Note to Readers: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters and maybe I never will. But I do own my tactician Ada. She hasn't appeared in the story yet since Nino hasn't met Eliwood yet, but it's ok.

Demonesszen: Yes, great minds do think alike. I don't think Jaffar would be the tattle-tale type either. Thanks for your reviews and I want more updates on your stories!

Meelu the Bold: Thanks for your advice in the sentence structure. I will try to add more interesting and descriptive lines in the future. But if you're thinking of humor and action (as in killing in battles), then this is the wrong story for you. Thanks for reviewing!

SweetMisery430: Ok, I will try to put more details to it if I could. Thanks for all your reviews, as well and I would like more updates from your stories as well.

Elven-girl10: Thanks for reviewing, and I will ask if I have any questions.

Cardmaster372: That chapter wasn't supposed to be too interesting, I know how you love comedy and everything, but I would have to disappoint you. I wonder if your little bet is correct…

Ninorox: Thanks for your review. I will keep on writing.

Michelle of the Night: I did update my other story for you, now you have to update your story for me. Thanks for your support!

Serra19: Thanks for your review. Let's see what Nino do next!

Every area of trouble gives out a ray of hope; and the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.

-John Fitzgerald Kennedy (I just love quotes, don't you?)

Chapter IV: Messenger for Mother

It has been almost a week before I reminded Mother that I had a job now to run around sending messages for her. She didn't answer to my reminder and just continue to ignore me. I thought this meant she wouldn't allow me to do this job because of Father or something. But my thoughts were cleared off as one day she suddenly sends for my brothers and then, me afterwards.

When I came in to talk to my Mother, my brothers were long gone on a new mission I would say. My Mother looked at me from top to bottom like she always does. I felt nervous; did she catch me listening to their secret meeting the other day? But she did not look angry, she never does. She only looks irritated, but this was not the look either. She looked rather calm actually. I silently watched my Mother as she finally got up from her seat and walked over to me. She just handed me a piece of paper.

"Nino, you know Jaffar right?" My Mother asked out of the blue. I nodded in obedience.

"He never fails on his missions and I know he never will. So today, I need you to hand him this piece of paper with his next mission. He should arrive tomorrow morning at the small house off the border of Bern. Is this hard enough for you?" My Mother gave me a nasty look so I better answer.

"I will do my best, Mother!" I chirped as I skipped out of the room with her permission. I held the piece of paper with care as I slipped it in my pocket. I finally could do something for Mother and I would do my best. Maybe if she sees what a great job I did in doing this mission, she might even let me fight for the Black Fang!

Mother didn't bother letting someone escort me there. She must know that I am old enough to take care of myself now as I walked down the sides of the road. I looked around at my surrounding, relaxed to see the endless mountains surrounded our base. Our base was build here a long time ago, and no one ever discovered it. I continue to skip down when I heard noises around me. It's them again. Those golden eyes new recruit.

My Mother didn't trust me after all. I sighed to myself. What did I expect? I try not to show any sign of noticing these recruits behind me so I can gratify my Mother. I didn't want to make her angry when she's such in a good mood. I just pretend to continue skipping down the road like before. Mother took care of me, she cared for me, and she's my Mother. I must respect her and accept her care for me.

When I finally arrived near a small town, there stood a transportation waiting for me so I can travel the rest of my way. I looked at it for a while before the driver asked me to climb on. He told me someone already paid him for taking me all the way to the edge of Bern and someone also paid for me for my meals. I sighed. I should have known my Mother would do this. I am not a child anymore but everyone treated me like one.

That night I stayed up and practiced my chanting again. I memorized everything already, but I still wanted to practice. "Practice makes perfect." That's what Uncle Jan always told me. I smiled to myself as I continue to practice and every minute or so, I looked at my note to make sure I didn't drop it anywhere.

