Hello! Shidedu´s back!

Sorry for the delay guys, i had to take care of a couple of things before the end of the week, had to deal with some issues, but hey! New chapter! Enjoy and see you at the end in the A/N.

Shidesu! OUT!


Chapter 12: Strings

It was dark, really dark.

Kamui gazed at the void in front of him. There was darkness around, neither warm nor cold. In a deep trance, he could be in that place for who knew how long but as he blinked a couple of times, he gained awareness. It was strange that he had that dream, could it be considered a dream though? He was just floating in and looking at his hands, although they were stained with blood, at that point it wasn't something terrifying but sadly common. With a small frown he tried to 'hold' something in his palms, but there was that 'missing' object. What had he tried to take? Was it something precious? Or familiar? He closed his eyes for a moment before the memories of his life passed through his mind, upon opening them there were memories that flashed in front of him.

How a slender and happy figure hopped around the flowers in a open filed, with glee in her voice as she pouted and stuck out her tongue before falling over the flowers. How the scene changed and now she was reading several books with sleepy eyes and moving her head side to side trying to keep reading the dense tomes. How lovely she looked as a pair of gloved hands taking his appeared, the light of the evening illuminating his memories while her tender smile glowed more than anything else he has ever seen.

'I love you'

Her timid, sweet voice echoed in his mind with a faint smile, the faint memory banished in front of him, as he returned to that dark place.

'I love you too'

His own voice echoed in that place, looking up trying to find the 'source' just to find nothing above him, it was strange to be in that place, knowing that there was nothing in that place for him, just pain and suffering, why he decided to stay in the first place? Closing his eyes again, he tried to remember that scene one more time, although his memory was foggy he could remember her scent, her warm, her strawberry lipstick pressing tenderly against his lips as her arms slowly embraced him.

"If you loved me, then why you don't kill them? For what they had done to us?"

He opened his eyes, looking back as that frightening figure appeared again, her free hair moving without any restrain as her bangs hid her face, slowly moving to him as her lips moved, her words not matching the movements of her mouth.

'Why you resist so much? Was I nothing to you?"

She stretched her hand trying to reach him, Kamui tried in vain to get out her reach, but with every move he realized that it was useless, there was no 'up and down,' much less 'forward and backward.' As the figure drew closer he could feel his heartbeat rising. It was a suffocating moment as his eyes were fixed in her face, that dreadful face with those eyes who weren't human anymore, it was until she was a few inches away that the tip of her fingers started to banish, that scream resonated in his head as she looked at her own hand who started to dissolve in the air, locking eyes she revealed her face as she jumped on him.

'LET US OUT! THEY DESERVE TO DIE!'

It was all he could hear before he was deafened by the dragon roar that echoed in his mind. The figure disappeared in front of him, not quick enough to miss her face filled with hatred.

He was out of breath as he opened his eyes with a silent scream, pushing whatever was in front of him, his heart beating so fast that he could feel how it was about to jump out his chest and the trembling hands that despite being sink in fear he was able to take by surprise whatever being was sleeping beside him. The struggle continued, his voice finally came out in weak yells and his eyes looking everywhere, trying to find a safe place to hide. His rant stopped the moment a gentle hand rubbed the back of his head. Even though he was scared, the way it moved soothed and calmed him down. He could hear that voice again that tried to hold her pained cry as he pushed his free hand as hard as he could, but within the seconds the eldritch horror in his mind disappeared as he was comforted by the hand. After a minute he was claimed again in that tender embrace, feeling something warm and soft in front of him within the faint sound of a voice calming his worries. "It´s alright, I'm here" the voice whispered over his head. His eyes were open but once again the lack of light was evident. This time, however, his eyes adjusted slowly as he recognized a person in front of him. Silk cloth pressed against his face that had the scent of the same flowers in that 'dream.' Was the influence of this stranger the reason the nightmare dissipated in first place? Or just a reminder that he couldn't be totally safe either in his dreams and the real world? "Another nightmare? Is twice this evening heh…" that voice again was present "Is….ok to snuggle, I don't mind but…just don't breathe so much, I'm ticklish over there" he looked up and saw the form of a face, but his eyes were still blurry from suddenly waking from the dream. After he blinked a couple of times, the face finally took form in a slightly round face with velvet bangs matching her eyes. He was surprised and thought that he might be still dreaming about something crazy, but after a few seconds he realized from her soft breath and her faint blushed cheeks that it wasn't a delusion. This time panic filled his mind as he once again tried to push her away, this time however Oboro wouldn't let him. "Wow.. it was just a joke Lord Kamui, yo-"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" He yelled as he continue trying to push her "I THOUGHT WE….YOU….WASN'T I IN THE BATHROOM A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO? WHER-PBBFFF!" He was stopped when Oboro, shocked for his sudden reaction, covered his mouth.

