Chapter 8: Shaky Relationships

Also known as: Not-Everything-Goes-Smoothly

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To say that it was fairly difficult to face Azura the next day was an understatement. Corrin's smiles felt forced, ridged and stiff whenever she saw the songstress.

Corrin knew the agitation bubbling inside her was wrong. She knew that this grudge, this fault that she'd projected on Azura was wrong. But getting over it was another story, especially when Takumi seemed to be avoiding her. She'd barely seen him all day. Catching faint glimpses of his long hair, his strong figure, didn't count. They'd meet eyes for brief moments, a sudden flicker of something unrecognisable in his eyes, before he'd snap his attention elsewhere.

But Corrin had other things to worry about. They'd be heading to Nohr as soon as they reached the nearest port town. In the meantime, they had to stock up on provisions and were heading into town to gather supplies. They had a small group ready to exit the protection of the Astral Realm.

Subaki was eager to head into town, dragging a not-so-excited Hinata along with him. Oboro found enjoyment in that at least, and her eyes sparkled at the opportunity to buy more fabrics and clothing. Sakura and Hinoka were glad for some semblance of normality and would be joining them as well, along with their respective retainers.

Corrin found Kaze before they left and approached him with a smile. "Kaze, we're heading into town soon. I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me?" she asked and he smiled gently.

"Lady Corrin, it would be my pleasure," he said. "Though I have to wonder… why ask for me specifically, when there are many others who would enjoy your company just as much as I?"

Corrin hummed lightly, fighting the grin threatening to expose her plan. "Well… I thought it'd be a good opportunity to point out all the charming things about you."

Kaze stilled. "Er… why would you want to do that, exactly?" A furrow dug itself on his brow, smile dissolving into confusion.

Corrin's heart sank at the sight.

He really didn't know, did he?

"To tell you the truth, I've been worried about you," she said, admitting that with a shrug. "Ever since you told me you weren't a good person." She, of all people, knew that wasn't true. If only he knew – if only she could tell him how he stood beside her even as she betrayed her birth family, even if it meant he was a traitor to his country, to his brother… He had believed her intentions, trusted her beliefs, when even her family hadn't. And she couldn't tell him.

Corrin pursed her lips and forced those thought from her mind. "It sounded like something's really been bothering you, and I want to help. I want you to see the good in yourself."

Kaze's frown deepened, a cloud glazing over his eyes. "That's…"

Corrin smiled. "So, what do you say?" She owned him so much, so much more than he would ever realise, so if there was something she could do for him…

"I thank you for your concern, but I am fine, really." Kaze shook his head. A brief flash of pain glinted in his eyes. "Now, if you'll excuse me." He was gone in a blur of movement, dashing away before Corrin could say anything to stop him.

"Kaze–" He was gone before his name graced her lips. She sighed and swallowed back the weight settling in her stomach.

He had to still be nearby, right…?

"Kaze? Kazeeee?" she called, cupping her hands around her mouth. Her voice sounded loudly through the Astral Realm. "Where aaaaare youuuuu?" She drew out the syllables, making it impossible for him to not hear her. "Kaze! Come on! Don't just leave me like that!"

A breath of silence, Corrin readied another call.

"Kaze!"

He appeared in the next heartbeat. "Lady Corrin." His tone dropped, arms folded as he sighed deeply.

Corrin couldn't be happier. She grinned. "There you are! I knew you wouldn't hide from me."

Kaze shook his head. A light huff of indignation stole from his lips. "I would prefer if you didn't scream like that. What if there were enemies nearby?"

Corrin snorted. "We're in the Astral Realm. We're perfectly safe here." Most of the time, at least.

"Regardless, you should never give away your position when isolated from the main body of the army." Now she was being lectured. She curled her lips into a pout. "Please, for all our sakes, try to refrain from such behaviour in the future."

For all our sakes…

Maybe she had been a tad selfish… "I'm sorry," Corrin said. She sighed dejectedly, chewing her bottom lip. "I just wanted to find you so badly… but thank you for coming back." A smile returned to her lips at that revelation. It quickly evolved into a sly grin. Her crimson eyes sparkled. "You were worried about my safety – that proves how good you are!"

