Bildungsroman

Chapter 26

We're officially past 25 chapters! I can't believe it; and the response to this story has been so, so encouraging. I love you all 3000 :D

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, with no copyright infringement intended. I don't own PoT, which belongs to Takeshi Konomi.

There were very, very few things that fazed Sanada Genichirou. He was the feared Emperor of Rikkai, one of the Three Demon Generals, National level athlete, seasoned kendo practitioner, possessed of an iron will and iron principles… and yet, when his phone buzzed with an incoming text, his heart leapt into his throat.

Foolishness. He allowed himself a moment to settle- internally- before opening the message.

'If I were arrested, you'd bail me out, right?'

He scoffed, since smiling in public- surrounded by the closest human equivalents of bloodhounds- was anathema.

'I believe in upholding the law.'

Barely a full twenty seconds passed before his phone beeped again. 'Manslaughter for the greater good is a perfectly valid defence and I intend to use it.'

Anathema, still, but she was certainly making it difficult. 'That trial would have solid entertainment value.'

'Excuse you,' He could almost hear her haughty sniff. 'I'm talking about public service here. Momoshiro is a menace.'

A soft snortescaped despite his best efforts.

It wasn't, he mused while obliterating five non-regulars at once at practice, as though he had never had a crush before- one does not know Yukimnura Seiichi for over a decade without being a little bit in love with him at some point- but that had been safe. Yukimura was never going to return his feelings, and Sanada's junior high crush, while intense and slightly all-consuming, had been short-lived in the face of Yukimura's illness and the surgery and then the Nationals. Not to mention school, and the birth of his nephew, and… well, the bottom line was that there had been a lot going on and the crush had eventually petered off, subsiding into the warm (manly!) friendship that the two boys had always shared.

Kagawa Sakura, however, was not someone he had known his entire life, and she wasn't an inscrutable, mildly psychopathic, slightly dangerous genius. And to be honest, he was glad- clearly, he didn't have a 'type'- and Sakura was as straightforward as he was, a little more chaotic, a little less judgemental. And while she wasn't a timeless beauty, he found her pretty, blue streaks and all.

The memory of her smile brought more colour to his face than this farce of a game had. Glaring at four of his opponents in turn, he dismissed them to Yanagi for further training. The fifth looked very wary.

"Continue." Sanada grunted. This one had potential, not to mention drive. Perhaps some one on one work would not go amiss.

They had to think about the future. As Tezuka had in grooming Kaidoh all those years ago- Rikkai had dropped the ball there, and Sanada always learnt from his mistakes.

The two tennis teams, plus Echizen's freshman friends, all milled around Mr Kawamura's backyard. Recognising that the shop wouldn't hold so many, the patriarch had kindly offered his own home for the celebration, and had even given his son the evening off in order to be with- and feed!- his friends. Takashi might not play anymore, but his father wasn't blind: his son kept his monthly tennis magazine subscription, followed international games closely, and brightened up when any member of his old squad walked through the door.

Sakura snickered as Eiji, true to form, hopped on to Oishi's back, causing him to stumble and nearly drop his fruit beer. Mikabi rolled her eyes and took it from him as Eiji gabbled about doubles and Golden Pair and Nationals, number ONE! Nomura, Tezuka, and Imako were speaking to Kawamura, while Momoshiro and Echizen were gobbling up everything in sight, as usual. Except for the plate in front of Fuji. That, they knew to leave well alone.

She just knew someone was going to end up shrieking for water within ten minutes. She'd bet a pretty amount on it.

Excusing herself, she wandered over to Momoshiro and Echizen, hoping to save a few pieces of sushi from their rampage. Fuji smiled as she slipped into the empty bench beside him. "You can afford to go slow." She nodded at the unmolested plate before him. Only three pieces were missing.

Fuji chuckled. "Slower than you think. I've only had one."

Sakura blinked. Then she giggled. "I'm going to organise a good camera." She eyed the plates in front of the two gluttons with barely-concealed glee. Imako would have her camera, right?

"No, but my phone's got a good one." Was the reply from the surprised senior when Sakura approached her about it. "What for?"

