A/N: Italics indicate Masamune's Engrish.

Once More

Chapter Two

Though Sasuke seems a bit worried about the sudden development ("That guy is a huge douche bag, Danna."), there is nothing he can say to keep Yukimura from his weekly "study sessions" ("Do not speak such ill of someone you do not know, Sasuke."). Seeing Mouri's put together façade gives him strength to keep his own past and present separate—he has a brother in arms, and that alone makes him strong. He can't help but think that Mouri is effected as well and brightens up when he thinks that they could be helping each other.

They say it's easier to worry about others' problems than your own, and before long, Yukimura finds his mind going in circles over Mouri's relationship with Chousokabe. Despite the silver haired man's desire for friendship, something in the brunette's past is keeping him from pursuing it. Yukimura cannot decide whether this is a sort of guilt, or a desire to keep the past from repeating, but he does know that something about Mouri's bloodstained hands hold him back. He's gone down that path and now he can't help but wonder what kind of friendship Mouri would pursue if he had no past haunting him, or if he would pursue any friendship at all. Perhaps past feelings spark interactions with Chousokabe and make Mouri desire more, as much as he hates to admit it.

The soccer player decides to ask him about it one day during one of their study sessions, figuring it can't hurt to get Mouri thinking about it. He receives nothing but sharp remands for his efforts though, and Mouri seems absolutely uninterested in talk of Chousokabe and feelings. This isn't completely futile though, as it gets him thinking about his own relationship with Sasuke.

The two have been close friends since Junior High when they started playing soccer together. Further, Sasuke continues to look out after him despite his own lack of memories of their history. Surely Yukimura's memories of their days as lord and retainer only serve to strengthen their bond and his own strong feelings for his loyal ninja. This gives Yukimura a moment of pause. He remembers many quiet moments between the ninja and himself—he was always caring and kind, comforting his lord when he fell into despair and lending him a willing ear about things he could never tell his troops. There must have been many nights the retainer coaxed his upset lord to sleep, but Yukimura remembers one in particular. He had lost his last battle terribly, and it cost quite a few lives. When Sasuke found him, the youth was huddled in his tent, tears rushing down his cheeks and lip bleeding from where he had bit it shut in an attempt to silence his sobs. The wiser of the two had taken the whole scene in with one glance and immediately pulled the sobbing general into his arms, hushing him as he gently stroked his hair. For a man trained to kill ruthlessly, Sasuke was terribly gentle with him, holding him tight until he had fallen asleep in his arms.

With this thought fresh on his mind, an unbidden thought crosses Yukimura's mind—is he in love with Sasuke? Perhaps a better question would be: was he in love with Sasuke, and had Sasuke been in love with him? Lord and retainer bonds ran deep, so Sasuke's affection was not unusual, but his tenderness certainly seemed to be. Yukimura wonders if they had indeed once fostered feelings for each other, there simply had never been the right place to express them. Which leads him to his current dilemma—were those old feeling affecting his present thoughts on his fellow soccer player? Allowing himself to entertain the thought for a short period of time, Yukimura pauses to wonder what it would be like if the two of them were dating. The same, he rationalizes. But then, what would it be like to kiss Sasuke? The seventeen year-old boy draws a complete blank; somehow his imagination refuses to picture them together. Instead it comes up with those questionable pictures of Kasuga that Sasuke has in his possession. Yukimura buries his face in his hands at the thought—shameful! He knows well that the one in question had been fond of her when they were both shinobi, but like any love on opposite sides, it hadn't worked out. Can it work out this time though? Perhaps if Sasuke gives up his creeping and reforms, the teenager reasons.

In the end, he shoves the homework he cannot seem to focus on into his bag and gets ready for bed. His mind drifts back to that soft embrace from ages ago and recalls that even now Sasuke looks out for him constantly. Not only had he been the first to notice Yukimura's depression, but he had been the only one to try and do something about it. Yukimura catches himself thinking about how handsome his best friend looks when he smiles, and throws his arms up with disgust at himself.

Meanwhile Mouri seems to have come to some sort of conclusion on Chousokabe. It takes Yukimura dozens of conversations and quite a bit of connecting (and drawing) the dots, but he eventually pieces it together. Mouri had been fond of Chousokabe back when they were both rival warlords.

"Not fond of!" Mouri finally snaps, looking up from his work to glare at the second year who has so offended him. "I was obsessed with him for a time. I didn't love him; I wanted him, much in the same way on wants an object. I wanted to possess him, make him bend to my will, make him mine and mine alone. But he was tenacious and always fought back, and I suppose that is the real reason I obsessed so." Mouri pauses, remembering with a look of nostalgia. "But I finally got him—I tricked him into thinking Tokugawa had killed his troops while he was away and then manipulated him into doing what I wanted. I killed him because he was no longer of use to me when he found out."

