Well, this is it, one of the most important and critical parts of the story, after the reviews, the PM´s and the countless PM that has been supporting my job and the whole ideas and possible plots, this is it, lets just continue, i´ll have enough time at the end of the chapter to write all my ideas and thanks.

Without more to say, lets begin!

SHIDESU! OUT!


Chapter 29 : Broken Prince

Well, they never expected this, at least not like this, Xander and Ryoma were at the middle of the arena, they thought it would be a private match, like bonding, just a perfect time to practice with each other and perhaps, to try to forget the old grudges, to learn from the other and who knows? To start a real relationships as brothers in law, what they didn't expected however was to see half of the army there at the stands of the arena, Ryoma scratched the back of his head as Xander sighed, they thought that it was Kamui´s idea, but after some moments looking at the stands, they noticed not only one, but three? Perhaps four Anna´s selling goods, snacks and one of them with a chart and some numbers, really big numbers, did she had a betting table? Well, at least they could see a lot of familiar faces, Takumi, Oboro and Hinata near the stairs, Takumi with his trademark annoyed expression as Oboro tried to calm him down and Hinata was laughing, Leo was talking with one of the maids of the castle, fortunately he was with Niles, Odin, Peri and Lazlow, Niles as always was trying to not tease his partner in crime as Odin was doing some movements with his hands as he always did when he talked with his 'Powerful' language, Peri of course was excited to see the previous matches as Lazlow was trying to get rid of her bloodlust with some treats, fortunately it was working as Peri ate them in a blinding speed with her cheeks full of the little candies, as Ryoma looked around over and over around however, he couldn't find where Camilla, Hinoka or Sakura were, less with the girls, perhaps it was too sudden? And why they were getting ready to fight? Ryoma only followed Kamui to the training area, but he never wanted to fight him, he was lost in thoughts until a certain mage entered the at the same place, for his surprise, a friendly face, or something like that, that black hair that ended in orange and that strange attire, he smiled as the girl approached, followed for some maids

"Ahh, Mizuki, right?" Ryoma asked as the girl barely had time to nod before he continued "It´s a pleasure to see you again, tell m-"

"Please Prince Xander, this isn´t the time" Xander interrupted as he stood in front of the girls, startling the maids when he approached but Mizuki had that face without expression of any kind, as if she was in another place "Can you please tell us what´s going on?"

"Uh, umm…who knows?" The girl replied and asked at the same time, even if Xander frowned in a way the maids trembled in fear, Mizuki for her side had a small smile on her face "Geez, just kidding, even if you´re handsome, with those lines over your forehead you won't be able to meet a nice girl, not that care but some of us had to say it" Mizuki finished as she took something from her pouch

"Ok, then can you tell us what´s going on?" Ryoma asked as Xander massaged his temples, he couldn't believe that someone that carefree was working at the arena, but Ryoma could think in certain someone's that were the same as the little girl

"Mmmm…. Yes, actually, you need to leave your weapons over that rack to continue" She said checking some papers, papers that she almost dropped twice in less than a minute, Ryoma couldn't decide if she was clumsy or lazy, perhaps she was the daughter of a certain archer who was day dreaming under the shadow of the trees or perhaps in a pit trap than Hayato and Nyx? Not that she knew the dark mage, but it was hard to believe someone like her was raised for someone as Nyx, then again, Mikoto was a full energetic girl not like her mother who was so shy that she was barely able to speak two words before turning red every time they were talking

"Wait, you said leave OUR weapons behind? Do you know who you are talking to? Xander said as the girl just ignored his words, the maids were now three meters away and using the apron as some kind of shield, for her side, the girl cocked her head as if she had been asked a rhetorical question, raising an eyebrow

"Ummm, the Blonde demon and the Lobster King?" she asked as the maids gasped in terror, before they could say something however, another voice interrupted their chat

"Mizuki, what i have told you about treating visitors like that?" all looked at the gate to see the bald man walking to the princes with a smile on his face

"To be good with them grandpa" Mizuki said as she was playing with the little bang that was covering her eyes "And to watch over Rhajat"

"Ahh, my apologies princes" Fuga said chuckling crossing his arms "This little girl have the tendency to tease people, especially when the nicknames come from Mikoto and Kanna"

"So i assume that they´re still calling me lobster then" Ryoma asked as Fuga nodded, making the prince facepalm for it, it was going to be hard to lift that nickname, it didn't helped that Takumi called him that in the past, when he was eight or nine years old, perhaps it was his idea?

