WHAT I WISH FOR (Pt. III) – 2nd teaser

Author: Jouhaiichi-gou

"Does anybody know where Yukimura-sama is right now?"

Caught up in his work, Jinpachi answered without registering who it was who had asked.

"Oh, he went out."

"Eh? He went out? But everyone is here!"

Jinpachi startled at the outburst, realizing his slip a little too late.

Kamanosuke elbowed his friend's side, whispering "Shouldn't have said it that way, 'Pachi."

The two looked up to see Saizo staring incredulously at them and then at Kosuke, who was at the other end of the room.

"Everyone" here meant the four of them; Saizo, Jinpachi, Kamanosuke and Kosuke.

Due to the other six having to be sent away at most times on recon and data collecting missions, it was left upon these four the duty of safeguarding Yukimura.

For all of the four to be present sans Yukimura in the house right now would only mean one thing.

Saizo's voice raised significantly.

"You mean to tell me that not one of us followed Yukimura-sama when he went out?"

Jinpachi offered a sheepish grin. "Ano Saizo .. but he said he was just going out for a walk."

"A walk, you say?"

Under Saizo's fierce glare, Jinpachi gave a feeble nod.

"And exactly since when had Yukimura-sama went out for this walk?"

Jinpachi had to step back at the tone in Saizo's voice.

Seeing his friend in dire need of help, Kamanosuke decided to try his luck. "Um .. since after lunch..?"

"What did you say? Since after lunch? Do you realize just exactly how long ago THAT is?"

Across the room, Kosuke worked quietly on a large quilt piece with a needle and thread.

She didn't bother to watch the not-so-unusual scenario.

Saizo was always like this, becoming near-hysterics whenever he thought that Yukimura was exposed to any degree of any type of danger.

The fact that Saizo tends to see signs of 'danger'on a too-regular basisdidn't help matters either.

Kosuke listened halfheartedly as he fiercely berated the other two on their "carelessness" and "duties of a Juyuushi".

However, it was soon cut short as Saizo realized that it would be better for him to save time and just go out and find Yukimura instead.

Saizo turned to leave and caught sight of Kosuke. He approached the female Juyuushi.

"Kosuke."

Kosuke was slightly startled at the irate tone addressed to her but calmly answered her comrade.

"Hai, Saizo."

"You don't happen to know where Yukimura-sama was headed to, do you?"

Kosuke stiffened. What a rude way to question a lady. At that moment, she decided that she had enough of Saizo's manners for the day.

Looking up with a small smile on her lips, she answered with two words.

With an expression of absolute horror, Saizo immediately vanished from the room. A frustrated "Yukimura-sama!" could be heard as a parting remark.

Jinpachi and Kamanosuke approached their female counterpart, who was now wearing a smug look on her face.

"Whoa. There he goes again."

"Ne, what did you tell 'im, Kosuke?"

"I told him where Yukimura-sama went."

"Really? But I thought Yukimura said he wanted some time alone with Sasuke today."

"That's okay. I'm sure Yukimura's finished and is on the way back home by now."

"Yeah, but I hope he's not. It'd be much more fun if Saizo finds them when they're still at it, ne?"

Kosuke laughed. "Can't say I don't agree with you, Kamanosuke."

Just where is Yukimura-sama?

Saizo leaped stealthily from one roof top to another.

It was just like Yukimura to leave the house suddenly without taking any one of the Ten with him as guard.

This is the third time in this month alone.

Saizo didn't understand how his lord could be so lax when it comes to matters concerning his own safety.

Especially in times like these, when the bounty offered for his head was one of the highest in the land.

The Juyuushi stopped and scanned his surroundings.

Yukimura had left the house for more than three hours by now, but he had been able to trace his lord's steps in the general direction.

Saizo also sensed that Yukimura had brought the boy along with him.

What is Yukimura thinking, bringing that boy to this kind of place?

Saizo shook his head. He needed to focus.

What mattered now was for him to find his Lord and ensure that he was safe.

That first. Anything else would have to come later.

The Juyuushi put his fists together and launched a person-tracking technique. The sense was even closer now. Saizo proceeded to move towards the direction of his Lord.

After ten minutes of more roof-hopping, Saizo stopped. He could feel Yukimura's presence directly beneath him, and noted grudgingly that the boy too, was there.

Employing an invisibility technique, Saizo descended to where the two was.

And was greeted with the biggest shock of his life.

END OF SECOND TEASER

A/N: Oh, I'm having so much fun, I bet you guys want to kill me. Don't you? Don't you?