome back, Kenshin."

"Welcome back? that's a strange thing to sa-" He paused for a moment and then he smiled. "I'm glad to be back."

'That was so sweet of you. I think I can find the strength to kiss you...'

We leaned in, drawn by the light in each other's eyes. A sigh slipped from my lips as they met his and then, Kenshin and I kissed as we had both longed to. 

'It's been too long.'

Though we communicated so much in that kiss, it ended too soon. 

"As much as I'd like to stay here with you and let you rest but, I need to plan our strategy."

We slowly and regretfully untwined ourselves from each other. 

'Yes, of course. We need a way to survive this fight.'

I missed his warmth but, one look into his eyes made me feel better. They were bright with resolve. 

'He's planning to live.'

Sora wagged his tail and he whined happily before licking Kenshin's face. Kenshin chuckled and he wiped his cheek where Sora licked him and then he ruffled his fur.

"I missed you too, Sora. You did well bringing Alexis here. Good work."

Sora wagged his tail happily before Kenshin stood up and then he helped me onto my feet.

"Come with me. We'll need to think quickly to get out of this alive."

"You got it."

We took each other's hands and we walked out of the tent with Sora following us. After a few steps, Sasuke showed up.

"Alexis! Lord Kenshin!"

"Sasuke!"

After spotting us, he came running over to us.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke was assessing Kenshin carefully and then he nodded when he finished and smiled. 

"it looks like you succeed, Alexis. I'm very relieved."

"You could have just asked."

"There was no need. I saw it in your face. You're back to normal. If possible, you may be better."

"I think you've been hiding things from me...like bringing Alexis here without telling me?"

"Was I wrong to do so?"

"No, you weren't. It was clever. Thanks to you, I'm ready to make the right decision, perhaps for the first time in my life."

'Glad to hear there are no negative repercussions for Sauske.'

I thought to myself as I smiled at the two of them. 

"Be sure to thank Lord Shingen and Yukimura as well. They were the ones who brought Alexis here."

Sora barked at Sasuke making him chuckle.

"And Sora too."

"I'm not surprised to hear they were involved. They're the only two who I could imagine interfering in this way."

"It's good interference. They're fighting against Kennyo right now, all so that I could reach you. 

'They're just buying time, but, I also know they're in danger, despite their reassurances.'

Sensing my worry, Sasuke chimed in. 

"About that, Shingen's Mitsumono, my colleagues in the ninja-exchange program, have informed me. The Takeda forces successfully fended off Kennyo. He's retreated to his camp until morning. Lord Shingen did not pursue, as he was unable to judge the current state of the planned encirclement."

"Sounds like everything went according to Shinge's plan. Good," I spoke in a relieved tone. 

"Yes. Tomorrow, the Takeda forces will breach the circle from outside to assist us."

"Damn you, Shingen. I'll get you back for this."

I looked at Kenshin and I thought to myself.

'Huh. Usually, the phrase is "I owe you one." You sound more like you want revenge, Kenshin.'

"Have the soldiers prepare. We're moving camp tonight," Kenshin gave out his order.

"I anticipated you'd want that and have already made preparations. I was just waiting for your orders."

"I expected nothing less from you."

'So that's what Sasuke was doing while Kenshin and I were talking. Which means he believed I'd succeed in changing Kenshin's mind.'

I thought to myself as I gave Sasuke as a grateful smile. 

"Both of you, follow me. I'll explain our strategy."

Kenshin told us as Sasuke and I followed him. After gathering several more vassals and soldiers along the way, Kenshin convened a war council. No one looked surprised to see me there. Apparently, Sasuke had explained about my arrival while preparing. 

"Using Alexis' information, I've come up with a plan."

Kenshin placed the paper with our enemies' number alongside a map.

"Considering the distance and their speed of travel, it's best to assume we're already surrounded."

Kenshin pointed a long finger at several points on the map, which indicated where our enemies would be. 

'Oh boy, that's a lot of them.'

I thought to myself as I stared at the map.

"However, several territories are fielding an inferior number of troops," Kenshin told us as he pointed to several more locations.

"Those daimyo have recently had some internal discord, if I recall," Sasuke spoke as he also looked at the map.

"Which means Kennyo's net has weak spots. Tonight, we march without giving ourselves away. Tomorrow, we attack."

"As long as we can break out of the net, facing any individual army won't be a challenge. We can hold them off easily."

'Call me crazy but, nothing about fighting off armies sounds easy to me. Plus, you're moving supplies and the wounded while doing the defending.'

"We'll use a decoy squad to draw attention while the main force escapes. Once the main force escapes the blockade, they'll come back around and rescue the decoys," Kenshin explained the plan to us.

"The decoy swuad has a very dangerous mission."

'No kidding, Sherlock. They'll have everyone's attention concentrated on them and no backup until the main force is through.'

I couldn't begin to imagine how bad it was gonna be until Kenshin spoke up.

"That's why I'm doing it," Kenshin suddenly told us.

'You can't!'

I wasn't the only one shocked at his suggestion.

"Lord Kenshin, you're the commander of this army. If you act as the decoy--"

"They need a skilled commander or the ruse won't last long. And if the main force fails to get through, we all die. I have the most experience. It needs to be me," Kenshin interrupts Sasuke.

