ALEXIS' POV

After the Oda retreated, Kenshin brought me to Kasgayama Castle but, as his 'spoils of war', he threw me into one of the dungeon cells. I stood by the bars and I shouted at Kenshin.

"Kenshin! you don't need to do this! just let me go!"

"No."

Kenshin said as he locked the door.

"Don't cause any problems and you won't be mistreated, but, you won't see me again."

'What?! Oh, you absolute-! argh!!' I thought to myself with a frown on my face but, I managed to calm myself before speaking again.

"Just listen to me before you go!"

"There's nothing more I want to hear from you."

Kenshin walked away, disappearing from the bars that framed my view.

"Kenshin!"

My shouting got me nothing. His footsteps grew quiet until I couldn't hear them at all.

"Dammit!!" I shouted after slamming my hands against the bars with frustration and upset in my voice.

'...So this is it then, this is how he decided to treat me now. I'm his "spoils"...a prisoner of war to him and nothing else.'

I threw my back against the wall of my cell, hurt and angry. The same hurt and anger that Kenshin had decided to unleash on me. I slid the wall before curling up into a ball and burying my face in my lap to muffle my crying.

3RD PERSON POV

Outside of the dungeons, Kenshin found Sasuke waiting for him including Sora, who had managed to stay with Sasuke after Kenshin locked Alexis away.

"That was cruel of you."

"What do you want, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's face was, as always, unreadable.

"You don't know what she's been through, but you must have an idea, why are you hurting her?"

"Shut up. Sasuke, you knew all along she worked with the Oda, didn't you?"

What Sasuke knew was that Kenshin's sword was waiting for his answer. Bravely, he told the truth anyway.

"Yes, I knew the whole time."

"What's your excuse for hiding this from me? Tell me, now."

"Alexis is a friend and I know how good a person she is, she is caring kind and faithful."

"Faithful? she lied to me to get close to me."

"The lie wasn't her idea, you know that and you must know why she never told you the truth."

Kenshin refused to answer.

"The Oda took her in, gave her home and a job. She wouldn't betray them but, she never told the Oda about, either. She was never anything but grateful to you. I think it hurt her to be trapped between the two sides."

"...You're speculating. The Oda risked their retreat to get her back, that's more than you'd do for your chatelaine. That is, however, exactly the sort of thing you might do for a favourite concubine...how do you expect me to trust someone who's slept with the enemy?"

"Pardon me, but Alexis has had no physical relations with any of the Oda. The connection you sense, I believe, is that they like her. As a person and as a friend."

"That doesn't make sense, why do they like her so much?"

"She saved Nobunaga Oda's life the night of the Honno-Ji incident."

"She did?"

"They care about her because she worked hard to earn their trust. You should know they didn't give her a choice about staying and her first days after moving to Japan were a painful, lonely experience."

Sora whimpered in agreement with that sentence. When Kenshin's voice broke the long silence, there was regret in it.

"...I know, she told me as much."

"Don't make her go through that again. Let her out, Lord Kenshin."

"I can't, it's not-" Kenshin's sentence was cut off when Sora grabbed his sleeve with his mouth. He shook his head.

"I'll make her as comfortable as possible."

"Well...that's a start." Sasuke relented with a sign. "I still have to work to do, so I must be going."

"I know."

After a few steps, Sasuke turned back around to look at him.

"Please don't do anything to hurt her, Lord Kenshin."

He bowed before slipping into the shadows while Sora ran back into the castle and then Kenshin was alone.

"...I don't need you to tell me that. Hurting her would be like-"

Kenshin knew he was only talking to himself now.

"No, she's no concubine. I just wanted there to be something, anything I could blame on her. I wanted her to stay. I asked her to stay and now, I have a way to make her stay."

That dark impulse hovered, wraith-like, over his better nature. Kenshin wasn't aware of how quickly he was losing the ability to fight his dangerous thoughts.

THE NEXT DAY...

ALEXIS' POV

My first night had been so cold I was sleep-deprived and I shed a few tears too. My first DAY, however...

'This is getting really bizarre now.'

A luxury futon, a lantern, hanging scrolls, a bookshelf with books! A writing desk, paper and ink, a folding screen for privacy and I also got my guitar back after Kenshin confiscated it yesterday before bringing me here. I looked over my room, my decorator's pride conflicted with the knowledge I had just arranged these items attractively in a cell. It started early morning; a lone guard delivered item after item to my prison.

