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.

Author's Note: I took a week off to do my exchange fic for funpotexchange on LJ. Pirate AU (the requester loves AUs and team shenanigans... and I have only done one AU (this one, but it follows canon plotline thus far so I don't really count it as a full-fledged AU) and team shenanigans are a weaker point of mine). Anyways, 3 chapters = 13,276 words. I really hope that they like it!

Finished two chapters since my last update. One had to be split because it was 10,047 words omg. The other is handwritten, but I think it's reaaaaal close to 10K as well so it will probably be split too. I have a slight suspicion my fic is trying to hang on FOREVER. Silly fic - I have a publishing deadline to meet!

Also, I spent yesterday editing my resume and starting my job search. This person needs a full-time middle school/high school band director job. Wish her lots of good thoughts so that she doesn't have to wait another whole year to finally fulfill her dream.

Alrighty-o, in this chapter, you will get to find out lots more about Sage Yanagi (that mysterious wind sage). You will also learn how they deal with sorrow in the castle XD Serious business meeting - a sweet moment between Kirihara and Yanagi - internal struggle - the meaning of best friends - flaring emotions - hurt and comfort - doing what's best... Yeah, lots and lots.

Please enjoy and review! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or has kept interest with this story! I am eternally grateful for your support ^^

Part 3 - Chapter 4 - Forces Divided

"Alright, let's get going with this meeting," Yukimura said as he sat down in his chair. All of them were currently in the conference room on the first floor, seated at a table with a considerable number of notes and the large map of the continent on it. "First, have we decided on how we're dividing the army?"

"If we go to the point that is the furthest north, then we shall have the halberdiers go to the forest. The lance knights, archers, and generals will be grouped appropriately when we see exactly how much of each terrain is there," Yanagi explained as he analyzed the map. "The wyvern riders can be split between the two groups not near the forest."

"However, if we go to this fort or this open field, then we shall have a mixed front of generals and halberdiers with the lance knights waiting for an opening to get through to the thunder mages. The wyvern riders will have to sit tight for a little bit until it's not as hazardous to get through," Sanada continued, pointing to it on the map and Yukimura stood up to see before sitting back down.

"How wide of a front can we get at the fort?" Yukimura asked.

"Not very," Sanada said. "It's a bit narrow there. The battle would be long and it would be hard for the main fighters to engage each other. This would be an option if we were being held back by weather and needed to resupply."

"Is there anywhere else we're considering?" Yagyuu asked, scanning the map for any good places.

"Those are three points on the easiest route to the capital," Yanagi said. "If we go along at the pace I think we'll be moving, we'll catch them if they try sneaking through the mountains, which I don't think they will because they do not need to tire themselves out unnecessarily."

"Good, good," Yukimura acknowledged. "How long will it take us to get there?"

"To the furthest point… about two and a half weeks. Around a week for the closest point," Yanagi said, taking a look at a page of notes.

"If we go to the furthest place, then that reduces the chance of them getting around us and getting to the capital," Marui said, scrunching his face in thought. "And they would have not had any time to rest before we would ambush them."

"On the flip-side, if we go to someplace closer, we would have to set up camp for a few days until they reach us," Jackal pointed out. "That means they can pause and rest up too. However, we would have the intimidation factor on flat ground and a large offensive front."

"Hmm, let me ponder my decision for a bit," Yukimura said and they all nodded. "I see us victorious either way, but I'm trying to evaluate if I would prefer the loss of less troops or being closer to home and being able to call for reinforcements from nearby forts."

"Man, that's a tough decision," Kirihara said, idly leafing through some notes. "What is all of this?"

"All of the data gathered on the troops that I have factored into determining what sections go well with each other and what to do depending the on the situation that we find ourselves in."

"Yanagi, you are one crazy sage…"

"Thank you for the compliment, Niou."

"This might be a good time to talk about who should fight who," Yagyuu suggested, noticing a pile with information on Lord Tezuka. "If we go with the large offensive front route."

