Toki wo Koete no Kizuna

Chapter 4- Memories of Blazing Fire II

Days turned into weeks. I haven't seen or talked to Yuki since that fateful encounter. The day after, I approached him as I saw him open the classroom doors. Sasuke and Yuki slid in, chatting nonchalantly. He quickly brushed past me and slid into his desk, never breaking his eye contact with Sasuke. He seemed oddly stiff, especially when I called out his name as he passed my desk.

"Yuki." My voice resounded in the classroom, the bustling sounds seemed to die down around us. My voice echoed in my mind, beckoning impatiently for his reply. His body stiffened, his muscles tightened and his face twitched. He drifted past me, not a single eye darted to my direction, not a single hand briskly waved, and not a single smile replied my hesitant voice, inching closer to wavering unease.

I watched, eyes wide, as Yuki laughed nervously while he listened to Sasuke. My mind flooded with restless thoughts, confused with solemn regret. I growled; anxiousness grew into agitation. I got ready to walk to his desk, drifting past Keiji. As I passed the boy, I felt Keiji's large palm grasp my wrist. With a livid snarl, I glared towards the boy. His face was stern, his eyes narrowed and lips curved. Taken aback, I shook his hand free before returning to my desk and crossing my arms and legs. With a displeased frown, I waited patiently for his explanation.

Keiji's usual smile returned as he saw me back off. He turned to look at Yuki's back, still stiff and covered in a stagnant panic. I gritted my teeth, an annoyed click of the tongue left me brooding for the rest of the day. What did I do? I probably already knew that answer, but that reality only angered me further.

This time, I'm going to be chasing you instead. You see?

My face drooped into the table. I slapped an arm over my eyes, an embarrassing flush growing ever more evident. This was all Keiji's fault. If he hadn't said those weird things that he did, I would never have approached Yuki like that. Neither, would I have said such strange words. They were released from the depth of my dark mind before I could contain myself.

I let out a sigh. But, when I did say what I did, somewhere inside me felt a wave of relief. For some reason, I felt that I was here for the sole reason to say that to him. The people of this academy left me with a familiar imprint in my mind, reflecting some ancient, foreign memories that I cannot grasp. I felt glad, I felt angry, I felt lost and I felt I belonged. Mixed emotions staggered in and out of floating memories I cannot recall. My dreams stumbled into reality and reality reflected distant dreams. Unexplainable pasts started to mix with my perceived present. I felt so close to the truth, yet so far due to fear.

But nothing can change what I had said to Yuki, and his response was not startling. He began to avoid me, ignoring my calls and avoiding my eyes. It only created a stronger distance that began to grow, day by day. Frustration and regret began to develop into nonsensical hate. This darkness I directed at myself and even at Yuki. I missed his smile, and I hated myself for throwing that away with mindless words. I wanted to see him and to talk to him and I wanted him to direct his voice and his actions towards me. Something within myself pained horribly, not used to this kind of treatment. Even I admitted, it really hurt.

"HOME RUN!"

I panted in heavy drives. The tension and pressure that had been pushing me released in furious and precise swings on the baseball fields. I joined the baseball team a while ago, choosing to release my frustration in a healthier way. Since then I had hit countless home runs, and even got promoted to clean up batter.

The team cheered loudly, jumping and screaming. "NICE BATTING!" they cheered, pointing into the sky with excitement. I violently swept my arm across my brow, brushing the sweat out of my eyes. With a forced smile, I walked across the bases, shooting an arrogant grin at the opposite team at each base.

I approached my team, frowning furiously. "Masamune-san, good job." I heard Kojuro's low voice before I raised my head. Kojuro stood in front of me, towel in hand. With a gratifying grin, I grabbed it and wiped my face. "Masamune-san, are you alright?"

I peeked out from the towel at his always serious face. He frowned patiently at me, waiting for me response. I threw the towel back at him; the words I had broke in my throat, hesitant to reply him. I nodded before walking past him to the other members, hoping that that would be enough. He didn't ask any further.

With an exasperated sigh, I sat back against the tree. Since he began to ignore me, I had been losing sleep day by day. Yesterday night was the same, as if some haunting ghost from my past wouldn't forgive me for this turn of events. The dreams of the blazing youth began to dwindle and lessen. It only took a few weeks before even the dreams of his painful smile drifted away into nothingness. My heart ached awkwardly whenever I saw his face, shadows covering his eyes. I still couldn't make out his face, but his silhouette began to resemble Yuki, his painful smile each night became a duplicate of what I saw as Yuki's.

