"Mmm….. this is so hard to understand," Ryoma said, tapping his knee with his right hand, leaning his head on his left, "…..any ideas, Saizo?"

"Hardly, milord" the retainer replied, with the same frustrated face than his liege, something that was surprising knowing that Saizo always looked angry or annoyed for anyone near him. "If I can say something good about that girl…..is that she did a good job covering her tracks."

"Indeed" Ryoma looked at the good amount of papers in front of them, it has been three days since they arrived to the southern island, gathered the paperwork and left the village, now they were waiting for the captain's permission to sail back to the capital.

In the meantime they were reading the rest of the copies Sachiko prepared for their return, and now they understood why the visit of the singer and her whereabouts were almost undetectable. Letters 'from the castle' with the official seal that had been sent from different villages and from different nobles, chains of favors from one to another in the last two months, back and forward an between them. The reports of her movement and her "aid" to the castle was delayed in such fancy way, that she practically did what Ryoma tried to do for the last few years, screw the nobles.

It would be hilarious if it weren't for the fact that it might destroy their system if someone used that kind of influence in another way.

Quite simply in the end, she managed to create a circle of favors between the nobles, add some numbers to the taxes, smuggle some goods and with a little of luck one can make the nobles to do whatever they want. It would be too good to be true, if it wasn't for the fact that it would take quite a while to know exactly why she visited the place in the first place. Although the islands were small, the land is rich in resources.

Gold. Silver. Gems. Plants. Medicine.

Anything what she wanted she could get it there, rare and common goods alike. Ryoma scratched his forehead while reading paper after paper. "I guess that there´s no better time than the present, if we want to find out what was Azura thinking, making such bold move."

"Indeed," Saizo commented, taking a bunch of letters and reading as fast as he could. "We need to compare these taxes and goods with the one supplied at the castle. Once we know what´s missing we´ll know where she wants to strike."

Ryoma frowned, taking some parchments. He didn't believe that Azura had any ill intentions; under any other circumstance they would have thought that she was working with the castle. It was frustrating to think about it, Yukimura worked inside the wall of the capital but Azura was far more effective during the past months than he was in the past years. Out of malice, out of hatred, the singer moved swiftly to her objective and never intended to do harm to him or Hoshido. He sighed taking more parchments and starting to write down, at least they would make some progress until they get the formal record.

At the end of the parchments and letters Saizo was moving, there were some papers with the seal of the northern regions, and with Lady Akemi's name at the front, out of the ninja's sight.


Daily life in Hoshido. Part 2.


"There´s nothing to do about it," Hayato huffed as Orochi deadpanned. She and Fuga sighed frustrated, the diviner just sighed leaving the cards and charts on the table. "This is too hard, what the hell were you doing?" he huffed again.

"Hayato," Fuga massaged his temples. "Are you sure about this?"

"Uh? Yeah, pretty sure," he took one of the cards again, looking it for both sides. "If I don't have the original glyphs, I can't read it, and if I try to modify it blindly, then I'm not sure how much magic I need to use or when is too much for the spell."

"…..Very well….." Orochi massaged the back of her neck, feeling frustrated. "I understand, we…..we´ll be getting you what you need for this."

"And the stuff for the other gylphs as well, you know," he grunted "It's not easy to do magic without knowing it´s purpose and if it´s effective, not to menti-"

"That´s enough!" Fuga said, placing his hand on Hayato´s head. "Orochi, I concur with him, I know how hard had been the last months on Hoshido, and I'm pleased to know that I can lend a helping hand now that there´s a ceasefire, at least an unofficial one. But we need more information if you want our help," with a final bow he shook his head. "And we need to talk to Lord Ryoma. We can't be selling our 'resources and information' to stay neutral to the Hoshidian army, if the main General isn´t around."

Orochi sighed with the twinges of a new headache. What they said was true, but it was hard to convince them to help, now without Ryoma around to calm them. It was unsettling and hard to convince anyone to aid their cause. Yukimura was off the scene since Oboro´s rant, not that she blamed her, but the lancer could have waited a little longer until they had a good grasp on their allies, at least to maintain the appearances of order.

"Don't rush it, just take your time, you doofus," Orochi groaned as one of the ninjas was setting the glyph in Kamui´s room. He nodded as he resumed his work out of her voice's reach. In the last three days they have been replacing the glyphs hidden in the room over and over again, it was a blessing that they could have time to prepare the room and see how the curse reacted, but most of the time she felt frustrated. Yukimura never was too good with any kind of magic. She was supposed to be the best mage, diviner or magic user in the castle, and now that man had a constant reminder of how she failed to see his true intentions and how good he could be at scheming under their noses, used and discarded as a dirty napkin. That thought made her feel so useless every time she tried to undo the harm brought to the albino.

