"Stop! Don't go there!" A voice yelled in the distance. She couldn't care less about it, there was no way that she would stop for just a stupid mist on the battlefield.

Seeing how most of the soldiers were running away, she saw that strange, blue creature opening a portal, to his personal 'castle.'

That clumsy maid was following her, with a damp cloth covering her mouth and nose. She struggled to breath like her, but she couldn't stop, not until she made sure that everyone left with him.

Some of the horses were already carrying others soldiers with the knight.

Almost every person related to him were carrying injured allies on their shoulders.

But none of them knew where he was.

The mist intensified, the once-white wind turned greyish, even somewhat yellow, and there was a disgusting smell in the air. The surrounding tents were filled with some pleads and screams. Some of the people who gathered to request assistance from him were lying in the ground. Her vision blurred for a moment as there was a familiar taste in her mouth, before she realized, she heard something behind her.

Looking back, she saw that clumsy maid coughing as she stumbled and fell in the ground, she quickly tried to understand what happened, but now the taste was stronger in her mouth. To the right of the pinkynette, a denser mist appeared, she couldn't see what was going around her, not even recognize what was happening or where she was, but that mist provoked something strange in her.

Her lungs burned as she fell on all fours, covering her mouth. Her heartbeat rose seeing the bloodstain on her hand, she quickly stood, trying to find the source.

"W-Wait….o-over there…." Felicia pointed as there was some ice in her face, she tried to improvise a mask, she pointed at her right, shaking and trying to stand. "L-Lady P-Peri…. I saw…I saw….." Just when both of them stood, the maid pushed her aside, not knowing what happened, she saw some blood drops coming from the back of the girl, falling again to the ground.

"It seems there are still some resilient Nohrians…"

"Let them be, we have what we wanted already," the voice resonated in the mist, Peri observed the back of Felicia, to notice some steel needles deep in her.

"…..elp…" Another faint voice was on the air, her body froze as she recognized who it was, without hesitation, she just made the maiden drink an elixir and an antidote, before using her lance as support to walk.

"It´s impressive how much damage was done…."

"Not to mention the range, do you think he´s going to use this in the capital?"

"Nah, he said that we used everything here."

"But…. This is just too brutal, even for scum like the Nohrians, I don't think Lord Ryoma would ap-"

"He´s not here anymore, he just took h-"

"Haaaaaaaah!" Peri took them by surprise. The first one had her lance directed to his neck from behind, she could feel how deep the blade was stuck in the muscle, and for the amount of blood, she knew she cut the carotid, the partner of that man took a back step and was reading his weapon, without hesitation, Peri withdrew her lance and pushed the body, used it as a shield to stop the incoming needles, sensing the body near hers, she made a diagonal cut, barely scratching him, but with enough force to make him fall backwards.

Letting the dead body fall, she noticed that both were ninjas, using strange masks and lent's. The man shrieked as her morbid figure impaled him over and over again, froze by the horror of her mad glare.

"Damn crazy girl! Over here!" another voice resonated. Without chance to react, she felt now a new set of needles on her left arm and leg, another ninja appeared at her side, with a dash and preparing his kunai, he made a diagonal cut upwards.

It was a clear 'clank' sound as the kunai cut her armor, feeling the cut in the unprotected part of her abdomen, she held his hand and used the edge of the needles stuck in her arm to attack him, a new scar on his face appeared as his mask tore apart from the sudden move.

"D-Dammit! Cra-Crazy g-aaarg!" he tried to resume his attack, but without the full strength of her arms, she let go her lance and held his other wrist, using the weight of her body, both of them fell to the ground.

The man hit the back of his head as he tried to understand what happened, but there was something that Peri wouldn't let him do, and that was being in her way to save her best friend. Without hesitation he opened her mouth and with a feral impulse, she started to chop away his neck.

"Wh-Wha- aaaaaaaaarg! H-help me! H-help meeee!" The man struggled as Peri could see that his body was slowly turning dull, she stopped the moment her mouth tasted like iron and his body stopped moving.

Why she was being so bloody? Why she was being so ruthless? Not even when she was angry during the last battles had she felt that way, not even when she wanted to kill those who insulted her or her dear ones, why she was being so violent? Even for her, it felt like it was not enough.

There were tears in her eyes as that moment, the worst outcome came to her mind, before killing them in cold blood, her heart stopped for a moment, seeing that pair of ninjas with Kamui´s belongings in their hands.

Seeing Lady Elise's stained ribbons was the worst.

She recognized the faint, weak plead for help.

Using the remnants of her strength, she used her lance to support her weakened body. Certainly, those needles had something to do with her drowsiness, but with all her strength left, she carried her body through that hell.