"I will take the swordmaster," Sanada said sternly and everyone tried to stifle a laugh. "What?"

"Sorry, commander," Kirihara said. "You're just so unrelenting sometimes about your pride."

"I want to test my strength against him and show him how worthy of an opponent I am when I crush him."

"We have a sword paladin," Niou said, pulling out a few of the notes from the pile. "He would be a great match for you, Yagyuu. Since you and him are the only horse riders."

"I'll also have the advantage of a long-range attack whereas he will not being only a sword user," Yagyuu said, smiling.

"What about the more powerful units?" Marui asked, studying the three pages in front of him. "They have three, we have two."

"Sanada, I should take the swordmaster," Yukimura said and Sanada gave him one of his trademark scowls. "It makes more sense. Now, you should either take on the pirate, or better yet, the cat laguz."

"Hmph."

"Wouldn't the cat laguz be too quick for him?" Jackal inquired and Yanagi shook his head.

"He would be fast, but his teeth and claws will have an extremely hard time getting around Sanada's armor."

"So, Jackal, Marui, and I can deal with the pirate, warrior, and berserker," Kirihara said, looking to Yanagi for approval. "Since Jackal is immensely strong and Marui and I are fearsomely quick."

"Where does that leave me?" Niou asked curiously. "Don't tell me you don't need after all this time…"

"The bishop," Yanagi said. "Your mission is to find the bishop and take him down. He'll be weak to your arrows and you're certainly nimble enough to avoid his light magic attacks. The faster he goes down, the better it will be for us."

"That I can do," Niou said with a smirk. "Then I'll come aid one of you guys?"

"You really think you'll get him that fast?" Sanada asked in a disbelieving tone.

"Doesn't hurt to be confident once in a while, does it?"

"That covers everyone except the thunder sage since Lord Tezuka will be unable to fight," Yagyuu noted, sitting back in his chair and looking at Yanagi. "I presume he'll be your opponent since you're both magic users."

"That is correct, Yagyuu."

"Are you ready to talk about him with us?" Yukimura asked, resting his head on his hands. He closed his eyes momentarily and Yanagi made a mental note of the seemingly innocent behavior.

"Yes, the time is right."

"About time."

"I knew you were going to say that."

"Thunder sage?" Niou asked interestedly. "Isn't he just a normal fighter?"

"He's exemplary - better than the the rest of them," Yanagi started and everyone focused their full attention on him. "However, I have a history with him."

"What?"

"Not that kind of history, Kirihara," Yanagi quickly said and Kirihara calmed back down. "Before I came to Rikkaidai, I lived in a remote village in the northern part of Hyotei and he also lived in that village."

"Wait… did you know about his past, Lord Yukimura?" Sanada asked and Yukimura shook his head. "So, you never told any of us after all."

"My apologies, Lord Yukimura and General Sanada," Yanagi said genuinely. "I had left because I wished to start my life anew and forget about my past. I traveled to the old capital of Rikkai to study primarily about wind magic and the country's history. On my journey to your castle, I met an old magic sage by a stroke of luck and he took me under his wing. He lived in the town that you found me in all of those years ago."

There was a long silence as everyone processed the new information. He was sure that a lot of questions were forming in their minds that they wanted to ask, but they were determining what would be appropriate to ask at the moment.

"I have one," Marui said tentatively. "Why did you leave? You would have only been ten or so and I don't see how you weren't killed in the journey by bandits or something."

"I left because I felt unloved by my parents who feared my abilities to manipulate wind and to read it. They kept me in the house, hoping that it would eliminate any further signs of abnormality as they called it. I had no friends save one."

"The thunder sage, right?" Jackal asked and Yanagi nodded.

"I escaped from the house and ran into him partway into the forest where he was manipulating sparks in his hand. He caught my attention right away because he was someone like me."

"So you got to know each other," Niou observed. "Is he as gifted as you are?"

