ALEXIS' POV

'We've got reports on the fighting...those reports contain no news on Kenshin himself though. No one knows if he's okay. I'm worried.'

I thought to myself as I rode towards the battlefield with the Takeda forces. I was more determined than ever to see Kenshin. Yukimura and Shingen rode beside me. 

"I think we should talk about how we're going to get you to Kenshin. The biggest problem will be getting you through all those arrows and bullets and spears."

"And all without a scratch on me."

I told Yukimura as I touched the area where I got injured from before.

'I can't get badly hurt again. That's what caused all of this in the first place. But, difficult or not, we're just going to have to do it.'

I thought to myself before Shingen spoke up.

"You two shouldn't worry."

Shingen was his usual assured self.

"We'll be actively avoiding Kennyo, for one thing."

"I'm glad to hear that."

'That guy sent an assassin after me. I don't want to meet him, in battle or not...we don't see eye to eye.'

I thought to myself as I rubbed the spot where that Assassin struck me. My thoughts were interrupted when Yukimura spoke up.

"Not that I'm recommending it or anything, but you're not going to try and talk to your old friend?"

"Hold on. Did I hear that right? Shingen and Kennyo are friends?" I asked Shingen.

"We used to be. A long time ago."

"...I see. Are you conflicted about fighting an old friend?"

I certainly couldn't tell, looking at him. He was as implacable as ever.

"Well, it's hard to say."

He looked ahead as if concealing his expression from us. 

"Kennyo's changed quite a bit from the man I used to know."

"What was he like before?"

"A real stickler, but very gentle. Too gentle. But now, he's obsessed with seeking revenge against Nobunaga."

I was surprised when he told me this.

'He was sensitive and gentle? Then something must have hurt him badly to change that. King of like Kenshin. A loss that's too painful to get over alone.'

My thoughts were interrupted when Shingen looked at me and he said to me.

"I'm glad you and Kenshin met, Alexis. I don't know if this sentimental old heart of mine could bear to lose another friend."

"I'm so sorry, Shingen. But, don't worry, we'll get Kenshin back."

Sora barked happily when I said this.

'Kenshin's dug himself deep into this nightmare plan. We can't just drag him out, we have to convince HIM to leave. I have to believe we've still got time. And I have to make it to Kenshin before he gives up on life completely.'

With this thought in mind, I urged my horse to go faster. 

***

3RD PERSON POV

Alexis and the Takeda arrived at the battlefield and while they were setting up camp, Kennyo and his men hid in the mountains and they planning their next move.

"I anticipated Nobunaga to be cunning enough to see through my plan to surround Kenshin and retreat. But, I didn't expect Shingen to come into my trap to take his place."

Regret took its place on the grief-stricken tapestry of Kennyo's face. 

"About that, Abbot. I happen to have news-"

"What is it? speak," Kennyo interrupted his subordinate as he bowed to him.

"The Tiger of Kai has arrived with a woman. It's the Oda princess, Abbot. The one we failed to kill."

"That unfortunate princess who dodged her fate? interesting."

Kennyo's night-dark eyes opened. 

"I thought she was just a hostage to mark the Oda and Uesugi alliance. But, now I see it. Kenshin is in love with her. Enough to burn the world for her sake. If I can acquire her, turning Kenshin against Nobunaga would be easy."

"Shall we capture her, Abbot?" Kennyo's subordinate asked him.

"Yes and, no matter what, we mustn't let Shingen reach Kenshin. I can't have him inform Kenshin that he's being surrounded. They won't be able to stop it of course. But, just in case."

"We'll do as you command."

His subordinates left to do their jobs. 

"Everyone, thank you for bearing with me. Your patience will be rewarded. The neighbouring daimyo will arrive with their armies soon, and Kenshin will be encircled by enemies."

His once proud robes darkened with mud, Kennyo looked over the shady grove, his eyes regaining some light. His army, waiting in patient rows before him, attended him in their silent fealty. 

"We feared the God who could not be touched by arrows and bullets. But, Uesugi Kenshin has abandoned godhood, the battle is all he has left. And this battle that he craves...this is the battle in which he dies."

The wind carried Kennyo's voice through the forest, the rustling leaves making it echo like a ghastly prophecy.

***

By the time evening fell, the camp was made and with the coming night came the first attack by Kennyo. 

"...Hello to you too, friend! You used to greet me with a cup and a smile. Not a staff at my throat. You should've let me know you were in the area. I would have cancelled my plans. You see, there's a lovely lady--"

"The years haven't stopped your tiresome prattling, I see. I'm surprised you have it in you to natter on, Shingen, while your army is all but on the run."

Kennyo wasn't wrong. The Takeda were being forced away from their camp. 

"My Lord, stand aside! I've got this."

With a cross-tipped spear in hand, Yukimura moved between Shingen and Kenshin. 

"Tell your dog that it's already too late. You've lost, Shingen. But, in memory of our past friendship, I'll give you the chance. Give up the girl, I know you brought her. Do that and I'll spare you."

Shingen's smile didn't even falter.

"Let me ask my dog first. Yuki? what do you think? One paw, we give her up. Two paws, we don't," Shingen joked.

"Two paws, my Lord...and I can't believe you made me say that."

Yukimura rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, we can't very well give him a girl we don't have, can we?"

"What do you mean?" Kennyo asked Yukimura.

Surprise and anger flared across Kennyo's face. One of his subordinates came rushing his way.

"Abbot, we've searched their camp. There's no woman there!"

"You sent her away...?"

Shingen's grin flashed in the torchlight. 

