I don't own Fire Emblem.

Hey everyone, wow another side story huh? Yeah well anyway, the reason why I made something separate is because Branches of Fate is more for present time, during the main plot. This is to give a little more insight on how the twins were while they grew up. Unlike Branches, this one can be in the twins POV but it's not anchored to just them.

Sorry if you guys wanted an update on the main story, I'm working on it but things are just tense right now. I'm not stuck on the plot, I know what I want to do but I'm having some trouble figuring out how to write it down. This idea came through a little clearer so I decided to do this first. Plus I felt like I needed a break from all the moody stuff.

Feel free to make requests through PMs on parts of their past that you want to see. I'm a bit stretched for time right now so bear with me. I have some ideas already planned of course but I want to see if anyone has something they want to see. Requests here can't be lemons obviously and nothing that changes he main plot or the personalities I set in. This is all basically just fluff and games though, I already planed the dark and grim stuff but if you think you have something, feel free. I hope this chapter gives you all a feel for how the characters are.

Oh also, we are going jump around so don't expect some kind of timeline in order. If you really want, I could make a separate story on that…later.

Chapter 1: Before Fates

Two Years Before Split Destiny

Leo's POV

"Ah!" Leo cried out as he was launched onto his back with a small thud and clatter from the impact and his armor respectively. His right hand felt sore and his back and stomach stung but those paled in comparison to his pride. He growled in annoyance as he gripped his training sword tightly before he sat up quickly to glare at the one who launched him.

The one he was glaring at was his older brother, Kamui. Even though Kamui was his older brother, Leo could feel nothing but anger towards him at that specific moment. Standing there regal and clean in his silver armor with his snowy hair, pale complexion and his calm red eyes that seemed to just see everything. He stood proudly and unmoving like he could take anything, it was infuriating to the fourteen year old dark knight. Kamui's red eyes filled with concern and he lowered his sword as he approached and offered his hand to him. Leo felt nothing but contempt though for his older brother and smacked his hand away.

"That was a dirty move!" Leo shouted and Kamui's eyes lost their worry and were replaced by annoyance. He scoffed and shook his head in a disappointed manner and Leo felt his blood boil. Where the hell did he get the authority to judge him? He was only a year older than him!

"Leo! That's unbecoming of you," the dark knight winced as the strict voice of his other older brother cut in. He turned his gaze from Kamui's perceptive gaze towards the owner of the voice and the rest of their watchers.

The ones watching the match were not just Leo's eldest brother but also the rest of his siblings. Xander was the one who called him out, he was a tall blonde with their family's usual purple eyes, dressed up in black armor, befitting of his station as Crown Prince of Nohr and he looked more than a little steamed. He stood off to one side of their little training arena with Camilla; the second eldest possessed all things that would make any other girl or woman jealous though at the moment she looked disappointed. Then Leo went ahead and spared a glance towards the other side of the arena to look at the others. Elise, the youngest of them had a frown across her usually happy and perky face, it made Leo cringe a little.

It was the final member of their little family though that really hurt Leo the most, Corrin. She was older than he was and she was also Kamui's twin, sporting all the same features, as her brother except she was a girl. She was holding Elise's hand but she looked distressed instead of disappointed or angry like the rest. Though Leo could tell that her worry was directed towards her twin, it made Leo's heart ache a bit. Since he wanted her to be on his side for once, more badly than any of the others.

"Leo!" Xander snapped and the dark knight flinched before he turned his gaze back to his eldest sibling.

"He just cheated…" Leo muttered as he wilted under the collective looks of his family.

"I didn't cheat, I just used my leg to hit you…it's not my fault you're too slow to keep up," Kamui scoffed as he sheathed his sword and crossed his arms. Leo growled lowly and jumped up onto his feet despite the dizziness that still swept through him.

"I thought we were having a sword fight! You don't fight like a Nohrian!" Leo waved his own training sword in Kamui's face to emphasize the point but his brother just shook his head. The Nohrian fighting style emphasized more strong sword strikes and if needed a punch or hit with the hilt of the users sword. Kamui did none of that. Sure he was strong but he favored being agile and using his hands and feet if needed to strike. He was also a bit reliant on acrobatics that Leo would expect from a damn Hoshidian. Leo just couldn't hit him and it was infuriating.

"We were sparring…using our swords and our bodies. Something you need to work on, which is why I insisted that we train this way…the people you fight won't always move the way you expect them to and I think I just proved you need more work," Kamui said and Leo felt his hands clench. In a flourish he slashed at the red-eyed warrior with his sword and he barely heard the others shout his name.

