Yeah this chapter ain't so exciting after that initial bit, but it has some stuff that needs covered. There's at least two little Leokumi interactions here so...yay? The Leokumi starts en force next chapter, I swear on my 3DS. I just...needed to get all the setup shit out of the way.

I am so sorry it takes over 15k to get there.

"Leo!"

Camilla's call made the prince stop mid-attack and he reined Aylenan around, an arrow fletching kissing his ear. The horse whinnied and he squeezed her sides, urging her into a gallop. It was rare for Camilla to call to him like this so why…?

His heart stopped in his chest when he saw Cami standing in the middle of the field, gripping the reins of a true white pegasus in her hand. Ryoma made a gesture to the Hoshidan forces in the immediate area to hold their fire as did Xander, though the battle still raged outside of the bubble, though the sounds didn't reach Leo's ears. He saw Cami shake, her head darting back and forth between both sets of royal siblings and he exchanged glances with Camilla, Xander, and Elise. They had all known this day would come due to what Arete had said, but it still hadn't prepared them for what Cami would almost no doubt choose.

After a moment, Camilla dismounted Marzia and strode forward, folding her arms. "...Cami, do whatever you feel in your heart is right. We won't blame you if you leave us. We deceived and lied to you for over a decade. Plus, after what Garon did to you, I don't think any of us would blame you." She kept her tone even, but Leo saw her shift her weight back a little—the tell that she didn't fully agree with what she said.

"K-Kaneecha…" Cami's voice wavered as she backed into the pegasus, seeking some sort of solace. Leo's throat tightened as he looked at the Hoshidan royals, then his eyes darting to Elise. She quivered, gripping her staff tightly.

"If you wish to return to the people that raised you, then go ahead." Ryoma's grip on Raijinto slackened a little and he backed away a few steps. Even over the din of the skirmishes, Leo managed to hear Cami let out a sound of distress. She remained motionless, her grip on the reins tightening. He saw Ryoma shift a little and his eyes darted to Xander, though he said nothing more and Leo just furrowed his brows.

After several more moments of pure stillness, Leo heard Elise let out a soft exclamation in Garoux, then she strolled forward. Her purple eyes blazed as she looked at both sets of siblings. "Just join forces for the gods' sakes! I know you—" She pointed at Ryoma. "—want to protect him—" She jabbed her thumb at Xander. "— so just get off your damned high horses, embrace your friendship, and be done with it. There's a bigger threat here than either Nohr or Hoshido and I'll be damned if I let Mama Arete, Mama Katerina, and Aunt Eirene's sacrifices be in vain!" The air clouded and Leo felt he could cut the air with his rapier.

Everything remained tense as Xander and Ryoma looked at each other, then the Hoshidan crown prince cast his gaze to Camilla and nodded. "You know how I don't want to do anything to harm your family, Camilla. We can protect you and the rest of your siblings." Leo just furrowed his brows. Even as for as desperate as they were to dispose of Garon, surely she wouldn't—

"Honestly, it's about time you made the offer, Ryoma. I was starting to think you'd never have the backbone to." She rolled her eyes and Ryoma just ignored the comment as he strode over to Xander. His elder brother nodded and reined his horse around.

"Nohrian soldiers, the Hoshidans are no longer our enemy!" Xander's voice rang loud and true over the battlefield, though it didn't reach every ear. Leo put his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle. Just a heartbeat later, Lilyana touched down next to him and he mounted. Taking to the air, he caught Xander's eye and nodded before Xander continued his speech with Leo repeating everything word for word.

"We face an enemy much greater than ourselves. The time has come for us to stop living in the shadow of fear under the tyrant that calls himself king. We will cower no longer! I, Prince Xander Naess, in agreement with Princess Camilla Naess, have joined with the Hoshidan army. Prince Ryoma Seiwa promises no harm will come to any Nohrian soldiers that join us in our fight. Any that stand with Garon will be seen as the enemy and treated accordingly, however."

By the time Leo finished repeating Xander's words, he doubled over in a coughing fit, tears rolling. Fire scorched every inch of his throat and he struggled to hold onto Aylenan's mane. Normal speech caused needles, but yelling forced him to to swallow lit napalm.

