In the mountains north of Hoshido, at the foot of an extinct volcano, a small village is located. This village is home to the Flame Tribe, a hardy society of isolationists, who were technically allied with Hoshido.

It was also where Hinoka, Princess of Hoshido, was currently staying.

With her niece.

Despite of, or perhaps because of the fact she had been privy to the girls kidnapping, Hinoka had grown quite attached to the young girl currently dashing about with one of the Flame Tribe children. It still stung her whenever the girl called her 'Mama' though. The Princess had kept her hair short even after many years, for two reasons. One, she had come to like it short. Two, it had been short for so long, it had become iconic, so much so that the one time she did grow it long, no one recognised her (this included her own sister, Sakura. Which had led to a very awkward conversation between the two.).

Kana had taken to life in Hoshido well (even if she didn't understand why it was rude to forego footwear), and despite being kept a closely guarded secret in the Kingdom, had grown into a healthy, happy eight year old. Her eyes glinted with the same golden tint as her mother, and her dark hair was currently up in a neat, out-of-the-way bun.

Her current companion had her silver locks up in twin tails, and a happy giggle bubbled up from her throat as she was chased. The pair ran around, avoiding the various Tribesmen, who regarded them with affectionate amusement. Despite their somewhat chilly appearance to outsiders, the people of the Flame Tribe were deeply family oriented and each family was close. Children grew up together, and friends were more often than not considered all but kin.

A concept utterly foreign to the Hoshidan Hinoka, who watched simple village life from her vantage point of the great halls balcony.


It was Rinkah who snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Kids, what a handful, huh?" the pale haired woman beside her commented. Rinkah had, in the last year, taken over as Chief of the Tribe after her father stood down. The old man had gone up to the Fire Shrine, and now acted as a monk of the Flame Spirit worshiped by the tribe. In the end, it had been the death of his wife, Rinkah's mother, which had been the last nail in the coffin.

"Yeah…"

"But that's the way things go. Kids'll be kids."

Hinoka fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Hm? Something wrong?"

"There was a time I'd have done anything to really be that girl's mother.."

There was a chuckle beside her.

"What?"

Rinkah sighed. "Hinoka. Face facts. You're in love with Corrin."

Hinoka shot her an incredulous look. "N-No I'm not!"

"Look. I know what being in love looks and feels like." Rinkah smiled softly. "Hayato had the same look….I had the same look when I realised it was me he was in love with. Love doesn't give a fig who it makes you fall for. Man or woman, noble or lowborn…brother or not."

Hinoka shivered at Rinkah's words. She should feel disgusted with herself. She knew this. It was wrong and foul to love ones brother like she did.

"Tell me the truth. He's not related to you, is he?"

"W-What?"

"Oh please! We aren't as foolish as some think." Rinkah snorted "I do not doubt that he is Mikoto's son. What I doubt is that he's Sumeragi's."

"…I…he's my step-brother." She murmured quietly.

"….Hinoka, look at me."

The princess, with some obvious reluctance, turned to face the Flame Chief, who placed her hands on her shoulders.

"It's okay to admit being in love." Rinkah said kindly. "What isn't okay is beating yourself up over it."

"But I…"

"You are that girl's guardian. You have earned the right to call yourself her mother. Maybe one day she will go home. Maybe one day she'll fight against Hoshido like her father. It matters little. Right now, right here, you are her mother."

"….I don't know if I can be ready for-"

"No one is ever ready to become a parent, Hinoka. I wasn't in the slightest."

"What do you mean? Rhajat's a fine girl."

Rinkah sighed. "When my Rhajat was a babe, she fell gravely ill." she said quietly. "Our healers told both myself and Hayato that she wouldn't survive the night. It was winter, and the snows had come early."

Hinoka said nothing.

"I carried her up to the shrine of our deity….I prayed. I prayed and pleaded and begged."

"And?"

"I paid the price that needed paid." Rinkah said. "I cursed her, just as the spirit said just as the monks instructed."

