Review Time:

ThePizzaLovingTurtle - Dunno if I'll make Before Awakening a whole chapter, but I'm looking forward to writing it. Luckily if there's one thing an Anna knows, it's not to play around too much with time travel.

P.T Piranha - Wish granted! Also it's funny, this story is the "lightest" of the three I'm currently writing, and while I love comedic stories, it takes an impressive mind to through in serious moments and not have it dry up the silliness. I hope to keep this balance.

robotortoise - Not a problem :) Considering that there's tons of Spongebob/Fire Emblem memes, expect more references...hehehehe...

Chapter 11 – Heads or Tails

"There's no way Miss Anna can handle this…."

The ninjas had brought the party to a cavern just outside Kotaro's castle, with Mozu, Reina, and Izana still restrained. Their carts and horses, unfortunately, were left at said castle with Zola.

Kotaro had led them through the cavern, where they reached a chamber with four pathways. He gave the order for the ninjas to release Anna's restraints.

"Phew! Thanks boys, my wrists were starting to become red….so! What's the game, Kotaro?"

The daimyo gave her a glare for ignoring the title.

"You and I….will traverse down two paths. This cavern is interconnected, so the winner will be whoever comes back from one of the other two paths."

"A race, you mean?"

Kotaro grinned. "It's not so simple, merchant."

"Hmph. Well, I'm not the fastest around, but my sisters and I certainly know how to get away from things!"

"Heh…."

"But wait a minute…." Anna pouted. "You're more familiar with this cavern then I am. You have an unfair advantage!"

"So what? This is MY land."

"Can I get a ten second head start?"

Oh, this will be more fun then I'd thought it'd be. If she's this desperate, she won't last a second in this maze.

"Actually…..I'll give you five minutes," Kotaro offered, earning wide eyed stares from his fellow ninjas. Mozu and the others looked surprised as well.

"Five minutes? You might as well declare me the winner right now!" Anna boasted.

"Save the showboating for the end, merchant. See those flags?"

Anna looked. Red, blue, yellow, and green adored the entrances to the four paths.

"It goes without saying but….you can't just come out the way you come in, that'd be cheating. You pick one colored road, you come out from another."

"Same to you, then! And I have three witnesses if YOU decide to cheat!"

"Oh don't worry. I always play fair."

Geez he's obviously lying, but why is he such a jerk? Oh well….if I can win, we can get the heck out of this place!

Anna removed her bag and began to stretch.

"Miss Anna, this might be too difficult…..how can you beat a ninja in a race?"

"Please Mozu, speed isn't everything! All you need is a cunning mind!"

"Don't worry, Anna! I predict you'll win handily! And I'm NEVER wrong in my predictions!"

Reina sighed. "But Lord Izana, your crystal ball is in the cart….."

"Stop stalling, merchant," Kotaro commanded. "Your five minutes begins now. Good luck." He flashed his teeth again, but Anna just scoffed.

"You'll need it more than me, pal!"

So the merchant dashed down the red-marked hole, leaving the daimyo to cross his arms. One of his ninjas spoke up in a whisper.

"Sir…..why wait?"

"Because! Even if she gets 100 minutes to lead, she will not last in the maze. Hehehehe…."

"What is this….?"

Flora smiled at her prepared snack for Corrin: a blueberry muffin. She set the tray down.

"Muffin, milord. I got the recipe from the kitchen back in the castle. I do hope you enjoy it."

"Oh…..well, it smells good enough," Corrin noted.

The ice maid nodded, and with a bow, she stepped out of the training chamber. She didn't get very fall before she found Jakob and Felicia, with their own prepared snack – crepes.

"S-Sister! Are you okay….?"

"Felicia? I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Hm, she and the old man were a bit concerned about your behavior earlier. Everything is fine, I can see."

"W-What? Jakob!"

Flora gave a playful smile, rubbing her sister's hair. "Everything is fine, Felicia. Don't worry about a thing. Okay?"

"Well…..okay."

She watched the two walk into the chamber, and before she walked on, she heard the amazement in Corrin's voice.

