Accident.

That had been Kamui's first response when her little sisters asked about the bruises painted along the length of her neck.

It had been nearly 6 months since the family of nine had conquered and brought unity into their now shared land. Marx and Ryoma had been working to repair the kingdom's economy to what it had been before the war. While all the other siblings also began to bond with their counterparts and find ways of sharing their talents to help reign in the chaos. Kamui had never dared to imagine she'd ever get the best of both of her families.

However since the idea of sharing of the kingdom was Kamui's in the first place, she had been given the role of playing tie breaker whenever the two oldest brothers couldn't seem to meet a steady middle ground.

Seemed easy enough.

Unfortunately for the princess, the call of her unofficial title had come at the worst possible time.

Elise and Sakura had been sent to retrieve their second oldest sister early one morning. They had both eventually spotted her hanging about the royal garden and had raced to see who could reach her first.

However the moment their eyes saw the deep swollen markings along her throat, both completely forgot their task.

"Onee-chan?!"

"W-what happened to you?"

Kamui had been startled. She hadnt expected the two and not even realized that her under cloth had fallen and exposed her neck.

The princess immediately tried to play it off quickly, but the questions were coming at her rapidly.

"Did someone hurt you?"

"When did it happen?"

"Why are their so many bruises?"

"Did they try to choke you?!"

The white haired girl claims that she had fallen into her dresser late last night. Though neither seem to buy it yet. Mostly because it looks as though Kamui would have had to repeatedly fallen into a drawer to account for so many marks.

The two youngest continue to question Kamui for such a long time, that eventually Camilla and Hinoka are sent to see what had delayed the two. Marx and Ryoma were getting more ridiculous by the moment and the need for their tie breaker was becoming crucial.

By now, the young princess was nearly finished swaying her baby sisters into keeping quiet about her little accident.

As luck would have it though, the two oldest girls caught the tail end of the three's chat.

"-and thats why there is no need to tell anyone about this okay?"

"Certainly theres an exception for your big sisters, right Kamui?"

If Camilla's voice wasnt scary enough when casually talking about murdering people, it certainly was when it had a warning weaved through it like silk.

The white haired girl nearly bolted at the sight of her two older sisters. She hadnt even heard their steps, being too preoccupied with reassuring Elise and Sakura that her injury was nothing.

Hinoka raised a curious brow at her little red headed sister. The youngest Hoshidoian only ever tugged on her clothing when she had a secret to tell or if she felt uneasy.

Moving towards the others, the pegasus warrior crossed her arms.

"As rare as it is, I agree with Camilla. What exactly are you three hiding?"

Elise, dear sweet oblivious as all hell Elise, smiled up at her step sister.

"We were worried about the bruises on Onee-chan's neck, but its okay because she explained that she fell into her drawer last night!"

The second the word bruises and neck left the blonde's mouth, Kamui had tried to make a dash back towards the castle's door.

Expecting this of course, both Camilla and Hinoka grabbed her arms. Comically stilling any chance of the young girl's escape.

"Show us. Now."

"Hinoka its really not as bad as it-"

"I'll give you to the count of 3 before I allow Camilla to forcibly break off your neck armor."

Grumbling slightly as the two put her bare feet back onto the ground, Kamui looked away in aggravation as she moved aside her collar. Allowing all four of her present siblings to see the very unlikely to have been made by a drawer marks decorating the expanse of her pale neck.

"Gods! What the hell happened Kamui?! Did you get mauled?!"

Hinoka was clearly infuriated at the sight, but Camilla had remained completely still as a very unsettling smile made its way to her face. A smile The white haired girl was VERY familiar with.

"Kamui. I would like a name if you could."

"Camilla theres no one you need to kill it was just-"

"An accident? Im sure. Name. Now."

Her plans for finding a suitable excuse were running low. Maybe she could play it off as a training mishap? No then one of then would most likely murder her instructors. Poor Silas, Joker, and even Gunther wouldnt stand a chance against a pissed off Camilla...

Kamui considered making another dash for it, but suddenly two loud and clearly frustrated male voices broke into the quiet space.

"MARX for the last time the sea imports are crucial for the tax income rates based off-"

"THE SEA IMPORTS take more to ship then they bring in! We dont even have a proper docking stations near either of the coast lines?!"

Despite having solved and agreed upon crucial points regarding new Kingdom with relative ease, Marx and Ryoma seemed to always butt heads at least once a day over very trivial things. Last week it had been over the new flag colors. Yesterday it had been over the amount of space needed for the new castle training dummies.

