Okay everybody, this is the REAL CHAPTER. Don't kill me just yet T.T. Further ramblings below, but for now, on with the story first.

What I Wish For (Part III)

Disclaimer: If SDK had belonged to me, Yukimura would rule the whole of Japan.

Author: Jouhaiichi-gou

XXXX

"For me .. Sasuke."

The boy startled.

Yukimura didn't have to go that far so as to use that sentence.

At least not for this sort of thing, anyway.

Sasuke stared at the man in front of him. For Yukimura to actually ask this from him this way, the boy is left with no other choice.

He folded his arms across his chest.

"Ch'. Fine, have it your way."

XXXX

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.

XXXX

Saizo's eyes bulged in disbelief at the scene enfolding in front of him. The Juyuushi froze from approaching any nearer.

This is so IMPROPER! What does Yukimura-sama thinks he's doing?

The actors of the said scene, however, took no notice of the newly arrived spectator.

A child's voice pierced the air, loud and upset. "Hanase!"

Gentle but commanding, another voice answered. "No. Stay still, Sasuke. This won't take long."

"I told you I didn't want-"

"This would be over by now if you'd stay still for a moment. Turn around, Sasuke."

"Mou .. hanase! Yukimura!"

At the sound of his lord's name, Saizo snapped to his senses. Improper or not, the Juyuushi couldn't just stay silently by the side and let this happen. Saizo discreetly made himself visible again and approached the two.

"Yukimura-sama! Sasuke!"

Both said persons turned. While Yukimura grinned when he saw Saizo, Sasuke simply narrowed his eyes at him. Apparently the young boy didn't appreciate Saizo seeing him in such a situation.

Ignoring the annoyed look Sasuke was giving him, Saizo turned to his lord.

"What are you two doing here?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, mumbling. "Isn't it obvious? What does it look like?"

Ignoring the boy yet again, Saizo stared at his lord, waiting for an answer.

"Yukimura-sama?"

Yukimura grinned at the accusing look on his charge's face. "Well, Saizo. It seems that we are .. shopping."

Saizo was simply flabbergasted.

He hadn't been too surprised when Yukimura had yet again left the house and went out all alone. But it had horrified him to be told that Yukimura was headed to the spring carnival of all the places.

But never in his wildest dreams did Saizo expect to find out that, not only Yukimura didn't bother to disguise himself for this outing, his lord was wearing his Six Mon crest outer jacket!

Here, out in the open! Amidst the throngs of people in a spring festival!

The town was a fairly large one and its spring carnival, though not as festive as the ones held in Edo or Kyoto, still offered an impressive variety of goods and entertainment. People from all walks of life had flocked to this town in celebration of the season's entrance.

Wearing such an emblem in public when Tokugawa was officially in power, Yukimura was practically walking assassin bait.

"I can see that, Yukimura-sama." Saizo waved his hands in Sasuke's direction in frustration. "But why are you-"

Saizo was cut short by a loud curse coming from the young boy.

All this time Sasuke had been struggling to get out from what looked like an oversized kimono. His efforts betrayed him however when he accidentally stepped on the too-long material and as a result stumbled to the ground.

"Sasuke!"

Yukimura took the opportunity to somewhat escape from Saizo and went to help the young boy to his feet. "I told you to stay still! Are you hurt?"

The boy grabbed Yukimura's hand and got up stiffly. "Like hell I am .. "

Being thoroughly irritated, Sasuke had a good mind to let Yukimura know just exactly how he was feeling right now. Then the boy happened to glance at the silently fuming Juyuushi standing beside them and decided to shut up.

Yukimura on the other hand, was oblivious to Saizo's ire. He dusted off ground dirt from Sasuke and tsk-tsked him, announcing pleasantly. "Since you've dirtied this cloth, we'll now have to buy it."

Sasuke pulled back. "What? I didn't say I wanted it yet!"

Yukimura signaled to an elderly man who was minding the stall. "We'll take this one ojii-san!"

The seller happily obliged and proceeded to help Sasuke take off the material. Carefully he took off the needle pins Yukimura had used to "try" the cloth on Sasuke.

The old man assured him. "I guarantee you won't regret this buy, this is really one of the higher quality materials I'm selling."