The fire youth seems to be escaping me, but in his place I saw an indignant man, lips curled in furious pain. His body keeled over, his armored arm placed across his chest, holding his shoulder, while the other dripped with blood. A blue helmet sat, chipped and broken, the supposed crescent ornament was shattered at its tip. His body, dressed in noble blue, was tattered and broken. I could feel the heavy weight of his armor, pressing down on his broken body, and his heart weighed with despair. He mouthed what I knew was a name, but a name I could not reproduce. A long, painful memory began to fade as he, too, began to fade from my dreams as I slowly crept into insomnia.

I punched the grassy ground, the smell of fresh plants arose from around me. The floor was hard, the fragile plants protected by firm soil. I felt the uncomfortable tickle of blowing grass when a wind swept past me. I sat there, hand dug deep into the sea of tall grass, untrimmed. The cherry blossoms were withering as spring began to fly away and summer hinted forward. Time was passing like normal, and I, too, felt a strange sense of passage, like the distant past was slowly losing its hold of me.

"What are you doing here?" Keiji. I looked up at him with my usual frustrated frown before sitting back against the tree again. I had reached the school grounds much earlier than intended due to yesterday night's insomniac attack. With little sleep, I had hoped I may get some shut eye at school. To my growing irritation, I found myself seated in front of the tree where I had last spoke with Sanada Yuki. My body shifted uncomfortably. I had not expected to see anyone, let alone Keiji.

"Nothing." I replied, annoyance dripped in my tone. Keiji smiled down at me before taking a seat next to me, an action I thought all too rude.

Resting his head against the tree, he grinned into the sky. "You and Yuki got into a fight?" How bold, speaking so bluntly.

"Not really." I replied, closing my eyes. I gave up, allowing the man to keep me company for a short while before class.

"You're right. A fight would have been much more exciting than this silence."

I felt a rush of anger begin to grow from inside me. "What do you expect me to do?" I spat out, eyes still closed. I didn't want to request help from Keiji, but at this state any advice from anyone would do. I couldn't explain my feelings of loss to him, but somehow I knew that if I don't fix my current problems, an invisible link I had with those nostalgic feelings would dissipate, like my dreams. That alone, scared me beyond words. Add on my impatience and uncomfortable displeasure with Yuki's actions left me, luckily, only insomnia.

"Why not talk to Yuki?"

"Did you not see how he ignored me?"

"Yuki just doesn't understand his feelings well. And personally, I don't think you do either."

I clicked my tongue. Keiji couldn't be any further from the truth. I was confused about my mixed feelings with those past dreams and with the red youth, and an unexplainable pain began to develop from how my dreams began to fade. A feeling of great loss seemed to overwhelm me, a regretful feeling I couldn't shake. I miss that person, I want to see that person, I want to defeat that person, I want to lo-

"Confront Yuki." I heard Keiji shift as the sound of grass rubbing against cloth caught my attention. I opened my eyes and looked over to see Keiji had stood up and was approaching the school. "I told him to meet you at the roof at the end of today, so be sure to cherish this chance." Keiji grinned back at me, waving back as he walked.

The anger erupted, as I jumped up from my seat, face beet red and eyes the size of dinner plates. I yelled, "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? BUG OUT OF MY BUSINESS!" was my best retort as I tried to redraw my senses. My mind filled with Shit. What should I do? Talk to Yuki? Confront the boy? Confusion and anxiety welled up as my heart pounded uncomfortably. This difficult excitement didn't leave and only grew, until the last school bell ended.

I had held onto the door knob to the school roof for the past ten minutes. When the last bell sounded, I saw Yuki sneak out of the class, leaving Sasuke behind in his motherly worry. Following suite, I sneaked out before anyone in the class saw me and slowly paced my way to the school roof, my hands soaked in sweat and my eyes glued to the floor in embarrassment.

I tried to formulate a plan during class. The whole time, I found my eyes wandering to Yuki. My heart raced faster and faster with each passing second until it began to hurt to breathe. But even after the long 8 hours of school, I had nothing. Not a plan, not a word was thought up to face Yuki.

If I don't hurry and open the door, Yuki will leave. My eyes narrowed, the fear of the battlefield must pale in comparison to what I'm feeling here. When I swung for a tied game, I was far from as nervous as standing in front of the roof doors, hands covered in sweat. I shook my head violently. No, no, no! Masamune, get your shit together, open that door, talk some shit at Yuki, and you two will be the same as you were!