"Very much so," Yanagi said, regretfully knowing that the normally admirable trait was very undesirable for their chances of victory. "We became friends after a few meetings and worked on controlling our magic and creating spells for all sorts of purposes. His parents had an extensive library - he would steal books from it for us to decipher and teach ourselves. They knew about his magical abilities, but they also understood that it was magic unlike my parents."

"How did you parents find out?" Sanada asked softly.

"I was angry about something, and all of a sudden, a wind storm erupted in the kitchen and destroyed a few things. They dismissed it as a freak accident, but they saw me outside playing with leaves one day with the wind and made me try to repress my bizarre abilities."

"Oh my gods, I am so sorry, Yanagi," Yukimura said sympathetically, reaching out to gently pat him on the back.

"Please don't worry everyone. If I had never met the thunder sage and never left because of how I was treated, I would have never became as strong as I am nor would I have ever met you all."

"Aww…. Yanagi!" Kirihara exclaimed, throwing himself on Yanagi and hugging him tightly.

"So, we're facing someone who is a strategist like you who can read the wind?" Sanada questioned crossly, picking up the page with his information on it.

"He can't read the wind, no. But he has an incredible amount of foresight and gets his information through storms," he explained in a bit of a choked tone as he hugged Kirihara back and then let him go.

"Last two questions from me," Yukimura said, rising from his seat and everyone followed suit. "Did you ever know that he would ever leave for Seigaku?"

"No, I did not know he was interested in Seigaku, but I know he, like me, thirsted for knowledge."

"And why do you think he chose to go to Seigaku when he could have found out where you, his best friend, had went?"

"… That I have wondered, but I do not know."

"This really complicates things," Jackal said and everyone nodded earnestly. "Now what shall we do?"

"Do not speak a word of this to anyone. They do not need to know that Seigaku might know our moves as well as we know theirs," Yukimura commanded. "Please gather your respective sections onto the eastern grounds for afternoon practice and warm them up slowly since we took the morning off. Then we will take group the same units with each other for spar practice, sending sections into the armory throughout the day to give them supplies and to fix their weapons. I should have a final decision about our strategy by tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord," they said, bowing before leaving promptly. Yanagi lingered behind, feeling that a large, overbearing weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders, but a bit uncomfortable that they finally knew about the past he had shut away.

"Guhhh…"

"Lord Yukimura?" Yanagi said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts and noticed that Yukimura had sat back down, pressing his palms into his forehead. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, just need to sit for a second."

"Maybe you need to get some rest?"

"I already did when we all slept in this morning," Yukimura said, dismissing him with his hand. "Please leave - I will be outside shortly."

"As you wish," Yanagi said, leaving and shutting the door behind him. His observation and logical deduction skills were solid - he knew that Yukimura had just lied to him and that he had been lying to him for quite some time. As much as he did not want to intervene, he knew that he could not avoid it if they were to be successful. He also wasn't alone in this knowledge - there was one other that he was sure that was watching every one of Yukimura's actions like a hawk, and tonight had to be the night they would confront him.

"Sanada, I need to talk to you," Yanagi said, catching his arm as he was getting ready to stand. "Can you make yourself available shortly after the conclusion of tonight's practice?"

"Yes, I can meet you in the study," Sanada said before Yanagi released him, standing up and straightening out his cape. "I do need to meet with the Wyvern Lord though… to let him know that there will be a change of plans for tomorrow morning."

"It would be good to let him know early," Yanagi said, approving of Sanada's idea. "I would talk to the military school commander as well if he is still around. If not, he'll find out in the morning like everyone else."

"I will keep my eye out for him."

Yanagi heaved a tired sigh as he stood up from the table. They had went into the castle to have an early dinner so that they would be able to go out and set up how they wanted the army to depart while they were all inside eating. The atmosphere at regular dinner time with their normal group was so somber as of late and Yanagi really needed to get away from it all especially when they were so close to departing.

As he walked out of the dining room with Sanada and out into the entrance hall, he saw that some of the soldiers were entering to get dinner and he greeted them with a solemn nod. They saluted back, but he could see that they were feeling disheartened and worn. He didn't blame them for feeling that way one bit.