"Anyway, i hope you´re ready, it's going to be interesting, something really good for the school"

"School? What´d you mean?" Xander inquired as he leaned on the wall, trying to ignore the gaze of the girl who tried to see his face in another angle, like if she was irritated for his frown

"Well, this is not a normal arena Prince Xander" Fuga approached the entrance of the arena, those iron gates were a reminder of where they were "After few months ago, Kamui had this idea to use this building not only as entertainment place, but also some kind of school, looking at the technique of others improved ours, Nohrian, Hoshidian….Vallite"

"Excuse me?" Ryoma asked, as Fuga turned to see him he had this smile on his face, smaller in size, but somewhat, more distant of what he wanted to show

"Is nothing prince Ryoma, is just, are you sure you want to push your luck?" Fuga asked, quickly changing his face for a serious one "No one is going to judge if you delay this for a few months, or at least, at the end of the war"

"Im sorry …..Fuga was it?" Xander asked as the man nodded "Right, sorry about this, but i think this is personal, we need to know the reason behind Kanna and MIkoto lack of knowledge about their lineage"

"Well, is your call, just don't say we didn't warned you" Fuga said straightening his posture and stretching his arms "But still, use the training weapons on the rack, this is just a practice spar, as much as Anna….or the Annas in this case hate to admit it, this is just between you and him"

"Thanks Fuga, but i think we got this" Ryoma said as he took some of the wooden swords, tossing one to the Nohrian prince before he just sighed and left his unholy sword in the rack of the entrance, Xander began to swing the sword in his hands, testing its weight, after some moments he was pleased to feel that the sword wasn't to heavy or to fragile

"You said it was a school, what´d you really mean by that?" Xander asked as he looked at the bald man "there should be some rules about the spar´s of this place, are they?"

"Yes, they are" Fuga said "Only a few ones, number one, we use non-lethal weapons, even if we learn from our mistakes, death is one we can´t afford in this place, number two, the fight ends when one of the fighters can no longer continue, number three, you can't use any healing item but healing skills are allowed and lastly this isa personal request, please try to understand Kamui´s feelings, alright?" Fuga said raising one finger every time he said a rule, but in the last one Ryoma and Xander raised an eyebrow, what he was talking about? Before they could ask, the gates of the iron wall started to open, with one last look at the group, Ryoma and Xander walked to the arena, even if they wanted to get more answers, Fuga couldn't explain whatever was happening inside Kamui´s head.


"Impressive" Ryoma said as he looked around the arena, true to his word there were some soldiers and members of the main group, but now, he could see that the arena was…half full? Maybe a little less of what he expected, it was tricky to see all the people when the banners and all the stuff around the arena blocked most of his view, at least at the south entrance of it, Xander for his side, just left his horse behind and walked to the center of the place, followed shortly for the Hoshidian prince, after some moments, they noticed the absence of opponents at the place, Xander sighed annoyed, even if he wanted to prove that he was worthy and willing to humor his 'younger' brother, perhaps he didnt find someone to fight against them? Or it was a test between them? A friendly spar to see who would take the girls? Before they could ask, the west gate opened with its classic metallic sound, the stands were silenced by its sound, they watched as two figures emerged from the gate.