The following morning, the gentle rays from the sun shined through the open windows as I stretched for a moment like a content cat. I only opened one eye and found the unwelcoming sunlight very annoying. It wasn't this bright back home. It took me awhile to remember the bits of fragments of what happened the previous night. After a while, I remember that this is the first time my Mother let me leave the Black Fang base for so long.

After rolling a bit to the side, I finally had enough courage to open both my eyes and stared at the room around me. It wasn't my room; it was the inn's. It felt so different. There was also a fresh scent of newly cut flowers filled the air. There was simplistic feel to the place in which I was much used to by now. I pulled the blanket away from me as I stood up and held my arms close to my chest.

My muscles were sore as I stretched my muscles. It must have been sitting on that caravan all day long. Finally after a while of stretching, I noticed that it was morning and that I should have went to the small village off the coast of Bern to give Jaffar that message already. I grabbed my cloak and put it on loosely.

But something stopped me from running out that door; it was the feel of this room. I, instead, walked over by the window and rested by the side of it. I couldn't help but feel attached to this place. I saw the hopeful children playing in the streets outside my window, not knowing anything about the corruption in the Bern royal palace. I then caught the sight of flowers blooming on the side.

My eyes focused on the flowers, noticing even the slightest details from the pink buds. Her eyes grew watery. This place was nothing like her home. It was too good to be true, too good for her. It was like those fairy tales, but even better. Something that stood still and didn't have those morals.

I finally took my eyes off the view outside my window and grabbed my bag. I knew I must hurry now for that lack of time as I rush out the door to the caravan. I couldn't help but stare at the playing kids one last time. They were different from me. They were nothing like me. How much I wish I could be like them.

The village I was arranged to meet wasn't very far away. I stared out from my caravan and watched as the grass went by. It was going to be one foggy morning. I sighed to myself as I held the note tight. I don't know what came over me as I held it tighter, moving it closer to me. Close enough that I can catch the perfume my Mother always wear lingering on its edges. I smiled again, a sad smile, as I carefully put it inside my pocket once more. I love my Mother. And she loves me too; I just know it.

The ride came to a stop as I hopped out and thanked the rider for taking me there. I walked on awhile until I recognized two blurry images at the corner of my eye. They were my brothers! I ran towards them and gave Linus a big hug. He smiled.

"Well, if it isn't Nino. Nice bumping into you." Linus commented as I pulled away from his huge body. I smiled and jump up and down. The sight of my brother brought happiness to my eyes. I can see the sword my brothers were holding. They must be on a mission.

"Yeah! Lloyd! Linus! What is it? What are you guys doing out here? Are you working?" I asked idiotically even though I already knew the answer. But I wanted to see what my brothers have to say. Secretly, I wanted to hear their sweet voices before they set off to battle. They were always the best warriors in my eyes.

"I suppose we are." Lloyd answer this time. He didn't seem a bit playful. He was really serious about this mission I can see. Before I can say anything else, Linus continued for Lloyd.

"How about you? Where are you off in a hurry?" Linus questioned me as I giggle. He must have really taken back by my quick embrace. Of course, of all people, he would know I am not off fighting evildoers like him.

"I have a job to do, too! I'm carrying messages for Mother, so I have to do my best! Mother means everything to me!" I can see Linus looked a bit disgusted, but Lloyd merely nodded in approval. I knew I must hurry or else I will miss Jaffar. "See you! Let's do something when your job is finished!" I ran off, and waved good-bye to them. I didn't want to leave them, but I know better.

I found a nice little house in which the caravan rider told me to wait for Jaffar. I didn't feel like waiting for him inside as I sat outside the door. Everything was foggy to me that I cannot gasp the whole concept of the place. I sat obediently and very still, waiting for the man to come and find me. I caught sight of a bunny hopping, but I sat still without any sign of movement.

As if the bunny could read my mind, it stopped hopping and just sat in front of me. I don't why I did this but I leaned closer to my white furry friend and gave it a little smile. It wasn't scared of me. Please don't get me wrong; if the bunny was afraid of me, it could have hopped the next second. Believe me, I wouldn't have any ability whatsoever to stop it from hopping away. But it didn't. It just watched me with its innocent eyes.