When they got outside, he saw two large groups of soldiers making their way either to the castle or to the military school quietly, looking preoccupied and fatigued. Feelings were too contagious sometimes, and as hard as they tried to keep the morale up, the dark cloud of uncertainty and worry was hovering over them and doubt and insecurity had seeped in through newly created cracks in the wall.

General Sanada excused himself quietly, heading off in the direction of the eastern grounds to meet with the section leaders. Yanagi, having nowhere to be at the moment, decided he needed to take a walk through Yukimura's snow covered garden - one of the few places untouched by soldiers. He needed some kind of clarity of mind and peace of heart before he would give into temptation and cave in like some of the soldiers already had.

It was one of the colder nights of winter and Yanagi wrapped his cloak around his body tightly as he walked towards the garden. However, there was not even a whisper of a breeze, and Yanagi was grateful for that even though it made things eerily quiet. The crunching sound of his footsteps in the moist snow sounded loudly and he cursed slightly under his breath because he did not want to draw attention to himself.

What weighed heavily on everyone's mind was Lord Yukimura's ailing health. The first time he collapsed during his fight against Sanada in front of a group of healers and a good number of soldiers, word had spread like wildfire and concern ran rampant throughout the night. After a thorough check-up by the doctor and finding out that they couldn't find anything wrong with him, he was back on his feet training with everyone, but was forced to take more breaks by Yagyuu, Sanada, and Jackal. Days later, everything was back to normal and the soldiers' fears were put at ease, causing their morale to skyrocket because of the good news.

Unfortunately, Yanagi knew him better than anyone else except for Sanada, and he noticed that a week after he was back to training, Yukimura's performance was a hint lower than usual standard. At first, he dismissed it as him being too vigilant about every detail, but small signs of Yukimura struggling with internal pain were making themselves present in how he stood and how fast he moved. His youthful and charming sense of humor, although not appropriate for their current situation, seemed almost completely extinguished. Even his eyes looked clouded and his thoughts seemed a bit distant.

Yanagi was not sure if this was going to be the last few days where Yukimura would ever feel like this or if it was simply a prelude to something much more serious. He did not want to chance having their ruler travel with the army to somewhere far removed from civilization and have him collapse again. It would not be desirable at all to achieve the outcome that they want and have toiled countless hours towards.

He groaned, running his fingers through smooth stands of his hair in frustration. The hard part was going to be confronting Yukimura about it - he knew in his heart that Sanada had came to the same general conclusions as he did and was struggling with mustering up the courage to tell Yukimura. By all technicalities, even if Yukimura heard them out, he was the ruler and can order them to leave him alone if he chooses to go to battle. He was certainly stubborn enough to do so, but he hoped that reason would get through to him and really hoped that he didn't take things as a personal attack on his character.

As he wondered aimlessly through the garden, he couldn't help but compare how desolate the place was to the current state Yukimura was in. Everything was dead and the barren trees were covered with a thick layer of snow and icicles were hanging from the branches. Then a dark color of red in a bush caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, but before he could investigate what it was, a voice startled him and he whipped around.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!"

"It's fine, Kirihara," Yanagi said, taking a few calming breaths. "I just wasn't expecting… anyone to find me here. Why aren't you at dinner?"

"I ate fast," Kirihara said, approaching him. He was wearing the hood of his cloak so Yanagi couldn't see his face until he was very near to him. "I was curious to see where you were."

"I wouldn't run off without a reason," Yanagi said, turning his attention towards the sky, which was devoid of stars and had only a sliver of the moon showing.

"I know. You seemed to be deep in thought before I called your name."

"When am I not?"

"This time is different," Kirihara pointed out, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. "Whatever it is that you need to do, I hope that you resolve it soon without much opposition."

"You're wonderful to me, you know that?"

"Sage Yanagi! You embarrass me!" Kirihara said, looking downwards when Yanagi turned his attention toward Kirihara. He wondered if he the boy was blushing and he couldn't help but chuckle, a bit relieved that there was still some optimism lurking in the veins of the people around him.