It was Kamui accompanied by that dark mage, even if she was using another attire, her long black hair covering part of her face, a black tome in her right hand was proof enough that she was Rhajat, after a few moments they could see how Kamui had in one hand a wooden sword as in the other a tome, perhaps a wind tome? After all, Fuga said it was just a friendly spar, so they couldn't imagine him using a real or serious weapon at the fight, when they were near each other, Kamui stopped about three or four meters away of them, his face exhausted and black bags under his eyes, quite different of what they saw an hour ago

"You look terrible" Ryoma commented worried for him "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything is…alright i guess" Kamui stretched his arms "Last chance, you can back off right now and start over again perhaps at the end of the war, after all the mistakes, adding more to the list would make me feel bad"

"Indeed, even if i feel bad fighting someone who was about to die a few days ago, are you sure about this Kamui?"

"…..you insisted on this, is something we need to do" Kamui said swinging the blade in his hand, before they could say something more, he sprinted forward, making both of them to react in a defensive stance, it was Xander who started the fight, taking advance of his height and strength he went for a full frontal blow, normally it would be a bad move, but for the lighter weight of the sword it was a quick and powerful strike, using a single movement Kamui re-directed the path of the attack, dashing and using the flat part of the sword to get closer as it slid for the opposite side of it, Kamui continued until it was stopped for Ryoma, who attempted a slice from the right, even in the short time Kamui managed to dodge and roll on the ground under the duo feet, confused at first they saw how the black haired girl was gathering power in her open palm, just to launch a really huge windstrike, making them lose their balance for a few moments, when the attack ended Ryoma was barely able to block the incoming attack from behind, he smiled, it´s been a while since someone managed to break his defenses like that, and for what he could see, Xander had a small smile too

"You´ve grown a lot" Ryoma commented as he was still blocking Kamui´s sword, it was odd but he…..frowned? it was only for a second but he was sure that he frowned

"Just fight" Kamui said as he forced his sword down, it was when Ryoma widened his eyes, he didn't noticed it earlier but, he was using one single hand while he needed two to maintain the sword, but now he was slowly pushing him down, as his hands trembled while he gritted his teeth he tried to focus his mind on the task, relieved to feel how the pressure was released when Xander attempted to strike Kamui down again with a diagonal slice, and then another and another strike, making the albino prince jump backwards every time the Norhian prince attempted to attack him, it was impressive how Kamui managed to evade all of the attacks

"You can't win if you just dodge" Xander said while Kamui ducked another attack, it was when Xander retrieved his sword for another strike when the albino launched his sword as his chest making him stop for a short moment, his sword bounced and landed aside of him, it was when Kamui took the chance to get closer, in a quick movement he took the arm that Xander was using to wield his sword, kicking one of his ankles and with a smooth movement of his body, he threw him over the Hoshidian prince, making them crash and fell to the ground.

"You cant win if you just attack" Kamui commented as he took his sword from the ground "Also, you should know that in a close combat, the shortest person has the adv-" he stopped when he felt a sharp pain in his ribs, making him kneel, obviously Xander and Ryoma were worried when they saw how he cleaned a drop of blood from his mouth "…shit, they´re going to be mad"

"And this is why you don't fight after recovering from a dead injury" Rhajat said appearing at his side, kneeling and wrapping one of his arms around her to help him to stand, he shook his head while he took again his sword and managed to stand without her help, he again stood in a weird way, with the sword in front of his face and the other hand on the flat part of it, he closed his eyes

"Sorry guys, but i need to do this, perhaps this time will be different…" Kamui said as he slowly exhaled

"Why are you pushing yourself so hard?" Xander asked "You´ve proven that you had grown in the last months"

"True, you have grown not only physically but also mentally, so wh-" Ryoma was interrupted again for Kamui´s voice

