Mother and Child

They had not stopped staring; soldiers standing guard nearby blinked and whispered while others pointed in confusion. A few servants or civilians—Kamui couldn't really tell—also stood and stared. A young girl even confused her for some Katsu fellow but upon realizing her mistake cried out an apology and all too quickly disappeared into the crowd.

When she had asked them, Rinkah had just shrugged as if nothing had happened while Suzukaze smiled as if she had just told a joke.

This left Kamui a little concerned but not by a lot.

Yet all that staring bothered her. And not only the stares but also the pointing. Kamui had tried her best to ignore it but her ears would always pick up snippets of conversation as they walked, 'Is she the one?' they'll whisper before another voice would say, 'So, that's her…' and so many other things that confused her to no end.

She had cursed her good hearing for many things, like the thunder, the noises in the dark and now she was adding gossip to that list. Just great!

Despite this, she tried her best to ignore the chatters by looking around the castle as she followed after the two Hoshidans.

It felt so different inside this castle, Kamui noticed. Even before she had stepped inside, she could smell it and hear it too. The flowers and trees were full of life and the streets were full of people with smiles. The buildings, she noticed, were made out of brick and wood with reds and whites and blues upon its roofs. They also had odd decorations here and there and it confused Kamui to no end. The walls that decorated the small capital seemed to reach the heavens and Kamui could barely make out the small sentry towers at the top. Finally, she noticed the large palace in the distance. It was beautiful to say the least.

It was bigger than most of the buildings around it and was practically covered in a coat of red and white. The Hoshidan banners dangled from the walls and the place was surrounded by guards all over.

Something about this building felt familiar to Kamui but she brushed it off. Perhaps the size...? It reminded her of the Northern Fortress, somewhat...but she was used to the darkness...to the corners...to the noises and the thunder and the rain...and to Gunther when she'll run to his arms because she knew he would make it go—

But Gunther was dead.

And Kamui didn't want to be here.

Death was coming eventually, no matter how nice Suzukaze treated her. Once she met the leader of this place, she wouldn't be alive anymore. Not that she wasn't expecting it, after all Gunther…Gunther had drilled it into her head for days after finally being allowed outside. If she were to be captured, she would be either held hostage or killed no matter who she was.

Still, this was strange for some reason.

She couldn't deny the odd looks and the gossip…as if something was going on.

Why was everyone talking and pointing and saying that they were surprised to see her? Had they not expected a Nohrian prisoner? Or was it something else? What was so special about her that got everyone talking?

These many questions frustrated Kamui to no end, but she held her tongue for fear of causing trouble. It wasn't their fault she was in this mess after all.

...but I know who is! the girl thought as she glared at the ground.

That wretched Ganz! If she ever got out of this alive, she'll ki—

"Here we are, Lady Kamui..." Suzukaze spoke making Kamui look up.

They were now in a different place; it was a large room with a throne leaning against the end of the wall for all to see. A statue of a dragon decorated the wall above the throne. It looked fearsome, with white scales all over, its head lowered as if it was judging them all.

Kamui almost shivered.

That dragon looked a bit like the one she had seen back in the King Garon's throne room the day she had met Rinkah and Suzukaze. She recalled reading about the legends of the two dragons and how Nohr and Hoshido had once been blessed with their power. Was this statue a representation of one of those dragons she had read about?

"Good work, Suzukaze…"

Kamui looked up as she heard the new voice; a young man stood before the ninja and the older woman as they bowed. He gave them both a nod and a smile.

He was dressed in a similar fashion to the men Kamui had seen guarding outside, but his red armor was more regal and more different than any she had seen. Perhaps a high ranking member of the military…or maybe a royal—Kamui couldn't be too sure. She noticed, too, that he had long brown hair that almost touched the floor with spiky ends. The princess feared that if she tried touching the sharp mane she'll prick her fingers.

The young man quickly turned to stare at Kamui, as if finally noticing her. The princess quickly stared off to the side, unsettled by the sudden attention. She didn't notice the amused look on Rinkah's face as she did so while the ninja sent her a worried look but said nothing.

Kamui glanced at the young man and noticed that he was smiling. His smile was wide and inviting but the girl glanced away and pretended he didn't exist.

