Chapter 12 Reunion

Time goes on… A few months later Kyo comes back from Mibu land. After 3 years of disappearance, finally he shows his face and his crimson eyes once again to his 'subordinate'. Kyo then marry Yuya, a girl who once saved his humanity and always had a faith in him. Akira knows that news and often visits Kyo's house to challenge him and does a bloody fight that puts their both life on the line. But they're very happy and enjoying that moment as if they're addicted to that sensation. And Tokito is still there, always following Akira everywhere though he always told her to give up.

And then winter's coming to Japan, the festival of Christmas Eve will be held soon. Yukimura is preparing some kind of party at mount Kudoyama because that day is also Sasuke's 16th birthday. He invites everyone that participated at Mibu arc. He's curious and excited how everyone has changed these past 3 years.

"Yukimura, I don't need a birthday party! I'm already 16 not 6!" Sasuke protests his master for holding a birthday party to him. He feels that this kind of party is for a kid, and he's no longer a kid. In fact he'll be matured soon and no longer a teenager.

"Ne, Sasuke. Don't be like that… A birthday party is a must no matter how old you are." Yukimura smiles to his shinobi while sipping his third bottle of sake.

"But I don't want it!"

"Sasuke, that day is tomorrow. Cheer up a little, won't you? Everyone will be here, Kyo-san, Yuya-san, Hotaru-san, Shinlei-san, and many more."

"Akira?"

"Akira-san will be here tomorrow. What's up Sasuke? Are you missing Tokito-chan that much? Hehehe…"

"I-I'm not! I'm asking about Akira not her!" Sasuke is flushing slightly.

"Don't lie to me, Sasuke. You must be missing her since these past 5 months."

"Well, maybe a little…"

"Her presence will be a great present for you, more than any present in this world."

"Don't be extreme. It's not like that." Sasuke flushes even deeper

"Hehehe… Such a cute face you make, Sasuke!"

"Yukimura, stop teasing me!"

"Okay, okay… Why don't you go to sleep? Starting tomorrow morning there will be a lot of people coming here. We'll be busy since."

"Okay… Night, Yukimura."

"Night too, Sasuke!"

Sasuke walks away from his master's 'sake' room then heads to his own room. He lays his body on his futon, staring at the wall and then smiling. He's so excited to know that Tokito will be here soon. He's been missing her ever since she left her with Akira. Sasuke smiling and laughing to himself that night but finally he can close his eyes and then sleeps…

"Good morning, Kyoshiro-san, Sakuya-san! How are you? But you sure are too early, it's still early in the morning, don't you agree?" Yukimura greets Kyoshiro Mibu and his dear wife Sakuya. They're the first guest who arrives at Sanada house.

"We're fine, Yukimura. Well, it's my habit to be the number one of everything. Hahaha… What about you?" Kyoshiro quickly replies him with humor arrogance.

"Everything's under control here. Why don't we talk inside? The snow is just too cold."

"That will be a pleasure, Yukimura! I even bring this tea, fresh from our garden!" Sakuya lifts his hand, showing a lot of raw tea.

"Thank you! Your tea is the best, Sakuya-san. Okay, let's make it inside!" then they get into the house.

Inside Sakuya makes the tea for them helped by Kosuke while Yukimura's chatting with Kyoshiro. They're laughing together remembering what's happened past three years. Not long after the tea is ready and they chats together with Sakuya. The other Jyuyushi is busy gathering foods at forest while Sasuke's sitting on the tree. As usual he pulls out his kendama and then playing it. He's trying to busy himself because he can't wait to see her again. About two hours later Sasuke notices someone is approaching the house. He feels that he ever saw this person, but who? His hair is yellow and shining bright. He's holding a double-edged sword and wears a red coat. Sasuke jumps down and then realizes that that person is Hotaru a.k.a Keikoku.

"Hotaru… You come here too?" Sasuke greets him.

"… Mmm… Who are you?"

"What…?! You forget about me…? I'm Sasuke."

"Ah… I remember now. Sasuke-kun from Sa… Sa…"

"Sanada Jyuyushi…" Sasuke's sweating knowing his stupidity.

"Ah… That's right… Is this the house?"

"Yes it is."

"Oh… Well, can I go inside?"

"Duh, yes of course! Yukimura's also there if you want to meet him."

"Meet Yukimura… For what?"

"Whatever. Just go inside." Sasuke tries his best to hold himself not being mad with this moron.

"Well then, I'm going inside Sa… Sa…"

"Sasuke!!!"

"Oh yeah, that's right." Then he goes inside the house while Sasuke is grumbling.

"Hiya, is that you Sasuke?" Sasuke turns his back and there stands his most annoying friend, Hidetada a.k.a Benitora and he is with Mahiro, Bontenmaru and Akari. Haku's there too woofing at his master. He notices that something has change and something's just stay the same. Benitora still wears his old clothes, a yellow one with the maroon stripes on his hips. As Mahiro, Sasuke is a little surprised with her wearing. Different from her black spider clothes back then now she wears a dark purple yukata and her hair is already tied up. She looks more… woman now. Bontenmaru still wears nothing on his top beside his large black coat. His hair cut short makes him much neater than before. Akari hasn't changed at all, still wearing a girl clothing. Haku is… Well, not change a much. But his fast moving tail indicated that he's so excited to see Sasuke again.

"Bakatora, Mahiro-san, Bon, Okuni-baa-chan, and Akari-baa-chan, welcome to our house." Sasuke greets them while they're approaching him. "And long time no see, Haku." He pats his head and Haku is woofing cheerfully, putting his wet tongue on his hand.