He felt himself slip from her back and her shrill whinny rang in his ears. He squeezed his eyes together, waiting to hit the ground, but instead, his descent slowed and a felt of arms caught him. Blinking, Leo saw Takumi glaring down at him, but the Hoshidan's grip held tight.

Start squirming and I'll paralyse you again. Leo just stared up at Takumi, wide eyed as he used Nohrian Coded Sign Language. What…? How did he…? Only the Nohrian royal family and those close to them should—

Then again, Xander and Ryoma seemed to know each other quite well if their reactions were anything to go off…

But why?

And how?

Leo just gave a meek nod as he sat still as best he could, though he kept coughing. He froze when he felt Takumi put a hand on the front of his neck, but relaxed when he felt healing magic soothe some of the flames.

Why?

Whenever he was sick, Takumi did what he could to help ease Leo's suffering if even for a moment. Between all the times Takumi had used his ice magic to cool his fevers, healing magic to close wounds until he could get to Elise and now this…

"Tch." The Hoshidan prince just let out a sound of disapproval.

Ryoma would have my hide if I let you get hurt. Plus, we're allies now. I'd rather not have Camilla split me in two with that axe of hers.

Takumi's pegasus touched down and René ran over, water skin already out. Leo dismounted and coughed again, the fire blazing through his throat anew. "Easy, Prince Leo." The archer's deep voice managed to get him to focus long enough to sip from the waterskin. For once, he welcomed the bitter mixture, though René forced him to take slow, small sips. It put out the fire in his throat, though residual pinpricks remained. It was far better than previous at any rate.

René tucked the waterskin back into one of the pockets in his cape and Leo turned to Takumi, his eyebrows shooting up. He stroked Lilyana's nose and spoke to her in Nohrian, though Leo couldn't make out the exact words. Black pegasi were unruly and hard to handle at best, but when they were so bonded as Leo and Lilyana, it was nearly unheard of for them to tolerate anybody else handling them. She tolerated behind handled by his siblings and their retainers, but anybody else? He was lucky if it didn't end up in blood being drawn.

René cleared his throat and Takumi's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing a little. Leo folded his hands behind his back, straightening to the best of his ability. He withdrew one and placed it on his chest, beginning to tap out his message. Thank you very much for your assistance, Prince Takumi. I owe you a great debt for all of the times you and your family protected me from Hoshidan forces when I've taken ill. Leo knew the cold, hard mask he projected to so many wouldn't work on Takumi as the other prince seemed to see straight through him, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't try.

Takumi just rolled his eyes and thrust Lilyana's reins back into Leo's hand, staggering back a little bit from the force. "I'd just rather not have Camilla cleave me in two like she's done with some of my friends." Leo shrunk under the harsh gaze and into René, honestly grateful for the fact the other prince mounted and took off a moment later.

René wrapped an arm around Leo and he looked up at his retainer. His gaze followed Takumi for a moment before he looked down at Leo. "We should go report to Princess Camilla and see where we stand in all of this." Leo nodded his agreement and straightened up, petting Lilyana's nose. With them joining the Hoshidans, leo really didn't have any idea of his position any longer. He'd been Nohr's chief tactician since the age of nine, but with how Ryoma was, he would likely take over command of much of the army. He shivered at the thought of meeting the ferocious crown prince, but he squared his shoulders, gripping Lilyana's reins as he strode across the field and over to Xander, Camilla, Ryoma, and Hinoka. He fought the urge to press into his big sister in the presence of the ferocious Hoshidan royals when his head barely came to Ryoma's shoulder.