"Wow! This smells so good….!"

Oh…..he doesn't like mine as much…that's o-okay. Jakob's a better cook then I'll ever be. Even though….I worked hard on it….

Jealousy and insecurity weren't limited to her own sister.

XXXXXX

Flora stepped outside and sighed deeply. If she let her thoughts consume her, it would be the death of her. Maybe she just needed to focus on her maid work, as Gunter said.

And yet….

Her grey eyes drifted to the sight of the mountains. She hadn't seen her father in a long time….one quick visit to her village, wouldn't hurt right?

She looked around before sighing again. Flora ran down the dirt path and took the detour through the trees.

Hopefully Felicia and Jakob won't come looking for me…!

Anna was keeping a brisk pace through the cavern, turning corners and jumping over small holes and gaps in the ground. Everything seemed fine…

"Well! This isn't so bad. Hmmhmmmhmhm~"

She continued to hum, pausing when she reached a fork in the path. Two symbols on the walls were painted on, but she had no idea how to read them.

"Uhhh…..eenie meanie miney moe, catch a loan by its…this way!"

She took the left path.

Azura managed to finally slip away from the castle to head over to Mozu's village, where some castle guards were willing to escort her via horseback. When she arrived, she spotted Matsuko watering some flowers.

"Excuse me."

"Hmm? Oh L-Lady Azura! Golly, comin' to a small village like this one….what can I do for you?"

"You're Mozu's mother, right? I was the one that put the note."

"Indeed I am! Wait…..the note?"

"Yes, I told Mozu that Anna would be coming back when she had found her bag. And I have news."

Matsuko blinked before setting her watering can down. Azura took out a signed piece of paper and passed it over.

"What's this….?"

Azura smiled. "A contract. Your daughter has managed to secure the interest of Archduke Izana of Izumo. Your village will grow crops to sell to him."

"What?! You're pulling my leg, Lady Azura."

"Pull…..a leg?" the princess blinked. "I haven't heard that expression before….."

"…."

"Mozu also wanted me to get you something special."

Azura reached into her pocket and pulled out the necklace.

"Oh…..that's for me….?"

"Yes. I also have the share of the profit Mozu sent back. Luckily, this didn't take all of her share."

Matsuko took the necklace. "Dear me, it's beautiful…..it reminds me of the one that Genji gave me before he proposed to me."

"Was….that your husband?"

"Yes, ma'am. Wait a minute…..this IS the one! We had to sell it when….."

"…?"

"….when our farm was struggling when Mozu was born….." Matsuko pulled the necklace to her chest. "Oh….my sweet Mozume…."

Azura realized she was tearing up slightly at the sight. The image of an overjoyed mother…..was something that alluded her for so long.

Mother…

Then she realized something.

"Matsuko…..can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly."

Azura looked to the woman's abode. "Anna came to your farm with a bag, right? How on earth did she have enough gold to buy your village?"

"Oh, that? She had some rare crystals! Sold them to the jeweler in town….I reckon that's where Mozu saw the necklace…."

Crystals…?

Then Azura's eyes widened. There was only one place where Anna could've found crystals to….amass that much gold. (the exact number still being a mystery to her)

Valla.

Eventually Anna reached an empty room with lit torches on each side.

"Hmm….this looks normal….."

But when she took one step, dozens of shuriken and kunai fired out of the walls, all from different angles. In a panic, Anna flailed wildly and fell to the ground, barely dodging each one, save for one – a shuriken that cut her forehead.

"What the…..helll….."

Then the fact was clear.

That bastard! He's rigged this whole place! He's trying to KILL me!

Anna scowled and yanked the shuriken out. Cautiously, she stood up and took another step, but to her relief, nothing else happened. She looked to the right wall.

So….THAT's how you want to play it, dienow? How can I outfox him….?

She ran towards the next room, her lips contorting into a smirk.

He's expecting me to get hurt….

Kotaro chuckled evilly as he stepped away from the wall. His ears caught the release of the shurikens and kunai, so that meant the merchant was skewered.

