Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of the characters related to it. They all belong to Konomi Takeshi. Also, I do not own Fire Emblem or any of the elements from the series.
Rating: T for implied adult themes in certain chapters. K for the rest.
Author's Note: My latest set of reviews made me smile a lot :) "Tarundoru", "Come at me with more force, Yagyuu!", and a mention of Sanada's manliness and proudness. And I'm so happy to see (little) Laser Lance mentioned (that's what I initially though in my head when I wrote it and I ROLF'd 'cause it sounds silly).
More Sanada torture? Yes indeed!
Part 1 - Chapter 3 - Tides of Intrigue
"Lord Yukimura… don't you look enthused?" Yanagi remarked as he entered the study where Yukimura was currently working on paperwork from behind a rich mahogany desk. He twirled his quill around his fingers absentmindedly, watching its progress with minute interest. "Taxes, isn't it?"
"You know I hate taxes more than anything," Yukimura moped as he started scribbling some numbers on a piece of parchment. "It's hard each year to figure exactly how much is the right amount so that the citizens are not paying too much and the government has enough to function."
"My lord, have faith in yourself," Yanagi encouraged as he sat down at the large square table in the middle of the room and started laying out a map and some notes. "You have remarkable intuition and foresight, and so far, you haven't led anyone astray."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Yanagi," Yukimura said welcomingly, laying aside his work and heading over to join him at the table. "Hmmm… isn't Sanada running a bit later than usual?"
"He's cleaning up from spar practice with Captain Yagyuu. You know, the brutal match they always have at the end of the week."
"Please tell me he didn't send our Silver Knight to the infirmary again. Last week, Yagyuu was out for a day because of that really powerful attack."
"The 'Ka'?"
"Yeah that. I would have preferred if he used that on an enemy or something if he wanted to try out a technique that strong."
"Well, you might be interested in hearing that Captain Yagyuu landed his major blow on Sanada."
"Really?" Yukimura asked, perking up with interest.
"Yes. A phenomenally fast and straight throw into his thigh."
"With a lance and not a javelin?"
"Correct. Quite rare, isn't it?" Yanagi said, peering over at Yukimura who grinned mischievously. "No, I wouldn't make fun of Sanada today."
"That's a pity," Yukimura sighed dramatically. "What will I do for amusement today?"
Before Yanagi could respond, the door opened and Sanada strode in, hooking the clasp on his cape and setting his armor against a bookshelf.
"Excuse me for my tardiness."
"Don't worry about it," Yukimura dismissed kindly as Sanada sat down, looking quite fatigued. "How is your leg?"
"It's fine. The wound is still aching, but at least it's closed. Another half hour and it should be better."
"He really wants to see if you're okay," Yanagi whispered in an undertone to Sanada. "Perhaps you should let him see your leg tonight? Of course that would mean you would have to take off your pants…"
Sanada felt uncomfortably hot and tried to avert his face away from Yukimura's, who turned to stare at Yanagi quizzically. Yanagi gave the smallest of winks towards him and Yukimura chuckled.
"Stop making fun of me," Sanada said resignedly as he sat down and took a look at the documents on the table. "Or at least pick a day where I have the energy to snap back."
"Thanks for giving us permission," Yanagi said with a grin.
"You would have gone at me permission or not so I wanted to extend the invitation…"
Yukimura and Yanagi's expressions changed from amused into incredulous surprise. Sanada was oblivious to the shift in atmosphere as he was reading through some notes, but after ten seconds of eerie silence, something triggered in the back of his head and he looked up.
"What happened?" he asked suspiciously to the two and Yukimura shook his head.
"Did something happen to you?"
"Uh… no?"
"Are you sure? You have a sense of humor. It's not bad - just odd coming from you."
"I blame his influence," Sanada declared, indicating Yanagi who he deemed was the culprit. "And being extremely fatigued."
"Perhaps we should proceed onto business?" Yanagi suggested cooly. "That way we can get to dinner and Sanada can retire early."
"Perfect. Let's address the plan to reinforce a few forts on the northeast border, the small skirmish on one of the port cities on the southern coastline, and expanding the local market."
"And taxes."
"Dont' remind me."
An hour later, the three sat back in their chairs, feeling spent, but accomplished. They had managed to figure out how to distribute funds for their projects while retaining enough for other upcoming plans. The skirmish did not destroy anything in the city, but quite a few people were wounded and they decided to reorganize some of the troops down there to create a better defense. Hopefully, this time, no one would dare test them when they saw the massive fleet of boats waiting near the shore.
"I'm glad that's done," Yukimura said with a sigh of relief. "Is there anything else before we adjourn for a late dinner?"
"Actually, there is one more thing…" Yanagi stated, standing up. "Seigaku. There is a chance that they will be doing something soon and that something is going to make quite the impact."
"Tell me about Seigaku's plan."
"There's not much to tell right now. All I have is this feeling that they're going to make some kind of move very soon."
"How does that affect us?" Sanada inquired, looking at the map that was laying on the table. "Their small amount of meek attempts at seizing land have failed against a few nations - most notably Hyotei. In addition, we are on the other side of the continent and are the most safe from them."
"Well, that indeed was the weak Seigaku of the past," Yanagi noted, pulling over a page of notes. "But it seems their newest ruler is extremely good with leading his people. And has recruited quite a band of skilled fighters. They may be looking to reclaim some of their former glory."
"Ridiculous!"
"Probably if they take on Hyotei in their current state, but some of the other small nations might be in for a possible defeat. Especially Fudomine."
"What makes you say that?"
"Inner turmoil and unrest. The citizens are not happy with their current ruling body, but no one has had the confidence to overthrow tyranny."
"Meaning that if Seigaku defeats them…" Yukimura started and Yanagi nodded solemnly.
"Then they'll gain more supporters that will welcome the change. Positive results breed intrinsic motivation and forward momentum. The faster someone puts a stop to them, the better."
"Do you know the identity of his closest followers?" Yukimura inquired as he noticed a piece of parchment with human outlines sketched on it with a scarce amount of notes.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"So… you're making a prediction off of a mere feeling. How absurd," Sanada said disbelievingly.
"Much like how you fight with an axe based on instinct enhanced by hard training, my intuition is for reading the wind. And for hearing rumors as they pass and making sense of them."
"So I guess we will wait and see how this all plays out," Yukimura concluded, putting an end to their meeting. "For now, let's just aim our military force towards perfecting a few of their highly effective maneuvers and make sure that every soldier is diligently working to be at their very best."