He put a hand underneath Kirihara's chin to tilt his face up and bent down to kiss him on the lips - his action masked by the hood of Kirihara's cloak to the outside world even though there was no one there to mistakingly see it. Kirihara kissed him back deeply, which felt comfortingly warm in the bitingly cold night. Their kisses ended way too soon, but they knew they were running out of time before dinner was over.

"You're making the right choice," Kirihara said as they walked towards the eastern grounds. Yanagi looked him curiously, wondering if Kirihara had a good solution to what he would have to do in a few short hours.

"Thank you… for believing in me," Yanagi replied softly, feeling more at ease than he was earlier while eating a melancholic dinner with Sanada.

Yanagi was in the middle of lighting the candles on the table when the door to the study opened and Sanada strode in, his helmet tucked under one arm. His cape looked damp and his armor glistened slightly with water droplets in the dim lighting.

"It started snowing again?"

"Unfortunately."

Yanagi didn't say anything further as Sanada removed his armor and set it against a bookcase before draping his cape over a chair to let it dry. He pulled out another chair and sat down in it, crossing his arms.

"What's on the table?"

"Something to ease our sorrows."

"Good plan."

Yanagi couldn't help but smirk as he poured himself and Sanada a glass of brandy. Sanada was usually very reluctant to have a drink, and if he decided that it was a good night to, it was only ever one or two over a long period of time. He was afraid of getting intoxicated and Yanagi understood why - he would be an even larger target for Yukimura to take advantage of.

They both sipped their glasses in silence for a while in the drafty room, staring at the bookcases surrounding them idly. Yanagi wondered who would be the first to say what they were both undoubtedly thinking about. It was sort of bizarre because they were both normally very assertive people that wanted to get things done as soon and as quickly as possible.

Minutes later, Sanada set down his glass softly on the table and Yanagi noticed that half of it was gone. He looked up from the glass to Sanada's impassive face in part awe and part astonishment.

"I have a lot of sorrow."

"Apparently so."

"It does taste good as well. Very smooth and comforting."

Yanagi nodded, looking down at his own glass, which was only a quarter gone. He swirled it gently, peering down into the depths of the liquid absentmindedly. His thoughts still haven't sorted themselves into a logical order so he looked to Sanada to speak first.

"I don't want to do this," Sanada simply put, frowning. "But it has to be done."

"Yes, it must be done."

"It bothers me that he is not concerned at all about his health."

"His dedication to his country overrides that fact."

"…"

"This situation is so difficult," Yanagi said with a sigh. "There's no easy way out of this so we'll just have to tell him that he is to remain at the castle and focus on recovering."

"He'll argue that it's nothing and that he'll be fine," Sanada said, taking another sip from his drink.

"We'll have to be forceful and unyielding. If we worry about hurting his feelings, this isn't going to work."

"I'm glad you noticed the signs as well, Yanagi."

"And I'm grateful that you agree that keeping him away from the battlefield is the wisest choice if we are to achieve a decisive victory," Yanagi acknowledged, taking a considerable draught from his beverage. "I will have to say that I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid earlier about it."

"I had my doubts too, but those cleared up when the week went on and there was no mistaking how much he was hiding from us."

"Don't tell him, but I sort of did a bit of spying on him just to confirm," Yanagi revealed and Sanada looked at him questionably.

"How did you ever manage that without being caught?" Sanada asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Some nights he's been retiring earlier than normal so I had Kirihara hide out under his bed the other day."

"And what did he find out?" Sanada question curiously, Yanagi knew that he had just made a mental note to check under the bed in case they were ever caught in a compromising situation.

"That Lord Yukimura has been unable to sleep for long periods because he's tossing and turning in agony, trying to stifle his pained cries. Kirihara was really upset when he came back to my room, but I think I reassured him enough that Yukimura will fight through this in our absence."

