3RD PERSON POV

While Alexis waited in Kasugayama for Kenshin's return, Kenshin was deep in battle.

"Attack! put your hearts into it!" Kenshin yelled as the Uesugi soldiers let out a roaring cheer.

Riding close beside Kenshin at the front of the lines was Sasuke.

"This battle is coming to a close," Sasuke informed Kenshin.

"Good, I'm in a hurry to get it done and return to Echigo," Kenshin said as he thought about Alexis.

"A hurry my Lord?" Sasuke asked in a puzzled tone. "This is usually the point where you hope they'll start fighting back."

"Are you complaining Sasuke?" Kenshin asked with a smirk on his face. "I'm just looking forward to drinking the victory wine, that's all."

Sasuke saw Kenshin's words for the realization they were. Kenshin himself couldn't hear them, his mind was already home.

THE NEXT DAY...

ALEXIS' POV

On the morning of the fifth day, Yukimura came to visit me along with Sora.

"Did you hear Lord Kenshin's supposed to come back today?" Yukimura asked me.

"I did, thanks," I said with a smile. "So what's the word? are he and Sasuke okay?"

I couldn't help but feel a sudden surge of excitement.

"Yeah, hey, you sound happy," Yukimura said after noticing the smile on my face.

"Well, it's good news. I mean, they're okay, that's great, right?" I asked Yukimura.

'Yes, I'm happy at the prospect of seeing Kenshin again.'

I thought to myself as I remembered the times when Kenshin used to visit me before leaving for the war.

"Yukimura, how busy is Kenshin when he gets back? typically?"

"He's never really busy, but every time he gets back, he wants to throw a celebratory feast," Yukimura told me as he patted Sora's head.

"And how does that go?"

"Everyone drinks and parties until dawn, Lord Kenshin drinks more than anyone," Yukimura spoke with a sweat drop running down the side of his head.

'Everyone drinks and parties until dawn huh? that kinda sounds similar to how my bandmates and I used to celebrate after a successful concert...I miss those days and to make things worse, I won't be able to see Kenshin tonight.'

I smiled a little and I continued to think to myself.

'But Kenshin and Sasuke are safe. I'll take my good news where I can get it.'

Yukimura and I continued chatting a while about other subjects. Once he left, I felt a little happier especially after hearing the news that Kenshin is coming back today. Sora seemed happy as well and then he started howling.

"Hehe, I know what that howl means, you're happy aren't you?"

Sora barked happily and then he looked at my guitar and he started barking again.

"Hehe, you're right. It has been a while."

I told him before I grabbed my guitar case and then I got my guitar out. 

'I may be a bird in a cage but, this won't stop me from doing the one thing I love in the whole wide world.'

I thought to myself as I started to play my guitar.

***

Meanwhile...

3RD PERSON POV

Later that evening on his return, Kenshin went to his room and checked the reports that had piled up in his absence. A vassal came in, bowing deferentially.

"Lord Kenshin, welcome back."

"Were there any problems in my absence?" Kenshin asked his vassal.

"Nothing we couldn't handle, my lord, but this morning, you received a missive from Nobunaga Oda."

"From Nobunaga?"

Kenshin spotted the letter on his desk and opened it. He frowned as he read it.

"My Lord, are the contents of concern?" The vassal asked nervously.

"No, they're ridiculous."

Kenshin gracefully unfolded the letter to it's fullest state, and then he sharply tore it in two.

"...I see."

"More importantly..." He dropped the halves to the floor before continuing, "Tell everyone the victory feast is to be a grand one. Reserve the best sake for those who distinguished themselves. I won't be attending, tonight, I drink alone."

"Understood my lord, I'll make the arrangements," The vassal said before leaving.

Once he left, Kenshin listlessly ran a finger over the soft paper edges of the torn letter. A letter in which Nobunaga had politely requested the return of Alexis.

ALEXIS' POV

'It's nighttime, I guess Kenshin's at the victory feast.'