He froze when both prince and princess reached into their uniforms, though blinked a moment later when they withdrew small books. Ryoma motioned for Leo to open his palm and he did so and they both placed a few pressed flower petals in his hand. A yellow rose petal from the prince and ones from an amaryllis, elderflower, phlox, and verbena from the princess. Friendship, then shyness, compassion, harmony, and cooperation…? He furrowed his brows and looked back up at them, not sure what to make of the messages. They were versed in Nohrian floriography, not just hanakotoba…

A small blush came to Hinoka's face as she scratched her cheek. "Sorry for all the nasty comments I slung your way during battles, Leo. I really don't think you or your siblings are scum… If anything, I should be thanking you for keeping Cami company and raising her in our absence… But everything I said was just the heat of battle, y'know?" Her blush grew and she rubbed the back of her neck. "Since we're allies now, maybe we can be friends? If nothing else, I hope we can get along." Leo just stared in disbelief for several moments until he nodded and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Anyway, I gotta go help take care of the wounded!" She hustled away and took off on her pegasus, leaving the royal quartet alone.

Ryoma turned to face Leo and he swallowed but the giant knelt down to his level. "I'm sure you're anxious to learn what your position will be now that we've joined forces." He gave a gentle smile and Leo nodded a bit, his gaze flicking to Camilla. She just gave him a reassuring nod, so he turned his attention back to Ryoma. "Camilla told me you'd be worried about your position as Nohr's chief tactician. It won't change at all, but I was thinking of appointing Takumi to help take the strain off you." Leo's eyes widened and he backed up half a step, shaking his head. He'd seen glimmers of begrudging kindness from the other prince, but working with him so closely? He wasn't sure he'd even survive a single session, let alone the entire war.

"...I'll have Hinoka help then, but given he's commander of our most elite Sky Knight unit, you'll have to discuss tactics with him at some point. He's not as bad as he makes himself out to be." Leo's gaze flickered to Ryoma and he brought Brynhildr across his chest, shaking. He really didn't believe Ryoma's claim due to just how poorly Takumi had treated him.

You're so useless.

Nothing but a burden.

Absolutely worthless.

Why don't you just stay off the damned battlefield if you're going to have us protect you?

Tears bit at the corners of Leo's eyes as he remembered the knives Takumi twisted into his heart whenever he had been forced to protect him.

He blinked them back but nodded, keeping Brynhildr pressed against his chest. The Snow Wings were Hoshido's trump card and would likely prove invaluable in the fight against Garon and their wider foe. He really had no choice in the matter, so it was best to just accept the reality for what it was.

Ryoma stood up and walked back over to Camilla and Xander, though Leo fidgeted with Brynhildr and Camilla looked over. "What's wrong, dear?" He looked down and away before taking a breath.

Prince Takumi… He used Nohrian Coded Sign Language when he caught me earlier. How does he know it? There really was no point in hiding it. He had to know why the prince, so famed for his hatred of Nohrians, knew something that, logically, only the Nohrian royal family should.

Plus, he's always said Prince Ryoma would tear him apart if anything happened to me. What's going on…?

Ryoma and Xander exchanged glances. Ryoma sighed and rubbed both temples with one hand before giving Xander a look. Even without words, Leo could tell he meant 'you haven't told him?' Xander just ducked his head a bit before shaking it. His older brother let out a sigh before shaking his head.

"We have to get the new camp set up." Leo sighed and his shoulders dropped a bit as he nodded. It was a legitimate point. It was well past midday and they needed to combine the Nohrian and Hoshidan camps.

Over the next several hours, they did just that. The Hoshidans moved in right next to the Nohrian forces. Leo felt like he walked through a stagnant forest on a muggy summer day due to the tensions from both sides, but there wasn't much that could be done about it. He was just glad to get out of his armor—light leather though it was—and headed out to the war tent where Elise of all people had called them together. A quick glance around revealed Ryoma, Hinoka, Cami, and Takumi along with his siblings and…

"Aqua?!"

The woman's head snapped up and he coughed, his whole body shaking. Embers tore through his throat again and she walked over, putting a hand on his neck. The embers gave way to a soothing sensation and he smiled at her, getting one in return. He'd only been three when she'd been kidnapped by Mikoto, but he could still remember glimpses of her face through fever-addled blackouts.

"...It's been Reiko for quite some time now, but it's good to see you again. I'm glad to see Mother helped you pull through everything." A hint of sadness entered her eyes at the mention of Arete, but she hugged him regardless and he returned it. He couldn't really blame her since he, Camilla, and Xander had gotten more attention from Arete then she had.

