Hello!

So... Remember that 'idea' I mentioned last chapter? The first chapter is up on the site now. If you're interested, check out 'A Pair of Queens'. Updates there will most likely be irregular- Kit's Saga is still the priority. This chapter's just a short, fluffy one before we get to some more real action- by which I mean Gangrel. Also... Do you guys think I should expand out to other games? I have a couple of ideas for Pokemon, if you guys are interested. But for now...

Onwards!

Chapter 16

The air in the camp was heavy with grief. With the danger to their own lives gone, the Shepherds confronted the loss that they had been repressing for their own survival in battle.

Kit was stood on a small hill next to the camp. He liked the feeling of the cool breeze. His long tactician's coat flared out behind him. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, his mind was in turmoil. Every time he ran through the events surrounding Emmeryn's death, he saw ways he could have saved her. He mentally shook himself. Who knows what other tricks Gangrel had? Who knows what that conniving Aversa had planned?

Free of the dark thoughts surrounding Emmeryn's death, he allowed his mind to clear of all thoughts in the cooling breeze. He focused on only the sensation of the life around him- the sounds of the birds as they sped by, the unshaking feel of the mighty trees that stood atop the hill with him, the gentle stroke of a flower's petal as it skimmed across his face.

"You came up here too?" A voice asked from behind him. Kit slowly detached from his reverie and turned to find Sumia, stood slightly shakily behind him.

"Yeah." Kit replied. "It's nice here. I came to clear my head."

"It's wonderful," gushed Sumia. "The breeze up here... It's just like flying!"

Kit smiled at her enthusiasm. "How're the rest of the Shepherds? I feel bad about just wandering off..."

"Don't worry," reassured Sumia. "All the Shepherds are dealing with the grief in their own way. Most have just found someone to be with right now. Chrom and Lissa are the most affected. They've both just shut themselves into their tents." Kit could see a shade of worry in the pegasus knight's eyes. "I don't know... Without Chrom... What can the Shepherds do?"

Kit offered a small, yet reassuring smile. "Just stay up here as long as you need. There probably won't be any orders for a while. I'm going to try to talk to Chrom and Lissa."

The cyan-haired tactician made a slow, careful descent towards the camp.

Kit found Lissa's tent soon after entering the camp.

"Lissa?" He called. He heard a muffled sob before a reply.

"K-Kit? Is that you?" Lissa's usually sweet, cheerful voice was drowned in melancholy.

"Yeah, it's me." Kit replied, wincing at the sadness in her tone. "Am I okay to come in?"

"Yes. Please." Lissa's voice had an edge of desperation now. Kit slowly unzipped the tent flap, and even more slowly stepped inside. As soon as he stepped inside, Lissa wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her head to his chest. He returned the gesture, draping his arms around her shoulders and resting his head on hers. They both drew inconcievable reassurance from the simple gesture. Neither said anything for a long while; they both simply wished to enjoy each other's comforting arms.

"Come on." Lissa said, after a while. Her voice had regained some of its old spark. "Let's not stand in the tent flap all day." They zipped the flap closed and moved to sit on Lissa's futon.

"Finally..." Kit breathed a small sigh of relief. "I just needed to let go of all this grief. Thanks, Lissa."

"I should thank you." She replied. "I needed someone to cheer me up."

"I thought as much." Kit grinned slightly. "The whole army's relying on us. We can't help anyone if we're moping around."

"Relying on us?" Lissa replied, incredulous. "You carry the Shepherds really."

"Without you, none of the Shepherds would ever get up after hits from the enemy. You and the other healers are just as vital as I am." Kit said. "We both need to stay strong... For the sake of the Shepherds."

"Yeah. I think I've cried all I need to... For now." Lissa managed a grin in Kit's direction. "When this whole war is over... There'll be a funeral. I'll really need you by my side then."

Kit smiled and took her hand. The gentle warmth spread throughout Lissa's hand. "I'll always be by your side." He suddenly blushed a bright crimson. "...I'm sorry. That sounded so cheesy... Like one of Virion's lines..."

Lissa leaned in close and gently pressed her velvet-soft lips to his. As she pulled away, she said: "I think it was perfect. Now come on. You need to think of a plan to defeat Gangrel."