"….elp…..ho…..y…."

Again, that voice, that sweet and innocent voice, it took her several minutes until she finally reached his tent, the place that was nearest to the building where they took the medicine, widening her eyes, she couldn't stand to see the scene.

Elise on the floor, her hair free as she tried to crawl ahead of her, barely any energy left in her frail body.

"Looks like she still wants more, what a pain," another voice took her attention. Without warning, without reason, without mercy, a man stood a few inches away of her, breaking a small bottle in the ground, and with a swift movement of his hand, he struck Lady Elise with something, stopping her movements. "This should be enough, I hope they get the messag-uh?" she couldn't completely see his face, but his eyes were piercing hers, even with the glasses, she wouldn't forget his void less eyes, with another swift movement, she felt something piercing her body, looking down, there were more needless passing through the exposed space in her armor.

"We don't need witnesses, sorry," she struggled to remain on her feet, but another attack from him without remorse made her start to fall to her left side, all what she could do was held her lance with all her might, but seeing Lady Elise's body on the ground, was heartbreaking.

"La-Lady….Eli…se….."

"Don't worry, unlike yours, her end was quick, just die quietly," His voice was like venom, filled with anger, almost like Garon. Those eyes that enjoyed making Lady Elise cry for help, all what she could do was to carve those eyes in her memory before the darkness reclaimed her mind.

Now, more than half year later, in that room, in Hoshido, behind the Princess Hinoka, those eyes were watching her, remembering her failure.

Now he was within reach, nor her heart or love for her dearest friends would forgive or forget that man's sins.

Without hesitation, she looked for the nearest armed guard. Time moved in slow motion, as her heart dominated her movements.

That man had to die.

Chapter 30: Crawling Sins.

"Did you see that harlot?"

"Of course, my dear, but be sure to talk a little lower, would you?" a couple whispered in one room, beside the main hall on the ground floor of the palace, in noble attires as they were bored with the waiting.

"But, are you sure it's ok?"

"No worries my dear, my old man said that Lady Hinoka herself said it, that Lord Kamui is in a terrible situation, this is just the perfect time," the man crossed his arms, with a dignified movement of his head. "We´re about to reach the top of the halidom, no one will stop us to become the confidents and counselors of Lord Kamui, we just need to prove our worth."

"But… I heard that those Nohrians that arrived earlier were his former allies, and that harlot….. ugh… her horrible hair and clothes were so ugly!"

"Not to worry dear, we…. Uh?" The ground shook for a moment, they waited a few seconds, and they heard some noises. A sudden blow alerted them, then another louder and closer, it was in the fourth that the wall to their left collapsed, followed for a green light, just to end in another one that hit something in the cloud of dust and rubble, making them shriek in fear as a figure approached from the new hole in the wall.

"Have you…. Lost your mind?!" Yukimura stood, moving the rubble around him. Adjusting his glasses, he struggled to maintain his posture, but by the look on his face, he couldn't care less about what the others would think. He was dumbfounded, and still, there was no surprise in that action, but he expected something more elegant, or rational "….answer me, HINOKA!"

"Uh? What now?" Hinoka spun her naginata, pointing it at him. "That´s my line….. after all what you have done to us…. To Kamui…. Do you really think you have the right to backtalk?"

"You little…" Yukimura looked around. The nobles and guards were shocked to see such a display. Seeing that nobody was sure what was going on, he groaned. "Do you really want to make this public? Do you want to involve them as well?!"

"Until we´re sure who is with you and who isn't, there is no point in hiding anything from now on, do you really think you have any say after last night?" Hinoka hopped out the rubble of the wall, and swirled her naginata again in her hands. With a long, calm breath, she concentrated her on her next actions, a small green swirling of wind started at her feet as Yukimura groaned.

"Again?! You won't make it again, you know that?" Yukimura looked around, trying to recognize the room where they were.

"Milady! It's useless!" Kagero stopped, appearing at her side and with her hand on her wrist. "It´s….. pointless….he….." with a disgusted look, she bit her lip "He´s a replica…"

"What? But h-" Hinoka tried to complain, but Yukimura chuckled.

"Oh? Since when did you knew?"

"From the start, since you entered that room….. I won't be deceived by your replicas anymore, Yukimura."

"Mmmph! I'm interested why you weren't tricked, but if that´s the case, I guess there is no point in hiding it," he opened his yukata, revealing the broken skin. He hesitated a moment, but seeing that all the nobles ran away and they were with just a couple of guards, he was confident to show it. "I must say, I'm impressed, Lady Hinoka, that you managed to do this to this body," the front part was cracked, the pressure points where the princess struck before were clearly not enough to completely break it. "To think that out of a childish whim, you would be able to use 'Astra', it´s impressive, but only if you weren't doing it for the sake of that thing."

