Fire Emblem Fates

Chapter 16: Happier Times

"Man, that teleportation thing the dragon does gets me real dizzy every time." Hana complained, rubbing her head and stumbling around. Arthur laughed at the stumbling samurai.

"Worry not. If you require an arm to hold you up, you may look no further than my own arm of justice." Arthur said, and handed Hana his arm, which she instantly reached for and grabbed.

"Please, keep the talking to a minimum, we have no idea where exactly Lilith dropped us off at. We don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves." Kaze warned, as he listened attentively for anybody that could be nearby. "We should look for any signs suggesting where the ninjas went." They entered a clearing that Arthur immediately recognized as the one where he was defeated by Kotaro and he kidnapped Corrin.
"I know this place. This is where the master ninja kidnapped Corrin." Arthur said, and caused Kaze to look around and try to find any details that suggest where Kotaro left. Hana and Felicia also took a look around in the south side of the clearing, while Arthur took the northern section.

"I think I found something, come over here." Hana shouted, causing the rest of the group to gather around her. She pointed to a red spot on the ground. "If this place is where Arthur and Kaze fought Kotaro, then that blood could belong to either Corrin or Kotaro, I think we should follow it." They led onwards in an attempt to find Corrin while staying alert from any potential ninjas jumping out at them. They ventured further into the woods as they continued with their mission.

Further down the woods and past a mountain was a ninja clan gathered together in a village. In one of the biggest tents was an opening that led deep underground, and in one of the chambers was a barefoot noble wearing armor akin to a dragon's skin. He awoke from his forced slumber and looked around, confused as to where he was and seeing that his feet and hands were chained.

"Good morning. Glad to see you awake." a voice to the right caused Corrin to turn his head and see a male swordmaster with messy orange hair. "My name is Kenta. Kotaro posted me down here to make sure you don't escape and stay alive. Speaking of, you have a hot stew behind you. Should be enough to keep you healthy until the next meal. Corrin turned around and smelled the delicious broth, and helped himself to it. Once Corrin finished his stew, he looked up at Kenta, who was polishing his sword. "I assume you want to know where you are and why, but Kotaro specifically said to avoid talking to you about those manners, so do not bother."

"You seem to not care very much about this Kotaro. Why are you doing favors for him." Corrin asked, trying to get deep into this Kenta guy.

"I am a sword for hire. I merely go where the money leads me, and right now it is here. Now wait calmly here while I get Kotaro." Kenta said and he exited the tunnel. Corrin merely sighed and awaited what would happen next. In his mind, he was thinking about Azura and his two youngest sisters and what they were doing to try and save him, if they were even going to do anything.

"Maybe they decided to continue on without me. I can't blame them, they probably have no idea where I am." Corrin thought. He decided to take a nap, and he layed down and closed his eyes.

He dozed off, and began to dream about a memory he didn't recognize, one about his time in Hoshido before he was taken by Nohr. He saw his older sister and younger brother teasing him about tripping while they were playing tag, and his youngest sister was sitting quietly in the back, eating her lunch.

"Corrin, you're so clumsy. This is why you're the easiest to get when we play tag." Takumi bragged, while Corrin was rubbing his knee in pain. Hinoka knelt beside him and attempted to take care of him, before Corrin jumped up and tagged her, and ran away.

"Corrin, stop doing that! It's no fun, you're using my love for you against me." Hinoka complained.

"It's a good lesson to keep in mind in war. Even your love for someone can backfire on you." the siblings older brother said, as he walked into the room.

"Hello Ryoma." Takumi greeted. "What brings you here?"

"Your practice session is starting soon. You, Corrin and Hinoka should get ready, since I don't think Saizo will appreciate you being late to his class." Ryoma explained, which caused a ruckus between the three children, sending them into a scramble to change into their combat clothes. Once they were ready, they all rushed to the arena, where Saizo was shaping up his recruits. They lined up and sighed in relief as they barely avoided being late.

"To start, for today's warm up, we will be sparring with your partner's from last week. Focus on keeping a firm stance and being aware of your surroundings." Saizo instructed, before being barraged by one of his son's.

