Hello guys! Time for a new chapter.

Sorry if this took more than that i would have liked, but i needed to check some issues with my work and with the school almost done for the next vacations and all the stuff for this month…..yeah, i´ll be busy.

Anyway, there are more i have to say, but let's wait for now.

SHIDESU! OUT!

Chapter 9: Restless

"…i dont get it…" Kamui just stated with a blank expression.

"Come one Lord Kamui, why you don't give it a shot?" Tsubaki asked still excited for what they were doing "I´m sure you can't do it worse than Kagero" At this the ninja aside of him frowned closing her eyes.

"Well, im sorry but i said this was a bad idea, all of you find my art…..ominous" Kagero said as she placed the brush on the table.

"It cant be that bad although" Hinoka said looking at the canvas, for a moment she had to blink a couple of time to recognize the drawing "…..is that…..a bat?"

"With blood in its mouth?" Tsubaki asked.

"That´s it tongue" She replied with a blank expression still trying to get the picture of her head, but with he curious glances from them it was hard to describe how her face turned into a small frown "Im sorry if it isn't of your liking"

As they argued he just sighed, at that point it was pointless 'It´s for your own health' he remembered how Sakura scolded him a few hours ago, while the others were training, scouting or doing something useful he was stuck in that place, not that he could something in his state and especially in his situation, being prisoner and all, but in a certain way he felt uneasy doing something like that, it was so random that suggestion 'Hey! In the meantime Miyu and Rin clean the room we should do something else!' he remembered Hinoka´s voice, for a long time he just stared at the ceiling or zooned out for the mornings, there was no point in doing something different, but seeing Sakura´s face with that frown, he didn't want to admit it, but somehow in her timid way he remembered another young girl, perhaps she would be sad if he mentioned her but regardless of that he knew that they weren´t so different, he got distracted for a long time in his thoughts that he didn't realized that he was painting something aside of he planned to, with that figure and the colors on the canvas, it was an average painting, but he could see the similar features "Wow, so pretty Lord Kamui" a clumsy archer said over his shoulder, he couldn´t see her face but with that paint in her nose and that color hair with that tone, it wasn't so hard to figure who it was "Who is her?"

Kamui sighed frowning and before Hinoka or Tsubaki could take a look he just brushed the colors on the canvas "Nobody" he just made it impossible to recognize the figure "This is pointless" he grunted leaving the palette stuck on the canvas "This is stupid, why I'm doing this in the first place?" he questioned to nobody in particular.

"To get Lord Kamui happy" Setsuna answered "Although, that´s not the way to use the palette" she giggled in her usual carefree tone.

"Hey, what happened here?" Hinoka asked seeing the canvas.

"That´s….a way to release some steam, but not the best" Tsubaki said in chuckles "If you want some pointers I c-"

"Screw it, im out of here" Kamui said as he tried to leave the room just stopped by Hinoka who grabbed him from his wrist.

"Hey, where you think you´re going? You can't leave by yourself" she said trying to look at his face.

"Anywhere but here, and if you´re so worried then come with me" He said still walking to the door dragging her, she looked back at the other who just shrugged confused for his demeanor, she just followed him outside the room, as he was walking from one side to another and for his face he was stressed.

"What´s wrong? Are you not having fun?"

"Urgg…how could you ask that?" Kamui asked facepalming "Setsuna has been teasing me all morning and Tsubaki with the girls have been doing nothing but troubles…and all of you, what´s wrong with you?!" he pointed at her "Drawings? Seriously? Since when im allowed to be outside of my room? Just what the hell happened yesterday that you´ve been so clingy, aren't you supposed to be mad?"

Hinoka huffed and for a couple of seconds she stared at his face, he had a point but strangely she felt calm and composed "Nope, actually i´m having a good time since yesterday, if you dont remember what happened maybe if you ask nicely i would tell you what happened"

He just glared at her, his blank expression would be a bad sign but she could feel how he was losing his patience, and she loved it, it´s been almost a week since she has been at his side and this was the first time she could have this kind of conversation with him "…forget it, im back to my room, i dont really care what Sakura said, i wont deal with these silly games" he just walked away, not before Hinoka was in his way, blocking the path with a frown.

