Sorry if this chapter is short and sweet. I've been really busy. I promise the next chapter will be a lot better. Remember, review please! I would love to hear your thoughts.

The next morning Sam stirred. Her nose pressed firmly against something hard and a heavy weight was draped across her body. Samantha's fingers started to explore her surroundings before her eyes even opened. She was against something smooth and warm. It quivered under the pads of her fingertips. It was inviting. The young woman nuzzled into it. She felt what she briefly thought were hands run up her back and pull her in tighter.

The aroma of grass and cherry trees waft under her nose. She could clearly vision fresh, wet grass and a cherry tree like the one Masamune had in the front corner of his yard, leading to the dojo. Sam kept her arms neatly tucked to her chest and let out a deep sigh. Cool air brushed her cheek as if something warm moved from it. She whimpered. The soft, clement wall she had pressed herself against vibrated as a chuckle bubbled from it.

If Sam didn't know any better she'd swear it sounded like that jerk, Masamune. Her sleepy mind wasn't catching up to the simple fact she was nestled to the man's chest. Masamune rolled her back on her back gently, keeping in mind her injuries. Sam's eyes fluttered open. Green irises grew large as the world around her started crashing down. It was him she was laying next to. Date smiled gently at his bed mate, who was in a full panic. Her hands now firmly pressed to is bare chest.

"It's alright", he yawned. Luckily he had enough courtesy to turn his head before he exhaled. Sam licked her dry lips, trying to moisten them; he watched her and held his own breath briefly. The One-Eyed Dragon wanted to claim her mouth for his own but knew she wasn't his to have. It didn't stop the man from soaking in every moment though.

He had never woken up with a woman in his bed before, not even a prostitute. They weren't married, so why would he have them sleep with him? It was a line Lord Date wasn't going to cross with a woman who had many lovers but Sam wasn't a whore nor did she have any lovers.

Lord Date had not problems laying next to her. The man's wondering mind started remembering how he came to bed last night. His hand slid up and down her arm as she laid there in a deep slumber. He caressed her tender flesh curiously. She was so reactive even in her sleep as she twitched and swatted the proverbial bug away. Sam had rolled over to face him. He was delighted that she did. It allowed him to scoot a little closer to her.

Masamune slowly checked her out, like an inquisitive child. He delicately touched her skin and smelled her hair. The lord's curiosity had gotten the better of him and before he knew it he had wrapped himself around her, protective like. Exhaustion had taken over and his lids had drifted shut. When he woke, his chest was being lightly petted.

"Why... Why were you sleeping next to me", the she squeaked out. He let out a husky chuckle. "You see", he said in perfect English as he lowered himself. "I was cold and tired. You had my haori covering you." His baritone voice was thick and velvety. Sam's heart began pounding rapidly. She had difficulty swallowing as her breath hitched. She didn't know why, but his voice had started to enchant her.

Masamune had touched his nose to hers has his head dipped down. It was electric. Sam gasped, surprised at the sudden contact. His body was now pressed against hers. Date could feel the heavy pounding from her heart. She was scared but he couldn't fathom why. Sam had closed her eyes tightly as her blunt nails dug into his flesh. He hissed, but not from the pain. The lord felt his own body grow ridged, his breathing became heavier. If she wasn't so frightened..., he thought frustrated.

To Sam's surprise the weight lifted and the heat from his body left. Cool air nipped at her arms and shoulders. When Samantha reopened her eyes she saw him putting on his haori. She let out a sigh of relief. "How do you feel", he asked without looking in her direction. "Uh, sore... My ribs hurt and my back is killing me but that's it."

Masamune had the unfortunate luck of turning to face her as she stretched. Her long, dark brown hair was down. It framed her high cheek bones and delicate chin. The tips brushed her exposed cleavage. Her body was elongated from the stretch. He could see every inch of her feminine curve. This caused something below his pants to try and do all the thinking. His shoulders quivered as he bit down on his urges.

"Do you need a doctor?" "No", she quickly responded. "Good, if that's all, go make me something to eat. I'm famished. While you're at it, I could use some tea." His voice was thick and guttural. The lord had to clear his throat as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ok", she yawned as she got up. Sam scratched her sides and walked away unaware of Date's thoughts or actions.

