Hello guys! Shidesu´s back!

Heh, im surprised to see this chapter so soon but those PM´s really boosted my confidence and i was able to write this, hope you enjoy the second chapter of this year, i plan to update the other fanfictions in the next weeks, so please just wait a little longer.

With that said, lets begin! See ya at the end of the chapter!

SHIDESU! OUT!


Chapter 11: Dim light

"…..And with that said, that concludes the week's report, our troops are in good shape, the border is secured and the supplies are arriving at every checkpoint before the end of the week, we can say that at the end of autumn we can train and prepare for the struggle the next spring," Ryoma said, leaving the papers on the table. It had been almost an hour since that meeting began. It was the usual speech about numbers and soldiers, something common by now, but on their faces there was one question that he feared to hear. "…..So, any questions?" Ryoma asked, almost immediately everyone raised their hands, except for Yukimura, who just sighed massaging his temples. "…..Aside from the incident yesterday, of course." Everyone groaned, disappointed, and some of them stood in protest. "Calm down everyone, we do-"

"I'm sorry Lord Ryoma, but with all due respect, you can't expect to stay quiet about that incident, can you?" One of the elderly women in the room commented, waving her fan. "It is the fact that both Lord Takumi and Lord Kamui are not available that is suspicious."

"We understand your brothers are busy with other urgent missions, but as the Elder brother isn't your duty to check i-" another noble interjected, but Ryoma interrupted him by coughing into his fist.

"Look, I said what needed to be said yesterday, it was something unrelated to our forces or family. It was just a futile attempt from the Nohrians to shake our will. Iago is known to do this kind of tricks and illusions, fortunately it remained only that, just a last resort to throw us off guard. Now, I already said that the castle is free from any kind of curse or hex and that Takumi and Kamui are safe. I won't explain this again, am I clear?"

With worry and skepticism still on their faces, Ryoma sighed again. "…..Look, I know it is hard, but right now we have to focus on our people out there. I need the help of everyone in this room, if we don't manage to recover our scouts and soldiers before the last week of autumn, then they´ll be on their own, after that I promise that you´ll get your chance to see with your own eyes that they´re fine, ok?" Even if they didn't want to drop the topic, his words remained in their minds as slowly the murmurs and whispers started to fade. Ryoma finally sighed in relief. "Thanks for your cooperation, now, if there is nothing else to discuss, you are dismissed."

With that said the meeting was over, unfortunately not as soon as he wanted. Taking the papers and adjusting his collar, Ryoma mulled over the incident as he left. It was already bad that the butlers and maids spread rumors about the incident, and that Kagero or Saizo couldn't find Kamui before Yukimura's soldiers did. It was sheer luck that Oboro wasn't away when that happened. At least Takumi was making progress, but Kamui was another step back and after hearing what the girls said, he had to find that journal, otherwise he couldn't tell how long he could last before either his body or mind gave up. Ryoma was so lost in thoughts that he didn't notice the person walking at his side.

"Excuse me, Lord Ryoma, may I have a minute of your time?" A gentle voice asked him, looking back he recognized the woman who was following him, short black hair, brown eyes, wearing a crimson kimono and in her forties, it was the same woman who interrupted him at the meeting.

"Mmmm? Lady Sachiko? What can I do for you today?" Ryoma asked as he invited the woman to follow him.

"Thanks Milord, Sachi is fine for you, I just wanted to remark upon my worries, and to apologize for my rude comment at the meeting," the woman said with her fan in hand. "I hope you can forgive me."

"Don't worry Lady Sachiko, I know that you have the best intentions at heart, that´s all that matters."

"You´re too kind, Lord Ryoma, I just hope that you found what you needed the other day."

Ryoma stopped, looking at the woman with an arched eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, excuse me, I think is not my place to inquire about what you do with the resources of the mine, but since it was an odd request, I thought that you had some problems with the shipment of the stones."

"What stones exactly?"

"O-Oh my, it wasn't your request, Lord Ryoma? A few weeks ago some men from the castle arrived at my house requesting access to the mine, I couldn't oppose since they had a letter with the sign of the castle but I was still wondering the reason for your visit, Milord. My island is famous for its jewelry b-"

"Wait, hold on one moment, how many men arrived at your house and when?"

"Well, three weeks ago, I believe and about five or six I think. I couldn't see them, after all Lady Azura was talking with me, such sweet girl if I may rema-"

"Azura?!" Ryoma barely managed to contain his voice to not scare the woman, who was perplexed by his answer.

