Warning: This is based off a manga called Sengoku Strays. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do! I don't own anything but my OC, and I will probably end up using artistic license to butcher Japanese history, so I would just like to apologize in advance, and I don't mean to offend anyone!

[Narration]

{setting/stage directions}

"Speech."

'Thoughts.'

"English speech."

—¡–!–¡–!–¡— Scene shift/passage of time.

A whole line of text like this without quotes is a written letter or something similar. It will be in bold if it's English.

WORDS IN ALL CAPS AND NO QUOTATION MARKS ARE SOUND EFFECTS.

Flashbacks and changes in POV will be labeled.

Unless stated otherwise, the POV will be third person omniscient.

If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Previously:

"We're just going to get supper... you're lighter than you look." Nobunaga said. Ayako flinched in shock.

"Are you saying I look fat!" Ayako asked incredulously.

"Gorouza, after supper, put up a few screens in one of the corners to block it off, and put a medium sized tub in there. Show her how to draw water from the well, and how the bathhouse works, in case she changes her mind." Nobunaga said. He decided it might be better to make a small concession, since Ayako was willing to allow herself to be injured to preserve her modesty. "And Kuranosuke... don't drown her."

"Tch." Kuranosuke said, looking a little too disappointed. Ayako sighed. So much for making a good impression on her new co-workers... well, whatever.

"So, What's for supper?" Ayako asked, smiling wryly.

"Ah, this smells great!" Gorouza said as they sat down to eat. While they were getting Ayako, someone had already brought the food to Nobunaga's room. The four guys often ate together, since it gave them time to relax and exchange information with Nobunaga at the end of the day before they retired.

"Itadakimasu." Ayako said as she took a bite of the tofu in the miso soup.

"Yay, it's miso soup and rice today!" Inuchiyo said happily. Gorouza and Kuranosuke sweat dropped. Nobunaga was about to eat a piece of tofu too, but Ayako knocked it out of his hand.

"Don't!" Ayako yelled. They all stared at her, shocked. "There's something weird about the soup." She said, looking pale. Ayako held a hand over her mouth as she ran from the room. The men all exchanged glances. Gorouza glanced at the soup.

"You don't think it was poisoned... do you?" Gorouza said, worried. Nobunaga stood up and followed after Ayako. They heard someone making a retching sound, and saw Ayako leaning over the side of the porch, vomiting onto the ground bellow. She had only just managed to make it out of the room before she couldn't hold it in anymore.

"!?" Gorouza, Kuranosuke, Inuchiyo said, shocked and horrified. Nobunaga knelt down beside her as Ayako wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her vomiting fit was over.

"Ugh... well, that was unpleasant." Ayako said, grimacing.

"What did the soup taste like?" Nobunaga demanded. He needed to see if they could determine what type of poison it was, in case Ayako needed an antidote.

"It was sweeter than usual... but I think that's really the only thing that stood out about the taste. I knew something was wrong when I started feeling ill. My mom was a horrible cook, so I don't usually get sick from food, unless there's something seriously wrong with it." Ayako said as she lay down on the porch. "Ugh... I feel a little dizzy... could I have some water?"

"I'll go get it!" Inuchiyo said and ran off to fetch her some water.

"That sounds like it could be poisoning from an oleander... could someone have put a few leaves into the soup when it was being cooked?" Gorouza said.

"If they had, the people who have already eaten would've gotten sick... Who was it that had cooking duty today, and who brought the food?" Nobunaga asked.

"I'll go find out." Kuranosuke said and ran off to hunt the culprit down.

"I'll go get a doctor." Gorouza said, also rushing off.

"...That soup was meant for you, wasn't it?" Ayako asked weakly as she stayed slumped on the porch. She felt like crap. "I hope I don't die, that would really suck."

"I don't think you're going to die. You probably managed to purge the poison from your body before too much of it was absorbed, and you only had that small piece of tofu to begin with." Nobunaga said calmly as he sat beside her. "But you're right, that poison was probably meant for me. All five of those bowls have probably been poisoned to ensure that I would end up consuming it."

"Oh, well at least none of us are going to die then..." Ayako said. "... I think I'm going to pass out now, if that's okay with you."

"Hmph, I'm surprised you didn't do it sooner." Nobunaga said as Ayako closed her eyes and went completely limp once she was unconscious, but it was clear that she was still breathing, so Nobunaga wasn't too worried.

—¡–!–¡–!–¡—

[Ayako's second day in the Sengoku era]

Ayako groaned as she opened her eyes and held her aching head.

"Ah, she's awake!" Inuchiyo said as he hovered over her.

"!" Ayako said, surprised.

"Inuchiyo, give her some space. Ayako is still recovering from being poisoned." Gorouza said. "How are you feeling, Ayako?" He asked her. Ayako blinked.

'Ah... that's right, I ate poison soup yesterday...' Ayako thought as she remembered what had happened the previous day. "Pretty good, all things considered... I guess." She said, as she slowly sat up. "I'm really thirsty though... and still dusty. Once I'm not dehydrated anymore, I should probably take a bath."

