(2) Next Time

I felt like I've woken up from a nightmare, but the pain in my shoulder was too real for it to be a dream. I felt around for my ear, which didn't hurt anymore. It must've healed easily, seeing as it left no scars. I fiddled with my (now uneven) hair. All of the sudden feeling easily annoyed. Everything came back to me.

Out of everything, why did Takumi feel the need to ruin my hair?

I yawned, startling Elise.

"I'm glad you're awake! I don't know what I'd do without my big sis…" She said cheerfully. "Does it hurt?"

"The person that ruined my hair is going to hurt," I said jokingly. "Did you heal me?"

"A little," Elise giggled. "So, it doesn't hurt that much?"

"My shoulder hurts, but there's not much you can do about that. What time is it?"

"Late at night. You've only been asleep for so long." Elise paused. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for your wounds, next time I'll do better."

"It's okay, you did good. It really doesn't hurt that much…"

Elise frowned as she curled her blonde hair, "I couldn't even pull the arrow out…"

I felt around my shoulder, knowing someone had to take it out. It couldn't just fall out.

"Who did then?" I buzzed, scanning the room for faces, curious.

I was resting on my familiar bed, surprised Felicia wasn't running to my side. My room felt oddly empty. Dim candles were lit around the room, providing little light. I strained my eyes, trying to find people hiding in the cracks. As my eyes fell into the corners, I noticed a figure crossing their arms.

"Well…" Elise trailed off.

"I did." Takumi admitted as he tiptoed out of the corner.

His face wasn't how I remembered it. He was more bruised than before, and you could tell some of Nohr's soldiers got a hold of him. He probably deserved it, especially since he shot me. Although, I didn't understand why his prison was my room. It didn't seem very logical for him to be locked up with his "archnemesis".

"Who put you here?"

"I didn't shoot you, Corrin." Takumi stated sternly.

I looked at Elise for help, suddenly thinking I was still in a nightmare. She closed her eyes as if picturing a plan of attack.

"One of our own shot you. After your speech, most of the Norhian men protested." Elise sighed.

I didn't think Elise was telling the truth, but over time, I fit the pieces together. Takumi had lowered his weapon when the arrow was fired. Takumi was facing me, and there's no way he would've been able to shoot me in the back. I were stabbed in the back by your own, literally.

Then it occurred to me.

"Nohr sees me as a threat now, huh?"

Elise bit her cheek, not making eye contact with me. Which was an obvious yes, and meant things were going to go very wrong from here.

"I messed up, didn't I?"

Elise took time to breath in her words. "A little bit."

I really was stupid out there, Takumi was right.

"So why am I here? Why's Takumi here?"

Elise's smile creeped back onto her face, "Takumi here decided he missed his little sister."

Takumi rolled his eyes, trying to hide the fact he was blushing.

"I joined because, I too, want peace." Takumi scrunched up his face, "And, I want to kill Garon…"

Elise bit her cheek a little harder this time. She jumped to her feet when she heard a knock on the door. My heart jumped out of my chest, and I shot up like a rocket. Just now had I realized I wasn't dressed in any proper attire, just a robe to cover me. Not forget, the bandages around my shoulders. My shoulder burst with pain, and I groaned quietly. Whoever it was, I hoped they weren't hunting me down or expecting me to dine with the king.

Elise tiptoed to the door, leaning her ear against it to decipher who was on the other side. She smiled as a sign of good news. She swung open the door without further hesitation, smiling in Xander's presence.

"Big brother!" Elise beamed.

Xander patted her head sympathetically. Than shifting his attention to me. He hurriedly rushed over to my side, sitting down on the bed next to me. His eyes showed concern, which was something you didn't see often from a prince like him. He swept my hair away, examining my ear.

Takumi tried looking away. The "sibling bonding" thing must've been awkward to him. Or maybe he was jealous. Now that'd be a story.