"Is this enough for you!" Leo shouted but Kamui's eyes narrowed into a glare before he ducked under the sword and grabbed his arm. Then he twisted his arm, making Leo cry out in pain as he dropped his sword. His brother didn't stop there though; he twisted his arm around his back and forced him to a knee.

"I'm training you like this because you are lacking in the physical area of combat as you can see!" Kamui scolded, not holding himself back from yelling this time. Leo felt nothing but anger though towards his brother.

Don't get Leo wrong, he didn't hate Kamui or even dislike him exactly. He actually liked him…he just didn't show it really. Kamui was very nice and he did care for all of them but Leo detested being coddled. It was bad enough having Camilla coddled him; he didn't need Kamui doing it too. He just found him far too proud; he acted so sure and mature as if he was already an adult.

It annoyed Leo that the others seemed to just eat up his attitude so easily. Corrin and Elise always looked at Kamui like he was some big hero, especially the latter. Kamui hadn't even done anything substantial at all! Meanwhile Camilla treated Kamui almost like he was the perfect gentleman, always willing to entrust anything to him. If Leo didn't know any better, he'd think she had a crush on him. Then Xander always praised him whenever he accomplished anything in training even if it was the smallest thing. When were they going to realize that Kamui wasn't the only other prince? Well Leo would show them!

"What do you know? I can bend the battle to my needs with my magic! I can drain the life out of a being before they could do anything! All you have is your fancy moves and your sword! Your powers aren't even that good, all you can do is dodge or teleport with them and I can easily predict where you'll be! You tire out quickly when you try to manipulate weapons! You can't even figure out how to use your sensing ability either!" Leo shouted through the pain as he glared behind him. Kamui just scoffed and while his eyes still held their anger, he released his arm and picked up Leo's training sword.

"I'm done here…I refuse to train with you anymore today until you learn some manners…" Kamui said and Leo glared at him as he walked off. Kamui and his self-righteous attitude like he knew everything…

"I'll show you, skill!" Leo's hands sparked to life with magic as he activated his spells.

"Wait, Leo!"

"Leo, no!"

"Don't do it!"

"Stop it you meanie!"

"Rah!" Leo threw a dark magic spell towards Kamui but before the spell connected Kamui moved to the side, dodging it. His red eyes locked on him and Leo flinched at the sheer anger in them. Then in an instant he sprinted towards him, faster than Leo had seen before. He threw another spell at him but he ducked under it and the dark knight had no time to react when Kamui threw the training sword at him. Leo brought his arms up and his armor easily tanked the hit since the blade wasn't sharpened but when he lowered his arms, Kamui was right in front of him. His red eyes glared right into Leo and the next thing he saw was Kamui's fist coming at him.

"Ah!" Leo fell onto his back, clutching his nose as it throbbed in pain. The next thing he knew, he was lifted from the ground, his feet weren't even touching the ground. When his vision cleared he saw that it was Kamui who had lifted him up and he was less than pleased.

"What's your problem!" Kamui shouted and Leo flinched at the sheer anger in his voice. His usually calm expression was twisted into a scowl and his red eyes literally seemed to be glowing as they glared straight into the dark knight.

"I-"

"What? Do you think I'm arrogant? Do you think I'm trying to keep you down? Well guess what? Despite what you might think, I actually give a damn about you, for reasons I do not even understand since despite everything I've done you still try to undermine me at every turn!" Kamui shouted and Leo just shook slightly as he stared at him in shock and a little fear. Kamui rarely lost his temper like that but when he did, it made Leo shake in fear.

"Kamui…stop, let's go…" a hand landed on Kamui's shoulder and Leo followed it to see that it was Camilla. She didn't look very happy with him either but her hand pulled on Kamui's shoulder gently. After a few moments Kamui seemed to lose his anger and he dropped Leo, who fell on his rear again.

"We're done here…" Kamui said and Leo groaned as he looked up just to see Kamui turn and walk off. Camilla went with him after giving Leo a shake of her head.

"Big Brother!" Elise ran up to the white haired prince and he stopped to smile at her and when she jumped up to him, he caught her and adjusted her in his hold so he could carry her more easily.

"Hey Elise! How about we go get something to eat huh?" Kamui asked as he carried her off with him. Camilla wrapped her arm around Kamui and Elise.

"Yes, let's go get something to eat! Oh! How about we cook again!" Camilla asked as she led them off.

"Oh! Can I have a cake!?" Elise chimed and her older siblings laughed, it made Leo wince a little in envy. He…also had a vague image of Camilla and Kamui being parents, especially from the way they were situated currently.

"Of course, anything for my Little Sunshine!" Kamui replied as the three finally turned a corner and were out of sight.

"Leo!" the dark knight flinched and he bowed his head slightly as he stood up to face his older brother. He didn't have to look to know that he was glaring at him.