She grinned. "Fuji-senpai did a thing." That seemed to explain everything, as Imako promptly handed over her phone, smirking. Sakura took it gingerly, as it was fitted with a pro-lens kit of some sort. "Better get a good one." The older girl warned. Nomura matched her smirk, while Kawamura only sighed. "Those two… they never learn." He looked at Tezuka, who only shrugged. "A lesson will do them good… particularly if recorded for posterity."

"Trust you to say 'prank them' by talking about lessons." Nomura snorted. Tezuka fixed her with a gimlet stare. Sakura was impressed her captain didn't quail.

"I don't play pranks." He replied. "Momoshiro and Echizen have to learn not to let their guard down."

Sakura and Imako shared a sidelong glance. "Of course, senpai." Sakura snickered. "Well, I'm going to set Momoshiro up for eternal embarrassment. Excuse me."

True enough, they only had to wait five minutes before twin shrieks rent the air. They were deliciously loud, and there was a LOT of agonised flailing that Sakura was only too happy to capture as well. She'd get Imako-senpai to send her a copy- this would make for perfect background viewing at Momoshiro's graduation.

"Say hello, Fuji-senpai!" She sang, once she'd caught everyone's reactions- lingering over Tezuka's because he was clearly a closet troll- and now had to get a shot of the perpetrator.

He was obliging enough to smile and wave, but: "No one's going to believe it was you if you look so innocent, senpai." Sakura grumbled later. He ruffled her hair. "I can't help my face, Sakura-chan."

"Thank god for that." Sakura shot back, winking. Mikabi, who'd wandered over sometime after the ruckus, snorted. "Flirt-monster." She jibed.

Fuji pretended to look away, overcome with shyness. "Indeed, Sakura-chan," He sighed. "Your myriad charms are too much to bear! Have mercy!"

"Troll." Sakura tossed back, perching on the table. Mikabi slipped in beside Fuji and snagged a piece off his plate. "What's their problem with wasabi anyway?" She eyed Momoshiro and Echizen scornfully. "Weak sauce."

Sakura shrugged, preferring to steal a few choice morsels off Momoshiro's abandoned plate. He really wasn't in a position to protest, and far be it from her to take the high road. She ate lightly, though, since she had a date with her girls for dinner. She might ask Kawamura-san to pack her a box for them, though.

Said box was highly appreciated by both Airi and Momoko when Sakura showed up at the river. "Oh, I love Kawamura Sushi, and I barely get them time to go there." Momoko sighed, reaching for the eel immediately. From the open laptop, Kagome emitted a tinny, discontented whine as she watched her friends chomping away. "I thought we had a plan!"

"Oh, yeah," Airi's bag made an ominous clinking sound as she dragged it towards her. "What's-?" Sakura began, but her query cut off when Airi pulled out a couple of bottles of juice and three glasses. Momoko handed one to Sakura as soon as it was filled, and soon enough, all three of them had one.

Sakura looked at Airi. Airi looked at Kagome. Kagome looked at Momoko

"To Sakura," Kagome suddenly piped up. "Our insane, ambitious, hot-tempered, bad, brilliant bitch, who takes every knock and comes back swinging." She cleared her throat. "I'm proud to call you my best friend."

"To Sakura-chan," Momoko reached out and squeezed her free hand. "Who does crazy things for the people she loves, and who's taught me what hard work means. I'm so glad we met as freshmen, and I hope we'll be cackling old ladies together.

Airi swallowed. "To the best friend I've ever had." That single, simple sentence caused the sheen in Sakura's eyes to breach the banks. Her friends toasted her, and she wiped her tears away with a rough hand.

"I love you guys," She rasped, voice wobbling. "And I would do crazy things for you, and you're the- Kagome, are you drinking out of a carton?"

That cleared the tears right up, for yes, Kagome was, since she 'couldn't find a glass', and all the girls collapsed into gales of laughter. Sakura hiccoughed herself back to sobriety some ten minutes later, and the tears in her eyes were happy ones.

Almost on cue, her phone beeped. 'My nephew wants all the stories again. What do I do?'

She couldn't help it. Her heart soared.

"U-17 Invitational?" Aiki asked, brow furrowing. "For two weeks?"

Sakura nodded, fiddling with a corner of the brochure. "Yeah. We've all been invited- I guess we put up a good enough showing during the Kantou. It's pretty selective, Ryuzaki-sensei said."