Kaze clenched his jaw, eyes turning from the kind expression on her face. "Why do insist on saying such things?" His low voice, barely a whisper, sounded with hurt, such hurt Corrin hadn't seen from him before.

It stole the breath from her lungs. "What?"

"Please, stop. Just leave me alone." It was hardly a snap of words, nothing like the harshness she'd experienced from others, but hearing it from him, hearing it from Kaze who never yelled, never raised his voice…

Corrin faltered, taking a step towards him.

Something was wrong. This wasn't like him–

"K-Kaze?"

Kaze jolted. His expression soured. "…My apologies, Milady. I should not have spoken to you so rudely." The pain in his eyes blurred into something deeper, a darkness she'd never seen before. A storm cloud, a void of hurt he'd caged within himself.

She shouldn't have pressed. "No, no, this is all my fault." She bit her lip, a sliver of pain stopping her from asking, stopping the curiosity and concern building inside. "No one likes being pestered like this. I'm sorry, Kaze."

She whirled on her feet, dashing away from him before she could see his expression change. Her legs drove her through her Astral Castle, only stopping as she heard a familiar thwack of arrows hitting their target. She paused beside the archery range, eyes scanning over its exterior. She'd never really been inside one before, even the one she had built in her last Astral Castle. Though… that one was Nohrian styled, made from dark stone. This one was brighter, open to the outside air, with long wooden floorboards and tatami flooring.

Curiosity got to her and she peered inside. Takumi drew his bow back, nocking an arrow with powerful movements. The string pulled back, he levelled his yumi at the target at the other end of the range. A single breath of time past between them. Concentration steeled in his movements, awe in Corrin's eyes as she watched, he inhaled deeply. And loosed the arrow.

It flew straight and true, hitting the target dead in the centre. The sight made her gasp, a sudden breath of air that made Corrin realise she'd been holding her breath. Takumi wiped at the sweat glistening on his brow before noticing he had an audience. He met her eyes, a glance that lasted not a second, before turning back to his bow.

"Hello, Takumi," Corrin said. Her not-so-stealthy cover had been blown so she decided to run with it. Nerves fluttered in her chest. She stepped into the archery range, staring up at the open ceiling, noting how the floor felt beneath her bare toes.

So this is what it's like…

Moments passed before Corrin realised he hadn't answered her. "Takumi? I said hello."

A knot formed on his brow. He tended to his bow, eyes firmly on it. "Yeah. I heard you." The gruffness of his voice came as a shock. "Do you need something?"

Corrin flushed. An excuse. She needed an excuse.

The shopping. Right.

"Oh, well, a few of us are heading into town to gather some supplies. I was wondering if you'd like to join us," she said. Her heart hammered in her ears. She tried to ignore the burning embarrassment painted on her cheeks.

"Yeah, the thing is… I'm busy right now. Practicing." He righted himself, nocking another arrow. "Can't you see?"

Of course she could. She swallowed. He loosed the arrow and it sunk right beside the previous. Another perfect shot.

"I can," she said, hating the way her voice quivered, the way his words, his attitude, caused a torrent of emotions to swirl within her. "But it could be an opportunity to get to know each other. You… you don't seem to care about that."

Takumi breathed a sudden sigh. "You hit the nail on the head. I know I should trust you, since we're siblings, but we were raised worlds apart. We don't have anything in common."

Nothing in common.

"We're fighting for the same cause."

Wasn't that enough?

"You grew up with the enemy."

Traitor.

"S-Surely I've proven my loyalty by now." It was so hard, so desperately hard, to keep her voice from breaking. Everything she remembered, everything about him, the anger in his eyes, the pain in his voice, came back like a sudden shower of cold water.

"Maybe so, but that doesn't mean we can suddenly act like siblings."

Corrin swallowed the tightness in her throat. She couldn't force any words out, could only stare at the ground between her feet. Silence thrummed around them, baited and uneasy.

"Are we through?" Takumi said finally. "I've got things to do."

Corrin left without another word.

The bustle of the town markets was loud. Too loud. It thundered in her ears as she desperately wished for quiet. To be alone. Why had she decided to come along, anyway?

She sighed for the umpteenth time, not noticing Sakura's eyes on her.