Yukimura and Shingen had kept me updated on Kenshin and his war while he was gone.

'According to them, Kenshin and Sasuke made it back without a single injury. I guess I'll see them tomorrow.'

I let that faint joy dance inside me. But, it grew into a thrill when I heard familiar steps approach my cell. 

"It's been a long time, Alexis."

"Kenshin!" I spoke with surprise.

For a second, I doubted that he was really there. I put away my guitar before approaching the bars.

"Welcome back, what are you doing here? isn't there a celebration?" I asked as I stood at the bars.

"That's why I'm here."

"Really? I'm sorry to tell you, but, there's no party here," I indicated my cell with a small smile.

"That's not a problem. I brought all the party I want with me," Kenshin held up a sake bottle.

I smiled at this idea and I said to him.

"That's wonderful! I think I do have two cups here if you brought enough sake?"

"Of course I did if you don't object to drinking with me."

"No, I like drinking with you."

'Well, that and I just can't believe you're really here right now.'

I thought to myself with a small smile on my face. I approached the bars to sit closer to his chair but, Kenshin stopped me.

"Hold on, this will be easier if I join you inside," Kenshin said as he unlocked my cell door.

Kenshin stepped into my cell and he paused for a moment and he looked around a little.

"I haven't been in here for a while."

"Yeah, you haven't. You're welcome to visit more often. Even without the sake."

I was happy to see him, excited and nervous at the prospect of having Kenshin so near.

"Really? why?" Kenshin questioned me.

'Maybe the excitement is one-sided.'

I thought to myself as Kenshin's cold expression wasn't revealing any pleasure. Except, he found mine curious.

"No particular reason."

'Wake up Alexis! you've fallen for a guy who keeps you in a cell, of course, nothing else has to make sense,' I scolded myself in my head.

My relationship with Kenshin had always been a strange one but, it was strangely undeniable. We sat facing each other and I set two cups between us. Kenshin reverently brought out a small jar and set it beside his cup.

'Did he bring a snack? ...Oh, right! I bet I can guess what those are. Yukimura said he stuffed those rice balls with pickled plums from Kenshin's private stash.'

"Are those pickled plums? you like them, don't you?" I asked Kenshin as I glanced at the jar.

"How did you know? I don't recall telling you that."

"Yukimura and Sasuke told me," I admitted to Kenshin, sorry guys!

"I see, that explains where the last batch went."

He didn't seem particularly upset about the theft. He just deftly unsealed the jar. 

"Pickled plums are always the best with sake. I always keep some on hand and tonight's sake is one of my favourite brews. Since you seem to share a taste for pickled plums, I hope you'll enjoy the sake," Kenshin didn't look bothered by the theft of the pickled plums.

'He doesn't blame me for the missing plums AND he's sharing his favourite foods with me.'

For a moment, where we were didn't matter to me, just that we were together, sharing like this.

"Thank you, I can't wait to taste your favourite sake. I'm sure it's good but, won't Sasuke and the others miss you at the party?"

"We have parties all the time, I wanted to see you. I ordered everyone to attend the celebration so that you and I could drink in peace," Kenshin explained to me.

"That's pretty extreme, you did all that for a peaceful drink?" I questioned him.

"With you, yes."

'He can't know what saying that does to my heart, can he? because just when I was giving up on seeing him tonight, he does this.'

"Allow me to pour for you," I offered him.

"Thank you," Kenshin said as he held up his cup for me.

I carefully filled it to the rim, my eyes on his beautiful and steady fingers.

"Now let me fill yours."

"Thanks, here."

Kenshin took the bottle from me and I held out my cup.

'Hmm, it's probably the traditional time for a toast, right?'

"Should I congratulate you on your victory?" I asked as I looked at Kenshin.

"I don't know should you?" Kenshin questioned me.

"Well, I've been to celebration dinners before with my bandmates after a successful performance but, a victory feast after a battle is a different story, so I'm a little unsure what to say," I said with a sweat drop running down the side of my head.

