ALEXIS' POV

Once dawn finally came, I was brought to a fortress, castle, city, pretty much all in one. I looked at the castle and I recognized it straight away.

'That castle is-'

"We're here, Alexis. Azuchi Castle, home of the Oda forces."

Masamune said with a smirk on his face. My eyes widen in shock and I thought to myself.

'Just as I thought...but, that castle was said to be destroyed not long after Nobunaga's death.'

"Don't show yourself to Lord Nobunaga with that expression. You look like a gaping frog."

Hideyoshi said to me with a strict look on his face.

"Oy, can't you be nice to me? this is the first time I've seen a Japanese castle like this one."

"Exactly."

Masamune said with a smirk on his face as he held me close to his chest. I blushed a little and I said to him.

"Um, do you mind not holding me so close like this? we're here already so can you let me down now?"

"Actually, I think not. I'm pretty happy with you right here."

Hideyoshi frowned at Masamune and he said to him.

"Masamune, our Lord Nobunaga has taken an interest in her. Keep your hands off her."

"Why does that matter? I like her too. Men don't thrive in the shadows of other men. In battle or in love."

I shook my head at the pair of them and I thought to myself.

'Honestly, they act like bickering children in a way and I thought Jessie and Lizzy were bad enough...'

"Hideyoshi! Welcome back!"

I looked who called out to him and it was a crowd of waving and cheering women who were greeting Hideyoshi and Masaume.

"How can you get this welcome every single time, Hideyoshi? Break a heart or two will you?"

"What do you take me for?"

Hideyoshi said with a shrug. He dismounted his horse and walked towards the crowd of women.

"I've told you there's no need to come all the way to the gate for me. What about your work?"

Woman 1: "I finished early so I could see you when you came back."

Woman 2: "Hideyoshi, will you be staying long? I hope we'll have time to catch up."

"Don't let me keep you waiting. I'll send a letter as soon as things settle down.

Women 2: "Of course! Take as long as you need!"

Still on Masamune's horse, I watched Hideyoshi, astonished.

"So he's just a big sweetheart and NOT an ultra-stiff paranoiac?"

"That's just how he normally is. I guess you're just special."

"He's nice to everyone but me? That doesn't make me feel special at all, it makes feel sad...how can he be so cruel to me and be nice to every other woman around here?"

I said in a depressed tone while faking my crocodile tears and hiding my face in Masamune's chest.

"Oh great! now look what you've done, Hideyoshi! you've only gone and upset the poor lass!!"

"What did I do?!"

"Accusing her of coming after Nobunaga-sama's life! that's what! she saved his life and this is the thanks you give her?! good work, monkey."

I smirked evilly while Masamune wasn't looking and then Sora came over to us and then he growled at me. I hushed him before Masamune checked up on me. 

"Don't mind Hideyoshi, Lass. You'll get used to him."

"Used to what? him being a jerk towards me or being a sweetheart towards other women?"

I asked as Masamune helped me off his horse. 

"Welcome back, Hideyoshi-sama, Masamune-sama."

A familiar voice spoke up and it was Mitsunari and there was another man with him who I've already guessed might be another warlord. I looked at Mitsunari.

'I guess he must have returned with Nobunaga but, who is that man next to him? and well, as for Nobunaga, I'm sure he's waiting in the castle keep.'

I thought to myself as I glanced at the castle. Masamune spoke up.

"Even Ieyasu came out to say hi. That's rare."

"Ieyasu?"

I mumbled and I tried to remember who he was but, I couldn't remember since my Japanese history was rubbish.

"Tokugawa Ieyasu, he's the sourpuss next to Mitsunari. You should take this chance to say hi."

Masamune led me by the hand through Hideyoshi's throng of admirers. We stopped at the gate where Mitsunari and the man who is called Ieyasu Tokugawa, waited.

"I've been expecting your arrival, Alexis-sama."

I blushed a little when I saw that angel smile on his face. I snapped out of my thoughts and I said to Mitsunari.

"I'm so sorry for running away from before."