"Sasuke-kun! Don't call me 'baa-chan' that would make me feel old. Call me chan instead, okay?" Akari protests the way Sasuke addressed her (him). "Right, right." Okuni exclaimed her words.

"But you're already old, aren't you?"

"Okay. Everybody, listen up! The truth is when Sasuke-kun is sleeping he—" Akari intends to reveal one of his secrets that he had to tell her when she healed his wounds back then.

"Stop it! Okay, Akari-chan." Sasuke succeed to stop her bad habit.

"Ah, that's so nice Sasuke-kun! Happy birthday!" Akari ruffles his hair and Sasuke doesn't stop her. He doesn't want her to reveal his secret again.

"By the way, happy birthday, Sasuke-kun! Hope your adorable face helps you get a lot of chicks." Okuni greets him and Sasuke is only blushing slightly.

"Happy birthday, Sasuke-kun!" Mahiro smiles to him. "Thanks, Mahiro-san."

"Well, Sasuke, happy birthday! You sure have grown up, you're a bit taller now. Ne, Sasuke, tell me. Do you have a girlfriend already? I had one when I was around your age, you know." Benitora asks the most irritating question for him.

"Shut up, Bakatora. That's none of your business."

"Arara… Judging from your respond I take it you already have one. Who's it Sasuke? Is she someone that we know?" as usual Benitora is whacking the hell out of him.

"I said shut up. Just go inside, baka. Kyoshiro, Sakuya-san, and Hotaru are already inside."

"Tsk, kiddo. Your lack of manners isn't decreasing even a bit."

"Kiddo…? I'm already 16. I see that your lack of intelligence isn't decreasing too!"

"What?!"

"Hidetada-sama, he was just teasing you. He didn't mean that." Mahiro tries his best to hold his master's anger.

"Hahaha… You two didn't change at all after all this time. By the way Sasuke, happy birthday to you. Hope your manners change in no time and get a girl, seriously. Okay?" Bontenmaru couldn't stand not to laugh after seeing their friendship is still the same even though Sanada and Tokugawa can start war anytime. "Thanks, Bon. I will." Sasuke replies him with a nod.

"Well, let's get inside, I want to see Hotaru again. It's been a while since I last saw him." Then Benitora, Mahiro, Akari, Okuni, and Bontenmaru step inside the house. Sasuke climbs up the tree again and lays his head on the branch. "Tokito… When will you come…?"

About 2 hours later the house seems so alive. Laughter, screams, and many noisy sounds elicits from there. From Akari that mad with Hotaru's stupidity, Bon that tries to hold her, Hotaru keeps on doing stupid things, Yukimura teases Benitora with help from Kyoshirou and Okuni, and Sakuya with Mahiro is laughing non-stop seeing their behavior. Only Sasuke that looked gloomy on his day. The crowd becomes even more alive when Shinlei and YuAn join the party at afternoon. The sun is setting now and there are only 4 people who haven't showed up yet. Onime no Kyo, Yuya, Akira, and Tokito.

From his far sight, Sasuke can see a tall figure, holding a long sword is coming at his way. He is accompanied by a girl, a blonde one with hazel green tinted eyes. "That must be Onime no Kyo and Yuya-nee-chan. They're so late… But that must be because Onime no Kyo who sleeps all day…" Then he jumps down and hissing to himself "Tokito, aren't you coming this day?" he sighs heavily and approaches them.

"Sasuke-kun! Long time no see! How are you?" Yuya hugs him and then ruffles his hair.

"I-I'm fine, nee-chan. What about you?" Sasuke is blushing slightly after being hugged by her. Well, it's not everyday for him being hugged by a girl.

"We're great Sasuke-kun! Oh yeah, happy birthday! I wish all of your dreams will come true soon!" Yuya shakes his hand and them smiling.

"Thank you, nee-chan. I… I hope so." Sasuke feels a little strike on his feeling when he heard 'dreams will come true'. Tokito isn't here! There's no way his wish will come true if she doesn't come.

"Sasuke, happy birthday." Kyo greets him still with a flat face. Afterall this is his usual face so that's okay…

"Thanks… Why don't you two come inside? It's already night here and the party will be held soon. Everyone's here except…" Sasuke cuts off his own words.

"Except…?" Yuya asks curiously.

"Except Akira and Tokito…"

"Akira isn't here yet? Well, that's strange because he said that he would come here." Kyo speaks to himself.

"What…? Is that true? When?" Sasuke sees a glimmer of hope there.

"This afternoon just before we departed from our home. He said that he'd come here but might be a little late."

"Was Tokito with him?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Err… Just curious. She's always with him all this time, right? So I think it's weird if she's not with him, that's all." Sasuke lies to them, he doesn't want everybody knows what's going on between them.

"Hmm… That's right. By the way we're going into the house. How about you, Sasuke-kun?" Yuya asks him with a smile.

"I'm just going to stay outside. There are still two guests left to arrive here."

"Okay. Just try to stay warm, Sasuke-kun. The snow is falling already."

"I will, nee-chan. Thank you."

Then Yuya and her husband enter the Sanada house. Sasuke climbs the tree again and then sits down on the branch. The weather is cold and almost freezing, but he decides to stay outside. He still believes that she will come. Not long after, a man and a girl beside him appear not far from the tree. Sasuke notices that and soon he recognizes them as Akira and his beloved one, Tokito. Sasuke almost jumps about 10 feet high if it's possible. He's so glad and relieved of their arrival, especially Tokito of course. He jumps down and then runs toward their direction. Surprisingly, Tokito also runs toward his direction and then hugs him tightly before he does. Sasuke is blushing receiving that greet.