I do not own Sengoku Basara – Capcom does (they do, right?)

Here's an update. Enjoy reading.

P.S. Math professors are RAD :D

"Class, I've finished checking your papers and I'm glad to tell all of you that majority passed the test."

Joyful shouting filled the classroom instantly, but Kasuga merely rolled her eyes. She was not being pessimistic, but she felt that she and Sasuke were probably going to end up with a long tutorial session in the library again. The professor continued speaking, and he had to raise his voice to a shout to be heard above the noise.

"It's surprising, though, that Kasuga-san didn't get the highest score. Nevertheless, her score belongs to the five highest in this class."

This time, whispers and murmurs followed. Kasuga ignored the noise and remained straight-faced, her eyes intent on the math professor. She hadn't always liked the professor, what with his inapproachability and frequent mood swings, but now she probably won't even reconsider trying to see the brighter side of him.

"A 'he' was able to ace the exam."

Again, more whispering and murmuring was heard, and the professor had to yell 'quiet' and hit the table twice with his marker to shush the students. Kasuga didn't feel bad about not topping the test, but she was surprised that someone got a perfect score for a test that was fairly difficult.

"Enough of this. I'm going to return your papers according to the scores. The student with the highest score gets called last, so the student with the lowest score gets called first."

There was a simultaneous 'awww' from the class, and the students' reactions ranged from none to irritated to angry. The professor then started calling names, the expression on his face showing that he was enjoying what he was doing. Kasuga scowled slightly - she thought it wasn't fair, that the ones with the lowest scores be called first, because it wasn't very much different from humiliating them.

After a minute or so, more than half of the class had their papers returned, and Kasuga noticed that Sasuke still hasn't had his name called – that meant he had a higher score than the others. She felt happy, and a little proud too, that her hard work and his cooperation resulted in something good. She was thinking about congratulating him for his achievement when she heard her name being called.

She made her way towards the professor, took the stapled papers from his hand and returned to her seat, feeling oddly unsatisfied about the 90/100, which was written in red ink, on the upper right corner of the first paper. She skimmed through the rest of the papers and noticed missing signs, different final answers, and other mistakes due to carelessness.

"Sarutobi."

Immediately, Sasuke stood from his slouched sitting position and made his way towards the professor's table to get his paper. He didn't look happy or anything, just pokerfaced like he didn't care about getting a good mark on his test. However, when he'd received his paper and turned to head off to his seat, he made a thumbs-up sign with his good hand and even winked at Kasuga. She dismissed his gesture with a little scowl on her face, just a little disappointed that he was able to get a higher score than her.

"Sarutobi, congratulations on getting a perfect score."

"So, are we going to celebrate or anything?" Sasuke asked casually as he placed the food-filled tray down the table. His drink nearly spilled, but he was quick enough to pick up the glass and prevent its contents from staining the sun dress Kasuga was wearing. She stared at him as she sipped on her milk-chocolate drink, oblivious to the near-spilling of his beverage.

"Of course we are celebrating! You are going to treat us to dinner in a fancy restaurant. Afterwards, we'll go to the arcade, play some games. It will be fun – me, you, Takeda-san, and Kasuga-san!"

Sasuke wanted to stuff food into Yukimura's mouth – he was speaking so loud that a great number of people in the canteen have already taken notice of him. To keep him from embarrassing them anymore than he already had, Sasuke agreed without batting an eyelash and Yukimura's immediate reaction was a close-to-rejoicing gesture.

Kasuga looked at Yukimura first, then at Sasuke, then back at Yukimura again. She didn't know if she should be amazed by Yukimura's enthusiasm or impressed by Sasuke's poise. But, she was certain that she could no longer ignore the layers of medical tape on Sasuke's right hand. "What happened to your hand?"

"Just a sprain from yesterday's training."

"You're not carrying a grudge against me, right Sasuke?" Yukimura asked with incredibly manipulative puppy eyes.

"'Course not, it's nothing serious."

"You should've asked for help with your tray." Kasuga said when she really wanted to ask him if he was alright.

"I could handle it." He looked at Kasuga, who was staring back at him with something he couldn't place. "Why don't we just start eating already? We'll talk about celebrating later."

And so, they ate. In silence. It was awkward, especially for Kasuga – she hadn't even congratulated Sasuke for acing the test, and now she was all worried about his sprain but wouldn't even admit it to herself. She obviously wasn't thinking clearly.

