"Eh? Kasuga-chan!" exclaimed Sarutobi Sasuke, with Yukimura's letter in his grasp. His swift movements stopped as his eyes were casted on the blonde ninja. "Sarutobi Sasuke…" she muttered under her breath. Her face undoubtedly shows that she is annoyed, after being called with such playful and flirtarous tone.

Though they are about feets away, Kasuga can see Sasuke's smiling face clearly. "What a coincidence." she started, with a frown that makes Sasuke's heart beats faster as she begins to draw closer to him. Wow… look at that face… she's so cute… "What are you doing here? Are you on an errand?" she asked. By seconds, both shinobi are standing on the same branch, of a tree in a forest, miles away from Kai.

It took a few moments for Sasuke to reply Kasuga's question, and it is surprising indeed how patient Kasuga is, waiting for an answer from the man she hates the most. "I'm deeply touched of seeing how much you've missed me, my dear Kasuga…" he replied. That smirk of his has never changed from the moment they first met until now.

"Why you….. If only you're not Takeda Shingen's shinobi, I would have killed you at the first place!"

"Come on, Kasuga… just confess it… I know my cunning skills and handsome looks are irresistible, even for a woman like you!"

"Sa-sarutobi Sasuke, cut it off! Stop teasing me like that! It's not funny!"

"Alright, I'll stop….. for now."

From that jokey demeanor, Sasuke suddenly turns into his serious self, staring at Kasuga with his sharp and deep eyes. "I suppose you have some interesting news to be informed to the Tiger of Kai, huh, Kasuga?" Kasuga nodded. How did he know…

"Very well. I shall leave you at this moment!" he replied, leaving Kasuga dumbfounded by his seriousness just now. "Perhaps, you are not as bad as I thought… Sarutobi Sasuke." said Kasuga, quiet enough to prevent Sasuke from hearing it.

As soon as she was about to continue her way to Kai, she saw Sasuke in front of her, putting on his mocking face, "What the… not again." Snorted Kasuga. "Oi! Kasuga-chan! I forgot something! Tell your Kenshin-sama that I will not lose to him! Someday, you will fall for me! And that is a promise!"

"Get lost already, you monkey!"

After Sasuke delivered the letter…. And Yukimura is waiting for him with great anticipation.

"How was her reaction?" asked the panicky Sanada Yukimura.

"Hey, you were the one who told me not to be pessimistic, danna. Calm down, won't you?"

"I can't, Sasuke. I just can't. I ate 50 sticks of Dango, cups of tea and took an hour of nap, but still, I can't calm down like you told me to. I'm anxious…"

"Wow… doesn't sound like you're anxious at all…." Commented Sasuke, with his arms crossed. "Well, what do you know? You aren't married yet!" protested Yukimura.

"At least, I know how to act like a married man." I wonder how Lady Aki can tolerate with your naivety, danna… Yukimura's face flushed red, he doesn't know how to react to such an answer. Sasuke can't help to smile at his master's response. "Stop acting cute, danna…"

"Sasuke…?" asked Yukimura.

"….yeah?"

"Am I really that bad?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know…. Perhaps, a bad husband?"

"…."

"Sasuke?"

"God! Why did you created him with such an innocent face and voice?" thought Sasuke. "Now, I feel even more guilty to tell him the truth!"

"Your silence makes me wonder, Sasuke… "

"…..Your not bad, danna…. You're just inexperienced, that's all…"

"(Smiles brightly) Really? Do you think Aki will forgive me for what I've done?"

"Well, if I remembered her expression when she received 'your' letter, It's obvious that…"

"Uh-huh?"

"No."

"That is really grea-What?"

"That is the TRUTH, danna…"

"That's it! I'm not going back to Ueda!" shouted Yukimura, turning his back from Sasuke, but Sasuke is way, way too fast.

"Don't even think about running away! It's just going to get worse…" explained Sasuke, grasping hard the young warrior's headband.

"Release me!"

"Remember, it's Oyakata-sama's command for you to go back to Ueda…"

"(sigh) all right. But I don't guarantee we'll come back alive…"

"Who says 'we'? Please! I'm not going with you…"

"But, but you're like, my best friend in this whole world…"

"Speaking like that won't get you anywhere close to persuade me coming with you…"

"Oh… (puppy eyes)"

"Argh! Cut it out! Whatever you do, I won't do as you want me to!"

At last, Yukimura is ready to go…..

Along with Sasuke.

"Are you ready, Sasuke? We're all in this together, right? Dead or alive." asked the enthusiastic warrior on his horse.

"Whatever…" replied the shinobi, on a tree beside his master.

"….I'll take that as a yes…"

To be continued…