Chapter Sixteen

"Oboro, Hinata!" Takumi shout.

His two retainers startle and look at him with wide eyes.

"Lord Takumi!" Oboro shouts, immediately running over to him.

"Lord Takumi!" Hinata shouts, following close behind. He almost runs into Oboro, who stops short when she spies the rest of the party. "Oh, hello!"

"Hi there!" Elise chirps back, waving from beside Sakura.

"Are you guys alight?" Takumi asks seriously. "Where's Hinoka?"

"We're fine," Hinata waves off the concern. "Your sister's gone off in search of Ryoma."

"My lord," Oboro cuts in. She has a scary look on her face as she glances at the group. "Why are you traveling with these Nohrians?"

Corrin steps up beside Takumi. The younger brother glances at him, and then looks to his retainers. "This is Corrin."

"The traitor?" Oboro gets into a fighting stance.

"I-it's okay, Sakura squeaks, running up and gripping both her brother's hands. "We're travelling with big brother Corrin and trying to stop both sides from fighting."

Hinata smiles widely and hides his laugh. Oboro looks to Takumi in disbelief. Her charge has his free hand splayed across his face, nodding begrudgingly. "I'll explain it later."

"Um," Hinata speaks up, "don't mean to interrupt, but you guys see that smoke over there?"

Everyone blinks when Kaze suddenly appears at the front of the group. "That's my brother's smoke signal."

"Yah…" Hinata drawls. "That's where we came from. Orochi and Reina saw Kagero get captured. Long story short, Saizo sent us to get some help."

"Then we'll help," Corrin says, determinedly.

Kaze shakes his head. "That is not a good idea, Lord Corrin. If he sent up that specific smoke signal… he believes that it is too dangerous. He is warning us away."

"Then we really do need to go," Corrin says. "Bad idea or not, we're not leaving your brother and comrades out there."

"Lord Corrin-"

"Oh, let's just go already," Rinkah says, coming forwards and twirling her club around in her hands. "If we're going to save the world, might as well save your hot-tempered brother."

Everyone who remembers him trying to blow-up Corrin flinches.

"Huh," Hinata says, nudging Oboro to follow as the group is lead towards the smoke. "Hey, Lord Takumi? Is the group always this dramatic?"

"I don't know," Takumi grounds out, "I've only been with them an hour."

"It really is," Subaki speaks up.

"Jerk," Hana mutters, watching the other retainer fly up on his Pegasus and into the trees. She turns back to the newly joined retainers. "Just wait until you see this place called the Deeprealm. That's when all gets really strange."

Oboro can feel her face sour.

Hinata smiles widely.

;;;

The down-side to the win: No potential allies want to join Team Corrin.

The up-side to the battle: Saizo no longer believes Corrin is an enemy. Or traitor. Jury's still out on weirdo.

Oh, and Ryoma has apparently been found. If what Kagero says is true, then Corrin believes that the red armoured Prince is about to meet Scarlet in Cheve. Both of Ryoma's retainers, as well as Reina and Orochi, leave before Corrin can suggest everyone go to Cheve together.

"We will need a boat if we are to get to Cheve," Takumi says. He is as unimpressed at the departure of Ryoma's retainers as the rest of the group is.

Corrin nods. He looks to the sky, remembering the map of the area. "There is a small village on the way to the nearest port. We should grab some supplies from there, and then stay in the Deeprealm until night passes."

There is a positive mutter from all but Elise, Takumi, and his retainers.

"What is the Deeprealm?" Oboro asks suspiciously.

Corrin blushes and looks sheepish. "Well, it would be easier to show you and then explain. I promise you'll be safe there, though."

"I-it's really great, big brother," Sakura says, coming up to grab Takumi's arm. "Everyone c-can get their own rooms, and Felicia is a great chef."

"What about me," Subaki pouts, following his charge.

Corrin chuckles. Someone latches onto his arm. He looks down at his blonde, little sister.

"Can you tell me about your adventures?" Elise begs. "Please! And what about these Deeprealms? Is it a super cool place? What makes it hard to explain? And how do we get there?"

Corrin smiles widely and starts to explain.

He only thinks about how happy he feels as he leads them to the next, small village.

;;;

"Thank you," Kaze says.

Rinkah looks at him like he's stupid. "For what?"

"Convincing us all to go save my brother."

Rinkah rolls her eyes. "You're the only one who needed convincing. Most of this mix-matched army has fought beside your brother before. None of us were going to leave him in danger. Comrades help each other, that's what teams and such do."

Kaze sighs. "It makes me feel worse for insisting we leave him."

"What did the smoke signal really mean?" Kaze casts her a confused look. Rinkah rolls her eyes again. "You were scared that your brother was in danger, but that smoke signal made you lose hope. Why?"

Kaze frowns. "That signal is meant to say a suicide mission is in progress. Don't come near or risk your life."

Rinkah groans. "You're brother really hasn't gotten over Kagero, has he? Gees, promise me you won't ever risk your life for me that way."

Kaze looks away. "I can't promise that."

"Then you're an idiot," Rinkah states. "You may be my… friend… but that doesn't mean you should go around sacrificing your life for me. Do it smart. Plan ahead. Don't go charging into enemy lines just because I'm at the other end of the battle field."

Kaze chuckles. "When you put it that way…"

Rinkah crosses her arms, club out and tapping the ninja's arm as they walk. "Now, promise me you won't do anything stupid on the battlefield for me."

"Of course, my friend." Kaze bites down on the smile threatening to break free when she grimaces. "Though, that does not mean I won't do anything stupid on the battlefield because of you."

"Idiot."