Yukimura listens passively, the general in him having long ago learned that it is best not to judge.

"But this time is different. I want him … but not like before. I don't want to break him …" Mouri himself seems shocked to hear this, and spends a moment in quiet contemplation before he suddenly slams his book shut and leaves without another word. When he doesn't return to the library the next day they don't have club, Yukimura begins to wonder if he's broken something irreparable.

Even though Mouri is no longer a famous tactician, he still spends much time in thought. Before, his own personal feelings were often pushed aside in favor of planning the next attack. War was a time consuming thing, and he never allowed anything to interfere with his plans for Aki—even his want to possess that violent pirate had been to secure the most dangerous force that threatened his borders. As a high school student, there may be things to worry about, but nothing so taxing as war. As a result, Mouri finds himself thinking about that damnable punk. The bike ride to school, the time in-between classes, before he sleeps—all become time for his mind to be full of thoughts of Chousokabe. Though he is sure any idiot could tell him this, it takes the conversation with Yukimura to make him realize that "then" is not "now." He may have a reputation to protect but nothing so grand as an entire country to guard. Should things go sour, he will have no need to worry about harming potential alliances or giving a rival a chance to launch a sneak attack. In fact, the idiot is practically lovesick over him; he has nothing to lose. Perhaps the delinquent will turn out to be a waste of his time, but it seems foolish to not at least give it a chance.

"Once more…" he wonders to himself. "Once more I will play this game."

He finally confronts Chousokabe after club one day. Whereas the biker typically waits outside the Music Hall to pick fights with Mouri, this time it is the shorter of the two who shoves the front doors open and strides over to where the gang is wasting space. Placing his hands on his hips, as wind dramatically billows his sleeves, he calls out to his former rival, who he has surprised with his presence.

"Chousokabe Motochika!"

"Mouri!" The other calls back with an excited growl and Mouri can't help but feel like they've returned to the Sengoku period and are once more warlords ready to face off in battle.

"I've decided to accept your offer," he responds coolly, as if this is somehow a surprise attack of sorts.

"Oh?!" The other second year cocks an eyebrow, still putting on a dramatic show for the sake of his gang.

"This is of course on a single condition."

"And what would that be? Don't underestimate me again!" The deepness of his voice holds a great confidence that Mouri can't help but want to hear again. Unfortunately, it all but disappears when the wind instrument club captain speaks again.

"The restaurant will be fancy and you will be the one covering the bill. If you intend to court me, I expect you to do it properly." He crosses his arms in finality, and though his expression does not change, worry starts to set in when Chousokabe blanches at him.

"C-court? You couldn't possibly mean a date? Did you think I was asking you out earlier?" Panic and confusion is evident in his voice and he looks completely thrown off. The gang members, who were previously posed for a fight, suddenly slack, a few of them looking between their leader and the other student. A few of them start snickering. "Mouri…you aren't gay are you? I mean, that's totally fine, but I'm not and—"

Mouri's eyes widen and his lips part slightly, this being the only sign of absolute shock. Some of the gang members are laughing out right now—he has never been more humiliated. With one last look at the man he told himself he was in love with, Mouri flees back into the Music Hall where he knows Chousokabe won't follow.

"So he was only giving you a hard time because he was into you, what hell?" It's a Sunday, and with nothing better to do, second years Masamune and Chousokabe have crashed in the tatami room at Masamune's house. Snacks and homework (mostly to trick Kojurou into thinking they're actually being productive) are spread out on the kotatsu. However, they're mostly ignored by the taller of the two as he sighs dramatically and continues his story.

"I don't know, man. Reading Mouri is like a kid trying to ride a Harley—fucking impossible." He runs his hands through his hair and misses how Masamune swipes the last mikan. "Old Stick-Up-His-Ass has been acting strange recently though. He gave me the creepiest speech the other day."

"Mouri's one creepy dude," Masamune adds between mikan pieces.

"Way creepier than normal," he amends. "Besides, it's just weird to think about y'know? Holding hands or going on a date with that guy."

"Not weird." And Masamune would have left it at that but the stare he's getting from his buddy makes him realize he has to explain. "You guys are always fighting and there's this weird tension between you, yeah? Mouri's a dick, sure, but I'm surprised this is the first you've thought of this."

The look of disgust and surprise on Chousokabe's face may come from the comment, but it may also come from the fact that he's just now noticed that most of the snacks have been eaten while he was distracted. "What the hell, Masamune? Just because we were kind of rivals doesn't mean we were into each other. That's messed up, man!"

The baseball player just shrugs and opens the last box of Pocky.

