Note to Readers: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters. My tactician name is Ada. Anyways, I am planning to update all my stories at the same time to save time so I did! That was fun, except it took a long time to update this one. Sorry! Now let's see…
Marthroyboy: Your mom is an editor? Wow…my mom hates it when I write all day…
Sword of Seals: Thank you for pointing out my mistake. I promise to reread next time.
SweetMisery430: Thank you for reviewing and Nino as well.
The Story Master 125: I'm glad you like Jaffar/Nino pairings. This is one great pairing no doubt. I'm the only one who likes Nino in my family as well. My brother hates her, jealousy I say.
Demonnesszen: I'm glad you like this pairing as well. Hope you update your Protecting The Devil story since I absolutely love it. (Big Erk/Serra fan)
elven-girl10, ninorox, and ninofan: I'm glad lots of people like Nino as much as I do!
Serra19, Michelle of the Night, and cardmaster372: Thanks for always supporting me!
I hope I got everyone, any suggestions please feel free to tell me. On with the story!
I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.
--Anna Quindlen
Couple of Years later…
Uncle Jan barely flung me on his back and gave me a piggy ride. I love it when he give me these piggy rides. I know it must be childish to love this little embraces but I want to enjoy these last day with Uncle Jan before he is taken away from my life as well. The sun was shining hard on my hair as I can feel the swift breeze blowing through my forest color hair. Still, I felt the happiness growing inside me as I giggled and laughed. I finally opened my eyes at last and saw the same dark eyes staring at me from the shadows a few years back. But today, there was more sunlight as I can see his face clearly.
His dark red hair, as well as his dark crimson eyes gave me a feeling that I cannot described. Not a single sign of smile on his face, he kept his face silent from the world and me. His eyes were so sad, and so lonely. Why had I never noticed his presence before? Our eyes locked for a second as he walked away with no sound nor reaction. He was so different from my brothers, and me. It was as if he was from a different world I cannot describe from within. I wonder how it would be like to talk to him, having a normal conversation as if with anyone else. Why doesn't he talk to me? Why is he keeping his distant away from me? Uncle Jan can tell I looked unhappy as he put me down.
"Child, what's wrong?" Uncle Jan asked as I looked away from him. I felt awful, not answering him. He treated me so well. My brothers, my Father, the Black Fang, everyone treated me so well. I would not regret a thing if I spend my whole life living with everyone and be part of the Black Fang.
"Uncle Jan, who was that man?" I asked, thinking that he probably know the answer.
"Oh, that was Jaffar. He came with your Mother. You never knew that?" Uncle Jan asked me in amazement. We walked off to the nearby trees, hand in hand. Uncle Jan knew lots of important stuff than me and I felt so safe around him. To me, he was really my uncle.
"To be honest, Mother kept lots of stuff away from me. There is so much things I don't know." I answered truthfully as the man next to me nodded in agreement. I see Mother more regularly now, but not once, did she give me a nod or a hello. She just pretended that I never existed and never needed.
Of course, I kept these thoughts to myself since if I say them out loud, it might hurt my Mother's feelings. Mother was the only one not close to me, but I would never forget that she is my Mother and she loves me very much. If I show more understanding in what she does, maybe she will know how much I love her. If I show more support and not be in her way all the time, then maybe she will love me more and show more affections toward me. In my deepest desires, how much I wish she can spend some time with me like Uncle Jan and Uncle Legault.
Speaking of Uncle Legault, I haven't seen him for many years now. I wonder where he is and what he's doing right now. We had such fun times together especially when he's not around, killing people who break the code of the Black Fang. He always read me bedtime stories before he's off to kill people. I never question his work, for I admire him. He must be very brave to kill all those men who dare to break the law of the Black Fang. I wished that he didn't have to kill so much, but I know it's better to leave it to be. Uncle Legault loves his work and what he does, so I should too.
Uncle Legault is not the only one missing. There is also Uncle Uhai as well. Uncle Uhai never once dare break the law of the Black Fang and he is always loyal to my Father. This is the reason why I admire him as well. He comes from Sacae, a region where the endless plains swayed. I wonder what it's like living there. It must be beautiful from what Uncle Uhai described to me. The best part about coming from that area is all men and women have respect for the truth and never dare tell a single lie. So that's why Uncle Uhai never lies and would never want to harm people without a reason why. Uncle Uhai, I heard from Uncle Jan, was send to an island far far away. I would have asked Uncle Jan why, but I know that is being too nosy.
"Jaffar is leaving today, child, he is going off to the Dread Isle." Uncle Jan interrupted my thoughts. The Dread Isle? Where is that?
"Is that where Uncle Uhai went a long time ago?" I managed to ask at last. My curiosity got the better of me again. Uncle Jan didn't seem to mind as he patted me on the head.
"Yes, child, you are older now. Uncle Uhai went there on a mission. It won't be long before he comes back." Uncle Jan said calmly. I didn't buy it. There was doubt in his voice. I cannot imagine why Uncle Uhai would want to go off to the Dread Isle. What's wrong being here? What kind of mission is this?