She didn't know what was going on, but whatever it was, she wished they'll just get it over with.

Then she heard him…he was…laughing?

"She should be here any minute, now…the person I want you to meet, Kamui," the young man said, making the princess take her eyes off the floor and look up at him. The girl blinked.

How did he…?

"…what…what are you…?"

"Ah! Ah!"

The new voice startled Kamui making her turn and stare.

It was a woman, face flushed and breathing fast. She leaned against the door as she caught her breath allowing Kamui to get a good look at her. The woman was older than Rinkah, and wore and odd white dress—it was simple but had a regal look to it like that man's armor. Her long black hair was held together by a golden hair clip of some sort.

For some reason...she seemed a little too familiar to Kamui and the princess didn't know why. Kamui had never seen this woman before but she was so familiar...so...familiar...ah...why...?

"...it...it really is you..." the woman began as her breathing slowed and the tears began to fall. Kamui panicked a bit upon noticing this and stepped a little closer towards the strange woman but stopped once she noticed what she was doing.

"...huh?"

"I...I..." the woman went on, sobbing. "It...it really is you...isn't it?" A smile. "My...my little Kamui..." Kamui blinked in surprise. Her little Kamui? What...!? "...my child..." Kamui froze. "...you came back...you came back!" Before Kamui knew what was happening, the woman ran towards her and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Kamui didn't know how to react as the woman continued to hug her and weep, whispering her name over and over again.

For a moment, everything stood still. No one spoke. No one—

What!? What!?

What the hell was happening!? Who was this woman and what...what...?

"H-hey! Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Your child!? Wha-what..." Kamui then turned to face Rinkah, Suzukaze and the stranger. "What is going on here!?"

The reunion had gone as well as the Queen had expected…which was not well at all.

Perhaps Mikoto should have seen this coming. Perhaps she should have considered the possibility that Kamui wouldn't know who she was after years of separation. Perhaps her child would be confused and ask questions but Mikoto just couldn't stop herself.

It was her!

After all these years, her little girl had come back home!

When she had heard the news, she had cried out in joy and ran towards the throne room.

Now, she was here. Face to face with her child…her little Kamui.

She and Katsu looked so much alike that for a moment, the Queen thought that her son was playing a prank on her but upon noticing the white hair and red eyes and those long ears, she knew.

Her missing daughter was back home.

Kamui, for her part, had only cried out in confusion and pushed the older woman away from her, demanding an explanation. Before Mikoto or her son, Ryoma, could get a word in, the Queen's other children appeared wondering what had caused their mother to make a mad dash towards the throne room.

It took them seconds to notice Kamui and the room grew silent.

Kamui had almost reached for her sword during all this and instead demanded that someone explain to her what in the world was going on.

Everyone could see, the Queen especially so, that Kamui was unsettled by the presence of her twin brother and the people that had just arrived. She was confused and no one was telling her anything but at least her children showed some restraint. The looks and smiles turned into confusion upon seeing Kamui's distress, as she kept glaring at them.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the Queen ordered everyone out; Katsu had protested of course but upon seeing Kamui glaring at him and his siblings, he relented and walked out. He was followed closely by Hinoka and Sakura, with Ryoma, Takumi and Rinkah trailing behind them. The shinobi, for his part, bowed to the Queen and Kamui and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the two women alone.

"Kamui…"

"…what…what is going on here!?" the young woman cried with a glare. "…What is this about me being your child!? I don't even know you!"

"Ah, Kamui…please…if you let me explain…I…" Mikoto trailed off as she noticed that Kamui was not listening to her. The girl was glaring at the place where Katsu and the others had stood not too long ago.

"…and who was that? And why…why…" Kamui shook her head.

"Why does he look like you?" The girl gave the Queen an odd stare but said nothing. "Kamui…I…I know this was rather sudden but you must understand…"

"Understand what, exactly?" Kamui's glare had soften somewhat. "If this is a trick…I—"

"This is no trick, Kamui! Please, you have to believe me."

"Why?"

"...eh...why?"