With that as a plan, I twisted the door knob and swung the door open, teeth gritted and eyes nervously glaring. My body was stiff, molded into outstretch arm and straight back. With rough actions, I marched onto the roof, my lips pushed into an awkward frown.

There stood Yuki, facing me, his back against the barded fence. He looked at me, with his arms behind him and legs crossed slightly. His emotions were unreadable and his body lost its usual stiffness. His nervous eyes were replaced with soft, confident irises.

"Masamune-san." He began. I stiffened further at his soft voice, directed at me for the first time in weeks. The nostalgic wave I have felt on the first day returned, hitting harder than ever. I had to concentrate hard not to keel over. My heart felt like it was going to burst from my chest and my breathing became painful once again.

I glared back at him awkwardly. My face was still twisted in that weird frown and my brows twitched, nervous under this odd pressure. Confront Yuki. Do it, Masamune!

My mouth shakily opened as I tried to produce any sound from my throat. A quiet "Ah" was released before I was cut off by his soft, yet certain voice.

"Masamune-san, sorry I had to ask Keiji to ask you to come up to the roof." What? Yuki asked Keiji? I tilted my head slightly, my mouth reformed into a confused "Oh".

"I wanted to ask you, Masamune-san." Yuki stood forward, his stance stiffened and his hands gripped tightly into fists beside him. His face morphed into a tense frown, his brows furrowed nervously. His cheeks glowed a faint pink. I was taken aback by his sudden change, my heart raced even faster and louder. "Were you serious about what you told me?"

Sanada Yuki. This time, I'm going to be chasing you instead. You see?

The words sounded embarrassing even in memory. I felt my face flush at the bold question and with staggering effort, I managed to move my stiff neck into a wary and slow nod.

Yuki closed his eyes and his fists gripped harder. I would not have been surprised if his hands began to bleed. With a second pause, he opened his eyes again and his face flushed brightly. With glaring eyes, he shouted at my direction. "MASAMUNE-SAN, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL."

I staggered back, catching myself before I fell. My face, still flushed, twisted in confusion. My eye grew large as I gawked back at him, downright confused. The only thing I could manage was a loud, "HUH?"

"Masamune-san, if I win the duel, you have to allow me one request!" Yuki's lips pressed together with uncertainty but his voice resounded with confidence. His figure, which I saw as small and fragile at one point, grew so big under his blazing soul.

"Wait a sec! A duel?" I tried to take hold of the situation, stepping forward cautiously.

"Masamune-san!" Yuki continued, his face beet red. I felt my lips curl into a small smile at his cute reaction before I mentally punched myself at the thought. "Please accept my challenge!"

This isn't the warring era! What challenge? What duel? Everything was completely swept into Yuki's pace. My racing heart only quickened the pressure. "Fine, FINE!" Like a mannequin, placed under a puppet master's rule, I smirked awkwardly and folded my arms. My back straightened and the stiffness returned. "I accept your challenge."

"OHH! I FEEL THE FIRES IN MY HEART RAGE FROM THIS EXCITEMENT!" Yuki proclaimed. He shot his fists into the air, his body reacted naturally. I felt a true smile return to my face as I watched him, the passion of the red youth returned in my mind.

As I stood there to watch him and he bellowed and yelled, I failed to notice the two peeking at us from behind the doors. Keiji had told Sasuke about our little meeting and when the two reached the top of the stairs, they had quietly pulled the door back to barely a close, a small rift allowed the two to carefully watch our exchange. With a smiling sigh, Keiji looked away and Sasuke shook his head. "Yare, Yare…"

"Sasuke?"

"Yeah?"

"You changed."

"From when I was Sarutobi Sasuke?"

"No, I mean from a few weeks ago."

"Well, one person can't change fate." Sasuke looked over to the unaware us. "And I pledged my allegiance to him from 500 years ago and I will pledge that allegiance today. I will always fight to protect his happiness and well being."

Keiji laughed, patting Sasuke harshly in the back. Sasuke coughed at the forced, wincing at the pain. "That's the Sasuke I knew!"

"You barely knew me, Maeda Keiji."

"Yeah, you were always trying to get Kasuga-chan's attention and was always sexually harassing her!"

"Who said that? I never sexually harassed her!"

"Kasuga-chan said it herself! That Sarutobi Sasuke does such horrible things to her that I had thought you're a monster!"

"What horrible things?"

"Like you told your masters that Kasuga-chan was in 'that' relationship with you." Keiji lifted his pinky, waving it playfully.