I said as I bowed in apology and Sora did the same while whimpering a little. Mitsunari smiled at me and he said to me.

"It's all right, you and your friend are forgiven."

"Arigato."

Sora wagged his tail before jumping up on Mitsunari.

"Oh! hey! careful!"

"Sorry about that, Sora tends to get a little excited when he sees someone he knows."

"That's understandable."

Mitsunari said as he patted Sora's head.

"She looks pitiful."

Ieyasu said out loud. I glared at him and then Ieyasu said to me.

"You're Fujimoto Alexis?"

"Yes, it's nice to meet you, so you're Ieyasu?"

"What if I am?"

Ieyasu asked as he glared at me with those cold eyes. Sora growled a little at Ieyasu and I hushed him. Masamune spoke up with a grin on his face.

"Ieyasu, that's no way to greet someone at least give us a smile."

"Can he smile? I'm not sure I've ever seen him do it."

Ieyasu looked back at me and he said to me.

"Did you really put yourself in harm's way to save Lord Nobunaga's life? you look so weak as if you'd break right away."

A tick mark appeared on my head and I thought to myself while Sora growled at Ieyasu.

'So that's Tokugawa Ieyasu...he had that kind of personality? are all warlords in this time period have a similar personality like him?'

Mitsunari turned to me and spoke in a low voice while Hideyoshi and Masamune teased Ieyasu.

"Like Lord Masamune, Lord Ieyasu is also allied with Lord Nobunaga. He came at once, hearing the news of the assassination attempt."

"I see."

"Hey, you! Ieyasu!"

Hideyoshi shouted and then he said to Ieyasu.

"Don't be unsociable. You need to learn to let loose. Learn to smile and laugh."

"I'll help! you take his left!"

Masamune said as he and Hideyoshi teased and tried to tickle Ieyasu.

"S-Stop it! You're both just annoying."

Scrunching his face up, Ieyasu scrambled out from under Hideyoshi and Masamune's tickling grasps. I stood there with a surprised look on my face because I didn't expect them to be on friendly terms for people who have fancy titles. I giggled a little and I thought to myself.

'I take it back, I guess not all of the warlords are like Ieyasu or Nobunaga for that matter, but, that doesn't mean I can let my guard down.'

Sora tugged on my sleeve and I looked at him. He released my sleeve and then he ran away from me for a second and he nudged his head to let me know we need to go. I shook my head for a no and then Sora back towards me and he sat down on the ground and I whispered.

"We can't escape now, Nobunaga will probably chase us down again besides, we don't have a place to go right now."

Sora whimpered when I said this and then Masamune said to me.

"You keep talking to your dog like that, some people are gonna think you're crazy."

"I can't argue you with you there but, that's what happens when you own a dog, they become your best friend."

I said as I stood up from the ground and then Mitsunari said to me.

"Anyway, let's not stand around. We have a room prepared for you. Please take proper rest."

"Arigato, come on Sora."

I called to Sora after tapping my thigh to make him follow me. Sora barked at me and then we headed inside.

3RD PERSON POV

Meanwhile, in the castle town below...

"Do you like it?"

Yuki asked a young boy who was looking at some of the hair combs for sale.

"Yes... Mother's birthday is coming up soon."

"I'll give you a good price since I'm just an occasional peddler."

"Thank you! why only occasionally?"

"I'm looking for someone, bye-bye."

Yuki said as he waved goodbye to the young boy. Once the boy was gone, Yuki scratched the back of his head with an annoyed look on his face.

"Damn, where'd Sasuke go? I haven't seen him since yesterday...well, whatever."

Yuki looked at Azuchi castle and he had the look of determination, tinged with vengeance in his youthful eyes.

"Justice is coming. I hope you're prepared, Nobunaga."

ALEXIS' POV

Once I got inside the castle, Mitsunari and Hideyoshi showed me around the castle while taking me to my room, which was pretty far than I expected.

"Um...room you said? we're walking pretty far."

"Nobunaga-sama said that he wants to keep you close for now."

