Hello! Sorry for the delay guys.

Phew, it was a really interesting month, really.

Ok, first of all, im sorry for the big delay, just some quick notes:

I´ll update this story more regularly, so don't worry about, and yes, this will be the start of the so awaited 'Hinoka' ark if you can call it that, Hinoka and Rhajat will have their time, lastly but no least will be Kagero and Orochi as you suggested, so just wait a little more.

After that, i´m going to update the other fanfictions, still looking for beta readers so any help is appreciated, finally there will be the special poll with the options, as i said before but there´s something i need to tell you at the end :v

Anyway, lets begin with this, see ya at the end of the chapter

Shidesu! OUT!

Chapter 34: Confessions

Aim, attack, block and repeat.

That is the 'mantra' of the soldiers, to anyone who want to wield a weapon and to be a part of the army, something that Hinoka learned a long time ago when she was training under the harsh sun of the summer, every time she held a nagitana, when she struck the dummies and every sleepless night that she continued honing her skills, to the moment she entered the battlefield she got closer to her goal, until the day came, after losing her dream in that fateful day, she recovered it in that battle, in that group, in that moment, slashing the little man and retrieving her Nagitana as she prepared for any incoming attack, she was glad to see that all the others soldiers around her hesitated under her harsh glare, they just recovered the body of his leader still in shock for the last attack, and with a signal of his hand they retired for the time being.

After some minutes and making sure that they were alone, she relaxed her body and still with the Nagitana at hand she looked back with a soft smile, seeing how Kamui was at first surprised by her, but slowly his face changed for a frown and while he stood he shook his head "What are you doing here?! Of all places yo-"

"What i´m doing?! I´ll could ask the same!" Hinoka frowned "Or a better question, what the hell were you thinking?! How could you leave us like that?! After all we have done! We sh-" Kamui put his hand on her mouth looking back at the other hall, they heard the sound of footstep´s and without wasting more time he took her hand and walked to another hall with her steed following behind "H-Hey! Im not done yet! W-"

"Tell me that you´re the only here" He didnt looked back, just asked in a monotone tone looking around through the halls and trying to find a way out, Hinoka didn't responded, instead she was worried when she saw he was leaving a trail of blood, she pulled him and with before he could react she made him sit in her stead with her, pulling the reins she directed her Pegasus through the halls being sure to be as stealthy as possible but with enough dexterity to no hurt her passenger since the only thing he could do is to embrace her with his unhurt arm around her waist and placing his head on her back, a small smile was on her face, it wasn't the best time but that reminded her the times where she was the one hugging the other.

"Where are we going?" Kamui asked struggling not to fall from the stead

"You´re bleeding, we need to go back with the others, they're already weeping the floor with those bastards who tried to kill you"

"Then all the army is here?!"

"Why wouldn't they? Is your elite force and you´re our leader, not to m-"

"You must´ve done what i wrote you! What was in that note! You´ve put everything at risk for nothing!"

"Nothing?!" Hinoka gritted her teeth "You´re a lot a things Kamui, a gentle, kind person, a good leader and better father, even an idiot sometimes, but 'nothing' is not one of them"

"But i dont worth your only chance to win this war, to stop this madness, their soldiers are instructed stop our force here! You were supposed to be sieging at the other side of the castle!"

"What? No! You´re not the only one who trick the people" Hinoka said pulling the reigns making her steed to stop at one of the corners of the hall "Rhajat already took care of that, right now their forces should be at the other side, preparing for our 'assault' at the west gate" Hinoka looked back just to see how he frowned and for a second she believed that he was going to fall, there was something wrong, his face was pale and she barely felt his hold on her waist, it wasn't the best option or the place, but dismounting her steed she helped him to sit on the ground, grooming her pegasus for a moment and caressing its head she just mumbled some words, after some seconds her steed sneezed and spread its wings, taking flight and leaving them behind.