The boy grunted. "Just get this blanket off me."

"Though I must say this color really suits you, young man."

"Whatever."

Despite knowing that it was mere customer-appealing banter, Sasuke found that he still appreciated being addressed to as a "young man".

So Sasuke stood still to allow the old man do his work. He looked back at Yukimura and Saizo and suppressed a snicker. Once again, Yukimura was sorting through the bundles of clothing material being sold. Behind him, his flustered charge tried to get his attention. This was of course, rather unsuccessful.

"Yukimu-"

"Hm .. this one's nice. Maybe Kosuke'll like this one." Yukimuraheld a yellow colored bundle and turned to Saizo. "What do you think, Saizo?"

"Yukimura-sama! This is hardly the time-"

"No? You're right, Kosuke always preferred something blue in color. Let's see here .."

"Yukimura-sama! That's not what I meant!"

"Eh? Then what is the matter Saizo?" Yukimura asked absently, still merrily rummaging through the goods in front of him.

"With all due respect Yukimura-sama, what do you think you're doing here?"

"I thought I told you we are shopping."

"But why are you dressed like this? You nearly gave me a heart attack, Yukimura-sama!"

With one hand on his hips and the other running through his hair, Yukimura turned around and posed for his charge. "Eh, why, what's wrong with my clothes? Am I not being modest or something?"

Despite himself, a hint of red tinged Saizo's cheeks. "No! No, you're fine! Really, Yukimura-sama, please be serious!"

Dropping his voice just a tad above whispering, Saizo stressed. "With all due respect my lord, do you realize that you're wearing the Six Mon crest right now?"

Peering over his shoulder, Yukimura glanced at his back. "Hm .. I am? Oh, you're right."

With not much more than a shrug of his shoulders, Yukimura turned back to the stall. "Hey, here's a nice blue one. Please, ojii-san, I'll take this one too."

Saizo watched helplessly as Yukimura went about finishing his exchange with the owner of the stall indifferently. When he was done, Yukimura tucked a large brown package under his arm and smiled.

"Well, we're done here. Let's go and check out the other stalls."

"Yukimura-sama!"

"It's alright, Saizo. Don't worry unnecessarily."

Saizo snapped. What has gotten into his lord? Doesn't he realize how dangerous this is?

"Unnecessarily? Yukimura-sama, this is not-"

Yukimura turned to leave, his back to his anxious charge

"I said, it's alright."

Saizo startled and stared after his lord. Yukimura had just spoken in the quiet tone which had meant for his subordinate to drop it.

Saizo lowered his head. "H-hai, Yukimura-sama."

Yukimura held out a hand to the young boy beside him. "Let's go, Sasuke."

Sasuke hesitated for a moment. He disliked having to hold hands in public, what more with Saizo there to see them. But the boy wasn't about to argue with Yukimura. Not when his mood had changed like this.

They walked for a while, weaving their way through the crowd. Saizo followed a few steps behind the man and child pair. His trained eyes monitored the crowd around them and assessed their situation.

Most people were too caught up with their own businesses and affairs to give Yukimura any notice but Saizo didn't miss the several double takes of recognition thrown their way.

They stopped at a stall selling sweets and food concoctions. To Sasuke's relief, the older man simply ordered without first asking the boy what he wanted. The boy had been pestered to choose all afternoon and it had made him uncomfortable.

Sasuke wasn't used to having options. And he hated things that he wasn't used to.

Sasuke glanced behind and saw that Saizo had been quietly following them. Sasuke noticed the dismal look on Saizo's face, one the Juyuushi wore whenever he couldn't quite agree with his lord but couldn't do anything much about it either.

The young boy didn't understand why Saizo had to raise such a fuss about the whole thing in the first place. Shouldn't Saizo, as the most devoted of the Ten, have a stronger faith in his lord's actions?

For Yukimura to wear the Six Mon crest thus revealing his identity to the public, it must not have been without a reason. Though Sasuke didn't know the specific details, he believed that all of Yukimura's actions have always served a certain purpose or another.

Meanwhile, Saizo was keeping an ever alert watch on their surroundings. Being in midst of a crowd, Saizo decided that Yukimura was in a very open, vulnerable and dangerous position. He needed to be ready; right now, an attack was possible from all directions.