"Are you okay?" Xander asked concerningly. "Next time this this happens I'll… I'll…"

"I'm fine," I laughed nervously. "I appreciate-"

Xander wrapped his arms around me, his grasp feeling stronger than ever. If he wanted to, he could squeeze my brain out of my ears. Right now. In this very moment.

"Alright," I laughed. "That kinda hurts. Careful with the bear hugs."

"I have to stay here," Xander said suddenly.

Elise sat next to Xander on my bed. "Why? You don't have to! Camilla and Leo were planning on you to come with us… I was looking forward to having you around, fighting with us for once!" Elise complained.

All at once, the mood of the room shifted. Tension arose from an aura stirring up in my stomach. Takumi stayed out of the conversation, understanding it wasn't his place to barge in. Elise started sniffling, but I didn't understand why. Xander looked sadder than I've ever see him. And I don't think I've ever seen Xander upset.

"When are we supposed to see you then? We can't do this without you, Xander." Elise sobbed into her hands, leaning on my shoulder. I ignored the pain, giving her the moment.

I tried finding the pieces and putting them together, but I couldn't.

"Xander?" I whispered.

Xander exhaled slowly, "Leo told me about your speech. We all think you have the right intentions, and support you to the end of the world. But, we don't know how the Hoshidans will handle it all." I nodded carefully as Xanders spoke. "But with Takumi, and you, we think we can convince them with peace. Or at least, a plan for peace."

"We're going to the kingdom?"

"It's our only option," Xanders explained.

"We're all going with you, we all want this. But Xander…" Elise blew her nose into the robe I was wearing. I'd have to wash that later.

"Father doesn't know you're here, but, he does know about your act of "betrayal"." Xander said, getting further into detail.

"He'll kill you…" Elise whimpered.

"But we won't allow that, not as long as I live. Elise, Corrin, you have to believe I'm doing this to protect you guys. I have to stay behind to cover for you."

"You can say I killed her and didn't enjoy hearing her speak," Takumi suggested. "Sorry to admit: I've been right here the whole time."

Xander stared him down. "Why would I do that?"

"Like Corrin said, she's just a pawn. If he cared that much, he'd try to attack Hoshido. When he will, we'd be ready."

"I don't th-"

"And if that's not enough, say Hoshido taken Leo, Elise, and Camilla captive. Not that it's true…"

"Xander, this could work." I thought outloud.

Xander stopped to think. Elise occasionally nodding her head to the idea. At this point, I confirmed Takumi was a lot smarter than any of us. It seemed to be our only real option. His idea seemed flawless, a win-win for everyone. The only problem would be…

"You'd have to really convince the people in Hoshido for this to happen. Not only that, but, you'd have to convince them fast." Xander explained.

"That's possible." Takumi confirmed without hesitation.

Xander stood up. "And you'd have to explain to them in detail how this will work."

"We'll have to make it work."

Xander stood close to Takumi, whispering. "Most of all, you'll have to take care of Corrin for me. And if she gets hurt, then next time..."

Takumi tried not to make uncomfortable eye contact with Xander, nodding his head, and promising in a hushed voice, "I will."

At that instance, Xander reached for my hand. He held it tightly, with a stronger grasp than the one I remember from when we were kids. He looked me in the eyes, and all I could see was the big brother I grew up with. Tears built up behind my eyes, but I refused to let them out. It was always that way with Xander. I wanted him to see me strong, and I wanted him to see me even stronger when we would see each other once more.

"I'll be gentle with the bear hug," Elise smiled as she pulled us both into a group huddle. Camilla and Leo, who had unexpectedly been waiting outside, walked into the room. After hearing the chaos calm, they must've figured it was okay for them to enter. They silently joined in with the hug, and I could've sworn I felt Leo crying. Camilla wrapped her arms around my waist, careful not to put me in more pain than I already was.

I could feel the awkwardness radiat from Takumi, but I didn't let it ruin the moment. For a solid two minutes we stayed there, Leo and Elise crying, Camilla and Xander staying still.

"Next time we see you, the war will be over." I croaked.

"And next time I see you all," Xander squeezed us all. "We'll hug longer."