ALEXIS' POV

"I must try it. Lead me to this shop. Now."

'Hehehe...hook, line and sinker! I'm going to get some calories into you yet!'

I thought to myself with my imaginary fox ears and tail showing. 

"I'll show you the way."

Smiling with the glow of success. I began walking, knowing Kenshin followed. The afternoon sunlight became richer in colour now, shifting into the bold hues of early evening. Kenshin's steps slowed as he saw the place, he enthusiasm dying.

"This is a tea house, not a bar."

"Yeah I know, but, the sake brewer is close friends with the owner and this is the only place you can get it. The best part? You can eat while you're drinking. Go ahead and pick something out, it's my treat."

"You really intend to pay for me?"

"Is that gonna be a problem?" I asked him.

"I won't be able to enjoy the Sake knowing a woman paid for it. I'll take care of the bill."

"Kenshin, come on. I wanted to pay you back for all you've done for me," I said to him as he sat down on one of the long benches.

"You told me about this shop. In my mind, any debt is repaid."

'Yep. As I thought, he's not really refusing me because I'm a woman. He's trying to be considerate, albeit in a clumsy way.'

I thought to myself before Sora tugged on my sleeve to encourage me to let him pay. I glanced at him and back at Kenshin.

"Don't worry about the cost of the meal. Order what you like."

"That's kind of you but, I couldn't."

'On the other hand, if I leave, I worry he'll just drink his lunch.'

I thought to myself as I pictured Kenshin walking away in a huff.

"At least sit while we discuss it."

Kenshin's eyes had been focused on the menu. When they looked back at me, they were narrowed unhappily.

"You guided me here. I'm not sending a woman back without making sure she's had a decent meal."

"*Sighs* OK fine, you win."

I put down my guitar case and then I sat down beside him. Sora wagged his tail happily while sitting beside Kenshin.

"He seems to be in a good mood."

"Sora tends to excited whenever we go to places like this, believe it or not, some people tend to give his food for free. Everyone loves him including the children."

I told him as Kenshin gently stroked the top of Sora's head until a couple of kids came over to us.

"Hi, Alexis! can we pet your dog?"

"Of course."

I told them before Sora wagged his tail and then walked over to the kids and they happily petted him. Kenshin was surprised by this and then he asked me.

"Are you two always this popular with kids?"

"Of course, we're the perfect duo and believe it or not, we tend to be a singing duo. Whenever I'm singing a high note, he usually howls along with me."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Don't you have anyone else that plays those western instruments and have the same talents as you?"

"I used to, but, they're back in North America meanwhile, I'm stuck back here in Japan, not that's a bad thing."

'Well, it kinda was at the start but, not anymore. I started to feel more comfortable after getting along with the Oda forces and of course, the War God.'

I thought to myself as I glanced at Kenshin. Once the kids were done petting Sora, they waved bye to me and then they left. Kenshin looked impressed when he noticed how popular I was including Sora. After we ordered, the owner brought us our drinks and food. Sora was happy to have some of the meat the chef was kind enough to give to us.

"So, this is the legendary local brew?"

Kenshin's pleasure at seeing the tall bottle was apparent in both his face and body language.

'He really loves sake, just like how Lizzy loves to drink cider on those after parties.'

"Let me pour you a cup," I offered him.

"I appreciate it."

He held his cup steadily as I poured the clear liquid in. Gracefully, he carried the cup to his lips and he took a sip.

"It's good."

'So is your smile, it's pretty. Actually, Kenshin is pretty. I hope that's not why I keep chasing him around.'

I'd glimpsed his smile the night with the fireflies. Here, he was smiling openly.

"I didn't expect to find sake this good at a mere tea house. This is good information you've brought me. Well done."

"I'm just happy you like it."

He finished his cup, relishing every drop.

'And I thought everyone had to be poker-faced here, but, Kenshin shows his emotions openly to. It's kinda sweet. Maybe that's what the other warlords found so appealing about me.'

"Drink with me."

Kenshin lifted the sake bottle and filled a second cup for me.

"Thank you."

The drink had a pleasant, summery bouquet. I took a sip.

"I'd say this sake lives up to the legend."

"I think so too."

The saltiness of the miso appetizer was a perfect complement; I was smiling in delight.

"I'm glad I got the chance to talk to you before you leave for Echigo."

"Why?"

"Because you've saved me twice. As I said, that means a lot to me. And...once you go, we may never see each other again. This is my last chance to really thank you."