"You can't go back! Sakura and the others are cleaning the room, you only would be in the way"

"Thanks, i have been in the way of everyone for the last year" he gritted his teeth's "Good to know im still a nuisance even in my state" he passed aside of her as she tried to think in something more, even if it wasn't something she wanted to say in that way.

"Hold on, just stop, you know th-"

"Yeah, i know, i really know" He sighed facepalming and looking at her "Look, i really appreciate this, i really do, but i don't think this is appropriated" he leaned against the wall "Im prisoner in this place and according what the other´s said, there´s hardly someone outside these wall who really know my situation…..i….i don't feel with humor for this…" He sighed again looking at the ceiling "…my friends and family might be dead or fighting….doing this feels…."

Hinoka scratched her arm looking away for a moment "…..i was trying to help….to make it easier to deal with the day…..it´s feel out of place seeing you like that every day…..just staring at the horizon" Hinoka remembered the old days, how they played at the garden in front Mikoto´s room, that tree and those games between them, how he used to be and now, it was like some part of his life was stolen, and she couldn't blame him "…im sorry"

"….don't be" he said in a low tone, and for the first time he placed his hand on her head surprising her "You´re trying to help and i really appreciate it…but is not the time….." even with that depressed tone, the way he was caressing her head was heartwarming, another memory surfaced in that moment, even if he doesn't remembered it, it was the same way he calmed her down when they were toddlers, a small smile appeared on her face, sadly for her it didn't lasted much as he again walked away.

"W-Wait, where are you going?"

"To my room, if you dont mind i had enough Setsuna or Tsubaki for a day" They heard a soft grunt behind the room, Hinoka looked back just hearing how they were struggling to maintain the archer quiet, she shook her head and quickly grabbed his wrist dragging him to another place.

"Oh no, you don't, not until Miyu and Rin are done cleaning the room, let's go somewhere" without time to argue Kamui was dragged to another place of the floor, she didn´t want to use her trump card, but now she had to ace the situation, something that couldn't fail.

"…i don't think this is a good idea" Kamui said looking at the object in his hands, still confused for the sudden change and for what Hinoka was proposing.

"Well, you said you wanted to do something useful and Sakura was worried about your health, so what´s the problem?" She asked in front of him.

In a way it was logical, but at the same time it was stupid, of course they were still inside the castle, to be precise a few rooms away of his own, a room that was recently adapted for what any other person could consider necessary for his recovery, but in a way it was something that could be strictly forbidden for him "Yeah, i´m not sure if you don't see the problem here, i mean" he sighed "even if is only a training staff I c-"

"Oh hush!" she took it from his hand for a moment "It´s wooden and light, you can't hurt anyone with this, it would break before doing any harm, and besides i´m pretty sure that Kagero is watching us right now, this is just training, nothing more and nothing less" she returned it as she walked away a few steps, with a similar staff she prepared for their session "Besides, you want do something useful? Making sure that your body is in form and healthy is important too, doing nothing all day isn´t good at all"

"You know what is not healthy either? Receiving bruises or hits in my condition"

"That´s why we´re doing just 'do and see' for the time" Hinoka said as she smiled and placed her right leg in front of her, kneeling a little and with the staff aside of her with her two hands, it was a simple and easy position, gesturing looking at the item in his hands he sighed again, copying the same position she started, she inhaled and exhaled deeply "Ok, just a small warm up before starting" she took a step back with the left leg in front of her and using the back of the staff she made a 'hit' high up in the air, then lowered it and again one step forward with a lower uppercut with the other end of the staff, then another back step this time she lowered it at her middle section delivering another hit, and again she repeated the motion just to make sure that he understood it, after a couple of seconds he copied her moves "See? Easy, just to check if your muscles are still in form"

"Right, excuse me if i don't feel thrilled for it" He said with a grunt, it was true that it was simple warmups, but even now his muscles felt out of place, his posture was wrong at the time he moved and the movements of his arms weren't the same as before, not even a pair were with the same energy or same speed, unlike her he was out of form and in every change of pace he lost his balance a couple of times, it was hard to believe how much it affected his body that damned curse "Why are you doing this?"