'Well, at the least the place looks homey. Need to fix that door though, it sticks something bad.'

I tried laughing to handle this situation. It kept the tears at bay and then I heard footsteps.

"Alexis? how are you doing? I'm sorry I couldn't come by to see you last night."

"Hey."

Yukimura and Sasuke stopped in front of the wooden bars.

"Sasuke! Yukimura!"

'Yukimura must have returned from Azuchi when the war began.'

Just then, Sora came running into the dungeons with his tail wagging excitedly. I smiled at him and I knelt down at him and I scratched his face through the bars.

"Sora! I'm so happy you're all right!"

Sora barked at me happily and he licks my hands while whimpering at the same time.

"I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

"Well, he did get a little angry at us but, when he finally calmed down, he got used to us afterwards."

Sasuke explained to me as he patted Sora's head.

"Sorry, Sora gets angry and worried whenever I'm not around, but, I'm so glad he's all right, thank you."

I said with a smile while Sora licked my hands to comfort me. When I looked at Yuki, he was frowning, a reaction that wasn't entirely unexpected.

"I knew that story you gave me was fake but, I never suspected you were with the Oda."

"I'm sorry, it was like...a temp job, not my life's calling. I never meant to deceive anyone."

"Actually, it's okay. You don't need to apologise, not to me. I brought you this."

He took something out of his shoulder bag and passed it through the bars.

'What are these? Something wrapped in a bamboo leaf?'

I recognised the triangle shapes as I brought them into the lantern light.

"Rice balls?"

"I thought you'd be hungry."

"Thank you, my bungalow lacks a kitchen but if I can ask...why?"

'I really thought everyone would be as angry as Kenshin is. Although, Yukimura actually DOES look kinda ticked off,' I thought to myself as I lowered my head sadly.

"It's just, the more I thought of it, the more I realised you didn't do anything to deserve this."

"Thank you," I spoke with a small smile on my face.

"He locked you up like a criminal. I'm not okay with that, even if you did work for the enemy. I don't get why Lord Kenshin is doing this."

'It's not me Yukimura is mad at?' I asked myself with a surprised look on my face. Sasuke then spoke up.

"He has tried to make Alexis more comfortable here."

Sasuke nodded at my interior dungeon decorating.

"So what if she's in a comfortable cell? come on! he should let her out!"

"Wait, Kenshin ordered his men to bring all of this down here? for me? funny coming from the guy who sounded like he wanted to throw me in an oubliette."

"I talked to him last night and explained how you came to be sheltered by the Oda. I think he understands this situation didn't arise out malice," Sasuke explained to me.

"Malice of fate, maybe, I don't know what I did to end up at all the wrong places at the wrong times, but, thanks for speaking on my behalf, Sasuke. I can see it helped."

"You're welcome, all I did was tell him how good you are. I believe you're the one who changed Kenshin's mind."

I lowered my head sadly and I said to them.

"I wish I've could've done that by talking to him myself. I want the chance to clear things up."

My words gave Sasuke pause.

"I don't think he's angry at you. In fact, if I had to take a guess..."

"Yeah? Go on."

"No, this may require more data before I can properly analyse it."

"Oh, okay. Keep me informed?"

I wasn't sure I liked how he phrased that, but it didn't seem the right time to dig. I looked at Yuki and I said to him.

"Anyway, thanks, Yukimura. For the food and for being a friend."

"It's nothing."

"You're nice. I'm sorry we didn't meet in better circumstances."

"Nah, it happens, but the way, those rice balls are stuffed with pickled plums I took from Lord Kenshin's secret stash," Yukimura grinned mischievously while petting Sora's head.

I giggled a little and I thought to myself.

'Looks like Jessie and I aren't the only ones who have a secret stash of our favourite foods.'

Sasuke then said to Yukimura.

"Would those be the ones Lord Kenshin mentioned he was saving for tomorrow's drinking party?"

"Well, it'll serve him right for locking me in this cell in the first place," I said in an angry tone and then Sora barked at me in agreement. "But seriously though, won't I get into trouble for this?"

"No, it's Yukimura that Lord Kenshin's going to attack for this. You'll be safe."

I felt a bit relieved after hearing this and then Yukimura said to Sasuke.

"You'll be there with me, right, buddy? Remember? You helped me sneak into the kitchen."

"Alliances are broken all the time in this period of chaos. I wish you luck in the next life, Yukimura."

"Nuh-uh! no way, I'm dragging you down with me!"