Idiotic girl…..do you really think I'd let you win so easily…..

All of the routes were rigged with traps, but they were of the same length. Kotaro was smart and skilled enough to dodge any traps set up (his ninjas rigged the cavern earlier)

He dashed forward at a speed befitting of a ninja. By the time she gets to the end, she'll already be dead….

Kotaro grinned when he heard Anna's moans of pain.

Anna chuckled and stepped away from the wall, continuing her dash. Kotaro's guard would be lowered if he thought she was terribly injured. She didn't know where he was, so she pulled out the "moans of a maiden" trick on either wall.

Eventually, she reached a room with a single pit of water, and much to her shock/amazement, the ninjas had placed an actual shark in the water.

A shark.

That ate people.

Okay, he's got WAY too much free time on his hands!

Anna looked up. A rope was attached to the ceiling, and a ninja would have enough skill to climb/cling to the wall to grab up. She had no such luxury.

What she DID have was the shuriken from before, tipped with her own blood.

Hmm…..

The shark swam around. Without the rope, swimming to the other side was the only way to advance. So Anna took off her cloak, and rubbed it with the bloodied shuriken.

You owe me 500 gold for this, you bastard!

She threw the cloak into the water, attracting the shark's attention immediately. Luckily, the cloak wasn't paper thin, so that gave Anna some time. She dove into the water and kicked off the wall.

Sisters, look at me! Evading DEATH traps from a ninja! I think I've earned some benefits for doing this!

Then her eyes widened.

MY GOLD!

The shark had devoured the cloak, but when it finally turned around, Anna had finally reached the other side, panting. She screamed incredibly loudly.

Anna's scream echoed across the walls of the cavern, making Kotaro almost burst out laughing in pure sadistic glee.

So….she found the shark room? Hahaha….I'm amazed if there'll be anything left of that merchant!

But the scream was not from a shark bite….but rather, the knowledge that 500,000+ gold was back at his castle.

Meanwhile, Kaze was jumping through the trees with two samurai commanded to follow him. He looked down at the three oni savages that had accompanied them.

One of them was the daughter to the Fire Tribe's chief, Rinkah. She was a muscular and proud woman with tan, toned skin and white hair. On her face were four lines of red, matching her eyes.

"Um….Miss Rinkah?"

She ignored Kaze.

"Miss Rinkah?"

"I told you to stop calling me that, ninja. I'm not some dainty lady," Rinkah called up.

Kaze jumped down in front of the fiery woman, bowing slightly.

"My apologies. We're about to reach the Nohrian side of the border shortly. You haven't been this far from your village, correct?"

"No. Our village prides itself on our isolation. Which is why I wonder why you're trying to talk to me. I'm just following Father's orders, and nothing more."

Kaze looked ahead. "We must be careful from this point forward. Getting caught will not bode well for any of us."

"Ha! If any Nohrian gets in our way, I'll be the first to deal with them," Rinkah boasted, holding up her club for emphasis. "A warrior doesn't run from a battle!"

"…."

"Speechless, ninja?"

"Sometimes, running from a battle is the smarter thing to do," Kaze replied. He was so young when it happened, but he vividly remembered the incident at Cheve. He would not repeat his mistakes.

"Tch," Rinkah's look of disgust was evident, so she motioned for her fellow onis to move on.

"By the way…..my name is Kaze. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The fire princess just snorted.

Now soaked and angry, Anna was calculating her next move.

How do I even know that bastard didn't lock my money up in a safe or something? And I can't just call Reina to do anything…..

She stepped on a tile that fired a spear at her, but she ducked in time.

"That was clo…..I mean, GAH! THAT ALMOST TOOK MY HEAD OFF!" she squealed. She couldn't ruin the trick now, but maybe she had to mix it up. How sadistic was this guy, really?

Anna wrung the water out of her hair and looked to where the spear had fired. A small beam of light entered through its impact site, and from that, the merchant saw the rocked wall was cracked slightly.

Hmmm….