"Please lord Kamui, keep it down, it's still too early and no, you haven't been in the bathroom for at least two nights since that incident." Oboro pulled off the sheets, Kamui could see with the faint light of the sunrise that he was in his room, for the couple of plates with food in the table it was might be true that he spent the last days in a 'coma' in his room, but another question with more relevant was in his mind "For now, if you have a question I´ll answer it, but you need to keep it down." Kamui frowned, but unable to escape her hold or to think of a better plan, he nodded. Oboro smiled and carefully withdrew her hand.

"…..First of all, what are you doing in my bed?!" he whispered, still annoyed by the simple idea of someone else invading his personal space.

Oboro rolled her eyes. As it was something obvious, but for whatever reason she thought it was silly to ask, she replied with a grin. "Well, Queen Mikoto used to use Lady Sakura as a body pillow during this season due to the cold air that came through her window, so it wouldn't be weird that someone is with you to do the same since you can't exactly walk away to another floor."

Kamui deadpanned. It wouldn't be hard to believe the late queen cuddling with Sakura, remembering how she used to be. It would be strange that it wasn't a royal order, but the same question remained in the air. "…..so why are you in my bed?" he asked again, and before Oboro could reply he continued. "I'm cursed, so if Yukimura activates it then you´re doomed with me. Before you or I could react you would be dead for sure in minutes, so I'm damn sure that Ryoma wouldn't allow that, much less with his brother's retainer, and I'm sure that that lame excuse about the 'cold' is something my mother invented" he said while he slowly rose from the bed. Seeing her in her night yukata wasn't good at all. Her delicate figure without that armor and only with that velvet cloth was something new for him, new and embarrassing when he realized that he was wearing a yukata as well. Still a little dizzy from his rant, he tried to walk away to sit on the nearest chair, but Oboro caught his left hand and dragged him to the bed again. This time her embrace from the back and her head on top of his was a good signal that he was going to stay for a while, with her cheek against his hair, she remained in silence for a couple of seconds.

"…..After what happened at the bathroom, Lord Ryoma made sure that if Yukimura activates the curse, it would be the last thing he would do…and..…..I….I said it earlier, didn't I?" she whispered so low that Kamui barely heard her. "I….I know how it feels to….be left alone…we have…..suffered a lot for the others…but even if you feel that you´re alone, you have Lady Hinoka and Lady Sakura…..and me to keep you company…I know I don't have the right to ask but…..I want you to trust me…us…that it wasn't our intention that…..this happened…." With a sad voice she placed her left hand on his back. Sighing and with the awkward silence she withdrew her hand, just when she was about to withdraw, he grabbed it with his, surprising her.

"….I…..don´t mind if we…..stay like this…for a while…." Even though Oboro couldn't see his face, she was sure that he was being shy from his timid voice, with a small smile she embraced him again as tenderly she could, otherwise she feared that she might break the weak strings between them, for now it was more than enough after knowing that that his impression of her wasn't as bad as he thought. It was nice to be with him like that, feeling the warm ray lights of dawn at the horizon.


With the new day and the last events at the castle, Yukimura practically had no time to spare to stay with the lord or even to eat at the mess hall of the castle. Not that he desired to, after what happened a couple of days ago. He was sure that his visit would be for naught, just a couple of nobles complaining and trying to find out the real reason behind that scene, so aside from his personal studio he would eat at the barracks or at the 'Symphony Room.'

It was curious, to think that they did what he tried in the last month was perhaps one of the oddest thing that could happen in the castle. As he walked through the hallway he read the patrol reports and the insights of the spies in Nohr. He hated to admit it, but perhaps if Kamui stayed a little longer in Nohr he could dissuade this new force at the border. They definitely weren't Nohrians, but either Hoshido supporters, or wyverns riders securing almost every common path and searching for something. Without these thugs he perhaps could get some information beyond the border about the situation of Nohr, just small rumors without evidence it was hard to do something. At that point he was almost at Ryoma's mercy. Almost.

To be certain nobody followed him, he used one of the trap doors under the stairs between the 5th and 6th floor of the north wing of the castle. It was hidden from anyone who didn't know the exact size of that part of the castle. Not even Saizo or Kagero knew about that place, so it was a blessing that he decided to not tell them everything about his schemes. He walked through the narrow hallway and thought very carefully about his next moves. With Ryoma going to the islands, with only Hinoka and Sakura at the castle spoiling that brat, on top of that the multiple requests of the noble woman waiting an audience with the 'savior' of Hoshido, it would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating. As he entered the room in front of him, he was pleased to see the only thing in the castle that could even the odds.

A room without windows, only illuminated by candles ensconced in the walls, contained several tables at the corners with books and of course his ace up his sleeve, an orb in the center of a round table. Scrolls around it bore the same ominous markings on Kamui´s back and the smallest orbs around it. As it glowed, darkness was swirling around its center. Yukimura adjusted his glasses, noticing the change of color. "….Ah….L-Lord Yukimura, i-it's good to s-see you so early." Yukimura looked to his right to see his young assistant. She had short brown hair, thick glasses and was a little younger that Sakura. It was incredible that the girl was more capable in her job that any other erudite in the castle, he thought as he sighed and walked to her side.