"I think I know why, after what I did and running away from him, it makes sense that he wants to keep an eye on me for now."

Sora barked in agreement. Hideyoshi stared at me suspiciously and I sweatdropped a little.

"*Sighs* you know, your staring is starting to creep me out."

"I can't help it besides, I still don't trust you and who knows what kind of dangerous weapon you're carrying in that case."

Hideyoshi said as he glanced at my guitar case.

"Firstly, I understand why you're being suspicious of me since I came out of nowhere and saving Nobunaga-sama's life and secondly, I'm not carrying any dangerous weapons, it's only my guitar."

"Your, what?"

"My guitar, it's a musical instrument, honestly, don't you know anything about the western countries like Canada's traditions or their cultures?"

Hideyoshi frowned when I sarcastically said this. Sora barked as if he was laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

Hideyoshi asked as he glared at Sora. Mitsunari glanced at my guitar case and he asked me.

"So are you a musician, Alexis-sama?"

"Well, sort of, I'm actually a singer."

"You were?"

"Yep, born with a natural talent Okaa-san used to tell me and it's been my ambition to be a well-known singer."

I said with a bright smile while Sora wagged his tail happily. Mitsunari smiled back at me and he said to me.

"I would love to hear you sing sometime, Alexis-sama."

"Easy there bud, you should wait till you hear me first before you get too excited."

"Oh right, that's true."

Mitsunari said with an innocent smile on his face.

'Aww~ He's so cute and not to mention he's like an angel with that gentle smile on his face.'

I thought to myself with a hint of blush on my cheeks. Once we got to my new room, I sat on my knees exhausted and then Mitsurnai said to me.

"Alexis-sama, this will be your room. I hope it's enough for you. Feel free to use it as you like."

"Thank you, Mitsunari, but, you don't have to keep calling 'Alexis-sama', you can just call me by my name."

"But, you're a lady and Nobunaga-sama's saviour. I couldn't possibly."

"It's fine besides, I'm not used to fancy titles, I don't need them."

"Then I agree on the condition that you stay as familiar with me, is that all right, Alexis?"

I nodded my head and then Mitsunari said to me.

"Thank you, now take your leisure. Someone will come to fetch you soon."

"OK, see ya."

I said after Mitsunari left. Once he was gone, I looked at myself in the mirror and I noticed my hair and kimono were in a bit of a mess.

"Well, I might as well look my best before seeing Nobunaga, let's see what kimonos they've got for me."

Sora barked in agreement. We looked through the drawers, I picked out a blue kimono with a white cherry blossom pattern and a light blue sash with a purple obi and a flowery accessory to match. After I got changed into my new kimono, I tied my hair into a ponytail and I wondered what accessory to put in my hair until Sora came back to me with a light blue hair ribbon in his mouth. I took the ribbon from his mouth and I patted his head.

"What a beautiful hair ribbon, good eye Sora."

"*Woof!*"

Sora barked happily and he wagged his tail. I tied the hair ribbon in my ponytail and I smiled at my new look.

"What do you think, Sora? is this any better?

Sora shook his head for a no and then he left for a moment and then he came back with my bag.

"What are you doing?"

Sora sniffed my bag and then he got my small makeup bag. Sora walked over to me with my makeup bag in his mouth and he hands it over to me.

"You're right, nothing wrong with adding a little bit of makeup every now and then."

Sora sat down and wagged his tail. I applied some mascara and lipstick and I looked at myself in the hand mirror.

"What do you think? better?"

Sora barked happily and he wagged his tail.

"What would I do without you, Sora?"

Sora thumped his back paw when I scratched his itchy spot on behind his ear. I giggled a little when he did this and I then looked at my guitar case. I opened the case to make sure it didn't get damaged when we got here and thankfully, it was OK and the money I got yesterday was still there.

Sora tipped out my bag to see what else I had with me. I have my phone, my wallet, spare strings for my guitar, my makeup bag and the group photo of me and the band when we did our first gig together. Sora and I stared at it sadly and I thought to myself

'I miss those days...I was gonna audition for that talent show and now I'm here stuck in this time period...'