"Why should I believe you? I don't even know who you are…this…this has to be a trick…isn't it? A trick before you kill me…is that it? Why not just kill me now and save yourself the—"

"No! Absolute not!" Mikoto cried out, suddenly angry at the things her daughter was saying. How could she believe the Queen would kill her own child? How could she—but then Mikoto remembered and sighed sadly. "Please, Kamui…do not say that…I…don't want that…I don't want to hear you saying that…please…"

"…what is really going on…?"

"…Kamui…you…you are a princess of Hoshido…"

"…what?"

"…you were…you were kidnapped by the King of Nohr a long time ago," Mikoto explained. "I…I do not know what they told you back in Nohr…but you are a Princess of Hoshido…not Nohr as you were led to believe…and…and I'm your mother...and…"

"You're lying…"

The words, so sudden and swift, cut through her like a knife.

Mikoto should have expected this. She should have but she never expected it. Her daughter was back and she didn't believe her. Her daughter was back and she believed her mother was a liar.

"Kamui…"

"I…I am sorry…" Kamui shook her head. "I'm sorry…but can't just…how do you…how do you expect me to believe all that…you…you are just someone I met today…and to say you are my mother…no. I just can't believe it…for all I know this could be a trick…a cruel one at that…"

"But…it's not…I…" Tears threatened to fall but the Queen wouldn't let them. Not now, not when her daughter was so confused. "No…no, it's alright…I…I un-understand…I mean, what was I thinking…I…" Mikoto gave Kamui a sad smile. "…you're finally here…and I…well…I…"

"…I'm really sorry…"

"Please, don't be…" Mikoto knew she was crying. She could feel the tears sliding down her cheeks but she ignored them. "I…I guess it is my fault…" More tears. Here she was, her daughter was back and the girl couldn't remember. And no matter what Mikoto said, Kamui wouldn't believe her.

"Please don't cry..."

The Queen looked up at the sound of her daughter's voice.

Kamui stood there, a concerned look on her face, as if confused on how to alleviate the Queen's pain. Mikoto smiled despite her tears.

"And why shouldn't I cry? My…my own child can't remember me…why shouldn't I cry…? At least…for a while…"

"...but..."

"It's fine...Kamui...I...I understand..." The Queen wiped her tears away and gave Kamui the sunniest smile she could muster. "I will have to be just a little more patient, then!"

"...ah..."

Kamui certainly was at a loss and didn't know what to say: how could she could comfort a stranger?

But Mikoto just shook her head and nodded.

"...can...can I show you to your room, at least?"

"…my room...?"

"Yes...then...when you feel more at home...we can talk again...yes?" The Queen's tone was pleading and Kamui just couldn't help herself then.

"...Yes...I suppose so..."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The room was certainly different.

It was a small room, almost a little too empty. There were boxes here and there—mostly full of toys and some other things Kamui couldn't identify—a small shelf by the side was almost empty with a few Hoshidan books whose titles the princess didn't recognize and finally a set of sheets and pillows…the beds, perhaps?

This one was not like her old room back in Nohr; it was too small and too…too familiar.

It felt like a real room and not a prison.

"This…this is your room, Kamui…it used to be Katsu's as well...but…umm…"

Kamui glanced at the Queen of Hoshido as she was looking about. The princess still didn't fully trust the Queen but she felt safe with her around…it was an odd feeling she couldn't quite identify and it bothered her.

There was a small part of her that believed her, but the voice on her head kept telling her that the Queen was lying and why wouldn't the Queen be lying? Sure she had seen that boy in the throne room but that meant nothing…right?

Kamui shook her head and continued to look around the room, before her eyes fell upon a small piece of paper nestled between the two small beds. The paper had a drawing of a group of people; she could barely make out the Queen in the picture and she vaguely recognize the smaller figures with her as the group she had spotted in the throne room—she recognized herself in the picture, standing next to the black haired boy that looked a little too much like her—then there was a man. He caught her attention almost instantly…he seemed so familiar and yet…no. She couldn't recognize him no matter how much she tried.

"Ah!" the Queen said with a smile as she noticed Kamui looking at the drawing on the ground. The older woman quickly knelt on one of the beds and picked up the paper. She showed it to Kamui. "This…this drawing…it was…" Mikoto suddenly stopped, shook her head and went on. "You and Katsu drew this a long time ago…it's us…" She pointed delicately at the group and smiled as she brushed a finger over the piece of paper. "…these are your siblings…and your father and brother and…me…"

Kamui said nothing as she stared at the picture again and waited and—

—but nothing.

