A/N: Thanks once again to DoubleBend for reviewing my third fic! Whew, you're following this one! I'm very grateful to have you reading my story… Can I hug you? *hands open pleading for a hug* I don't like to make someone wait, so yeah, I've finished the longest chapter and also the last one all night long without sleeping. _. On this chappie Sasuke… well… is really dead. Actually it was so hard to write his last breath like this. I don't want him to die!!! *weeping*. The last part is the best one, in my opinion. But still, Sasuke's death is the worst one, actually. *LOL* anyway, thanks for reading and pleaseeeeee review it again for the last time as a summary. Arigato!

On with the story

"Yu… Yukimura…?" Sasuke mumbled faintly while lifting his head and turned it to all direction to locate Yukimura's presence. His gaze locked at the lean figure standing near the wall, not far from his seat position. It was him! It wasn't hallucination or my imagination, it was really him! Slowly Tora released his brace and then stood up. Somehow he was wondering how Yukimura could make his way here without making any commotions that in fact Sasuke's presence had already made one. But once again he WAS Sanada Yukimura, enough said.

Rashly, that lean figure that Sasuke had seen came running to his direction then stopped right in the front of him. Sasuke lifted his head higher, wanting to see his face again still with his faint eyes and heavy breathing. He wanted to tell him how happy he was to see his face once again. But all that happened was his mouth only gaped, with no words coming out from there when he saw a flat expression on his face and a cold sight that was pointed right at him. He instantly realized that he was such a disgrace now to Yukimura. He had betrayed his trust by disobeying his order and all that he got now was a total failure. All he could do now was just saying an apology. That was, if Yukimura accepted it. But at least he could try… No, he had to.

"Yuki… Yukimura, I'm so—Akh" Sasuke's words were stopped by a slap that landed exactly on his right cheek. He was astonished with that sudden hit on his face but he also felt that he deserved it. Yukimura had a right to punish him right now, or even to kill him if he wanted to. Hesitantly, he turned his face once again to him but all he got there was another slap again from him to his left cheek. Sasuke felt that he was about to cry now, for once on his lifetime. He felt that he was the most disgusting creature for Yukimura, an arrogant rebel, a total failure, an imbecile, and so on. He had failed his master… No, his beloved one to be exact. And that guilty feeling was more than enough for him to cry.

He turned his face to him once again and then sounded a tremble voice, "Yukimura, I'm sorry… I really can't say anything else… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" his eyes were glassy and wet, but he still tried his best to not break down and cry. Suddenly Yukimura grabbed his collar and then looked him in the eye with an extreme scowl. Sasuke turned his face away; he didn't have any guts to meet his bright, golden eyes with Yukimura's dark, emerald eyes. "Sasuke look at me." his voice was cold and flat. It sounded more like an order than a request. But Sasuke was a stubborn one, and he still threw away his sight to the ground even after hearing Yukimura's order. "SASUKE LOOK AT ME!" he shouted at him, his tone was arousing very high suddenly. This time, Sasuke hesitantly turned his face to him and met with his eyes.

"Sasuke, you idiot… What the hell were you thinking?! Haven't I said to you that you must not commence this mission alone?! Why couldn't you listen to me just for once, Sasuke! Just for once! God damn it, Sasuke! You never listen to me even once! Never! You're always doing everything as you wish and ignoring me. Why can't you just understand my feeling, Sasuke?! Why?! All I wanted is your safety, is it that hard for you to understand?! Answer me, damn it!" Yukimura burst out his anger toward him mercilessly, leaving Sasuke speechless and also not giving him a chance to argue or debate as he usually did when Yukimura scolded him.

"Yukimura I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I…" his voice trembled violently, Sasuke could not hold his tears anymore now; his feeling was hurt badly hearing Yukimura's angry voice that he never ever heard before. Yukimura might be once, no, often fed up with his behavior, but he never burst out his anger like this. That meant that Yukimura was very angry at him and the fact that Sasuke had crossed the line.

But Yukimura didn't even give a damn to his tears or even his wounds, that was if he saw it. He kept on scolding him with fury and anger, his voice was still bursting out non-stop ignoring the fact that he was in the middle of the 'fox's hound'. Tora felt sorry about Sasuke. He was near the end of his very own life but Yukimura, the person that was very important to him, seemed did not notice about that. So he decided to help him before Yukimura talked too much without realizing what was really happening.