Even if Yukimura was purposely being reckless, it was still Saizo's duty to protect him.

The Juyuushi was just starting to launch a perimeter securing technique when Yukimura called out his name. Saizo turned around, his eyes widening at the parcels thrusted into his arms.

"Bring these back home. Kosuke is expecting them."

"But Yukimu-"

Saizo startled, any protests he had in mind was stuck at the back of his throat. It's been a really long time since he last saw this kind of expression on his lord's face; solid and unreadable.

And most definitely, frightening.

"I very much dislike having to repeat myself. Go."

Saizo swallowed nervously.

He, Kirigakure Saizo of the Sanada Juyuushi, had just been ordered to leave Yukimura, his lord, all alone without anyone as guard, in the middle of a crowded carnival, while that said lord was wearing the emblem of insurgence.

Saizo couldn't imagine a more disturbing situation than this.

Unfortunately, despite its irrationality, an order was still an order. And Saizo was expected to obey.

"Hai."

Turning to go, he happened to glance at the boy standing by Yukimura's side. Saizo's eyes narrowed distrustfully.

And then he was gone.

XXXX

"Yukimura-sama sent these for you." The packet of food was placed on the table, but the parcel containing the cloths was curtly dumped on the floor.

To say that Saizo looked upset would be an understatement. The expression on his face clearly spelled that something unpleasant had occurred between him and Yukimura at the carnival.

Or rather, between him, Yukimura and Sasuke, if you will.

"That was quick." Jinpachi quipped, earning a jab in the ribs from Kamanosuke and a murderous glare from Saizo.

"I'm just doing my duties, that's all." Saizo answered coldly.

"Sheesh Saizo, no need to get all defensive - OWW!" Jinpachi yelped in pain as Kosuke pinched his arm. "Whazzat for, Kosuke!"

Kosuke whispered to her bruised comrade as she strode past him towards the parcels. "Don't push your luck too far, Jinpachi dear."

"I'll take these from here. Thank you." Kosuke inspected the parcels and smiled. "Looks like Yukimura-sama sent us some snacks. Care to have tea with us, Saizo?"

Saizo turned to leave. "No. I'm going."

Kosuke looked up sharply. "Wait, Saizo! Yukimura-sama said that he wanted some time alone with-"

"I know that!" Saizo snapped, effectively silencing his female comrade.

I'm not that blind to the obvious hints that I wasn't wanted.

"I'm not going back to their place."

"Then where are you going?" Once again, Jinpachi's speech preceded his thoughts. Kosuke and Kamanosuke braced for Saizo's tirade to lash out on him. It couldn't be helped; Jinpachi's sharp tongue usually brought such trouble upon his owner.

"I'm going to check on the snares on the west side. I'll be back by dinner."

All three Juyuushi's inside the house stared after Saizo's leaving figure in astonishment. That quiet, passive tone in his answer was utterly unexpected. Without waiting for a reply, Saizo disappeared.

Kosuke gathered the goods and stood up. She sighed inwardly.

Saizo ..

"Hey, but didn't he just checked those snares this morning?"

"Jinpachi!"

"'Pachi!"

Jinpachi looked up at his two companions innocently. "Wha-at?"

XXXX

"What are we doing here, again?"

Yukimura smiled. He always thought Sasuke was adorable with that seemingly permanent scowl on his face.

"Why we're going to watch the carnival procession. And this is the best place to view it."

The two of them was sitting on a rocky ledge jutting over the edge of a small hill situated beside the town. Despite Sasuke's adamant protests earlier, Yukimura had them both climb this hill, all the way to the very top.

The boy glanced down, looking over the town.

It was still early in the night, and the lights from the carnival lanterns, in all shapes and sizes, hadmade a spectacular view, especially if one was looking from above. Sasuke could distinctly see the small bustle of men preparing for the procession.

Sasuke sighed audibly. The view was nice, but sitting around doing nothing bored the boy after a while.

"I don't see any procession going on."

"It's gonna start soon, you'll see."

"Why do we have to see it? Let's go home already."

"No! This only happens once a year. We can't miss the carnival procession, it's unheard of!"