Sanada nodded gravely and Yanagi could tell how much his heart ached upon hearing the distressing news. He finished off his drink promptly and poured himself another one. Yanagi still had quite a bit left, but they had more things to discuss before they would have to go do what they had been dreading.

"Also, Niou pointed out that the castle's supply of vulnaries and elixirs had been depleting at a faster rate than normal when he went to get one for the wound you gave him in retribution of the arrow situation."

"He deserved it for twisting them around in my back."

"And Kirihara noticed some empty bottles in Lord Yukimura's room when he first came in."

"That would explain how he's been able to make it through the day without arousing any suspicion," Sanada said as everything started to come together in his mind. "I don't know how I didn't see it before."

"Because I'm always healing you all so there is hardly a need to go into the storeroom to get anything. I must have been elsewhere when you injured Niou."

"Oh right. You took the healers aside for a bit that day."

"Ah, well, now it's established that Lord Yukimura's condition is more serious than any of us want to accept," Yanagi said sadly. "The doctor talked to me the other day about it and we think that it's the same condition Lord Yukimura's father had."

"We never knew what it was," Sanada said, eyes now widening disconcertedly. "But now that you mention it, Lord Yukimura Sr. also collapsed, appeared to be fine, but it turned out he wasn't."

"Our best guess is that he has a weak heart that can't stand the arduous test of stress and time or possibly has a heart disease of some sort. It explains how faint he feels, his forced breathing, and the sapping of his strength."

"What can we do about it?" Sanada asked seriously and Yanagi sighed heavily. "There must be something!"

"The doctor and some of the healers are going to do some research to see if they can find some kind of elixir or spell or procedure to restore his heart… give it healthy cells, unblock any arteries… I instructed them to wait until he collapses again before doing this. There's no need to fix something if it isn't actually broken."

"I'm worried. Lord Yukimura Sr. was fighting hard for his life, but in the end…"

"I know, I share your fears as well," Yanagi said, finally finishing off his drink and Sanada poured him another. "However, medicine and healing magic has progressed quite a bit over the years and I believe that we will be able to save him if his health goes deep into a dangerous zone."

"Alright, I will put my faith into those you have chosen to taken care of him," Sanada said after a minute of grim silence.

"I also highly doubt he'll give up on life until you defeat him in a fight or confess your love to him."

"Fair enough. Now we need to reformulate our strategy before we can go," Sanada said, standing up to take a look at the map on the table with various markers resting on potential engagement spots. "Without our ruler, I don't think we can have an all-out fight on this large, open area. It's very wide and they will not be intimated if Lord Yukimura isn't there to challenge them."

"I agree wholeheartedly. Plus that field is the closest spot to the capital… if we lose sight of some of their troops or they try to sneak around, then the capital will be attacked and there's no need to unnecessary damage."

"So, should we pull all of the troops out of the capital?"

"We should stay with the original plan and leave them just in case. Wherever we go, we'll have enough."

"Hmm…" Sanada pondered, pointing out a spot considerably further north. "If we go here, then we'll have to leave in three days instead. I know that everyone is ready to go when we are, but is it too soon?"

"I think the sooner we leave, the better it will be for Lord Yukimura to let us go. Also, it will get the soldiers out of this wretched atmosphere."

"Then let's try to get to this area. There is a lot of different terrain to deal with there and we can split up effectively even though we won't know which of their fighters will be where. If we fall behind because of weather, we can redirect to this fort and resupply."

"I will agree to this strategy," Yanagi said. "When we get there, we'll have some scouts go out and take a look at the place so we have a really accurate idea of what we're dealing with. Although this forest will have to be left alone."

"Why is that?"

"In case Seigaku is either behind it or in it. Their thunder mages will take down the wyverns very easily. Plus we can't give away the fact we know where they'll be and when."

"Won't they know the same about us?"

"Just the general idea. The only advantage we'll have is knowledge of how the land is set up."

Sanada rubbed his temples in frustration before shaking his head and accepting that there was nothing else that could be done about the situation.