Masamune let out a deep, long, drawn out breath. He was determined to find some company to help relieve the stress she was causing him. The man, for once in his life, had something within his grasp but couldn't just take it when ever he felt like it. He hated the feeling and yet he didn't know how to approach it so he could. The One-Eyed Dragon was also puzzled if he wanted to her or not. Right now everything just felt physical. He sneered to himself trying to collect his scattered thoughts.

The lord went out on his deck. The cool morning breeze from the early spring brushed his cheeks as he continued to think about Sam but his thoughts were abruptly stopped by one of his scouts riding hard and fast down his path. As soon as the man halted the dark bay horse, the gentleman in the black armor leapt off and bowed, waiting for permission to speak.

"Speak", Masamune commanded in serious voice. "My lord! Takeda's army are pursuing an unknown force to the west! Both factions passed us last night sir!" The man inhaled as he tried to catch his breath. Masamune's eye narrowed. He wasn't happy to find out his ultimate rival slipped by him in the middle of the night with an entire army. Not to mention, if Sanada was chasing someone through the night, something must have happened.

"Tell the men we ride with in the hour." The man bowed again and remounted. He rode out with lightening speed. "Kojūrō", Date bellowed out loudly. The shoji, Masamune was about to walk by, slid open. The man was on his knees already getting fitted to leave.

"If Yukimura is pursuing another, then I wonder where Lord Takeda is", Kojūrō inquired. "I know. I'm curious to know if something happened to that old man", Masamune snapped. "Damn it", the lord said in English. Both men knew Shingen wouldn't be easily taken down in battle. Masamune felt something ominous about the whole situation.

Date had gotten dressed for battle. Unbeknownst to Sam, she had brought out his food and set it on the cherry table with some tea. Though the aroma was inviting, Masamune couldn't stay. He had entered the room with a heavy step. The man looked just as frightening today as he did yesterday. A shiver went down her spine. She did her best to shake it off.

"You just got back yesterday", she muttered. He sneered but still felt like he needed to say something. "I'll be back with in a day or two." The young woman raised an eyebrow. It was clear she didn't believe his asurance or the to say it was the lack there of in his tone of voice. "Remember in 5 days I start school again", she reminded. He let out a long sigh. The man reluctantly remembered. His dark left eye gingerly fell on the tiny female.

Masamune watched her defiantly cross her arms and look away from him. He could have sworn she wanted him to stay by her childish reaction to the mentioning his leaving. "I don't care whether or not you have school. I'll still want my soba noodles and tea when I get back", he stated in a warning tone, tilting his head downward as with a frown on his lips.

"And bath", she looked at him with a smirk as she opened one eye in his direction. Masamune looked up blinking, he smiled shortly after. Both of them chuckled. They were lightly teasing each other trying to lighten the heavy air that filled the room.

"That too, Short Stack", he said as he turned on his heels to leave. "I'll leave the place to you. Just have it spotless when I get back." She reassured with a hail storm of 'yeah, yeahs' followed by an I know.

Sam followed him out to see his loyal retainer in what she would refer to as a yakuza style dress. She was a little surprised to see him dressed like a bad ass in her eyes. He was suppose to be the nice guy. "Take care of each other for me will ya", she called out. Masamune's retainer nodded as the lord himself mounted his steed.

Samantha felt a little helpless as she watched the two turn and ride off out the tall gates shortly followed by other soldiers riding behind them. Even with the knowledge she held from the future, she still worried about him and the others. She bit her lower lip. Sam really wished she could tell him everything but she knew she couldn't. One, he wouldn't believe her and two, it could alter the future.

"Why did he have to keep her books", she groaned. "Oh well...", Sam said as she continued to talk to herself. "Not going to dwell on that... Now time to eat." At least she had that going for her; she also wondered how Miu was doing and if she wanted to come over. "Hmm... Well, eat first and then I'll head over." Sam nodded to herself as she turned on her heals to go eat as she let her mind wonder at the tasks at hand, forcing herself not the think about the past, present or the future...