"You, You bastard!" Hinoka gritted her teeth. "Now you won't say his name? Or is your conscience kicking in? Does Queen Mikoto's memory shame your actions?!"

"….." Yukimura frowned, he took something under his sleeve, looking venomously at her. "This is a waste of my time. You won't understand anything even if I spell it for you. I have enough of your rants, I just came here to warn you and your brother that I´ll have an audience with the council. That thing has his days numbered the moment he stepped into our sacred land as 'Nohrian!' " he yelled as with a swift movement, a cloud of smoke appeared, making impossible for them to see where he ran away. Before Kagero could react, he vanished.

"…Milady," Kagero looked at her. She wasn't hit, but her hurt face was something she never liked to see.

"….Let's go back with them," Hinoka sighed, scratching her head, dismissing the guards with some words. "I want to…. Speak with those guys….."

"Are you sure, Lady Hinoka?" Kagero asked as they walked to the room, several guards and members that were shocked to see such display, confused and dumbfounded by that scene.

"Yes, I'm sure, if we´re going to strike down Yukimura, I need to know what happened….."

"Ah!, L-Lady Hinoka!" One of the guards approached, quite startled, but regardless of her harsh glare, he bowed. "we…. We need your help, please!"

"Uh? Why? Wh-"

"LET ME GO!" They heard a voice in the distance. They quickly ran to the source, thinking that it was another of Yukimura's schemes, but somehow, what they saw was heartbreaking.

"Peri, pl-please, calm down, I know how yo-"

"NO, YOU DON'T, YOU MEANIEEEEE!" The girl cried with all the air on her lungs, Silas was containing her from her back, both arms behind her as she was struggling to break free from his hold as she cried. "HE DID A LOT TO US! HE MADE ALL OF US CRY!" She screamed, as they were on the floor, Silas couldn't hide his emotions as well. "HE DID HORRIBLE THINGS TO LADY ELISE! HE DESERVES TO DIE! LET ME GO! SILAS!" Peri cried as she was losing her strength, as the minutes passed, they couldn't only see how the girl was surrendering. "He….he did a lot of bad things…. Pleeeease… let me…. Go…. Please…."

"We can't Peri, we can't…." Silas sighed as she sniffed, containing her tears, failing as her make up was already staining her clothes.

"Silaaaaas… let me go….Pleaaaaaaseeeeeeee!" she cried again, but the knight only released her arms, and before she could do anything, he took her from her shoulders and hold her again in a hug, she started to cry on his chest.

"Sorry…. We have…. To endure it….. please….. understand…." Silas tried to comfort her.

"… I´ll listen to what you want to say…. But first…." Hinoka sighed, somewhat ashamed. "Let´s call it a day for now…." She scratched her head. "Let's discuss this with Ryoma later, after we know what to do with this situation…"

"Milady," Kagero bowed in front of her. "I…. have a request."

It was a beautiful, charming, delightful moment.

Although she had to be alert, there was some kind of charm in the mood, something that felt "just right." Her heart was calm and overjoyed.

They were in one of the rooms of the fifth floor, just after seeing Kamui eating his breakfast and almost crying, they went to see Reina, but unfortunately, Rin told them that she was changing her bandages in another room.

Even if it could hurt his heart, he wanted to apologize, to tell her how deeply sorry he was. In the end, he had to wait, and even if he wasn't sure, she was convinced that he would surpass that task. He survived the worst of yesterday, now, he had a easiest mountain to climb, not painless, but easiest.

For the time being, they used one of the free beds of the improvised nursery, big enough to fit the two of them. It was a heartwarming event.

Even if Kamui said he felt guilty to ask, he wanted to sleep a little on her lap.

"Here, by all means," she answered with a faint blush in her face. Aside from Reina, it was the first time he asked that from anyone. So now, feeling his soft, somewhat fluffy hair through her clothes, the warmest of his head, and the somewhat soothing, calm breath of his slumber, it had a hypnotic effect on her.

He even took her arm to his chest in his sleep! Even that little action was enough to skip her heart, he was finally opening up to her, with some guilt, she was proud and glad to be his "only light."

Now that she thought that, it felt wrong. With a sigh, she would apologize later for that, for now, she wanted to enjoy as much as possible that moment.

"Uggg…. So…. Full…." Kamui yawned, opening his eyes. "did I…. sleep too long?"

"Oh no, just about an hour at most" she replied, gleaming. "Want to go back to sleep?"