She stepped forward and yanked the spear out, peeking through the hole. Anna grinned when she saw the back of Kotaro's castle. So she did the only logical thing and began to break the wall up.

"Do you think she's okay?" Mozu asked in concern.

"I'm sure of it, Mozu. Anna is resourceful," Reina replied.

"Ha! She's not going to survive a second in that maze," a ninja said. "Lord Kotaro is much more skilled and faster than she is! You might as well forfeit right now."

"Well, we're not going to do that!" Izana declared. "Just so you know, all of you are banned from my next birthday party."

The ninjas all shared a smirk.

"I don't think any of you realize the consequences of losing this. Lord Kotaro could easily give us the order to kill you."

"Why?" Mozu asked, more angry than she was scared. "Your daimyo is playing around with us, isn't he? We've done nothing wrong to any of you!"

"Why go around with gold and crops?" A master ninja asked, evenly.

Oh no, Miss Anna's gold! "Because we need them for our quest. They're….still at the castle? You all didn't….do anything?"

The ninjas all frowned.

"We do nothing unless Lord Kotaro commands it."

"Geez, are you guys joined at the hip?" Izana shook his head. "The previous daimyo was a lot more joyful…."

"Hahaha….Lord Kenzuki? He was Lord Kotaro's father."

Was?

Mozu, Reina, and Izana all looked at each other. If he was sending Anna into peril and if his ninjas were saying he could kill them with ease….then there had to be only one way Kotaro came into power.

But that wasn't the only father death he was responsible for.

Saizo was sitting in a tree, watching the people pass by on the road. It was the same tree Kagero was staking out on the rainy day where Mozu met Anna.

"….."

"There you are. It's time for instruction of the new recruits to the Hoshidan army."

His partner had appeared behind him.

"Together? You always disagree with my approaches."

Kagero sighed. "Actually, Saizo, I'm going to take over the task. You're far too merciless in your approach. Remember what you said to the new castle guards?"

"They should be prepared to die for our liege," he grunted back.

"As the old saying goes, when one waters the plants…..they shouldn't drown the roots."

"Tch. A warrior is ready to give up anything, Kagero."

The dark-haired ninja fought the urge to sigh again. Her partner had a habit of being as stubborn as a bull.

"Did you need something of me, or were you just making a proclamation?"

"Lord Ryoma wanted me to disclose his next intentions moving forward. Part of your brother's objective is to hopefully find the Nohrian rebels located in Cheve, and coordinate an alliance."

Saizo turned around, his working eye narrowed. "Working with Nohrians? Are you mad?"

"Are you disagreeing with our prince's intentions, Saizo?"

"…of course not. I'm just being cautious. And I'm not sure if my brother has what it takes to do something of that caliber. I thought it was simple recon."

Kagero fell silent. Ryoma had picked Kaze because he had compassion and understanding, and that would help in diplomatic affairs. Saizo would be the worst choice for the task, for he lacked that.

"All the same, I appreciate the update." The fifth Saizo turned back and looked down. "Carry on."

"Mm."

She jumped away, but not before giving a lingering glance at her ex-lover. For a reason she didn't know, she knew something was troubling him.

And that reason was simple.

The red-haired ninja closed his eye and thought of his father, the previous Saizo, who had trained him and his brother since they were children. He remembered the look of pride on his face when he announced he had became Ryoma's retainer.

Saizo and Kaze learned their father was killed in the line of duty, but the former's recent snooping around near Mokushu….made him learn of who the murderer was.

Father…..just you wait. I….will avenge you.

Said murderer was almost at the end of the green path, where a simple corner turn would put the blue flag in his sight. It was too easy! He would win, and the merchant would be crying in agony and pain at her wounds, begging for death.

No one made a fool of the daimyo of Mokushu.

And yet…..why hadn't he heard her? Was she dead now?

"…."

Kotaro stopped and pressed his ear to the wall.

Tch….I suppose it'd be even more rewarding to save her, forcing her to dedicate her life to serving me. I could always use more willing servants.

