Kiva 18: The Bucket List

One night, a young princess was writing something on paper, with a modernized lamp created by her father's inventors, planning something. And her room was still neat and clean, with only a big bag on her bed.

"Alright. That should do it." She said to herself.

Picking up the paper and looking at it, she carefully read what she had planned. Knowing that she was leaving in a few days, she wanted to spend them with her whole family, assuming her cousins did the same thing. She smiled, knowing that she'll probably miss them for a while. While she still can't believe it, she'll be having an adventure, much like her father's unexpected one. Looking at one side, she saw a necklace with a picture of her family she received on her birthday.

"Right… can't forget to bring you along with me." she said, picking it up and wore it around her neck. "If only Kivat and Tatsulot woke up, I would've spent some time with them, too. But Daddy said they've been like that for a long time. I can't argue with that, and as a Kiva, I'm gonna have to deal with it."

*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Serena, sweetie. Are you still up?"

"M-Mom?!" Serena panicked, quickly hiding her paper in her drawer before taking a breather. "It's open." The door then opened to reveal Cordelia in her sleeping dress, as she was coming in.

"What are you doing still up? it's late."

"Just… thinking about stuff." she said, looking to her window. No matter how you look at it, she's still Severa, in a way. "What's with you, not staying with Daddy? He might have a backache again, after failing on that horse ride a few days back…" she added with concern.

"Just wanted to talk." Cordelia said as she sat on the bed. "I see you've finished packing."

"Yeah, just taking the necessities, like Uncle Saigo suggested. Though, I might need Azure's help with carrying another small bag of mine."

"Oh dear, your cousins might end up having trouble again…" Cordelia sweat dropped.

"W-What's with that?! They're nice enough to help a lady! Even Owen!" She stammered with a blush.

"Well, knowing that you care about your beauty, it's to be expected, Serena." Cordelia replied. "Considering what I had to go through with Severa."

"Well… you can thank Grandma for that." she mumbled. "She's more than nice enough to teach me everything about it. Maybe I should start a salon,"

"If you need money, your father won't mind spending some of it for his precious daughter."

"No thanks, Mom. I may beautiful, but I'm already accustomed to fighting. I'm a Kiva." she grinned. "Just… be sure to look after Daddy for me."

Cordelia smiled back, as she stood up from her bed and walked towards her daughter. Taking a comb on the table, she started combing her daughter's hair, much to her liking. "Yes, you are a Kiva."

"Though I wish Lucia could come too…" Serena pouted. "But no~, her stupid daddy Chrom forbade her from going."

"Your Uncle Chrom is a bit strict, but I'm sure he'll have to let her go someday." Cordelia assured. "If anything, Lucia tends to be a hard-headed young lady, like you."

"We're best friends." Serena smirked.

"Yes. You even pull pranks together ever since the two of you started school." Cordelia giggled. "Honestly, I thought she would end up like her older sister."

"People change, Mom." Serena added, as Cordelia continued combing her hair. "Y'know… you're making it harder to leave with all this combing."

"Oh? Is it working?" Cordelia teased.

"Don't push your luck," Serena smirked.

"Now, why would I want to do that?" she replied back, as the two girls giggled.


First: Training with Daddy.

"Come on, Daddy! We still need to jog around the park one more time!" she said, as it was early in the morning. "You can last long with Mom, but you can't keep up with your daughter?"

"Why do I feel like you put that in a different context?!" I called out.

Because of the modernization I've implemented in Plegia, the place isn't as dark as it was, and they even created a recreational park, complete with magical lamps to light up the place. If you ask me, I gotta make it more modern to match up Japan.

"C'mon Serena, you know I'm not as young as I used to be!" I cried out. Seriously, why this early in the morning?!

"Hey, I still remember you dragging me when I was still a kid!" she replied back. "Now, I'm gonna do the same to you, since you've been out of shape! Even big brother Shiro and Amelia are ahead of us, waiting at the tower!"