"You´re grumpier than usual, Orochi," Reina commented as the diviner huffed.

"These fools, it´s the fifth time I told them it´s ok to take their time. They don´t have to force the gylphs, th-"

"Most of them doesn't mind the gylphs," Reina interrupted. "Most of them fear the one that requires it."

"And that doesn't make you want to hit their stupid ideas out of their heads?" Orochi looked at her, her lips trembled while Reina frowned with a deep sigh.

"Well, there´s barely anyone outside this room who knows what´s happening," she saw how the ninjas just swapped the talismans and charms under the furniture and roof. "They only know 'We´re in that guy's room, we´re moving that guy's stuff around,'" Reina massaged her temples. "They stopped thinking about this place as 'Lady Mikoto´s room', they fear that what happened last week repeats itself," she sighed, leaving her cup of tea on the table. They had been watching them for a while, but Orochi never took a sip of her now cold tea. Instead it was clear that Reina took sip after sip for the tension on her head. "They fear that the moment he´s back, it might trigger another episode of 'Horror', and that they can experience it first-hand, so yes, I want to smack some sense on them, but I understand their fears."

"….sigh* we´re not supposed to be doing this….." Orochi cast a gloomy look at the scene. "….How is he doing? I heard….th-"

"He´s doing fine," A faint curl to her smile appeared. "He´s doing some progress, now he can walk with the replica, I guess that having some activities in the afternoon and a pair of cute girls watching over him is good for his health."

Orochi happily snarked, it was the first time in the week that she felt her worries melt away, just thinking about how Kamui was being pampered by Hinoka and Oboro made her laugh. The idea was hilarious, maybe Hinoka wasn't aware of Oboro's feelings to the albino, and that made it funnier by the second. "Well, at least we know he can still use some magic in the replica, any news about it?"

"No, just that he managed to stand and walk," Reina said, taking some papers and reading the notes from Rin. Her reports were always accurate about what was happening around the young prince. From small details to big scenes, most of the reports were filled with information about their daily activities, so it was common to read how uncomfortable or weird it could get when they were being shy. So even with the gloom view in front of her, she could smile seeing how at least someone was relaxing in that place, as much as Kamui hated to admit it, she knew how much Kamui liked to spent that time with Hinoka and Oboro. After of course, sleeping in her lap on the morning, it was certainly a daily routine she could get used to.

"Sooo, any reason why we should worry?"

"Yukimura," As soon she said his name, Orochi's glee disappeared with a frown. "He has been quiet all last week. It´s weird, normally we would be seeing whatever he´s been scheming in the last days, his absence is….uncanny."

"I see…..is there news about his whereabouts?"

"No, and that´s what worries me more. Was he expecting so little support from us from the start, to make preparations in case he needed to hide? Or he never trusted us in the first place? Did we miss something before his disappearance?"

"Hardly, there´s no place we didn't look," Orochi said, crossing her arms. "Not even a single clue in his personal bedroom, no documents or papers from him, he just vanished from the castle….."

"In the end, we need to stop him," Reina said with a sigh, tapping her fingers on some papers on the table, "….otherwise, it….doesn't matter what we do…."

"…..Something on your mind?"

"….Maybe…..I have been…..close to Kamui, in the last few days," her lips curled tenderly. "I know it's silly, but he´s been telling me a few things about him…and now he isn´t shying away from me or the girls, I don't know, it´s a long shot, but I want to….. do something for him."

"Oh? Mind if I ask?"

"Why you don't see it by yourself?" Reina handed the papers she was playing with, Orochi took them with curiosity "After all, we were Lady Mikoto´s retainers, and now that she´s gone…..i thought, that since there is no really an official tutor….with everything that´s happening….."

Orochi lips curled with glee by the seconds, her eyes moved with such speed that Reina questioned if she was really reading the papers, she laughed, face palming, "….you know that he´s not a child anymore, right?"

"He snores like one, and he certainly acts like a toddler when he´s grumpy," Reina chuckled.

"Point taken," Orochi sighed and thought for a moment,"….Are you sure about this? This is practically spitting in Yukimura´s face."

"That´s a happy coincidence!" she laughed, with a sad smile but still an energetic laugh. "…..It's just…. I'm doing whatever I can to help him…. And I couldn't think in something else…."

"….Well, you can count Orochi in this," she smirked. "After all, without lord Ryoma around, we need to take control about that buffoon's mess."