Yukimura sounded thoroughly horrified that Sasuke was positive he was exaggerating. "Don't kid me. You just wanted to come up here so you can drink sake, right?"

"Eh, what do you mean?" Yukimura sounded hurt, but Sasuke wasn't fooled. The boy turned to face the older man, narrowing his eyes accusingly.

"Then what are those jars around you, Yukimura?"

Yukimura grinned. Beside him was several sake jars and bottles, some still with content but most were already empty. The older man put down the bottle he was holding on the rock. Having failed to come up with a good answer, he simply grabbed the boy beside him and tried to hug him.

"You really are so bright and intelligent, have I told you that?"

A surprised Sasuke struggled in Yukimura's hold, certainly displeased. "Hey, let go!"

Yukimura laughed. Catching him by the wrists, he pulled the thrashing boy closer so that he was seated in his lap. "Why should I?"

"Because .. because you smell of sake! Let go, Yukimura!"

As futile as it was, Sasuke persisted in his struggle. Once Yukimura starts babying him, it's really hard to get him to stop. And that's when he wasn't drinking.

"Hanase, Yukimura! I mean it, I'm not-"

Sasuke froze. Yukimura pulled back, a satisfied smile on his face.

"If you won't stay still, I'll kiss you again."

Sasuke rubbed the bridge of his nose furiously. Somehow, the feeling of Yukimura's moist lips had stayed on his skin, no matter how hard he rubbed it.

"Meanie."

Sasuke sulked, but had stopped trying to break away from Yukimura's hold. Instead, he turned around in order to watch the carnival again. Yukimura smiled and pulled Sasuke closer, winding his arms around the boy's midsection. Sasuke settled his back comfortably against the older man's body with not more than a low growl of protest.

"This stupid procession better start soon."

XXXX

"Sanada Yukimura, you say?"

"Yes, it's definitely him."

"His guards?"

"Not one in sight."

"Don't be kidding! Sanada is never without at least one of his dogs with him."

"It's true! We followed him all afternoon. Except for one small kid tagging along, he's all alone."

"A kid, you say? His son or something?"

"Doubt it. They don't look alike at all."

"That's strange."

"They were just going around town, buying things like everybody else. Sanada even got himself some impressive stock of sake, too."

"Hm, wouldn't expect him to be this stupid. Doesn't he know that he's the number one wanted man right now?"

"Maybe he went off the deep end, y'know, being exiled for so long at God knows where."

"Hmph. Doesn't matter now, does it? Wherever it is, he's not going back there alive."

"Call the others?"

"Of course. Move it already."

XXXX

Author's Note:

GOMENASAI everybody. I didn't mean to be mean about the teasers. What happened was after I put up the teasers, I got caught up in so many things that I couldn't put up the real chapter in reasonable time. Sorry, very sorry, I promise it wasn't my intention to torture you guys, well it was, in a way, but not that much. I know you must be mad at me now, I mean I would be if it was me. So gomen ne?

Another bad news is that my finals is coming up. So .. as much as I hate to say this, the next chapter would probably take another month or so. T.T

And I personally don't think that this particular chapter is that good at all, it seems that my story is rather slow moving. sigh Gomen, again people, it's really hard to write these days. T.T

Oh, and I don't know if you can accept "shopping" as what I have been leading you guys all to believe what Yukimura was doing with Sasuke. Heheh, I know those imagination can run pretty far, but come on, we're talking about an 8 year old here. The "two words" uttered by Kosuke was supposedly "spring carnival", heh, dunno if you guys can accept that either. Your view is really appreciated on this -hint- hint-

Bear with me as I thank all you kind reviewers again:

especially ANGELA who reviewed even when there was no update in sight, a true motivation if nothing else :).

PRATZ, I'm more than honored to beta your story as you are one of my favorite authors.

ARAIN/ARIN, hope you found the continuation to your liking, after the terrible teasers ..

BOBBYNEKO: your death threats pushed me to the computer a bit more often :)

HELLFIRE: I would love to hear your ideas on Sasuke stories anytime :)

AndLUCY, EMERALD-REI, STORMBRINGER246 and EVERYBODY ELSE who took the time to read and review my poor excuse of a fic ..

ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!