"It's strange that you insist on thanking me."

"I think it's strange that you don't want to be thanked."

I took another sip, the sake loosening my tongue.

"All the same, I think you're noble."

"What do you mean?"

Kenshin asked as I remembered the second time he saved me.

'He does the peacemaking job of a warlord but in an errant, heroic way, he's a gentleman too.'

I thought to myself as I remembered Kenshin offering me to drink with him. I hadn't known him long at all but, the few times we'd met had shown me a lot about his true character.

"You care. You're just...you're modest and you just may be nice too."

I could see by his discomfiture that he wasn't used to compliments.

"That's nonsense."

'...and I should probably stop. Boy, this sake's making me chatty, this reminds me of the time when John introduced me to the other band members and how Lizzy drank until she dropped.'

 I giggled a little when I remembered that memory. Kenshin noticed this and he asked me.

"What's so funny?"

"I was just remembering the first time I met my friends in Canada. John heard me singing one night and he asked me to join his band. After our first performance, he treated us to dinner and drinks, hehe, I still remember how Lizzy ordered so many drinks of beer she nearly drank herself under the table."

Kenshin chuckled a little when I told him this. 

"Seriously?"

"I'm not kidding, you won't believe how high her alcohol tolerance is until she gets drunk and passes out on the street."

I told him before drinking my third cup. Kenshin was surprised by how much I've drunk so much and then he said to me.

"Looks like this Lizzy person and I aren't the only ones who have a high alcohol tolerance."

"Not as strong as yours though, I'd rather not challenge you, not my style. Besides, I'm still traumatised after the last one I had with Jessie, never want to go through that again."

"What happened?"

"I drank so much I nearly collapsed under the table and to make matters worse, I threw up in the bushes."

Kenshin nearly burst out laughing when I told him this. 

"I didn't realise you're the kind of woman to get drunk like that."

"Ugh, trust me, there are some things that I'm not even proud of."

Sora whimpered in response before he rested his head on my lap.

"Well, maybe except for my talent in music and Sora's loyalty to me."

I spoke with a smile as I scratched the top of Sora's head and he wagged his tail happily. We drank like that for a while until the sky was dyed copper, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was nice. But, as the sun appeared to dip below the horizon, so did my feelings.

'I guess it's time to get back to the castle.'

I looked at that burning sky and wished I could freeze it there for just another hour or two.

"You..."

"Yes?"

That impersonal pronoun only reminded me of the time he'd said my name.

"Out of curiosity, why do you like singing so much? a job role like that suits you."

"Well, it may look easy now but, it takes a lot of skill and a few years of practice to become a pro. You won't believe how many times I broke the strings on my guitar or when I kept getting told to keep my singing voice soft and relaxing a few times."

I looked at the sun setting sky with a smile on my face and I began to explain to him.

"When I sing for people, I feel like I'm setting my feelings free and depending on the song that I'm singing, I get to see everyone's reactions from being happy, cheerful, sad and so on...before I met my friends I was used to singing on my own until I met John and the others. We became like family since then but, they're so far away from me now. But, I'm not alone, I've got Sora and the people who I work for now, so, they've become like family, well, at least until I move back to Canada."

Sora whimpered a little and then he got on his back legs and then rested his front paws on my lap before licking my face.

"Ah!! Sora! get off me!!" I shouted as I gently shoved him away from me.

"Ugh, you know that doesn't wash easily," I grumbled as I wiped the dog drool off my face.

"Hahaha!! he's got a habit of doing that, doesn't he?"

"I don't mind him showing his affection towards me but, when he gets like this, it's annoying and his drool ruins my kimono."

'And now the moment is ruined too...'

I thought to myself after wiping the drool off my face and taking another sip of my sake. 

'But, I wonder if Kenshin thinks being a warlord is fun?'

"By the way, I heard the rumours about you from my friends, they say you enjoy war, is that true?"

"Yes, I do enjoy having a fight. I feel my blood pumping hot at the very idea."

'Whereas it turns my blood to ice. We'll never see eye to eye on that. But...his love of war doesn't make me like him any less.'

I thought to myself and I then said to him.

"Take care when you go back to Echigo. Stay safe, all right?"

"Why would you want that? you must know I'm going to attack Azuchi soon."

"I figured as much. Why else would you and your people be here?"

"Thinking about it? You're not hiding something from me, are you?"