He shook his head "No… I want to…. *Yawn* find Reina…." he said, trying to stand up, now that he was on the edge of the bed, Oboro made a bold gamble, she carefully placed her hands on his shoulders, massaging his shoulder blades.

"Kamui, I know you care, but she must be with the priestess of the castle, we should wait for a little longer, come one, you´re not exactly in the best condition."

"…uggg… but…. I need to… see her…."

"We´ll see her, but in due time, she needs to rest and recover, as well as you."

"…." She was sweating bullets, there were some mumbling words from his mouth, moving his head side to side "…..fine…..just… a little longer….."

"Yes? Then let's return t-" his body gave up, falling on the bed, with her in the way, although she was facing his back, after some moments of silence, he turned, pressing his forehead on her chest. "….to…. sleeeeeeeeep….."

"No, no, no, no, go away, you malevolent plots, he just felt on top of you to sleep, nothing bad here, he´s tired, he needs you," Oboro thought, several times that, as a 'mantra', her dizzy eyes and the time to time missing breaths from her made it harder to calm down.

"Nnng…..don't…." he froze, looking down, his face was somewhat troubled, his hand slowly reached for her ribbon, pressing his head further. "….go….."

"….Geez…..I'm….." Oboro sighed, placing her hand on his head, making him relax.

"….Lecherous woman…." A quiet voice took her out her thoughts, looking back, a disgusted Rin watched her, with a deep frown. "…..repent…." with light pokes to her sides, she tried to annoy her. "Yotogi is out of bounds."

"Sh-Shut up!" Oboro replied with a red face. "I haven't tried anything like that!"

"Oh? But you want to? Lecherous woman," she continued poking her sides.

"Stop it already, you´re going to wake him," Oboro tried to push her away, but hearing how Kamui was yawning and stretching his arms, it wouldn't be the case. "Kamui?"

"Uhh… Oboro?" He yawned, scratching his eyes, looking at her, then to Rin, and back to her. "….who….. who is it?"

"…." Rin raised an eyebrow, as Oboro scratched the back of her head.

"Ummm…. Kamui, can't you see…. Who is she?" She asked, but him shaking his head, it was just as she predicted, she was about to talk, when a familiar figure appeared.

"K-Kamui?"

"Uh? Is that….." He looked around, he could hear his voice, but aside from Oboro, everything was without color, "…..umm…"

"Reina…." Oboro sighed, seeing her with her bandages under her clothes, and at the entrance of the room, the kinshi warrior almost tripped on her rush to the bed. "Woah! Carefull!"

"Aaahh…. Kamui, my Kamui!" Reina slowly caressed his cheek. He didn't move, just waited, without expression on his face, she pulled him with her free arm near her chest, resting her head on his. "I….I…..I'm so sorry!"

"…" Kamui remained calm, stoic even, Oboro could see how he was struggling to find the words to talk to her.

"Wh-What´s wrong, sweetheart? Are you…. Are you mad at me?" Reina tried to hold him tighter, but he shook his head.

"…..Umm….. he….."

"No, Oboro….I can… her….I…." Kamui interrupted, trying to contain his tears "I….. I can hear her….but…..I want to tell her….."

"Oh… is something wrong, sweetheart?" She sighed "….Can we talk? Alone?" Reina asked at the girls, they looked each other, and with a troubled expression, both of them agreed, but before that, Oboro placed her hand on his shoulder, and with a faint smile, they left the room, closing the door and waiting in front of it.

"…mmm….." Rin crossed her arms as they could hear mumbles inside the room. Respecting their wishes, she would stay outside, seeing Oboro leaning against the wall, biting her nail. "Tell me…. What happened?"

"Well…. A lot…." Oboro started pacing the hallway, something was clinging in her body. "He…. Lost any kind of sense of whatever is around him….." she chuckled, with sadness in her voice. "his world…. Is all noise and without color…."

"…..You don't sound so troubled by it," Rin huffed, frowning.

"I am, I´ll break that bastard's legs for doing that….but….." with both hands on her cheeks, she sighed. "…..I know…. That I'm ahead of everyone….."

"Uh?"

"Well…. You remember how it was hard to make something for him, right?" Rin nodded. "Well… to him…. I'm the only one with color… and everything I made… he can taste it."

"….you´re kidding" Oboro shook her head bashfully. " …. It's like you´re cheating…."

"Uh?! It´s not my fault!" she fell, falling to her knees, hiding her face. "You know…. How bad I feel? I'm happy! Really, really happy…. But…. I feel bad to be the only one that he can hear and see…." She sighed. "….I feel disgusting, for being happy about my luck….."