"Father, Kaze is sick today, so is it alright if I practice with Reina for today?" the younger Saizo asked, which his father answered with a nod. The rest of the group spread out and go with their partners to begin the exercise. Hinoka got together with Subaki, Takumi got with Oboro and Corrin with Hana.

"Come on Hinoka. Do it at least for today. I know you will be a natural at it. Try using the naginata for once." Subaki insisted.

"Fine, fine. But just so you shut up for once." Hinoka complied as she picked up a practice naginata along with Subaki and they began to practice different techniques.

"Maybe you should take a page from your sister's book, Takumi. You'll never defeat me by using a katana against my naginata." Oboro teased Takumi, which Takumi shook his head in arrogance.

"No way. I need to follow my big brother's footsteps if I am to be anything like he is. Plus, it seems Corrin has taken a liking to the sword, so I can't very well be the odd brother out, now can I?"

"Man, you've always been stubborn, Takumi. It's why I like you so much. Shows you've got character." Oboro complimented. On the other side of the field, Hana and Corrin have begun to spar with their training swords. They were able to perfectly read each one of their moves and counter appropriately, due to their experience fighting one another. Hana went in for a low sweep which Corrin was able to jump over and counter with a quick stab. This maneuver was quickly blocked by Hana's katana. This parry allowed Hana to knock Corrin to the ground with a swift kick. Hana offered Corrin a hand to help him up, which he accepted.

"Remember Corrin. A katana is ill suited for stabbing techniques. Swords will be much better for that. A katana is designed for slashing techniques." Hana advised. Corrin nodded in agreement.

"I always forget about that. Thanks Hana. You're lessons along with Saizo and big brother's are helping me improve dramatically." Corrin thanked.

"No problem. It's good for you to know how to defend yourself. Plus, it makes you popular with the ladies. A good swordsman is attractive you know!" Hana smiled back at him, which caused Corrin to blush.

"I guess. But I'm not really interested in that sort of thing yet." Corrin replied, which caused Hana disappointment, but she hid it well enough that Corrin was unable to see it. "Looks like warm ups are done. Saizo is calling everyone back to the center of the field.

"Looks like it." Hana replied, with a rather loud sigh. "Better head back quickly before he makes us do 20 pushups." And they both ran together back to where the class was gathering

Corrin's eyes fluttered open as he was awoken by the arrival of Kotaro and Kenta. Corrin got up as soon as he saw them, and said,

"What is it you brought me here for, Kotaro?" Kotaro laughed when the prince said this, causing great confusion in Corrin.

"My dear prince. I'm afraid you have no room to be making demands of me. However, since I have nothing better to do, I may as well tell you what the future has in store for you. You see, we are currently making some deals with some very bad people in Hoshido who want the head of the prince who betrayed them for Nohr. A lot of people in Hoshido want you dead my prince." Kotaro explained.

"Why not just hand me over to King Garon?" Corrin asked.

"Because though I am allied with the King, I am afraid I simply benefit more from being paid with the money these people are willing to pay. He has the war he wanted anyways."

"Kotaro, I believe it is time for us to begin mobilizing. We must stay ahead of the prince's followers before they catch up." Kenta said.

"Fine, fine alright." Kotaro shrugged as he threw a dart at Corrin. The dart pierced his skin and made him fall asleep. "Kenta, would you please pick him up a throw him in our transportable cage. I would greatly appreciate it." With the order, Kenta threw Corrin on his shoulders and began to carry him outside. Once they exited the cave, they began to prepare the camp for movement. With the merchants and apothecaries carrying all of the tents and food. Kenta placed Corrin in a cage transported by horses. However, from a distance there were four people staring at the camp ahead of them.

"Your orders are to retrieve Corrin and kill every last one of those Mokushu. Leave none of them alive." Kaze ordered. Arthur smiled his heroic smile and took out his newly forged iron axe, Felicia had her daggers out, sharpened and polished and Hana stared intently at Corrin who has being thrown into a cage before her very eyes.

"I will save you, Corrin." She thought and she took out her katana, ready for battle.

Sorry for long wait again. This chapter is setting up a huge battle that will take place in the next 1-2 chapters. Hope you enjoyed and please feel free to review. I love reading everyone's reviews and I take each one to mind when writing the story.