Author's Notes: I HATE history. But I don't know what other time period I could put them. ^^;;; So. I chose the World War II period ne. I don't like war stories myself. AND anyway, I wonder why almost every fic I write contains those sappy stuff. ^^;;;

Chapter 1: Are you the One?

"Ano. that sly-looking person. Namae wa." A Japanese-looking man was sitting in the canteen, drinking a cup of coffee. His short red hair was tousled, and his cap was set on the table next to his near-empty plate. Another man was sitting opposite him, and plopping his chin on his right palm. The other man was obviously a Caucasian, with longish blond hair and forest green eyes.

"Oh? You mean that handsome Japanese lad? He's Rukawa Kaede, Hanamichi. Why do you ask?" The Caucasian man picked up his mug and sipped the steaming hot tea. "Anyway, he's a General. I heard that he is taking over Superintendent Akagi's place again. This is already the fifth time so far. He's a crack. I'm not joking, honestly. Anyway, I'm still wondering why you joined the Allies. Japan is after all, your homeland."

A vein appeared on Sakuragi's forehead. "Don't push me, Elijah. I won't tolerate it. I've said it lots of times that I don't want to talk about it. Say it again and you owe the Tensai two hundred. Understand?" Elijah sweatdropped and nodded.

Sheesh. Hanamichi is definitely not to be intimidated.

Sakuragi stood up and muttered "Baka" as he left the table. Elijah looked up in confusion. His Japanese vocabulary was not very broad, and he never heard what he said properly. He wanted to ask, but he shrugged it off, in case Sakuragi kept his word and made him do push-ups.

Sakuragi put on his cap properly as he entered the room, sighing. Rodney and Troy were in there, talking. He forced a smile as they invited him into their conversation. "What's up, kiddo?" Troy grinned and signaled him to sit. "You look kind of weird today, comrade." Sakuragi shook his head. "Nothing. And I'm a Tensai, not kiddo or something."

Ever since he set his eyes on that sly. on Rukawa Kaede, he had been feeling strange. On that fateful day, their troops were on the battlefield, and they stared at each other when the armies fought fiercely. Rukawa's eyes had shown that he was startled, and Sakuragi knew that he had looked surprised too. All of a suddenly, it was as if the whole world had disappeared, only leaving two of them alone. As they met, it was as though. as though sakura was raining around them, and it had been a blur.

A soldier had knocked him awake from his trance, and he aimed his rifle at Rukawa. Rukawa snapped back into reality and dodged the attack, his rifle heading for Sakuragi's neck. Sakuragi stopped the rifle with one hand just in time, leaving a bloody scratch on his face and shoved his body into Rukawa, forcing him to the ground. Bloody dripped down his face and a drop fell onto Rukawa's face.

Startled, Sakuragi pulled back, giving Rukawa his chance to escape. "Retreat!" he had said, and they ran back to their base. He knew that the man had turned to look at him before he disappeared.

"Ko-ni-chi-wa, Hana." Rodney said teasingly, his influent Japanese cracking Troy up. Both saw only emptiness in Sakuragi's eyes as he ignored them. "Hana. You alright?" Still no response. "Hana, come on. Your promotion is in the afternoon! You have to." Sakuragi frowned slightly at Rodney and turned away. Rodney was feeling more and more frustrated and punched Sakuragi's stomach. Troy's eyes widened in horror. Sakuragi was, after all, his superior.

Sakuragi groaned, clutching his stomach. His brown eyes glared furiously at Rodney. "I am going to make you pay for it." Rodney's eyebrows furrowed, and Troy sensed tension in the air that was almost unbearable. No one continued from there, and Sakuragi moved away, still red with fury. I should've punched his lights out. But the Tensai must restrain himself, because the Tensai never fails! He could not bring himself to fight back, since Rodney had been his friend after all. No matter what, he believed that he would never fight a friend, and vowed to keep that promise.

