In the land of the rising sun, the birds are chirping happily and the cherry blossoms bloom with indescribable beauty. There is no day comparable to this kind of day to Sarutobi Sasuke, who is sitting on one of the branches of his favourite tree in the garden located in the Takeda clan residence, enjoying the majestically beautiful scenery in front of him. Posing himself in his regular 'ninja' pose, he lets out a sigh along with his legendary quote, "Yare Yare…" as he saw a boy with rich brown hair and a red hairband around his head being tossed to the gorgeous blue sky in before of his very own eyes. "Wow… nice throw." Commented the shinobi, observing how far the boy, known as Sanada Yukimura was thrown. It is not an abnormal experience for the shinobi, watching things like this. He's used to it, and all he can do is to ignore it if he really doesn't want to care about it.
"What's the matter, Oyakata-sama?" he inquired, getting down from the tree. The one he called Oyakata-sama, is no other than Takeda Shingen himself. "That fool Yukimura…" muttered the older man, putting his hand on his hips. "He is too naïve indeed, like an overgrown child, isn't he, Sasuke?" Sasuke crossed his hands while throwing a sigh of depression. "I couldn't agree more, Oyakata-sama…"
FLASHBACK
Sanada Yukimura hums happily while he's walking down the hallway to Takeda Shingen's room. Before pulling the door open, he announces his presence with great confidence and passion like he always does. "Sanada Yukimura has come to your service, Oyakata-sama!"
"Come in, Yukimura." replied Shingen, smiling as he saw Yukimura pulling the door open. The boy bows politely and kneels in front of his master. "What is the reason of you calling me, Oyakata-sama?" surprisingly, Takeda Shingen is silent for a few moments and Yukimura waits patiently for his orders. He expected that Shingen will give him military tasks or tell him about a new campaign. Kai has been very peaceful recently, so he had hoped that he can have his muscles stretched after such a long rest.
"It's been a long time since you went back to Ueda, huh, Yukimura?" said Shingen. Yukimura stares at his lord with confusion, "Ueda?" he asked. "Is there something wrong, Oyakata-sama?"
"You must have missed your father as much as he missed you." continued Shingen.
"—Yes… I do miss home sometimes… I wonder how that old man has been doing…" replied Yukimura with a chuckle.
"What about Akihime? It would be cruel to separate a husband and a wife for a long time…"
"Aki-chan?" Yukimura's face blushed as he repeated that name.
"Besides, I didn't see you write to her since last year… she must be expecting you to come home, now that war is over."
Yukimura throws himself into a deep silent when Shingen mentioned his wife. It's true that he hadn't seen her for ages and he scolds himself for forgetting her. It's not that he doesn't want to write to her, but he doesn't want her to worry. Should he tell her how much soldiers he killed on the battlefield? Should he tell her about the wounds he got after battling with the Dokuganryu or should he tell her about how much Mori Motonari tortured him during their encounter? He finally decided that it would be alright if he keeps on being calm and endures the pain all by himself. He doesn't need to tell Aki about all that. Plus, he doesn't have skills to write letters as beautifully as the others does. It would shameful if Aki reads it.
"I think you should go back for a while…" concluded Shingen. "Just think of this as a vacation."
"Va-va-va-cation? Please! Anything but a vacation!" shouted Yukimura, nearly faint due to shock.
"If you don't like it, think of it as a break, or a rest, you've done so many things for me Yukimura. The Sanada could use your help for a certain amount of time in Ueda…"
"But what if anything happens to you while I'm away?"
"Yukimura! Do you think I'd give up hope easily? Kai is in peace, I don't need you for now…"
"but-but-Oyakat-t" before he could finish his words, he was sent flying to the sky with a great punch from the Tiger of Kai.
FLASHBACK ENDS
While Sasuke and Shingen are discussing concerning of Yukimura, the warrior is seen panting after running with all his strength. He suddenly kneels in front of Shingen and bows deeply. "Oyakata-sama! I'm bothered about my absence here. I fear that I won't be here when you need me…"
Shingen's frown turns into a warm smile and instead of punching his retainer like he often does; he pats him on the head and explains, "Yukimura! We are samurai, we have blood to pass, and that blood must be passed to our children, so that our clans would not simply vanish without leaving a mark on the pages of history. I, Takeda Shingen have assured my clan's survival, I have children to nurture, so that they will do what I cannot do while I'm alive, but this is not about me." He paused, allowing Yukimura to stand.
"This is about you! Family is important, Yukimura! Once you have children, you will teach them how to continue the legacy of the Sanada. Loyalty, Boldness, Diligence, I bet those are what you are going to teach them as they grow. Now, go back to Ueda and show me what the Sanada can do!"
Yukimura's eyes brighten and he is clenching his fist. "O-O-yakata-sama! I see… forgive me for not seeing what you meant from the first place! Sanada Genjirou Yukimura, will accomplish the task you gave me!" in a blink of an eye, he is gone packing his things.
From far, Sasuke is watching him in his room, and he tries to break the silence, "Danna, you must be very excited to go back to Ueda, ne?" he said with a teasing tone and that smirk has never leave his face as stare at Yukimura's face. Out of the blue, Yukimura's face goes as red as a tomato, knowing what Sasuke meant. "What-Sasuke!"
"I didn't say anything. There's no need to be mad… (Smirking very obviously)"
"Ggrrr! Ahhh! (Still blushing madly) Nevermind!"
"And aren't you supposed to pack your things, Danna? Why are you holding a brush and a piece of paper? (Mocking) Or….. are you writing to Lady Aki?"
"Yes!- And I want you to send it for me… A shinobi like you will reach there in no time… I want her to know that I'll be home."
"Oh Yeah? Let me see it."
Yukimura made a few attempts of keeping the letter away from Sasuke, but even a mighty warrior cannot win against the agility of a ninja.
"Sasuke? Give it back!"
"Relax, Danna… I'll read it aloud- 'Dear Aki, I woke up late and ate at least 30 sticks of Dango this morning… appetite has never been the same without you here…' – this sounds interesting…"
"Sasuke!" retorted Yukimura. His cheeks are redder than his armor. He covers his ears to avoid the humiliation, but Sasuke's laugh can be heard clearly as he finishes the last sentence, "I'll be back to Ueda as soon as I can and lastly, I hope you will not welcome me with that spear of yours at the gate. Sincerely, your husband, Sanada Yukimura."
"It sounds worse when you read it…" Yukimura said, covering his entire body with his blanket to avoid aye contact with Sasuke.
"Hey, can you at least write something exquisite to your wife who you haven't seen for a year?"
"It would have been much better if you left me alone when I was writing! Moreover, I am a warrior, not a scholar…" replied Yukimura, revealing himself after long moments of stillness in his blanket.
His eyes start to illustrate somewhat of grief and frustration and his lips was bit while his hands are clutching on his armor. "Huh…. Alright, I'll help you with the letter…" said Sasuke, realizing that he was lost before the war was even started. "Really?" asked Yukimura with overwhelming happiness.
Later…
"Oh, thank you Sasuke! You're my best friend ever! Now depart to Ueda and deliver the letter... I'm sure I can't catch up with you along the way, so I'll leave when you come back! See you soon!" said Yukimura, with two sticks of dango in each of his hands.
"Danna, I doubt she's going to believe that you wrote this."
"Nah, don't act so pessimistic, Sasuke. Everything is going to be fine." consoled Yukimura. He is smiling broadly. Danna, why do you always torturing me like this?
"I guess..." he replied, moving from branch to branch as swift as an eagle.
"Good Luck, Sasuke!"