"And this paper, Sasuke! What were you thinking with, 'I'm going alone to fox's hideout. I will comeback tomorrow', huh?! What if you get noticed?! What if they catch you?! WHAT IF THEY KILL YOU?! Were you still able to—"

"Uhm Yukimura-han, you see—"

"Shut up, Tora-san. Can't you see that we are talking a serious talk right now?!" Yukimura glares at him with a fury and somehow Tora could see a disappointment on his eyes. Tora knew that Yukimura loved him so much, and he had to realize what's going on here.

"Yukimura-han, sorry for my intrusion… But it's best for you to know the truth."

"What truth?"

Tora didn't say anything but he answered his question by pointing his finger to Sasuke's foot, where the bear trap was still embedded on it and actually it had changed its color from the shiny silver to the bloody red.

"What…?" Yukimura was shocked, and if he had a weak heart he would experience a heart attack right now. He saw Sasuke's calf was stabbed deeply; and it was very severe. Yukimura also noticed that the grass and the ground below him had already soaked all over with his blood. Once again he was shocked with the amount of blood that he saw, it was too much. Feared and trembled, he turned his face to his face once again. And the shock was even greater after seeing his very pale face and it was in a horrifying condition; his eyes were half-opened, his sight was very weak and the spirit was almost gone away from his usual bright golden eyes, sweats were soaking all over his beautiful face, his cheeks had bruises, and his mouth were bleeding. He exactly knew that his slaps wouldn't make such bruises. What… What has happened to him…? What have they done to MY Sasuke?!

Yukimura suddenly stood up and grabbed Tora's collar. He was startled and held Yukimura's hand, trying to put it off him. "Yu-Yukimura-han…?"

"You son of a—"

Yukimura swung his arm furiously right to his face, ready to make a nice punch at his nose. Tora tried to shield his face but Sasuke suddenly spoke and it stopped him.

"That wasn't him, Yukimura… Stop it…" Yukimura released Tora's collar and then lowered his body again, knelt down in the front of Sasuke.

"Sa… Sasuke… Are you alright…?" his scowl and frown had gone away, replaced by a worry and sadness sight on his eyes. His palm cupped Sasuke's left cheek and he was very, very happy with that touch. It felt like Yukimura hadn't touched him for years. That soft and caring touch… Nothing could do it as gent and demanding as Yukimura did. Then his palm moved all over his face to wipe away the tears and sweats on his face. Sasuke kept his mouth shut, and it was strange that in fact usually Sasuke never wanted to be treated as such by Yukimura, and he always scolded him everytime he did that. But it was make sense if we were at Sasuke's place. It was really a relief and also a happiness feeling when we had disappointed someone that we loved, but knowing that he was really still care to us and hadn't changed at all. And most importantly, kept on loving us and opening his hands open for us to come back no matter what we had done. That was exactly why Sasuke didn't intend to stop him. He was enjoying this moment and hoping it would endure much longer if only it was possible. But he knew that it wasn't, he realized that his time was very short.

"I… I'm alright, Yukimura… By the way, if you don't mind, can I hug you…?"

Yukimura startled, it wasn't like him at all… Usually he never asked about that, and actually it was quite hard for Yukimura to hug him. He would have to use a force power to hug him, and it never lasted more than three seconds. Sasuke always pushed him and struggled to get away from him. He was too shy and overprotective about himself… At least that's what Yukimura thought. But truth to be told, Sasuke only didn't want everyone to know about their relationship. What would people say to see that Yukimura had already had a wife (and a son actually), and now he had an affair with him? Not that Yukimura seemed to care, but at least he did.

Yukimura felt that something was completely wrong. So he looked up to Tora, in case if he had a clue of what's going on. Tora didn't say anything, but his eyes were sad and he just did a faint 'yes' nod to him. He startled seeing Tora's reaction. It's weird. Yukimura turned his attention to Sasuke once again. What happened here? All he knew was he had to take him home and had his wounds taken care as fast as possible.

"Sure, Sasuke. You can get it as much as you can right after I take you home. Now—"

"I want it now, Yukimura… Please…" his voice was heard so faint and trembled again.