He hated himself for being a Japanese. Mainly because he's father was one and he detested everything about him. Even though he looked a hundred percent Japanese, his tell-tale red hair made people wonder. In fact, his mother was from Europe. The Allies. That was why he fought against his own homeland. His father was a fighter too, like him, but he tried to kill him. his mother. his sister. right after the war started. Only because they were part British.

That bastard. He gave me pain. nothing but pain. I wonder if he still is in the army now. I don't care, but no matter what, the Japanese cannot win. If the Tensai die, so shall the Allies, since I have such an influence.

At that thought, Sakuragi laughed out loud, and soldiers passing by were chuckling and glancing at him oddly. "What? Never saw a Tensai before?"

They sweatdropped, but they nodded and went off. "How dare minna ignore the Tensai?!" Sakuragi boomed, and stormed away. At that afternoon, he was officially promoted to be a General. Everyone cheered for him and Sakuragi was feeling on top of the world. "General Sakuragi, you shall be the commander of our troops for our next battle. Understand?" The Superintendent stroked his stubby beard with his left hand as his right was put behind his back.

"Yes, Sir!" Sakuragi saluted him and retreated to his squad as the ceremony continued. He was grinning from ear to ear, and his squad sweatdropped.

You shall see, Rukawa Kaede. Kitsune wa, ore wa taosu.

The battle was the next day, and he could not help but feel excited. Unlike the other Generals, Sakuragi was excellent in both fighting, negotiating AND battle strategy. Even though he was well-known for his ego.

The day started with a drizzle, and the ground was slight wet. The sun shone high in the sky right before the Allies attacked. If times were peaceful, the very day would be very fine. Sakuragi armed himself with his new rifle as he dressed in his uniform. The rank gleamed on his sleeve as he was fully prepared for battle.

"Down with the Japanese!" he roared to his troops, and they chorused after him. Confidently, he led his troops right into the battlefield, while the Japanese were already waiting. Rukawa stood in his own uniform, sturdy and well-prepared. Without hesitation, they started battle and Sakuragi fought with Rukawa one-on-one. Their skills were on par, and both sides were unable to hurt each other.

"Teme, Rukawa!" Sakuragi growled, and dodged Rukawa's attacking rifle.

"Urusaii, do'aho." Rukawa tried a kick at Sakuragi but the latter caught his leg and turned it, trying to make Rukawa fall. He did not, and kicked Sakuragi with his other leg, using his hands as a balance.

In the end, it was a draw and both armies treated back to their bases. Sakuragi was angrily babbling about how cunning Rukawa was and how he took advantage of him and how he was not fighting fair. Everyone was tired of his complaints and ran off once they saw him, making him more furious. "Teme! Come back here!"

At that same moment, another General by the name of Isaac Cameron noticed a Japanese boy at his door and warily approached him. The boy handed an envelope to him and bowed. "General Cameron, I am the messager from the Japanese base. Please help me pass this letter to General Sakuragi Hanamichi." General Cameron smirked and silently received the letter as the boy left the base, heaving a sigh in relief. Seeing Sakuragi walking along the corridor, he stopped him.

"General Sakuragi. Yours," his eyes were staring coldly at Sakuragi. "It was addressed to you, General Sakuragi, and it came from the Japanese base." His eyes were fixed on the envelope, oblivious to General Cameron's words. General Cameron stormed away as Sakuragi ignored him. The handwriting reminded him of Rukawa Kaede. The words were scribbled, but it looked neat, and it was written in kanji. No wonder General Cameron looked mad. Sakuragi ripped the letter open and unfolded the paper.

"To General Sakuragi Hanamichi. I am General Rukawa Kaede, and I need to have a talk with you. Meet me by the river at midnight. I promise that there'll will be no other person but me, and no weapons. I swear on that with my country's honor. I do not intend to fight with you. Please come. Arigato gozaimasu. Regards, Rukawa Kaede."