So he went the other way.

But Anna wasn't seriously wounded or dead. In fact, she was currently climbing up a gate covered in vines to Kotaro's castle, grinning wildly at her luck. Did the ninja master even factor in weak walls?

Gotta be quick about this! He might not be so sadistic to keep listening! In fact, he might have won already!

She ran through the open corridor and spotted the carts, horses, and Reina's kinshi sitting in the courtyard. Only two ninjas were by the entrance, making this too easy for Anna.

"Psst! Yuugiri!"

The bird-like creature looked up, spotting Anna above him. He was going to chirp for her, but she motioned to be silent. She looked at the ninjas, their backs to her, as she whispered.

"I need you to fly up and make a ruckus. Don't worry, Reina is fine! All of us are!"

The kinishi made a sound to indicate he understood. Anna slipped away into the castle, and the distraction began.

XXXXX

Apparently either the guards were watching Kotaro or doing something else, because not only was Zola's prison room unguarded, Anna saw everyone's weapons. Much to her relief, her gold sack was sitting there. She took out a hair pin and attacked the lock.

"HEY!"

The sorcerer was chained to the wall, unable to cast any spells.

"Hi hun! You comfortable?"

"I'm going to kill you when I get out of this, merchant! You think you can keep humiliating me like this?! How did you even get away from the daimyo?"

"A magician never reveals her secrets!" She unlocked the door and quickly checked the bag. All of the gold was intact!

"You are not a magician, you stupid girl! I'm more powerful than you'll EVER be!"

Anna laughed and headed towards the door, after closing the cell. "If I'm so stupid, how come YOU'RE the one in chains?"

"Tch…..you came here just to check on your stuff?" Zola snapped.

"Hehehe…not quite. Oh! Before I go….."

Zola was angry when Anna stopped to moon him in mocking, but that anger multiplied when she said, before running away:

"That'll be 1000 gold!"

When Kotaro reached the room where Anna was, his eyes widened at the sight. The wall had been knocked down, revealing the now-larger view of his castle.

Impossible! She escaped the cavern?!

The daimyo snarled and ran out of the hole.

If the girl thinks she can raid my castle, she will pay the price!

XXXXXX

"Umm…wasn't Lord Kotaro supposed to come back?" a ninja whispered to another. "He should've cleared the maze by now."

"I'm sure he's fine."

"Or maybe, Anna has the advantage?" Reina smirked. "I certainly wonder what's going on myself."

"I have a bad feeling about this, Miss Reina…." Mozu said.

XXXXXXX

"Hey! Catch that beast! What's wrong with it?!"

Anna snickered as she ran from the castle grounds. Yuugiri did well in causing a ruckus, and the redirected focus allowed her to slip away unseen.

The question was…..would Lady Luck shine on her?

At the sound of footsteps, the merchant quickly dove into a bush. Kotaro sped past her, heading towards his castle. Anna peeked her head out and grinned.

She did.

Flora stared at her village, having closed in from her detour. Despite only wearing a maid outfit, the harsh winds and freezing temperatures didn't bother her at all. After all, she and Felicia grew up in the Ice Tribe. They adored winter when it came to the country of Nohr.

Father…..

Her steps slowed down when she stepped into the village's perimeter. An elderly man noticed her immediately.

"Hey…girl, visitors aren't allowed without permission from the Chief."

Flora smiled. "But it's me. Kilma's daughter?"

The man gasped.

"C-CHIEF!"

XXXXXX

"My sweet Flora….you've returned…"

Kilma was touching his eldest daughter's face, praying he wasn't having another dream. The two were sitting inside his hut, and much to the man's disgust, her posture was fitting of that of a maid.

Arms folded.

Looking down.

"Father…..it's been so long since I've seen you."

"How…..did you come here? With the amount of guards and eyes King Garon has around his castle?"

"I…..snuck away. I can't stay for too long."

Kilma nodded. "Tell me…..my dear Felicia. How is she? Is she alright?"