Yukimura could not stand it to see Sasuke's plea, so he decided to hug him anyway.

"S-Sure, Sasuke." then he moved forward and hugged him; wrapping his arm around his back and pulling him closer to his chest. In Yukimura's surprise, as he never thought that Sasuke would ever do it, Sasuke was hugged him too. Tightly. It was as if Sasuke didn't ever want to let him go. "Sasuke…?" he mumbled quietly in question, this wasn't like him at all. But the biggest surprise wasn't coming yet. He felt that his nape, where Sasuke rested his chin there, was wet and warm. A liquid was flowing slowly from Sasuke's chin to his back neck. In an instant he realized that it was a tear.

"Sasuke… What's wrong…? Why are you crying…?"

"Yukimura, I'm sorry that I have ignored your order and acted selfishly. I knew I shouldn't have done that, but I couldn't let all of the jyuyushi commence this mission. They all could have gotten killed, and I didn't want that. They are all my family, and I love them all so much. Though sometimes they're acting like a bunch of weirdoes… So I decided to do this mission alone, for the sake of their safety. I had tried to explain this to you, but you didn't want to hear me. Don't you know that I love them all? Don't you know how worthy they are to me?"

Yukimura kept quiet. It was already one of his dilemmas when he ordered them to do this. But he was surprised to hear how Sasuke appreciated his jyuyushi fellows as a family, as he never showed it to him or the jyuyushi. He was always acting cold toward them, and never had a care about them. But actually Sasuke did. He just didn't intend to show it to everyone. He held his prestige too high…

"I'm sorry Sasuke… It was my fault on the first place to think about sneaking here… I was being too ambitious and selfish…"

"…don't say that, Yukimura… Being ambitious and selfish were needed on the time like this. We have the same goal, right? A great victory. And a great victory couldn't always flawless; you've said it by yourself."

"Yes, it is, Sasuke… But if it means losing you, I'd rather give it up. You're worthy to me, more than anything on this world."

Sasuke startled and also relieved with that answer. He smiled and then closing his eyes again in peace. Tora that watched them was also smiling, knowing that no matter how wicked that this world would've ended up, love was still a great tool to help human maintaining their sanity from killing each other in rage and fury. Even though Yukimura also had a bloodlust demon on himself, he could maintain his sanity and suppressed it from nonstop battle and killing thanks to Sasuke. It was his love to Sasuke that keeping him away from being an inhuman creature that knows nothing beside killing and fighting.

"Stupid…" Sasuke mumbled faintly with a light smile on his face. Yukimura didn't reply his last sentence but he was smiling too. He stared to the blue and clear sky above; a cool breeze got passed through the still-hugging couple on the ground. Suddenly Sasuke gripped Yukimura's back tightly and he breathed heavily.

"Yukimura, I think this is my time…"

"Your time… Your time for what…?"

"Time for me to go…"

"Go…? Going where—"

Yukimura shocked and stunned feeling the beads of sands were starting to fall down to his hand from Sasuke's back. What…? What's happening…?

"Sasuke…" Tora mumbled quietly, his tears rolled down again to his cheeks.

"What…? What is this…?" Yukimura released his hug and looked him in the eyes, Sasuke was smiling in peace and his eyes were shining again, just like when he had it when he was still healthy. Yukimura was afraid, he knew something was wrong. "Sasuke, what's happening?! Why did your back turn into beads of sands?! Sasuke!!!"

"Remember when someone from Mibu clan or one of its creatures died? Because they didn't exist in this world from the first place, when they died their body turned into beads of sand, unlike humans did." Sasuke smiled and his eyelids were half-closed.

"What…?! You mean that…? Don't joke around with me, Sasuke. Because it ain't funny at all!" Yukimura's eyes were widened in shock and fear.

"Yes… I'm leaving, Yukimura…"

"N-No! No way…!" his hands lied down to the ground, supporting his trembling body. "Yukimura…"

"No… No… NO WAY!!!" he screamed from the top of his lungs, not ready for this big goodbye with his beloved one. He had Mizuki gone a long time ago, and he didn't want to feel the same pain again. The same pain of being failed to protect the one that he loved.

"Yukimura…"

"DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE MY SIDE, SASUKE!" his eyes filled with salty tears that starting to find its way to the ground.