"Bell, I assume that you are already done with the report?" The girl shook her head, a little disappointed with herself.

"N-Not quite yet, sir, th-these last days h-have been so interesting w-with these little guys," Bell smiled, walking to one of the tables at the left side of the room. On top of it was another orb, unlike the others however, this one was so different. Yukimura and Bell used their sleeves to cover their noses to guard against the orb's stench. The orb's contents moved in different directions, without a clear pattern or source. It was quite difficult to produce more under those circumstances.

"So, nothing new?"

"W-Well….we know that th-the subject has to be under some kind of st-stress to produce so much energy, however I don't know how to dilute it, if we could use it before it petrifies itself it could be used to fuel the barrier for months…..but….." As Bell spoke, Yukimura left his papers aside and, using his free hand, took the orb carefully. The orb was heavier, with a disgusting smell of rotten blood and viscous with a liquid somewhat like blood. It was hard to believe that Kamui produced three orbs of pure energy in a single day. At her last sentence he looked behind him, seeing two broken orbs of stone under one of the tables. The moment he used the curse to fuel the barrier it worked for a couple of seconds before the process stopped and the orbs cracked. They could feel the energy inside them, but without any clue about the transformation or how to extract it in that state, it was useless. After a couple of hours the energy inside them evaporated, leaving them empty shells that broke under their own weight. "…..I insist that we need to study the prisoner for more information."

"…..The prisoner is still in the dungeon and under Takumi's watch, so that´s not an option," Yukimura replied, returning his gaze to the orb in his hand. It was true that they needed more information, but it was hard to hide the truth from his assistants. By sheer luck Bell was too focused on her work with those spells that she forgot to ask about this 'prisoner.' Funny how it worked in the end. Ryoma recommended her and now she was the downfall of his 'brother.' For now it was enough that she improved the efficiency of the orbs, placing a limit to his movements, making it almost automatic when they needed energy. Seeing the Nosferatu book on the bookshelf he remembered what Bell said last night, and a faint grin appeared on his face.

"…You need to replicate the prisoner's mood, right?" Yukimura asked. Bell just looked at him, nodding. "…Well, I think I might have what you need."


Far from Shirasagi Castle, a faint ray of light shone. It was the first time light reached that damned place. Without the dark clouds around the castle, without the somber aura around the walls or the cursed darkness that isolated it. The man looked above him, surprised to see that the clouds allowed a faint ray of light reach the castle, being several meters underground and with barely open windows. As he leaned on his left hand he felt the hilt of his weapon resonate with some words spoken before him. It was the first time in months that his name was spoken that was not after the fight, not after the struggle of their lives. They changed with the time, and now, with that new dawn, the person on that throne was different, with longer hair, bandages over his left eye and several cuts on the left side of his lips. He took a deep breath before interrupting the person before him. "Say that again."

The person stopped before coughing into his fist and resumed his report. "As I said, King Xander, what this group claims is that Lord Kamui is still alive at Shirasagi Castle."

"This is…interesting news, quite dangerous to play with our feelings now, soldier." Another voice interrupted, approaching, swaying her hips. Even with her seductive pace, her eyes were another story, venous and almost ready to jump to tear off his neck.

"Calm down, Camilla," Xander said with a voice that wasn't better than Camilla's, but he had to patiently hear every word of his soldiers. "What proof you have about this?" The soldier barely had time before Camilla started walking toward him with killing intent, or at least a punishment for sharing this news. Just when she was about to reach him with her open hand she stopped, seeing the small object the soldier held. Camilla barely could contain herself as she took it.

"Camilla?"

"I….I…..I…" She slowly turned to her brother with that object. Xander opened his eye in sheer surprise as Kamui´s Nohrian royal ring shone in Camilla´s fingers, Xander was stunned for several seconds before frowning and leaning back on his throne. "…Brother?"

"….I think is time to settle some pending business with our Hoshidian Neighbors…. Lilith!" as she spoke. another figure appeared at one of the corners of the throne room. Her hands on her bosom and with a bow, the bluenette took another step before speaking.

"Yes, my King?"

"Prepare yourself, you´re leaving to meet your old…..your liege…."

As Lilith looked at the blonde man, there was certainly some hope in her eyes. Even if it wasn't the time, a small smile slipped in her face. "Right away, my King."


That´s all!

Phew, it´s been a while, sorry for the delay guys but i´m glad to be back in this New Year xD

Anyway, there will be new updates in this last week of January, so wait for it, i would like to thank my beta reader who managed to clean this chapter as soon as possible, thanks buddy, this wouldnt be the same without you.

In one last note, i´m thinking in a new poll with something serious, it´s been a while since the last update of my first fic, and the thing is that i´m ready to continue after that hiatus (one freaking year, im ashamed of myself) but i wanted to know your opinion, continue as it is, or to rewrite it, the options will be posted as soon as possible in my profile, so let me know what you think.

As always any comment, pm and review is welcome, with that said, have a nice week and day/night! See ya!

SHIDESU! OUT!