"I am very disappointed in you Leo. I expect more from you," Xander chided and Leo grit his teeth as he lifted his eyes up to look his brother in the face.

"He keeps me down, why can't I train in the more advanced arts!" Leo spat and Xander shook his head in a dismissing manner.

"You must know how to protect yourself before we teach you how to attack. You use both a sword and magic but you favor your magic so much that Kamui believes you need to focus more of your efforts on your defensive moves," Xander explained and Leo shook his head in refusal.

"When does he get to dictate what I need? What does he know about any of this!?" Leo barked and Xander's eyes hardened further.

"Whatever grudge or envy you feel towards Kamui, drop it. He loves you Leo and you will remember that he is your brother. He is a worthy prince whether you believe it or not. He understands more than you could ever imagine," Xander snapped and Leo flinched at the raw emotion in his brother's voice, he almost sounded…pained.

"I expect you to work out whatever problems you have before the ball next month…otherwise I think it would be wise if you do not attend…" Xander continued and Leo's eyes widened.

The ball, Xander was talking about was supposed to be a celebration for Nohr's anniversary; Leo personally thought it was just an excuse for the Nobles to party. The ball wasn't even being held in Krakenburg, it was being held in Nestra, in Cyrkensia to be precise. Except while Leo did not exactly agree with the reason it did have it's uses... Like the twins being aloud to leave the Fortress to attend the party. Leo did have a…desire to be Corrin's "companion", in fact he had been trying to think of a way to ask her to accompany him but he just couldn't.

Leo was no fool, he knew that the twins were not his "real" siblings, anyone could tell just from looking at them. Neither of them had any of their features and Leo didn't think they were really albino like their father said. After all, he had a vague memory of a blue haired girl that was called his sister as well…Leo's father was rumored to have "taken" children that he found "interesting".

Leo wouldn't go so far as to say he had feelings for Corrin just yet…but he definitely had an interest in her. Plus he couldn't stand the idea of someone else holding Corrin's arm during the ball. He couldn't be forced to stay away! He needed to go otherwise all his planning would be for naught!

"I want to go though!" Leo protested and Xander held his hand up.

"And you will for now…but if you act up again towards Kamui or any of your siblings, that privilege will be revoked," Xander turned on his heel and left the training area, going a different direction than Kamui and the others went. Leo watched him go with a bit of a sour expression and it wasn't until he was out of sight that he was reminded that he wasn't alone.

"You know, it won't kill you to be at least a little nicer to our brother," Corrin spoke and Leo flinched before he turned towards the white haired girl. She gave him a smile but it was half-hearted, he could tell she was at least a little mad at him too. He barely managed to hold her gaze without turning away.

"Maybe…" Leo muttered and Corrin sighed before she shook her head.

"You know he only does that stuff because you give him no choice, right?" Corrin asked and Leo scoffed. Kamui had always been the disciplinarian for them, even though he was never explicitly told to.

"You know, you really could have hurt him if that spell actually connected. We could all tell how much power was in that blast. I'm actually surprised Xander didn't outright say you weren't aloud to go to the ball from that. You're lucky that Kamui is fast," Corrin said softly and Leo felt his annoyance build up again.

"He's not that fast…" Leo muttered and Corrin laughed gently. Curse her laugh, he couldn't stay mad at her when she did that!

He had an interesting relationship with Corrin over the years. At first he hated her as much as he hated Kamui, he used to tease and bully her a lot, Elise also. How could he forget, that was how he realized Kamui was a whole lot stronger than he looked. There was a time when Leo was just as tall and big as Kamui yet it was like Kamui had the strength of someone years older.

Leo still remembered how long he had a bruise after he made Corrin and Elise cry back when they were kids. Or how long it took to wash his favorite shirt after Kamui pushed him into mud for ripping Corrin's favorite dress. Though as time went on, or after being manhandled by Kamui enough Leo began to start seeing Corrin as a bit more than just an annoying girl or an annoying sister.

"He ran at you from the other side of the arena and you only managed to throw two spells before he punched you in the face. You deserved it too," Corrin reminded and Leo grumbled in response. Corrin sighed before she adjusted hair a bit, Leo found himself wishing he could run his hands through her smooth hair but he quickly shook himself out of that before anything else invaded his mind. Curse his hormones and curse Camilla for explaining what they were!

"I'm a better swordsman than you also. If it was me who beat you, would you have tried to shoot me in the back also?" Corrin asked as she crossed her arms and Leo flinched.

"N-No…" Leo answered and Corrin nodded.