Yukimura threw Sasuke in a headlock.

"M-mercy, I'm a pacifist!"

"Says the guy serving the most violence-happy lord in the land!"

When talking with me, Sasuke always seemed like the cool, super-intelligent scientist. When he was with Yukimura, he acted like the young man he was.

"You two really get along."

"Our lords also get along well but, mostly, Yukimura and I are just compatible."

Yukimura nodded his head in agreement before speaking up.

"Agreed. Except, for the part where you think Lord Kenshin and Lord Shingen get along well."

"But they are in an alliance, right?"

"Barely, they used to be enemies."

'Kenshin and Shingen are mainly remembered for one thing. They fought several battles against each other, maybe the greatest rivals in Japanese history.'

I thought to myself as I remembered my history class from my Japanese school. Sasuke then told me.

"Despite their many battles, there was never a clear victor."

"So, how did they become allies, after fighting for so long?"

I asked both of them and then Yukimura said to me.

"You wouldn't think they'd be able to trust each other, but-"

"But they grew to have a bond. A connection logic or circumstance couldn't explain or so I believe."

"A bond..."

I mumbled as I remembered my bandmates and the warlords back in Azuchi. Yukimura then continued.

"Though Lord Kenshin's always been alone, he hosted Lord Shingen here when he lost our providence and one day, while I was still trying to adjust, I saw the two of them just drinking together."

"Perhaps opposites attract but, I see them communing on a deeper level. Finding meaning in conflict."

I understood what Sasuke meant and I remembered how John and I bonded after I joined the band.

"Or maybe they wanted the chance to get to know someone who was their equal?"

"Possible, as Shingen maintains first place on Kenshin's list of warlords he wants to fight."

Yukimura looked shocked and he said to Sasuke.

"Wait, that list sounds dangerous! when did he create it! you don't think he's going to snap and try to kill us all if he gets bored?"

'I'm starting to see how the rumours about Kenshin came about, but...'

I thought to myself for a moment and I said to them.

"He wouldn't really do that."

"Huh? how do you know that?"

Yukimura asked me with a surprised look on his face.

"I've seen him draw a sword on Sasuke, yes, but, I know he'd never really hurt him. I think he's too noble and too responsible. So the last thing Kenshin would do is break an alliance."

'Okay, I know that I've only talked to them a few times but, I can't help it. That the feeling I get.'

Yukimura and Sasuke both looked a little shocked.

"...That must sound weird from the girl he's locked in a cell, huh?" I asked them before Sora barked in agreement.

"No, I was wondering how you figured him out DESPITE him locking you in a cell. Yeah, he's honourable at fault."

"You think so."

Sasuke nodded his head in agreement.

"Kenshin's never betrayed an ally or intentionally mistreated the citizens of any territory. That he finds success in a war in spite of his sense honour is why they call him the God of War."

'Then I wasn't wrong about him. That's...really good to know.'

"Sasuke, I don't suppose you can convince Kenshin to visit me? He made it clear he wouldn't, but I'd like to talk to him again."

'I don't want us to stew in misunderstandings and hurt feelings like this.'

Sasuke understood this and he then said to me.

"I see, if that's what you'd like, I'll ask him."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Hope it works out for you."

Yukimura said with a smile. Yukimura and Sasuke stayed and talked with me a while, making sure I had company. Finally, it was time for them to return to work, however, Sora didn't want to leave, he kept pawing and biting on the wooden bars to try and be with me. Sora whimpered loudly and he howled sadly.

"Sora, it's all right, buddy, Kenshin will let me out, eventually."

Sora whimpered again and he tried biting the wooden bars again. Yukimura chuckled a little and he said to me.

"I've never seen a dog so loyal to its owner that he would try and break into her cell like this."

"Sora has been loyal to me since he was a puppy, he's been my best friend for a long time."

I said as I patted his head. Sasuke looked at Yukimura and he said to him.

"Yukimura, I have one last thing I'd like to share with Alexis, would you go on ahead?"

'Good, I was hoping for a chance to talk to Sasuke.'

I thought to myself before looking at Sora.

"Sora, go with Yukimura, he'll look after you for a while, okay?"

"*Whines*"

"Don't worry, you can still come down here and keep me company from time to time, all right?"

Sora whimpered a little, but, he understood this before licking my cheek.

"Okay, I'll meet you at the exit, see you, Alexis."

"Thanks for the rice balls and for taking care of Sora."

Once we heard Yukimura leave with Sora, Sauske and I spoke freely.