I was about to ask when Uncle Jan shushed me. "Nino, you're such a sweet child. There are much things you don't know about, and sadly, lots of terrible things. There are lots of things that should be kept untold, and keep it that way. Knowing everything is not what matters, it's knowing everything and trying to prevent it from happening. You are older now, but you're still too young to understand." I nodded to show my understanding as Uncle Jan sighed and walked off to rest.
I wonder what the whole deal with Uncle Jan is, but I dare not to ask another soul. Lloyd and Linus, my two brothers, are not present in this area right now. They are off in the Water Temple. I have no idea where that is, but Linus already promised me to take me there someday soon. I know my brother Linus will never break a single promise. I cannot trust anyone around here anymore. I cannot be certain but I have a feeling that there was something different around here.
I walked through the familiar hallways, where the lighting is always right. The same doors, the same floor, the same ceilings. The appearance of the building I spend my last years with have not changed, it's the people in the Black Fang that has changed. I cannot help it when I just spot some random soldier with bright golden eyes. I would asked to myself if that person was there before. But I keep these thoughts to myself. Uncle Jan was right. Knowing everything cannot do a single thing. I just sighed as I turned my knob to my room. Someone behind me interrupted me.
"Hello Nino." The voice was those of a lady. One that I am familiar with as well. Who could forget a sucking up voice like that?
"Hello there, Auntie Ursula!" I greeted in my cheerful way. Ursula had short blue hair and always wearing fancy clothes wherever she goes. I never like Ursula. Ursula was one of the new people in the Black Fang about two years ago in which I dislike. But of course, I can never hate her since she is very loyal to my Mother. She actually listens to my Mother without any comment whatsoever. It's like she wants something really badly, and my Mother is the only one that can provide it for her. She has never been mean to me in any way, but I suspected that is only because I am my Mother's daughter.
"Where have your mother went to? I cannot find her anywhere." She asked me. I wonder why my Mother didn't tell her. I wonder if Ursula was either stupid or getting desperate since of all people, she should know I am the last person who knew the location of my own Mother.
"No, I'm sorry, Auntie Ursula." I replied, trying to sound as cheerful. Ursula just rolled her eyes and left without a word. I wonder if Ursula knew information about the Black Fang than I did. She definitely always by my Mother's side and always obeyed her orders. She knew the rules very well as well. Ursula would disobey my Father, my brothers, but she will never disobey my Mother. She was not afraid of my Mother, she looks at my Mother as a great idol of some sort. I wonder why.
I sat down and started chanting my Mother's fire spell from my memory and produced some fire. I am so proud of myself. I closed my eyes and wonder. What if my Mother gave me a chance to prove myself? I would show her how I can use Fire, Thunder, and even Elfire to help her and the Black Fang out. If that day ever comes, I would put all my effort and energy in accomplishing that task to make her happy. To make her see the daughter I have become.
A few months later…
"Uhai had fallen! Uhai had fallen!!!" A messenger cried out loud as everyone rushed out that afternoon. Ursula's room was by mines as I saw the reaction on her face. One that I would never forget. She didn't cry, she didn't frown, she didn't show any sign of sadness whatsoever as she just shrugged and went back in to enjoy her free time. Her face showed her expression of "Who cares, good riddance". I, on the other hand, was on my knees, tears flowing down from my eyes. Uncle Uhai had died. Uncle Jan was wrong, he was not coming back. Never. He was taken from my life forever.
My Father walked over to the messenger and questioned him. After that, he walked back to his room. Before he went back, he saw me on the floor crying. We were never close, at least not in Uncle Jan kind of way. But my Father always cared for me in his own way that I highly appreciated.
"Nino. Uhai died an honorable death. Even as he died, he did not take a hostage and fled and that is what we Black Fang do. We will never sink so low as to take a hostage. Nino, understand this." Father explained as he walked back to his room. In his own weird way, I knew he was helping me feel better. It worked. I wiped away my tears. What would Mother say if she saw me crying like this? My Father was right. Uncle Uhai had died, but it was for the Black Fang and that is what we Black Fang members do. The Black Fang has changed, I don't know for the better or the worst, but as long as some of us still remember the ways of the organization, the Black Fang will never fall. Even if it does, I will fall with it.
I looked up at the sky, knowing that Uncle Uhai is in a better place now. I only hoped with all my desires that Uncle Legault is ok, still healthy. I sighed. I wonder how the man with the dark brown hair is. He was off to the Dread Isle as well. I wonder if he is still alive. Being a Black Fang member is not all just good times and fun I realized, but enduring many deaths that you thought will never happened. Deaths that can occur any time, and anywhere. This is when I realized something else as well. I am not a child anymore, I am growing up.
R & R, thanks! I know this was also short. I think it's longer than last chapter (I might be wrong), but anyways, I will start making my chapters longer when she meet Eliwood at last. Love you all. Remember any questions or criticizing is appreciated.