"Of course they invited you." Her mother rolled her eyes. "But I suppose it's a comfort to know that this country isn't peopled entirely by idiots."

Daisuke and Sakura both snorted.

"We play an American team at the end- singles, doubles, mixed doubles." Sakura explained further. "That'll be here, so you guys can come watch." She fixed her mother with a pleading look. "Please, can I go?"

Her father shook his head. "You need to study and relax over the holidays, Sakura. With the Nationals coming up, you'll be training harder than ever. I don't think it would be wise to squeeze in another two weeks of focused training."

"I can't take it easy!" Sakura exclaimed, horror suffusing her face at the very thought. "And I'll take my books there- I can study during our free time, we won't be training all day! Please, Papa!"

Aiki leaned back in her seat. "I don't see why she shouldn't go," She replied, looking at her husband. "It's only two weeks- she'll have time to relax after it's over."

Daisuke looked unconvinced, but Aiki pressed on. "And she'll sulk, if we don't let her go." She shot her daughter an amused glance. "Do you really want her sulking around the house for a whole month?"

Sakura wasn't sure whether to take offence, but figured it might be better to err on the side of getting her way; she fixed her father with a look of entreaty. "Please, Papa? It's so important that I go, especially after my Kantou matches. Everyone will be expecting to see me there." Well, maybe that was overstating the case, but whatever worked, really.

Daisuke sighed. "I'm not going to have a choice, am I?"

She knew for a fact that Mikabi was bringing a few books too, but Sakura still felt like a nerd extraordinaire, with an entire bag dedicated to her schoolbooks. There were even a couple crammed into her suitcase, between workout clothes and casuals and pajamas. Also her hairdryer. The days were getting a bit nippy and she wasn't going to rely on dry shampoo for two weeks straight. Ew.

Surprisingly, everyone had a bit of extra luggage- except Imako and Fuji- and Mikabi even had a textbook balanced on her lap as she yanked Momoshiro's jauntier-than-normal spikes. "Owwww!" He yelped, long arms pinwheeling madly as he lost balance. Even the sight of his large, wounded purple eyes did nothing to invoke sympathy from the laughing group.

"So mean, so mean…" He complained- and squawked in outrage when Sakura whipped out her phone and took a picture. "Another cog in the wheel of embarrassment!" She crowed, displaying her spoils proudly. Kaidoh smirked.

She noted her victim's narrowed eyes, though- no doubt he would try for revenge at some point.

"Where's Tezuka-senpai?" Mikabi asked Nomura. "He meeting us there?"

Nomura shook her head. "No, Tezuka got a chance to play for a club in Germany. He won't be joining us."

Everyone exchanged impressed looks. "That's… amazing." Sakura grinned at Fuji. "Trust him to show us all up, huh, senpai?"

"Tezuka has always been two steps ahead of us all." He agreed, smiling softly. "He had professional offers even in junior high, but he felt it was important he finish his schooling before embarking on his career."

"But he does want to play professionally, doesn't he?" Sakura asked, looking at all the boys. "I mean, he won't go to college instead?"

Oishi shrugged. "I doubt it. He certainly has the grades, but I don't think he'll go. As long as I've known him, he's only ever wanted to be a tennis player. I think he only ever entertained the idea of college when tennis seemed… uncertain."

"You mean his elbow." Mikabi stated. "We heard about that. Didn't your uncle treat him?"

The older boy nodded. "Yeah, that is… he treated him initially. But when Tezuka aggravated his injury almost to breaking point, he went to Germany for rehab. We visited him there, remember?" This to the boys, who grinned, reminiscing.

"And Echizen played Hannah Essenheimer!" Momoshiro rolled his eyes. "Brat couldn't talk much beyond a racquet and ball. Tennis, tennis, tennis."

Ryoma gave no evidence of having changed much, preferring to shoot his friend a withering glance instead.

"And then he made it worse, again." The concern that Oishi was famous for melted into exasperated fondness. "He had to go back… at least he made some more contacts that time, since he stayed longer, what with summer holidays and all…"

Mikabi rolled her eyes. "If you don't consider Hannah Essenheimer a contact…"

"So he's healed now? Fully?" Sakura enquired. Oishi nodded. "One hundred percent, my uncle says. Or as Inui would say if he were here."

