This is by far the crappiest chapter I've written. I wasn't feeling it. There's also a Beauty and The Beast reference in here. ALSO takes place in chapter 20 of Revelations.

To Corrin, watching Takumi shoot a bow was just as good as watching Azura was such a beauty in how he carefully collected himself, his long elegant fingers shooting with such purpose. How Corrin wished to amass the amount of ambition he held within his fingers in her being.

The battlefield was not a place of beauty, that fact was undoubtedly true, he however, made it seem like a dance, the way he would sway around, ever so carefully calculating his next move.

She couldn't help but to stare at him, watching the ways his eyes would so carefully plan his next move, before with adept speed, leaping to his destination.

She herself wasn't a slouch on the field, and had proven her dexterity for fighting on more than one occasion, but nothing nearly as beautiful compared to what Takumi did. It was as if his fingers were magic, and she was sure they had a multitude of abilities that expanded past the use of the bow, in which she found herself continuing more and more willing to find out about for herself.

The sexual tension between the two was ripe, and currently at a high as spring was starting to approach upon them, and with that came spring fever in which reduced the two into a sweaty mess of hormones, only craving each other's touch.

They each eyed each other as they fought, both taking notice of how the other worked, and willing to jump in to prevent any harm that may have come to each other at the hands of an enemy.

They'd silently thank each other with a look before resuming their previous positions, at least that was the commonality in battles.

Today was a bit more different.

Despite all Takumi had come to care and respect about Corrin, her trust had proven once again to be a liability to everyone.

He was the first one to notice her absence, as he was accustomed by now to her by his side, even during brief intervals of breaks. He sensed her leaving the site almost instantaneously, a deep gnawing darkness burrowing within the pits of his stomach as he soon came to the recognition that she was in grave danger. His heart rate raised and his mouth ran dry, his trained eyes searching through the tall stalks of grass to attempt to search for the curly mane of white hair and red eyes, a striking combination that should have appeared right away, but he was unable to seek.

He cursed under his breath as he realized the cause of her absence, making the pain in his stomach nag even deeper.

The stupid fool.

She had gone off with Anthony, of course.

It couldn't be a coincidence that they were both conveniently missing at the time, but he wanted to doubt that even her trusting nature didn't extend this far.

He briskly sprinted over to the spot in which he had last seen her sitting, praying to Naga that she would be around the area somehow.

This was the exact reason he didn't want to trust her, it was almost like she was trying to get herself killed by doing insane things time and time again, and then not learning from them.

Why couldn't she be more sensible like Oboro, and stop trusting every last person that requested her unwavering trust?

Takumi tiredly rubbed his temples as he began to run through his mind where Anthony could have taken her.

It would be too brash to rescue her alone, he needed assistance immediately, even Corrin wasn't invincible, and very well could die.

The thought made his blood run cold as he envisioned her lifeless body, limp on the ground.

No.

He couldn't let that happen, not when they had so much left to experience.

Together.

He firmly placed his foot against the ground, preparing to seek out Ryoma and Xander when he heard it.

His deft ears quickly identified the object he has stepped on.

His heart hurt.

It was his rose.

So she knew.

Takumi picked the petal up, gingerly thumbing it as he began to attempt to concentrate on the wind. There was so little of it, there was no way the petal was blown over by chance. This had to be intentional.

He wasted no time in seeking out Xander and Ryoma, knowing that Anthony most likely had a hefty battle planned for them, one Corrin could not forego alone.

He panted from the sprint once he had stopped infront of them, each looking at him with uncertainty and confusion. What possibly could be so important?

"Corrin's...gone..."He wheezed.

Concern hit Ryoma like a splash of cold water waking him up from a nap, as concern nearly consumed him, unwilling to lose his sister again. Once was enough for him.

Takumi looked at Xander, watching him attempt to process the information as his brow furrowed deep in thought. He could tell Xander wanted not to believe him. Not because he didn't want to trust him, but because of the possibility Corrin could be hurt. Takumi knew exactly how he felt. They shared the same waves emotions.