"….Lecherous woman" Rin whispered, making Oboro look at her with a redder face.

"I already told you that it's nothing like that yet! I wo-"

"Yet?" Rin returned the glare, making her look away. "…. I'm reporting this to Lady Hinoka!"

"What? What´s to report? And why her?!" she yelled, embarrassed but somewhat glad to take that pressure off her chest. "….it's not like…. I want to take advantage of the situation….."

"….I wonder…." Rin leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. "….there´s…. something off…"

"Uh? What? It's not like I want to see him like this, it's just a coincidence th-"

"Not that…." Rin frowned. "I.. I don't know… there… there is something that is making me fuzzy…."

"….uh?" Oboro looked at her, and she really looked troubled by something. She was trying to compose her ideas, but the moment she straightened her posture she almost fell to the ground. Using the wall to support herself, she placed her hand on her head as the world around her felt strange. "What the… hey… Rin…Rin?"

The girl looked behind her and froze as her face slowly but steadily changed from shock to horror. Seeing how she widened her eyes and her skin was pale, she couldn't understand why she looked like that, after hearing some noises behind her, she looked back, and her eyes widened as cold sweat started to fell from her spine.

She didn't hear when Rin tried to open the door, or the sound of her destroying it with her kunais. There was no sound in her world as she finally realized why she and Rin felt something was wrong. It was just unreal.

She saw how Reina approached with the help of the priestess, without her normal attire. When their eyes met, she smiled, but Oboro couldn't, she just couldn't believe her stupid mistake.

Returning to the room, Rin was already looking around. The sheets were on the floor, as were the stained bandages and Reina's clothes. The ninja started to move everything around, not caring about anything else, the girls with Reina started to complain, she placed her hand under her yukata, searching for something.

Feeling a sharp pain in her palm and taking it out, the omamori in her palm was already breaking as it was losing its light.

"Tell me….. how are you feeling?"

He felt something in that touch. something unnatural.

"Did you rest? Do you feel alright now?"

His world was gray, and the noise punctured his mind. Strangely, hearing that voice wasn't soothing, or even pleasant, but it was familiar. It was really Reina? If that was the case, then he needed Oboro. He stood from the bed, and before he could react, something embraced him from behind, covering his eyes and mouth for a moment.

"You don't need to run, just be yourself….."

He blinked a couple of times after feeling his eyes free of that hold, the world spun around him, his legs felt weak as all around him darkened, almost like the place was burning.

"You don't need to run, just to release it again."

He fell to the floor, feeling that burning hatred inside his chest, how his blood boiled as his nails were leaving marks on the ground.

"Lord Kamui…."

He snapped out of that state, the world returned momentary to his sight. That voice soothed part of his hatred, his ragged breathing calmed within the seconds, her face and concerned, pained face, she wasn't Elise, but Oboro's face was enough to regain some of his sanity.

"I…..I…" He tried to concentrate on what was happening. Was it another dream? Or another attempt to make him suffer? If Yukimura was playing with him again, he needed to concentrate.

He needed Oboro again.

It wasn't a painful feeling, or something shameful, instead, it had a hint of hope, that he could lean on her. Looking around, he could barely recognize where he was. The sudden attacks of dizziness weren't making that easy, nor the fatigue or exhaustion. Was he trying to take him to another nightmare? It was already hard to notice his surroundings, but that fear of not knowing if he was asleep or not in that situation, that he would lose sense of himself any second if he lost focus, it was insanely terrifying, thinking of what happened.

"O…Oboro….." the name barely left his lips, not even him could hear clearly what he jus said. "….No…ka…" He tried to plead again, to anyone who could hear him.

It only was a half-second when his focus wavered.

"….. Kamui….."

He froze. Again that voice, it was like a spell on his mind, looking to his right, he could swear that Reina's figure disappeared, only as a pair of blond, long pigtails appeared, her purple and dazzling eyes looking at him.

"Why…..Why do you resist?" She spoke in such pained way, her features were crystal clear, not like a memory, but like she was there. "You…..don't want to find me?" she said with troubled eyes, before he could react, she walked, almost disappearing for some seconds. "Have you…forgot about me already?"

His heart sank in sorrow as without thinking what was happening, he started to follow her fleeing figure.

It wasn't sorrow, nor fear, but pain in his heart, as he could barely walk, leaning in that world, for moments, he could see the hallway. But seeing her figure, her back and her face, changed his surroundings at something more familiar.

He could almost smell the scent of Camilla's pastries in the air, the sounds of his comrades sparring at the back, even the light of Lilith Shrine in the distance.