"Yeah, why isn't he?" Kazumi looked around, as though expecting Inui to pop up from behind the seat.

"He's coming- he'll just be a day or two late. Apparently his sister's gone into labour."

Momoshiro threw up his hands. "What is it with this team and pregnant women?!"

"We're here!"

"Kazumi, stop hanging out the fucking bus!"

"I can see some people- hey, Shizuka-chan, isn't that Yamabuki?"

"Oi, Kagawa!" Sakura waved at Mei, who was beaming at her from the middle of a Hyotei knot. "Long time no see!"

She hopped off and hugged the other girl "We saw each other two weeks ago, Akitaka. And weren't you at the final?"

"Yeah she was, bothering me." Mikabi grumbled. "Hey, Akitaka. Good to see you made the cut. Sakura, get your bags- you can't share my stuff."

"Mean." She pouted, though she did drop Mei a wink before hurrying to retrieve her things. If only she could keep an eye on that particular interaction- but she didn't need the bus driving off with her things.

Sakura was one of the last to get her bags off the vehicle- in her hurry, she nearly tripped over her own overturned suitcase. Only the timely grab of another hand saved her.

"A damsel in distress- always the best kind!" Sakura's gratitude very nearly ebbed away at the words, and she pulled away from her rescuer rather shortly. "Sengoku Kiyosumi- at your service!"

"I know who you are." She replied, clipped and cool. "Thank you."

His blue eyes flashed with a little hurt, but he was like a rubber ball, she decided; no real way to squash him flat. "And you're Kagawa Sakura- of Seigaku." He winked at her. "I never forget a cute face!"

Was he for real? Sakura wanted very hard to laugh, if only because he really seemed to believe he was some kind of Disney prince come to life. Too bad her interest lay in a completely different breed of man.

"I'm flattered, Sengoku-san." She replied. "But if you'll excuse me…"

But he only bent down and shouldered her bag- and commandeered her suitcase too. Sakura grabbed it back, but he was stronger than he looked. "I can take that, really–"

Sengoku flashed her what he apparently believed was a winning smile. "It's not a problem, Sakura-chan," And wow, familiar much? "A gentleman has his duties."

Well, she hadn't asked. So why turn down free labour?

Several of the girls threw her amused looks as her chatty- very chatty- beast of burden joined the throng to the girls' wing. Only Ryuzaki-sensei looked annoyed. "Sengoku! You know perfectly well you're not allowed in here! Scram!"

Oh, what wouldn't Sakura give to be 50 and scary. "Thank you for offering, Sengoku-san," She interjected sweetly, finally wresting her bags away from his protesting hands. "But as I said, I can take that."

He looked undeterred by her coach's interference, giving her a grin and another wink. "Always a pleasure to meet a strong woman, Sakura-chan." With that, he was gone, like a jack-in-the-box.

Her coach snorted behind her; Sakura could already feel a migraine building. "He's very… confident." She mumbled to the older woman. Ryuzaki-sensei scoffed. "He's a brat." She said, conviction in every syllable. "Off the courts, he's a woman's headache. Congratulations," She slanted a smirk down at the girl. "Seems like you're going to be that woman."

Sakura groaned.

Day zero was spent unpacking, chattering, and- interestingly- attending a sexual harassment seminar. All the teams had arrived by then- the sight of Ikeda and the rest of Rikkai's team in the hall made Sakura's stomach flop in excitement.

Sure enough, there was a black-capped head among the many seated in the mess hall. The girls entered, chattering and laughing, but Sakura swallowed down the answer to whatever question Mikabi had asked, and instead focused on tamping down the flare of joy and- and comfort.

Really, she was being ridiculous, she thought, suddenly and intensely irritated with herself. Crush or not, she was sixteen. She had experience. Having butterflies at the sight of a boy was stupid. Thus decided, she turned to grin at the-

Oh. He wasn't looking. Deflated, she focused on Mikabi again-

–who was watching her with a longsuffering expression. "What?" Sakura asked snippily.

Mikabi merely rolled her eyes and went back to her food. Sakura sniffed. Well, if he's going to be a stupid boy about it… though what 'it' was, she would've been hard-pressed to say. She gave vent to her feelings with a spirited toss of the head, and went back to her tea. At least they had green tea here.