"Kenshin taking you prisoner was unanticipated on my part, we'll need to discuss new plans for our return to the future."

"Yeah, the funny thing is, I was considering moving here after my little spat with Nobunaga and I did planned to move here after running away from Azuchi but..."

'I never expected this, of course.'

"Were you? Then this turn of events is especially unfortunate."

Sasuke adjusted his glasses, his eyes focusing on me.

"If I break you out now, we'll run into further trouble but, I can free you in time for the wormhole. My current estimates place its location at Honno-Ji. From there, we can return to the present."

"All right, sounds like a plan, thank you Sasuke."

'A month and a half I'll be spending in a cell. I want to make the best of things, but this is a little daunting and once I leave, I won't ever be coming back. The Oda forces, Yukimura, Kenshin...I'll never seen them again.'

I wasn't sure I'd get to say goodbye to any of them, I wasn't sure my heart was in saying goodbye.

'But right now, my priority is making peace with Kenshin. I'd like to get out of this cell, too.'

3RD PERSON POV

Outside, Yukimura and Sasuke began to talk on their way back with Sora following them.

"Hey, Sasuke?" Yukimura asked him.

"Yes?"

"Do you think Kenshin's really going to come to see her in jail?" Yukimura asked Sasuke.

"He may feel ashamed to, in which case we'll need a plan."

Sora barked in agreement because he knew how much Alexis likes Kenshin.

"That's just what I was thinking. So, what do we do?"

"First, we drug his sake. I recommend a mix of valerian root, catnip and chamomile. When he's asleep, we put him in jail with her and lock the door."

"...You frighten me, Sasuke," Yukimura spoke with a nervous look on his face.

Sora whimpered a little when he heard Sasuke's plan.

"While that might work, he's going to kill us for real when he gets out.

"And I believe he would detect the sake's been tampered with before ingesting enough to be effective."

"Well, there goes that plan."

Yukimura glanced up with a sigh. That was when possible inspiration struck. He turned to Sasuke.

"By the way, what were you about to tell Alexis earlier?"

"Could you be more specific?"

"You said Lord Kenshin wasn't angry with her, then you trailed off."

"Yes, I was thinking about the moment Lord Kenshin decided to take Alexis captive. I had arrived to warn him about the surprise attack. It's true his emotions were volatile, but, it was the way he was talking to Mitsunari. I don't think he took her because he was angry..."

Sasuke paused, hesitant to reveal his insight to his friend.

"I think he felt...possessive of her."

"Possessive?" Yukimura asked in a surprised tone while Sora tilted his head in confusion.

"Like he didn't want anyone else to have her, but, that's only my observation."

"Why would he feel possessive of Alexis, though?"

"I don't know, I would venture a guess that Lord Kenshin isn't aware of the feeling himself."

"Huh?"

Yukimura seemed unconvinced.

"Well, if you don't know, I sure wouldn't. Let's make a pact to help Alexis, both of us."

"Yukimura, I'm proud of you for being so supportive of her."

Sora whimpered and then he started barking before jumping up on Sasuke.

"Hahaha! and you too Sora, you would do anything to support Alexis and protect her too."

Sora wagged his tail happily while Sasuke scratched his face. Sora sat down on the ground before Sasuke and Yukimura continued talking.

"You talk like I'm Lord Kenshin, I don't hate women, I just think they're a pain sometimes but, Alexis' pretty cool, and I don't like her being locked up."

"Neither do I. I will consider our pact to help Alexis my prime directive. First things first, we'll need to watch out for Lord Shingen."

"Tell me about it, as soon as he hears there's a woman here, he's going to be no end of trouble."

"I'm sure he'll want to romance her. We're saved by the bars, as far as unwanted kabe-dons go."

Just as they began to breath easy...

"Don't worry, boys. I heard everything."

"Uh oh."

Sasuke and Yukimura said before they looked in the direction where the voice came from.

"Were you two complimenting me behind my back again?"

Shingen emerged from a shady alcove along the outer castle wall, a confident smile on his face. Sora glared at Shingen and he growled loudly at Shingen.

"Lord Shingen. That was a suspiciously ninja-like move."

"If you heard us, then you know we weren't complimenting you, Flirt."

Shingen smirked and he said to them.

"But that IS a compliment, Yuki. Now, to the topic at hand."

Shingen waved a breezy hand.

"You want a surefire way to get Kenshin to visit that girl in her cell? Then leave it to me."