"Hmph, you're lucky to be alive. The doctor said the soup that was served to us was laced with a lethal dose." Kuranosuke muttered. He still thought Ayako was annoying, but he had a little more respect for her, now that she had saved Nobunaga, and his friends' lives.

"Wow, you're pretty strong, Ayako." Inuchiyo said, impressed. "Even I would've been in trouble if I'd eaten that."

"Really? Well, I've always been a fast healer... So, I guess it's a good thing I'm the one who ate it..." Ayako said, smiling wryly.

"I'll go get you some water." Gorouza said as he got up and left the room.

"Thanks." Ayako said.

—¡–!–¡–!–¡—

"My Lord, I heard someone tried to poison you last night! Are you alright!?" Hayashi asked anxiously. Nobunaga glanced at the ugly duckling before picking up one of his cats, which had wandered into the room, and holding it.

"As you can see, I'm fine. The strange girl I took in thwarted the attempt. She realized something was wrong with it, and slapped the chopsticks out of my hand before I could even take a bite. She had already consumed some of the poison, but she was fortunate enough to have consumed a non-lethal dose." Nobunaga said as he pet one of his cats. It was the one that had been there when Ayako had 'arrived' the other day.

"Ah, yes! That was one of the things I had wished to discuss with you." Hayashi said. "I was concerned when I had heard you took in a suspicious girl, but it seems it was a wise choice. Perhaps you should consider making her your personal poison tester, since it seems she has a strong constitution." Hayashi was also amazed that someone had dared to slap Nobunaga's hand. Nobunaga narrowed his eyes at Hayashi.

"Hayashi... are you suggesting I repay her by ordering her to face death every time she picks up a pair of chopsticks?" Nobunaga asked, angry that Hayashi would suggest such a thing. People's lives weren't disposable things to just be thrown away at your own convenience. Hayashi paled slightly, realizing his mistake when he saw that Nobunaga was angry.

"N-No, I only thought..." Hayashi said, wondering what he could say that wouldn't just get him into more trouble. Hayashi had originally come here to make sure Nobunaga was behaving as he was expected to as Lord of Owari, and had overheard the servants gossiping about Ayako and the poison soup incident. He was saved when they heard a knocking sound.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

The two men turned to look at the door, the direction the sound had come from.

"Lord Nobunaga, It's me, Ayako. Gorouza said I should report to you once I was well enough?" Ayako said.

"Come in." Nobunaga said. 'I see... so that's what she meant by 'knock' before you enter...' Nobunaga thought. People usually just announced who they were and why they were there before entering, since the doors weren't that thick. People didn't usually knock like that. "Hayashi, this is Himura Ayako Louise, the girl we were just talking about." Nobunaga explained as Ayako opened the door and entered the room. She sat down in front of Nobunaga, but not too close to Hayashi. Hayashi looked at Ayako. She still looked a little green around the gills from being poisoned, but the fact that she was up and out of bed at all was impressive. He hair was damp, and she looked fresh from the bath. So, she had obviously bathed and changed into the clean clothes she was currently wearing before coming to see Nobunaga. She was a rather attractive girl, with her exotic golden hair and fascinating eyes that were emerald with a copper-colored ring around the pupils. He found it strange that she was wearing men's clothing, though.

"Hello, Sir." Ayako said, bowing politely. She could tell from his clothing that Hayashi was probably a high-ranking nobleman, and she didn't want to screw up Nobunaga's relationship with him by being rude. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had a guest." She said to Nobunaga.

"It's fine. Hayashi was just leaving anyway." Nobunaga said, casually dismissing the man. Ayako glanced at Hayashi. That looked like news to him.

"But my lord, we have not discussed anything yet!" Hayashi said. Nobunaga glanced at him.

"Hmph, you mean you're hear to do more than just lecture me this time?" Nobunaga asked, raising an eyebrow at the older man. Hayashi flinched guiltily, but avoided answering Nobunaga by turning to Ayako.

"I heard you saved our lord's life yesterday." Hayashi said to Ayako.

"Hm? Oh, I don't think I really did that much. After all, I'm almost completely back to normal after a good night's sleep." Ayako said honestly. "But I was wondering... did you ever find the culprit?" Ayako asked Nobunaga. Hayashi sweat dropped as he glanced at Nobunaga, realizing that he had failed to ask such an important question before. Nobunaga smirked, pleased that at least someone was using their head.

"Yes, it was the servant who delivered the food to us. He had been paid a large sum of money to slip the poison into the soup. He's been taken care of." Nobunaga said. Ayako wasn't sure she wanted to know what 'taken care of' meant in this case, so she decided not to ask.

"How troublesome... if the servants are that easy to turn, this could very well happen again." Hayashi said. "My Lord, a poison tester would be—"

"Out of the question." Nobunaga said, cutting him off. Nobunaga didn't like that idea one bit.

"But what if you're poisoned...!?" Hayashi yelled.

"What if you just picked someone you trust, someone who can't be bribed, and have that one person prepare your meals separately?" Ayako asked. Hayashi stared at her, stunned. Even if she had saved Nobunaga, she was still just a peasant, and she was making him look bad. She should know her place.