"Yukimura, please…" Sasuke was also crying too. He himself did not want to leave his side; he wanted to be with him till the very end. But if the fate had said the opposite, then nothing could have enough power to stop it.

"Sasuke… I can't go on without you… Please come back… Please…" Yukimura dropped his head down, gritted his teeth, and tighten his fist; wishing that this was all just a nightmare.

"Yukimura… Thanks for everything… You're such a great person in my whole life. You're always there for me, whenever I needed you. Though, you're still there anyway when I didn't. You've become my master, my father, my friend, and then finally my lover. Your endless love and care accepted me as whoever I am, though I'm just one of the Mibu experiments. And I'm really grateful about that. Honestly, I'm still having some dreams to fulfill, like, fighting by your side and died by your side. I want to be with you until the very end of our life. Not just yours; your death is the last thing that I would like to see. But it looks like the fate has the other plan."

"Sasuke… Don't leave me… I love you… I need you…" his voice trembled heavily.

"I love you too, Yukimura… I really am…" half of his body was already becoming beads of sands. Tora broke down and cried seeing his pal was about to go away forever. He couldn't tease him anymore, he couldn't laugh again with him anymore, and he couldn't do stupid things with him anymore.

"Tora, you're such a good friend of mine… Though you're such a stupid and pervy person, but I know that you're a good and kind person. Don't let Tokugawa's dark blood affecting your heart. And oh yeah, don't forget your promise to me… Because if you do, I will strike your stupid brain with lightning from up there." at the end of his life, somehow he could still throw a joke to his bud.

"Stupid brat…" Tora smiled sadly to him; though Sasuke's words were always harsh he knew that he didn't mean it.

Sasuke turned his face once again to Yukimura.

"Yukimura… Look at me… Please…"

Faintly Yukimura lifted his face once again; his tears were overflowing from his eyes to his cheeks.

"Though I won't be here anymore, but I will always be by your side and watching you from up there. I promise." Yukimura didn't say anything; his body was still trembling heavily. Sasuke couldn't stand to see it, so he leaned forward and put his lips on him and kissed him softly, trying to comfort him for the last time. Yukimura returned his kiss and closed his eyes. He just wanted that this moment would last forever, that Sasuke would always on his side till the end, chatting with him, fighting with him, teasing him, scolding him, and loving him…

And then finally Sasuke's presence was gone away, his entire body had completely turned into sands. The breeze flew again smoothly, scattering the sands all over the place. Yukimura still hadn't moved a muscle from his position. It was as if Sasuke was still there, still kissing him.

"Yukimura, thank you… I love you…"

Shibi'En fell to the ground and trembling lightly but then not long after it stopped. Yukimura stood up and then picked Shibi'En up. His body was still trembling and his tears were still falling down from his face. Tora approached him and tried to comfort him. He patted Yukimura's shoulder but suddenly he pushed him away.

"Yu… Yukimura-han?" Tora was confused with his sudden behaviour. Yukimura turned his back to face Tora. Tora was surprised to see his cold, vicious, and also flat expression on his face. It was as if he had no feeling anymore, that he ready to kill every man that he encounter, that he had awaken the bloodlust demon on him. He never saw him like this before.

"Tokugawa Hidetada. I, Sanada Yukimura swear by the name of my subordinate, Sarutobi Sasuke from the jyuyushi, that I will definitely defeat and kill you. You just wait and watch from your castle."

"Wait Yukimura-han, I—"

"SHUT UP!"

Then Yukimura leapt away and merged into the darkness. Tora was still startled with Yukimura's behavior. But it was understandable. When someone that you loved was leaving you forever, the shock and stress could drive you crazy and you'd need sometime to accept that. Tora sighed and then walked away.

******

It was a fierce and ferocious battlefield, bloods were spilled everywhere, the sound of pain and screams, blade collides, flesh stabbed and severed from body, armors pierced, sounds of laughter was heard everywhere. But afterall the battle cries were the one that dominated all the sound. It was Tokugawa's second attempt to crush down Toyotomi Hideyori and all of his allies. Later on this war was called the "The Summer Campaign" from the battle of Osaka. At the first attempt the Tokugawa was suffering a total failure and that previous was called "The Winter Campaign" But this time Tokugawa overwhelmed Hideyori's armies and troops, there's no way he could ever win this war.