The chief definitely had concern for both of his children, but Flora felt a rush of anger and jealousy surge through her veins again. When the two were younger, Felicia had shown talent training with knives, and that had earned Kilma's focus. Away from her twin.

"She's fine, Father. We both are. But she's still so ignorant to the ways of Nohr…."

"Your sister has always been a little….spacey. But I'm relieved the two of you are alright under the….service that tyrant has employed you for," Kilma said. He hated seeing his daughter all dolled up like this.

"We aren't alright. Everyone's too scared or too loyal to do anything about King Garon."

"I agree…..his minion was here earlier. Our village will not suffer an eternity of blackmail and extortion! We are preparing….to rebel."

Flora gasped. "Father…..you can't."

"Flora, I am no one's prisoner. The same applies for my family. You think your mother would tolerate all of us bending over backwards to that man? She would roll around in her grave!"

The ice maid flinched.

"I take it….you feel the same way."

"I…d-do, but you can't draw attention to yourself. King Garon could easily wipe you out. I….I want to handle this myself."

Kilma raised an eyebrow. "Flora, you are but one person. I don't doubt you, but…we're talking about a king that commands an army."

"Exactly. The village wouldn't last one round…if you want to do this…..you'll let me take control."

"….what did you have in mind?"

Flora took a deep breath. "I…..I'm going to assassinate King Garon."

The chief was shocked. He took a glance at Fatima's picture, as if to show how insane her daughter's declaration was.

"You can't be serious."

"Father, don't you see? King Garon knows how much you hate that Felicia and I have to be maids for his family. But he thinks nothing of me. I'm but a mere servant."

"…."

"He has no regard for those that submit to his will. But he does care about those would openly show their resentment."

"….An inside job….."

"Yes. We've proven our loyalty. He's never uttered a word to me or Felicia. Why? We're just maids. The Ice Tribe was conquered years ago. To him…..we're not threats."

"That bastard…..Flora, are you certain?"

"Yes."

She stood up to leave.

"Just wait, Father. The Ice Tribe will break free from the tyranny. Felicia and I will continue our duties….all you have to do is the same thing you've been doing."

Kilma was at a loss for words when the girl smiled before departing. The idea made some sense and it was a relief she still had courage to fight, but…..was it the best course of action?

Then, his heart nearly snapped in two when he heard her last comment.

"Just don't forget one thing. I love you, Father. No Nohrian can change that fact."

F-Flora….

When Kotaro reached the castle's interior, he immediately dashed up the stairs to head towards the prisoner room. A ninja appeared next to him.

"S-Sir! That kinishi is causing trouble….!"

"Tch. Restrain it, you idiot! I have bigger problems to worry about!"

He soon reached the room. All of the weapons were still there, and so was the gold. Anna was nowhere to be seen.

"What….?"

"Y-You! Daimyo!" Zola gasped. "Why are YOU here?!"

"I have no reason to talk to you, Nohrian rat."

"You're looking for the merchant, aren't you? She just left!"

Kotaro's eyes widened. He snarled and began to consider what weapon to use to cut off the merchant's head for making him run this goose chase.

"That….little….!"

"Wait! Before you go…..I have a proposal!"

"Speak now! I have no more time to waste!"

Zola grinned. "We both hate Anna, and you want Nohr's alliance to conquer Hoshido….don't you?"

"How did you know that?"

"I overheard some of the ninjas in this place. I think I have a way to solve both of our problems….that is…..if you let me go off with them."

"Let them go?"

"Think about it, Lord Kotaro. The best way to end your enemies….is when they don't see it coming. Eh?"

Although Kotaro blitzed out of the room, Zola grinned wider when he caught the daimyo's smirk. A smirk that said he definitely approved of whatever underhanded tactic he had in mind.

Meanwhile, Anna was hurrying as fast as she could through the cavern, dodging more spears and some caltrops. She had no idea if she was close, but she knew that she would only be able to win if she had a head and Kotaro continued to fall for her trick.

Every Anna was cunning. But that cunning would fall apart if she would let her luck run out.

Damn it…another fork in the path?