"I understand that you have saved our lord, but you are still a peasant. Do not speak unless you have been given permission to do so." Hayashi said. Ayako stared at him, obviously insulted. She turned to Nobunaga.

"Permission to speak freely, my Lord?" Ayako asked. Nobunaga nodded, telling her to continue what she was saying.

"First of all, Sir, forgive me if I offended you, but I'm simply not used to all of the customs here yet, and second, I am a descendant of royalty. They may not be Japanese royalty, but they are royalty, none the less." Ayako said, giving Hayashi a brilliant shit-eating grin. Hayashi stared at her, shocked. Nobunaga raised an eyebrow. Hadn't she just told him the other day that they didn't have royalty where she was from? Hayashi was even more stunned when the cat that Nobunaga had been petting sauntered over to Ayako and started purring as it rubbed up against her. Ayako smiled and pet the cat. Hayashi's jaw dropped. He had never seen that cat be friendly to anyone other than Nobunaga before. It always scratched or hissed at anyone else who came near it. Just who was this girl!?

—¡–!–¡–!–¡—

"I thought you said there wasn't any royalty where you're from." Nobunaga said to Ayako once Hayashi had left.

"There aren't, but my ancestors were originally from another country, called France. My mother's side of the family is related to one of that country's kings, but on the 'wrong side of the blanket,' if you know what I mean." Ayako said.

"... You mean the child resulting from that union was illegitimate." Nobunaga said.

"Exactly, but Hayashi-dono doesn't need to know that little detail. We still have the blood of a king flowing through our veins. I don't usually brag about it like that, but I couldn't help but throw it out there after he acted so high and mighty..." Ayako said, frowning. "Sorry, I just don't like it when people think they're worth more as a human being, just because they have a higher social status. We're all human, and while we're not exactly equal since we all have different strengths and weaknesses, we're all born with the same inherent dignity and rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, you know?" Nobunaga glanced at her.

"You say some pretty profound things for someone so young." Nobunaga said.

"What do you mean? I'm only three years younger than you." Ayako said, sweat dropping. "Besides, that's just common sense where I come from. So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Are you feeling well enough to spar with the others?" Nobunaga asked.

"Hmm... I think so, but I'll probably have to take a break here and there since I still feel weak." Ayako said.

"If that's the case, then you should just watch the others for today and rest. You should get used to how we fight in this era as soon as possible." Nobunaga said. Ayako nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't want to go into battle and find out I had no clue what was going on." Ayako said, smiling wryly. "I'll go find Gorouza and the others then, later." She said as she got up to leave the room and find the others.

"Ayako." Nobunaga said, causing her to stop and look back at him. "From now on, you and Gorouza will be cooking and serving our meals. Tell him that when you see him."

"Umm... okay, but I'm better at cooking western food than I am at Japanese food." Ayako said honestly.

"Is it edible?" Nobunaga asked bluntly.

"Yes, at least according to the monks, and they'd have no problem letting me know if it wasn't." Ayako said frankly.

"Then there shouldn't be a problem." Nobunaga said.

—¡–!–¡–!–¡—

{Outside, where the others were sparring}

"Hey, can I try that?" Ayako asked Kuranosuke, pointing to his gun. Kuranosuke was currently engaging in some target practice.

"Aren't you supposed to be watching?" Kuranosuke said, frowning.

"Yeah, but I can probably handle shooting a gun. I just have to be careful about the recoil, right?" Ayako said, smiling. "I've never shot a real gun before."

"Why don't you just go ahead and let her, Kura?" Inuchiyo said, smiling.

"It's not that easy!" Kuranosuke huffed, insulted that Ayako had made it sound so simple when it took real skill to use the ancient rifles.

"Well, why don't you let her find out for herself, then?" Gorouza said smiling. He knew why Kuranosuke was upset, but he could tell Ayako hadn't meant any harm, and she looked incredibly bored just watching them.

"Tch, fine." Kuranosuke said. "It's already loaded and set to go, just aim and pull the trigger." Kuranosuke said grumpily as he shoved the gun into her hands.

"Thanks!" Ayako said, smiling as she took aim at the practice target he had set up. Ayako aimed for the bull's-eye, and fired—and flew a few inches backwards when the recoil knocked her off her feet. "...Whoa! This gun has a lot of kick." Ayako said, surprised as she lay on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Gorouza asked, concerned.

"Ha! Serves you right for underestimating me." Kuranosuke said, smirking. "As if you could—"

"—Wow~! Ayako hit the bull's-eye!" Inuchiyo said as he leaned over and looked at the target. Kuranosuke twitched.

"What!?" Kuranosuke said in disbelief as he ran over to check the target. It had taken him a whole week to be able to hit the bull's-eye from that distance. "I thought you said you never shot a gun before!"

"I said I've never shot a real gun. I play the shooting game with fake guns that shoot corks at the target at every fair or festival I go to. I had to stop one time when I made the person running the booth cry because I kept winning too much." Ayako said, sweat dropping.

"... Just for the record, is there anything you can't do?" Kuranosuke asked, chagrined.

"Hmm... well, I can't walk and chew gum at the same time." Ayako said, smiling.