"What are you doing?" Kamui asked as she kneeled to his level, pressing her forehead against his

"You´re in no condition to fly" she bit her lip "…..you´re cold, what happened? Why ar-"

"It doesn't matter Hinoka" Kamui pushed her trying to stand but failing as he almost stumbled on his feet

"It doesnt matter?! What are you talking about?! Of course it matters! You only have a broken shoulder but it looks like you´re about to pass away, what happened ten minutes ago?! Wh-"

"It doesn't matter Hinoka, even if you know is not like you can do something about it" This time Hinoka frowned with a hurt expression on her face

"Try me" Kamui looked at her with a stern expression, this was a rare occasion, a rare scene, it was the first time she felt his cold glare over her, the only other time she felt that gaze was back at the meeting when Ryoma... 'No, this is not the time for pitty' she thought, there woudlnt be a better time, if they waited for the others, he would only elude her for the rest of the campaing, if she backed out now it would be the end not only of their relationship, but also any other chance, she glared back, not with coldness but with concern and compassion, after a few seconds Kamui sighed and leaned back at the wall, falling on his rear and dong a tourniquet on his arm with a piece of cloth "…Kamui"

"….what´d you mean back there?" Kamui said softening his glare, still harsh but clearly allowing her some space to move.

"Uh?" She immediately blushed gripping her nagitana, to be honest she didn't think about it, she just said what she felt and before she realized the words had already left her mouth "Umm…well…"

"If i didn´t know you better, i´d say you´ve a crush on me" he laughed clutching at his arm still feeling the sore limp, for now he was safe but he didn't knew how much he would resist the pain, he waited for her answer, but the way she moved her body, how she didn't make eye contact looking down and with a blush that matched her hair, Kamui sighed leaning against the wall, this wasn't the time or moment for that "….Hinoka, do me a favor" She tried to look at him, but now she was too embarrassed to see him directly at his eyes, instead she looked at his injured arm "Just do you a favor and forget about me….." she widened her eyes in sheer horror, looking at him he had a stern expression on his face, how he could say something like that?

"Wh-What? Wh-"

"I'm dying Hinoka" Kamui said followed for a dead silence, he looked so relaxed, so melancholic about what he said, she tried to talk but when her mouth opened there were no words that she could say "and yes, Camilla, Sakura and Rhajat know it, Midoriko and Kaze as well, so just forget about me" Hinoka trembled under his words, and slowly approached "Lets win this war, stay with Ryoma and Takumi for a while, you´re beautiful, loyal and kind, you can find someone who can love you as you are, start a family and age with them, in time you´ll forg-mmmhh…." He couldn't finish, while he was talking Hinoka just leaned to his level and tenderly embraced him, it felt so unfair that he was saying those words not considering her feelings, leaning her forehead against his she couldn't take it anymore, not when he had such sad and crestfallen expression on his face, pressing her lips against his she started to cry and stop worrying about everything around them, she lost him twice in her life, and now from nowhere she was about to lose him again? At least in that moment, in that fragment of time, she would be selfish and be honest with herself, it wouldn't matter if she had to face the others for this, at least there would be a small part of her life that wouldn't be a lie, that wouldn't regret anything, their lips parted as they struggled to take breaths after she finally placed her palms on his face.

"I trained, fought and hoped for so many years, there´s no way i could forget you, dork….."

"….you must and you will" he continued "Camilla and Sakura are already suffering enough for this, not to mention my daughters when they´ve to deal with his, i don't want to drag you with me"

"Hey, you said it like you were a burden, if you are in problems, then the normal thing to do is to lend you a hand"

"Oh yeah? And this is you 'lending a hand' little girl?" both of them turned to the left, seeing that Rhajat was approaching with crossed arms and a frown in her face "You know, this isn't exactly what we discussed back in the group, i sh-" she stopped seeing the blood in his robe, immediately rushed to his side and pushed the red-haired princess to look at his arm, before she could complain she took a little cloth from her pouch pressing it against his shoulder "…How long?"