Kenshin puts the sake bottle down and he picked up his own cup.

"This isn't really a victory feast. I'd like it if you just spoke the way you usually do," Kenshin said as he sipped his sake.

'"Live the life I want to live."'

Mentally repeating that advice, I took a sip of liquid courage. It was good, smiling at Kenshin I was talking before I knew it.

"I'm happy you're back safe and without a single injury, too. I wanted to be out there to see you as soon as you go back, honestly," I said before taking another sip of my sake.

"I sure didn't expect you to come to see me instead but, it's nice, thanks."

I looked up only to see Kenshin looking at me sternly.

"...Now you're talking too much."

I nearly choked on my sake when he said this.

"*Cough! cough* oh come on! I haven't even gotten started and you told me to!"

He couldn't keep his smile hidden. It crept out like spring from the frost.

"I was kidding," Kenshin said as he patted my back after I nearly choking on the sake.

I cleared my throat before shaking my head at Kenshin and I laughed for falling for that trap in the first place. My cheeks were suddenly blazing too. Almost apologetically, Kenshin ran his fingers through my hair. His large hand was soothing.

"The truth is, I'm just as surprised to find myself welcome here," Kenshin smiled at me when he said this.

'...That smile. I could say so much about that smile.'

It was sweet, sad and somehow unbearably precious.

'I wouldn't mind if this moment lasted a little longer, maybe forever.'

His hand returned to his cup but it left a lingering warmth in me.

"Last time we drank together, it was in Azuchi."

"Yeah, the legendary local brew! I really liked it, did you?" I said as I remembered that memory.

"I did," Kenshin smiled a little when he also remembered this. "In fact, I had Sasuke order the rest of it to be shipped to Echigo, but, it's strange. It was better in Azuchi."

"Really? That is strange," I spoke in a puzzled tone.

'Sure, they don't have modern-day shipping, but transporting it normally wouldn't change the quality.'

I thought to myself as I glanced at my cup.

"I couldn't figure it out either and here's something even stranger." Kenshin also looked down at his cup before continuing, "This is from the best brewery in Echigo. I drink it all the time but, it's better tonight than ever before."

"Why do you think that is?"

"I can only speculate but, in both cases, I was drinking sake with you."

Kenshin lifted the cup to his lips again conveniently avoiding my eyes.

"There's something about you that makes sake better."

"I wonder what it could be? ...heh, maybe I'm naturally sweet? I mean it might be true, Lizzy and Jessie are always telling me the drinks taste better whenever we're going out to the bars after a successful night," I told Kenshin before I finished my cup.

"Maybe, or maybe it's your attitude that keeps it...fresh?

'He's saying it with a straight face, but, I think Kenshin's flirting with me!'

I thought to myself before I smiled a little.

"You're so expressive."

He laughed a faint and beautiful sound and finished his cup off.

'Geez, that's twice he teased me tonight and I've never been happier to be flirting with someone.'

I took up the bottle and poured him another drink.

"You don't like to nurse your drinks, do you Kenshin?"

"I could say the same for you but, you're spending a bit too much time on yours, even though you're nearly keeping up with my pace," Kenshin said as he refilled my cup.

"It's called moderation, I'd be slurring my speech right now if I drank at your speed," I said before taking a sip of my cup. "Besides, when you think about how much time goes into growing the rice, then brewing the sake, it seems a shame not to savour it."

"Life is short and ends suddenly. You can't tarry over the things you enjoy."

'There is it again, Kenshin's talking about how short life is.'

I thought to myself as I remembered Shingen telling me that something bad happened to Kenshin in the past.

'Does he really fear life is short or is he trying to rush through it? or maybe...run away from something?'

If I tarried over this, I might never learn which sad option was true.

"Maybe you're right, but, I'd still spend my time enjoying things. That would make the good moments like this one, last longer."

'I like spending time with you but, maybe that's not important to you.'

"Alexis..." Kenshin seemed taken by surprise. "Why? why would you say that?"