"Are you sure of this?" Ryoma reaffirmed solemnly, his steady deep chestnut eyes boring into Takumi's.

Takumi managed to nod his head, his chest still heaving as he gasped for breath.

"Where is she?"Xander demanded.

Takumi froze as he began to ran the possibilities of her location in his head. The flower petal laid at the bottom of his pocket. Why was only a petal gone? What happened to the rest of the flower.

"I-I don't know."Takumi admitted weakly, sinking internally into that same familiar feeling that had consumed him since childhood. Inadequacy ran through his mind as he realized how little he had to contribute. What good was he?

"I don't know?"Xander echoed, his scrutinizing gaze bearing down on Takumi.

In a few swift movements, Xander mounted his horse, looking mighty and powerful as he sat with his stoic determined gaze. What chance did Takumi ever have?

"I suggest we start looking. Now."He commanded, although glancing to Ryoma for approval to continue with his crusade to find Corrin.

Ryoma gave a slight nod before directing his attention to Takumi again.

"Why don't you lead the way brother? You know her better than any of us." Ryoma suggested, finding Takumi to be the best option to Corrin. The two undoubtedly had formed a bond unlike one Ryoma had ever seen before.

Xander's irritation was felt the moment the words left Ryoma's mouth. No one knew his Corrin. Not the way he did. Xander prepared to cut in, to correct them when Takumi cut him his own look of scrutiny before taking off again.

Takumi had no clue where Corrin was. He didn't have a sense based off Corrin, but there had to be something.

For all his belittlement, she wasn't stupid, not really. Foolish but not stupid.

Takumi brought the petal to his nose and deeply inhaled while closing his eyes. In the distance, he could hear everyone else approaching, attempting to break his focus. But they wouldn't, not when her life was in his hands. He opened his eyes, taking in the sight of the grass filled field, using his trained eyes for something. Anything.

There it was. The second petal.

Takumi approached it warily, afraid to touch it in case it shattered, and without it, she'd be lost forever. Eventually, he tenaciously held it, staring down as he tried to locate the third petal. It was a cryptic message, it had to be. It was for him.

The sky grew darker continuously as they continued onto Corrin, Takumi's heart wildly racing as the possibilities ran through his head.

He had never known fear like this before. He always thought of his father and mother as invincible, untouchable. Their deaths were a surprise. A terrible dream he could never wake up from, but still a surprise. He knew Corrin, he knew how she fought, and he knew that she couldn't last forever. His own shortcomings were brought to the surface as he glanced back at Ryoma and Xander, the army eagerly following their command. Just for once, he wanted it to be him. To feel the gratitude and glory, for people to listen. Corrin listened...

More than ever he wanted to find her. To reprimand her for her ever so apparent stupidity that caused him so much trouble, to drink tea in her room while she brushed his hair. He wanted the good and the bad of her, even if the bad drove him so out of his mind. He loved her, she was his sister and family loved unconditionally.

The wind picked up as the walk continued. Takumi raised a hand attempting to stop the artillery from continuing until Takumi knew the sights and sounds around them. It would be foolish to brashly walk in, who knew what awaited them around the corner.

Blood.

He smelt it, the metallic emanation heavily drifting throughout the air, and he prayed it belonged to whoever Corrin was contending with. His feet carried him to her as fast as possible, she would remain by his side as long as possible, she would continue being his annoyance, because without her, he had so little to fight for. No one to make him want to better himself, because he wouldn't be just the little brother of a noble king, and dragon princess. And without her, he would only fight against himself.

He whisked, the wind fighting against him, whipping his long locks against his back.

He came to a halt, drinking in the sight as he began to plan his next move, relief exuberating within his very being at the sheer knowledge that he could stand next to her once again.

She was OK.

She was struggling though.

Takumi attempted to estimate how many Faceless she must have fought, judging by her appearance and stamina, both which were worn thin.

