ALEXIS' POV

'Mmm, I'm exhausted. I don't want to move ever again, especially being right here feels so good.'

I slowly opened my eyes and I was wrapped up in encompassing warmth. I looked around and I realised that I wasn't in my cell.

'Where am I? this isn't the cell...hold on.'

The warmth that I was feeling right now was Kenshin's loving arms. Memories of last came flooding back to me and I smiled a little.

'Now I remember, I'm in his room. I guess I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings during the heat of the moment...'

Our bodies were entwined and I could feel his breathing which was shallow with sleep. I smiled a little when I looked at Kenshin's sleeping face.

'He looks so peaceful...'

When I remembered his repose to the Kenshin in my memories of last night, I smiled again.

'Last night happened so suddenly, what are we gonna do now?'

Kenshin told me he loved me. Whatever his reasons were for pushing women away, he had to let me in. And he'd asked me not to leave him. I didn't want to.

'I know I was determined to go back to Canada once I got back to the modern world and have enough money to get a place of my own but things have changed...I'll tell him that I came from the future and I'm not going back. If I do, I think he'll feel more comfortable with our situation.'

I thought to myself before looking at Kenshin's sleeping face once more.

"...Hey sleepyhead...wakey, wakey~" I whispered as I gently ran my finger on the bridge of his nose.

"Mn..." Kenshin grumbled in his sleep.

I giggled quietly when he reacted like this in his sleep.

'He's so beautiful and cute...his skin might resemble alabaster but, he's smooth and warm all over.'

I stroked his cheek while continuing to comment about him in my mind.

'Despite what others might think of you, you're not made of marble.'

My heart skipped a beat when I touched him as his lover, like someone who'd bared his soul to me.

'I think I better let him sleep...'

I quietly and carefully moved Kenshin's arm off me before sitting up to get out of bed while holding the covers close to my chest.

"Alexis?" Kenshin suddenly awakened from his slumber.

I was surprised that actually woke him up and then he grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm not- whoa!"

Kenshin suddenly pulled me back into his arms and he held me tighter than before.

"I told you to never leave me."

There was the sweet, ragged edge of sleep in his low voice.

"Sorry, I was just going to get up so you could sleep a bit longer."

"I see," Kenshin spoke with a small smile on his face.

"But, now you're awake," I sat up a little before continuing. "I can do this..."

I leaned over and I kissed Kenshin's lips. He returned with the gentlest and softest of kisses. We pulled away from each other with smiles on our faces.

"Good morning, Alexis."

His smile was transcendent, like a ray of light from the morning sun.

"Good morning, Kenshin," I said before resting my head on his chest again.

'I still can't believe this real! Lizzy would be so jealous if she saw us right now. But even so, I wish Kenshin wasn't so afraid of being happy.'

I thought to myself as Kenshin combed his fingers through my hair with a solemnity. We laid there for a few moments before Kenshin slowly rose up before he spoke to me.

"I'll see to it fresh clothes are brought for you, wait here, someone will bring them by shortly."

"Oh really? I mean, thank you," I said with a small smile on my face. "But, won't that mean...?"

'It's going to be obvious what transpired between us.'

I thought to myself before I asked him.

"You don't mind if your vassals find out about us? I mean, they still know me as the captive princess. I am sort of an enemy."

"Don't worry about them or us, you're not a captive," Kenshin stroked my cheek before continuing. "I want you to live here and share my room with me from now on."

I was surprised when he told me this and I asked him.

"You really want that?"

"Why are you asking me? is that bad somehow?"

"What?! No! it's good! really good," I spoke in a nearly panicked tone.

'This is moving so fast my head's spinning but, I have to admit, I've been wanting this for a while now.'

When Kenshin offered me a place to live, I never dreamed I would be with him like this.

"When you're dressed, we'll have breakfast. After that, I'd like to take you on a walk."

"Any particular reason?" I asked curiously.

"I have something to tell you."

I wasn't so complacent with the situation that his suggestion didn't give me a thrill of anxiety.

"Tell me what?"

"I thought I'd tell you the reason I've pushed women away if you're interested."

I was surprised and touched when Kenshin told me this.

'He's letting me in so quickly.'

"Yes, I'm interested but, are you sure?" I asked him.

"I feel safe telling you about it and it wouldn't be fair to hide it from you after this."

I smiled a little when he said this.

"I appreciate that."

'I think it's a sign of trust that he's willing to share this with me. Whatever you have to tell me, I'll listen with an open mind.'

Kenshin was entrusting me with his heart and I would give him that trust and more back. 

***

Breakfast together was nicer than any breakfast that I had before coming to Japan. Afterwards, we climbed a small hill on the rocky outskirts of Kasugayama along with Sora. He brought over a stick and then I took the stick off of him and I commanded him.

"Sora, sit."