"I-Is everything alright, Milord?"

Ryoma froze for a moment and massaged his temples. It was true that Azura joined Kamui after she was abducted after the fight at the river, but he never expected to hear her name so soon, let alone after what happened to Kamui. Could it be that they survived the plague? Or perhaps Sachiko was wrong? After a moment he discarded that idea. Azura spent her time at the castle or at the islands when Mikoto travelled to check the situation of the villagers, Sachiko knew her too well to mistake her for anyone else. He couldn't believe it and what was worse, he couldn't decide what happened during her visit. Did she hate him for what happened or she was to ashamed to show up to clear the things between them? That and missing the fact that they managed to pass the barrier, that was the worst part of it, they weren't there for an invasion, but neither to be friends with him. Frowning and thinking carefully of his next move, he had to make sure of one thing "….Lady Sachiko, by any chance do you still have the list of what she requested?"

"E-Eh? O-of course milord, I don't have it here but I believe we still have a copy in o-"

"Then I´ll be ready to go in the next few days, please don't tell anyone we had this conversation," Ryoma said, shaking her hand and walking away, leaving the woman confused about what happened. That didn't matter for now, he could explain later when he could make sure that perhaps the mistake of Yukimura could be fixed 'Azura…..' he thought, 'I'm sorry, I won't fail you again.'


It was dark. Even if he didn't have the strength to open his eyes he could tell that he was in a different place by the warmth around him and the faint sweet fragrance in his clothes. He couldn't remember what happened or how he got there, but at that point he didn't care, his body was tired, exhausted would be a fitting word, with barely enough energy to stay awake and the gentle hold around him was something that sold the idea to stay in that place. From the position and darkness it was easy to guess where he was, perhaps somebody left him in his bed to rest? Or another nightmarish vision to torment his will? At that point he couldn't care less, his suffering would continue one way or another, so he just decided to enjoy that moment for as long his mind or body allowed, burying his face in what he assumed were the pillows he could feel how there was something in his way "…w..at is t..is?" he managed to mumble, but with the dry throat and without energy he wasn't sure if somebody heard him, or if at least there was somebody to hear him, however against the odds.

"Mmm? Kamui? Are you awake?" he heard that gentle voice over his head, with a knot in his throat he decided to continue talking as best he could, he couldn't recognize the voice but it was familiar.

"Yes…..I'm…..I'm up," he said, feeling how something moved around him and hearing some faint sobs.

"I'm glad…..really glad…after what happened I was…..worried…." there was something weird in her voice, she was…sad? He couldn't tell who it was, or understand what she meant. Then he remembered what happened, faint flashbacks of that figure approaching with that sickening smile. It was a memory, but it was strong enough to tense his body and hold his breath. However, after a few moments he felt an arm around his head and on his back, with a soothing voice she continued. "Calm down…..I'm here…I know how it feels….to be surrounded in the darkness…how it feels to lose everything….I know I´m not in a position to make demands, but you don't have to go through that alone….we are…I'm here…..for you….." as she talked he could feel something wet on the top of his head and how with every word her gentle touch soothed his soul, now he was sure that somebody was embracing him, it was enough to relax his body and put at ease his mind, closing his eyes he allowed that person to embrace him to her heart's content as he did the same. Perhaps it was another dream or another delusion, but at least he was glad that this was a pleasant one.

As the hours passed by, Kamui fell asleep and his companion noticed it as he breathed gently. It was curious how it happened, she never expected that after six months of war, the person who 'betrayed' his land was now sleeping in her bosom with such calm expression on his face. It was curious how life took a toll on everyone and how it changed for good or bad. She gently pulled back the blankets to see him again. It was good that even after that episode he could rest. Oboro sighed with a faint smile as she rubbed his hair. At that point she didn't mind to be that close to him, in a way he helped her to see that it doesn't matter what banner you are under, but what does it matter is that anyone is able to do terrible things in name of 'justice' or 'good will.' Now that she knew that, she would do everything in her power to fix that mistake, to be able to see again that honest smile he had with his mother.


Aaaaaaaaaaand thats all for now, sorry for the delay and the short chapter, but you know, life :v

Thanks for your support and your comments, as always any review is welcome, your comments are what help me to improve my work and story, I hope you enjoyed reading it as i did writting.

Hope you have a great weekend and a great night/day, thanks again to my beta reader who helped me with this chapter.

SHIDESU! OUT!