*CLANG*

Kana's arms nearly buckled against the weight of the opposing force against her sword. Her eyes glared with intensity into her enemy's, his emerald irises exuding a combination of collected and fierce.

She pressed all her strength upon her blade, hoping she could make the man before her collapse under her might.

Kana's sword pushed forward against the foe's own, her arms slightly shaking from the amount of power she was exerting.

C'mon…

The man's own blade shook from his desperate attempt to gain the upper hand in the clash.

Yes…

He was starting to lean back from Kana's muscular endeavors.

Almost got it-

"Ah!"

Kana yelped out as she fell backwards onto to stone floor below, her sword coming loose from her grasp and clattering away a few meters to her side.

"Ow…" Kana muttered whilst leaning up and rubbing her back to ease any hurting she could, clenching her eyes out due to a wash of pain and shame. She then heard a deep chuckle coming from above.

"Around how many training sessions do you think I've gotten you with that leg sweep?"

The young woman opened her eyes to see a hand being offered to her, the man's green eyes now kindly. Albeit with a large hint of smugness. Kana sighed, blowing a stray hair out of her eyes to try and show her frustration.

"I think the more appropriate question, Tyrus, is how many times you haven't gotten me with that leg sweep." She said, taking the man's hand and standing up.

"You might have a point there." Tyrus said with no trace of irony. Intentionally, most likely.

"Oh, shut up." Kana said while smiling, walking over to pick up her sword. "So, what pointers do you have for me this time?"

"Only the usual: You need to stop being so reckless." Kana's mentor stated. "I understand that it's much easier to rely on brute force and it's hard for most to think strategically when in the heat of battle, but having a keen eye to exploit an enemy's weakness will be the key that unlocks the door of possibility in most skirmishes."

"I know, I know." Kana said with some annoyance, somewhat flustered having to hear this lecture for the umpteenth time. "I just can't help it. Recklessness is in my blood. I am part dragon, after all."

"That still doesn't excuse the fact that you're a very prominent figure for Nohr and you need to have all the experience you can get when it comes to battle."

"Excuse me," Kana began with an incredulous chuckle. "But did you by any chance forget that I fought in a war when I was young?"

"And do you, by any chance, have any idea what your family would feel like if you were to perish?" Tyrus said curtly.

… Silence.

Kana looked down in shame, seeing the very reasonable point that her mentor was trying to make. Seeing this wash of guilt, Tyrus sighed and said:

"Please understand, Kana: I say this not to make you feel down upon yourself. I say this because I want you to be prepared. Though we may have peace for now, the world we live in is an uncertain one. Anything could happen to you from assassination, to ambush, to another war." Tyrus stepped closer to Kana and place a hand on her shoulder.

"I just want to make sure nothing hurts you. You gave me a fresh start on life, and I along with your parents, aunts and uncles, and especially Alyss and Faust would be devastated if any one of the things I mentioned earlier were to happen to you. You mean the world to so many people, and to see not only their world, but yours, come tumbling down would be heartbreaking. Do you understand?"

Kana looked into Tyrus' eyes. They were filled with ferocity like they always were, but in a different sense. A ferocity of simultaneous worry and care, if that at all made sense.

Kana began to laugh.

"What?" Tyrus asked in legitimate confusion.

"You know, you talk a big game, but you're really just a big softie." Kana answered.

Tyrus flinched and began to pinch the bridge of his nose before saying:

"You're lucky that we're by ourselves, because normally if you used the word 'softie' in regards to me and there would be other people around… there would be irreparable damages."

"Aww, but I thought you just said you wanted to protect me?"

… Silence again.

Kana burst out laughing again.

"I'm just messing with you!" She said, lightly punching Tyrus on the arm.

His expression was not one Kana would label as 'pleasant'.

Her laughter dying down, Kana recomposed herself nervously:

"A-a-anyway, do you want to go another round? I'm itching to beat you after our last match."

Tyrus' expression seemed to even out at this. However, his response was not one that Kana was expecting.

"I think we're actually good for today. You may have been your usual reckless self, but you did almost make me collapse. That's a deserving enough feat to end early today."

"Oh." Kana said, surprised and somewhat disappointed. "If you say so."

Suddenly, a thought struck Kana.

"Oh no!" She said, rushing towards the door to the sparring room. "I'm late!"

"Late for what?" Tyrus asked rhetorically. He knew that Kana only ever got this worked up over one person.

"I promised Alyss that I would meet her outside the castle by now!"

"Ah." Said Tyrus, markedly unsurprised. "If that's the case, how long are you expecting to be gone?"

"At least for a while, I'm going to be seeing Faust after I'm done with Alyss. Since that's the case, would you mind telling mom and dad that I'm going to be out for a while?"

"What's the point? You're practically out late every night, what with your time with Allys and your meetings with Faust." Tyrus reasoned.

Kana's only response was an annoyed glare.

"… But, I suppose if it will make you feel at ease…" Tyrus conceded with a sigh.

"Thanks." Kana breathed out, smiling with relief. She knew Tyrus had a point, but she still didn't want to betray her parent's trust. "See you!" She called out before heading through the door.

"Have fun." Tyrus said somewhat half-mindedly.

*SLAM*

Tyrus peered around the empty room, contemplating to himself.

I probably should have kept her around for one more round, or at least gave her a lesson on how to know when a flank is open. Then again, maybe not. She practically lives for Alyss and Faust.

Tyrus allowed himself a slight smile.

Granted, she practically lives for everyone she gets close to. From the little I've talked to him, I can see why people constantly compare her to Corrin.

Closing his eyes slowly, Tyrus reached for his blade, unsheathing it from its compartment. He gave a few experimental swings, effortlessly shifting the sword's weight from one hand to the other in what would be deadly arcs in actual battle.

Whether or not she'll be thrusted into a situation like her father's past endeavors…

Tyrus held the sword with both hands in a horizontal fashion in front of his eyes.

He opened them, staring with intensity back at himself.

I will see to it that she won't… ever.

Good Morrow, People of Fanfiction! Not sure if you could gather just by reading this, but this is my first endeavor into the realm of Fire Emblem Fanfiction. With that being said, any criticism that any of you lovely readers may have is welcome, and any corrections to canonical errors I've made is more than welcome.

On a different note, eventually I will be taking requests for this story. However, that's still a couple chapters away (after some character introductions and origins), so I'll be sure to let you lot know when exactly I'm taking them.

With that being said, please leave your reviews and tell me what you think/what I can improve!

P.S. Sorry that this and next few chapters will be so short, I just want to get some basic character building stuff out of the way, yet at the same time I want to give each of the retainers time to shine. I hope you folks understand.