"Because i care" Hinoka answered right away, not hesitation in her voice "It´s been a while since our last spar, and I thought that this could be good for a change of pace, our first alone time in a while"

"I thought you said Kagero was watching"

"Who knows, at this point i dont care, you're my priority right now"

"What about Takumi?" He asked, making her lose her pace for a moment, with a frown she continued.

"What about him?"

"He´s been away of me for a couple of weeks, and for what i did the last time, i thought you would be with him, after all he´s injured"

"He´s under the care of his retainers and the priestess, besides….i don't feel like being at his side for now"

"That´s weird coming from you" he stopped stretching his arms "I thought you cared for him"

"I really do, but i can hardly do something for him right now, he´s been silent all this time and for what Sakura and Ryoma said, it would be for the best to let him be for the time being, it´s not like i don't care, is just that i´m mad for what they did to you…." She stopped when she noticed his eyes looking at her, blushing and brushing away her bangs when she looked down "What?"

"Nothing, for a moment I….never mind, are we done here?"

"Uh? But we got just started"

"And im finishing, if you don't have nothing more to say then i´l-woah!" Kamui barely had time to dodge a jab to his ribs, and before he could react he blocked another hit, this time to his head, even if it wasn't a really strong attack, he could feel the strength on it, looking at her she was smiling and snickered.

"Good! I thought i had to hone your skills, but it seems like you can still spar with me, that´s certainly a good thing" She smiled as she started again her attack, this time slower and gentle, just a normal practice of movements, of course he had to follow her movements to avoid any injury or bruise, for the time being he would humor her "Since i was looking for a training partner and you certainly are a great one"

Kamui continued with his efforts, blocking any hit and trying mediocrely to strike a blow, even with his body he could try to train a little harder, but his mind was lost in thoughts, seeing her figure and the atmosphere was somewhat familiar and moving something inside within, 'it´s futile after all' he thought, after all this time, after all what happened in the last days, even after all her efforts, the pain inside his heart and the memories of the war, there was only one thing he could think at that time 'Even after all this time…. I can´t see myself trusting the again..—' he thought as once again blocked another blow from her '…im sorry Elise….Camilla….i….i have changed…..'

There was silence in the room, a few moments ago they were discussing the future of the people, but now there was just silence, Ryoma leaned his elbows on the desk hiding his distressed face from the others for a moment, then he looked at Reina who didn't had a better face, after some seconds the nobles were whispering trying to understand what the strategist said a moment ago.

"Wait, Wait, just hold on one second" Reina slammed the table "Even after what happened I, Ibume Reina in name of my family and the Imperial Kinshi warrior´s i refuse in name of my sister in arms to continue with this meeting"

"I second the motion" Another man replied, it was an Elder noble, with his age and his long bear covering his mouth he raised his hand "Now is not the time for this, I Chiba Oshu in name of my family and the south islands, i decline to continue with this" as he spoke the others started to raise their hand.

"Are you aware of what are you doing?" Yukimura warned looking at them "It´s not just a matter of state, but also of security, the people need this, if you reject my request it´ll be the same to renounce your place in this council and your objectivity"

"Look who´s talking about" Reina gritted her teeth´s "Its been a hard time for us in the front line, i cant assure that my warrios wouldn't oppose this in case you escalate this"

"Then you´re a terrible leader" Yukimura said adjusting his glasses, making her frown "You´re supposed to maintain order in our land and you can't assure the behavior of our own soldiers?" as he spoke the others looked each other and started to low their hands "How can't you call yourself a Kinshi warrior if you can't fulfill your Halidom request?"

"How can you call yourself strategist if you´re focused just in this?" Reina said with anger "You know what will happen if yo-"

"That´s enough, both of you" Ryoma interrupted "Reina, stand down, I know how you feel but Yukimura is right" Reina was about to talk but Ryoma raised his hand stopping her "However i would never allow to escalate this topic at that point"

"So do you reject this as well?" Yukimura asked

"No, of course not, but i believe that there is a process for this, and you´re skipping some steps" Ryoma said looking at the Elder Chiba, the old man massaged his temples with his hand on his chin.

