"Okay, I'm ready to learn!"

I bowed formally to Ieyasu as we stood on the training ground behind the palace.

"Great," he replied.

As expected, he did not seem excited about this. It was only yesterday that it was decided Ieyasu would teach me archery. I know he only suggested it because he thought I'd refuse, but this opportunity is too good to pass up. I tied my long kimono sleeves back with a cord and got ready to learn. Not only will I learn to defend myself, but this is my chance to start breaking down those walls between us.

"So," I began. "Do we start with getting our equipment ready?" I pulled the bow Hideyoshi had sent over for me from its leather pouch. "Whoa..! This is a lot longer and heavier than I thought it'd be." I'm going to have to do some weight lifting after all.

After testing the weight of the bow, I reached for an arrow.

"Wait." Ieyasu reached out and snatched the arrow away before I could touch it.

Hm? What now?

"Are you serious about training," he asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"I really don't see what your end goal is here. First you help with housework to try to get in my good graces and now you say you want to learn archery? Why do you insist on chasing me around?"

That's easy.

"Maybe you find it meddlesome, Ieyasu…but if we're going to be living under the same roof, I want to get to know you."

"I told you I don't want to be friends. Why won't you realize that you're not really a guest, you're being kept as a prisoner?"

"I know that. But I'd still like to get to know you. We're in this situation whether we like it or not. Wouldn't it be less awkward for both of us if we tried to get along?"

Personally, I find him intriguing. I'm sure he'd hate it if I told him that though. Ieyasu stared blankly at me for a moment. Just when I was about to continue, he spoke up.

"I just don't understand it." Ieyasu trained his eyes downwards. His long eyelashes quivered slightly, casting shadows on his cheeks. Is he okay? "If I were you, I would stay quiet and bide my time. And then when I was finally freed, I'd get sweet revenge on my captors."

Whoa! That went to a dark place! "I couldn't do something like that."

"Why not? We deserve it."

Ieyasu clearly has a very different opinion from mine. "I've chosen to stay. So, I have no reason to want revenge Actually, I'm grateful to you. I owe you my life, Ieyasu."

Ieyasu's brows twitched, but he didn't look up. "Your capacity for pointless optimism knows no bounds."

"I don't think optimism is pointless." I was finally starting to build up a tolerance for Ieyasu's sharp tongue. Next step: get him to stop using mean words as a defence mechanism. "Anyway, can we start the lesson now? How do I attach the arrow to the bow?"

"First you need to learn the basics. Your stance. You can't go straight for an arrow when you're a naive amateur." Oh? Is he finally getting into it? Ieyasu put the arrow away and stepped behind me. "Hold the bow in your left hand."

He's teaching me. It's a start! Genuinely happy at this development in our relationship, I smiled broadly. "Okay! Like this?"

"Wrong. Not like that." Ieyasu stretched his arms around me from behind, placing his hand on top of mine. "Grip it firmly, just here."

"Here?" He's so close, I can feel him breathing. His chin brushed against my cheek and my pulse quickened.

"Now I'll teach you the movement for pulling back an arrow with your right hand. Put your hand on the bowstring."

"Is this right?"

"Not at all. It's like this."There's a pleasant scent wafting from him, like a fresh spring breeze. Ieyasu guided my right hand over the taut bowstring. "Next, press your weight into you legs."

Keeping a matter-of-fact-tone, Ieyasu adjusted the angle and bend of my legs. His hands are so warm. His breath tickled my ear and I quivered. I don't think I can focus when he's this close to me.

"What are you, a newborn fawn," he questioned. "Why are you shaking?"

"Honestly, because you're…"

"I'm what?"

"If you want to stand that close to me, maybe you should buy me dinner first?"

Ieyasu's silence told me he was not amused by my joke. "What are you babbling about? I'm just trying to teach you. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"You're right, sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood. I'm sure I'll be fine in a moment."

"You're full of vexing surprises today."

Now, what is he babbling about? "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Anyway, do you really think you can afford to get distracted while trying to memorize the proper stance?"

"No. I'll try harder." This is an official lesson, I need to focus.

"Now, get into that stance before I change my mind about teaching you!"

"Yes, sir!"

As I held the bow out again, Ieyasu placed his hand on top of mine, He seemed a bit hesitant this time. I was worried that I made it awkward. I looked at his face from the corner of my eye. His expression was blank. No clues as to what he was thinking there. Yet somehow I got the impression that he's loosened up a little. I was happy about this first little step we had taken. Refocusing on the lesson, I gripped the bow firmly in my hand.

After the lesson was over, I made my way back to my room with a sore muscles. I cleaned up the equipment. Ieyasu said that he has to head over to Azuchi castle for a bit. He should be back by tonight. When I returned to my room, there was a note and what looked like to be some kind of ointment waiting for me. I picked up the note and it read:

Medical instructions:

1. Apply twice a day, morning and evening, to the affected area.
2. Wrap in a clean cloth.
3. Refrain from using your arm outside of practice. Take a break from cleaning. Actually, don't do anything unnecessary.
4. Follow these instructions to the letter so you're not left with any permanent marks. I know girls can't stand that.
I'll make your lessons a bit easier starting tomorrow.
So rest up and recover.

Ieyasu.

I had a smile on my face when I read his note. He's finally started to care a little. It's a small step but it's better than being ignored.

"Chizuru," I heard Rieko's voice from outside my room. "May I come in."

"Yeah! Sure."

Rieko stepped in. "So, how was your first lesson with him?"

"It's was good. He was very tough but it was good. He's a pretty good teacher."

"That's good to hear." She looked at the note in my hand. "What's this?" She snatched the note out of my read it. "Oh? Does this mean you're not going to help me clean anymore," she teased.