"Can't you let… this old man… take a break?" I got out, managing to catch up with her.

"Come and get me, you old bat!" she added, before sprinting ahead, leaving me behind.

"Only your mom can call me that!" I shouted, as I ran after her.

While we jogged, we greeted a few elderly people sitting a benches and guards that guarded the area. Eventually, after a grueling jog, we eventually headed towards the tower and headed up to the top. Man, why did I even want to have this tower built in the first place?!

"You're late." Shiro quipped.

"Sorry, brother. Had to drag an old sack of bats down here." Serena pointed out.

"Oh? Father-in-law is still running and hasn't reached the top yet?" Amelia added.

"I'm not… an old… sack… of bats…" I panted heavily.

"Took ya' long enough." Serena grinned.

"And right on time, too." Amelia greeted.

"For what?"

"The sunrise." Shiro said.

"Eh?" I got out as I looked towards the horizon and there it was. The sunrise. "Now I remember… the Dawn Tower…"

"I still remember it as clear as day, Daddy." Serena began, as I stood next to her. "When I was small, you'd always take me to jog and we would always stop here for the view. But at the time, we didn't get the view of the whole place."

"Because you said you can't see the ships and the village." I teased.

"Y-Yeah…" Serena mumbled, blushing a bit.

"And that's why you begged me to have me carry you on my shoulders."

"Oh… I didn't know that happened before." Amelia said. "So, after having enough of carrying her on your shoulders, you decided to build this tower instead, Father-in-law?"

"Yeah." I replied, rubbing the back of my head nervously. "Because I wanted to make sure Serena gets the best view of the pier and the sun rising from the ocean. It's a great motivator, too."

"Well, it's been working since then, Daddy." Serena added, now resting her head on my shoulder. "I can never see the same sunrise once I'm in a foreign land. It's going to be a different view over there. Today's a bit special, since I got to spend some time with you, Daddy."

"Oh? Is that why you made that bucket list?" I smirked.

"W-Wha-"

"Don't try to lie your way out of this one." I chuckled. "You know your mom when it comes to noticing things."

"Ugh… I just knew you'd send a spy to my room… but didn't expect it'd be Mom of all people…" she grumbled. "And when Mom got the leverage…"

"The King's 'persuasion' acted up." Shiro noted, having a small faint blush on his face.

"As expected." Amelia added. "You really do know how to please a lady, Father-in-law."

"What can I say? I have the right charm." I shrugged.


Next: Attending Grandma's dance class.

"Oh my… that's right, my sweet. Keep the pacing up." Kaa-san said, as Serena was doing a waltz with her cousin, Azure.

"What's wrong, Azure? I thought you're supposed to lead me, not the other way around." Serena teased, making him blush.

"That's right, my son!" Virion added. "As a gentleman of gentlemen, it is your duty to escort a lady, move her to your will and remain in eye contact! Mesmerize your partner with your elegance!"

"Yes Father," Azure said.

"Oh look at our kids, Kurogasa." Olivia gushed.

"Yeah, she's come a long way." I smiled.

"I still remember how much of a klutz she was when she's still a kid." Lissa said. "She'd stepped on her little brother's foot all the time."

"Heheh… gee, I wonder where she gets it from." I laughed nervously.

"You were much more of a klutz than Sister was, Dad." Kyoshiro noted.

"At least your Aunt Maribelle didn't whack me with a parasol…"

"Ehehe, I still remember you begging her to not hit you anymore, but Maribelle still did it anyway and hit you on the shin!"

*POP!*

"Say that again… I dare you…" I cracked my knuckles.

"She did it… like this!" Lissa took the first blow by kicking my shin hard before running away from the studio.

"OW! LISSA! GET BACK HERE!" I shouted, running after her.

"W-Well, those two would certainly get along…" Olivia said.

"How about you stop your father from chasing your aunt, Kyoshiro?"

"Will do, Grandmother." he added before taking his leave.