It couldn't be real, it couldn't be right, it was too good to be true, but his feet felt the dirt in his toes, the sweet breeze of the place. Was this a delusion? His heartbeat quickened as his judgment was clouded.

Perhaps…. As before, it was another dream? Perhaps he was sleeping in Oboro´s lap, maybe Yukimura tried to attack him in his slumber and now, this was his reward to resist that pain, it had to be.

"Kamui… have you….forgotten me?"

Elise voice called him, still, her sweet and charming voice soothed his soul, but it felt concerned, almost pained. Seeing her, she was looking at him, her pigtails were untied, her hair was shinier than the same gold ring she had on her finger, now he noticed that she still had that troubled face.

"Have you…given up….on me?" Her words pierced him deeper and painfully than any blade he felt on his skin.

After all, he still loved her, deeply and passionately as the first day.

"No….never….. I….." he stretched his hand, but she took a back step, with a sad expression.

"You….were gone for a long time….why you….don't come for me?" she turned, walking away from him. "Was I…. not enough? It´s…. my fault?"

"No! you….you….." His feet felt heavy as his vision was blurred. Still, he could see her figure, as she was took a hesitating step in the stairs. They were just at the base of the treehouse.

"….Kamui….."

"Don't go!" he pleaded, as he slowly walked to her, stumbling, he managed to hold her wrist "I….I still love you….please….."

Elise was still looking troubled, but she giggled with a gentle smile, feeling her skin on his hand, she interlocked fingers, not before playfully pulling him with her purple ribbon. With a gentle pull, now they were on the first rung of the stairs.

"…Shall we…. Reclaim our lost time?" she placed her forehead on his chest. By instinct he embraced her, nodding.

"Yes, let-" He couldn't finish as he felt how they were falling again that drowsiness appeared again, he could barely maintain his eyes open before loosing sight of everything, seeing just a black void behind Elise.

"This time, just die quietly"

Such a chaotic morning, after all the issues with the council, with Ryoma, then those Nohrians and to finish with Yukimura's sudden appearance, it was too much for her. After some hours she was ready to call it a day, but there were some issues to be solved.

Hinoka managed to calm down the situation with the guards and the Nohrians ambassadors. Under the watch of trustworthy guards, they were put in custody in one of the barracks beside the Castle, even with the dim entertainment around that place, it would be enough to calm the situation, at least until they had to deal with Yukimura or Ryoma again, for the time being. She and Kagero were in one of the rooms on the third floor, improvised as a nursery. Kagero bandaged her right arm with a stern expression on her face.

"You have grown quite bold….." Kagero whispered with a firm tone, she looked directly at her. "…but, you don't have the strength to use Astra and Breaking Heaven like that, please, restrain yourself, Lady Hinoka."

"You said it like if it was a bad thing to let out some steam," she replied, opening and closing her hand, Kagero shook her head and took her wrist.

"Pardon my rudeness, milady, but I won't allow it to happen again, not unless you can control it," she pressed against the inner part of her palm, making her cringe in pain. "If you use that combo again several times without knowing how to release it, then you won't be able to hold a naginata in the near future…..its already bad that your muscles are worn out to the point, that even this is painful" she gently pushed her arm up, making her groan.

"….Fine…" She sighed as Kagero released her hand. "…Sorry…. It's just…. I'm tired…. Of everything….."

"No, forgive me, Lady Hinoka…. I was too harsh…."

She shook her head "Don't sweat it, I-"

"LADY HINOKA!" Miyu interrupted, looking at the ninja, she was breathing hard, her face was red and her eyes were somewhat wet.

"Uh? Wh-"

"KAMUI! KAMUI IS…!" She ran to her side, grabbing her arms and shaking her, the ninja started to cry as she couldn't speak clearly.

"W-Wait! H-Hold on! Is something wrong?"

"Uggh…. He…. He….." she was barely holding back, but cleaning her nose with a napkin Kagero handed her, she tried to explain again. "He….He…..He…."

"He…..?"

"He…. He´s been lovey-dovey with Oboro!" she cried. Kagero facepalmed as Hinoka's face was blank, it wasn't like she didn't care, but it was hardly something that she could complain about openly. She sighed and tried to calm her down.

"Look….I know t-"

"No, Lady Hinoka, you don't understand! He…. He….. he said that Oboro's food was delicious!" she cried again, making them repeat the same actions.

"…..Ok, first, calm down, I don't think that´s possible, h-"

"Ugg…. Lady Hinoka, you don't understand! He can taste again!" This time, the comment made them widen their eyes.

"What?"

It took a while to calm the ninja down, but she managed to resume the events of the morning.