"Then give that same respect to Kamui, or I will take it as an offense against me the next time you call him out," Corrin reinforced and Leo found himself withering slightly under her gaze. It was easy to forget that Corrin was strong as well, far stronger than normal for someone her age or size, same as her twin. While she wasn't quite as strong as her twin in regards to their fighting, she was still a terror if pushed. Plus she was getting quite handy with offensive magic.

"I…I'll try…" Leo promised. He didn't want to lose Corrin's affection after all, he would just have to learn to deal with things as they were…

"Good, now come, let's go get something to eat, if Camilla and Kamui are cooking you know it'll be good," Corrin grabbed his arm and Leo chose to ignore the fact that she hugged it against her chest. Though before they got too far, an idea hit Leo.

"Hey um, Corrin can we uh talk about something first? I need your opinion on something," Leo said and Corrin turned to him with an interested look.

"Like what?" Corrin asked and Leo smiled lightly. Corrin did always tend to want to do things with him even if they were small. Hopefully what he had planned would work out, he really needed to commit to it before it was too late. He had been developing a new spell for a while just for asking Corrin if he could be her escort at the ball. He didn't know if it was ready yet but he needed to act now.

"I have been thinking of a new spell…and I want to talk to you about something…"

Camilla's POV

Camilla was setting up the table while Kamui started preparing ingredients for something to eat. The princess looked towards her little brother, smiling as she saw him stir the bowl while Elise clung to his side. It was cute, due to Elise's short height, one could almost think that Kamui was her father but he looked far too young for that, dragon immortality or not.

"What are you making Big Brother?" Elise asked as she tried to jump up to see what he was doing. Kamui laughed as he placed the bowl on the counter and tilted it back so that she could see what he was doing. There wasn't just a bowl though; there was a cutting board and a slab of pork placed on it along with an assortment of spices and other things that were going to be prepared. Elise was still too short to see over the counter without standing on her tiptoes. Hopefully she would get a little bigger in a few years.

"I'm mixing the batter for the cake you want and then I have to cut the pork for the main course," Kamui explained as he stirred the bowl. Elise tried to reach inside but he smacked her hand gently, making her pout cutely. Camilla couldn't help but be proud, she still had flashes of a little boy who was first introduced as her new brother and now that same boy was growing into a fine young man. She had a small flash of the same situation Kamui and Elise were currently in except Camilla was in Kamui's place and Kamui was in Elise's place.

"I'll take over, Kamui," Camilla said gently as she moved over so that she was standing on Elise's other side so that she was in between them. Kamui turned his gaze to hers and he smiled at her. Camilla imagined Kamui and herself in the same position but instead of Elise standing in between them, she imagined a little boy or girl with purple hair and red eyes and- Camilla shook that image out of her head and returned to the present.

"Of course," Kamui stopped his stirring and handed her the bowl, which she took gratefully and resumed his work.

"Big Brother, did Leo hurt you?" Elise asked suddenly and Kamui paused as he picked up the cutting knife. Camilla frowned and Kamui sighed as he pulled the cutting board over and started chopping the meat.

"Yes, I am quite alright Elise. Our brother is just…going through a phase…" Kamui appeased and Camilla tilted her head at that. It was a wonder how Kamui could still try to make Elise think Leo was good when the dark knight spent most of their earlier years bullying Elise while Kamui had to keep him in check. Especially since Leo was still mean to him even in their teen years now. It wasn't hard to imagine that Elise thought Kamui was some kind of fairy tale hero while Leo was the villain of the story.

"Leo is a big meanie!" Elise replied cutely and Camilla couldn't help herself from laughing and Kamui just smiled and shook his head.

"Perhaps, what do you think of Kamui then, Elise?" Camilla asked as she rubbed her head, messing up her blonde locks a little.

"Big Brother is a Hero!" Elise exclaimed and Camilla giggled when she saw Kamui's cheeks tint red.

"Hm…" Kamui just returned his gaze back to his cutting and Camilla laughed as she continued preparing the food. Kamui huffed and tried to ignore them but Camilla knew he was eating it up.

"Big Sister, aren't you going to ask Big Brother that question now?" Elise asked as she tugged on Camilla's leg. The princess froze for a moment and then Kamui turned towards her, interested.

"Ask me what?" Kamui asked as he stopped Elise from pulling a pan onto her head and put it back in its place, without even looking. Camilla flushed slightly and then she glared at Elise accusingly but she just smiled at her innocently. That sneaky little…

This wasn't how she wanted to ask! She wanted to ask Kamui if he would be alright with being her escort to the ball coming up. She wouldn't lie, part of the reason was because she wanted to ward off most of the lecherous men at the party but another part of it was because she wanted to see if she could get to know him in bit of a different sense. But still…Elise put her on the spot! She wasn't ready! She was supposed to take him out for a stroll in the gardens under the moonlight and then she would sweet talk him and pop the question. Then he'd say yes and then they w-Camilla shook her head; she really needed to stop reading cheap romance s-novels.