"I suppose it's time to talk to Lord Yukimura."

"Just know that no matter how gently we put it, he's going to get angry. Don't take it personally," Yanagi said, holding up his glass.

"I'll do my best," he said, clinking his glass against Yanagi's and then draining it quickly. He walked towards the door and opened it and Yanagi quickly stood up after finishing his drink and followed him. They quickly played a game of JanKenPon to figure out who would be the one to knock on the door and speak first even though they knew that it was going to be Sanada in the end.

"Lord Yukimura?"

There was no reply and they both looked at each other, silently exchanging that they were going to go in anyway. Yanagi tentatively turned the knob and then took a step in. The only light source in the room was from the fireplace, which was dying down. Yukimura was in bed, but he was not asleep like he thought he might have been. Instead, he was staring towards the far wall that his massive bookcase was against with a dismal expression.

"Good evening, Lord Yukimura," they both said, bowing and he acknowledged them with a small nod.

"What brings you two here?"

"We were… just checking up on your fire," Sanada lied, striding over to the side and picking up a few logs. He carefully set them in and then straightened back up.

"My servants normally take care of the fire," Yukimura said, confused.

"Ah, well…"

"Sanada wants to do it for you from now on just before he goes to bed," Yanagi quickly said, feeling a bit ashamed that he was continuing a lie. "He enjoys all of that hard labor."

"Well, there isn't a lot of time left before we leave," Yukimura said as they both approached him and sat down in chairs besides the bed. "But certainly, if you want to be the one that does that from now on, then I would appreciate it."

"Of course, my lord."

"So… how are you feeling?" Yanagi asked softly, trying to look into Yukimura's eyes.

"Fine."

"You looked a bit dispirited when we first came in."

"Just tired, that's all. We've been going non-stop since your return from Hyotei and I have things to do as ruler on top of overseeing the army's training."

"But otherwise you're fine?"

"Why are you interrogating me?" Yukimura asked, looking annoyed at their behavior.

"Because you've been hiding things from us," Yanagi said, throwing caution to the winds with a blunt statement. He knew he would have ran from the situation if he waited any second longer.

"No, that's not true."

"Lord Yukimura, we know you better than you think. We know you have been in pain for the last few days and have been avoiding being near us for long amounts of time. Why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Because I want to fight. I want to be there with all of you when this happens," he said, giving up on his secret. "I knew that you two would try to talk me out of it if you found out... that is why you are here, is it not?"

"It is," Sanada said seriously, crossing his arms and giving Yukimura a reprimanding look. "We all would love to have you with us."

"That was not how you felt about me when I first said I was participating."

"That was because I was being overprotective of you, but I know that you are strong and had no doubt that you would be sending all of your adversaries to the depths of hell for even thinking about stepping foot in your country with hostile intentions. The situation is different now."

"This pain is temporary. I will be fine during the journey."

"We do not know that for sure," Yanagi said and Yukimura sighed, looking away from the both of them. "If your health continues deteriorating, it will distract the soldiers immensely and continue lowering morale."

"I have to be there for my country."

"Lord Yukimura, you are the country," Sanada said and Yukimura's face formed an incredulous look. "Every person carries your dreams, beliefs, and ideals in their heart. They know that you dedicate yourself to their well-being and prosperity and they want to give back to you. If you tax yourself any further, all of the hope and promise they see shining from you will be extinguished. How are the citizens going to react to that? How are the soldiers going to fight if there is nothing left to fight for?"

"Sacrifice is required for victory, Lord Yukimura," Yanagi added, nodding to Sanada, approving of his way of deep reasoning. "Thinking outside of what you want to to do and what would be best for everyone else."

"I can completely disregard what you try to order me to do," Yukimura said stubbornly. "I hope that you do remember that I have superiority over you."

"We're not ordering you!" Sanada said in frustration. "We're practically pleading you to reconsider. Not as advisors… as your friends."

"And you already have reworked a strategy without me, right?" Yukimura accused them, looking at Yanagi.

