Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, or make any profit from this fic. Sakon and Mitsunari belong to KOEI. Such a shame...

Pairing:

Sakon x Mitsunari

A/N: So, I decided to re-post this old fic (which is still not finished *cough*), purely to get more of my work up here, as opposed to... well, everywhere else. ^^
Even if you've read it before, feedback is always nice! Technically, I have no right to ask for any though, as it's been years since this was updated... _ It's probably really bad compared to my newer work, too. Well, you know what, I blame SW3- it came out on the Wii. The Wii, of all things! All the other KOEI games came out on the 360, what is the meaning of this? DX

I'll never be happy about that.

The Best Laid Plans

-/-

The candle flickered irritatingly by Ishida Mitsunari's tired face, tempting him to snuff it out. It wouldn't be easy writing a strategy in complete darkness, however, so he did his best to ignore it.

Today had been lucrative, at least; he had acquired the excellent samurai, Shima Sakon, whom many feudal lords had tried to recruit countless times without success. In addition to honourable warriors like Sanada Yukimura and Naoe Kanetsugu, Mitsunari felt sure he would bring peace to this land.

However, the threat of the Eastern army was still at large, and he was highly unpopular with certain people, such as the other Toyotomi retainers.

The auburn-haired man sniffed. They had never appreciated his sharp tongue or wit, but he didn't care- their hatred only conveyed their inferiority.

Mitsunari stifled a yawn, his mind again returning to the Yamato samurai from earlier today.

Sakon was extremely clever, and would have to be treated carefully. If he pushed, Mitsunari would pull. He had no problem with giving the man what he wanted, considering how useful his mind and strength were said to be. He did, however, hope that paying Sakon with half his own stipend would suffice. The older man did appear to be somewhat stubborn.

-/-

Shima Sakon laid his sword against the wall of his new room, nodding in approval. It was, in general, an impressive castle, better than what he was used to. It was a shame the reception was a little chilly.

Sakon chuckled, thinking of his new master, Mitsunari. He was cunning, that much was certain, if his earlier persuasion was anything to go by. He was, however, sure that Mitsunari had been sincere when he'd said he wanted to employ Sakon as his equal. He seemed a little spoiled, like he would kick up a royal fuss if he didn't get his way. The thought made Sakon's smile broaden.

It was just a pity that the young commander had gone straight off to his study as soon as they'd arrived at the castle. Sakon hadn't exactly been expecting a cheerful guided tour, but yes- Mitsunari was a bit of a cold fish.

Exceptionally pretty, though. Not that Sakon normally reflected on the beauty of men. No, he was particularly fond of chasing girls. Still… it was a bonus when one's master was nice to look at. From previous experience, they usually weren't.

Deciding he would go and intrude on whatever his lord was doing, Sakon left the room. With any luck, he'd run into some pretty young women on the way.

-/-

The study Mitsunari had vanished away into earlier sounded eerily quiet as Sakon approached it. Sliding the door open a fraction, he peered in. At least his master wasn't asleep, but he looked like he wasn't far off.

"My Lord," Sakon said brightly, walking in and sliding the door closed behind him. He made his way over to where Mitsunari was kneeling, staring listlessly at a half-written scroll, and sat down next to him.

"Just 'Mitsunari'," came the distracted reply, "…equals, remember."

Sakon arched an eyebrow, watching Mitsunari chew lightly on the end of his ink brush. He hadn't even blinked since Sakon had appeared. "You don't look like you're getting much done… How 'bout a drink?" he waved a bottle of sake enticingly.

Mitsunari finally let his gaze rove over to Sakon, and he frowned at the bottle distastefully. "Must you get drunk in here?"

"Hah! It takes a lot more than one bottle of sake to get Shima Sakon drunk!" the older man boasted with a grin.

Mitsunari just sighed in defeat, staring again at the half-written strategy before him.

Sakon set two cups on the desk, pouring the sake happily. Mitsunari didn't need to know he had helped himself to it from the kitchens. Looking up, he took the opportunity to appraise the other man's features:

His hooded eyes were as bored as ever, but from the side Sakon could see how long and dark his lashes were, and how the candlelight brought a red-brown colour to their cold depths. His reddish hair seemed almost ablaze in the light, his pale skin also taking on a warmer hue than usual.