Blood trickled down from a cut on her lip, her left leg nearly crippled as it clashed against her will to remain standing, and her foot purple and swollen. She would have to resort to the dragon stone, something he knew she hated using.

A faceless began to charge at her, and she readied herself with a determination that remained unfounded and bold, willing to fight if it meant that her goal wouldn't be lost if she died in that moment.

Takumi wouldn't let it proceed further, not like this.

With the final burst of stamina endogenous in him, he charged, equipping his bow as he made a bold leap infront of Corrin, drawing his arm back in order to shoot with the accuracy that he had worked so hard to perfect.

He felt it right away. The blade of the faceless had just grazed his arm enough to draw blood, but nothing debilitating enough to prevent him from continuing through with the shot that would end the faceless's miserable entity.

Red met tawny brown. Words weren't needed, not when they could talk through a look.

"That's-"

"Corrin,"He breathed, a smile growing on his face, using his good arm to support himself up off the ground."You should know by now that we won't leave you alone to fight!"

She returned the smile. As if she'd give up that easily. Perhaps she'd even make good on that almost kiss.

The smiles and reunion had to wait for another day though, a day when a battle wasn't to be had, and lives weren't at stake. Until now, they had a traitor to address.

Corrin wringed the hot water out of the face cloth, her brows furrowed deep in concentration as Takumi watched her intently, sitting in his chair at her table.

His shirt laid carelessly on her bed, the tear and bloodstain ever apparent, both things Corrin had promised to fix.

What she couldn't fix though was the inhibition Takumi felt sitting with a bare torso, something that he felt wasn't appropriate for a young unmarried woman to be viewing, even if she was his sister. It was inappropriate and wrong.

She obscurely approached, sensing the familiar hostility that he was so prone to emitting, as she knew that he wasn't fond of his current physical state or her touch. He had recently shrugged her touch off harshly whenever she attempted to touch him since the one night after the stars, the feeling of cold dejection returning to Corrin once again. He was so cruel.

"Just...hold still..."She whispered, tentatively moving the cloth to his arm. He already began to squirm, his muscles flexing as he clenched onto the arm of the chair. A feeling turned within Corrin as she bit her lip in admiration.

"That hurts!"He barked angrily the second the cloth met the wound for a second as he withdrew his arm. He held onto his wrist as he studied the laceration that faced infection if not clean, shooting Corrin a dirty glare.

"Well maybe if you stayed still it wouldn't hurt as much!"She snapped back, crossing her arms in defiance. He was so remarkably difficult, it almost wasn't worth the work to be with him his own pride prevented him from accepting help so much.

"Well, this wouldn't have happened if you didn't trust that cretin so easily and stayed in camp!"He clamored acrimonious, still irritated by her actions. She had snuck off without telling him anything, he thought she was better than that.

"Well you should learn to control your temper!" She resounded.

"Now...hold still..."Corrin commanded as she took a hold of his forearm and laid it to rest once again on the arm of the chair. He flexed as he prepared for the oncoming sting of hot water, in which Corrin greedily took notice of, her eyes failing her will as she drank in the sight of him. He wasn't naturally fit or muscular, and certainly not as bulging in muscle as Ryoma or Xander, but he certainly wasn't lacking in them. His skin was taunt on his core, making Corrin's eyes trail down, curiously wondering what laid bellow. She knew of course, but she hadn't seen him the way he had seen her in the hot springs.

His eyes curiously peered at her, making her snap back to her moral compass. To think of her brother like that was so astray from one should think. Her cheeks flushed, shame of her own burrowing deep in her. Takumi continuing to stare at her in intense questioning. He had never seen a woman look at him like that before. It was strange, and unlike anything he was used to, but it made him feel good. He was once again thought to be barren in looks compared to his brother, women often fawning over Ryoma while Takumi uncomfortably stood at the side, but the same look Corrin had on her face was the one those women wore, and this time, it was directed towards Takumi.