"Well… about that…"

The door swung open violently. With auras of death, Yuki and I stood in front of the two, cracking knuckles and readying our shoulders. We armed ourselves with tightly gripped fists as we each grabbed a collar and pulled them into firing range. With a fist raised impatiently, I slowly dragged Keiji's collar closer.

"WAIT! WAIT! HOLD IT! STOP!" The two screamed and pleaded as both Yuki and I turned our bodies, ready for the blow. The following two seconds released all the stress from my body and the pressure and weight I had felt for the past few weeks dissipated at once. The feeling of fist against skin left me satisfied as both Yuki and I strolled down the stairs, readying to go home.

"Stupid Sasuke." Yuki growled, face still evident with pink.

The two laid, face first, on the cold roof floor, their behinds raised high into the sky and their faces buried deep into the ground. A serene silence was finally left in the school grounds as a crow flew by, squawking idiotically at the two. Ah, what a peaceful day.

A small wind picked up and blew past the tense battlefield. The dust picked up and intensified the atmosphere between him and I. We stood there, facing each other and weapons poised. He adjusted his legs and I adjusted my arms. I felt sweat trickle down my face as my eye glared dangerously at my prey. A mocking smirk was plastered across my face. He watched me, tense and excited. A serious frown replaced his usual exciting smile. He positioned himself as I did the same. We both waited patiently for a single sign- a twitch, even, to signal our battle.

With the blow of a whistle, I launched the ball at him, using my signature move. With a single step, I thrust the ball in hand down towards my prey. "MAGNUM STEP!"

"KOEN!" Yuki yelled, rounding his leg back almost ninety degrees and launching his leg forward with all his strength. The connection was blazing, his leg smashed into the ball, launching it past above me, the ball erupted as trails of fire followed its path. The fireworks left the crowd speechless and my team's morale fell at one attack.

"PHANTOM DIVE!" I launched myself up with all my energy, blue sparks erupted from my feet. I could hear the 'awes' and 'oohs' of the crowd as I caught the ball and dived back down in a fell sweep, electric sparks lit up the field.

"OUT!" I smirked cockily at Yuki as he kicked the ground. His party reshuffled as a new prey stepped up the base.

"Take it easy on me, Masamune-san." Sasuke laughed, smiling carefully at me.

"MAGNUM STEP!"

He raised his leg back, similar to Yuki, and launched his leg as I readied myself to jump. To my utter surprise, the tricky Sasuke tapped the ball, his soccer version of a bunt, and disappeared. I quickly reacted and dived for the ball as I heard Kojuro's resounding voice. "MASAMUNE-SAN! SECOND BASE!"

"Already?" I sprang up and turned. I readied my arm to throw the ball blindly to second base, but to my dismay, there stood Sasuke, arms behind his head, standing nonchalantly and whistling on second base.

"What demonic speed…" Kojuro staggered slightly, staring at the calm Sasuke. The players I had scattered across the field stared in disbelief, their morale shattering by the second.

"Tch." I clicked my tongue before yelling to the field. "ONE OUT! COME ON, MEN! PUT YOUR GUNS ON!" My teammates shook out of their surprised and stared back at me before repeating my words out into the field loudly. I can't allow the Basara Academy soccer team to beat us at our own game, especially when the opponent is Sanada Yuki.

The day after our little meeting on the roof, the soccer team approached the baseball team during practice. Representing them is Sanada Yuki and Takasugi Sasuke, requesting for a fair team versus team duel. Representing the baseball team, Katsuya Kojuro and me, Hijikata Masamune, the ace, accepted the challenge. What followed was a long and tedious dispute about how the challenge should be made.

Of course, we, the baseball team, deemed it reasonable to play baseball, but the soccer team demanded it be soccer. Sparks flew as the argument heated up into what could have been a fist to fist man brawl of the century. Stopping us, Sasuke and Kojuro both requested that we compromise. In the end, we caved into what Sasuke called 'kick ball', an American-created sport that combines the two dream sports.

Little did we know that it would end up being so highly in the soccer team's favor…

"3 OUTS!" It was now our turn to shine. Luckily after Sasuke, no one else could hit my Magnum Step. When our turn came, Sanada Yuki pitched a fiery ball that haphazardly swept by our first batter. Sasuke stumbled and jumped, desperate on catching the ball as the catcher. The two's combination was astounding. Sasuke supported Yuki through his agile skills and Yuki was allowed to battle as chaotically and blazingly as he wished.

However, we're nowhere short of great combinations ourselves. Kojuro was batting after. He approached the plate, his weapon being only his strong legs. He kicked his right foot, readying for the attack. With a confident smirk, I stood with arms crossed, knowing fully well Kojuro won't disappoint.

