I FINALLY BOUGHT CONQUEST! I'm so happy right now, and now it's time to share my happiness. I hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter. Anyways, let us begin –ArcanaHermit

Chapter 10: Time (Corrin x Kagero)

Corrin was feeling his wife Kagero's slightly tight grip as her eyes were being fixated on the various people apprising her various pieces of art. She looked as nervous as he ever saw her. You'd think a master ninja and retainer to Hoshido's high prince would consider something as simple as her first art gallery as a rather simple task to go through.

Still, he didn't like seeing her distressed, so he did his best to try and ease her nervousness.

"Hey, don't be nervous, Kagero. I'm sure they'll all find your art interesting, at the very least."

"I suppose, I just wished Subaki told me earlier that today was the day for my debut gallery. I had trouble finding the appropriate clothing, and I definitely didn't expect so many people to arrive here."

The amount of people that attended the gallery was surprising to Corrin as well. He thought it was only going to be a small gathering of soldiers and their friends, but Subaki managed to round out some nobility and even a few professional art critics. I suppose it just goes to show how much he wanted this to be perfect.

"Ah, someone is calling me. Sorry Corrin.

Corrin planted a quick kiss on her cheek before she went off to explain whatever piece of art she made. He had to admit that, even after being together for awhile, he still couldn't understand just how she painted. When she tried to paint his face, it just seemed like a 3 headed devil with sharp ears to him. Still, it was definitely a unique form of painting, one that he hoped the people of the gallery will focus on, despite the obvious absurdity.

Time passed by as the gallery started to wind down. He could see that Kagero, nervous as she was, was having fun with it all, even as she was being pulled in all directions. Corrin, not wanting to divide her attention even further, decided to simply walk around and hear what the people had to say. They seem to really like it, and one critic even said it was "a new form of expression". Once it was done and all the people came and went, a good number of paintings had been sold. All of it was going to the war funds, as both Subaki and Kagero suggested.

Soon all of the invited guests were gone, leaving only Corrin and Kagero left in the empty gallery room. They began cleaning up the place, taking down unsold paintings and picking trash up on the floor. After a long silence, Corrin finally spoke up. He forgot sometimes that he needed to be the one to start the conversation; otherwise Kagero would just remain silent.

"This has been an amazing gallery, Kagero. We almost sold all of your paintings."

"Indeed it has. I'm sure there were some who bought simply because they felt like they had to, but I still heard a lot of praise for my art. I never thought it would turn out this…well."

Soon they were finished with cleaning the gallery, and now they began walking back to their quarters, the remainder of her painting in their hands. They continued to talk about how successful the gallery turned out.

"Maybe we can get Subaki to arrange another one after the war. He really outdid himself this time."

Kagero gave no response. As they reached Kagero's room, they placed all of the remaining painting on the floor. Corrin noticed that it was late, and decided that it was time to leave. Despite their relationship, army regulations required them to live separately.

"Alright, well I'm going to go now. See you tomorrow, Kagero."

"Wait, Corrin… there's something I have to tell you. That I've been meaning to tell you for a while."

Corrin noticed that she was looking…nervous. Calm and reserved Kagero being nervous only served to worry Corrin about what she might say.

"Um…so, what is it?"

"Well, as you know I am a ninja under lord Ryoma. Because of this war, I was able to fight alongside you, befriend you, and even fall in love with you. If there is anything good I found in this horrible war, it was your affection."

She was clearly building up to something, Corrin could tell. He decided to not speak up and let her finish.

"Well, after this war is done and over with, I'll be…busy, for lack of a better word. I'll have numerous assignments taking me to faraway lands, one after the other. To put it briefly, I'll have much less time on my hands, much less time to spend with you."

"Uh…how little time do you have?"

"I don't know the details, but from what I've heard, I'll mostly likely only get a week's worth of rest for every one month, maybe even two."

This revelation unnerved Corrin, who couldn't come up with anything to say. The thought of spending so little time with Kagero…unnerved him, to say the least. They both stood silent for a while, letting the news sink in.

"I-I'm sorry for not telling you this earlier…I had thought to not burden you with this while the war was still going on. I-if you no longer wish to see me, I completely understand why."

"Kagero…"

If the previous news didn't shock Corrin enough, this one definitely did. For Kagero to say something like this, Corrin would thought that Faceless would come marching on their castle before he she would say something like this. He noticed a tear forming on the corner of her eyes.

"It has been an honor being your partner, Corrin. I would love nothing more than to stay by your side, but my duty to Hoshido comes first and foremost. I h-hope that you find someone who is able to give you the time that you dese-"

Corrin didn't even let her finish her sentence before pulling her into a tight hug, his own tears starting to form.

"Don't ever say that, Kagero. I will never leave you, I'll never."

They stayed like that for a while, letting all their weakness pour out. Once those moments of emotion came and gone, they wiped off their tears and sat down somewhere, trying to discuss this issue properly.

"So you'll stay with me? Even after all I've said to you?"

Corrin smiled at her, trying to put on a brave front. There was still a lot to discuss, he was sure of it: plans, schedules and the like. But no matter what, the one thing that he was certain is that he'll stay by her, no matter what.

"Yeah, that's what being a couple is about. We work these things our together. If we less time to spend together, then we'll just make the time we do spend all the more worthwhile."

Kagero smiled, and another tear formed in her eye. Thankfully, both of them knew that those were tears of happiness.

"Corrin…thank you. I'm so glad to call you my husband."

They spend some time discussing what to do after the war, how they'll manage the time with each other. The mood lightened considerably, despite the circumstances. It was only after a yawn from Corrin that they realized how late it was.

"Hmm, maybe we should discuss this further tomorrow."

Corrin was about to get up, but he felt Kagero tugging at his arm. Facing her, he saw that she had a blush on her face. She looked almost…shy.

"I know it's against army regulations but…could you stay here, just a bit longer. I'd like to savor the time I spent with you here, so that I can hold on to those memories in the future."

Corrin smiled, and happily obliged. He could probably sneak out when no one was looking. And to be honest, he also wanted to spend more time with her. They both know that once the war ends, they'll be apart.

But as long as they're both in each other's hearts, no matter how far apart, they'll always be together.

And that's it, hopefully I did this well, especially for the ones that requested the Kagero chapter. I was mostly referencing how Kagero's couple ending always says she didn't have time for each other. Anyways, I finally bought Fates, and I'm enjoying letting Conquest kick my ass. Until next time -ArcanaHermit