I apologize for the short chapters, I have recently come down with something and I'm not feeling to good. I figured short little chapters is better then no chapters at all. Remember review. I enjoy hearing your thoughts, also as another disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC... Thanks :)

Sam continued to stare at Masamune sternly. "What is it, Short Stack", he asked in a drawn out voice. He was amused by her boldness. "Why can't you just give me back my books?" Date chuckled. "Because I need a servant and now, because of your meddling, you owe me."

Sam's brows furrowed. "Because you and your friend saved us?" A shimmer in his dark, left eye told her there was more and that caused a cold shiver to go down her spine. "Partially because of that, yes..." A light chortle left his lips as he poured himself another cup of sake.

Samantha slapped her hand over her eyes. "What do you want now", she mumbled out. "For you to remain here until either you can repay your debt for the life I saved or until I see fit." Sam's jaw dropped. Her eyes narrowed. "No! Absolutely not! Our original deal was..." Masamune snapped. "It's voided. I saved your hide." He didn't like being told no, no matter what it was..

Masamune took in a deep breath before snatching her wrist and pulling her close. Her eyes filled with anger and fear. He subconsciously loosened his grip but didn't let go. He wasn't going to hurt her, he just wanted her to listen. "You could have been killed! What good is it, if you make a deal and you can't keep it?"

Date didn't really understand why it bothered him as much as it did, at the thought of her getting hurt. Maybe it's because he saw her naive and weak. That couldn't be it, he saw her strength when she shielded that boy with her body. It wasn't fear of losing her own life, it was fear of not being able to protect another. He realized then, he saw a part of himself in her. Every time they've crossed paths, that same defiant streak that runs deep in him, ran deep through her.

His left, dark eye lit up. The woman shivered from fear. She didn't know what to do. He looked so angry with is dark eye glaring at her and his lips tightly sealed. She didn't know how to make it better. Sam made the mistake of trying to struggle, she wanted to run. Masamune moved forward and pushed her on her back with his own body. The hard floor offered no comfort. His body weight pinned her.

Date dipped his head and leaned into her ear. "Look, like it or not I saved your ass and that boy's too. Now either you can serve me with the same terms as before or ..." "Or, what?" Sam tried to lift her knee to wedge him off but Masamune pushed it down with a free hand. "You have an imagination, use it."

Sam forgot about her fears as her face turned bright red, her skin burned to the touch. "You're an asshole! Damn it Masamune, you had me going! God, I'm getting you back for this", she exclaimed, gritting her teeth. Date couldn't help but laugh. He wasn't really teasing her, it was the sake working it's magic but he figured he'd let her believe he was though.

Masamune sat up, pulling Sam up into him. Her clothes were rough and stiff from the thick, dried mud. "Come on, I'll help you to your bath. One thing is for sure though. You do owe me one for saving that brat." Sam blinked as she placed her hands on his bare chest to push back. "Saving him, yes. I'll agree to that but you're not going to ask me to repay you for my life as well?"

He let out another chuckle. The vibration of his chest, under her fingertips stirred a girlish curiosity in Sam. The woman stopped pushing back and laid her palms flat on his chest. Her cool finger tips, felt his smooth, warm skin as she flexed the fingers. It was the first time she'd ever touched a guy's chest. It wasn't like what she'd had expected. It was smooth and cooler then she thought. She figured all guys were hot to the touch and rough all around.

Date, wasn't complaining either. Sam's soft touch sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine and something awoke deep with in him. It's been a few months since he's sought a woman's attention and he now he had one in his lap, practically petting his chest. Damn, and she had to make it feel good too, he thought. Her eyes curiously darted upward to meet his gaze. His smile was placid and the man's expression had changed, she didn't know what he was feeling or thinking. "What", she whispered.

He forced his mind back to the conversation at hand. "No, your life is mine. As a servant, you are my charge. You take care of the things I need and I protect you." Sam mulled over the words he just said. "So..., you say I'm your charge. I didn't know that's how servitude worked. I always thought it was the servant's job to care for their master and that was that."

"You can say, I'm not like the other lords", he softly spoke. His voice was thick and hypnotizing. Sam's mouth went dry. She could taste the grains of dirt on her tongue. Her stomach knotted. The woman's heart started to pound wildly in her chest as Masamune reached up with one hand and tilted her chin upward. Her breathing started to become erratic. God no... Don't, not like this! My first kiss should be magical! Like under the stars, in the moon light or something! Sam's mind quickly raced.

Masamune tilted his head forward slowly. The anticipation rocked him like a giant wave. He knew it was the sake but it had been so long since he laid his lips on another woman's, he didn't care. He did find it rather enticing the way her cheeks grew redder with every minute that passed. "Samantha...", he whispered. Masamune, actually enjoyed rolling her odd name over his tongue. It sounded feminine in every sense. Sam swallowed a hard lump developing in her throat.

"Boss!" Masamune knew the voice of one of his commanders instantly from behind the shoji. "Tch." The One-Eyed Dragon pulled back quickly, annoyed with interruption. Sam rolled out of his lap. He could see she was nervous. Shit, he thought. He figured he'd have to stop drinking sake around the blasted woman.

"What is it", he inquired harshly, turning his head away from Sam who was giving him a concerned look. The shadowed silhouette kneeled. "I bring news from the north. Uesugi forces are on the move my lord." "Damn it. Get the others and have them meet me for council."

The man quickly ran off. "Kojūrō, did you get all that?" Sam startled to hear the retainer's voice. "Yes, I'll make the preparations." "Good, I want everyone there." "Yes, my lord."

Sam looked at him with confusion. She had never read where he was at war with Uesugi forces so she was a little confused. "Tch, I don't like it when there's a party and I'm not invited." She remained quiet. "I'll have one of the wives come help you. If your ankle heals before I get back, I want tea and soba noodles, plus a hot bath. Also this place better be spotless." Masamune rose himself to leave.

Samantha raised an eyebrow. She was feeling all sorts of things, none of them were coming out and expressing themselves. The man was teasing her one moment, going to kiss her the next, and then turned into a demanding ass. "Fine. Just remember though, what's the point in making a deal if you can't keep it."

Her dark, green eyes held something that caused him to hold his breath a moment. It wasn't just about hearing his own words but he figured this was her own way of telling him to be careful. If he get's hurt there's no way he'd be able to protect her. That was the underlined agreement the two had formed. "No problem Short Stack, this shouldn't take to long."

At that Masamune left her in the room. Sam could already hear the heavy foot steps of his soldiers making their way to the war room. A large part of her worried for him and his men. She hoped all of them would return safely but she understood it was warring time. Everyone's life was on the line, so Sam guessed she was lucky to have Masamune for a boss; a man who actually cared for his men and saw them irreplaceable.

Sam felt her heart sink with every man that walked in the hallways. She couldn't help it. It was in her good nature. Samantha closed her eyes and leaned back on the floor. She wasn't trying to dwell on the depressing fact of life, in this time frame. Sam figured all she could do is pray and offer an extra helping hand when they got back...