Yukimura noticed that the three of them were being too quiet and decided to break the ice by talking about his and Sasuke's randori yesterday – a three minute play with so much tension, as Yukimura described it, Kasuga could almost imagine herself watching them sparring. And then, after a while of resisting and countering throws and sweeps, she found herself thinking about her mark on the math exam again. She'd probably need a few hours of good training later to release all the negative energy inside her.

Noticing Kasuga just staring at her food for a while already, Sasuke felt the need to ask her what was bothering her. "Why are you so quiet, Kasuga-chan?"

"I don't like to talk while eating."

"Wow. You are so proper and lady-like, Kasuga-san. You'll make a good girlfriend for Sasuke here."

Kasuga frowned a little – Yukimura had just said something that obviously irritated every single nerve ending of her body. She looked at Sasuke, who merely smirked at what he heard – he was struggling with the spoon on his left hand and a little red in the ears. She shifted her eyes to his bad hand, and suddenly, an idea that hardly seemed like her own came to her mind.

Help him eat? Did I just think of doing that stupid thing? Why did Sasuke have to have such bad luck and get an injury on his right hand? If his left hand had been injured instead, he wouldn't look as helpless as he was right now. Not that an injury to his left hand would be better though – it would just be a lot easier on his part.

"Would you like me to help you? You're not looking very well with that spoon."

"I'm good."

"You're obviously having difficulty moving that left hand of yours."

"Nothing I can do if you really want to feed me."

Kasuga stared at him for a few seconds first, blood rushing to her neck and face, then snatched the spoon from his left hand. She turned in her seat to face Yukimura, then asked "Yukimura-kun, won't you help Sasuke eat?" offering the spoon to him with a smile that can weaken any man to his knees.

Fortunately for Sasuke, Yukimura was strong enough to resist Kasuga's charm. "I am sorry, Kasuga-san, but I'd have to turn down your offer. I think Sasuke would be a lot happier if you were to help him eat instead."

"Exactly. Thanks, Yuki." Sasuke looked at Kasuga and admired her red face, smirking as slyly as he can just to tease her. He knew, that even though she was a little cold at times, she was definitely kind-hearted and wouldn't be able to turn someone as darling as Yukimura down.

"I'm only going to do this so that I won't have to bear seeing you struggle with your spoon."

"That's a pretty artful way of saying that you care for me."

"Shut up!" Kasuga readied the spoon in her hands as if to hit him the moment he speaks. "Or would you rather not eat?"

"Sasuke might be starving already, Kasuga-san. He didn't eat his breakfast a while ago because we were going to be late for first class if he did."

With Yukimura's words tugging on her conscience, Kasuga filled the spoon with Sasuke's food then brought it up to his mouth without looking him in the eyes. It was embarrassing, she knew that fully well and the blush on her cheeks proved it, but it was sort of comforting to have a friendlier episode with the guy in front of her.

Seconds and minutes dragged on, and Kasuga wanted to thank the world for making Sasuke so cooperative. Yukimura, on the other hand, had done nothing but watch the two lovebirds and root for their relationship, Kasuga almost shouted 'shut up' at him but in the end, she didn't have the heart to do so.

"Kasuga-chan!"

Kasuga almost dropped the spoon in her surprise, but she knew better than embarrass herself more than she already was. She placed the spoon down on the styrofoam box in front of her with shaky hands and looked over to where the voice was coming from.

It was Keiji. And Kenshin. They were waiting in line in front of the steam table, and Keiji was waving at her like crazy. Kenshin was, as usual, wearing a faint smile on his lips and looked dazzling even in such a plain outfit. She subtly tucked her side locks under her ears, and it was the best grooming she could afford with Sasuke seated in front of her.

"You're all red, babe."

"Babe? Don't call me like that, you jerk!"

"It's Kenshin-kun, right?"

"It's not!"

"Then let's continue eating, it's almost time for your next class."

Kasuga looked over to Keiji and Kenshin again, but they have already ordered lunch and it looks like they were headed for the only empty table in sight, which was beside the one she, Sasuke and Yukimura were occupying. She then looked at her watch, and found out that she had only five more minutes to endure dealing with Sasuke. "Fine."

Reviews, anyone? Thanks :D