"It doesn't matter what you say but what you show" Kamui said swinging his sword "You keep saying 'we understand, we want you to be part of our family again', even after i was disowned you´re still thinking in the same old way" he stopped pointing the sword at them, first he glared at Xander "Have you thought what i think? What i believe right now? I think you haven't grown up as brother" that phrase stung really deep inside of their hearts "Xander, you´re a stern but reliable at some point, always willing to listen when someone is in trouble, but your judgment was clouded by Garon orders not only once, but several times, i understand that you're the heir prince, but for someone who was forced to train and kill your own blood, i thought that at least you would hesitate a little by pointing your sword back against your 'family'" Then he looked at Ryoma "And you, after losing me once, you didn't wanted to hear what i had to say at the border, you have to look for your halidom, but before a prince you´re a brother…." Both of them hesitated for a moment looking down, they knew he would bring it at some point, but not like that, after all he was a kind and gentle person, now they knew how it weighed on his shoulders the words that were spoken that day " …Im…..tired" Kamui continued "I didn't wanted to say this, at least not right now, not in front of them, but if there was a chance to restore my title as a prince in either Hoshido or Nohr…..i would reject it" Both of them widened his eyes in surprise looking back at the prince " i still want to be called 'brother' for Hinoka, Elise, Leo and Takumi, to train again with you Xander, or just to share a single afternoon looking at the sakura trees with some tea Ryoma, sadly those times will never be back, i can feel something is holding back Hinoka, Elise and Takumi can barely speak to each other since they dont know if they´re disowned or not and that could cause some incidents with the kingdoms and Leo is too stubborn to let it go like that, Camilla and Sakura are aware of our situation, and my girls…..they know more of what you think…." Kamui turned back, to see the stands behind him "….tell me, what you know about them? Do you even know something?"

"Of course! Mikoto is named after our departed queen and your mother" Ryoma answered, looking at Xander who nodded

"And Kanna is named after Camilla´s favorite kind of flower, that blooms in summer" Xander said, Kamui closed his eyes for a moment, lowering his sword still with his head directed to the stands, opening his eyes he sighed

"And that´s all?" He asked, Ryoma opened his mouth to say more, but there were no words that he could find, actually, he felt a pressure in his chest as he remembered the last week, the only thing he did was doing some research about the army, talking with Xander about what to do if Kamui was still rejecting the idea of telling them the true, but never, ever, spent a single day with them, of course, he remembered how the girls played a few days ago near the mess hall, how Kanna was playing with Selkie while Mikoto was helping Midoriko with the vulneraries and tonics, but what hold him back there? "Mikoto likes to see how Camilla sew my scarf´s" Kamui continued as the two princes looked at him "Even if she thinks she wouldn't be good at it, she made one of the most precious capes i ever had saw, a birthday gift to Kanna, who in return searched for the prettiest gem in the caves of the deeprealms with the healers, so they could craft a personal staff for her, Kanna´s favorite food are yakimeshi with shrimps" Kamui chuckled "Mikoto instead hate shrimps but loves octopus, she eats at least one or two times per week a plate of takoyaki, Mikoto´s favorite color is crimson while Kanna´s favorite is purple….." he sighed while drawing his tome, as the pages moved with the magic energy in his hand, he continued "i gave you a week to learn about them, to know them, even a little, to laugh or cry, but you didn't acted, just tried to convince me…..as a brother I understand, as a leader i must be objective, but as a father…i can't overlook this…" He stretched his hand, when they tried to stood and prepare for the incoming attack, they were pushed back again by an aura around Kamui, unlike his dragon form, there was this aura dancing around him, every time some of that magic 'departed' from his body, it transformed in something similar to a petal of different colors "im sorry, but my answer remain the same…..i hope you understand" with that said, Kamui unleashed the power stored in his hand, making both of them flying backwards and crash against the wall of the arena knocking them out, with the sound of a horn and the claps of the people, the match was over, of course the only that remained silent were their retainers and close friends, Rhajat looked at the albino, even if she couldn't see his face clearly, she could see the faint shadow of a tear traveling in his face, even if they won the battle, it didn't felt like a victory at all, and Rhajat hate it.