"That…..means a lot coming from you. Thank you."

"He-he…..I´m already seeing the benefits from this, I´ll tease him with this every day."

"I would appreciate if you won't," Reina huffed, crossing arms "Unless you want to feel my wrath upon you?"

"Ahh….ha ha ha, I guess that the only thing I can do for you is support your decision," Orochi said, looking at the papers. Certainly it was shocking at first, but seeing how close Reina was with Kamui, perhaps it was something that would bloom eventually. Not that she minded, but it was a way to take care of him, and the most important thing, it didn't feel like something she was doing by duty, but by own choice, and that meant the world for her. Mikoto would be glad to see that even in her absence, somebody care deeply for her son.


"Sooooo…..just….likeeeee that!" Miyu said as Kamui´s replica was walking in front of her. Although he refused at first, he accepted a few days ago to go along with their idea. It was hard and frustrating to tolerate the kinky and free spirit of a certain ninja, such a shame that Rin didn't know how to use a replica. "Aaaawwww…. My little itsy dragon, it´s learning to walk~" Miyu said with a mocking tone, "isshhh shooo good tsaas ou learn shoo fhasst," she tried to talk as Kamui pinched both of her cheeks.

"Lord Kamui," Rin commented with a cough, "remember, you can use the board and chalk if you want to say something," Rin handed him the materials, without delay but a little clumsily he wrote in the board, when he finished, he used the chalk to stab Miyu´s forehead as Rin tried to read.

"What did he write now?" Oboro leaned to see the board as Rin showed it.

"….I don't understand this word, is this Nohrian?"

"Uummm….dammit Kamui, why you can't write in Hoshidian?" Oboro sighed trying to translate it "Mmm….. this is….roughly…..mmm….. 'Litle piece of s-'"

"OK-AY!" Hinoka took the board from Rin hands using her napkin to erase it "I think that´s enough for one day!" she chuckled, seeing how Kamui's replica was now pinching Miru´s cheeks as the ninja sniffed, "proud" of him "Kamui, please stop, you´ll leave a mark."

The replica looked at her, and rolling it´s eyes it released Miyu. It sat on the floor for a moment just to lie on the ground later. Hinoka sighed while Miyu and Rin approached to see if the replica had any damage. Hinoka and Oboro looked back and walked to the albino, who was lying on a bench. Hinoka didn't waste any time placing his head on her lap and started playing with his bangs. At least in the last days some of his color returned to his face, he still had black bags under his eyes, but at least he looked healthier than before. "Well, that was fast," Oboro commented, sitting beside them.

"Yes, too fast for my liking," Hinoka replied, a little mad. "He knows that we should be near him whenever he ends the connection with the replica, just to be sure that when he wakes up he doesn't hurt himself," she sighed again "….I don't want to see him wounded again…"

"I know Lady Hinoka, I know….." Oboro placed her hands behind her head leaning on the wall. "Say…..Do you think this is a good idea after all?"

"Uh"?

"Well, think about it, Kamui is nearly feral with anyone outside the castle. There´s only a few days to start the festival, and to add it, we don't know where Yukimura is."

"We´ll cross that bridge when it´s necessary," Hinoka said, caressing his head. "The good thing about the replica is that at least we can hide his identity. He´s been more….gentle lately, so I'm sure he can control himself for a while, and with everything happening around the festival, I'm sure there won't be any problem, Kagero and Kaze will be guarding us."

"Mmm…..and who will be with him in the festival?"

"I-I guess I can help with that, after all, I'm his sister….and I´m pretty sure he wo-"

"Well, there are some events that they´ll need the royal family, like the inauguration and some events that need Lord Ryoma and Lady Sakura with you, and with Takumi out of the scene, it´s not like we can have the luxury to suspend or cancel some main events."

Hinoka frowned. She wanted to stay a little longer with him but Oboro was right, and leaving him alone would be bad, she knew Oboro was right, but there was something in her voice that was strange. "So, what´s your suggestion?"

"Weeeell….. I don't have anything to do, and I was thinking, it would look more normal for a person like me walking around in the afternoon with Kamui disguised, soooo…"

"…Soooo?"

"She wants to know if she can kidnap your younger brother for a while," Rin interrupted, making Oboro shriek from her sudden appearance.

"Wh-What? Uh?" Hinoka and Oboro reacted at the same time.

"You know, Oboro I-"

"Thank you Rin! That´s everything for now!" Miyu said, pulling her partner from her collar. "We´ll see again in the room, don't worry, We´ll tell Reina that you´ll be a little late today," With that said, Miyu shoved Rin outside the room with the replica behind, leaving both girls bewildered, Oboro looked away from Hinoka biting her nail.