"I…uh…Kamui well I would like to uh…" Camilla blushed as she stuttered over her words. What was going on? She was Camilla! She didn't stutter or trip over words like this! It didn't help that Kamui was giving her a rather amused look.

"Well, Camilla?" Kamui asked as he put the meat into the oven and started washing his hands in the sink. Camilla stuttered for a few more moments, trying to figure out how to say she wanted to ask him. She kept telling herself to just do it but she kept freezing up.

"W-would you…"

"Like to be your escort at the ball in Crykensia? Sure, I would love to," Camilla froze and when her mind caught up to the present she stared at him in shock. Kamui just laughed at her expression, Elise joining in.

"What?!" Camilla exclaimed and Elise stepped back and Kamui wrapped his arms around Camilla and pulled her into a hug.

"Not so funny when you're on the receiving end is it?" he asked as he pulled back. Camilla was still staring at him in shock and he laughed again before he picked Elise up and sat down at the table with her on his lap.

"Elise told me a week ago that you wanted me to be your escort. I waited but you took too long so I had to force the issue to come up," Kamui explained and Elise nodded happily. Camilla stared at them in shock; she couldn't believe she had been had so easily. Slowly a smile crept onto her face and then Kamui's eyes widened.

"You haven't had the last laugh!" Camilla shouted and Kamui literally jumped over the table and settled Elise on his back before he ran out the door. Camilla was hot on their tails. Their servants would tend to the food if it was ready before they got back.

"Get back here!" Camilla shouted gleefully as she chased them.

"Faster, Big Brother!" Elise exclaimed, happily and Kamui broke his sprint and jumped out one of the open windows into one of the gardens. Camilla followed after him and chased him through the garden. She vaguely noticed Corrin and Leo were there but she had other things drawing her attention.

"Here Elise!" Kamui pulled Elise up and held her up at one of the trees, which she climbed up. Except before he could move further, Camilla tackled him onto the ground.

"Got you!" Camilla shouted happily as she took him to the ground. Despite the rather bold move both of them were laughing. She pinned him down and started trying to tickle him but there wasn't a soft spot through his armor on his sides, she was about to go for his neck but he had other ideas. Kamui grabbed her hands and they were suddenly turned over and Kamui pinned her hands onto the ground with one hand while the other started skidding along her side.

"Hahaha! K-Kamui stop!" Camilla giggled as she tried to thrash around to throw him off but he was too strong. Unfortunately she didn't have armor blocking her sides like he did so she was at his mercy.

"It's not so funny being the receiver is it!" Kamui boasted happily as he tickled her. Camilla laughed hard as he tickled her like no tomorrow; it had been years since they did anything involving tickling. She was foolish for thinking that Kamui had the same strength he had when he was nine.

"Pl-Please stop!" Camilla laughed and after a few moments, Kamui did stop. Camilla was left a little flushed and panting as she tried to recover from her "assault". Kamui even released her hands and just laughed. Camilla giggled slightly as she gazed up at him.

"I guess I should have remembered that you're not nine anymore…" Camilla trailed off as her sentence went on since the angle she saw him at, made the light give emphasis to his ruby eyes and his white hair. Also…his face was only a few inches away from hers. Kamui seemed to realize how close they were as well since he blushed but he didn't pull away. Camilla reached up and placed her hand on his neck and slowly pulled him down to-

"Corrin will you allow me to be your escort to the ball!" the sweet moment was broken and Kamui phased off of Camilla and onto his feet, his face scarlet. Camilla was much the same though she was left lying on the ground. After her brain caught up with current events, her eyes widened and she hopped onto her feet.

"Did I hear what I think I heard?" Camilla thought. Kamui seemed to be thinking the same thing since his blush died down. They both shared an astonished look before they turned to where the exclamation came from, their embarrassment forgotten.

They saw Leo holding his hands out towards Corrin. Kamui's twin was standing completely still like she was frozen, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. Camilla's joy over seeing Leo step up was starting to be replaced by worry. She hoped that Corrin didn't have a breakdown. The running gag for the past few weeks was that everyone was waiting for Leo to ask Corrin to the ball. Those two had been running circles around each other for a while and Leo was still having trouble cluing in. Or maybe he was just shy either reason was viable.

"Corrin?" Leo asked after a few tense moments. Corrin shook and blinked a few moments before a bright smile and blush covered her face. Camilla smiled and she shared a happy look with Kamui and she laughed when Elise dropped down into his arms.

"Yay…" Elise whispered, thankfully understanding not to interrupt.