"What about you then?" he demands, snatching the box out of Masamune's hands before he can take a stick.

"What about me?" The kotatsu threatens to tip as the teen all but lunges across it for the box.

"You and Sanada have the rival-y thing going on more than Mouri and I ever had. Why aren't you into each other?" In response to the other's attack, Chousokabe has lifted the box above his head and out of reach.

"Pfft, Sanada? Having a crush on me? Don't make me laugh, Motochika." He's debating whether or not to stand up and rip the box from Chousokabe's hands when the other points a stick of Pocky at him, which he promptly snatches.

"If you're so sure, why don't you ask him? If Sourpuss McDouchecanoe can have weird gay feelings for me, then why couldn't Passionate Soccer Boy like you?" Masamune chews on his Pocky thoughtfully, for once unable to respond.

"Oy, Sanada!" The bell has just rung and most students are on their way out of their classrooms. The baseball club captain knows that today is the soccer club's turn for the sports field, but he can't help but want to mess with their star player a bit. When Yukimura turns to face him, he grins viciously. "Wanna go at it again for the field? I'll be sure to kick your ass this time, guns blazing!"

A fire dances in the other boy's brown eyes and he opens his mouth to respond when a thought seems to strike him, and he closes his mouth, the fire gone. "As much as I would love to do battle with you, I am on duty today and must arrive at club slightly earlier than usual. It is with regret that I must decline."

"Suit yourself," he shrugs but can't help but think of his conversation with Chousokabe over the weekend. Now is as good as any time to test it out, he supposes. "Sanada?" He is forced to call out again since Yukimura has already started to walk away. "Do you wanna…meet up after club?" A touch of nervousness creeps into his voice—where did that come from?

"Ah, so we will do battle then! I will await you at the sports field when practice has completed, Masamune-dono!" Of course that's the assumption from the passionate idiot, and Masamune wonders why he was worried in the first place.

Of course, over the hours it takes the sports clubs to finish, Masamune feels that same worry crawl its way back into this throat. His palms are sweating and he has to wipe them off on his jeans as he makes his way over to the field. Shit! Nothing makes him this nervous except Kojurou on a cleaning spree. The head of the baseball team is the epitome of cool; nothing gets him worked up. Especially not the start of the soccer team, who rushes over to the fence as soon as he sees him approaching. The other second year is still wearing is practice clothes—a jersey and a pair of shorts that ride up to reveal some of his toned thighs—he's a little sweaty and the jersey is sticking to him in ways that aren't unattractive at all. The one eyed man hears his name called out cheerfully and heat immediately flares up on his cheeks.

"Yo, Sanada." It comes out not nearly as cool as he had hoped, and a string of curse words runs through Masamune's mind.

"In what manner do you intend to challenge me today?! Whatever it may be, I will show you nothing but the best from the soccer team!" Masamune's not sure if it's the misunderstanding of his intensions or the wordy response, but he cools off enough to ask his next question.

"I was actually hoping to grab a bite to eat. You like burgers?" He whips a set of coupons for MickyD's out of his pocket. Kojurou's always scouring the newspaper for deals (just like an old lady) and the eye patched student admits that while it may be uncool, it makes things much cheaper.

"Oh, this is a surprise, but I see no reason why I am unable to attend. Shall I bring Sasuke along as well?" The newspaper club member has been lounging about none too far away and Masamune kicks himself mentally for not having noticed him earlier.

"Naw, I want to go one-on-one with you, yeah?" That sounds like all kinds of innuendo but Yukimura doesn't seem to notice and instead bounces off to get changed. Making a mental note to punch Chousokabe the following day, Masamune tries to pull it together.

When they finally settle down at a table away from most of the other customers, cheap burgers and fries hot and ready for their stomachs, Masamune leans over the table and catches Yukimura's eye contact before he loses his nerve.

"Sanada, you have the hots for me?" Not cool, not smooth, but it gets the point across and that's all that matters now. He half expects the more excitable of the two to turn bright red and sputter out denial, but he does nothing of the sort. With a pensive look on his face, Yukimura pauses, as if he's slowly working over Masamune's words in his mind. It seems way too mature to be Sanada Yukimura, loudest kid in school, and it's a bit of a turn off.

"I suppose…I had never really given it thought before. Indeed I am quite fond of you, but I never quite had the chance to consider romantic implications. We've just always been on different sides." The sad shrug Yukimura gives pisses him off—what is that supposed to mean? But before the baseball player can flip the table, his "rival" catches him off guard with a subject change. "Why do you ask?"

Fuck! Only Yukimura would ask an obvious question like that, and suddenly Masamune is all flustered again. "Just something dumb Motochika said about rivals liking each other, that's all." He has to cross his arms and look away to fight the embarrassment. Placing the blame on Chousokabe gives him a bit of relief though, as it leads Yukimura to make his second un-Yukimura-like comment of the evening.