"A-Are you all right?" Sakura asked. She held the straw basket tightly to her, glancing up at her big sister with flushed cheeks. "You've… you've been sighing a lot."

Corrin glanced across the busy street, to the vendors and armoury opposite them. Where Takumi stood, studying a bow intently. He'd come anyway, sticking with his retainers – well, mainly Oboro, as Subaki had dragged Hinata away to look at lotions or soap or whatever it was he trying to get Hinata to buy.

Corrin turned her eyes back to the heavenly fruit displayed before her. "I don't seem to be very good at making friends," she said.

"Th-That's not true!" Sakura cried a tad loudly, flushing crimson as she gulped back her sudden cry. "U-Um… what I mean is… you've been a very good friend to me, Corrin. We all r-really look up to you." She nodded feverishly.

Her words soothed the sickening churning in Corrin's stomach. "Thank you. You've been a really good friend to me, too. I'm glad you're my sister."

"Oh!" Sakura beamed a gentle smile but couldn't meet her sister's eyes for very long. "Th-Thank you."

It didn't take long for Corrin's expression to drop again. "I tried talking to Takumi," she said.

Sakura lifted her eyes, waiting patiently for Corrin to continue.

"He said we don't have anything in common." She sighed. "It's true, I guess. I just thought, now that I'm back and all…"

That it would all go smoothly? That they'd return to being the happy family she could barely remember being?

She didn't know.

"W-Well, you shouldn't give up!" Sakura chimed, nodding eagerly. "If you don't have anything in c-common, then… maybe you could… try something he likes?"

Something Takumi likes… "Archery, perhaps?" What else did he like? What else did he do? She didn't know the slightest thing about him.

Sakura nodded. "Takumi is the best archer we have. I'm s-sure he'd be willing to teach you!"

I'm not…

"Let's hope it works."

Corrin glanced back to Takumi, to see him quickly avert his eyes. She headed over, feeling Sakura's hopeful eyes on her back.

"Takumi?" Corrin began. Takumi stood taller, finally meeting her eyes. Being face-to-face like this, Corrin noted that she was a good inch or two taller than him.

Little brother indeed…

"How would you feel about training me on the bow?" she asked, forcing a soft smile to her face. A swarm of bees span endlessly in her belly.

Takumi frowned. "I don't see the point."

"You said we have nothing in common," Corrin said. "So I'm trying to change that. It'll give us a chance to get to know each other. Then, in our next battle, hopefully I can demonstrate my loyalty better."

Takumi paused. His eyes cased over Corrin's face, her expression, her eyes. She stiffened, wondering if this was what his targets felt like when he trained his bow on them. Watched. Studied.

Finally, he sighed. "You get one shot at it, all right?" Corrin's heart soared. "If you start slowing me down, that's it."

Corrin couldn't help the smile on her face, the elation fluttering inside. "Of course. I'll do my best to keep up. Thank you, Takumi."

At his name, he blinked as if he hadn't expected this response, hadn't expected the kind of smile it would bring to her face. He tore his eyes away, inspecting the bow in his hands. "Hmph. We'll see."

Elation swam through Corrin's veins. They finished the shopping quickly, Corrin catching herself humming every-so-often. She'd managed to find a crack in Takumi's armour. A way to worm herself in, to find something in common. Even if she'd had to make it herself.

The sun was beginning to set, the group ready to head back to the Astral Realm, when a villager stumbled towards them, bleeding and wheezing.

"F-Faceless– th-they're–" he gasped and staggered on his feet before collapsing. He fell, legs giving way, crashing to the hard ground. Kaze was by his side, checking his vitals, before shaking his head.

It was then that the screams began.

"Wh-What's going on?" Corrin cried. Hysteria ensued, the crowds turning into a river of people coursing through the village, away from the terrors beyond.

"We've got trouble!" Jakob called. He readied his knives, stepping around swaths of people. "This village is under attack by the faceless!"

"Then we fight." Corrin glanced around her allies, suddenly wishing she'd convinced more to join them on their shopping trip. "Protect the villagers!"

The faceless stumbled through the town, attacking anything that moved. Bodies littered the streets, blood painting the dirt paths. Corrin kept her eyes up, away from the disfigured villagers crushed by the monsters they were now fighting.