Everyone snapped to attention as Hyotei's Sakaki-sensei rose, and clapped his hands once. Quiet descended.

"Welcome," He inclined his head to them all. "To this year's Under-17 Invitational Tennis Camp. You represent the best of Japan's Kantou region, and we have high expectations from every player here. I, Sakaki Tarou, will act as Director. I will be assisted by Coach Ryuzaki, Coach Hanamura, and Coach Banda."

Cue polite applause.

"For the sake of convenience, you will be divided into four groups, one under each coach. The listings will be posted on the noticeboard, as well as on an online portal, at the end of the day. No changes will be made, except under very special circumstances. Login details to the online portal will be sent to your registered email addresses. Please note that this is a closed network."

21st century training camps, Sakura thought, exchanging an amused look with Mikabi.

Sakaki cleared his throat. "Finally, we expect every invitee here to conduct themselves with discipline, decorum, and the utmost professionalism. While we have a sexual harassment cell in place, it is my hope that there will be no necessity for it to be convened." His cold glare made Sakura shiver a little. "At the end of two weeks, eighteen of you will be chosen to represent this country, and how you conduct yourselves will count for as much in the final evaluation as the skill, hard work, and dedication that you display."

"Dismissed!"

"That should be a warning to Sengoku." Sakura muttered to Mikabi and Mei as they settled back into conversation. "I mean, he seems harmless, but you never know."

Mei nodded. "True- an' if he thinks he c'n get roun' Sakaki-sensei, well… I'd like to see him try's all." She snorted. "Coach expelled an up-n-comin' talent from th'club cus he was makin' summuvus 'ncomfortable. He doesn' put up with shit like tha'."

That was good to know. "Ryuzaki-sensei doesn't either… and our boys wouldn't think of it, anyway." Mikabi replied, proud. "Momoshiro might be an idiot, but he's also idiotically chivalrous. Boy'd rather chew his arm off than disrespect a girl."

That was true, Sakura thought fondly. No matter how she and Momoshiro fought, no matter what awful revenge he might cook up for her recent pranks, he'd never, never disrespect a woman, or make any sort of unwanted advance. It just wasn't who he was, no more than any of the others. They were really, she mused, a set of boys she could be proud of knowing.

"Although Inui-senpai might need a refresher course about personal data." She rolled her eyes- he had, after all, told Yanagi Renji her bra size. "I guess we can leave that to Ryuzaki-sensei. Speaking of which, I hope I'm in her group. I don't know much about Hanamura, and Banda-sensei just seems creepy."

"Well, whatever group yer in, yer pretty much guaranteed t'make th'team." Mei clapped her on the back. "The only question's whether in singles or mixed doubles."

Sakura flushed. "I'm not going to start out thinking like that." She warned. "Anyway, two places are already taken- Ikeda-san and Nomura-buchou."

"Don't forget Takiyama and Satou." Mikabi grunted; her loss to them in the practice match still stung. "At least one of them's a shoe-in."

"The girls' team is a bit more of a question-mark, isn't it?" Sakura mused. "Not like the boys- Yukimura-san, Sanada-kun, Fuji-senpai, Echizen, Kirihara-san, Atobe-san, maybe Eiji-senpai or Mukahi-san–"

"Mukahi won' make it." Mei interrupted. Her tone was rather dismissive. "S'better at acrobatics, but Kik'maru's way more reliable as a doubles partner."

"What about Oshitari-san? And Sengoku-san?" Sakura asked. "Didn't they play in the junior team?"

Mikabi nodded. "Oshitari's probably a shoe-in too; Sengoku was a bit of a surprise, but he is good. And he might be in the running for doubles, too- mixed. He and Fuyuki are something."

Sakura scowled. "I do not like that girl."

Mei and Mikabi snickered. "Pretty sure the feeling's mutual, Sakura-chan."

A rueful smile crossed Sakura's lips as she remembered– she had provoked Fuyuki a bit, hadn't she? Maybe it was deserved dislike on both sides. "Let's hope we're not in the same group, then."

People started wandering out of the mess, then, so Sakura decided to follow suit. If there wasn't going to be any training today, she could at least get some homework done.

Not to mention it would give Mei and Mikabi some time alone.

Almost as soon as she left the hall, however, Fuji-senpai waved her over to a group. "Sakura-chan, up to no good already?"