"Well now…" Kaa-san began, as the music ended and approached the dancers. "Azure, may I have Serena for a dance?"

"Ah, of course, milady." Azure bowed.

"Grandma?" Serena blinked.

"I would like to see if she's ready for the ball, when the day comes." Kaa-san noted.

"Ball?"

"Oh? You didn't know? A few days back, after his approval, he decided to have a ball at Castle Plegia, to commemorate your departure." Virion added. "That's why we're here."

"And didn't you know?" Azure added.

"What?"

"Today is his birthday."

"HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT?!" Serena exclaimed.

"Because you were so fixed on your adventure, you lost track of time." Kaa-san noted, taking her granddaughter's hand. "Now, shall we?"

"Yes…"


Next: Shopping spree with family

"I wonder if Father would love these?" Morgana noted, looking at seashells that were shaped in a necklace.

"I don't think Grandfather is into seashells, Aunt Morgana." Louise retorted.

"That's more towards Mom. She loves them the most." Serena said. "Daddy's more into pendants and medallions."

"As long as it's not girlish." Severa grinned.

"Eh? Father is likes girlish things?" Morgan asked. "I thought Father is more into swords?"

"Nee-sama, Father is no longer fighting." Yukihana reminded. "Since he's king, we should find something that is good for him. Perhaps a new set of quill pens and ink?"

"You do realize that we now have computers and stuff, right?" Severa deadpanned.

"He still uses them for documents and formal signatures, Onee-sama." Yukihana smiled absentmindedly. "Outside Plegia, it is not as advanced as our kingdom."

"Hm… Aunt Yukihana is right. Grandfather does use them only for foreign affairs and such." Louise pondered. "I wonder if there's anything else that he'd be happy to have from us?"

"Why don't we ask Aunt Melissa? She knows him the best," Eragon suggested.

"Good thinking, anata," Yukihana smiled. "She should be still around."


"Ara? You want to buy something nice for your Otou-san?" Melissa blinked.

"Yep! As a family, of course, Aunt Melissa!" Morgan perked up.

"We wanna buy something that he doesn't have yet. I mean, we've bought him these silver necklaces and medallions and stuff…" Serena recalled.

"Ara… it is a bit hard." Melissa pondered.

"How about a training set?" Frederick suggested. "His Highness seems to be out of shape…"

"I can already imagine Daddy ranting about the exercises already." Serena deadpanned.

"Ah! That's it!" Melissa gasped.

"What is it, Mother?" Danny asked.

"Figurines!" she recalled.

"…figurines?" Frederick got out.

"Mother, you are not making sense…" Danny said.

"Ara, ara… how could I have ever forgotten that?" Melissa got out. "Serena. Before your father and I came here, he was an avid fan of Kamen Rider. And of course, he would buy the belts, the accessories, the weapons, even the action figures."

"But what does that have to do with-"

"There is one figure he never had in his collection." Melissa recalled. "His favorite, Kamen Rider Kabuto."

"Kabuto…?" Frederick asked.

"Hai, anata. Behind the mask was a man named Tendou Souji. He has a knack for saying philosophical quotes from his Grandmother, and talking about walking the Path of Heaven, claiming that he has a greater purpose in life, that being Kamen Rider Kabuto."

"That's where Uncle Kurogasa got his quips from." Danny added.

"But do you know the details?" Daniel asked.

"I can remember most of it, but…"

"If it is drawing, I can do that well, my love." Frederick said.

"And if it's carving, I excel at it, Mother." Tommy added.

"And we can deal with the rest of the paint job." Severa got out. "Just give us the details and we'll take care of it!"

"And you can leave the packaging to us!" Morgan added.

"Uuuu, Father's going to be so happy about this!" Morgana perked up.

Serena then took out her paper at a corner and crossed out another item on her bucket list. "Didn't expect it to be with others on the list, but it actually cuts my load faster."

"Hm? Is that your bucket list, Serena-chan?" Yukihana whispered.

