Kamui was sipping her tea when Kaze slipped into her room. Well, not her room, but rather the one she had picked in the guest wing – she hadn't wanted to stay in her former room for two reasons. One, it was safer with her siblings and their retainers around, and two, she didn't want to upset the Hoshidans. But, if she was being completely honest, there was a third reason she hadn't told anyone about – her last memory of that room was visiting it alongside her mother, and Kamui wasn't sure she was strong enough to face that particular memory.

"You look like you've been having a rough night, princess", the ninja observed after having bowed to her.

"Yeah", Kamui sighed. "Had some pretty awful dreams."

"Your sister did, too."

"My sister? Which o- oh. You mean Sakura", she said with a sigh when she finally caught on.

"Indeed. My apologies if that was too vague."

"What happened?"

"I heard someone screaming and went to investigate – I found her wandering the gardens by herself."

"Do you know what she dreamt about?"

"I'm afraid not. I was worried about her being by herself, and she got angry – understandably so, of course. She also told me she's going to look for a temporary replacement for her retainers."

"That's good to hear – I was afraid she'd reject all of our suggestions just out of spite, or mistrust. Though it is hard to imagine an angry Sakura, truth be told."

"I was quite surprised myself. I've never seen this side of her, and I've been working for the royal family for many years. Then again, trauma does sometimes cause severe changes in personality. I should have prepared myself for this possibility."

"Did she say anything else?"

Kaze closed his eyes.

"She called me a traitor, and demanded to know why I did it – why I betrayed Hoshido. The thing is, Nohr was in the wrong – there was no justification for the invasion, and I know that. And I'm pretty sure she knows that I know. I tried to explain my reasons, and assure her that I had never meant any harm to befall her, or her family – she asked me if I killed Saizo."

"Your brother? I had heard that he was there when we fought against Ryoma – do you know who killed him?"

"No."

"Would you like to know?"

"No. I know someone did it, but I think it's better for me not to know – I'm not sure how I would react. It's better if I don't let this come between myself and my comrades."

"I see. I'll let the others know – though I am impressed everyone actually had the sense not to volunteer this information."

"Heh."

"I'll have to talk to her", Kamui said, more to herself than to Kaze. "Face her. We did speak yesterday, but – not about what happened."

"I believe you both need some kind of closure. Though I imagine it won't be easy."

"Yeah, I think so, too."

Kamui put the cup down and shifted on her cushion – she really didn't like sitting like this.

"Kaze, I know this is kinda sudden, but – I've decided to make both you and Silas my retainers. I've spoken with Xander, and he agreed with my decision."

Kaze blinked, totally taken aback, before he managed to find his voice again.

"That is – I am honoured, no doubt, but – are you certain? I mean, I can totally understand about Silas, but – me?"

"For crying out loud, Kaze, stop putting yourself down!", Kamui exclaimed, scrambling to her feet and approaching the ninja. "You're a very capable fighter, loyal, and a good person. What more could I possibly ask for? Besides, I doubt you could just leave the army and live a normal life – the Hoshidans probably won't accept you back, and the Nohrians might be wary of you. And having you serve as a regular would be a total waste of your talents."

"It would seem that you are not to be swayed", Kaze replied. "Very well, then. I accept this position – I swear that I will serve you to the best of my ability."

Kamui allowed herself a slight smile.

"I'm counting on it."


A/N:

I've always felt that Silas and Kaze should be Kamui's retainers, given their loyalty and devotion to her. And, with the war now over, she has the time to actually think about this kind of thing.