What are you doing here? I've never seen you on the battlefield before now so— He followed her gaze toward Elise and he furrowed his brows. Elise had only been one when Reiko had been kidnapped so what…?

Reiko let go of Leo and walked toward the front of the tent. Elise had her arms folded, brows drawn together tightly. After a moment, though, the little girl took a deep breath before beginning her speech.

"I would like to apologise for my uncharacteristic explosion during the battle earlier, but I needed to ensure we joined forces. As I mentioned then, there's a common enemy we face. It's a greater threat than even Garon but, unfortunately, I can't tell you what it is until either we defeat him or your individual divine weapons deem you able to carry the burden. Reiko and I know the truth of everything like King Sumeragi, Mama Katerina, Mama Arete, and Aunt Eirene before us." The Hoshidan siblings, then Xander, Ryoma, and Camilla exchanged glances. He shot a look at Cami who reflected just as helpless as he felt. Whatever this secret and hidden enemy were had led Queen Katerina and King Sumeragi knowing each other somehow. Leo had known she'd spent a lot of time in her youth in Hoshido due to the extensive knowledge of the country's language and songbooks she had but…

Elise then turned her attention to Reiko and Cami, casting a quick side look at Hinoka. "Princess Hinoka, I need you and Reiko to escort Cami to the Sevenfold Sanctuary in Notre Sagesse." Hinoka's eyes flew open and she looked at Elise like she'd grown a second head.

"You want me to take my completely green sister through one of the most dangerous challenges known to man?! Xander, otou-sama, Queen Katerina, and Queen Arete might have made it through but you expect Cami to—"

"Do you really not have that much faith in my abilities, Koneesa?" Cami's voice barely carried above Hinoka's and her gaze drifted down. Hinoka looked like she'd just jumped out of her skin. It was strange to see the feared warrior princess so rattled.

Hinoka's hands came up and she shook them back and forth frantically along with her head. "I-I didn't mean it like that, Cami! I just—" She smacked her forehead and took a breath, no doubt trying to calm herself. "What I meant was that only four people have ever made it through for a reason. The enemies there are stronger and more experienced than probably me, Ryoma, and Takumi combined could handle." The aforementioned prince glowered and folded his arms. "Just from the tales otou-sama told me and Ryoma… It won't be easy especially with just the three of us."

"Perhaps the Snow Wings can spare a couple of members to assist?" Elise's gaze fell on Takumi who gave an exasperated sigh.

"Fine. Choose whoever you want." Gods, he was acting like such a spoiled child. How was he one of Hoshido's premier minds and warriors? The silver-haired prince huffed and looked away. Leo just shook his head and looked back to Elise.

"Xander, Prince Ryoma, until further notice, I'll be your consulting general." Ryoma's head snapped up and gave several small shakes as though lightning had just struck him.

"Princess Elise, I realise you have knowledge we don't but—"

"I said until further notice. Berand, Xander's great-grandfather, is already on his way. Aunt Eirene contacted and told him about what was approaching. He has more practical experience with our enemy than I do, so he'll be more effective than I am in the long run. But for the short term, my knowledge will suffice." Elise's tone left no room for argument and Ryoma fell silent.

Even Leo had to admit he was impressed. He knew Elise could handle herself in political negotiations (if her relations with the Wolfskin, Ice Tribe, and Darkness Tribes were anything to go off), but this was an entire level he didn't know existed in her grasp. To silence the crown prince of Hoshido when it was something even Camilla in all her ruthlessness struggled with…

Leo shook his head and left the tent, able to sense the clear dismissal. Hinoka jogged out and disappeared while Cami simply wandered out, lost in the war camp. He smiled at her, inviting to walk with him, but she shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I normally would, but…"

It's all right; I understand. He gave her a warm smile and she managed a small one in return. We brought your pegasus just in case we ran into you. She's with the rest of the Dark Falcons' mounts.

"Thanks." She gave a small bow before heading off to fetch her mount.