Simple matters always drove a stake in their patience. Hence why they had gone to personally search for their "tie breaker" after both of their search parties had taken too long.

"MARX THERE IS AN OVERALL SYSTEMATIC YEARLY INCOME THAT DOUBLES AFTER THE WINTER SEASON-"

"JUST BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE A LOBSTER DOESNT MEAN WE NEED TO WASTE SHIPPING FUNDS ON A USELESS PRODUCT-"

Reaching their vocal limits, the two oldest might have continued screaming had it not been for them both noticing the tense scene before them.

Elise and Sakura were trying to stifle their giggles at their brother's arguement, but Hinoka and Camilla looked like they were ready to murder either them or Kamui.

The strangest part though was that the young dragon princess looked actually rather guilty.

Clearing his strained throat, Marx ran a hand through his hair and regained what was left of his composure.

"Is something wrong?"

Ryoma straightened his back and crossed his arms.

"We sent for you to find Kamui quite some time ago. There is a matter that requires her immediate-"

"We know Ry. Im sure half the kingdom heard the two of you bickering at each other like petty children by now."

The remark had come from Takumi who was followed closely by Leon. The two had been inside. Maturely discussing the possibility of localizing a study center for mages, when the hollers of their older brothers had drug them out to see what the commotion had been about.

Now that everyone was present though, the tension from before was more visible then ever.

Leon raised a brow.

"Care to tell me why everyone is standing as though we have someone on trial?"

Camilla growled out lowly.

"We might as well be interrogating someone..."

Grabbing Kamui by her forearm again, the purple haired woman allowed the bruises to be seen. Causing a range of gaping and wide eyes to vary amongst the male members of the family.

Marx narrowed his eyes.

"Kamui? Who injured you?!"

Takumi cut in before she could respond.

"When did that even happen?! They look new and old?!"

Elise raised her hand.

"Onee-chan just fell into her dresser I thought? Did someone hurt her?"

Ryoma frowned.

"Those are not the marks of a single object. It looks as though someone repeatedly tried to hurt you Kamui!"

Between the midst of threats to the assailant and pleas for their sister to name the culprit, Leon remained quietly observing the scene. Years of being teased by his little sister left him with quite the impression when it came to being embarrased. Especially considering the fact that Kamui was blushing hard and trying to hid the bruises on...her...

Wait.

The moment everything pieced itself together in his mind, Leon nearly fell over himself with laughter. Effectively silencing the siblings argument, instead all of them drew their attention to the rare sight of the blonde boy chocking on his own cackles.

Hinoka was the first to shake off her surprise.

"What could possibly be so funny about our sister being assulted!"

Kamui too seemed to also realize that her brother had made the connection, and as silently as possible began to edge her way towards the castle doors.

Pulling it together after a few more seconds of hysterics, Leon braced himself for the undoubtable onslaught of shouts that would follow.

"M-my. Oh Gods this is probably karma after so many years of Kamui's teasing."

Clearing his throat, the blonde boy smiled. Another rare sight.

"The bruises arent exactly from a fight."

No one understood yet

"Id go as far as to assume that our beloved sister actually received them from a...very special friend?"

Takumi visibly face palmed at his own stupidity for not connecting the dots.

Next was Marx and Hinoka who both became bright red in the face. Sputtering uselessly.

Camilla finally understood, and as though a switch flipped up, her protective nature snapped. Black heels began to rush towards where the white haired girl had run off to.

"KAMUI!"

Ryoma's moment of clarity came slowly, but just like Camilla, he was not at all pleased.

"Those are hickeys?!"

Leon stifled another laugh and nodded.

"BUT SHE'S TOO YOUNG!"

"Oh take a breath Marx. She's 19."

Turning to head back inside, Leon left his flabbergasted siblings to sort out their thoughts. He estimated that it was only a matter of time before they all interrogated Kamui into telling them who her new love interest was. God above pray for that fool.

Elise and Sakura looked at each other, not at all understanding why their brothers and sisters had suddenly become so distressed.

"Does this mean Onee-chan didnt get hurt."

Marx sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"No Elise...she just. Just. Uh. Made a new friend it would seem. One who likes to um...uh. Be extra...friendly."

Ryoma's eye twitched while Hinoka looked as though she were ready to join Camilla and manhunt down whoever it was that had defiled her sweet little sister's neck.

Sakura moved to whisper into Elise's ear.

"Do you think now would be a bad time to mention who we saw kissing Onee-Sama last night?"

The blonde girl considered this before shrugging.

"Better let them cool down and give Aqua and Onee-chan a ten minute head start before we say anything."