Gosh. This is what happens when your mind's boggling. This is probably not my best work throughout this book, but I'll edit this once I have enough time. For now, here is Takumi's chapter. Hope you guys enjoy.

Oh, and there are 5 parts in total and are related to each other. But don't worry. I'll arrange Takumi's chapters in chronological order so that all of you may not be confused.

..~*~..

13 hours, 52 minutes and 6 seconds...

The Hoshidan army had been traveling for 2 miles already since dusk till midday. They stop sometimes to catch their breath or to rest their feet for 20 minutes then after that, they'll continue their journey.

It doesn't budge them if their journey will be tiring or long. They've gone through worst than this; but judging by their exhausted lineaments, the army are so tired to continue on.

Who even says it's so easy to walk on foot?

It is one thing they disliked the most. Walking on foot. They were supposed to be resting since the war ended months ago, but reports had it that there are groups of brigands that were perturbing nearby villages for one month already. And Kamui, being a soft-hearted person he is, persuaded his brother, Ryouma, to end those people's sufferings.

And now here they were, exhausting their body for just one mission.

But today, Ryouma set a camp to let everyone have their rest after encountering endless fights and continuous marches. It overjoyed everyone of course. Exerting too much is pretty tiring and they really need to relinquish their energy for another day.

Amidst those relieved warriors, one stood out as she stealthily left the busy camp unnoticed, semi-dry lips fixed into a frown as she entered in the territories of the forest. Keen senses and sharp eyes are one thing that she possesses. And it won't be such a problem for her to search for something she's looking for.

Upon passing by a disastrous clearing where she recalls a battle took place, she quickly sought up and went to look for that bag of candies she was sure she accidentally dropped while slaughtering those assassins. If there's one thing that weakens her, it's sweets.

"It's supposed to be here... I'm sure of it.."

Pushing aside the bush, (F/n) leaned in to look but to her disappointment, she only saw twigs and branches that must've been fallen from their earlier assassin's assault to them. But nevertheless, the female still continued searching on.

Leaning back to stretch her aching muscles, she let out a sigh as she raised her head upwards through the canopy of the trees. The setting sunlight spilled through the gaps of the thick leaves and branches of the trees; she knew that she's been searching for 5 straight hours without even having her lunch. The others were probably pondering back at the camp about her sudden absence. But she's not one to give up that easily. Before she set out to look for her missing candies, she made a mental note that she's not going back empty-handed.

"I knew I would be seeing you here."

Startled, she jumped in surprise and quickly turned at the source of that voice. Her eyes widened upon noticing the fourth Prince of Hoshido not too far away from her position. The prince, however, was not looking at her. He was there alright, but he has his signature weapon all ready as he plucked out an arrow from the quiver. He had his feet planted firmly on the ground and prepared the arrow for his bow; paused, then pulled the string. His movement was sure and effortless, it made (f/n) watch in awe. Keen eyes fixated on his target, he took a deep breath and released the arrow. The female gasped when the arrow cut through the wind in lavishness as the head drilled through the trunk of the tree with a satisfying thud.

"What are you doing here?"

This time, he was now looking at her. His eyes were fixed into a glare as he lowered his bow for a brief momentum; eyes pierced through hers, like that of an arrow he just used a while ago. It would be such a relief that a comrade was with her but why did she feel like it's not that at all?

"Err... I could ask you the same thing, Takumi-san."

Oh gods, she cursed to herself, did she really say that? How could she? He's of royal blood! She was supposed to treat him with upmost respect! Now he would think that she was not—

"What do you think?" Walking to his target, he pulled out the arrow he used from the trunk with one swift move and continued, "I'm practicing."

"All by yourself?"

Amber eyes observed her closely. "Are you?"

"...No. I'm just looking for something.."

The prince cocked a brow at her. He can see that actually. Her furrowed brows made him quite convinced that the female was growing more agitated every passing seconds. What he's wondering of is why she was searching in the same site he was using for his archery rehearsals.

Takumi sighed. Now that he thought about it, why does he care anyway? It's not like she's here to pester him. She has her reasons, and he has too. Cocking the arrow once more in his bow, he bent the arm that was taking ahold of the string and took a deep breath. Surely... once she finds what she desires, she'll leave him alone to his business.

(F/n), remaining still from her position, gave a close eye at the the prince. Her eyes skimmed through his sharp features, how his eyes didn't leave his target for a single second; how concentrated he looked as his brows furrowed; and how he is very still that sometimes the female would think that she's just hallucinating him and was in fact alone in the forest. But no. He's real; he is here. 5 feet away from her. The same skeptical Takumi and his exceeding archery skills.

"What are you still standing for?"

Startled once again, (f/n) laid a hand above her chest, eyes widened just as Takumi shoot the arrow.

