Last Chances:
Chapter 10: Pain
The ticking of the clock in his room was really worsening his headache. Yukimura Seiichi looked up from his textbook wearily, and peered at the numbers on its face. The time read 9pm. He sighed and flipped to the content page, where the overwhelming number of incomplete chapters fazed even the unbeatable captain of Rikkai's tennis team. Well, this was what he got from spending every minute of waking time with Sanada Genichirou. His only comfort: Sanada was probably in trouble for tomorrow's test too.
After another 15 minutes or so of forced study, Yukimura gave up and allowed his head to thump onto the table. It wasn't so bad to concede defeat once in a while, provided that no one was around to see you do it. Besides, he really couldn't study; all he could think about was his vice captain, and how adorable Sanada could be when embarrassed by Yukimura's displays of…affection. Through his slight musings, Yukimura wondered faintly if his teachers would spare him the poor grade he was certain to achieve tomorrow. In a way, it really wasn't his fault. How could anyone expect him to study, when there was so much cause for celebration? Not only did Sanada stop avoiding him, but those stupid dreams had finally gone away. Life couldn't possibly be better. Now that he was getting all the sleep he needed (except for the nights when he dreamt of stuff that…he would kill before letting his mother gain knowledge about), he could lead his team properly once more.
Yes, nothing could be better. With his priorities cleared, Yukimura stood up and stretched lithely, and was just about to head to the kitchen for a little pick-me-up when his house phone rang.
"Yukimura residence, Yukimura Seiichi speaking."
On the other line, Sanada Geniharu was surprised at his luck. He had expected some difficulties in contacting the heir of the Yukimura Clan; they ought to have been guarding their heir with more zeal.
"Yukimura-kun? I am Genichirou's grandfather."
Yukimura blinked at that. Sure, lots of unusual things had occurred recently; Sanada's grandfather calling didn't seem as strange as it should be.
"Can I help you, Sanada-san? May I know who you're looking for?"
At least, the studying didn't kill his politeness.
Sanada Geniharu cleared his throat nervously, while checking the hallway for his grandson. If Genichirou knew of what his grandfather was trying to do, the boy would probably murder him, bloodlines be damned. No, he had to be really discreet about this, so careful that even Yukimura Seiichi would not dream of telling Genichirou of this weird call from the latter's grandfather.
"I want to meet you, Yukimura-kun. Before you say anything, I need you to know that this is regarding the dreams that I know you're having. Don't tell Genichirou about this. And don't ask me any questions now; I'll answer them when we meet tomorrow. If you come before 6, Genichirou will be busy in the dojo. I'll see you then."
Sanada Geniharu knew that he was being terribly cryptic, and impolite to say the least, but he could not afford the time it would take to explain everything to the boy.
He needed Yukimura Seiichi to remember.
The phone line went dead on Yukimura, who made a face. That call was plain mysterious, and he hated not being in the know about things concerning himself. However, what really scared him was how Sanada's grandfather knew about the dreams. It wasn't possible that Genichirou had told him about them? But Yukimura could see absolutely no reason why Sanada would do something like that. Well, he'll get his answers someway or another, tomorrow. Shrugging, he tried to return to his work, but could not get any revision done.
"I'm sorry Sanada-san, but may I know what this meeting is about?"
Yukimura sat on the floor mat, directly opposite Sanada's stern looking grandfather. The man seemed imposing and strict, but it did not take much for Yukimura, astute as he was, to notice the underlying sadness in his eyes. Impatient as Yukimura was, he decided to wait for Sanada Geniharu to start explaining, instead of pushing the old man for answers.
He did not have to wait long.
"I have so much to tell you, but so little time. I do not believe that Genichirou would want me to tell you anything, but I think that you deserve the right to know. Firstly, I need you to promise never to hurt my grandson, no matter the outcome of my revelation. Do we have an agreement?"
Yukimura frowned slightly at this. Hurt his grandson? Hurt Sanada Genichirou? Why would he ever want to do that? Unless, there was something that the old Sanada Clanhead was aware of, that no one else knew about.
"Sure, of course." It was easy to promise, but it frightened Yukimura to find himself already compromising this promise in his head. He would not hurt Sanada…within reason.
Sanada Geniharu, unaware of what was passing through Yukimura's head, nodded slightly at this. "Very well, I want you to take a close look at the painting behind me, then."
The painting was faint, obviously very old, and to Yukimura, disturbingly familiar. It did not take him too long to realise that it was his very own style of painting and his own technique. His eyes widened in horrified realisation.
"Oh…" was all he could manage. The man in the picture was identical to Sanada Genichirou, and Yukimura was reminded suddenly of the conversation he had with Atobe Keigo the other day.