"KOEN!" Yukimura reeled his arm and swung the ball, the same fiery ball launched towards Kojuro. Kojuro readied his leg and with a small blue spark, our counterattack began.

"GEKKOU!" Kojuro yelled, launching the ball into the air, high but not far. Without looking, he began to dash quickly towards the first base with his signature move, "SANGETSU!" Sanada Yuki positioned himself, along the ball's trajectory. The ball fell, closing in on Yuki's arms as a smile spread across his lips as his guard fell.

"YUKI!" Sasuke screamed, shaking Yuki back to reality. The ball's trajectory changed, immediately falling down harshly like a stone. Yuki had missed the ball and Kojuro had stepped onto first base long ago. Our team cheered loudly, screaming and jumping as the soccer team was left with a daze.

I smirked towards Yuki, stepping up to the base as cleanup batter. "You're not the only ones with a few cool moves."

Yuki replied with a frown, fired up with excitement. He gripped the ball with both hands and growled at me, like a young tiger at the face of a strong dragon. With a smirk, I took my stance as well, hunching over and readying to attack.

Yuki launched the ball, his 'Koen' burst down the field between us, kicking up wind and dirt. I grinned as I felt a surge down my right leg. "HELL DRAGON!"

The ball launched high above the soccer team. I quickly dashed towards the first plate and Kojuro was about to reach the second. The excitement overwhelmed me as I felt my heart race. This was not like any other battle I had encountered in the baseball fields, but a nostalgic excitement seemed to take over my body. A familiar surge passed through me as I felt the blazing heat from Yuki. This wasn't our first time in the battlefield, and I could tell, my body had been craving for this battle since I was born. The youth clad in fire returned to my memories, the surging blue warrior that was wounded in my dreams appeared before him, poised with 6 swords and the blazing red warrior with 2 spears. The two charged at each other and the ground and air erupted into exhilarating battles.

"OUT!"

What? I shot my head up as I was just about to reach the first base. Above me, gliding back down, is Sasuke, ball in hand and smiling down at Yuki, who replied with his usual happy grin. Unbelievable. I gritted my teeth and glared up at the boy. My lips slowly curved up into a smile before I turned to Yuki. "This is more like it, Sanada Yuki. It wouldn't be fun without a bit of a challenge, You See?"

Yuki's secure eyes locked with my eager eye. We exchanged words through our excitable grins. A passion that welled up inside me felt alive as I contained myself from bursting. I could see that he, too, felt the increased tension and exhilarating pressure. This is what we lived for, what we had been waiting for all our lives.

The game continued with no runs. After an hour, our teammates were overwhelmed with fatigue. The only ones left that could fight were Kojuro, Sasuke, Yuki and me. Deciding that this has gone on long enough, Kojuro and Sasuke held a small meeting to represent the two teams. I watched impatiently as Yuki did the same. After the two nodded, Kojuro ran back to me as Sasuke darted back to Yuki.

"We decide to do a sudden death match between Sanada Yuki and Masamune-san." Kojuro declared. My men fell silent as they watched me, unsure of how this would work out.

I replied with a smirk. I stood up to command my men. "Hey guys!" I yelled. My men looked up at me, exhausted. "I will end this and bring back victory to the Masamune Baseball Team!" I hollered. The men followed me with a raised morale, screaming and yelling with excitement as I turned to face Yuki.

With solemn expressions, we walked to the field. Naturally, I headed to pitch and Yuki to bat. With intensified pressure, we exchanged silent glares on the windy battlefield.

"Yuki." Breaking the silence, I grinned at him. "I told you that this time I'll be chasing you instead. So here I am." I proclaimed, rounding up for my mightiest throw.

Yuki replied by taking stance, his brown eyes focused on my own blue eye. "Ah." He replied, nodding.

"Take my attack with all your might! Show me why I strive to chase after you!" I screamed, launching the ball with my secret attack. "MAGNUM STRIKE!"

"Take this, Masamune-san! All of my fiery passion, worthy of your eye, has been embedded in this attack!" He reeled his leg and pulled twisted his leg, his whole leg lit up in blazing flames as he turned his body like a wheel. "GURENKYAKU!" The ball made contact, burning with his fiery soul and launched high into the sky with incredible speed and power, shooting across the sky like an inflamed meteor.

With a smirk, I once again launched, leaving the field in blue electricity. "PHANTOM DIVE!" The air whipped past me in great speed as I felt the surging wind cut my body. The intensity only drove me further as my heart raced with bursting excitement. My eye burned passionately, tasting the sparking fires of war.