It was quiet and dark, at least until he realized that he had his eyes closed and was barely able to hear something, his heard hurt and his limbs felt like noodles, as Ryoma opened his eyes, he groaned feeling how his body resisted the moment he tried to look around, even if that was practice, Kamui really exceeded with that last attack, as he finally managed to straighten his posture, he saw that he wasn't alone, Camilla was peeling some apples a few aside of Xander´s bed, the blonde prince was annoyed for how the purple-haired princess was giggling while she tilted her head every time he groaned, he then felt a small hand on his shoulder

"Big brother" Sakura said with a scold on his face "You really don't know when to give up" she sighed closing her eyes

"Sorry, but i´m still adamant about this sist-"

"Stop, just…..stop" Sakura sighed again "…Mikoto knows about her grandmother…..how she was a kind and gentle woman, how she resembles her in every way…and….why she´s not here"

"What? You told her ab-"

"About Hoshido, her lineage and heritage? No, she doesn't know, what she knows is that her grandmother died with a smile on her face and that she loved us, the same smile that she uses every day to cheer our day and that her spirit lives in her"

"It´s really hard to distract them every time they want to know more about her" Camilla said with a smile, just to be replaced by a scold some seconds later "Do you have any idea how difficult it´s to lie to those we love so much?"

"Then you shouldn't lie to them in t-" Xander was gulped when Camilla looked back at him with the knife held high in her hand

"…darling, there are more ways to use a knife…..please keep that in mind in you next words" she smiled in a way that all in the tent could feel the cold in her words

"Wh-What i mean is that there's no reason to lie to them"

"Unfortunately, there is…" Camilla stopped for a moment leaving the knife on the table "….no, even if you´re my brother, i can't tell you, at least not now, but i have one selfish and personal request for you, both of you"

"…for the time being, please, PLEASE respect our decision" Sakura said taking Ryoma´s hand, he was surprised for her words, selfish request? when was the last time Sakura was associated with that term?

"Wh-What? This was your idea? Your doing?" Xander asked as Camilla nodded

"Is this what you want Sakura?" Ryoma asked

"…..yes, they already know how special they are, that no matter what we will love them with all our hearts, but this is our request, not only as your sister, b-but as a mother, a-and sister in law" That last part was said when Sakura looked at the blonde prince

"…alright" Ryoma said leaning back on his pillow "I want to hear your explanation later…but for now, i guess i can just wait ... and start to know them"

"…Sorry, but no, i can't accept that, at least no with a good explanation" Xander said massaging his temples "and you know that Camilla"

"Yes, i know" Camilla sighed, even if she loved her brother, sometimes he was quite stubborn, even for his own good "For now just rest, we´ll talk tomorrow, ok?" Xander sighed as he just looked a moment at her, even if it was weird, he was…..relaxed? for the first time since the war started, he saw how his sister smiled every time they were together, something that never happened in the castle after Kamui´s disappearance, for now, he would rest, then scold his brother, and perhaps later, tell his nieces about their lineage

Outside the tent, there was a figure leaning against some crates, even if she wasn't able to hear the entire chat, she was sure that for the moment, she would be alone for what she needed to do, well, not that she wanted to admit it in front of them, but some support would be good, either way, she had to do it, not today but soon, the ache in her heart and the cloud in her mind wouldn't let her through all the war without confessing her feelings and sins, for the time being, Hinoka was alone.


AAAAAAAAAAAAND THATS ALL FOR NOW!

Phew, i thought i wouldn't make it for this week, but here is it, the first of four updates in the same week, damn, im tired :v

Soooooooo, what you think? Mikoto was obvious but Kanna? Fun fact is that there's actually a specific flower.

Here's the link if you are curious about it . /advice/profile?pid=324

Well, that's it, chapter 29, men, it has been over a year and i didn't notice it, well, better to be 1/3 of the way that 1/7 of it, yes, that´s how far i have thought about this fanfiction and the other one, men, im going to be busy as hell, but i´ll be damn if i don't finish these Works as i planned to.

Leave your reviews and comments behind, they really help me to improve my work and gramar, let me know if there some part that you dont understand or are incorrect, also, im still looking for a beta reader, so if you´re up to the challenge, send me a pm or a review letting me know when you´re free to help me out with the new chapters

For now, prepare for the new chapters and be ready! this is going to be a great week xD

Well, i think that´s it, have a good week and a good day! Seeya later!

SHIDESU! OUT!