;;;

"This army isn't so bad," Hana says, shrugging. "Just give the Nohrians a chance, you might like them."

Oboro gives her a look.

"You might," Hana defends. "I mean, Felicia drops things way too often, and Gunter never laughs, but they're nice."

"What about the princess?"

"Just met her recently," Hana admits. "But she gets along well with Lady Sakura, so that means there has to be something good about her."

"If you trust this group so much, why does Subaki circle around so much?" Oboro points out.

Hana smiles at that. "He's actually letting his Pegasus fly around. There isn't a paddock yet, so he's been keeping her in the horses' stable."

"Give them a chance," Hinata throws out there with a shrug. "You don't have to like them, but at least start a comradery. And, hey! More Hoshidans than Nohrians. We can take them out if they suddenly go all slasher-killer."

Oboro concedes. "I'm still keeping an eye open at night. And what do you think about Lord Corrin?"

"Oh, him?" Hana smiles widely. "He's insane."

That doesn't reassure anyone.

;;;

Azura and Gunter follow last on their horses.

"…" Azura is lost in thought. She wonders if it is possible to gather control over the increasing party.

"…" Gunter fights within himself.

They don't talk the whole ride to the village.

;;;

"Are there any dishes you wish to have tonight, Hayato?" Felicia asks, hovering around the stall.

The man huffs and throws an unimpressed look at the selection. He crosses his arms and turns his back to her. "Just pick out whatever you want."

"But I want to make sure everyone will eat it!" Felicia cries. "If we have some milk deserts, would you eat that? We may not be able to have soup tonight. There aren't enough vegetables or meat…"

"Yah," Hayato says stiffly, trying not to smile in his excitement. "That sounds great."

"Alright!" Felicia chirps, moving to another stall in the village. "Oh, there just doesn't seem to be enough for full meals… everything here would be great with deserts…"

"That should be fine," Hayato says quickly. Felicia blinks at him with wide eyes, not used to seeing him excited. Sakura and Kaze had to double team him and Rinkah the night before to get them to eat desert. She's a bit thrown off. "Really. I'm sure I'll- er- the princesses will love whatever you make. You can… uh, probably make it a celebration for Takumi's return? Yah! Do that!"

"Alright!" Felicia smiles widely and nods. She decides she likes this smiling, excitable side of Hayato better than to strict, no-nonsense side of him. "We'll have a celebratory meal! Ooh! I know Lord Corrin likes little cakes and treats. Do you like them too?"

"Yes," Hayato says, coming up beside her to look at the items. "Get that type of sugar. We use it in sweets in the Wind Tribe."

"Oh? I'm excited to try it then!"

;;;

"Come on!" Elise shouts, dragging Sakura deeper into the village's small market. "Come on, come on, come on! Hurry up, Takumi!"

Sakura giggles when she looks over her shoulder and sees her brother rolling his eyes.

"Oh, look at these," Elise coos, coming to a stop in front of a trinket stall. She picks up a small, carved, horse piece. "Oh, wow! Do you have a whole chess set, miss?"

The older lady behind the stall nods happy and pulls out a checkered board from under the table. "The pieces are tucked away, but they're all up to the quality that Knight is."

"W-what's chess?" Sakura mutters, eyes locked on the horse piece.

Elise gapes. "It's the best strategy game in Nohr! I used to play it with my brothers all the time." She winces at the thought. "Well, I know Corrin will still play with me. You want me to teach you?"

"Teach her what?" Takumi says suspiciously as he walks up to them.

"Chess!" Elise says, smiling. When he doesn't change his expression, Elise's eyes widen. "You haven't played chess before, either? That settles it! Miss, I'd like to buy your chess set!"

"Thank you, hun," the old woman smiles. She rattles off the price, and Elise happily pays.

While the woman gathers the pieces, Elise turns to Sakura when the girl mumbles out a, "thank you."

Takumi scoffs. "There's no way that will be fun. Shogi is a probably a much better game."

Sakura frowns and turns to her brother. "Takumi…"

"Oh, is that a strategy game too?" Elise asks with all innocence. "We'll have to get a board to play sometime!"

Takumi scowls at her. "Like I'd play a game with someone like you."

Sakura looks hurt, and Takumi can feel the guilt starting. He swallows, advoiding her gaze and removing his scowl.

Elise smirks at him. "Sakura can teach me then, is that alright?" The redhead nods. "Alright! Takumi, you and I can do something else together! I'll find something for you to enjoy, I swear it!"

Takumi looks at her blankly. Only Sakura's expectant look makes him not snap and walk away. "Whatever."

Elise takes that as his acceptance. "Great! Oh, we'll need to find you something for your room, too! I want a homey feel in mine. What do you suggest, Sakura?"

Takumi sighs as his little sister trips over her words to the excited blonde. He feels like it's going to be a long afternoon.

;;;

Corrin – standing alone while the rest of his army shops – glances at the array of weapons. He rubs his left wrist as he thinks. It was so much easier when weapons didn't cause side effects.

A hand taps on his shoulder, causing him to startle. Before he can turn around, he hears a woman roll her words in a fake purr. "Well, hello Corrin."

He turns, and red eyes meet red eyes. The black haired woman smiles almost maniacally at him. Her words are a warning, even if they sound too normal coming from her lips. "I think we need to talk."

A/N: Thanks for reading! (Fun fact: if you do Takumi-Leo B rank support, Takumi knows what chess is. If you do Takumi-Elise C rank support, he doesn't it's called chess.)

Thank you, Guest, for your review! Yah, everyone deals with the war differently… Corrin wants everyone to be friends; Takumi is an angry teen all the time. The 'neutral' army is in for an interesting time when the rest of the royals appear. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!