There was nothing familiar about that picture. No matter how much she looked at it, she didn't see what the Queen was seeing.

She could vaguely recognize the people in the picture as the people she had met in the throne room but she couldn't remember them. From the exception of her 'father', these were all people Kamui had just met today. They were strangers calling her 'sister' or 'daughter'. Her family was back in Nohr and yet…her Father wanted her dead…even if they were telling her the truth she—

"Kamui?"

"Hmm…?"

Mikoto was standing up, holding the drawing close and staring at her with a worried expression. "I know this may be so sudden to you…but…it's all true…" she began, only for Kamui to shake her head.

"…even if you say that…" Kamui began then shook her head. "…I'm sorry…I just can't…sorry…" Mikoto just smiled.

"It's fine...I did say I would be patient, didn't I?" The Queen began to walk out of the room, the drawing in her hands. "Perhaps we can talk tomorrow…when you feel a little better, yes?"

"…if you want to…"

"Ah…I see," Mikoto smiled again. "For now, just spend time here as you please…you can go look around the castle or in the gardens if you wish…this is…your home after all."

Mikoto nodded and then was gone, leaving Kamui alone with her thoughts…but even as she left, Kamui stood there and listened. She could barely make out the crying.

The princess sighed and shook her head sadly.

I'm sorry…she thought, as she looked around the room again and stepped out of the room.

She needed to get out and get some fresh air and think.

The Queen's words proved to be true the moment Kamui stepped outside the palace; the guards bowed and bid her a good day and a few servants had offered to help her in any way, but Kamui just shook her head with a smile and sent them on their way.

She had finally managed to leave the palace behind and make her way to a small clearing; a few soldiers and servants passed her by, offering greetings and the sort that Kamui shyly returned. She was not used to this many people…back home she was only used to Joker and the twins and Lilith and her siblings and…and Gunther.

Kamui let out a small sigh as she made her way towards the small lake in the distance.

She was alone now.

What was she going to do now?

Returning back to Nohr would be impossible now…if the King really wanted her dead, like Ganz had said, then…

Ah…Gunther…what am I going to do…? she thought, placing a hand on her face. These people…the Queen…the Queen thinks I'm her missing child…and…the truth is…there's a part of me that can't deny what she's saying is true…but…I just can't forget Marx and the others…I just…

Still…it could all be a trick…they could be lying…they coul—

"Huh?" Kamui looked up as she heard the faint singing.

She hadn't noticed sensed anyone nearby so where had that singing come from?

Kamui looked away from the lake and then saw her.

The stranger was taller, wearing white robes with an odd headdress on her head. Her long aquamarine hair almost reached the floor but she didn't seem to be bothered by it.

The girl just stood in the small pier and sang. She sang without a care in the world. The melody was soothing and calm and…Kamui couldn't quite put her finger on it, but as the stranger sang it made all her troubles go away and…

She walked towards the stranger; she tried to be as silent as possible but the moment she accidently stepped over a small branch, the stranger stopped her song, gasped and turned.

Both girls stared at each other for a while before Kamui nervously said, "Um…sorry about that…"

The girl just blinked and then nodded.

"Don't be," she said, shaking her head. "I don't mind being interrupted once in a while…I can always sing again…"

"Ah…well…umm…"

"You're Princess Kamui…" Kamui blinked.

"Huh? How do you—?"

"Lady Mikoto always talks about you…and you look a bit like her…" She smiled. "But mostly, you look like Katsu, but with a little bit more hair…so by process of elimination…I assumed it was you."

"…Huh? Katsu?" Ah! Kamui remembered now. Her supposed twin brother that the Queen had mentioned…the one she had met on the throne room.

"He said your reunion was not quite what he was expecting…"

"…I'll say…" Kamui muttered after a moment's pause.

"Lady Mikoto was really happy to see you…the happiest she had been in a while, though," the stranger went on, her smile gone. "You seem upset."

"Upset…?" Kamui began and then shrugged. "I don't know what to feel…"

"Understandable…I suppose," the stranger went on.