"SUZAKUSHO!" Yuki launched up after me, jumping even higher than me and past the ball. I could only watch with incredulous disbelief as he followed with an unbelievable attack. "OUHOURAKU!" He did a flip in the air and launched his feet downward, in a blazing drop-spin kick. As he made contact with the ball, a radiating light pierced through the sky. I blocked my eye as I felt the warmth of fire surround me. In disbelief, I heard the ball sweep through the sky and into the distance, past the school. Landing with elegance, I looked up at the sky, eyes wide and heart still racing. A red line that cut the sky marked the ball's trajectory, like a shooting star.

"Shit." I felt exhaustion catch up with my sweat soaked body as I fell to the ground, smirking. Yuki followed after, falling down on his back and panting quickly. That was incredible and unbelievable. The few seconds before replayed itself over and over in my mind, lost in the delicious taste of battle. I looked up at Yuki, who laid on the ground, unmoving. His chest raised and dropped in a quick tempo as he panted still. "You win, Sanada Yuki."

I heard him laugh loudly. I replied with a laugh, myself, as my team ran towards the field at us, and Yuki's team did the same. My team exchanged tears of bitter defeat and incredulous disbelief at the final battle they had witnessed. Kojuro smiled kindly as he offered a hand for me to stand. Using him as support, I stood and faced my team. With a bellowing voice, I proclaimed, "Today we have lost. But my men, I assure you, we will not experience the taste of bitter defeat again! Embed this battle in your mind's eye and learn from our mistakes!"

My men exploded with cheers and yells, celebrating our loss with bitter regret and awed inspirations. I turned to the soccer team, with the help of Kojuro. Sasuke had also helped Yuki up, supporting him as he stood and walked towards his cheering team. "Masamune-san. Good job today." Kojuro's low voice resounded. I smirked and nodded before our team retreated from the celebratory soccer team.

Again, the roof. Why is it always the roof? I crossed my arms and frowned at the plain, white roof and silver wired fences. Yuki stood before me, staring back at me like the last day we had met on at the same place, same time.

I looked back, making sure that the two peeping busy bodies were nowhere to be found before staring back at Yuki. The awkward silence felt heavy and the aching bones and muscles seem to return with the pressure. With a sigh, I scratched the bandage on my cheek. "Congratulations, Sanada Yuki."

Yuki stared back at me, serious and still. "So what is your request?" I asked, not expecting much. In the past few days I was kept up at night, curious about his request. The only answer I had thought up was that he wanted an apology. Sanada Yuki is the proper type of boy that would ask for something like that through the old, traditional means of a duel.

"Masamune-san." He spoke, voice a little shaky but was covered with his usual confidence. His cheeks burned pink and his eyes wavered as he stared at me. I tilted my head and looked at him, confused. A fresh wind blew by us, ruffling my hair. I watched as his long, silky hair, flowed with the wind, waving quietly.

A long silence passed us as I felt lost in his chocolate brown eyes. They pleaded me for something I couldn't make out, as if to tell me to say yes to his request without hearing it. His bright pink cheeks reflected his embarrassment, silencing him from actually telling me his wish. I watched, strangely patient, for his words. My heart began to race unknowingly and a scrunching pain engulfed my heart. A distant memory surfaced from the sea of darkness, of the youth standing, his back facing the blue warrior. The warrior called out his name, he turned, his lips opened, confused. The blue warrior, lips curved into an embarrassed frown, said those words to him. His face slowly lit up as his mouth morphed into a silent smile, face flushed lightly.

"Masamune-san, I…" without him saying another word, I found my arms wrapped around his body. One hand held the back of his head, the other around his surprisingly thin waist. I gripped tightly, unaware of the reasons behind my immediate actions. My face flushed brightly and I could feel his face's heat next to mine. I closed my eye, my mouth twisted into an awkward frown, not knowing what expression I should make at a time like this. "Masamune-san…?"

"You don't have to say anymore." I heard my voice, low and shaky, and his voice in my memories, the same as my own. The blue warrior, demeanor and shape that represented me had said the words that resounded brightly in my heart.

"I'll only say this once, so listen carefully…" I mumbled into his ear, my own heart raced faster and pounded harder. Yuki, lost in confusion, replied with pressed lips, nodding ever so slightly.

"I'll only say this once, so listen carefully…"

"I love you. So don't ever leave me."