She smiled around at the rest of them. "Always, senpai. No-good stuff like homework." The group consisted of him, Eiji, Atobe, Kabaji, Yukimura, and Sanada. Sakura smiled at him, trying to ignore how her heartbeat sounded so very loud all of a sudden.

Atobe raised an eyebrow. "You brought your homework?"

Sakura shrugged. "I'm not a genius." She bumped Fuji's hip playfully. "Some of us actually have to work for our grades."

He bumped her back. "I do work, Sakura-chan." Fuji complained. Eiji snorted. "Liar, Fujiko! All you do is take pictures, play tennis, and talk to your cacti!"

Sakura laughed out loud. "You talk to your cacti? Senpai, they're adorable, but talk?"

"Plants actually benefit from positive reinforcement." Fuji's eyes twinkled. "Sometimes I play them my flute, too. It's all science, Sakura-chan."

"Science, mience. Oh! Yukimura-san, I never got a chance to actually congratulate you on your victory last week!"

The older boy shook her outstretched hand with a delicate touch. His fingers were comfortingly callused. "Thank you, Kagawa-san. And may I say that your match was most… eye-opening as well. I don't think you'll find many people who underestimate you after that showing against Ikeda."

"That's kind of you." Sakura coloured faintly. "Ikeda-san is… well, she's obviously the best I've ever played against. I learnt a lot."

Atobe humphed. "Ore-sama admits to being surprised by your performance, Kagawa." Sakura blinked. Did he just– "Hyotei will be following your progress closely. As will ore-sama."

"Thank you?" Sakura squeaked. Who the fuck refers to themselves in third person? In real life? "I mean, thank you, Atobe-san." She cleared her throat. "You know, Mei- Akitaka Mei- was telling me something about Sakaki-sensei removing a boy from the club?"

Atobe's face darkened. "Yes. Ore-sama supported that decision fully- the moment the girls' captain told me of the problem, ore-sama knew he had to go. Ore-sama ensured he was expelled from the school as well. Hyotei Academy does not tolerate such behaviour, and neither does Ore-sama."

Ore-sama, ore-sama. That's one more group I don't want to be in.

Eiji looked pleased. "That's good, nya, Atobe." He nodded. "Sakura-chan, you don't need to worry about anything like that! I promise!"

Sakura was rather touched. "Thanks, senpai. I'm not worried, but thanks."

"Kagawa-san's rather proficient in breaking the nose of anyone she deems a threat." Yukimura cut in, eyes dancing. "Isn't she, Genichirou?"

Both Sanada and Sakura went bright red. "I did not break his nose!" Sakura protested.

Atobe looke haughtily amused. "Ah, yes, we did hear that rumour. But blows were exchanged, Sanada?"

"She mistook me for a threat- yes, Kagawa, you were justified- and if you think I would ever strike a woman-!" Sanada's tone dropped to a growl. Sakura shivered.

It was not unpleasant. Also, woman.

Sakura flushed deeper. Fuji shot her a slight smirk; what a pretty colour that was.

"It was dark," She managed. "And I thought it was better to be safe than sorry."

Sanada approved. "A good principle." He nodded at her, taking in her loose hair, pink cheeks, the slight impression of a tooth on her lower lip–

He cleared his throat, casting around for a safe subject. "I brought that book you wanted to borrow."

Not so safe, however, since her eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? You didn't have to! Can I please have it now?!" He couldn't find it in him to refuse, not when her eyes had that particular expression- at once elation and entreaty. And so it was that he found himself escorting her to the men's wing of the facility.

"My word," Atobe drawled as the two of them drew away. "Sanada? Who would have thought, ne, Kabaji?"

"Usu."

"Better hope no one catches us." Sakura quipped self-consciously. Her cheeks were still warm. "I don't think I'm allowed in here."

Sanada grunted. "You're the one who asked for the book now."

"Hey, who knows when I'll next have some time to kill." She protested. "And organisers are generally less strict about rules on day one… well, it depends, I guess."

"Oh?"

She snorted. "Sengoku-san tried to be cute about my bags. Ryuzaki-sensei saw him off. It was great."

Sanada's lips thinned. "Sengoku has always been… unrestrained around girls."