"Well, I'd say we've stalled for Alexis long enough. Who here wants a little payback for the beating we let them inflict on us?"

As if waiting for the word from Shingen, Yukimura raised his voice high.

"Attack! Show them the true might of the Akazonae!!"

With a proud cry, they moved as one. Soldiers in armour dyed burning red by the fires swept over Kennyo's forces.

Meanwhile, in the Uesugi camp, Alexis managed to get there safely and she entered Kenshin's tent.

ALEXIS' POV

"Alexis?"

"Kenshin, it's been a while."

I told him with a small smile.

'It's been days since I'd seen him. But it seems much longer to me.'

I thought to myself as I took in the sight of him. If you're wondering how I actually got to him? Well, that began around sunset.

Earlier on that day...

"Sneak out in the dark of the night? that's your plan? it seems a little too simple for one of your plans," I told Shingen.

'Any guarantee it's going to work?'

I asked myself before Shingen spoke up.

"You're right, it is. And there's more to it than that, of course. For example, I've let Kennyo's forces know you're travelling with me."

"You...did? because it's you, Shingen, I suspect there's more to it than that. Because I think Kennyo's going to want to try and kill me again or worse."

Sora whimpered in agreement with this plan before Yukimura spoke up.

"Oh, he's going to. So, it's a good thing you won't be here when he attacks. 

"I'm starting to see."

"Kennyo will attack our camp tonight, both to stop me and interfering and to kill you or capture you as a hostage. But, as soon as he makes his move you'll be on your way to Kenshin."

'I see the plan. That prevents me from running into Kennyo, yes.'

I thought to myself before I spoke up.

"But what about you two?"

"We'll hold off Kennyo. And we'll buy you time to reach Kenshin, easy-peasy."

"It doesn't sound easy to me. I don't like the idea of you two putting yourselves at risk for my sake."

"Alexis, it would be my honour to put myself at risk to help you. You've got the most important job and the most difficult. Trust me, we're getting off light."

"You guys, honestly."

I knew they were trying to make me feel better and I appreciated it. Yukimura bluntly tried to reassure me too, in his own kind way.

"Don't worry about us. This kind of thing? this is what we're good at. We can't change Kenshin's mind...But, we can hold off Kennyo for you while YOU do."

'They're both so brave. Kenshin, you have some very good friends and they're here for you.'

"Thanks, I promise I'll succeed. You two better be alive when I do."

"Come on, of course, we'll be."

"I could never deny the request for such a beautiful goddess."

Sora barked before he jumped on his hind legs and pressing his front paws on Shingen's torso. Shingen chuckled and he ruffled Sora's fur before he told him.

"And as for you, you better make sure she gets there safely, got it?"

Sora barked happily when Shingen told him this.

'All right. Now to show them their trust in me was worth it. I'll snap Kenshin out of this state he's in and bring him back. Then we'll all survive together.'

I thought to myself before Sora sat down on the ground.

"So, my part is just to get to Kenshin undetected. Could be tricky."

'I should've asked Sasuke for lessons. He's always walking without making a sound. How does he do that?'

I asked myself before Shingen smirked and he said to me.

"Fortunately, I've brought in a specialist to assist you."

"A specialist in...?"

"Specialist may be uncalled for, as I don't have a formal degree yet," A familiar voice spoke up making Sora wag his tail happily.

'I know that ninja!'

"Hello. I'm Sarutobi Sasuke, and I'll be your undergrad specialist in the ninja arts for this evening."

"Sasuke!"

He walked into camp as if he'd been just waiting for his cue until Sora barked happily before he ran over to Sasuke. Sora jumped on him which caused Sasuke to fall backwards onto the ground. Sora licked Sasuke's face excitedly while wagging his tail happily. 

"Ah!! Sora! get off me! not the face!"

I laughed at his reaction and then I walked over to Sora before grabbing him by the collar.

"Okay, Sora that's enough."

I pulled Sora off of Sasuke and then he sat up on the ground.

"Ugh, that's the second time that's happened to me," Sasuke mumbled as he wiped the dog drool off his face.

"Proud of yourself, are you?" I asked Sora who looked at me innocently.

'Geez, by specialist. Shingen meant a ninja specialist.'

I thought to myself before Yukimura spoke up.

"Hey, Sasuke! Long time no see, buddy."

"Same, Yukimura."

I watched them exchange a casual high-five. 

"You weren't waiting back there the whole time, were you?"

"No, improbably. I happened to arrive at a dramatically appropriate time," Sasuke told us as he pulled down his mask.

"Lord Shingen, it's good to see you. Thank you for rescuing Alexis."

"I knew you had your hands full," Shingen spoke with a smile.

'That's right, I nearly forgot it was Sasuke who wrote asking them to save me.'

I thought to myself before Sasuke asked me.

"Alexis, are you doing all right?"

"Yeah, I am. Thanks to you."

Sasuke seemed as relieved to see me as I was to see him. 

"I'd made arrangements with Sasuke to meet us here around this time."

"You really were thinking several steps ahead," I spoke with a smirk. 

"We had to. Maintaining contact has been difficult in these circumstances." 

'Sasuke had to be Kenshin's sole support while he secretly established this networks. Must be tough being a ninja.'

"Now that we're all here," Shingen spoke in a serious manner.

"Sasuke, we're going to need to move the moment the sun sets. So, I'm going to go over this in brief..."

Shingen caught Sasuke up on Kennyo's plans to trap Kenshin. Then, with no time for goodbyes, we were off to meet Kenshin. Under Sasuke's guidance, the trip was danger-free if not free of stress.