"Yes!" Corrin shouted as she jumped into Leo's arms. The dark knight barely managed to stay standing but he had the biggest smile on his face that Camilla had ever seen him wear. He even gave her a small twirl, which made Kamui sigh.

"So he DOES listen to some things I tell him," Kamui said off handedly, which made Camilla and Elise giggle.

"Do you have any idea how long I was waiting to hear you say that?" Corrin asked after Leo finally set her down. The dark knight chuckled a little nervously in response.

"Make sure you treat her right!" Camilla announced as she stepped closer, making the duo freeze and turn to her in shock. Camilla gave them a small wave and she heard Kamui sigh as he stepped out of cover, still carrying Elise.

"You were watching!" Corrin shrieked in embarrassment and Kamui face palmed while Camilla and Elise just laughed.

"Believe me that wasn't the intention…" Kamui replied, stoically. Thankfully Leo didn't comment on that and just turned back to Corrin.

"I have something else I want to show you Corrin!" Leo said as he grabbed her hands.

"The new spell, right?" Corrin asked, interested.

That caught, Camilla's attention; a new spell? The last time Leo tried that, he set Xander's cape on fire…and nearly made a tree fall on Elise. Then time before that he blew down one of the walls to the twin's room…specifically their bathing room while they were both getting ready for a bath…Leo said that he didn't know that they both still bathed together…but that meant he was admitting that he was trying to peep. Kamui wasn't happy at all that day and Corrin was mortified for a while, she wouldn't leave her twin's side for a week and she called Leo a pervert for months.

"That can't be good…" Camilla looked over at Kamui and she saw that he was already putting Elise behind a tree for cover.

"Should we try to stop them?" Kamui asked lowly as Leo pulled a new tome out. It was a rainbowish color, which was a little alarming. Tomes were usually supposed to give a hint of their power by the color of their covers. The fact that it was a rainbowish color and given Leo's track record, made Camilla more than a little nervous. Kamui was already walking over when she turned to check on him. She blinked and stepped towards him but…

"Feuerwerk!" Leo shouted and then the tome flared before a flare of fire shot from the tome and after it went up a bit, it burst in a rather colorful fashion. Now that would have been fine…but it shot out fire!

"Down!" Camilla shouted. She ran towards Elise and pulled her against her in case any of the flames hit them. Thankfully nothing happened so Camilla turned around to see what was happening. The garden was on fire, thankfully the trees saved Elise and Camilla from getting hit but there was still fire everywhere!

"Corrin, Leo! Get away from the tome!" Kamui shouted as he sprinted towards them. Corrin dove to the side as another flare of flames burst from the tome but Leo hadn't even bothered to throw the tome away. He looked like he was trying to stop the spell…

"Stop! Feuerwerk!" Leo shouted as he cast the spell again. The book literally caught on fire and then another flare shot out but this one stopped at Leo's head level. Camilla's eyes widened but before she could shout her brother's name…

"Leo!" Kamui grabbed the tome from Leo's hands and pushed him onto the floor. Then he slammed the tome shut on the flare and tossed it away.

Camilla was about to breath a sigh of relief but then tome exploded. Camilla's eyes widened as flames and embers shot out at all angles. She hugged Elise tight and brought her to the ground and covered her with her body. Camilla had to close her eyes because of the bright flash. She heard some things fly past them but no pain came.

"AH!" Camilla's eyes zeroed in on that scream. Kamui! Camilla opened her eyes and she saw Kamui laying on his back, writhing in pain as he covered his eyes with his hands, she could even see some smoke coming from him.

"Kamui!" Corrin and Leo were hovering over him but when they tried to move his hands her shook out of their hold.

"Oh no…" Camilla ran towards Kamui, with Elise in toe.

"Big Brother!" Elise shrieked as she ran towards Kamui's side, with tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Kamui what's wrong!" Corrin shouted as she shook him.

"It burns! It burns! I…I can't see!" Kamui shouted and Camilla felt her whole world freeze. It was just like before…images of her darling crying for help as his hand was burned or seeing him covered in the blood of the ones he killed flew through her mind. She had failed again…

Xander's POV

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" Xander shouted as she shook Leo like a ragdoll practically. The dark knight did not even resist at all.

Leo had crafted a new spell, without supervision, without telling anyone. He thought it was a good idea to test it out in a garden full of flammable objects, in the presence of not one but three of his siblings! And now one of them was on a hospital bed because he took the blast for him.

Xander tried to be lenient on all his siblings, he was not around enough for his tastes so as much as it pained him to admit it, he knew that he was not as tuned in to their lives and quirks as he should be. Camilla always told him that she and Kamui were always there to make sure Leo and the others learned their lessons. So Xander stepped back and let Camilla and Kamui handle the domestic life while he dealt with his duties.