How Kamui hurt Sakura, his 'offcolor' world, how Oboro was his only 'light', how he had a sincere talk with her, and the events of the kitchen, how he stuffed his mouth with food, that finally, after so long, he was able to taste the food.

If she was honest, she was mad, happy and jealous.

Mad at Yukimura, he managed to corrupt further his mind, now she had to deal with the fact that, if Sakura was only "noise" for him, it might be the same for her, making her anxious about the result. Happy to know that even if it was a side effect, some of his senses returned, even if the price was too high, he got back something that everyone thought was lost until he was freed from his curse.

And jealous, too jealous.

That Oboro went ahead of her, she barely could hold the appearances. If it wasn't for the upcoming meetings with some of the nobles, she would rush to his side.

"Well, I'm…. Glad to hear that…. They had a greater morning than me," Hinoka said after Miyu finished reporting "But…. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with them?"

"Oh, Rin is with them, she looked for them all morning and she kick me out of there, saying that I would be too noisy for my own good if i stayed there..." She sighed. "Well…. I wanted to hug and celebrate with them….but doing that in the kitchen…. You know….."

"I see, if Rin is with them, there´s nothing to worry about."

"What´s that supposed to mean?!" Miyu puffed her cheeks. "You´re mean, Lady Hinoka!"

"Should that be something you say to your liege?" Kagero lectured the girl, who hesitant to reply, crossed her arms.

"It´s not like Lady Hinoka minds, we´re buddies, right?"

"Still, she´s the princess of Hoshido, you shouldn't address her like that."

"C´mon girl, you shou-"

"No….ka…"

She immediately stood up, her heart stopped for a moment as the girls were startled by her sudden reaction, cold sweat fell from her neck as her heartbeat was raising with the second.

"Lady Hinoka? What happened? Wh-" Kagero asked, but Hinoka just started running, looking at each other, the ninjas nodded, following her.

"Kamui?!" She screamed in the hallways, looking desperately for a reply, she ran through the almost empty halls, with her naginata in hand and trying to figure out what happened. No clues so far, she lost track of time, and looking back, although she could swear Kagero and Rin were following her, but she lost them.

Even if it was another of Yukimura's plots, she couldn't believe that it was one of his tricks. That voice was Kamui's, pleading, she would never forget how he called her.

But, where to look? Her lungs hurt when she arrived at the kitchen, but there was no one there. Looking around made her doubt her own steps, she could feel her heart on her throat as the nervousness started to sink deeper in her.

Just as if it was a reply from the heavens, her omamori shone in her chest. Taking it out, the light was dimming in one direction, would it act as a compass? Without much options she followed it. The last time, they were led to Yukimura´s whereabouts, would this time be the same? There were a lot of questions in her mind. The voices of the rooms of started to fade with each step, it couldn't be right, he couldn't be there, at the back of the palace, when she reached the location, it was uncertain it was right.

She arrived to one of the main, circular stairs of the Castle. Leaning on the fence, she saw how big it was that place, and still, it there was no one at first sight, looking at the omamori, it was pointing upstairs, as she heard something around the place, her eyes widened.

She was in the 4th floor, Kamui was in the 5th floor.

He was not alone, there was something in front of him, a faceless replica that was grabbing his wrist.

"KAMUI!" She yelled, leaning on the fence, it couldn't be Rin's replica, and certainly, it didn't look normal, and certainly, her heart stopped when Kamui stepped on the fence.

The replica moved in such unnatural way, drawing him near, closer to it, her face lost all the color when that thing carefully placed a rope around his neck, the other end was tied on the fence.

She didn't hesitate when the replica embraced him and they started to fall to the center of the giant stairs.

She quickly ran to the nearest wall and seeing when Kamui started to fall, she ran to the fence, using her naginata to gain impulse, before her brain could react, before she could think, she was already in free fall, trying to grab Kamui mid-air.

The time moved slowly, feeling the air moving her hair, how her arm stretched to grab him, how it felt that with each heartbeat, the time returned to it´s course, just to stop until the next beat, the replica saw her just a few inches away, it moved in such way that allowed her to see what was going on with Kamui.

His eyes were void, as his wrists and ankles were tied down with some of the parts of the replica, it wasn't a normal one, humanoid form, but long and slender "arms" at its sides, more like a spider, and how the extra limbs had that similar seals to Kamui´s curse appeared in it´s body, it wasn't a mistake what she saw, that rope around Kamui´s neck wasn't for show, did Yukimura just decided to end it like this? The seconds were lasting an eternity as it didn't look like she could reach him, her heart ached as the moment approached.

She felt how her fingertips of her right arm barely managed to touch his arm, if she could slid her hand under her shoulder, then she needed to grab the next fence before the rope tensed, her hand moved slightly as the replica was pushing her away.