"Do you have a portrait of Sanada?"
"No, though it feels as though I do."
Sanada Geniharu was watching the mixed expressions on Yukimura's face, from confusion to terrified realisation. He knew that there was absolutely no mistaking the boy now. Yukimura's reaction to the portrait that he himself drew hundreds of years ago, proved everything. Now, for the hard part. Sanada Geniharu sighed with regret over what he was about to do. He knew that Genichirou would probably never forgive his next plans. Somewhere in the house, the phone rang.
"Yukimura-san? If you would turn the portrait around?"
Yukimura snapped out of his reverie, and stared blankly at Sanada Geniharu for a while. Then, he carried out the suggestion after taking a moment to process it.
The slight gasp that escaped his lips was all the warning Sanada Geniharu received, before the beautiful blue eyes fluttered shut, and the boy collapsed onto the floor, the painting still clutched tightly in his left hand.
The crest of the five-petalled Sakura stood out glaringly, despite the faded ink.
It was the crest of the Yukimura Clan.
Sanada Geniharu was distracted then, when the door slid open to reveal his grandson, the calm on his face belying the cold fury underneath.
"Genichirou, why did you-" He was cut off mid sentence, when his grandson interrupted smoothly.
"Good afternoon, Grandfather. Seiichi's mother called, and would like to know when her son was returning. Imagine her horror when I accidentally let slip that he wasn't at my place. However, a check to his phone proved that someone from our house did call them yesterday night." At this, Genichirou paused and strode fully into the room. He knelt down next to his unconscious friend. As his eyes met his grandfather's, Geniharu couldn't help but wonder if this was the Clanhead resurfacing in his grandson.
"I was confused at first, and extremely worried. But then I realised that there was only one Sanada that would be cunning enough to pull this off." At this, Geniharu tried to protest, but Sanada would have none of it. His grandfather turned away slightly, the hurt and misery evident in his eyes.
"I hope you're happy, grandfather," Genichirou's voice raised in volume, showing his anger effectively, "because Seiichi is going to remember how to hate me."
Sanada…
The rain pattered onto his face. Seiichi knew what everything meant now. He could see himself, as a child, waiting anxiously for a father to return from battle in victory, only to leave and never return again. He saw his friends, many faces he knew now as well. Marui, who died unjustly, Yagyuu who stood by his side all the way, and of course…Sanada.
The torrent of grey around him could not hide the sliver of light glinting off their swords. This he remembered all too well, but he had never dreamt of the chance, never imagined that he would have to explain his actions to Sanada. Why did he leave like this? Clanheads were not supposed to let love cloud their judgements.
The sound of blade meeting blade rang through his mind. He was aware of the cold, the tears that mingled with water, and of yelling. Sanada was so angry, but he had no right, absolutely no right to be angry at all.
No, he had to explain his actions. He needed to wake up, he could not stay here forever. Seiichi's eyes widened, and he felt his hand reflexively drop the sword, an action he could not stop anymore than he could change history.
Intense pain, but he needed to wake up now, because Sanada needed to know.
Sanada. No. He called the man by another name.
Genichirou…
Yukimura jerked awake, the memories fresh in his mind. They weren't leaving this time, he knew that. The futon was soft and comfortable, and the surroundings familiar in an unfamiliar way. He knew exactly where he was, had been here time and again to discuss team rankings and upcoming tournaments.
He also recognised the figure seating across the room, still clad in kendo robes.
"Genichirou."
Sanada turned his head away from his captain's gaze, trying very hard to ignore the uprising feelings of bitterness. He could not see the man in anything except the white robes that he loved so much back then. He could no longer disassociate the wilful young man from the determined boy anymore. It was easier to forgive Yukimura's deeds when he could convince himself that Yukimura could not remember them.
He wanted answers. He deserved them after everything he had to go through because of Yukimura's death. Taking a deep breath, he found his voice.
"Start explaining."
Yukimura winced at the tone Sanada was using. It was painful, but he had to admit that Sanada had every right to use it. Right. He had woken up with the intention of explaining himself anyway. He should be grateful for the chance, but right now, all he wanted to do was cry. Still, he would not admit defeat, not in front of anybody.
"Where do you want me to begin?" He winced inwardly. The nonchalance in his voice sounded cold and unaffected by Sanada's pain. This was going to be a nightmare.
"Begin at why you chose to kill yourself."
AN: Sorry about the cliffhanger! Eheeh. I know I haven't updated since forever, but I had finals to murder, which I think did the murdering to me in the end. Well, I will try to complete this story as soon as possible. I don't really like this part, but I couldn't seem to remedy it, so, whooee. Please R and R!