"Xander, he didn't mean it!" Corrin shouted as she pulled on his arm. Xander pushed her back though a little more forcefully than needed.

"He set the entire garden on fire! He knew that the spell was untested and yet he acted without thinking! He could have gotten all of you hurt and now we have a brother on a hospital bed, who might have lost his sight for good!" Xander shouted, he couldn't do nothing! This was not the same as breaking a vase or even setting his cape on fire, this time Leo had gotten a member of their family hurt!

Xander spared a glance towards the hospital bed. Kamui was lying on it, unconscious so that he wouldn't be awake through the process. They hadn't even removed his armor since they were in such a hurry. Bandages were put over his eyes and tied behind his head. Thankfully there was no bleeding but the way he struggled at first, made Xander have flashes of before…

Camilla sat at Kamui's side, clasping his hand with both of hers. Xander had not seen her let go of it the whole time he had been there. She wasn't crying but her eyes were a little red and she looked ready to break down at any moment now. Xander had not seen her this upset since the…game. Honestly he was surprised; she wasn't blowing up at Leo already since she was present when it actually happened.

Elise was in the room originally, trying to help heal Kamui but she grew exhausted quickly and was taken to her room to rest. The poor girl was so sad; Xander had never seen her so upset. He had to tell Gunter and Lilith to make sure that she stayed in her room.

Jakob, Felicia and Flora stood over the white haired prince with their staffs, pouring as much of their light magic into Kamui as they could, apparently they had been at it for over an hour. Leo and Corrin were sitting at Kamui's side as well but when Xander was told what happened, he ripped the dark knight out of his seat.

"He didn't mean it, Xander!" Corrin shouted again but Xander shook his head.

"He's your twin! Are you saying that Leo should be excused for something that was clearly his fault?" Xander asked, not believing that she was fine with this, that they were all FINE with this.

"No! But you don't have to cast it in his face again!" Corrin shouted. Xander looked back at the dark knight and he realized that Leo was crying, he did feel guilty. The crown prince sighed and released him, Leo caught himself but his head was still tilted down. He didn't let out so much of a whimper.

"This cannot go unpunished…" Xander said and Leo nodded.

"Can you guys keep it down…" Xander's eyes widened and everyone else flinched as they turned towards the bed. Kamui was waking up!

"What! The anesthetics shouldn't be wearing off yet!" Flora gasped and Kamui chuckled tiredly.

"Well clearly we have the wrong kind…I've been awake for the past ten minutes…sorry if its hard to tell, you guys can't exactly see my eyes now can you…" Kamui said tiredly as he shifted a little. Camilla tightened her hold on him and pressed him back against the bed.

"Kamui! You need to rest!" Camilla urged and Kamui chuckled.

"It's my eyes that hurt, not the rest of my body…" Kamui mumbled, his voice sounded so weak and forced…

"Milord you shouldn't strain yourself," Felicia pleaded but Kamui waved them off and sat up, stubbornly. There was a light blue flash that he let out, startling everyone but he didn't phase. Before Xander could ask though, Kamui spoke up.

"So how are my injuries, I'm not going to be blind forever am I?" the prince asked, light-heartedly but he didn't laugh, no one did. Corrin moved over to Kamui's other side and tried to flick his head but surprisingly he caught her arm by the wrist. Xander's eyes widened in surprise and his sister's let out small gasps. Kamui chuckled and turned his head towards Corrin.

"As much as this sucks…I can still "see". No that isn't entirely accurate, I can't really see color, everything is blue and the shapes are a little iffy but I can tell you're there, I guess you could say I am sensing you guys," Kamui explained and Xander's eyes widened.

"I thought you couldn't use it on demand?" Xander asked, worrying about his eye condition took a bit of a backseat.

Kamui had a power unlike anything Xander had seen, they thought it was magic but it wasn't something any mage in Nohr held. He heard a rumor that the ruler of Hoshido had a similar power but he had never seen it. The prince could "phase" in order to dodge attacks, even if they were less than a hair away. He would simply not be where the attack was aimed and then he could easily counterattack. He also possessed the ability to teleport to weapons or things he placed his unique magic inside. Though most things fell apart after a bit, especially if they weren't strong. He also possessed the ability to manipulate the objects he placed his energy in but the action always tired him out and it took a lot of concentration.

They didn't know the limits of his powers yet but one thing he had been working on was "sight". He claimed that there were times when he could "see" without actually using his eyes. After talking about it with Leo, it was theorized that Kamui used his unique magic to create a picture for himself because his energy was connected to him. Leo also theorized that perhaps it let him see through illusions since they discovered the ability while Leo was trying to play a "trick" on him that ended badly since Kamui literally "saw" right through it. Unfortunately Kamui had not been able to replicate the power on demand, until now apparently.