Sora sat down on the ground and I threw the stick for him again and he chased after it. Kenshin chuckled and he spoke up.

"He seems happy."

"Well, he and I have been stuck in that castle for quite a while now, so it's no wonder he's full of energy," I said as Sora came back with the stick again and then he dropped in front of Kenshin this time.

Kenshin looked at me and I giggled a little.

"It's all right, just throw it for him, Sora wants you to do it," I encouraged Kenshin.

Sora whimpered at Kenshin and he nudged the stick with his nose. Kenshin gave up and then he threw the stick for Sora and then he chased after it again. I was impressed with that throw and I commented.

"Wow, last time when I saw someone throw a stick that far for Sora was John, I'm impressed."

"I'll take that as a compliment, at least that'll keep him busy while we talk."

I glanced at Kenshin and I thought to myself.

'He's really going to tell me about his past, am I ready to hear this?'

We sat down in the shadow of a tree; even the wind seemed to hush as Kenshin began to speak. Before he told me about his past, Sora came back and then he laid down next to me while resting his head on my lap.

"It was when I first became enamoured with battle, seeking it in small territories. One of the commanders I defeated sent his daughter to Echigo as a hostage. Her name was Isehime. We were close in age and we began to talk. Before long, we fell in love."

'He was still so young then and he was fourteen years old. A first love...talk about "Love at first sight."'

I nodded my head and I continued to listen to his past.

"But my clan didn't approve of our relationship. She was the daughter of a fallen warrior and had nothing. They felt a relationship with her and at my age, could only hamper my growth as a warrior. They secreted Isehime away from me. She was confined to a temple and forced to become a nun."

I was shocked when he told me what his clan did to Isehime.

"They tore the two of you apart?"

"I didn't have enough power in the clan to do anything to stop them."

'What an awful thing to do!' I thought to myself after Kenshin told me this.

"And what happened to Isehime?"

He lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting shadows over his face.

"The day after she took her vows...she took her life."

My eyes widen in shock when Kenshin told me this. I was speechless before Kenshin continued his story.

"She left a letter, it told me about her despair for this world and for being born the powerless daughter of a disgraced commander. When I read it, I realised her situation was my fault. I might as well have killed her myself."

"But, it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could for her."

"I failed to protect her--from me. My karma, my curse killed her. Isehime wouldn't have suffered if only she'd never met me."

'She was doomed to a life with no choices. Except one, to fall in love. She suffered but, she knew love.'

Kenshin was still suffering. Suffering from the loss of someone he had loved. Whose death he felt responsible for.

'He's got a strong sense of responsibility and he's so trusting. That's why he blames himself. I want to help him. I want to show him that it isn't his fault, but, a wound that's remained unhealed for so long...?'

Kenshin was speaking again, his voice still soft with regret.

"After that, I eschewed all women and immersed myself in fighting, until I met you, Alexis."

"Kenshin," I looked up at him and he smiled, still with that twinge of sadness.

"I swore I wouldn't let myself love you if it meant putting you in danger, but, I couldn't help myself. Nothing can ever harm me, but, if you were to die? I'd die as well."

I shook my head for a no and I told him.

"I don't want you to die, Kenshin."

"What would you want me to do? I wouldn't be alive if you left me."

I searched his face, Kenshin truly believed in what he was saying. His eyes were mournful, but they were clear and determined.

'It's all coming together for me. Just as I thought, Kenshin's mind is broken and I see why now.'

He'd locked me up not for any crimes I'd done, but because he couldn't bear to lose me.

'But all that time, he loved me. Albeit in his own twisted way. I never hated him for it, maybe my love is just as twisted because I love him, despite what happened.'

And out of my love for him, I wanted to reassure him.

"Kenshin, I will never take my own life. You're not putting me in danger by loving me. I'm not in despair, you're head of your clan, and most importantly, I don't believe in goddamn curses!"

"Alexis, do you really mean it?"

"Yes, and I'll stay with you. I'll do whatever it takes to live, no matter what, so that you can rest easy," I told him as I held his hand.

'And one day, however far away that day may be, maybe your wounds will finally be able to heal.'

"Then I've decided, I won't let you die. I'll protect you for all eternity."

Sora wagged his tail and then he licked Kenshin's cheek.

"Ah! what the hell?!"

"Hahahaha!! I think that's Sora's way of saying he accepts you and he'll share the responsibility with you."

"Ugh, well don't let him lick my face again."

Sora barked happily before wandering off a little bit so he could give us some space. I looked away from Kenshin and I thought to myself.

'Kenshin and I still have problems. We need to build a healthy relationship in a world and in a country that I'm still adjusting to..'

But Kenshin put his arms around me, and in his warm embrace, happiness won out over worry. I relaxed in Kenshin's embrace and I thought to myself.

'All I care about right now is how good it feels to be held like this.'