There was not enough force, just not enough inertia to push that thing away, feeling its hand on her shoulder, she simply wouldn't make it.

Seconds as a void appeared in her stomach, her body felt the pressure of failing again, as her hand was moving away from him.

Then, shock, the unexpected.

From the edge of her eyes, she could see how part of the replica was breaking apart, pierced by something, she could see parts of the mechanism breaking apart, whatever hit it, it was with enough force to push them to her.

She saw that green thing passing in the space between her and Kamui´s body, that second felt as a lifetime, but the moment her hand was already under Kamui´s shoulder, it returned to its normal flown.

She hit hard the fence of the 3rd floor, her left arm slid between the bars of the fence, and almost missed the chance to grab it, her arm was numb, then her body tensed.

The first thing she noticed, was the broken fingers of her left arm, then how the ligaments felt like they were breaking for the sudden hit and stretching, her right shoulder dislocated when Kamui´s body swayed in her right arm, the right wrist wasn't the exception, if she wouldn't have slid her hand, then by the impact she could have lost hold of his body, but now, grabbing him by his right arm, she prayed for more strength.

"K-Kamui!" She screamed as her body tensed more, looking down, parts of the replica were still stuck on his body, but now he was unconscious, she wanted to let him go in the 3rd floor fence, but the rope was on its limit already, if she let him go, then instead of breaking his neck, he would suffocate to death.

"KAMUI!" She screamed trying to flex her arms, feeling how her body screamed with each movement, she bit her lip, feeling the blood in her mouth, she struggled to maintain her hold on the fence "KAMUI! PLEASE! WAKE UP!" She started to feel how her eyes were wet, her strength was failing as the sweat on her left hand started to foul his hold.

"…Please….. not…. Like this….. not like this…" She started to cry closing her eyes, for minutes, over and over again tried to flex her arms, even if she would fall, she wanted to throw him out of harm, but her body was already giving up.

"Mother….I…I….."

Finally, she slipped from the fence when she felt how from under her something pulled them, she widened her eyes as the fence started to drift apart.

"DAMMIT!" Something grabbed her, just a few centimeters away of the fence, a pair of hands grabbed her wrist, even though she hated to admit it, she felt like crying to see her face "DO IT ALREADY RIN!" Oboro screamed as the ninja appeared on the fence.

With a swift movement of her hand, she cut the rope and fell to Hinoka's side, then, as the ninja was using her own hook and rope, she threw a Kunai to Hinoka's side.

It hit something, looking down, she saw what pulled her down, it was still part of the replica that was holding Kamui, although it was half broken, it was still trying to pull them, even if the kunai hit him straight in its face.

"Down!" Another voice screamed, Rin by instinct looked up and before she could react, something green flew in their direction.

It hit the replica in the chest, destroying whatever was left of it, that thing finally crumbled under it damaged parts, releasing Kamui and her, just when Rin looked and nodded at Oboro, she pulled them with all her force.

"Kamui!" She pleaded when he was laying on the floor, Rin cut the rope as Oboro looked for any other injuries, Hinoka didn't waste any second when they were safe, she tried to wake him up, as Oboro was doing the same.

"Please, wake up, don't do this! Don't leave me!" Oboro screamed as she hugged him, crying on his chest.

"…" Rin looked at the fence of the 6th floor, still troubled by what happened.

"Girls! What is going on?!" Reina appeared in the hallway, with Miyu and some of the priestess, she stopped and almost fell to her knees "Wh-What? WHAT TE HELL HAPPENED?!" stumbling in her steps, she was stopped by the priestesses, two of them approached to check on the albino. "LET ME GO! MY CHILD…. MY CHILD IS…..!

"….. He´s breathing, but we don't know if there is any other injury," stated one of the priestesses. "We need to move, now," With the help of Oboro and Hinoka, they carried Kamui out of that place, followed by a concerned Reina, leaving Rin behind.

She was still looking at the fence of the 6th floor, with her sharp eyes, she saw a figure moving away from the stairs.

"Was that…Lord Takumi's doing?" She whispered.

Phew... it has been a while, hasnt it?

Sorry guys, you know, there are a lot of things happening right now, and with the short notice of my work and studies... well, i had better days.

Anyway, i hope all of you are doing great in these interesting times we are living, hope you and your family/friends are safe and healthy.

This will be all for this month, sorry for the delay guys, i´ll try my best to update the other chapters, please, leave your comments, reviews and opinions, share and let me know what do you think about these little fics.

Have a great weekend and day/night!

SHIDESU! OUT!