She took the left route.

XXXXXX

"Sir, wait! Where are you going?"

Kotaro moved as fast as his ninja body could allow, back towards the cavern hole. He was definitely physically superior to Anna, but somehow, she had alluded him.

That hole….she somehow survived the traps to make it, all the way back to the castle?! She still needs to finish the maze, so I can still beat her!

He jumped through the hole and shuffled through the halls.

XXXXXXX

"Come on!"

Anna's next trap was to move on a thin piece of wire over a black hole. The last time she fell into darkness, she had woken up in another land. She knew this time she'd just be dead.

"Stupid ninjas…."

Cautiously, she began to walk on the wire, spreading her arms to balance herself. Her heart was racing as she moved on, but everything seemed to be going well.

Until a bat landed on her head.

Oh…..crap…..

Then four more landed on her body.

No…..no, easy there bats…..can't lose now….so close…..

The merchant almost gasped out loud when more of them landed on her, and she felt her balance started to shift.

No…..NO! I'm NOT going to die in a place like this! I'm finishing my quest, damn it!

She reached the other side and shook the bats off, before heading down further.

XXXXX

"The fire traps….so I'm getting closer…."

Kotaro continued his dash, but now his confidence was starting to falter. Anna wasn't screaming, which meant somehow, she was evading her traps. And because she wasn't screaming, how could he gauge her location?

He growled and kicked up more dust as he ran.

XXXXXX

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

A large boulder was chasing Anna, and inwardly, she was screaming so loud she would blow her own ears out. But why tip Kotaro off on her location?

XXXXX

So close….!

XXXXXX

So close…..!

Eventually, the pattering of footsteps alerted everyone listening. All of the ninjas stared in disbelief, as did Mozu and the others, when Anna came through the yellow path. She panted and skidded to a stop, with Kotaro passing through the blue path.

"She won?!"

"SHE WON?!"

"Damn right I did!" Anna turned and pointed to Kotaro. "You lose, buster! Now we get to leave!"

"Impossible! You cheated!" Kotaro shouted. "I saw the hole you made, merchant! You tricked me!"

Anna smirked. "I have no idea what you're talking about! I survived the maze that YOU rigged with traps!"

"You can't prove such a thing!"

"And you can't prove I left!"

Kotaro growled. "I talked to the Nohrian sorcerer, merchant! He said you were in my castle!"

"Well, of course he'd say that! He hates my guts because we ruined his plans! Did any of your ninja say they saw me?"

"….."

"Well?"

"…N-No…."

Anna laughed. "I win, I win, I win! By the way, you owe me a new cloak! Now let them go, and we'll be on our merry way!"

She stepped forward and tapped Kotaro's nose playfully.

"'Cause I'm not selling you anything!"

"You little witch…..tch, I suppose victory is yours. There's no way that you got through on skill alone….the heavens must've blessed your sorry life."

"And how! By the way…" Anna turned around and revealed the three snakes clamped to her posterior. "Can you get these off my butt?"

The sun was starting to set when Azura entered Mikoto's castle. She obviously couldn't ask about the name, but Matsuko's revelation was making her nervous.

…..she sold the crystals from that place…Anna…..

Azura knew Anna had taken them while she was explaining her story to her, but she had forgotten about them. And if she didn't give them back…..that would spell disaster.

What to do….could…..could they come after her?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she bumped into the palace's diviner, and Reina's partner.

"Lady Azura!"

"Orochi….?"

The purple-haired woman was staring at the princess intently. "Is it true Reina went off with that merchant girl?"

"I'm afraid so. She didn't tell you?"

"Feh! Reina's always doing crazy things like that, but that's not what I'm worried about. Lady Mikoto says….this merchant had red hair?"

"Yes."

"And she was with a farm girl?"

"Yes….?"

Orochi sighed. "So it's true…..the prediction was right after all….."

"What do you mean?"

The diviner put her hands on her hips. "The day the merchant came to Hoshido, I divined for a brown-haired girl with roses in her hair."

"That sounds like Mozu."

