10. Another Side

"So", The researchers had been still processing what Katagiri had just confessed. Matsumoto was giddy and wanted details but Yamano noticed something.

(The daughter looked somewhat like Katagiri-san...but she doesn't resemble her father much. Actually she looks a little like-)

"Was he REALLY good?" Matsumoto asked the older woman, who looked like her mouth would drop.

"You know", Katagiri sighed, "Perhaps we should move on, Matsumoto-san. I'm sure Yamano-kun would want to move on. But, I did love Mitsutada very, very much. I was happy when we reunited...but you already knew that."

"Didn't anyone else find out?" Yamano asked, "like Tsurumaru-san? Or even Hasebe-san?"

"The only one who probably did know was Tsurumaru", the elder was in thought. "And Mikazuki no doubt. The others either knew but did not care or they were lost in other things, like Ichigo taking care of the children."

####

Eight Months In

As the heat of summer grew more and the first signs of fall began to peep through, the battles grew more intense. Kebishii were spotted everywhere and the casualties grew more intense. Sakura spent more time holding meetings and healing and sharpening the wounded. Her romance with Mitsutada, despite him being on an expedition for two weeks, was still going strong despite the fact that deep down she had a sense that he would disappear at any time. However, there were some people that were willing to keep her company...including one interested crane and a dragon who claimed not to care.

"Yo!"
She had been working on paperwork when Tsurumaru and Ookurikara appeared. Hasebe looked annoyed at the interruption.

"Hey", she smiled at the duo. "What's up?"

"The horse keeping's done. I am so never scooping up horse shit again." (Ookurikara)

"It's a surprise to see what happens when you stand behind a horse. Young Namazuo has quite a good aim!"

{I don't like where this is going...}

"What", Luckily Hasebe read her mind, "did you two do?"

"I was brushing my horse down while he and one of the billion Toushirous were fucking around when I get shit flown in my face!" (A pissed off Ookurikara)

"No wonder it stinks in here". (Hasebe)

"You go wash up", she gave the mumeitou a sympathetic look, which judging from his reaction, he seemed to appreciate. "Tsurumaru..."

"Yes?"

"Please allow me to punish him, Sakura-sama!"

"I appreciate the offer but I need Tsurumaru-kun here in one piece. I'll take it from here." And with that she dismissed the loyal uchigatana. When Hasebe left, Tsurumaru hugged her, "Boy, that was close! Hasebe would've been a pain in the ass to deal with."

"So is Kuri-chan your toy since Mitsutada is out on expedition?"

"Ookurikara is too much fun to joke with", he smiled with glee. "I bet you miss Mitsutada though."

"I do." She added, "but I miss everyone that's out."

"That's a surprise. I thought you'd be pining in despair and saying, 'Tsuru-chan, Tsuru-chan, I'm all lonely and in need of company, please take me!'" He flung himself into her arms.

"Tsurumaru", Sakura sighed. {it's time} "man, it's hard to talk when you're being like this."

"I think I know what you'll say though." He then grew serious, " I love everyone; Mikazuki, Mitsutada, Ookurikara...the Tantous, even though Young Gokotai needs to man up sometimes...Ichigo, who's surprisingly good in bed."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that last part. I really don't care what you guys in private...but is there a point go this?" She gently edged him off, "go wash up too. You smell like poop as well."

"I was serious when I said I loved you." He finally came out and admitted, "I don't mind sharing you with Mitsutada. Or even Ookurikara and Hasebe."

"I'm not a piece to be passed around." She was growing annoyed.

"I don't mean it like that. I'm not like that at all". He apologized, "I'm just saying, even if you don't feel the same about me, it's fine. As long as you accept my feelings, it's good."

Later, Sakura undressed and headed towards a private bath and shower ("Of course I wouldn't let a saniwa bathe with their army!" Konosuke had said on the day he showed her, "It wouldn't be proper!").

{Dealing with this can be exhausting at times.}

She was about to take off her robe when she heard noises. "Goddamn it, Tsurumaru", She muttered. She grabbed a backs rubber and crept on the shadow.

{Maybe I should yell...what if it's one of the enemy?} She ran through her head to call, {Ichigo wouldn't be a pervert...I don't think Ookurikara would be a pervert but he'd make fun of me or something, that tsundere bastard...} She hit the shadow.

"Ow!"

"Eep!" She recognized the voice. "Wait...I know that voice!"

"You know", Mitsutada rubbed where she had hit him, "you're actually pretty strong there, Sakura-chan..."

"When...when did you guys get back?" She pulled her robe close to her. "Everyone okay?"

"It went fine", he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Is...is it okay I'm in here? Mikazuki-san sent me here". He rubbed the back sheepishly. "I...I just wanted to surprise you."

She kissed in reply and smiled. "It's fine though I'm not sure how Mikazuki knew about this. I was about to take a shower..."

"Oddly enough, I need a shower too. Being grimy and sweaty like this isn't cool." He began to undress as she turned the water on. "Do you need me to wash you?"

The saniwa drew her lover under the water and began to give her answer.

*Somewhere in the countryside*

Yui and her small group had set up camp at a small temple miles away. Like her counterpart, she too took a soldier as one of her lovers-ironically the same person who took her hostage and stabbed Sakura-because she wanted company. Did she love him? She didn't know.

(This is ridiculous but screw it I could die tomorrow. I won't be going back will I?)

"Are you still thinking of that woman?" The priest began to nibble on her neck in bed this evening. She rolled over, flat on her back.

"It's hard not to", she admitted, "getting rid of her means that I can go back. And that you all are free."

"She was your friend, was she not?"

"It's not like we were the best of friends", Yui had only met Sakura at the university when they wound up partners in a project for a class. "We met at school and wound up working together. We...I mean, I guess we were friends. I was trying to get her to a party when you all showed up because I felt bad that she was alone all the time. Maybe I felt a little jealous because..."

"Jealous?"

"She's a smart, attractive person and I'm nothing but dull next to her". She thought over her words, "It's like...she's this bright light and I'm the light that's fading."

"That's rather poetic". The priest ribbed her back gently.

"Maybe I am jealous", She admitted, "however...it doesn't matter anymore. She's my enemy now. I realized a long time ago that neither one of us are going back to our time."

"You will be, as soon as the mission is completed."

She sat up. "We're not going back without killing each other. I've already killed before..."

"We will kill her."

"No. It's only fair that I do it. I already have something in mind for you guys though." She continued as she stretched, "I don't want you killing her men though. Once she goes, they'll have to listen anyway. I just need a distraction."