"Alexis, is it safe to kiss you?" Kenshin asked me.

"It's more than safe," I spoke with a smile on my face.

I was already lifting my lips to his. Arms locked around each other, we drew close and kissed again. The ice was gone, for now, only warmth flowed from him to me. My body was beginning to remember the pleasure of the night.

'I love you, Kenshin.'

He released me as soon as the kiss ended. We sat close by, simply holding each other for a time.

"I didn't think I could feel this happy."

"You're really happy? if so, I'm glad because I feel it too and thank you for talking to me," I spoke with a smile on my face.

"Thank you for listening."

The wind picked up, sweeping over the hill and around us but, Kenshin kept me warm.

'All right, he's told me everything, now it's my turn.'

"There's something I need to tell you now."

"What is it?"

'I wonder if he'll believe me?' I asked myself.

"I don't come from this time period."

"What do you mean?"

I took a breath, then explained my time-travel experience to him as best as I could. Kenshin looked deep in thought when I finished.

"I thought you were unusual, but I had no idea you come from 500 years in the future."

The ease with which he accepted my news surprised me.

"Then you believe me?"

"What kind of man would ever doubt the woman he loves?"

The statement of pure trust touched me deeply. It was also a relief, especially after all the things we thought we needed to hide.

"I'm glad I was able to tell you," I spoke with a smile.

Kenshin put a fond hand on my head, his fingers nestled in my hair.

"Thank you, it must have been difficult to find the right timing. However, Sasuke had four years to tell me and didn't. He has things to answer for, a lot of things."

'I'm sorry Sasuke! You're probably going to be playing more full-contact hide and seek soon!'

I thought to myself with a sweat drop running down the side of my head.

"I'm glad you confided in me."

"Well, I don't intend to keep any more secrets from you."

"Is that so?"

His eyes sparkled with a kind of joy.

"Then you're sharing everything with me from this point on?" Kenshin asked me.

"Of course!" I spoke with a smile.

'If it makes you THAT happy, then why not? I love you.'

"Good, you were excellent at keeping secrets before, I'm happy to have that resolve now on my side."

'No one else would ever call me good at keeping secrets! but I'm glad I don't have to around you.'

Kenshin caught my face in his hands, a new worry on his face.

"It doesn't bother me that you came from the future or that the Oda were the first to find you. All I care about is what you do next, Alexis."

'I've already decided. I've found something here that's irreplaceable to me. Something I want in my life.'

"I'm not going back to the future or back to Ontario, I've decided to stay with you," I told Kenshin with a smile on my face.

'Everything else I can work out later but, I chose a life with you.'

"Good. Now I won't have to figure out how to follow you through time."

I blinked with a surprised expression on my face.

"You were planning on doing that?"

"I won't be parted from you. If anything tried to separate us, even if it was time, I'd travel 500 years to get you back."

"Oh, Kenshin!"

'I don't know if that's possible, but, it makes me happy that he'd try.'

Kenshin's love might have been possessive but it was also pure. When he saw my smile, he continued, proud of himself.

"If worse come to worst, I could take over the strongest army in your country to protect you. Modern warfare sounds fun. I'd like to see what 500 years of refinement have done to it."

'Uh oh, he might be able to take over the JSDF, but I think he's going to be disappointed!'

"Kenshin, Japan and America don't have a standing army in the future. We don't fight in any wars."

"...No! that's impossible!"

'He easily imagined becoming a modern-day warlord, but, he can't envision a future without a war?!'

I thought to myself after seeing his reaction.

"There are no wars?" Kenshin asked me and I shook my head for a no.

"None that our country or North America fight in, both countries are peaceful now, they've become a beautiful place."

"How could it be beautiful? ...it sounds atrocious. Never mind, I don't want to go there. I'd die of boredom."

He was so disappointed by my future, he drew his knees up to his chest like a sulking kid.

'For all his commanding presence, he can act like such a kid sometimes!'

Seeing Kenshin rock back and forth frowning, I had to laugh at him.

"What are you laughing at?"

He looked at me with a peevish frown that he probably didn't realise was adorable.

"Oh, so I should also tell you, in the future, they arrest people who carry swords. You'd be the one locked up in my time."

"What?! ...well, that doesn't make any sense at all."

"Ahahaha!!"

I held my stomach as I laughed at Kenshin's reaction. That made Kenshin smile. He reached o put an arm around me.

"Making fun of me? that won't do."

"Aww, did I go too far?"

"It's too late for regrets now."

Kenshin pushed me back into the soft grass of the hillside. His beautiful face filled my vision.

"I'll kiss you until you apologise."

"And what if I don't apologise?" I asked with a smirk on my face.

'Because neither the crime nor the punishment feels wrong.'

"Then I'll keep at it."

I was rewarded with a meltingly sweet, intoxicating kiss. The two of us were breathless long before the kiss was over.