His laughter chilled me.

"Not particularly. I hate war, you know that but, I don't hate you. I wouldn't wish for your death, even if that stopped a war. If you return with an army, even if this is our last conversation. I think I'll still be happy we met."

"You don't make any sense. Why are you saying things like this?"

'Because I like you more than I expected because- ...Kenshin?!'

He looked at me, his two gemstone eyes smouldering now. I caught the slow, fluid movement of his hand as he reached out. And just when I thought he'd touch me, he brushed an almost imperceptible strand of hair off my face but his fingers lingered.

"Such an unguarded expression."

My heart was beating fast as he reached for me. Now, it thrummed in my ears. My throat went tight. His fingertips on my face left me warmer than any sake ever had.

"It will be dark soon."

"Yeah, it will."

'Why was he looking at me that way? what is he thinking right now?'

Lazily he drank another cup but as much as I peered into his eyes, all I saw was the coming night reflected in their light. After a while, Kenshin walked over to the main road. I looked at him and I said to him.

"Thanks for walking me back."

"Of course."

'They'll be glad to have me back at the castle before dark. That'll be a nice ending to this day.'

Kenshin had paid our bill and we were on our way back into town. Once we reached the main road, it was time to say our goodbyes.

"Are you sure you don't need me to walk you the rest of the way?"

"Yeah, I don't think my employers should see me with you, Kenshin, besides, I've got Sora with me."

Sora barked at Kenshin while wagging his tail happily. Kenshin patted Sora's head and he said to me.

"That's right. You told me you work for a warrior family."

'How would he react if he heard that family was the Oda and I lived in Nobunaga's castle?'

The thought actually made me more than a little uncomfortable.

'I don't like telling half-truths. Especially not to Kenshin.'

If I had my way, we'd know more about each other. There'd been enough barriers between us already.

'But, he's going home, and that disturbance adds one more.'

"Alexis?"

"Oh, yes?"

I was drawn from my thoughts. Kenshin had used my name again. There he was, facing me, with his blue and green gazed fixed only on me.

"Have you ever thought about leaving Azuchi?"

"Actually, yes, now that you mention it, but, not for a few months. Why?"

"I'm going to wage war against Nobunaga and his city. And much sooner than that. You can perform your musician skills anywhere. Go now, find it somewhere else. Somewhere safer."

'He's worried about me.'

"Thank you. It's kind of you to care," I spoke with a small smile on my face.

"I don't need your gratitude and I wasn't particularly thinking of you."

He looked away from me.

"I suppose I don't need to worry...Stay safe."

"Thank-"

I realised then that 'thank you' wasn't what I wanted to say. It was meaningless to him, but, most importantly, it wasn't the truth.

'But, tell the commander of the enemy forces I'm the enemy's chatelaine? I don't have a stake in this fight. I'm leaving in less than three months.'

And that's when I found something to say to him. It wasn't gratitude or the truth but, it was true.

"Kenshin!"

"Yes?"

He turned around, looking back at me.

'Strange. I feel like I keep calling out to him, trying to stop him from going.'

"I hope I get to see you again."

I smiled, even knowing my wish was unlikely to come true. Kenshin stared at me a moment.

"What would you do if you did?"

"How about we share another drink?"

"Sake? That's a good suggestion."

His expression began to thaw.

"I've never been invited to go out drinking by a woman before."

I saw the smile that warmed my heart.

'I really like it when he smiles... haha, there I go again! I should stop thinking of his smile as pretty, but, it keeps taking me by surprise.

There was nothing more to say, and so Kenshin left. Sad to see him go, I waited there on the main road until he was out of sight. Sora looked at me and whimpered happily and swore if he had human features he would have smirked at me right now.

"Why are you giving me that look?" 

Sora barked happily as we headed into the castle.

"Ugh, I don't know why I bother..." I mumbled.

I looked over my shoulder and sadly, Kenshin was nowhere to be seen. I sighed a little and then I thought to myself.

'What's wrong with me? why do I feel like I want to see him again even though he's going back home? Am I being clingy or something?'

KENSHIN'S POV

As I walked through the streets, I could still see the smile on Alexis' face and I also still remembered seeing her standing in the field of fireflies as she sang that night. I glanced at the sunsetting sky and I thought to myself.

'It's too bad that I won't be able to see her again, I wish I could stick around and listen to her sing some more. That songbird is beautiful.'