The close quarters worked to their advantage. Faceless were forced to work the streets in single file, their sweeping limbs crashing against buildings, against carts and stalls. Corrin kept a watchful eye on her allies. It would be too easy for them to be cornered, the narrow streets and sudden dead-ends a thing to look out for.

A sudden cry ripped through the air. Corrin whirled to see Takumi, Fujin Yumi drawn, face-to-face with a giant Faceless. It tore down on him, backing him against walls, lunging and not giving him the time or space to fight back. Takumi's retainers were nowhere in sight. He ducked, rolled away as the faceless slammed its heavy fist to the ground, shattering a wooden cart into splinters. He drew his bow, the string materialising in a flash of light, before the Faceless swung again. The light shattered. Takumi staggered, the fist barely missing his side.

Corrin made for him, Yato in hand, when she was yanked back by her hair. Her skull burned, pain ripping through her scalp. Pain tore from her throat. Tears stung in her eyes, hands grappling for her hair to find a monstrous fist curled around her long silver locks.

Why now–?!

There was no one else around. She'd directed her team to help the villagers and now–

She needed help. Takumi needed help.

The faceless tugged her back. Its fist raised, blotting out the sun, ready to crush her in a single blow. Takumi's cry filled the air. Her vision swam, blurring with tears, with pain. She arched her Yato behind her and it sliced through her hair like paper. She was free.

Corrin was at Takumi's side before she could think. Pain and fury, the desire not to lose her brother again, coursed through her veins as she struck the beast. An arch of silver, the blade slicing across its back. It roared, a guttural, inhuman cry. A flash of light shot by her, burying into the faceless still holding the curls of Corrin's hair.

The two faceless were down in the span of a breath. The two Hoshidan royals coated in blood, muscles aching and chests heaving, they shared a wide-eyed glance. Corrin swiped at her tears, streaking a line of red across her skin. She flashed him a smile.

"Told you I'd prove my loyalty," she said through ragged breaths. He just blinked in return. Shock and something more, something unrecognisable and foreign flashed in his expression, before another faceless roared nearby and the moment was lost. Corrin bolted for the faceless in time to see a young girl cowering nearby, a lance held between shaking hands.

She cut down the beast before turning to the girl. "Are you okay?"

The girl shrieked, shooting her lance up at Corrin. The dragon princess lurched out of the way in time, avoiding getting stabbed by a cowering villager. The girl finally realised Corrin was a human, not a disgusting faceless, and lowered her weapon.

"N-No! My mother… my friends…" she sobbed, rivers of tears running down her face.

"I'm here to help," Corrin said in a tone she hoped was reassuring. "Where are they?"

The girl shook her head. "My mother wouldn't take my hand. She's... she's..."

Oh.

Corrin's heart sank. "I'm so sorry," she said. "Stay behind me. I'll keep you safe."

The girl sniffled before standing on trembling legs. "No!" She shook her head with fervour, holding up her lance. "I have to fight! For Mother! For all my friends! For everything those monsters took from me!"

Corrin wasn't going to argue that. The girl stayed by her side, identifying herself as Mozu, and soon re-joined with the rest of Corrin's allies. They routed the rest of the faceless before night had fully encompassed the land. Mozu decided to join them and wouldn't take no for an answer. Corrin met her determination with a smile before weariness overcame her features. She was able to hold herself together, to keep herself stable despite the staring, despite the eyes on her choppy hair, until she made it to her treehouse and stepped inside.

Her reflection in the mirror was the final straw. It wasn't the blood splattered on her pale skin, it wasn't the chinks in her armour or the weariness on her face. Her hair was in tatters. It was uneven, choppy, barely reaching past her chin. It was different. It wasn't her. It was another reminder that what she had was gone.

A curt knock on the door made her jump, made her swipe at the tears flowing freely from her eyes.

"Yes?" she said, managing to keep her voice firm.

"It is Jakob, Milady," her butler said.

Corrin drew a deep breath and steeled herself before approaching the door. She opened it and let Jakob in before clicking it shut. If it was anyone else, she would've remained silent.

He studied her for a moment. A cloud of emotions ran over his eyes. "Would you like for me to tend to your hair?" he asked, voice cutting a low tone through the silence. His words were gentle, unexpecting, and what she needed.