"Don't you have something to do?" He looked at her again. "Weren't you going to look for that thing you are slaving for?"

This made the woman ponder. In a shortage of time, she finally responded.

"I realized that it really doesn't matter." She shrugged, taking a step towards him. His eyes narrowed but she just continued, "I really wish to know you, Takumi-san."

Which is definitely true. Throughout the army, Takumi is quite an aloof one. He is kind, yes. But when it comes to others he doesn't know that much, he's a quiet man, and it intrigues her.

His eyes never strayed hers. "I don't trust you."

There goes his casual-Takumi talk. Just one thing she finds interesting about him. And it only piqued her interest for him more.

She just smiled, seemingly not affected from his harsh disposition. "Well then. I'll make you trust me."

He scowled at her, keeping his bow and arrow for a moment, "I have no time for this."

"At least let me know you. All comrades do that right?"

Takumi was quiet for a while. His eyes searched for any tricky movements that might give way any sincerity she held for him. But when he didn't detect anything, he gave a sigh and looked away. The female thought that he's going to reject her offer — when the archer took a hesitant step towards her form. He was still skeptical of her, but at least he decided to give her a chance.

"What do you want to know?"

She shrugs, "Nothing much since you don't trust me."

He nodded at this and took a seat on the green carpet. (F/n) followed suit, leaving a couple of inch of gap between them which Takumi finds grateful for.

"Then what do you want to know about me?"

Her lips pursed for a moment. "I heard that you were once a swordsman back then." She paused for a brief momentum when she noticed Takumi's eyes darkened a bit and she slowly and carefully continued, "And I was pondering what made you stop? I'm certain that you're exceptionally good of it."

"You know?" He stood up abruptly, eyes hidden from the shadows. "There are some things that are better left unsaid." He said, teeth grinding. (F/n) tensed at this.

"I-I'm so sorry." She stood up as well, her hand laid out to comfort him, but decided against so. "It was foolish of me to do so. It never occurred to me that you are sensitive of that subject."

"It doesn't matter." He said out loud, trying to keep his voice steady. With his back against her, she knew that he's holding back on something by the looks of his wavering voice. And at that moment, (f/n)'s curiosity reached a higher peak. This man, this very man in front of her is dealing on with something. He's not just an intelligent archer with keen eyes — he's a broken shell inside. And she's even more determined to know what causes him to be what he is now.

"Here."

He threw something at her, without even looking back. (F/n) scrambled over for it. It was a small pouch, tied shut by a rope — similar to what she had. Confused, she untied it and peeked inside. To her surprise, it contained the very sweets she's been craving for. She looked at him, just to catch him fixing his composure.

"That's yours, wasn't it?"

"Y-yeah.. But how did you..?"

He grew still for a moment and inclined his head a bit.

"Just so you know, I observe everyone in the army. And I noticed you have an undying love for sweets. Judging by the way you act a while ago back at the camp, I knew something was amiss but I wasn't so sure about that.. However, today's event made me think otherwise." He paused for a moment. "You thought you dropped your candies while we are indulging in a tight battle somewhere in the forest and went to look for it. What you didn't know is that you actually left it back at the camp."

(F/n) was speechless.

"If you knew it then why did you still ask me why I was–?"

Takumi nodded, "Good question. I just actually want to know how long you'll cope up with me."

Makes sense. "And you... you took the honor to–"

"Yes. I took it and went to look for you in the camp before I start practicing my archery skills but you are nowhere to be seen. You're probably looking for it at that time. That's why I decided to practice first and pass some time while waiting for you to be back in the camp so that once I've returned, I'll just have to hand it to you; but I actually didn't expect you to be here. And in the same place too.." Pausing, he muttered. "I was expecting that you would be looking in a different area."

"I'm not that stupid." She heard the gratitude in her voice as she said this.

"You're clever then that you decided to retrace the steps."

He's the intelligent one, she has to say. "I... thank you Takumi-san.." She smiled.

Takumi faced in front again, scoffing. "I'm not going through the same dilemma again. You better take a close eye in your belongings." With that said off, the prince left without saying another word.

Watching his retreating figure, (f/n) glanced at the pouch one more time and smiled.

Maybe losing things is not such a bad idea.

..~*~..

Me: ...And here I thought I know him well.. *facepalms* But I was wrong all along.. I don't even know how to demonstrate a bow and arrow and how it was used.. I seriously have many things to learn..

Takumi: I have no comment for this.

Me: ... I don't know what to say actually. Well anyway, next update will be Takumi again... I think? I'm not so sure. I'm guessing it would be Robin but... I'm still not sure..

Robin: Why am I suddenly here?

Me: Dunno. Because I want you to?

Robin: ..Good point. *continues reading a book*

Me: That's it then! Bye guys! ^^ Let me know how I did, okay? Criticisms are also appreciated. But no flames.