"And I said a red-haired woman would end her money troubles and bring her fortune."

"That sounds like Anna."

"Yes, but I wasn't expecting the fortune to come through! What could it all mean….?"

Azura smiled. "Orochi, your family has been right in telling fortunes before. Chalk up a point on the winning side."

"I would, but…..Lady Mikoto has told me a lot about this Anna….she's definitely not some random stranger, is she?"

The smile dropped. "You have no idea. Ryoma and Takumi have had their suspicions…as well as Yukimura, Saizo, Kagero-"

Hearing her best friend's name made her giggle. "Funny you should mention those two. I don't know how Lord Ryoma can function with their….history. You see it, right? The look of wanting they share at times?"

"Umm…..no."

Orochi pouted. "Phooey. Anyways, is there anything else you can tell me about Anna?"

"Her lips are soft."

Silence.

"Ooooooookaaaaaaayyyyyy?" Orochi didn't have a proper response to that. "Anything else?"

In the same blunt way, Azura replied: "She has a pleasant smell."

"Okay, maybe I'm asking the wrong person. I'll just go bother Yukimura. See ya!" And with that, the diviner left, leaving the princess to stand with a small blush on her cheeks.

She had no idea why she said those things, but she couldn't deny that they were pretty true.

"I can't believe you actually did it, Miss Anna!"

The party was getting ready to leave. Their weapons had been returned, and not a single piece of gold or crop was missing. Zola was still tied up when he was given back. And the ninjas actually gave her a new cloak!

"Well, you know me…I AM super lucky!"

Anna winked at Kotaro, who just stared at her. Everyone was outside.

"I kept my word, merchant. You may proceed with your travels, but I suggest you get out of my territory immediately."

"Whatever you say, Lord Kotaro!"

Gods, was this woman unbearably perky.

"See ya, K-izzle!" Izana called out as the horses began their movements, with the group eventually leaving Kotaro's sight.

"Sir….I don't understand. Why did you cooperate with this woman? We could've easily killed them and taken all of their possessions…."

The daimyo stared out into the horizon.

"Because…the thought repulses me, but she managed to fool me. Cheating or not, that earns my respect. I actively despise her for it, but she poses no threat to me by herself."

The other ninjas all looked at each other and shrugged. They knew their leader was stronger, but only for a moment, he had lost the mental battle.

"And besides….I have a mole."

"So, what is your intention?"

Zola smirked as the guards unlocked his cell door and removed his chains.

"I accompany those idiots to Nohr, which allows ME to get back to the king! Then, through my brilliant mind, I ditch Anna and let them get captured, straight to their deaths! I pass on your intentions for an alliance….and bam! Hoshido will be a stain on our maps!"

"You're certain you can convince Garon to join forces with Mokushu?"

Zola stepped outside of the cell.

"Yes! You see, he probably thinks I'm dead. But when I show back up, complete with Izumo's Archduke for a prisoner, the king will have MASSIVE political leverage! He'll listen to anything I tell him!"

"I see….."

"And because that merchant is so cocky…..she and the rest of the peanut gallery don't suspect a thing! They have NO idea how much I can ruin their lives!"

The sorcerer let out a cackle. No longer would he continue to have his name disrespected by a bunch of fools!

"You have my word Mokushu will support Nohr in this battle," Kotaro said, shaking his hand. "Let us ride to victory, Zebrastika."

Zola almost screamed at the blatant error, but he controlled himself. "S-Sure, Lord Kotaro. All four of those idiots don't know how Nohr works, so this will be TOO easy!"

Both masterminds chuckled at the thought of Anna meeting a gruesome fate, so they didn't see that both of them had their fingers crossed behind their backs….

FIN

Ending notes: Good lord was this hard to write. I wanted to Anna to win, but I wanted to do so in a way that exploited Kotaro's cockiness. She would definitely lose in a one-on-one fight. Conquest 17 still gives me nightmares...

Anyways, I think you can see who's going to join the group next, but not until they get to Nohr! That's the next stop...before something at sea...