I felt Yuki bury his head into my shoulder and his eyes close and lips smile. The smile that was a replica of the youth in red's. A calm swept by me, a calm that I had almost forgotten from the long weeks before, and possibly five hundred years ago. I closed my eyes and held him in my arms, resting my head on his shoulder.

We began seeing each other after that. It was embarrassing at first, but I had never seen Yuki as happy ever before. Sasuke frowned upon our relationship, but never stepped in between us. Keiji hadn't been happier either, his busy-body personality worsened as he asked us daily about our relationship.

"Ah~ Love~ Spring has just passed but the love in the air is just beginning~" Keiji poetically announced one day in the morning. My face lit up as Yuki's did too. The both of us, in perfect unison, punched Keiji, sandwiching him between two powerful fists.

Sasuke also held his own, knocking on our dorm door one night. Kojuro welcomed him in while I sat down with him at the kitchen. Sasuke, blunt as ever, outwardly questioned our relationship while Kojuro was making coffee. Surprised, Kojuro spilt the coffee and quickly turned to face us. Like the parental unit Sasuke is, Kojuro plopped down into a chair next to Sasuke and the two teamed up to grill me. I replied with anger and irritation, demanding to have Sasuke leave so I could sleep.

When I finally convinced Sasuke to leave, I showed him to the door. As he stepped out, he turned to me, serious expression forewarning his dangerous hiss of words. "Listen, Hijikata Masamune. If you dare to ever let Yuki… no, if you dare to ever HURT Yuki, I will not let you go that easily. Five hundred years of Sarutobi shinobi skills will not go to waste. I assure you this." I disregarded his weird claim of five hundred years ninja skills, and just told him to clam it and leave. "Masamune, pay attention to Yuki. Or else you're the one who will end up losing the most."

I was taken aback by his warning, but I replied him with a glare. With full confidence, my low voice bellowed in the empty halls. "I also assure you, Takasugi Sasuke. I will not hurt Yuki. I was born to protect him." Where those words came from, I wasn't sure, but it was enough to make Sasuke leave.

With a heavy sigh, I closed to door and turned to see Kojuro this time, standing before me with crossed arms, holding a leek in one hand like a sword. His intimidating demeanor sent shivers down my spine. "Okay, Kojuro… I'll explain…" I sighed again, waving towards the kitchen table. Kojuro and Sasuke both exert such a parental behavior, it worries me. Without a second thought, I followed him to the kitchen table, sat down and began.

Days passed. Yuki and I grew accustomed to waiting for each other and walking back to the dorms together. Sasuke and Kojuro, feeling slightly neglected, brooded with each other while Keiji watched over them with his hearty laugh. Life was peaceful again, and that peace had put Yuki at ease. His radiating smile stayed true throughout our time together, but it also scared me. I began to fear a coming storm, and my own insecurities turned into anxieties as an odd thought kept resurfacing. I was scared, frightened to the bone, of ever losing Yuki.

"So I've been meaning to ask, Masamune-san." Yuki chirped, walking energetically beside me. We just finished club practices and started walking home. The golden twilight broke throughout the streets, painting the world in its orange shine.

"Ya?" I replied, smiling to the boy.

He suddenly stopped, looking at me with his usual big eyes. I paused and turned to him, tilting my head, confused. Without saying a word, he reached up and touched my white medical patch on my right eye. "What happened?" He merely asked, sounding concerned. "I never saw your right eye before."

Unconsciously, my eye softened into a sad smile. His quiet kindness always floods me with a serene calm. Seeing my reaction, he quickly retracted his hand, his face grew into surprise, then fear. "I'm sorry! I won't ask again."

"It's okay." My voice rang out, softer than I had ever spoken before. I reached out and touched my patch. "I was never born with it." I plainly stated, the sad smile never left my face.

"I'm sorry to hear that…" Yuki looked to the floor.

"What's wrong?" I asked, startled. Did I upset him?

"I'm sorry to bring up your sad memories." Yuki plainly stated, looking back up at me.

I smiled, patting his head softly and ruffling his hair. "Don't worry about it. It doesn't bother me anymore."

Yuki squirmed a little under my rough touch, grabbing my hand and bringing it down to his chest, holding it tightly. My eye widened a little as I felt my face light up slightly. "Masamune-san,"

"Uh, yeah?" The look of his innocent eyes shocked my body with a familiar electric wave. I felt my heart begin to race and my face grow redder.

Yuki stared up at me, eyes full of confidence. "Let me share your burden in the future. I will walk by your side." He proclaimed, cheeks flushing slightly. His serious face reveled in confidence.