"What did she mean by that?" Hinoka inquired.

"Oh, you know, Rin and her random comments, ah haha haha ha!" Oboro feigened a laugh, with a nervous smile. "But what I wanted to say is," she cleared her throat, "if you have things to do at the festival, I can stay with him for a couple of hours. Reina will be guarding his body while the festival unfolds, and Orochi and Hayato will be near, just to be sure that he´s ok."

Hinoka wasn't sure, but without more information she smiled with a relaxed curl in her lips "Thanks Oboro, I´ll….think about it."

"You don't have to worry Lady Hinoka, everything will be fine, if we stay together, this will be an unforgettable fall festival."


As a quiet figure walked through the halls, she sighed knowing that nobody was following her, she was nervous. After all, Yukimura wasn't himself lately, complaining and being aggressive to any comment or bad result in the tests. She managed to escape for a few hours to clear her mind and get fresh air, so now she was back with all that Yukimura asked for, the new papers, reports and mail.

"I´m back!" Bell said as she entered the secret room after walking for a couple of minutes. Yukimura just waved his hand, recognizing her existence. She sighed as once again, the food she left behind was ignored, leaving the documents beside him, she took whatever she would need and started to clean the plates and glasses around the strategist. "Y-You kn-know Lord Yuimura…. You need t-to get fresh air…..and to rest your mind for at least a little while…." She said while Yukimura took the letters, frustrated, "….and the festival is n-next week, so, you n-need t-eeh?!" She was dumbfounded when Yukimura rose from his seat with widened eyes, he didn't waste any time and opened one of the letters on his desk. Bell just observed how for the first time in days, his frown disappeared with a curl in his lips.

"…..Say….Bell….do you remember…..the name of the Nohrian nobles that were with Lord Kamui?" Yukimura asked.

"Uh? Wh-what?" she fidgeted for a moment before replying "ummm….. Princess Camilla, Princess Elise and L-Lady Azura, wh-why you ask?"

Yukimura's face was blank for a moment before his smile returned after reading his letter again. "Well….I have some…..news from my scouts in Nohr…ha…ha ha…. Bell…. Do me a favor…go to my room and… no, you know what? Go to the kitchen and give this to the guy guarding the cellar," Yukimura said as he wrote a small note. "Tell him that I want a bottle of the best wine, now!" he commanded with an exaggerated smile, Bell just followed his instructions leaving the strategist alone in the room.

The minutes passed as Yukimura barely held his laugh. He wanted to be sure that Bell was gone, and after ten minutes of silence with trembling hands holding the letter, he laughed hysterically. He was stuck in the last days, a way to break the dammed boy's resilience, and now, when he was about to use his ace under his sleeve to push him further, another blessed opportunity falls directly from the Nohrians. "…..ha…ha ha…. I see…." He mumbled "So, there were two funeral services, NOBLE funeral services….. Garon finally accepted that Kamui died for Nohr? Xander, Leo and Camilla's whereabouts are clear….. and since that stupid singer never was recognized by them…that leaves a certain stupid girl as the owner of the other tombstone…. Ha ha…." He laughed again "I almost felt bad for her…. But at least her death won't be wasted, Princess Elise….. I´ll use this gift the best I can, be sure of that," he looked at the calendar at the wall, three days until he could execute his new plan. "….It will be last time that Norhian filth sullies our precious land."


AAAAAAAAAAND THAT´´S ALL FOR NOW!

Phew, sorry guys, you know, life suck sometimes.

Well, here it is, the first day of the month with a new update, yay! i hope you enjoyed it!

Now time to respond some messages :v

To Noir:

Im glad to hear that you liked my work, i hope we can change that idea of trying to stab me to dead (o_o)¡ im happy to hear that enjoyed my story, sorry for the delay, and yes, i know, you´re not the first that have said that xD, but hey! maybe she´s alive? or not? who knows?! not me of course! (hides behind the desk)

To TemporaLKing:

Thanks buddy! i know i take a lot, A LOT OF TIME, but i hope i can fix that issue as soon as possible, lets wait for the best buddy, you have helped me a lot in the last months, thanks for that.

Aaaaannnd...huh, my PM is quite empty :´v IM STIL ALIVE GUYS!

Well, anyway, lets wrap it for now, hope you enjoyed the new chapter, leave your comment/review/PM, as always your ideas/message are welcome.

HAVE A NICE DAY/NIGHT!