"You're telling me." Sakura spoke with great feeling. "He thinks he's so smooth, just because he's got a pretty face and muscles."

He shot her an incredulous look. "My life was just fine before hearing him described that way, thank you."

"Ah, but where's the fun in that?" She snickered as he unlocked a door and ushered her in. Unsurprisingly, the neatness was exemplary. "You're sharing with Yukimura-san?"

He nodded. "Yanagi and Akaya have a more… egalitarian relationship. The boy's still a bit scared of myself and Yukimura."

"Don't pretend you don't enjoy that." Sakura shot back knowingly. His lips twitched. "I admit nothing. Do sit- on that bed. This one is Yukimura's."

She sat, attempting to channel her inner demure- oh, bollocks. Sanada was rummaging in his bag, giving her a very nice view of his… back. Of his back.

Oh, Christ, this was not good. She was already ogling.

Wait, hadn't she been mad at him for not looking at her in the mess hall? Although she could hardly say that to his face… The sight of the desired book in his hands, though, made every thought fly clean out her head. "Gimme!

He handed it over obediently, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You're eager."

"Oh, darling, you have no idea– um, not darling darling, just-" For a mischievous glance had shown him surprised and unsurprisingly, pink about the ears. "God, Sanada-kun, I don't mean–"

"It's alright." He interrupted, gesturing at the book. "I- ah- I understand."

Sakura's eyes dropped back to the book; she traced the embossed title almost reverently. The Narrow Road To The Deep North, by Matsuo Basho. "I can't believe you're actually letting me hold it, let along borrow." She murmured. "You said your great-grandfather's father copied it out by hand?"

Sanada nodded, sinking onto the bed beside her. "Printing presses were not so common then." He replied. "And he was well-known for his penmanship, and also his love of poetry. They say our family played host to Basho himself while he was alive."

"That- is amazing. More than amazing- I can't think of a word." Sakura breathed. "You must have one of the oldest unbroken family lines in the country!"

"We do." He nodded, pride flickering across his face. "Not that it makes us special, of course, but I take pride in the fact that I come from a family of honourable men."

"And women." She elbowed him gently. He looked amused, but acquiesced. "And women. Mind you, I'm not sure if the Basho part is only family legend or 100 percent true…"

"But what is true is that your great-great-grandad made a copy of his memoir, by hand, and you're lending it to me." Sakura felt borderline giddy at the prospect. "I can't- Sanada-kun, thank you. I'll take the greatest care of it, I promise."

He looked down into her earnest little face, and for a moment, Sanada couldn't speak. She was so very bright, and in that moment, a twang of awareness shot through him- they were seated side-by-side on his bed, in an empty room, and her face was tilted upwards.

The book might have been on her mind, but frankly, it was the last thing on his.

The twist of the doorknob was like a gunshot in the quiet room; Sakura all but jumped to her feet, her face flaming, while Sanada rose more slowly, aware that the slightest irregularity in his demeanour would alert Yukimura to his... less than honourable thoughts. "Oh, hello again, Kagawa-san, I didn't realise you were still here."

Sakura muttered a quick hello, and would have fled immediately, but Yukimura continued: "Also, do you have an appointment with Sengoku-san? I think he's looking for you."

Her colour rose even further. "I do not!" She snapped, finding her voice amid the outrage. "That presumptuous little twit–"

Sanada put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll walk you back." He said, voice hard.

Yukimura shook his head. "Renji's looking for you, Genichirou– Kagawa-san, if you don't mind the company, I can walk you to the girls' wing. I have to speak to Ikeda about something."

"I don't mind. Really, I don't," She assured Sanada, who was on the verge of protesting. "If Yanagi-san's looking for you, it might be important. Maybe Kirihara got into his snack stash?" She smiled faintly.

Yukimura chuckled. "A definite possibility. And don't worry, Kagawa-san, I'm more than capable of keeping Sengoku at bay."

"I believe that." She grinned. "Honestly, I almost wish he'd try, just to see you in action. See you around, Sanada-kun- and thank you for the book!"

As they slipped out, Sanada heard Yukimura laugh again. "Why, Kagawa-san, if he tries, then I've already failed!"

Bit of a filler chapter, but I enjoyed writing it. Let me know what you think! Reviews are love.

Cheers,
Chilli.