At the middle of that ferocious battlefield, A warrior that worn helmet with a deer horn attached on it was kneeling down, panting and bleeding everywhere. It was clear that he had been defeated and the one who did that was right beside him, standing cocky and holding his blade high, ready to behead his prey. The fallen warrior had a long, silky black hair. His eyes were dark but if you take a look closer at it, it had an emerald color on it. And when the wind blew his hair, the six coins crest was imprinted on his back suit of his armor. Yes, he was the famous clever and tricky general, Sanada Saemon-no-suke Yukimura. The great samurai who had defeated Ieyasu's tactics at the winter campaign.

But this great samurai had lost now, being overpowered by more than a hundred thousand troops and armies. He himself had given his all. Slashing enemies without mercy, and even overusing Sekireigan even if that was dangerous and depleting his stamina rapidly. All of the remaining jyuyushi had all themselves died, most of them died protecting Yukimura from danger. And now he was there, kneeling down on his enemy without any of jyuyushi protecting him. His blade had parried away and thrown away far from him he had nothing but waited for the fate to take him away. He pulled away his helmet.

"Any last word, Sanada Yukimura?" said Nishio Nizaemon, the Tokugawa samurai that had defeated the weary Yukimura.

Yukimura had lost his hope and spirit even since the war began. The lost of Sasuke was still distracting his mind and heart. Everytime he tried to arrange a plan, Sasuke's face was always appeared on his mind and it always made him cry. All of the remaining jyuyushi couldn't do anything. Yukimura was being a loner and having a short-temper since Sasuke's death. Everytime they want to argue or debate, Yukimura always shouted at them to shut up harshly. He's still trauma with Sasuke's behavior that caused him to dead. And on the battlefield itself even though he's still fighting with all his might, he couldn't concentrate perfectly. That's why sometimes he was careless and almost got killed for many times, if only his jyuyushi didn't protect him and died because of that.

Now as he was kneeling, his eyes were staring to the battlefield with an empty look. He got nothing to strive for anymore, so he didn't answer Nishio's words.

"Nothing to say? Too bad… Well then, see you in hell, Sanada Yukimura!"

The blade was lifted up

"Oh yeah, what is your name, little one?"

"Sasuke…"

"Sasuke?!"

"What's the problem with that?!"

"Nothing… It is a really good name; you should keep it like that. All right, from this day on your name will be Sarutobi Sasuke."

"Sarutobi?!"

"Yes, Sarutobi Sasuke. Now come with me and flap your wings high up in this blue sky and fly with me, Sanada Yukimura."

The blade swung down.

"Happy 16th birthday, Sasuke!"

"Yeah, thanks, Yukimura..."

"Sasuke…?"

"Yes?"

"Can I give you birthday present?"

"If it involves with the stupid things then no, thank you."

"Geez, Sasuke… I promise that you won't forget this present for your entire life."

"What kind of present could possibly do that?"

"You'll see. Now close your eyes, I don't want you to screw the surprise."

"Yeah, right…"

"Don't peep… Okay, here we go…"

"…"

"…"

"W-what… What was that kiss for…?"

"Sasuke, would you be my only one?"

"W-what…? I…"

"Just answer that, Sasuke. I know your feeling towards me already. And I feel it the same way too."

"…okay"

"Hm…? I can't hear you…"

"Okay, Yukimura. Just promise that you won't flirt with women anymore!"

"Then it's settled! Now…"

"Wha—why are you pushing me to the ground?"

"To do this."

The blade swung half-way to his neck.

"Clack!"

"Clack!"

The sounds of clacking startled him and stopped his train of thought. Right in the front of his eyes, in the middle of the raging people and battles, was standing a twelve-years old boy; playing a kendama with his right hand. He was wearing a white kimono and short blue shorts.

"Clack!"

"Clack!"

The boy had a silver bright hair and a pair of beautiful golden eyes, staring at Yukimura with spirit and zeal. It seemed like, that he was encouraging Yukimura to face his last. Yukimura's eyes were widened in surprise and his lips were curved, forming a smile on his face. He was happy and relieved to be able seeing him once again. Then a smile appeared on the boy's face. A comforting smile.

The blade touched his neck

"Sasuke…"