"Shhh! They don't need to know." Serena hushed.

"I understand." Yukihana nodded, patting her head happily. "Do you best, alright?"

"H-Hai…" Serena couldn't help but blush, knowing that Yukihana knew what's best for her and no one's denying that everyone loves her for her kindness.


"How long do I have to stand like this?" Storm asked, as he was posing the Kabuto stance for Tommy and he was feeling very stiff.

"Just a little bit more, Uncle. I promise it won't be long."

"Look I know I'm an expert on Kabuto and all but c'mon, you're killing me here!" Storm complained.

"He could've just taken a picture of my husband and carved the rest out with ease." Cherche pointed out.

"But this is more genuine Aunt Cherche. Or else it won't be accurate!" Tommy said.

"Hm… I can't deny that…" Cherche agreed.

"Don't break your back, Father." Lucina giggled.

"I wish Gerome would take my place right now…" Storm grumbled.

"He's going out to get paint, Grandfather." Marth added.

"Of all times… why me?" Storm sweat dropped.


Meanwhile, back at Castle Plegia, I was looking at the view of the city and it was just as I envisioned. It turned out pretty swell. Not as good as Japan, but it's getting there.

"Oh, there you are, anata." Cordelia's voice got my attention, as she stood next to me on the balcony.

"Hey Cordelia,"

"I thought you'd be at the office, but you weren't there."

"Sorry, you know how it is with paperwork." I chuckled.

"Anna and Saigo would scold you if you ditch them again, hee hee…" she giggled. "I wonder how many wishes Serena had checked off from her bucket list?"

"She's still got quite a few to go." I said. "And I know there's one specific one she definitely wants to do with Lucia."

"Hm?" Cordelia got out, looking at me. "What would that be, my love?"

"Pulling off the greatest and most elaborate prank on Chrom." I snickered.

"Oh… Chrom would be furious, for certain." she giggled. "But I wonder if it's all possible? Considering tonight is supposed to be your night, you old bat."

"Oi…" I sweat dropped.

"And after that, he'd definitely scold you for being a part of it, even though that it wasn't your fault." She added. "Out of all of us, you'd enjoying having Chrom be in that position the most, considering how he pranked you a few years back at Ylisse, for his birthday."

"Well, it's time I paid him back in full… with interest." I said. "And I know Lucia and Serena are gonna pull it off beautifully."

"You do seem to be enjoying it. Especially if our daughter is involved. If that's the case…" she added, slowly making her move and had her arms wrapped around my shoulders. "…perhaps I should act as well, by having you forget your revenge on Chrom?"

"I dunno… you're gonna have to really convince me." I said.

"Oh, didn't you know? I tend to be your succubus."

"What do you have in mind?" I smirked, knowing where this is going.

"Maybe with… this?" she said, as her hand went south. "Come now, we're all alone…"

"Okay," I grinned before carrying her into my room. "You asked for it."


Last: Pulling off the greatest prank on Uncle Chrom.

Later that night, our friends attended the ball of and the sound of music covered the air with its harmonious sound. Many congratulated me on my birthday and wished me well and of course, all of us are in our fancy clothes.

"Happy birthday, little brother." Chrom said, handing me a wrapped gift. "Here, something you might like."

"Thanks, Chrom. I appreciate it." I smiled taking the present. "Wait… it's not one of your prank gifts, is it?"

"Why would I want to do that? Sumia would have my head on a platter if that happened again." Chrom said. "And how's your back? I heard from Lissa you fell and landed in a bad way."

"Because your sister kicked me in the shin during Serena's dance class." I frowned.

"I'll have to talk to her about that later on." Chrom sighed. "Well anyways, open it up."

"Alright." I said, before slowly opening my gift, making sure there were no traps or anything.

"Do you like it? It's a batch of macarons you loved so much in Ylisse." Chrom said, after I finished unwrapping it. "Sumia baked them herself."

"Whoa, really?" I said amazed. "I gotta thank her then. Thanks."

