I'm Mod Takumi and I work as an underpaid writer at fe14drabbles . tumblr . com. (Actually, I'm not paid at all. And remove the spaces please.) I've decided to share the drabbles I've written with you all here so I hope you enjoy.

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Title: Womanly (Slight Sakura x Xander)

It's the sway of her hips and the way she carries herself with such poise that makes Sakura look on with a hint of envy. That purple hair, long and voluminous, makes Sakura absentmindedly touch her own. It's much too short.

Everything about Camilla screams "womanly," from her body shape to the sultry way she speaks.

And everything about Sakura cries "childish," from her short stature to her constant stutter.

Sakura can't help but watch Camilla from across the courtyard and sigh wistfully. Maybe I'll stay a child forever, Sakura thinks, and I'll never be as womanly as Camilla.

"Hey, Sakura! Something bothering you?"

Hinoka's sudden appearance practically makes Sakura jump out of her skin. "Oh! B-big sister Hinoka!" She squeaks. "What are you doing here?"

"I just finished up another training session with Ryoma, so I was thinking of hitting the baths," Hinoka says before crossing her arms. "I just happened to be passing by and saw you spacing out. What's up?"

Sakura's teeth sink into her bottom lip. To tell Hinoka about her childish worries seem so silly. "I… um…" she hesitates. "I-it's nothing."

Hinoka cocks her head to the side with a furrowed brow. "You sure? Cause seeing you stare down Camilla from across the way doesn't seem like a whole lot of nothing."

A small blush crosses Sakura's cheeks before she buries her face into her hands. After a minute or two has passed, Sakura manages to look her sister in the eyes.

"W-well," she starts, "I was just thinking about how I could be more… womanly."

"Womanly, huh?" Hinoka parrots. "Well, I think I'm the wrong person to talk about this with, but what gives? You're fine the way you are, Sakura."

She shakes her head lightly. "I appreciate your concern big sister, b-but I think I'd benefit by being a little more mature."

Hinoka shrugs. "I mean, it's your decision, so I won't try to sway you. If you're so bent on this, why don't you ask for pointers right from the source?"

"Y-you mean I should ask Camilla myself!?" Sakura shakes her head vehemently. "Th-there's no way I could do anything like that!"

"Why not? She's not all that bad," she says. "We've had a few pleasant conversations before."

"It's not that she's bad, it's just that I… I couldn't even dream of approaching someone like her…" Sakura mumbles.

"Sakura…?" Hinoka calls out, but her younger sister quickly stands up to leave.

"I'm sorry big sister, but I have to go. We'll talk another time, okay?"

Sakura runs off in the opposite direction, leaving Hinoka to scratch the back of her head in confusion. "Man, what was that all about?"

Certainly Camilla couldn't have been the only one who knew how to be womanly. There were mature, feminine women all around her in Hoshido.

The first woman who came to mind was Kagero. She's strong, beautiful and very polite. According to Sabuki, Sakura heard that Kagero was a wonderful artist as well – maybe a bit ahead of her time, but that's a discussion for another day.

"Kagero?" Sakura calls out as she walks about the castle corridors. The castle is terribly huge, and it doesn't help that Kagero is a ninja. Where was she supposed to find a highly skilled ninja who's a retainer for the first prince?

As Sakura is just about to give up, Kagero appears right before her eyes, giving her quite the scare. "I'm sorry to frighten you, Lady Sakura, but I was told that you were looking for me?"

"Y-yes…" she mumbles. Her hands rest on her chest, and she can feel her rapid heartbeat on her palms. "I wanted to ask you a very important question."

"I'm all ears, Lady Sakura."

Sakura nods. "U-um… well… I wanted to know how to become more… womanly…"

Kagero wonders if she's hearing things correctly. "I'm sorry Lady Sakura, but I didn't quite catch that. What did you say you wanted?"

"I… I said that I wanted to become more womanly, a-and you're someone who can help!" She practically cries, and the blush on Kagero's cheeks grow profusely.

"M-me?" Kagero asks, "Why me?"

Sakura's face is just as red. "H-haven't you seen yourself? You're very pretty and talented! I want to be more like you, so please, teach me!"

"I-I don't know if I'd have anything to teach you… but I'll try to help you the best that I can." Kagero says. "Maybe a hobby might do you some good? Maybe one like sewing."

Sakura blinks. "Sewing?"

"Yes! It's hailed as a feminine hobby, and I think it gives off a mature vibe," Kagero insists. "It's what you've been looking for, isn't it?"

Sakura isn't sure about that, but she decides to give sewing a try anyway.

"Lady Sakura! It's such a beautiful day, why are you cooped up in here?"

"Oh, Azama!" Sakura squeaks. "I'm actually doing a bit of sewing."

He hums in thought over her shoulder. Her stitching doesn't look too shabby, but it was hardly anything to sneeze at. "Sewing? Why, I didn't think it was something you were into, Lady Sakura."