"What does that mean?"

"…If or when Rhajat leaves our land, she will never return."

Hinoka blinked. "…That's…oddly specific."

Rinkah rolled her eyes. "The Spirit is allowed to be specific….on account of being The Spirit."

"But…"

"I have to ask…" She continued. "What is it about him you love? Last you saw him, you thought he was dead.."

"…I don't know…" Hinoka's voice was small.

"Louder." Was the simple command.

"I don't know!"

"Good!" Rinkah roared. "Then stop bloody beating yourself up over some brat you clearly don't love, and damn well find someone you do."

Rinkah shook her head, and started to walk away. "…Don't hate yourself, Hinoka."

Hinoka sighed, and lent against the railing.

"Mama?" Kana trotted up, and cocked her head curiously. "What's wrong?"

Hinoka sighed sadly. "Nothing, Little One."

She felt something wrap around her waist. The red head look down, and smiled.

"Kana? What are you doing?"

"Hugs make people feel better Mama." Came the small girl's childlike response, one Hinoka was unwilling to argue with. Hinoka smiled, and gently tousled the young girl's hair.

"Hehe…you're right, Kana." She said, and dipped down to pick her up, and happily spun her around, the little girl squealing in delight.


Later, in the great hall, the trio sat down to dinner. As Hinoka was a royal, the feast the hosts put on was fairly extravagant. Since food was almost as sparse as it was in Nohr, no part of the animals were wasted. Since tonight's meal was rabbit stew, the rabbit fur would likely be used to add padding to armour.

The doors to the great hall were thrown open, and Saizo stalked in.

"You will return to the capital now, Princess. His Majesty demands it." Saizo said simply. "Leave the girl here."

"This is not Hoshido." Rinkah stated in a far too calm tone. "We are your allynot your vassal."

Saizo allowed annoyance to blaze in his eye. "It is not the time."

Rinkah snarled. "I allow your presence here, Katsu. Do not forget where you are or to whom you speak. I am Rinkah, Chief of the Flame Tribe. Address me as such."

Saizo glared at her. "How long would you la-"

"What's the reason for my return, Saizo?"

"The Queen was attacked. It was the traitor."

The Traitor. Hinoka thought. We're not even calling him by name anymore.

"How is she?"

"She'll never walk again." Came the blunt response.

Hinoka flinched. "I see…" She shot Rinkah a pleading look. The woman sighed.

"Fine. Just…..this isn't forever, understand?"

"I owe you one, Rinkah." Hinoka replied in a relived tone.

The Chief grinned broadly. "I'll hold you to that, Princess."


Later, after Hinoka departed with Saizo, Rinkah pulled her new charge aside.

"So….you Kana?"

Kana nodded, not looking up at her. The small girl was shivering, and focusing on her feet.

Rinkah blinked as realisation hit her. She smiled faintly, and removed the Oni mask rom her head. She then bent down to offer the wooden mask to the girl.

"See? It's just a mask Kid."

Kana took it, and swiftly put it on. With a steadily growing grin, the small girl pounced on Rinkah….or, to be more precise due to her comparative strength, pounced at Rinkah.

"RWAAAR!"

The Flame Chief chuckled.

"Kid, I think you're going to fit in just fine."


We'll visit Haven next chapter.

Also, since I'm guessing I'll get questions, the way I see the 'Saizo' name is that it's only used by the current Saizo. It also would help to differentiate between each Saizo. For example Asugi's actions would be remembered as Saizo Asugi, rather than just 'Saizo'. I understand that the Saizo's use a simple numbering system, but I figure adding the name will allow for more…..individuality to both Saizo(Katsu) and Saizo(Asugi), when he shows up (plus any previous Saizo's I write about in flashbacks.).

I used Saizo a lot there...sorry.

Anywho, read, review, ask me questions if you have them, regardless of what their about (although if you're asking about particle physics, I probably can't help you.).