"...yes…in a way it is…umm…"

"Aqua... My name is Aqua," the stranger, Aqua, nodded.

"Nice to meet you," the princess said, nodding back. "And…umm…are you a servant as well…? Or…?" Aqua gave her a small smile.

"No…I'm actually a princess, too…"

"Ah! Really? Umm…" Kamui was confused. What did she mean by—

"I'm a princess of Nohr…or I was once…"

Wait…what!?

"Huh!?"

"Funny…usually Katsu's the one with that look," Aqua chuckled in amusement as Kamui just stared.

"That's not funny!"

"I'm sorry," Aqua told her, smiling. "But it's true…I'm a princess of Nohr…"

"…look, if this is a joke, I—"

"The Hoshidans stole me from my home…" Aqua went again, her smile long gone. "They tried everything to get you back…negotiations…threats…yet, the Queen could not get her daughter back…and so…on the cover of night…ninjas carried me away so that I might be exchanged for you."

"…you're…you're kidding…right!?"

"I wish I was…but it's the truth."

Kamui looked to the side, unable to think clearly. This wasn't happening…no…this wasn't…it was a trick…right!? A trick…! It had to be…it had to…but…but this girl…when Kamui looked at her she didn't see a Hoshidan…she was too…she was…her hair…her eyes…if this was a trick…it was a pretty damn good one.

"Look…I know you don't believe me…Katsu told me as much," Aqua said, catching the princess' attention. "But it's the truth…"

"I don't really know what to believe now…"

"And why deny it? You've seen the Queen and Katsu for yourself…at this point you're just denying it because of what they told you back at Nohr…which is…odd…"

"…how would you know what they told me back ho—I mean back in Nohr!?"

"…they lied," Aqua shrugged. "The Hoshidans didn't keep it a secret that I was their prisoner…but the Queen, your mother, took care of me…she would constantly apologize for what they had done to me…but I wasn't upset…the people here are…well…they are good people…most of them…but still…they took care of me…I do not know how they treated you back at—"

"They treated me just fine, thank you!" Kamui cried out, glaring.

"By lying?"

Kamui didn't say anything—she didn't need to justify anything to this girl…this supposed princess of Nohr…she…she was lying…she was…

But she's not…is she…? Kamui thought, as she looked past Aqua towards the lake. If this is a joke...it has to be…right? RIGHT!? Oh, Gods…Gunther…help me…!

"Hey…"

"What do you want now…?"

"I'm sorry about my behavior just now…" Aqua told her. "…I guess I was out of line…but everything I've said is the truth…it makes me wonder why the Nohrians would lie to you…though…"

Kamui was silent for a while; the lake was illuminated by the setting sun. It was so different from back in Nohr…it was always cloudy…the sun barely showered the people with its presence…it was…odd.

"…I've never seen a place like this…this clearing, I mean…"

"…why is that?"

"…back home…in Nohr…I…I was never allowed outside…"

"Ah…I see…"

"This is my first time staring at a lake…and a sunset...at least this up close."

Both girls stood there, watching as the sun disappeared into the mountains in the distance, as the day became night…but still Kamui couldn't stop thinking.

Was it a lie…? Or was it the truth?

What was the truth…? And where was the lie?

She didn't—

"Aqua! Oi! Aqua!"

The two girls turned towards the voice. Kamui recognized him almost immediately.

She had seen the boy in the throne room, in that drawing…in her reflection back at Nohr.

Katsu.

The name felt foreign in her tongue but her name was no different to his, now that she thought about it. They were so different and yet so alike that it hurt her.

"Oh…hi…hi, Kamui," the boy, Katsu, replied, finally noticing her.

Kamui just stood there and observed him.

He looked exactly like her, safe for a few things. He wasn't a woman for one and his hair wasn't as long…or as white as hers. He didn't have the ears or the red eyes that Kamui was so familiar with whenever she would look at her reflection in the mirror but she could see the black hair and brown eyes that belonged to the Queen.

They stood there in silence before Aqua coughed and said, "We should be getting back to the palace…perhaps we can continue our talk later…right, Kamui?"

Kamui blinked and nodded towards Aqua, before looking back at Katsu. She smiled.

"Yeah…I'll like that."