I took a deep breath before speaking out loud. "Since I have no one to talk to and you can't understand to whatever I'm saying, I would speak to you as a friend. A friend that would understand my feelings without actually understanding my words." The bunny didn't hop away.

"I lived with Mother my whole life and I simple love her. We had never been close; close enough to talk to each other about feelings and stuff like that. I love my Mother, I really do. But you know…" The bunny listened without a sound as I continued, "She's my Mother, but she had never been a 'Mom'. Even my Father, who is really my stepfather, has been more of a 'Mom' than my Mother has. I still don't know what to do."

The bunny stared at me in silence as if wanting me to continue. So I decided to follow the furry creature's command and continued with my thoughts. "Rumors been going around saying that I am really just a lost child, lost in my own attempts of becoming something more than I really am. Am I really like that? Why would people spread rumors like that? I mean I even heard one about me being an only ch-"

I watched the bunny skipped away. It must have heard a distant sound or something that scared it away. I decided to go inside to have some warmth for my skin as I shut the door slowly behind me. I sat by the fire as I mumble to myself. "I wonder where that little bunny is. Beautiful weather. It's perfect for taking on evildoers! Yet here I am again, running errands…I wish I were more worthy, so that I can help out in battle. Wah!"

I was half traumatized by the creak of the door as I saw the assassin holding tight to his arm walking shakily towards me. "Don't… Don't scare me like that, Jaffar. What's wrong? You're never late than expected." I smiled sweetly at him, expecting one back but nothing of the sort came back.

He grunted as he took a step forward towards me. "My last job took longer than expected." I gasped.

"What? There are things that can slow you down? I would never have expected that." I can see Jaffar was in no mood to talk about that right now as he just looked at me sternly and held out his hand. I stared at his hand blankly.

"If you've my next mission…let me hear it." He said quickly, his breath grasping a bit. I wanted to reach out for him and helped him calm down a bit, but I was a bit scared to do so. I just decided to take out my piece of paper.

"Oh right. Mother gave this to me…" But when I looked at him again, the hand he was holding tight to his arm was covered in some sort of red liquid. It was blood! I gasped in horror as I walked closer to him. "Huh? Oh! What happened? You're covered in blood!" I can tell my voice was shaking, shaking so badly I can't believe what was happening in front of my very eyes. I never seen blood in my life, and I was half frightened to death.

"…It's a scratch. Pay it no heed…"

He was lying, he must be! It was blood for Elimine's sake! "Scratches don't bleed like that! Let me see!" I pleaded as I ran over by his side. That cut was awfully big. I held onto his shoulder as he struggled to get away from me.

"Forget it. Next target…hurry…" He fainted on my shoulders as he waved me down. I held with all my force to him as I dragged him over to the closest bed. I heaved him onto the bed quickly.

I shake him a little bit but he was still out cold. "Jaffar! Come on, wake…Wake up! What should I do?" I asked myself as tiny tears started reaching my emerald eyes. I was never in a situation like this. A situation in which if I do one mistake, he might die. I was frightened. I was never frightened in my life. I had been lonely, saddened, and even scared. But never frightened.

"Jaffar…please be alright…if you die, I will never forgive myself…Please be ok…" I pleaded to him even though he couldn't hear me. Tears were flowing off my cheeks. I was weak.

If only I was stronger, stronger to help a man. I wish I were like one of those fairies in fairy tales in which could just heal people in a blink of an eye. But I was no fairy, nor was I a healer. All I knew was magic and that was no help. I need help… What should I do?

That's the end of chapter 4, is it? This story isn't that serious yet as I have hoped for, but you'll be expecting more twists and turns later on into the story. But let me get one thing straight, this is supposed to be an emotional story that has to do with love, not a story about yaoi or humor. Thank you. R & R, I love you all.