"Ah, so Morui-dono must have spoken with him then. I assumed that was the case since he has been so upset lately—it's always a bit hard to tell though." How did Yukimura know about that? Who the hell is this kid?! The conversation steers to safer places after that and Masamune manages to mostly get his heart under control, that is, until Yukimura smiles brightly at the end and thanks him for the food. He's going to have to take the tiger cub out to eat more often.

Yukimura is grateful for Masamune's appearance then on after. As soon as his talk with Sasuke and his tentative friendship with Mouri, he had been able to get a better handle on his past memories. But since he stormed out of the library, Mouri hasn't been talking with him and Sasuke's been tied up with Newspaper Club and third year things recently, so outside of club, the second year finds himself getting lonely. Even if he hadn't really talked with Mouri, his presence was at least comforting. So when Masamune suddenly appears to fill this gap, Yukimura is more than happy to spend a few evenings with him. Sometimes they go out for cheap food and other days they waste the afternoon in silly sports competitions. It takes Yukimura's mind of everything and he thinks that he's genuinely happy spending time with the other second year. Today though, he has yet to see the baseball player, and since there's no club, he figures he might stop by the library on the off chance that Mouri might show up again. Of course, he ends up alone and his math homework puts him straight to sleep. Closing his eyes for a moment shouldn't be a bad idea.

He still dreams about the past sometimes and this time it's the siege of Osaka again. He knows he has two days to live when he sees Masamune's flag. He doesn't know how many times he's lived these days, but the dream keeps going and he's forced to retreat.

With the retreat comes the hurried planning for the following day, and the final defeat that follows. Yukimura wakes up wondering how many times he must feel his head rent from his shoulders and watch his entire army die before him. Everything feels so helpless and overwhelming and he wakes up with tears streaking down his face, wrinkling the prints outs he had been resting on earlier. One final shuddering sob escapes his lips and then he's pulling himself together again-dark sleeves are pulled up to mop up his wet eyes and he tries to suck up any snot. That might have been the end of it too, if a particular one eyed man did not appear.

"Oy, Sanada!" He calls out the name so confidently and with every bit of the same vigor he used to have, so when Yukimura turns around, it's not a high schooler leaning up against a door frame he sees, but a battle seasoned warrior. Masamune's face changes to shock when he sees Yukimura's tear reddened face, however, and that's all the latter needs to pull himself back to reality, shove his books in his bag and dart for the other entrance to the library. He can't let himself fall back into a memory of the past again, especially not here at school with other people around. The divide he spent so long creating crumbles before his eyes and nothing terrifies him more. He almost makes it to the door when a pair of strong arms grab him from behind and he's pulled into a strong embrace.

"Sanada, why are you running?"

And that's all it takes to break him.

New tears rush down his cheeks and his whole body tenses before a shuddering sob wrecks his form. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Masamune-dono!"

Startled now more than ever, the baseball player turns the soccer player around to face him, but the other refuses to meet his eyes. Fists are brought up to form a barrier between the two of them, and even if his eyes were not clouded by tears, Yukimura would fix them on the ground.

"I've failed you and Sasuke... I've failed everyone." The teen almost chokes on his tears which are coming out full force now. "I don't deserve to be your rival!" He almost shouts the last part, voice heavy with despair so deep that it's as if he's been cut right to the heart. It's all too much for Masamune to take in at once, so instead he pulls Yukimura in closer, despite the fists creating a wall between them. His head rests on the other's shoulder and one hand holds him close while the other strokes that untamable brown hair.

"You haven't failed anyone, Sanada." The voice is soft, missing his usual rough edge. The boy just sobs all the harder in response but Masamune simply coos to him gently, holding him tightly as his whispers words of encouragement. "It's gonna be okay." They stay like that as Yukimura cries himself out, like a wet rag that needs to be rung out before it's usable again. With the end of the tears, the fists slowly fall to reveal Yukimura's tear stained face, and when Masamune pulls back to give the other a little space, he's surprised be the sudden hug he's pulled into. Yukimura is quick about it though, and lets out a final little sob, before squeezing Masamune tight and pulling back. He follows up with a deep bow and apologies, pausing only to wipe his eyes on his already soaked sleeves. When Masamune gently inquires why he was so heart broken, Yukimura just gives a sad little smile.

"I'm sorry Masamune, you simply found me at a strange time."

The other man's heart stops. This single instant changes his perspective on the other teenager, and he suddenly knows all he needs to know about his own feelings. What he doesn't know, however, is the tiger cub, and that seems like the most important thing in the world right now.

TBC...