"I did too…as horrible as it is to say, I probably figured it out because I can't physically see right now…" Kamui sighed as she reached up to his eyes but Corrin and Camilla pulled his hand down.

"Don't irritate them," Camilla soothed gently. She lifted her hand to his head but she hesitated and lowered it.

"How are my eyes, healing?" Kamui asked again as he turned to the maids and butler. Flora snapped out of her surprise first and answered.

"You are very lucky, Lord Kamui. Your own healing magic stemmed the damage long enough for us to get to it and Lady Elise managed to heal much of it with the help of a dragon vein. We've been working on your eyes for the past hour," Flora explained. The blind prince nodded and tilted his head.

"How long am I going to have to "see" with my powers?" he asked. The maids and butler shared a look before turning back to him.

"Your eyes will make a complete recovery but…it will be some time, we think it'll be at least a month or two before the bandages are ready to come off," Jakob said hesitantly and Kamui sighed as he laid back onto the bed.

"I'll cope…not like I have much choice…" Kamui muttered and Xander winced at the hidden message in that sentence.

"Now then…I heard you chastising Leo when I woke up..." Kamui asked as he turned his head towards the younger prince. Xander turned his gaze back towards the dark knight and prodded him towards their injured sibling. Leo stood in front of Kamui awkwardly but he didn't even say anything. Corrin took his hand gently and gave it a small squeeze. Leo took a breath and lifted his head.

"I'm sorry brother…I…I never wanted you to get hurt…I never wanted any of that. You…you were right, I was foolish…whatever you and the others think I deserve, I'll do it…" Leo submitted and then Kamui reached up out flicked his head, making him yelp.

"I know you were trying to impress my sister…it probably would have worked too if you didn't rain fire down on us…" Kamui said and he actually smiled slightly. Leo flinched but he didn't say anything. Xander glanced at his younger brother as his smile slowly melted back into a thin line.

"I'm going to be honest, I probably would have throttled you by now if it was anyone else in this bed…" Kamui muttered as he crossed his arms and Leo lowered his head as if he was waiting to be hit.

"…But…since it's me and I'm going to recover…and I have a way to see still, I think I can let you slide out of getting hit…besides it would be a waste if you missed the ball after asking Corrin…and getting me temporarily blinded for it," Kamui continued and everyone in the room was startled by that. Xander was completely baffled by that response, he wanted to let him off?

"Kamui, you can't be serious!" Xander exclaimed and Kamui held his hand up and Xander waited to see what he had to say.

"Now…that said I am still angry that my eyes got burned. Sigh…it's always fire. Since I am unable to see clearly normally, I will be unable to cook…and I can't read…at all…I'm looking at that paper on the table and I can't see any words at all on that thing…" Kamui explained and Xander tilted his head at that.

"Wait, so you want me to help you read and cook?" Leo asked, confused and then Kamui laughed.

"No, I want you to cook, clean, read and care for Elise since I am not going to be able to fulfill all her needs for a bit…unless you don't want to take Corrin to the ball…" Kamui said and Leo paled, visibly. Xander almost thought that was easy but then he recalled how energetic Elise is and how much she dislikes Leo.

"I ca-I mean, yes I'll do it…" Leo muttered a little hopelessly. Everyone actually shared a laugh at that.

"Don't worry, Camilla will make sure you don't make something that will give Elise food poisoning…again…" Corrin added quickly and Leo groaned.

"It was only once!" Leo exclaimed.

"Leo, you dumped the whole bottle of salt into the pot…and then you forgot to heat the stew. Corrin and Elise were sick for days," Camilla pointed out as she pushed Kamui back onto the bed and made sure the pillow was in a good position for him.

"I'll help you out, Leo," Corrin added as she elbowed him gently though Leo didn't seem to mind.

"Is that a satisfactory punishment for him, Xander?" Kamui asked as Camilla fussed over his pillow being perfect for him. Xander sighed as he rubbed his temples gently but he smiled at his brother.

"I feel like I should be the one assigning punishments but I'll follow Camilla's advice and let you two worry about it this time," Xander replied and Camilla gave him a pleased smile.

"I think I would prefer you assigning me punishments…" Leo muttered and Corrin gave him a small hug, which made his face brighten up.

"So what color will you be wearing to the ball?" Corrin asked. Leo flushed and he was about to answer but Kamui cleared his throat.

"Well Leo, your duty is about to begin…now…" Xander was about to ask what he meant but then he heard some pattering from light footsteps and then the door was suddenly thrown open.

"BIG BROTHER!"

Poor Leo. I am not bashing him I'm just playing with the cast. The ball will be next.