"Ah, I don't think so either," she says. "But Kagero said that it'll help me to become more womanly, so that's what I'm doing."

Then, Azama gives a hearty laugh. Sakura is confused. "Azama? Wh-what's so funny?"

"Kagero told you that? Oh, she's too funny," he chuckles. "You shouldn't be focusing doing maids work. If you want to be more womanly, start working on your appearance."

"M-my appearance?" She repeats.

Azama grins. "Oh yes, my lady! A little dab of perfume and some makeup should do," he looks her up and down for a moment with his chin in hand. "And while you're at it, you could stand to drink a little more milk. You've hardly any curves on you! No wonder the Nohrian women are built so – Ack! Wh-why are you hitting me with your staff!?"

"Because you can be such a jerk, Azama!" Sakura cries.

Sakura knows Azama's words should be taken with a grain of salt. Even so, it doesn't stop her from rummaging in the pantry every day for her fix of milk. Though, she probably should've been drinking the stuff since she was a little girl to get results like Camilla or Kagero.

"Oh my! Again with the milk, Lady Sakura?" Orochi scolds her. "This is the second time I've seen you with a bottle in your hand today! We don't get many Nohrian ingredients, so please, try to ease up on the dairy!"

Sakura sighs. "I-I'm sorry Orochi… I just couldn't help but think that I'd grow into more of a woman if I drank more milk."

Orochi is stunned into silence. "Grow into more of a woman? How absurd! Whoever gave you such a terrible idea?"

"A-Azama did…"

Immediately, Orochi's face sours. "Ohh, that despicable cur! Don't mind him, darling. It's simply not true!" Sakura frowns. Easy for her to say with such a beautiful shape. "Tell you what, since you're so worried about it, I'll read your fortune!"

Sakura gasps. "Oh, do you really mean that, Orochi?"

"Why, of course!" She smiles. "Now you just sit tight and let me reveal your fortune!"

Orochi spreads out her tarot cards on the table and hums, and Sakura can hardly control her giddiness. "I'm reading that in due time, you'll blossom into the woman you've dreamed of being." Sakura's smile falters.

"I-is that all?" she questions.

"It's all in the cards," Orochi says, "and the cards never lie."

"But… th-there isn't a specific time or day?" Sakura asks.

Orochi shakes her head. "Nope, and there doesn't need to be. Growing into a woman takes time, Lady Sakura. There's no need to rush it." With that, Orochi is gone and leaves Sakura with her bottle of milk on the table. She eyes it before sliding it away from her, grumbling about how unfair all of this is.

The shops seem as lively as ever today. Apparently, there's a large sale going on all day, so Sakura thinks of this as an opportunity to purchase some sweets. Hopefully, they'd leave a better taste in her mouth than all the milk she drank last week.

On her way to the sweets shop, she passes by a familiar face. "Oh, it's Oboro!"

"Lady Sakura!" Oboro greets with a wave of her hand. "It's nice to see you today!"

"Yes, same here," Sakura smiles. "I didn't know you had your own shop."

Oboro laughs. "Nah, I'm just filling in for a friend. But what are you in town for? Out to shop till you drop?"

Sakura shakes her head. "No, I just wanted to buy some sweets as a little pick-me-up."

"Come to think of it, you've been looking really glum lately," Oboro says. "What's on your mind?"

She's unable to look Oboro in the eye. "W-well… I was looking for things to make me look more mature and I –"

Before she can even finish, Oboro slams her hands on the counter. "The best way to do that is to get yourself a new outfit!"

"A new outfit?" Sakura parrots.

"Yes! One that'll show off your femininity and beauty all while helping you achieve that mature look you want!" She cries. "I'll make you the best kimono from the finest silks and in the most vibrant colors! Trust me, I'm a natural!"

Sakura did remember how Oboro would dress Takumi for all of their important events. He always looked so dapper. Maybe this was the change she really needed. "I-if you think it'll help, then by all means Oboro."

However, Oboro was already pressing measuring tape to her body. "Hmm? Did you say something Lady Sakura?"

"N-no, I didn't."

"Okay then. So tell me, what are your favorite colors? If you're not interested in silk, I can work with another fabric! Oh, this is going to be so fun!"

Sakura sure did hope so.

The kimono was absolutely beautiful, but Sakura felt as though she looked like she was desperately trying to look grown up instead of actually looking grown up.

"Hey! Saku – oh! I mean, Lady Sakura!" The sound of Hana's voice helps her mood brighten, and when she turns to find that Sabuki is also with her, Sakura smiles.

"Hana, Sabuki," she greets them. "How are you both today?"

"Doing pretty good!" Hana chirps.

Sabuki is quiet for a moment. "That's a beautiful outfit, Lady Sakura," he speaks. "Where did you get it?"

Sakura can hardly contain her excitement. Maybe new clothes were the trick after all? "Oh, Oboro made them for me."

"Oboro, huh?" Hana says in awe. "She's really good."

"T-tell me, Sabuki, how do you think I look?"