Corrin tilted her head in the slightest nod. She allowed Jakob to direct her to the chair before her mirror, to run a brush through her hair and work out all the knots, all the clumps of blood. He worked at her hair with deft fingers. Fine strands floated down, littering the carpet around them. She didn't care about the itchy strands landing on her. She'd have a bath afterwards anyway. A long, long bath.

She didn't look at herself in the mirror until Jakob finished his work. He stepped back, brushing hairs off her shoulders with a quick flick of his fingers.

Short. Her hair was so short. So unlike what she'd had before, so unlike it her heart sank. The strands kicked up around her chin and ears. The layers were short and had a mind of their own. Only her fringe had stayed the same. It was all that could be salvaged.

"Thank you," she said. She didn't even try to smile.

Jakob ran her a bath and she spent the next hour soaking in it until the water grew cold and even after. When she finally drew herself from the water, she barely had the strength to dry herself, let alone dress herself. She managed to get into a light robe, pulling it tight around her, and stood in the centre of the room.

Her thoughts stilled. Mind fell blank. Her shoulders felt heavy, but that was all she could feel. There was nothing else. Nothing.

Firm, short knocks pounded on her door. This time, she didn't jump. She turned to the door, wondering, hoping if they would go away. If she just stood here, would they leave her alone? Would the floor swallow her whole?

Again the knocks thumped on her door. Corrin didn't move.

"Corrin? It's… It's Takumi." His voice muffled through the door. Corrin found herself moving towards it, opening it without thinking. Takumi stood there, hand raised as if to knock again. His eyes widened. They lingered on her face, on the short layers of hair cupping her cheeks.

"Can… can I come in?"

Corrin drifted her eyes away from his, stepping back into the room. She held the door open until he entered and then let it fall shut. He stepped into her room, making his way to the centre without looking at her. His hand rubbed at his neck.

"Look… I need to thank you for what you did today," he said, words mumbling. "But it won't happen again. I'm stronger than that. I was just…" he trailed off, slowly turning to face her. She wasn't looking at him. No emotions ran in her eyes or on her face.

"Corrin?"

It was such an effort to blink. To breathe. Could she just stop breathing?

"Corrin." Her name sounded firmer, she raised her eyes up to his. He was frowning, unfamiliar concern in his eyes. "Are you… okay?"

She could've laughed. Okay? Did she look okay? What kind of question was that?

Instead, she sighed. It took all the air from her lungs, drawing all her energy, all her will to hide her thoughts, with it.

"I wanted to be like Camilla," Corrin said. Her voice was barely a whisper, barely a pitch louder than a breath. "I grew my hair out because of her. And I loved it. I really felt like her sister, like their family. But now…" Her fingers graced near her neck, where the long strands of her hair should've been, only to catch nothing but air. Tears spilled from her eyes. "Sorry. I doubt you want to hear about them…"

She was met with silence, no response from Takumi, before he closed the distance between them. Then, he did something that shattered her remaining willpower. He pulled her into his arms.

Her head found his shoulder, hands winding into his shirt. The floodgates opened and Corrin dissolved into ragged sobbing. She held onto him as if he was the only solid thing keeping her here, as if she would fade away into nothing otherwise.

His arms wound around her back, pulling her close. He was warm. Gentle. A comfort amidst a storm of emotions. He smelt like wood and soap. So foreign yet homely. And she felt safe. Safe in his arms, in his embrace. And she let herself cry until no more tears would flow, until she stepped back from him sheepishly and apologised. He grunted a response, acting nonchalant about it, but a faint dusting of red on his cheeks said otherwise.

He went to leave, muttering that he'd done what he came for, and stilled in the open doorway. "Tomorrow," he said, not facing her, his eyes staring out across the courtyard.

Corrin rubbed at her sore eyes. "Pardon?"

"We'll start tomorrow."

Oh. The archery.

Corrin smiled as Takumi glanced back at her. His eyes widened fractionally before he turn them away.

"Okay," she said.

Takumi left without another word, but the silence that followed didn't bother Corrin at all.

And so it begins.

Couldn't wait to write this chapter, so here you go.

Updates may space out a bit more after this, as uni begins and I actually have to study?

Until then,

See you next chapter!