It left Leo alone and he sighed, looking around. He knew he should probably go do war prep for any upcoming battles but the chances of large-scale ones were minor. Garon might have the generals' loyalty, but Xander had the common soldier. They'd no doubt be getting more joining their ranks on the march against Garon, so it honestly left Leo with very little to do even as chief tactician.

Shrugging, he headed into the Hoshidan side of camp. He did his best to ignore the hard stares from the soldiers, but relief flooded over him when he saw René and Marius flank him from out of the shadows.

"Did you really think we'd let you wander into enemy territory without protection, Prince Leo? Only the gods know what would happen if we did." Marius' words held an edge Leo didn't quite understand, but he was grateful to his retainer anyway. René remained silent, arms folded as his single eye scanned the crowd.

It didn't take too long after that to find where the Hoshidan pegasi grazed. His eyes lit up and he slowed his approach. A rainbow of colors and markings moved around him and he smiled. The sheer variety in Hoshidan pegasi astounded him. Nohr had only the unruly black ones the Dark Falcons rode and, even then, they were limited to the unit for the most part. Keeping domestic stock of the long-lived animals put too much strain on the resource-poor nation, so one could only join the ranks if they managed to tame one.

A soft song caught Leo's attention and snapped him out of his childlike stupor. His ears strained to make out the words, but the soft voice shook, so he couldn't make anything out. He followed the source and froze when he saw Takumi. The animals flocked around him as if entranced by the song. Even the fallicorns—notoriously more picky than Nohrian blacks—gathered around him, bumping their noses into his shoulders and hands. He glimpsed a few kinshi on the outskirts of the herd as well.

Leo had never seen anything like it before. Sure, Elise could take a wild wyvern with no trouble and he'd seen Berand get any Nohrian black to cooperate with him, but to draw them in through song?

He'd never seen or read about the effect even in all of Queen Katerina's magical songbooks.

A fallicorn butted its nose into Leo and he stumbled forward, almost bowling Takumi over in the process. He heard the other prince let out an exclamation of surprise and Leo scrabbled back, eyes wide and face devoid of all color. He prepared for Takumi's scorn, but received a good-natured eye roll and smile in response.

"Geeze, you sure are clumsy." Leo simply blinked and stared as he shook. Where was the anger? Was he delaying it? Why? What game was he playing? Was it just like Garon when he didn't punish him one time just so he could double down the next—

The same fallicorn bumped into his shoulder again, though just enough to get his attention. He swallowed, raising a shaking hand before patting between its eyes. Takumi let out a soft whistle and Leo jumped into its neck.

"I've never seen Sayaka go up to anybody but Keiko before. Even my songs have no effect on her. You have a gift for them too." Leo hazarded a glance at the Hoshidan prince. The warm smile looked far too genuine to be fake. His shoulders sloped at a relaxed angle and he saw nothing in his posture that hinted at hidden or mal intents. Was this...really the same man that had berated him so many times in the past?

Leo gave a slow nod as he returned Brynhildr to its concealed form, clipping it to his collar. He then started tapping the toe of his boot into the ground. (With all of the pegasi milling about, maintaining visual contact was a little difficult.)

Yeah. I've always had a special gift with them. Ever since my first interaction with them at four, they took a liking to me. Leo tapped slowly and deliberately, choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to say something that Takumi might be able to use against him in the future after this encounter entered. The pleasantness never lasted too long.

"I've had a special bond with them since I was three. I remember okaa-chan taking me out to the pasture and then going up in the air bareback. It's probably why I prefer riding without a saddle when reasonable." His smile brightened further and Leo blinked. Compared to his siblings, he couldn't read people anywhere near as well as them, but he might have been wrong. He swallowed and shifted before tapping his boot against the ground again.

I should go. I need to do some equipment checks for the Dark Falcons in case of a surprise battle. It was a lie, but he didn't want to risk Takumi's anger.

"All right. Have a nice evening." The warm smile remained and Leo darted off.

Was Takumi actually that nice? Ryoma had said he wasn't as bad as he seemed on the surface. When combined with the prior flashes he'd seen, maybe he had been telling the truth...or maybe he was just fooling himself and looking for kindness where there was none.

Only time would tell.