"Yes, i believe you´re ignoring the code behind this process and that you´re jumping straight to the sentence"

"Excuse me? We´re at war and we don't have time for this" Yukimura said, but now he was interrupted by Ryoma.

"And just as you said, are you aware of your position and what could happen if you refuse to follow the process?" Ryoma coughed as Yukimura frowned "I don't like this, but for the time being let's consider this, for the last months Kamui has been helping is covering all the losses in his time in the castle, the barrier was set and now he´s living under the care of two of our most loyal maids, he has rejected any kind of unnecessary violence in his position as leader of the Nohrian group that protected the border and never killed our own men, i´ll let you continue with the trial just with two conditions"

"And those would be?"

"First of all, let's hear his side of the story, so far we only knew him for a couple of months, its hard to believe he was behind Queen Mikoto´s murder, less to think that he was not under any kind of King Garon lies or spell´s, he couldnt remember us or his own mother, also, he protected part of our land and people for the faceless and those warriors at the plaza, I would also like to ask for a healer or priest to examine him in case he has any kind of mental illness, and second, IF and only IF we reach a trial, you´ll drop the death sentence"

"Already deciding what kind of punishment the people can ask if he´s guilty?"

"I could say the same for you request, he´s hardly be seen for other people aside of me and our retainers, there´s not point to follow your request if you don't respect our laws, and my father dictated the laws you're trying to infringe now, not even you in war times can break those laws"

Yukimura frowned and looked at the others nobles who nodded in agreement of the high prince word´s "….i think this is enough for now" Chiba said with a gavel in hand "we´ll resume this tomorrow, for the moment you have to present more evidence of your case, for now this session is over" with that said the Elder noble announced the end of that meeting, before anoyone could react Yukimura was the first to leave that place, Reina sighed relieved and frustrated for that the man tried to do.

"Nicely done my lord" she commented with a soft smile.

"Don't do that again Reina" Ryoma said as he stood "I know your heart is in the correct place, but is already hard to reject his request without losing part of my council or friends" he sighed massaging his temples "Although, im amazed that you used your family name for this"

"Proud or not, my parents would never allow this to happen, to kill the offspring of the late queen it would be an insult to no use our name to stop this, that man has gone insane"

"I doubt it" Ryoma commented as they walked a little far of the other member, making sure that Reina was the only one who could hear him "I hardly believe that after the event of the last months he would discard him like that"

"Milord?"

"Perhaps an excuse to seclude him? I dont know what he´s doing anymore" Ryoma sighed scratching his head "for now lets just keep a close eye on him, let know Saizo that i want a report of his progress, and that i need to speak with Orochi as soon as possible"

"Right away Lord Ryoma"

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that´s all for now!

Phew, sorry for the delay guys, had a hard week here :v

Anyway, thanks again for supporting this work, i dont want to break my promises, but it was a really hard week this time, so I hope you can understand it.

Some with answer: first of all, there are some of you that are asking that where is the part that is missing in the last chapter, that if forgot to write 'Noka' in some part of the script, perhaps is not clear enough but if you read it again there is a part were Hinoka is about to blackout, after that it say´s "Before she could finish she fell to the floor with him, there was a last thing she heard from him before that black abysm" is implied that she heard something but not what she heard, until you read the part of 'Noka', so i apologize if it wasnt clear enough.

Second, yes, i´ll update the other fanfics but please just wait a little longer, is not easy to do it with the limited time i have right now, i´ll update in the new month with a steady pace but for now just wait for it, sorry for the delay.

Well, i think that´s all for now, have a good weekend and a good night/day!

SHIDESU! OUT!

(By the gay, the last name of Reina is a reference to the family that was brother in arms with the imperial kingdom in japan, and the name of the Elder noble is a reference to a descendant to the imperial family with the name of the city where that noble lived, today it would be the prefecture of Chiba and Oshu the name of the family, just in case you were wondering, also, let me know if there is something you dont understand since this wasnt edited by a beta reader, sorry for that)