A large smile spread across my lips as I snaked my arms around his body and pulled him into a strong embrace. I held him, eyes closed, like I had the day all of this began. His warm body heated up my cold chest. It was then, that I promised myself, despite my insecurities, I will protect him no matter what. Like I told Sasuke, I was born to protect him. No more regrets.

It was also that night that the attacks happened. My dreams became more vivid, my memories began to return, and the regret I had felt five hundred years ago resurfaced in painful strides.

I stood there, bathed in blood. My blue armor was dyed red by my victims. The cold rain accompanied the feeling of frozen empathy. Panting heavily, I raised my sword and swiped it quickly, splashing the blood onto the ground, allowing the rain to rinse my sword. I looked up, battered bodies and mangled limbs rests around me, unrecognizable by the muddy soil and crimson waters, on the bloody battlefields of the Sengoku Jidai.

I called out his name with the last of my strength, "Sanada Yukimura!" I waited patiently for his reply above the sounds of clashing metals. I watched as Kojuro slashed down a foe just to be approached by another. The endless battles dyed my heart red with despair.

"Masamune-sama." One of my men approached me, surprisingly unharmed. His blue armor splashed with blood of the enemy. "Most of our men are down for the count. Takeda Shingen's forces, our allies, has also almost depleted. The weather has also turned for the worse. Should we retreat?"

I glared down at him, a blood-thirsty dragon eye pierced his frail body. "Date Masamune never retreats. We will win this with perseverance. You see?"

With an exasperated sigh, the warrior nodded. I turned from him, looking around the battered battlefield for the young tiger that was fighting by my side not so long ago. My heart raced with uncertainty, knowing full well that any man that steps into the battlefield should be considered dead until the battle is over. I scanned my area impatiently, looking over the dead bodies for his crimson attire.

"That's too bad, Masamune-sama…" I heard the man hiss before I realized, I have been had. That was not a man of my army, but someone disguised by the opposing forces. But I knew he was too close, and I was too late.

"Masamune-dono!" I heard his voice, urgent and exasperated. With a quick turn, I watched as Yukimura leaped in front of me, shielding me from the blade that would have slit my throat. I watched in despair as the long katana cut through his body, a blood red blade emerged on his back, cutting the crest of the Sanada family. Blood splashed loudly on my armor, mixing with the blood of the mongrels I have murdered.

That second seemed to last a lifetime as I watched Sanada Yukimura fall, his blood left a trail as the sword was violently ripped from his body. My eyes grew wide in disbelief as he collapsed into the ground, eyes closed. This position looked unreal with his usual energetic body. I felt my eye burn and heart leap as I gritted my teeth. I collapsed onto my knees, lifting his body and yelling his name. His eyes fluttered open, his lips curved into a grin, and his last words resounded in my heart.

"Masamune-dono… Live…"

His body became stiff as I felt the piercing cold rain fall down, washing his blood, along with all the other fallen men's, from the earth. I slowly placed him softly on the ground and stood up, mouthing his name repeatedly in despair.

Drawing out all six swords, I screamed with all my soul, slashing down the man who dared hurt him. The warm tears flowed down, mixing with the icy cold rain. I repeatedly sliced his body, even past death, but nothing quelled my loss. I felt my body lift with hate and agony as I roared into the battlefield, my body erupted in blue electricity.

The next day, I remembered everything.

Toki wo Koete no Kizuna Chapter 4- Memories of Blazing Fire II END

Azure: Sorry for the delay! And Merry Christmas to everyone! In celebration of Christmas and my fanfic having over 150 visitors, and over 125 hits from USA, I bring to you the fourth chapter and second part of Memories of Blazing Fire!

Things turned for the better but immediately turned for the worst! Will Masamune and Yukimura finally find peace in the new era? Find out on the next and possibly LAST part of this story!

But of course, we will have other pairings here and there first! So the next chapter may actually be a heterosexual pairing, either KenshinxKasuga or NagamasaxOichi! How exciting!

As everyone rounds up for winter break (or most of everyone) I wish everyone a safe and peaceful winter, since Christmas already ended, and to drive safely! Thank you again for the hits and visitors! I was surprised to see my country (Canada) ranked 8th! Wow! Hello everyone from everywhere else! It is great to see the interest people have in this story!

I have been busy with video games (Guild Wars especially, since my friends got that for me. I play as Azure Mizuno! If anyone else does, too, drop me a hi!) and Christmas, and most likely a new chapter won't be up by New Years so Happy New Years to everyone! Have a safe break!