"No, that's not it. I'll heal up soon."

"I'm kidding! Anyway, I'm here to invite you out for tea."

"It's sounds nice but, I'm not sure if I can go. I mean, I just finished my first lesson with him and I don't want to do anything to have him get upset with me."

"It'll be fine. He'll be out till evening anyway."

"Okay. I guess it'll be alright to go out for bit."

"Great! Let's meet at the front."

"Okay!"

I got ready and met Rieko at the front and we headed into town. She took me to a nice tea house in the more quiet area of town.

"So," Rieko began. "Tell me about the lesson with Ieyasu. What was it like to be taught by him."

"Well, he was very tough and wanted to make sure I was doing things right but, he had to touch me to re-adjust my positioning and all. So, it made me so nervous that I began to shake."

"Shake? As in 'I'm scared of him' or as in 'oh god, he's so hot' that he made you shake kind of thing?"

"Yeah, that one."

"Can't say I'd blame you there." We both giggled. "If it were me, I'd probably do things wrong on purpose so I'd get to feel his touch for a bit."

I burst out laughing. "I don't think I'd do that. I mean, I said something pretty stupid afterwards. I was told him he should buy me dinner first before getting that close so then, he was a little more cautious."

"Oh no! Why?"

"I know, I shouldn't have said it."

"So, that must mean you like him?"

I nodded. "Maybe, I don't know."

"You must! Based on how you're reacting. You must feel something for him!"

"I do, but I'm not sure I he feels about me though."

"Hey ladies," a very well built man came up to us. "Do you have room for one more?"

"No we're good," Rieko said.

"Are you sure," the man looked at me flirtatiously.

"We're sure," I replied. "We just want some girl time."

"I see," he smiled. "No problem with that. Maybe just the two of us could get tea together something?"

"No thanks."

"Alright, maybe we'll see each other again sometime." He turned and left the tea house.

"Okay," Rieko said. "You know who that is?" I shook my head. "That Takeda Shingen. He's the biggest flirt around. You know how Lord Masamune is kind of known to be a flirt?"

"Mhmm."

"He's way worse. Masamune has flirted with me a little bit when he's come over, but it'll all in fun and not really meant to be taken seriously."

"He's kind of like a playboy?"

Rieko looked at me funny. "A what?"

"Oh, it's someone who kind of gets around and doesn't really commit."

"Oh," Reiko said as she finally understood. "Yeah, he flirts with a lot of girls. But, I don't really know what he does with them and I don't really want to know."

I giggled. "Me neither. Do you know if Masamune has a girlfriend?"

"Okay, what's a girlfriend now?"

"A girlfriend or a boyfriend is like courting or someone they're committed too."

"You really have a strange vocabulary!" She laughed. "But yes, I would say he has a girlfriend. I've seen them around town from time to time, and it's always the same girl he's with."

So Masamune has a girlfriend. I would have never have guessed based on the way he acts. I guess you can never tell with Japanese men whether it's the 21st century or the 16th century. Even in the Sengoku period they're private about their relationships. I'm curious about the others too like Nobunaga and even Mitsunari.

"I see," I replied. "Maybe that's why Masamune keeps his flirting to a minimum."

Then the waiter came and delivered some dessert to our table.

"Speaking of boys," Reiko said. "That's him."

"Him?"

"The guy I told you about?"

Then I remembered that Reiko told me that she had someone she liked.

"Oh! Him!?"

"His name is Akira and his parents own this teahouse." Reiko waved over Akira. "Akira! I would like you to meet my friend, Chizuru."

Akira sat down. "Hello Chizuru."

Reiko introduced me to the guy she liked, Akira. He seemed like a nice boy. One of those respectful boys that are hard to come by. The three of us just made small talk. We were the only ones in the teahouse, so we were just free to hang out. It really felt like I was able to just relax and have fun in the Sengoku period, almost like how I used to in the modern era.

"Are you ladies doing anything after this," Akira asked. "We could maybe head over to an Izakaya?"

"I like that idea," Reiko replied.

"I'm not sure if we can," I said. "I'm not exactly allowed out. I was kinda put under Lord Ieyasu's protection."

"That's fine," he replied. "It's probably not safe for you ladies to be out so late. It was silly of me to suggest it. Did Lord Ieyasu have any business with Lord Nobunaga today?"

"He did," Rieko replied.

"Okay. It's already late. The sun's starting to set. I should close up the shop and if Lord Ieyasu comes around today, you can go home with him. If not, I'll take you two home."

I looked outside and saw the sun was starting to set. "Shit," I muttered under my breath. He's going to find out I went out today. Then after a couple of minutes, Ieyasu entered the tea house. It was just my luck. He didn't look too happy to see that I was here.

"Lord Ieyasu," Akira greeted.

Ieyasu came over and sat at our table. My heart started pounding. I knew that I was in so much trouble. "What's going on here?"

"I just thought I would take Chizuru out for tea today," Reiko said.

"You know she isn't allowed out."

"Lord Ieyasu," Akira began. "They were just out for tea. They didn't do anything wrong."

"I know that," he snapped. "It's very important that Chizuru in particular doesn't leave the castle. There are Ronin out there who recognize her as Nobunaga's concubine."

Reiko and Akira looked at me in shock. "I'm not!"

"Good thing you're not because he's married," Reiko said. "Besides, she likes…"

I glared at Reiko and shook my head at her to tell her not to say anything more.

"So that means Izakaya is defiantly out of the question for now," Akira said. "How long though."

"Until one in particular is defeated," Ieyasu replied.

We waited until dark before we went home so no one would recognize me.