"Just a couple of minutes, 20 minutes at best" Kamui replied and grunted when she pressed it harder against his shoulder, she wasn't happy to see them that close, less to see that he was injured "Look, i ca-"

"Tsk, i don't want to hear it, we need to get back right now" She looked at Hinoka "You, hold tight of my shoulder" Hinoka raised an eyebrow with that comment, but after looking Kamui nod she just placed both of her hands on her shoulder "….i need your help, after that you can do whatever you want" with that said, Rhajat concentrated her magic around her and in a blink they disappeared in a thin flash of black and purple light.

She was impressed, she thought it would take more time to return to the camp, but in a flash they were already in front of the medical tent, Asugi waiting for them and impressed that his 'boss' was injured, it took a couple of minutes to gather enough information about what happened, and after some moments he went ahead of them to inform the others that they were already back, of course with help of his father, Mizuki was with them after some minutes of looking for bandages, a couple of flask and needless, it was strange to see the girl moving so fast with Rhajat around, perhaps reflex? She didnt bothered to ask since the priority was to heal the albino, but wondered why instead of using the staff´s or mend´s that were laying on the crate, Rhajat was using those things, needles and flask, it was just strange.

After some minutes Kamui was on a bed half naked, only with his pants and boots, his torso exposed and of course, facing the layer of the tent making it easier to see the injury, even if she hated to see it, Hinoka had to observe how Rhajat was carefully pathing him up, there was open skin on his shoulder, probably for the fall and unfortunately she had to do it as quickly as possible, not before cleaning the wound and doing the proper medical protocol, stitching his wounds, Mizuki didn't overlook the distressed eyes of the princess "Im sorry you´ve to see your lover like this, but is necessary"

"Uh? wh-what?"

"Oh, you don't know?" Mizuki asked while Rhajat continued, she looked back at her sister but she just ignored the words of the girl "Well….i don't know if I should tell you…but….its problematic if you don't know…..but again….."

"Just tell her already and stop wasting our time" Rhajat grumbled, saying a small 'sorry' when she pinched him again after finishing with the big wound on his shoulder

"Tell me what? What´s she talking about?" Hinoka asked, looking at the young girl, who looked at the albino who just sighed and massaged his temples.

"…im cursed Hinoka, that´s why i said im dying" Kamui replied not looking at her, who just tightened the hold on his robe who had in her arms, feeling a chill through her spine, it couldn't be right, not like that.

"Are you sure you want to tell her?" Mizuki asked with her blank face

"She´s going to find out sooner or later" Rhajat said with a softened expression on her face placing her hand on his back "If she´s going to be a part of this, then just tell her the whole story my love"

"…..it happened when we arrived" Kamui said leaning on his knees "After that attack, after all that fight, we discovered that what happened at the bottomless canyon wasn't that simple, it wasn't just a blast of energy that hit me, it wasn't a normal murder intent"

"Then what happened? What was different about this attack from them?" Hinoka asked feeling the weight of her questions, it couldn't be easy for him to confess this, after all, Rhajat was doing her best to not teleport him to another place of the camp.

"It was a special attack or curse, that´s what Lilith said" Kamui continued "It was supposed to kill and control the one who received the blast, fortunately i could deflect most of its damage…..but….."

"…..but?"

"The side effects are still with me, the food barely satiate me, i get tired faster, the nights without nightmares are rare and what´s worse, the wounds are very difficult to heal, especially this kind of wounds" Kamui looked at his shoulder "Even a small cut is a problem, the staff´s and rod´s are useless with me, tonics or elixir´s are with no effect, that´s why i needed the help of Mirodiko with the new flask´s, she can make something to heal this wounds, but is a small improvement"

Hinoka could barely contain her tears again, that explained why he had so many troubles training with the others, or why in the battles against the vallite army he was almost at the rear of the group, those comments from some of the new soldiers about his 'incompetence' were unjustified if all what he said was true "That´s horrible! But why are you suffering all this?"