"Yes, we have. We decided on going further north, which means we will have to leave in a few days."

"So you were planning to go ahead with or without my consent?" Yukimura said coldly, abruptly sitting up and then issuing out a cry of pain.

"Lord Yukimura!" Sanada yelled, instinctively reaching out to grab his shoulders with his hands to support him.

"Do not touch me!" Yukimura exclaimed, biting his lip in pain as he clutched his chest in agony.

"Let him go Sanada!"

"I need to lay him back down!"

"You do not… need to… do anything!" Yukimura growled between frantic, shallow breaths as he hunched over. Sweat was beading on his forehead profusely and his words were becoming increasingly strained. "Get out."

"No, my lord…"

Yanagi grabbed a hold of Sanada and tried to pull him away, but it was to no avail. Sanada kept a firm grip on Yukimura as he carefully lowed him to the bed.

"Get out, get out!" Yukimura shrieked and Sanada dropped him the last few inches out of shock. "I don't want your coddling! I'M NOT A CHILD!"

"LORD YUKIMURA!" Sanada thundered back, frightened by how tormented Yukimura was and Yanagi pulled on him hard to get his attention.

"SANADA! NOW! We'll only make it worse by lingering!" Yanagi warned and they fled quickly, taking one look back at Yukimura who was now balled up on the bed convulsing before they reached the exit. The anguished scream that issued just before the door was shut fully was tortuous and heart shattering.

They both slid down against the wall just outside of Yukimura's room and sat there - completely traumatized by what had just happened. They were both fighting that urge to go back in and make sure that everything was okay, but they knew that that would be a stupid decision. Yanagi took a few breaths to slow down his pounding heart and looked over at Sanada, who was very pale and unnerved.

"I wasn't predicting that much of an explosive reaction…" Yanagi started and Sanada slowly nodded. "Let's put it behind us. He'll think about it all night, although I'm sure he's been thinking about it for a while, but when he calms down, he'll understand."

"He hates being reminded that he's human," Sanada said, putting his head in his hands. Yanagi had never seen Sanada so vulnerable in his entire life and he really didn't know what to say that could even remotely make him feel better. Yanagi pulled his knees close to his body and wrapped his arms around them.

"Well… you know he's always felt this pressure of being a ruler as great as his father…" Yanagi said after a while, staring at the wall in front of him in deep thought. "Even though he's headstrong and independent, he gets insecure from time to time."

"I remember how doubtful he was shortly after his father died, but with each accomplishment, he gained more confidence and less worried about letting people down," Sanada said in a reminiscent tone. "And when his father was still alive… I remember him being reluctant to let him take care of him when he was really sick or help him solve major problems."

Yanagi couldn't help but chuckle at the image of a resolutely defiant Yukimura with his father. Sanada laughed a little too, raising his head out of his hands and brushing the hair out of his eyes.

"He's really a brat sometimes," Yanagi remarked, grinning a bit despite himself. "But you can't help but be drawn by his charm. Maybe that's why he's really taken to Kirihara?"

"I wouldn't have him any other way," Sanada said, rising to his feet and walked to the door of the study. "I think it's time to go. It seems as though he's gone to sleep since I don't hear anything anymore. Also, if a servant came by, they might die of shock that we're both sitting in the hallway in rather pathetic states."

"That's a good idea, but Sanada… that's the wrong door."

"… I have some more sorrow to drown out. Would you like to join me?"

Yanagi stood up as well and walked through the door that Sanada was holding open.

"Of course. I'll drink for both myself and Yukimura's unhappiness."

"If we both show up to training tomorrow morning with a hangover, we're going to be killed," Sanada said dryly as he picked up the bottle and poured a little bit for himself and twice as much for Yanagi.

"For some reason, I feel like that would be less painful than what we just went through tonight," Yanagi said and Sanada smiled slightly.

"To our lord and our best friend's quick health recovery… and forgiveness to us for scheming, breaking and entering, and severe insubordination."

"Now that I can drink to."