"What do you mean, why?" I asked him.

'It's going to be hard to explain without telling you my feelings and then, I'd have to tell you everything.'

I told myself before I spoke up.

"I enjoy these moments with you, why wouldn't I want them to last?" I asked him as I looked at my cup of sake.

'When I return, there'll be a 500-year divide between us and I'll be miles away from Japan once I move back to Ontario.'

I thought to myself as I remembered the good memories that I spent with my bandmates from Canada.

"I don't want to think about all the time we could have had when it comes time for us to part."

"...To part?" Kenshin's breath froze in his throat.

That ice spread over his features

"Where would you go...? back to North America?" Kenshin mumbled.

"Go? Nowhere, well yeah maybe back to my old home once I've got enough money to find a place to live there but, come on! you yourself were just saying life was-" I stopped mid-sentence when I saw that cold expression on his face.

'Wait, something's different with him.'

I thought to myself as his eyes left mine. His voice was a haunting mirthless laugh. It was familiar and I knew then that something was wrong.

"...Right, of course. Did you know about the letter Nobunaga sent?" Kenshin asked me and I shook my head for a no. "No? well, he asked for you back."

"He did?" I asked in a surprised tone.

"Yes. Yes, he did," Kenshin said as he glanced at me.

Suddenly, the room seemed to tilt. Kenshin had grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back down onto the futon. When I could focus, all I could see was him, looking down at me.

"Kenshin?" I mumbled with a hint of blush on my cheeks.

"He can't have you."

Something broke through his voice, trembling, conflicted, hurting. It was enough to silence me and Kenshin brushed his fingers over my mouth. They rested there. It was as if whatever he thought I might say, he feared he couldn't bear to hear it. That was when he began to cover my neck in burning, biting kisses.

'This is so-! Oh my god, this feeling! but...why is he doing this?'

I gasped, twisting my neck both toward and away and held onto his shoulders, though he held me tight.

"...What are you doing, Alexis? Why aren't you fighting me?"

He paused to look into my eyes, two different questions in his. One was teasing me and the other was begging me.

"If you don't fight me now, then I won't ever let you go. Ever," Kenshin spoke in a demanding voice before leaning closer to my face. "You'll be mine. I'll keep you here forever, don't you see?"

'Does he WANT me to fight him?'

I saw the cell bars over him. For the first time, I wondered if he'd put me here to keep in or himself out?

"Kenshin, what are you saying...?"

"That you're my spoils of war. I can do with you as I like."

"Is that what you think? Is that really what you of me as-Mm!" My voice hitched as I felt his lips on my neck.

He marked me down the length of my pulse, teeth nipping with tantalizing sweetness. It was so easy to lose myself to this, and my body was telling me to. A gasp of desire broke from my lips. I offered my mouth to a Kenshin who was unleashed and wild and nearly out of control. He captured my lips, his tongue pushing past, taking my mouth in deep, plunging pulses.

'I don't believe he sees me that way, but there's no time to be dancing around this. He needs to say it. I only want this if he can love me as a person, not his spoils and not his doll.'

Even so, I loved him so much that it pained me to break the kiss, to push his body away from mine.

"Kenshin, wait, please-"

The moment I looked at him, tears clouded my vision.

"...I need to know, is that really all I am to you?"

"I don't...I don't know." Kenshin glanced away from me when I asked him this.

"How can you not? I know that you know, tell me," I said as I placed my hand on his cheek to make him look at me again.

'Find the words, find them in me.'

I looked at him through my tears, a blurred mirror reflecting the fire in his eyes, trapped beneath the ice. Maybe something had shattered his heart, but, I knew it was still holding together. He was so strong. Yet, his face went pale as he looked at me. I saw he regretted his lapse. Kenshin was coming back to his senses. More than that, he brushed away the wet tracks of tears on my cheeks.

"...I do know. I've known for a long time."

"Tell me."

"I'm in love with you, Alexis."