"Uncle!" Lucia dashed, hugging me while I still had the gift on my hand. Thankfully, I didn't lose them.

"Haha… hey Lucia." I chuckled. "How's my favorite niece?"

"Lucia, you know that was rude. You nearly had his macarons fall off." Chrom reminded.

"Oh c'mon, Chrom, loosen up. Like Henry always say, 'Don't be a spoiled bean,'"

"She's a princess. And so is yours, so I expect that she'd at least learn proper etiquette." Chrom groaned.

"Oh she does, from Emmeryn. She just doesn't want to listen to you when it comes to that. Says it makes her head hurt." I snickered. "Right, Lucia?" I winked at her.

"That's right!" Lucia smiled. "By the way, have you seen Serena?"

"She's right over there." I said, motioning over to Serena who were with her sisters and the grandkids, except Masao who was still up to his old antics, while Valka could only sigh. I then leaned in at Lucia's ear and whispered, "Don't forget the plan."

"Mm!" Lucia nodded before running off with a giggle.

"Sometimes, I don't know why girls are attracted to you more than men…" Chrom sweat dropped. "You tend to be a bad influence, King of Bats."

"That's old King of Bats to you." I snooted.

"So, you admit you're an old bat." Chrom snickered.

"Yeah yeah yeah, laugh it up." I waved off.

"Oh? Where's the usual offended Kurogasa who would always "Oi!" someone whenever that title was mentioned?" Chrom teased more.

"Honestly… I just learned to give up when it's stuck with me for so long…" I said.

"Even from your wife?"

"She's the exception…"

And so the party went deeper into the night and our friends and families were having fun. The main ballroom song played and as usual, I would ask to dance with my wife and Maribelle isn't gonna hit me with her parasol since Donnel was making sure to keep her in check.

But something unexpected happened.

"Daddy, may I ask you for a dance?"

Serena, of all people, asked me for a dance. Usually, that dance is reserved for someone who is being wedded off, like Yukihana.

"Of course." I said, taking her hand and we started dancing. "What's this all of a sudden?"

"Nothing. I just want to dance with you." Serena mumbled. "When I leave… it's gonna be awhile before I come back…"

"I know…" I muttered. "But you know that you'll always have a home here."

"I know." she added, followed by a small giggle. "I guess it was worth the trouble, huh? For that present of yours. Aunt Melissa said you had the face of a child when you opened it up."

"Yeah, you really surprised me with that Kabuto figurine. You all made it, just for me." I smiled.

"Of course. You're our pride and joy. That's how much we love you, Daddy."

"But even then… there's one present that tops even that…"

"Huh? What is it?" she asked, after I had her do a pirouette and held her back in my arms.

"Family…" I said, kissing her forehead.

"…" she didn't say anything, but she did rest her head on my shoulder while I wrapped my arm around her waist. "I love you, Daddy."

"And I love you." I smiled before the song ended. "Alright, time to give Chrom a whirl." I winked.

"Yep. Time to put it into motion." she smirked, before we parted. "Everyone, I have something to say." She began.

"Hm? Serena?" Chrom looked at her as did our friends and family, and Lucia, knowing it's already set.

"As you all know, I will be leaving to a foreign land with my cousins Owen and Azure. I won't be able to see all of you for a long time. But know that all of you are in my hearts."

Many nobles murmured amongst one another.

"That being said, there's something I need to say to a certain someone." She said, before approaching Lucia and she… knelt down to her.

"Wait, what the hell?" Chrom got out.

"Lucia, you've been my best friend and cousin for so long and we've done so many things together, but as the years go by… every day, I feel more closer and closer to you. And… we may be more than friends…" Serena blushed.

"Huh?!" Chrom gawked.

"S-Serena, is this…?!" Lucia gasped, pretending to be shocked.

"Yes… it is… I have fallen for you!"

There were sounds of gasps and surprise and Chrom finally lost it.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Chrom shouted.

