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Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha nor Fire Emblem: Awakening.

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2. pull me back

For some reason, Kagome didn't believe Marth.

Oh, she didn't doubt the woman's good intentions, or at least not entirely—it was the bit about the premonition that rubbed her wrong.

It seemed too… too easy, too good to be true. Perhaps, if it were true, she could understand warning them of Emmeryn's impending assassination and saving Chrom from an attack that would have surely left him wounded, and possibly gravely at that.

But for a premonition to show that there was a secret entrance leading into the castle grounds—one that Chrom and maybe only a couple of Shepherds knew even existed? That was suspicious.

And not only that, something about her just felt… so familiar.

It all seemed very strange...

Not that she had much of a right to say that, considering she couldn't even remember much about her personal history past her name and her abilities as a tactician. In any case, it was definitely something to think about another day; preferably one on which Emmeryn wasn't fated to die.

"That noise," Chrom said loudly over their stampeding feet as they sprinted, weaving their way through the castle halls. A deep frown marred his face, and sweat was building at his temples. "The explosion. It wasn't even near Emm's rooms."

"A decoy," Kagome was quick to dismiss, "Everyone who heard it will be rushing over there—no one but Emmeryn's personal guards would likely remain in the wing. There might be some people there to put up a fight long enough for the other assassin's to finish their job." She could almost imagine how it would have went, had Marth not intervened. With Chrom indisposed and most of the castle's fighters off to check the noise on the east side... whatever was left of Emmeryn's sentry would be easily dispatched with enough people.

"That's how it happened," Marth interjected, looking startled when both Kagome and Chrom turned to glance at her simultaneously. Her step had faltered for a moment, and she had to speed up to close the gap that had formed between herself and other two.

"In my… premonition, you see," she hastily explained. "There were too many for the exalt's guards to handle—they became overwhelmed."

Just as she feared. "We should get to her rooms quickly, then," Kagome said in a grave tone, picking up speed. Marth's warning would be meaningless if they didn't get there in time. The others promptly followed suit. "And see if we can grab some of the other shepherds along the way."

Chrom gave a grunt, agreeing with her. "We'll likely run into some of the others on the way over at some point." he huffed. "What matters now is getting to Emm as fast as we can."

Both Kagome and Marth nodded shortly in agreement.

Seconds later found them entering the castle's vestibule. "Emm's in the tower in the upper west wing," Chrom grimly informed them as they reached the main staircase, short and to the point.

They made their way over, the sound of their boots stomping along the steps mixing with the clanking of their armor as they climbed to the second floor.

Kagome shot Chrom a side-glance. "We'll get there in time, Chrom," she assured him, shouting over all the noise.

Chrom glanced over at her with a grateful expression upon his face and gave her a determined nod.

They were just about to turn the corner into the west wing corridor, Kagome in the lead just by a bit, when Chrom skidded to a stop. "Wait," he hissed, catching Kagome's wrist before she could make the turn.

It had her stumbling back, "What's wrong?" Kagome asked, steadying herself, Chrom's lingering hand helping to keep her balance. "We don't have much time," she warned, lips pressed thin and breathing heavily through her nose to catch her breath.

Beside her, Marth shifted uneasily on both feet, and Kagome saw how her eyes flickered between Chrom's hand and the hallway behind them. She seemed... oddly uncomfortable.

Chrom wasn't looking at either of them, though; his eyes were narrowed, eyebrows furrowed, head tilted just slightly as if he was listening for something. Kagome was about to asked what was wrong when he spoke up first. "I know, just—" as suddenly as he had started, Chrom stopped short and pulled her close with a sharp jerk. Just as she crashed into Chrom's chest with a small yelp, Kagome heard the sharp clang of metal meeting metal sound above her and froze.

Kagome chanced a glance upwards and grimaced. She was pinned, pressed against Chrom with his arms on either side of her as he held up Falchion against a sword that had came from around the corner and would have cleanly taken her head off if not for him. That was close, she thought, exhaling slowly.

Chrom's eyes flickered down to Kagome's wide ones, and the corner of his lips quirked. "We're not exactly alone here," he finally finished, grunting under the strain.

A shout came from behind them. "Another was hiding in the alcove!" Marth said angrily, having her own opponent to deal with. Though Kagome couldn't see from her angle, she could hear swords clashing. "They must have been waiting in case someone would come!"

"Bastards," Chrom gritted out—their attacker had yet to pull their own sword away, intent on overpowering Chrom so that they could strike. His jaw clenched, cobalt eyes flashing darkly. "Get ready, Kagome," he warned, and the tactician nodded, fingers already slipping out her spell book.

"Now!"

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Till tomorrow guys! Hope you all enjoyed!

RainLily