I sighed sadly and then Sora rubbed his head against my shoulder to try and comfort me. I patted Sora's head until we heard a sound from the ceiling. Sora growled and then a familiar face came out of the ceiling after the panel opened.

"Sasuke?!"

"I've been following your trail and watching you so I mostly know what's going on."

Sasuke landed on the ground and he continued after pulling down his mask.

"You've really gotten yourself into trouble. Because of my work, it's better if the warlords don't see me, so I had to hide, but I followed you in the shadows."

"Thanks...I think."

I mumbled and then Sora wagged his tail and then he licked Sasuke's face. I giggled a little and then he patted Sora's head. I then asked Sasuke

"Anyway, isn't there a way for us to get home?"

"There is, I've found a way for us to get home."

"You have?!"

I said in a happy tone. Sasuke nodded his head and he explained to me.

"Since I came here, I've been doing researching ways to return to our time... recently, I was able to confirm that the wormhole opens here at fixed periods."

"Really?! then that means..."

Sasuke leaned over to me and he whispered.

"I'll be concise...the next wormhole will provide our way home. According to my data, the next appearance will be in three months."

I smiled widely at this and I said to him.

"That's great!"

"But, I'm still unsure of its location it'll be best if you spend these next three months here since we're in the midst of a chaotic civil war. Also... take care not to get deeply involved with the people of this time."

"Deeply involved...?"

"Meaning, don't fall in love."

"Love?!"

I said in a surprised tone and I laughed a little.

"Don't worry, I won't fall in love with those warlords, besides, I'm not interested in getting a boyfriend yet."

"If that were to happen, it might cloud your desire to return to the future."

"I won't fall in love with a warlord, I can assure you and also, they're all suspicious of me, thinking I might be hiding something...but, now that I can go home after three months, I feel like I can do this."

I said in a confident tone and then Sasuke and I heard someone coming.

"Someone's coming, sorry to leave you alone again but, we'll continue another time. I will be staying with my employer in the city below. Send a smoke signal and I'll come to your aid quickly. Bye."

Sasuke said before leaving out of the window.

'Smoke signal?! how am I supposed to do that?!'

I shouted in my head and then a familiar voice spoke up.

"Alexis, I'm coming in."

The door slid opened revealing Mitsuhide and he was surprised when he saw my new look. I stood up from the ground and I said to him.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong, that kimono really suits and...did you put makeup on?"

"Yeah, I figured since I was seeing Nobunaga-sama again I might as well look my best."

"Well, you do look beautiful that's for sure."

I blushed a little when Mitsuhide said this but, Sora growled loudly at Mitsuhide to keep him away from me.

"Sheesh, does your dog have anger issues?"

"No, he's just protective of me, do you mind if I bring him along? I don't wanna leave him alone in this room."

"Just make sure he doesn't mark the floor."

"I don't think it's the peeing on the floor you need to worry about," I mumbled as I picked up my guitar case.

"You're taking that case with you?"

"Hey, wherever I go, this thing comes with me. Besides, I don't like leaving it in a place where it might get lost or stolen especially since I just arrived here."

"Point taken, anyway, shall we get going?"

I nodded my head before looking at Sora.

"Sora, come on boy."

Sora barked in response and then we followed Mitsuhide. I looked around a little and then Mitsuhide said to me.

"You don't seem too worried or scared about going to see Nobunaga-sama."

"I'm not worried, besides, I'm the one who saved him and it doesn't matter to me if he's some bigshot around here and Sora seems to like him."

Sora barked in response when I said this. Mitsuhide looked at me surprised and he said to me.

"You really are different compared to the women I know around here."

"Let's just say I was born with a confident personality."

Mitsuhide smirked at me and he then said to me.

"Well, that's good to hear, it's not every day we get to have someone like you around here."

Mitsuhide said as he kisses the back of my hand. I blushed again and I pulled my hand away from him and then Sora growled angrily at him.