"Father?" Cecilia asked. "What's going on?"

"HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE!" Chrom snapped, quickly pulling Lucia behind him. "Serena, do you have any idea what you're saying?! For crying out loud, she's your cousin!"

"I know, Uncle Chrom. That's why I must do this."

"By proposing to her?!"

"No." Serena shook her head, covering her finger on her necklace. "This."

"How?" Chrom asked furiously, until something fell directly above his head. And what seemed like water isn't actually water. It's yellow custard, and it completely covered him. "BWAH!" he cried out, and ended up landing on his butt.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I laughed so hard that I couldn't contain myself.

"Oh my…" Yukihana muttered, as some nobles couldn't help but chuckle silently, while some of the Shepherds laughed their butts off.

"Alright! We did it, Serena!" Lucia exclaimed happily, giving her cousin a hi-five.

"I can't believe it actually work!" Serena exclaimed, now hugging her cousin.

"Wow, Kuro. I can't believe your daughter is a bigger prankster than I am!" Lissa commented.

"DAMN RIGHT SHE IS!" I said proudly.

"Shame all that custard went to waste…" Gaius pouted.

"I GOT YOU BACK CHROM!"

"I knew it." Shiro facepalmed. "He's still held that grudge from a few years ago…"

"Her father's pride got wounded, so Serena was all-in for the prank." Emmeryn concluded. "Lucia joined because her father wouldn't let her go on an adventure with her cousin."

"Wha… how… HUH?!" Chrom said flabbergasted, still trying to make sense of the situation.

"ALL HAIL THE CUSTARD KING!" I said mockingly, getting on my knees and bowing to him.

Basilio grinned happily, joining my side and did the same. "All hail the CUSTARD KING!" and soon enough, the rest of the Shepherds followed, including the strict Maribelle.

Seeing all of it g according to plan, Serena pulled out the small paper from her dress and looked at the bucket list. With a smile, she scrunched up the paper into a ball and threw it in the trash can.

"Yep, I won't have any regrets after I leave Plegia." she smiled, seeing her father laugh at Chrom, who is still struggling to stand up from the slippery custard.


Extra: Sleeping with my parents

"…" Serena and I were laying down quietly in our bed, while Cordelia hugged and snuggled her daughter close to her. Oh, and we're in our sleeping outfits.

"Mn… Serena…" Cordelia mumbled before dozing off again.

"Mom doesn't wanna let me go, Daddy…" Serena whispered.

"You're not gonna be around for a while." I muttered. "Besides, you're her teddy bear so-to-speak…" I snickered.

"Like you're hers when she was pregnant?" she snickered back. "I remember how Uncle Saigo told me she won't even let you go at noon, when she had Morgana in her."

"Yeah yeah I know." I chuckled. "Still… it's gonna be a bit lonely around here."

"I'll call every once in a while." Serena said.

"I know, it's just… I'm gonna miss ya."

"Just like how you missed Morgan when she had to go to Chon'sin with her hubby?" she teased. I swear she inherited Cordelia's teasing.

"Oi…" I muttered.

"And besides, you still have Lucia to keep you company. She is your favorite niece after all."

"W-What's that got to do with anything?" I blushed.

"Daddy, you and your Fangire hormones really get the best of you, like Grandma said." she deadpanned. "I kinda expected that these things happened all the time. At least… Mom's enjoying it…" she mumbled.

"Ehehe…" I laughed nervously.

"But serious talk though Daddy, I'll tell her to keep you company. At least she won't have to be around Uncle Chrom all the time."

"But knowing your uncle, that's not gonna happen."

"Until she has her own adventure? I mean, Lucina did tell me she had hers in her past future and all…" she said. "Maybe Lucia will do it too."

"I doubt it…"

"Honestly, he's starting to act like you, an overprotective bat."

"Custard king, honey." I corrected.

"Right. Custard King." she giggled. "You're my Daddy of bats, after all."

"That's Daddy Bat to you." I smirked.