As if he sensed being stared at, Mitsunari lifted his head and glanced askance.

Sakon merely smiled, nudging one of the cups towards the younger man. He picked up his own and drank deeply.

Mitsunari hesitated before picking up the cup. "…I don't normally touch this stuff."

"Can't hold your drink?" Sakon asked, pouring himself another. "That's ok, I'm sure you'd look cute with a little colour to your cheeks."

Mitsunari blinked rapidly, as if wondering whether he'd heard correctly or not.

Sakon waved it off. "I was kidding, Mitsunari. Come on, just loosen up a little…"

The other man looked down at his lap, shifting somewhat uncomfortably. "I hear that a lot."

Sakon paused with the cup at his lips, gazing thoughtfully at Mitsunari. "…That so…?" he murmured.

Mitsunari just snorted lightly, tipped his head back and downed the cup of sake. He set the empty cup back down. "You have the rest," he said blandly, and turned back to his work.

"Woah, wait a minute, there…" Sakon said, putting his own drink down and grabbing Mitsunari's arm. "You can't have had enough; you're nowhere near relaxed yet."

"I'm perfectly relaxed, thank you," Mitsunari said, glaring at Sakon's hand pointedly.

The older man smirked. "Why do I get the impression… that you don't like people touching you?"

Mitsunari ignored the comment, attempting to shake Sakon's hand off.

"Mitsunari? Am I right?" Sakon probed, still smirking. Mitsunari was looking a little flustered, which only encouraged his theory.

"I think you'll find," Mitsunari grit out in annoyance, "that it's the sake making my face red, if anything."

"Hah! You only had one cup!" Sakon argued in disbelief.

"Will you just leave it?" the other man snapped, shaking auburn strands of hair from his eyes.

Sakon paused, shook his head in amusement, and released Mitsunari's arm. "…Whatever you say, my Lord."

Mitsunari said nothing, returning his gaze to the scroll. Sakon noticed, however, as he went on drinking in silence, that the other man was shaking slightly. It was all very curious, he mused, but amusing if nothing else.

-/-

Mitsunari paced along the tatami mats, deep in thought. He'd received word that a coalition against him had been officially formed, and was allegedly on the move. It was ridiculous, but he still had to worry a little… even though it was almost definitely Fukushima Masanori, Kato Kiyomasa and the other retainers. Ieyasu had probably encouraged them. It only made Mitsunari despise the irritating little fat man even more.

Tapping his fan absently against his chin, he almost jumped when Sakon strode in casually. He scowled at the taller man. "You startled me."

Sakon smiled, folding his arms across his chest. "Sorry. I heard about the 'Anti-Mitsunari Coalition.' You oughta be proud."

Mitsunari clenched his fists, his brow furrowing. "Why the blazes would I be proud? This is the last thing I need."

"Mitsunari," Sakon clapped a broad hand on Mitsunari's shoulder, "Relax, okay? I'll protect you."

Mitsunari's cheeks reddened a little, and he quickly turned his face away before Sakon could notice. "…I…I know you will. But still…we have bigger things to worry about, not this… this collection of fools."

"Hey, I couldn't agree more. But the sooner we get rid of them, the better…eh? No sense in giving them time to grow stronger," Sakon pointed out.

Mitsunari sighed. "We'll deal with them after the next battle, then…"

"You got it. Speaking of the coming battle… I cooked up a little something this morning," Sakon said, pulling a scroll out from his belt and handing it to the smaller man. "I know you're smart, Mitsunari, but there's no harm in combining strategies, right?"

Mitsunari scanned the instructions quickly, trying to mask his awe. "…Indeed… this sounds like a wise plan," he folded it up and quirked an almost shy smile, "Thank you."

Sakon winked. "Just doing my job," he said brightly, and ambled toward the door.

Mitsunari just watched him, noting how glossy Sakon's long ebony hair was in the sunlight. He only just looked away in time before Sakon smirked over his shoulder, scratching idly at the scar on his cheek. "Oh, and… see and get more sleep tonight, hmm? Wouldn't do any good to have you keel over, tomorrow…" and he lifted his hand in a casual wave before walking out.

Mitsunari scowled again, holding up his folded fan to hide a yawn even though Sakon was gone.

-/-

A/N: Only some minor edits done since first posting, nothing noticeable.