He's thrown off guard by this question. "U-uh, you look lovely, Lady Sakura."

"But do I look more womanly?"

Now he and Hana share looks of bewilderment. "I-I'm sorry, but why are you asking these questions?"

Sakura sighs, holding her head down in despair. "I've been trying for weeks now to be more womanly, but it's not working…"

Hana and Sabuki's looks of shock soften, and Hana pats Sakura's head in comfort. "Now, now. It's okay Lady Sakura. No need to worry yourself over something like that." Soon, Sakura's head shoots up, giving Hana quite the surprise.

"Sabuki! Do you know how I could become more mature and feminine-like?" The intensity in which Sakura asks the question makes him nervous, and the fact that Sakura asks him makes Hana furious.

"W-wait!" Hana cries. "Why are you asking him and not me?"

"Because you simply aren't womanly enough," Subaki teases, and Hana grits her teeth in anger.

"It's not like that!" Sakura tries to defuse the situation between her two retainers. "It's just that… Sabuki seems like a good, but unlikely candidate. I thought that since you're a sky knight, you'd have a touch of femininity about you, since people who handle pegasi are said to be pure-hearted maidens!"

"Y-you think I'm girly!?" Sabuki cries, and Hana lets out a howl of laughter.

"Yeah!" Hana laughs. "Don't you go to those Sky Knight Sisterhood meetings with Lady Hinoka and the rest too? Ahahaha!"

"Hana!" Subaki cries.

No matter how hard Sakura tries to get the two of them to calm down, she gets drowned out over Hana's laughter and Subaki's yelling. This was all too hopeless.

Sakura sits in the castle courtyard with a glass of green tea in her hands and some dango beside her. The relaxing scenery is quite the change of pace compared to the hectic weeks before it.

It was so much of a hassle that Sakura moved on from trying to be more like Camilla. They are two different people, so it's only natural that she couldn't imitate her. Even so, Sakura still feels a bit bitter about all of it. A small sigh leaves her before she takes another sip of tea.

"Oh, Princess Sakura. It's nice to see you today."

The unexpected voice makes her burn her tongue on her tea. Sakura sets the glass down with force as she's plagued with a coughing fit. "Princess!? I'm sorry I've startled you! Are you alright?" Her coughing has subsided, and she lifts her glass to get rid of the dryness in her mouth. Once she realizes the tea was the source of the dryness, she sets it back onto the table.

"N-no. I'm fine, Prince Xander…" she murmurs. It takes her a moment to realize who exactly she's talking to, and when she does, she panics. "P-p-prince Xander! Oh, m-my apologies! Wh-what um… what are you doing here in Hoshido…?"

Xander lets out a low laugh. "I had a meeting scheduled with Prince Ryoma today, and we've just finished. I should be on my way back to Nohr now."

Now that he mentioned it, Ryoma did say a few weeks ago that he and Xander would be holding a meeting together today. How did it slip her mind? Or, right. She was too preoccupied with other things. "Oh, okay… I um… I hope you have a safe trip back…"

"Thank you, Princess," his eyes wander to the plate of multi-colored sweets beside her. "Forgive my asking, but what are you eating?"

"Huh? Th-this?" she asks. "This is dango. They're sweet dumplings that you have with green tea."

"I see," Xander says, completely fascinated by all this. "Do you mind if I join you?"

Sakura's brow furrows in confusion. "Y-you want to sit down with me?"

"Yes. Unless that's a problem for you."

"N-no, no! I um… I'd appreciate it," she says. When he sits beside her, she tenses up. What if she does something silly like spilling piping hot tea all over his lap or saying something that could offend him? She'd have to go into hiding.

She's so deep in thought that she doesn't hear when Xander calls out to her. Slowly, his hand touches her shoulder to get her attention, and Sakura lets out a small "Eep!"

"I've been calling you for a while, Princess. Is something troubling you?"

Where could she even begin to start? "Um, nothing is bothering me. I'm okay…" Her fingers dig into the fabric of her skirt before she shakes her head. "A-actually… Prince Xander, if I may ask… how does one become mature and womanly?"

He's silent for a moment, and Sakura wonder's if this is the offensive thing she wasn't supposed to say. "Mature and womanly…" he says. "Well, it's a peculiar question, but I didn't think you'd be concerned with such things."

Sakura tilts her head to the side in question. "What do you mean?"

"I feel as though you embody those things already," he says. "A princess who cares for the safety and happiness of her people is already a respectable and mature woman, especially when she handles it with the grace in which you do."

Sakura is at a loss for words. "D-do you really think so, Prince Xander?"

"Of course," he smiles. "Do you not?" Not at first, but Xander makes her rethink what being womanly really is. She doesn't answer him, and instead gives him a coy smile. "Princess? What's got you smiling like that?"

"Your kind words," Sakura tells him. She spent weeks trying to change herself into what she thought a mature woman should be. Who would have thought that Xander would be the one change her perception of the word "womanly" in such a short amount of time?