"By the way..."She breathed, he looked away in disinterest and inability to rapport the hungry look she gave him. It was too new and strange, both things Takumi didn't like.

"Thank you for saving me."She admitted, gratitude urging him to look over at her. He refused, his own blush growing.

"...You're welcome."He all at once muttered after a pause, not wanting her to see him blushing at her like this. He didn't need her to think that they were even for this.

Corrin returned to the basin, and this time, Takumi watched her. She really was a decent specimen of a woman. Her ass was so well formed and shaped, it was as if someone had allowed her to walk around with two well formed melons in her pants.

As per usual though, the attraction was extremely fleeting, and not to last the minute his eyes trailed upwards. He almost felt as her brother, it was his duty to inform her she was so lacking in hips, and maybe he could point her in the direction of someone who knew hip exercises to expand her hips, for the sake of the royal bloodline at the very least.

Once the facecloth was washed, she grabbed his shirt and a needle and thread, beginning to expertly sew it. Takumi had only seen such quick proficiency in hand maidens before, it took him aback a bit.

"Where did you learn to sew like that?"He inquired. Corrin leaned back in her chair, her toes pushed against the floor as she hummed.

"There's not much one can do in a fortress like the one I grew up in other than read and sew when no one comes to visit."She replied, thinking back to her old room where she kept small projects hidden underneath her bed.

Takumi felt bad for her. He really did. Her childhood must have been so depressing, he could only imagine reading the same books over and over again, and having little else to do. It was unsurprising she clung onto Xander. The more he loved her, the more he came to visit.

"One time, I had ran out of cloth, and I promised Elise I would make her a doll. With no money, I couldn't send Felicia or Jakob out to purchase some more from town for me, so I ripped my curtains to make the doll. Xander was furious."She retold fondly as she finished with the shirt.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing much other than a stern talking to, and a warning Garon would be furious."She sighed, wary on the subject to bring Garon up. Takumi still hadn't eased up on the mention of evil from Nohr. It was a reminder she was once one of them, and still was in a way.

They both stood and Corrin helped Takumi into the shirt, which he felt was just as good as before. Perhaps she made up for her lack of hips with her ability to mend things with such ease.

Her hands fumbled as they attempted to button up his shirt. A sweat broke out on the back of Takumi's neck. Her hands brushed against his skin, they were so soft, and closer than any woman's had ever been. It made him nervous.

"I-I can do it!"He assured her as he took a step back, and yet her hand remained pressed against his chest before nearly leaping off.

"I'm sorry!"She stammered, returning to the basin to busy herself.

What was he going to do with her? She was so unaware and clueless, it was almost charming. But it wasn't.

"Corrin..."He said darkly. "You do realize I'm a man, right?"

She looked at him, clenching onto the facecloth. She knew alright, and she wanted him to treat her like a woman.

"Y-yes brother."She whispered awkwardly, fixating on her rug, anywhere but him.

He strolled over to flick her forehead with a hefty chuckle.

"What am I going to do with you, you dolt?"He asked. Corrin brought the cloth to her chest, the water seeping through and leaving her skin cold.

"I'm uh...going to go on a hunt...I'm on dinner duty."He admitted embarrassed, bringing up his hand for a goodbye, she looked at him in silence, chewing on her lip as she mulled over the previous interaction.

"Takumi?"She called out.

"Yes?"

"Be careful out there, it's still a bit chilly out there, and I don't want you to get a cold."She informed him simply before jogging over lightly in order to wrap a scarf around his neck, the wool making him itch, but grateful none the less.

Her hands wearily slid down to his chest, resting on his heart, where a steady beat resignated with her as if it were her own. It was so familiar.

Red met tawny brown once again, begging him to stay, if only for awhile. He couldn't fall back into this again, it was getting late.

His hands took ahold of hers and placed them at her sides, as he left with one final look, her cold hands still lingering on his chest.

They always lingered.