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: I've always wanted to try archery since I was a child. And to learn how to fight with a sword. I've always had a fascination with medieval weapons :) And also, I'd love to have a cup of Yanagi's tea - he seems like he would be a boss tea maker.

Two best friends try to sort out their complicated lives. Reviews appreciated!

Part 1 - Chapter 7 - Revelations

"A word, Yanagi?" a voice spoke softly from behind a closed door and Yanagi Renji looked up from the thick volume that he was immersed in.

"Come in, my lord," he replied smoothly, setting his book on a nearby table and standing up as the door opened and Yukimura strode in.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"Not at all. Just merely reading, but I can simply finish the story tomorrow."

Yukimura smiled endearingly as he sat down in the other armchair and took a look around. He spied two empty cups on the window sill and quickly reverted his attention back to Yanagi.

"I take it that Captain Yagyuu was just here?"

"Yes. He left to do his nightly patrol about half an hour ago."

"Would you mind brewing me a cup as well?" Yukimura inquired politely and Yanagi nodded as he pulled open a drawer and located the can of tea leaves.

"Certainly my lord," he obliged, now picking up a clean cup from the desk. "By the sound of your voice, it seems as though your thoughts are also quite clouded."

"Is it that apparent?" Yukimura said with a sigh as he watched Yanagi bring a kettle over to the fireplace. A moment later, a small fire was started and Yanagi returned to his own seat to wait. Although he was a wind sage, he was able to manipulate fire to a degree.

"Not to anyone else but me. You just sound a bit… disheartened," Yanagi noted gently, looking at him in the eyes to coax him into being more comfortable.

"It's just… Sanada."

"That doesn't surprise me, Lord Yukimura. He tends to occupy most of your thoughts. Did something happen recently that bothers you so?"

Yukimura shifted uncomfortably in his seat and fidgeted with a lock of his hair as Yanagi waited patiently. He knew that Yukimura would tell him when he was ready, but in the meantime, his mind started calculating the possible events that could have happened to cause Yukimura to let his unhappiness show a bit.

"Didn't you take your weekly stroll through the garden yesterday afternoon?" Yanagi added, hoping to give him something positive to think about.

"We did."

"Doesn't that normally make you feel happy?"

"It did. It always does."

Yanagi closed his eyes in thought and looked at the ceiling, still letting his thoughts run rampant through his mind.

"Yanagi…"

"Yes, my lord?"

"I kissed him."

Yanagi immediately put his attention back on Yukimura's face - eyes snapping open in surprise and disbelief.

"That… wasn't… anything I was going to guess," Yanagi stammered, data trying to correlate in his brain and not connecting at all. "… Uh… how was it?"

Yukimura shrugged and flipped his empty cup his hands, watching the white porcelain with a simple print of cherry blossoms rotate slowly.

"He has very tender lips. And he tastes refreshing. I just wished that it wasn't completely one-sided."

"Did you seduce him?" Yanagi asked, knowing full-well that the chance of Sanada taking the initiative to kiss him was non-existent. The chance of Yukimura creating a situation where he would be powerless to resist was completely possible for someone who knew how to get what he wanted.

"It was more like me taking advantage of his altered senses," Yukimura reluctantly confessed. "Does that make me a horrible person?"

"Not at all. Perhaps a bit desperate, but you deserve happiness."

"Thanks Yanagi."

"My wish is that he would drop some of his pride and seize the best thing that will ever happen to him in his life," Yanagi said, resting a hand on Yukimura's arm and squeezing it softly. "How can he stand being in such close proximity to someone so beautiful that he absolutely cherishes and not give in?"

"Some lame reason about not distracting me from my love for my country. Plus something about making sure he doesn't ruin my good reputation," Yukimura pouted angrily, crossing his arms as Yanagi removed his hand.

"Ah well. That's understandable. He is always looking after your best interests," Yanagi noted, holding out a hand for Yukimura's cup and going over to the desk to put some tea leaves in. He didn't say anything else as he approached the boiling kettle and poured water into the glass.

"I hate that I know he loves me. I wonder if this would be easier if he didn't?"

Yanagi sighed as he handed the cup over to Yukimura carefully before settling down again. Yukimura thanked him softly and blew on the liquid to start cooling it down.

"I wouldn't say that. Here is a man who would do anything for you. You are so deeply into him that I don't know if you could ever love someone else. Give it some time… I have no doubt he will come around."

"I don't know if my heart wants to feel this void any longer. Why couldn't I have fallen in love with you instead?"

"Although I do find you particularly attractive, both inside and out, I don't view you more than a friend. And besides, your heart was made to stir only for this manly, short-tempered being who lacks subtlety and has the emotional capacity of a rock."

Yukimura couldn't help but laugh and Yanagi smiled, pleased that he was able to put Yukimura's mind to rest for the time being.

"And lastly, I wouldn't worry about how he feels about you kissing him. Without a doubt, he enjoyed the sensation and probably is trying to hold down his craving for more."

"Yanagi… you do know me well…"

"There isn't anyone that I don't," he said proudly, watching Yukimura taste the tea and seeing a pleasant smile spread slowly across his face. "But you're right, I do know you particularly well."

"How about we talk about you for a bit?" Yukimura suggested brightly. "Like you and Captain Yagyuu? Anything happened yet?"

Yanagi stared at him with a serious expression. His now-smiling lord hardly failed to surprise him, but this was by far unexpected. He felt completely aghast inside, but he was able to keep it from showing.

"There's nothing to tell," Yanagi said, turning away from Yukimura to look out the window. "Where do you get this idea that something is going to happen?"

"Yanagi, it's completely obvious from the way you look at him. You're always watching him and taking in his every detail."

"You can't even see my eyes."

"I know you. So don't argue," Yukimura commanded and Yanagi sighed in defeat. "The way you talk to him… about him… it's always full of admiration."

"Okay, okay," Yanagi uttered in a subdued tone. "You're right. I've liked him for quite some time now. I just don't know if he likes me back."

"I don't know either. He tends to keep his thoughts to himself although we have had enjoyable conversations every time we've talked."

"The only thing I can say for certain is that he feels comfortable spending time with me. He doesn't shy away when I compliment him and he always seems brighter after we talk or read together."

"Ah, I see. So you're debating if he likes you a close friend or as something more…" Yukimura pondered, interested in the sudden emergence of Yanagi's love life.

"My thoughts resemble a tangled web right now. I'm not sure what to think."

"Maybe you should make a move?" Yukimura suggested. "Or simply ask. I don't think you have anything to lose. At least you're not running into a large wall like I am."

"You're probably right. He doesn't seem the type who would avoid me if I confessed my feelings."

"Are you scared of getting hurt?"

"Completely."

Yukimura let out an exhale of air as he finished his tea and set it down next to the other two cups on the windowsill.

"I hope the best for you, Sage Yanagi," Yukimura said fondly, now peering at the stars that were shining in the night sky.

"Thank you. I wish the same for you as well."

"… I do have a random question."

"Ask away, Lord Yukimura."

"Does it bother you when the man of my affection spends every Friday beating up and injuring the man of your affection?"

"Yes and no. Yes because I hate seeing him cut up, and sometimes, how frustrated he looks when he is having a tough time. No because I enjoy seeing how his determination propels him to reach newer heights… and I like being able to look at his body and occasionally touch it as I heal him. Sometimes General Sanada gets him in some very… exciting places."

Yukimura shook his head out of amused disbelief and Yanagi smirked to himself as he also looked out the window to the celestial orbs that twinkled merrily against their black backdrop.