"What did you do that for?!"

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself, I was only praising you for having such a brave and confident personality."

'Right now, I don't feel brave or confident after what you did...'

I thought to myself as Sora barked and growled angrily at Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide looked at him surprised and he asked me.

"What's his problem with me?"

"I don't know, Sora tends to act like this when he doesn't like someone he's met, other times he's fine, the best way to tell he likes someone is when he shows his belly but, if he's snarling, growling and showing his teeth that's his way of telling to you back away from me before tries to nip or bite you unless I tell him to."

I said as I looked at Sora who was still growling at Mitsuhide.

"That makes sense, anyway, we're here."

We got to the audience chamber and I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Sora stopped growling and then he sat down next to me. I looked at Sora and I said to him.

"Sora, try and be on your best behaviour."

Sora barked at me in response and then Mitsuhide opened the sliding doors and he said to Nobunaga.

"Lord Nobunaga, Alexis Fujimoto is here."

"You kept me waiting, Alexis."

I smiled at Nobunaga the others and I said to him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, my Lord."

"Don't just stand there, come here."

Sora and I approached him and then we sat down in front of him.

"Fujimoto Alexis, from now on you will reside in this castle and serve."

"I understand, Lord Nobunaga."

Nobunaga smirked when I said this politely to him.

'It's probably for the best to stay put if I run now, Nobunaga won't be so gracious again, if I wanna get back home after three months have passed, I'll have to stay here.'

"But, how am I to serve you, my lord?"

"However, you like."

"Huh?"

Nobunaga pulled me close to him. His fingers, I noticed, were elegantly long.

"Just stay by my side. This is all you need to do."

His low voice was pleasant in my eyes, though there wasn't a hint of kindness in his words.

"You will be my lucky charm as I unify this nation and all that lies beyond."

"You want me around because I'm lucky?"

"Yes. And don't fear. You shall be known as a princess from afar and will be treated as such. Spend your days on makeup or cards and games if it suits you.

'I'm supposed to loaf around for three months doing "girly" things? not happening!'

I thought to myself with a sweat drop running down the side of my head. I got out of Nobunaga's grip and I then said to him.

"Sorry, I can't accept that offer, I'll go stir crazy if that's all I can do and besides, you don't know what this one is like when he gets bored too easily."

Sora barked in response before he scratches himself. Masamune then spoke up.

"I agree with you, Alexis. I'm the same way."

"So be it. Then I appoint you as my chatelaine."

'A caretaker? well, I guess that'll do.'

I thought to myself before Mitsunari spoke up.

"What an excellent idea. Alexis, I'll provide you with all the support you need to get started."

"How could this waif possibly be any use?"

Sora growled at Ieyasu when he said this.

"Shh! Sora."

Sora stopped growling but he continued to glare at Ieyasu.

"It's Lord Nobunaga's decision, Ieyasu. Hold your tongue. Though only time will tell if we can trust her."

Hideyoshi said with a glare in his eye.

"Who says you have to? Just keep an eye on her. You're good at that right? she may surprise you."

Mitsuhide said with a smirk on his face. Nobunaga smirked at and he said to me.

"Then it's decided. Work hard and prove your worth to me, Alexis."

I let them talk without interrupting. Nobunaga was watching me, that wicked smile playing across his face.

'I only have to put up with this for three months. Plus, I'll have Sasuke and Sora. Though having Sasuke around could hurt more than it helps, depending on why his bosses are here. Shingen Takeda and Kenshin Uesugi, right? They're unknowns at this point. Especially the man that was with them, Yuki. Then again if I start worrying now I know I'll never stop. It's time to get serious.'

I smiled at Nobunaga and I said to him.

"I won't let you down."

'I'll survive my time here and make it back to the present!'

Nobunaga took my chin in his hand, raising my eyes to his. He looked satisfied.

"I plan to take very good care of you, Alexis."

From that moment on, I began my life at Azuchi Castle. I had prepared myself for anything...except the possibility that I would find love here in these times of chaos and war.