Sasuke couldn't seem to come up with a coutner-argument. 

"Besides, as long as I remain caught in their net, their eyes stay on me. This is the best way to bait them."

I clenched my fists while Sora whined a little.

'He's right...but think of the danger he'll be facing!'

"Logically, I understand and it will be good for morale, certainly," Sasuke spoke up.

He thought to himself and then finally nodding at some personal conclusion. 

"I volunteer for the decoy squad as well. Is that all right, Lord Kenshin?"

'Sasuke, you're staying behind too?'

"If you like," Kenshin told him.

Kenshin looked over the rest of his council and he said to them.

"This mission isn't about seeking death. It's about living. I expect to see that resolve in everyone joining the decoy squad." 

Kenshin was calm but somehow inspiring, his eyes were bright as the stars. 

'He's so beautiful right now.'

I knew everyone in the tent looked at him the same way. 

"That doesn't mean there won't be risks. Keep that in mind. Are there any other volunteers? who is brave enough to entrust their life to me?"

Silence came over the gathered soldiers. It only lasted for a moment until the soldiers started to speak up.

"I volunteer!"

"No, give this mission to me! I swear to protect you, my Lord!"

Arms went up in the air, raised high and they were backed by loud voices from the soldiers. 

'Everyone here is volunteering!'

I thought to myself with an amazed look on my face until Kenshin told them.

"Quiet."

Kenshin lifted a hand and all arms went down and all the voices ceased. 

'He's got the charisma of a true leader.'

"I understand your enthusiasm. But, I can't have a squad made up entirely of sub-commanders. I'll organize the ranks appropriately."

"Yes, my Lord," The soldiers spoke in unison.

'His people respect him so much.'

Among them, Sasuke wore a curious expression. 

'What's he thinking?'

I asked myself as Sasuke looked over the vassals, who were still focused on Kenshin. He looked almost relieved and then the war council came to an end. As soon as the meeting was over, the Uesugi forces went right to work in moving the camp. While they were busy getting everything ready, I was going to rest as Kenshin ordered until Sasuke found me.

"Alexis, can we talk?"

"Of course, Sasuke. What is it?"

"I wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"You gave Kenshin his strength back."

I blushed a little when he said this.

'I can't take all the credit.'

I thought to myself before I spoke up again.

"It wouldn't have happened without you. Not to mention Shingen and Yukimura. All I did was tell Kenshin how I felt."

"You might be surprised to know that's harder than it seems.

"What do you mean?"

Sasuke's expression turned into a serious one before he spoke up again.

"I've been by his side ever since we departed Echigo, but, I wasn't able to stop the change that came over him. I had multiple opportunities to talk to him but, each time, I backed off and when the soldiers began to doubt, I was unable to restore their faith."

I was surprised when Sasuke told me this.

'The whole army was feeling Kenshin drifting away too.'

Sora whimpered a little before rubbing his head against my leg before I petted his head.

"So, there were problems here in camp?" I asked Sasuke.

"Sizable ones and everyone blamed themselves for their wavering faith in Kenshin. His pain affected all of us."

I lowered my head sadly when I remembered the events from earlier.

'I got a taste of that when I entered his tent. It hurt to see him that way. Everyone's been marching and fighting while struggling with that unease. They're so loyal to Kenshin and seeing him change was hard, I'm sure.'

Just thinking about it now was making my heart break.

"But, you've only here a few hours and look. Everyone's faith in him is restored."

"They got pretty enthusiastic in there, didn't they?"

'And now I know why Sasuke looked relieved.'

Sora barked in agreement while wagging his tail.

"Alexis, you aren't just good for Kenshin; the Uesugi forces themselves depend on you. We're back at max strength, thanks to you. Though tomorrow's battle is risky. I'm confident it will turn out all right."

 'I hope so...no, I believe so.'

"Thanks for the encouragement. And Sasuke, thank you for staying by Kenshin's side."

'Kenshin would have been in a way worse state without Sasuke's support.'

"You're welcome. Now I should let you rest."

Sasuke's eyes suddenly gleamed with mischief.

"By the way, Alexis, do you know what day it is?"

"What do you mean? is it an anniversary or something?" I asked him.

"An anniversary isn't technically inaccurate. It's been three months since your arrival in this time which means the wormhole will be opening soon."

My eyes widen when Sasuke mentioned the wormhole.

'Oh my God! seriously?!'

"Did you forget? you forgot, didn't you?"

Sora looked at me and he growled at me.

"Sorry, I did! wow, it's really been three months. Feels longer than that."

'I thought I'd be dying to go home and getting back to Canada as well.'

I thought to myself before Sasuke spoke up.

"Given your reaction, is it safe to say you're comfortable living in this country and in this period?"

"If we all survive tomorrow, pretty comfortable, yes. Besides, Sora and I have gotten used to it here now, despite the war and bloodshed," I told Sasuke as I petted Sora's head.

'Comfortable enough to choose to stay here with Kenshin for the rest of my life. How's that?'

"To be honest, I'd let the date slip myself and I haven't been making calculations because of the war. I thought I might check tonight, but, it looks like I won't have the time."

Saying goodbye, we waved to each other and went our separate ways.