"Is a common curse the King of Valla use against those who oppose him" Kamui said taking back his shirt

"Gods, and Scarlet know about this?"

"Of course no, she already feel guilty about what happened that day, i can't imagine what she would do if she finds out about my condition"

Hinoka thought for a moment, it wasn't weird that he cared for the others, but this was insane, every time they were fighting there was the risk that just a bad hit, a mistake from the troops or a bold move from the enemy was enough to get him, then she remembered something that Rhajat said about the hexes and curse, something that make her feel a void in her chest "….there's…there's a time limit for this? Is just temporary right?"

"No, no until we defeat him, a normal person would be dead on the spot, but since im a half dragon and deflected most of the attack….perhaps two months since the attack before it´s too late"

Hinoka trembled with his answer "B-But if that´s true then you have only two weeks left!" Hinoka walked to his side "What about your family?! Your daughters! About the others?! What they would think if one day you´re gone? I-i can't lose you like this! Not l-" she stopped when he placed his hand on her cheek.

"Hinoka…" Kamui sighed with sadness "I know this is hard, and it pains me to think about what will happen not only to my family, but everyone else, especially with my daughters, that´s why i need you to do me a favor, no matter what´s the result of this, you´ll take care of the others, if im not here with you, could you look over my daughters?" again the tears fell from her face, she couldn't replied for a moment, she hated that feeling, not able to do something about his condition, or help him, just wait for the best for now.

"It´s so unfair to ask me that"

"Im sorry, i shouldn't, but if you really want to help me with my burden, then for the moment, knowing that you´ll be there to see them grow up is all what i need to continue and get all of us alive of this mess" after some seconds she just nodded in sadness in her heart, not before hugging him still feeling the tears leaving her eyes, even with the other two there, she didnt care they were watching, if there was something good about that day, it was that she could get closer to his heart, even if it was just a little bit.

Meanwhile outside the tent, Asugi was accompanied by the royal family who could just remain in silence for what they heard, the expression on their faces couldn't be worse, Sakura was looking at the floor as Camilla was just playing with a lock of her hair, it was a blessing that the girls weren't with them hearing what they just heard, Xander crossed his arms as Ryoma massaged his temples, feeling the weight of those words wasn't easy for them.

"...Camilla, im s-"

"Don't" Camilla interrupted his brother walking away with Sakura who just looked away of her brother, arms locked "You wanted to pry in his affairs, an excuse, to know his problems, now you know it, but I forbid you to feel pity about us" she looked back, still with a sad small smile on her face "After all, if you do, then all this fight would be for nothing, you want to do something? Then make sure that this family doesn't break apart"

"That Kanna or Mikoto doesn't lose their smiles" Sakura injected looking up "The last thing we want is that our daughters hate you for something you´re not responsible for, or to grow up without their father" Ryoma and Xander doubted for a moment, but after looking each other and nodding at the same time, they followed them with Takumi, Leo and Elise behind, not one in front of the other, but side to side.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND THATS ALL FOR NOW :V

IM SO SORRY FOR THE BIG DELAY

You know guys, it was kind of hard to do this, and after all with school, work and events…..I had barely any time for this, man I need a little more of time xD

Ok, just a few thing before leaving…..

To guest´s in general: Yes, i´ll expand the time for the poll and post the chapter at the end of September/beginning of October, for the delay of the update i couldn't confirm the stories, so the ones in the poll for the moment are: (CamillaxKamui) (ElisexKamui) (Shenannigans of the young Kanna and Mikoto) (KamuixSelkie) and (VeluriaxKamui) if you want to add any other choice, please leave your PM or review.

To Temporal King: yes, i remember what you said a few months ago, and as you can see is still a little far away of that point of the whole royal/shenannigan/fight about who belongs to who, so wait for it a little longer for it, hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Anyway, thanks for reading, i hope you have a great weekend and day!

SHIDESU! OUT!