As promised, Keaton stayed with them till the end of the forest, having not encountered any bandits or poachers. Leo thanked his lucky stars. He was not in the mood to deal with enemies and he knew he'd utterly destroy them in his cranky state.

Kazahana still had not spoken to him and she barely made a peep to Keaton, merely thanking him for escorting them and bowing. Keaton appreciated the gesture, but when she wasn't looking, trailing behind on her horse, Keaton said something.

"Is your companion alright? She sure is quiet."

"She'll be fine. She's merely shy." Leo didn't want to get into it and Keaton could tell. He could smell the irritation from Leo.

"Ah. I get it. Lover's spat." He tried to joke but it didn't go through as planned.

"No. Merely a disagreement." Leo wasn't in the joking mood.

"Sorry. Didn't mean that. Just trying to lighten the mood." Keaton shrugged it off, but he was a little hurt.

"Don't worry about it. Your jovial ways are appreciated nonetheless." Leo wished he could fly away from it all. He could feel his pegasus getting antsy. How she probably wanted to fly, but he wouldn't let her. He couldn't. That would mean leaving his companion behind. He wanted to, to get away from this small problem, but it would be unchivalrous on his part. He was taught, as a prince, to always be courteous to a lady, and even if Kazahana was a commoner, his taught etiquette was instilled in him.

Once the trees became sparse, and the mountainous terrain smoother, Keaton decided to make his leave.

"That estate you mentioned shouldn't be too far now. Maybe a couple more days' ride at most. Glad I could help." He shook hands with Leo, nodded to Kazahana (who bowed from her horse), and he left, off to his tribe, if he could manage not to get lost. Leo had faith though.

Silence ensued again and it seemed like the day dragged. After a few hours, they stopped to take a short rest. There was a river nearby and he took the opportunity to fill their water vessels again after purifying the water with another fire spell. Kazahana dismounted and checked on her koto. Still no scratches and she plucked a string mindlessly. Still in tune too, and she stared at it, wondering if she should play.

"We're only taking a breather, so I suppose you shouldn't play just now. But once we reach the estate, you can play all you want. I'm sure the nobleman will be pleased and delighted." Leo interrupted, despite his desire to hear her play.

"He's Nohrian though," she said for the first time in what felt like eons. "He won't be pleased. Nohrians never are."

Well, he was getting somewhere.

"As I've said many a time, the war certainly took its toll on you. I'm glad you're being more honest, but it seems you're more spiteful than you initially let on."

"I try not to be…" she muttered. "I just don't like violence, and Nohrians' penchant for it bothers me."

"We don't all desire violence," Leo insisted. "It's just a part of our survival. As you can see, the land is barren. Sometimes…conquest is needed to survive."

"Nohr overstepped its bounds." Blunt, uncharacteristic of her. He turned her around and saw the resolve in her eyes.

"You were a rebel once, weren't you?" he asked shrewdly. It would make sense. Perhaps her timidity made her turn on the rebels' backs. Stick to the stronger side, the winning side, and one would survive. It would make sense.

"I-I'd rather not speak of it…" She averted her eyes.

"You'll have to come to terms with your past eventually, Kazahana." He certainly did. He was finally over his father's death and he was looking to the future to make things right with both nations. He couldn't afford to be bitter. That would only set Nohr and Hoshido back (even though he had heard from Corrin that Queen Hinoka was incredibly bitter, but a part of him couldn't blame her. At least she was cooperative.)

"Hoshido was once a prosperous nation, no?" she asked. He nodded. "And now it's being used as…as some sort of factory!"

"Trade and commerce are common among nations, Kazahana. Hoshido was being selfish in holding their resources back from us. We took what we needed. We are currently taking what we need, no more, no less. We are being as fair as we can. The queen…well, she doesn't have a choice really."

He saw her grip her fists in frustration. "How dare you speak of her like that…" she whispered coolly. "Nohr tore apart a nation that I know was once beautiful and peaceful. Of course she'd be bitter…"

"So you were a rebel. A Hoshidan spy. It would make sense. Your cover story was too perfect in my mind. And once Hoshido lost, you sought refuge in a neutral nation who had no qualm with a lost Hoshidan musician." He was perceptive as ever. He saw her face fall.

She breathed in deeply. "You're…not wrong."

He quirked an eyebrow. "You don't sound very convincing."

"P-Prince Leo… Just drop it. You know the truth. Execute me if you must, but please, just let it be. I have no issue with being a court musician. It is a great honor really, and I swear to you…I won't be a turncoat." She bowed deeply.

"So you are from Hoshido?" She nodded when she righted herself. "Then humor me with your Hoshidan knowledge. I haven't had the time to visit since the war, but I saw how beautiful it once was. I'm sure the reparations are returning it to its once perfect state."

"I hope so…" She said quietly with a faraway look in her eye. "Hoshido was a wonderful place. I miss it dearly."

"Is that why you wanted to go to Izumo? To be close to your nation again?" She nodded again. He sighed. "You know, we could turn around and I could pay for a ferry to take you back, if your heart desires it."

She looked away. "We've made it this far, and I fear that when I see my nation in an entirely different state, it will only sadden me further. I don't want to see a Nohrian Hoshido."

He looked at his feet, disheartened but relieved she wanted to stay. He was annoyed with her, but it didn't change his feelings. "If that is what your heart desires, then let us continue our journey."

So they mounted their steeds and set off. Kazahana told tales of food, of the mythology, of folk tales, even of the history. She knew a lot for being a commoner, but she insisted that education, and the richness of Hoshido, allowed even peasants to know of these things. Knowing of its prosperity, Leo believed her.

He observed how her face lightened when she spoke of her country, the spark in her eyes, the flush in her cheeks. He realized that her country meant everything to her, and for a moment, he was disheartened by the fact that his own country ruined what she said was an amazing place. He had only seen a little of it, but he remembered the architecture, the flora, the very sky that was so different from Nohr. Up until it was all gone, rendered to ashes as the war tore the country apart. He remembered the terrified screams as Hans had killed the captured Hoshidan soldiers. He remembered Ryoma's resolve as he killed himself so Corrin wouldn't have to. He remembered how Hinoka attempted escape, how Corrin tried to cover for her. He remembered, very briefly, the quick escape of Sakura on pegasusback. Terrified yet resilient Yukimura. The retainers' faces as they died protecting their lieges. How Takumi stepped off the Wall of Suzanoh without hesitation. Garon's transformation into the slime being. How the royal siblings turned their backs on Nohr and killed their own soldiers as well as Iago and Hans (something he did not regret.) And finally…fighting the possessed corpse of Takumi, that difficult fight that nearly killed them all, the one that broke Corrin's heart. She had said Takumi was hardly accepting of her, and he remembered how Takumi never understood why she turned her back on the Hoshidan royals, and shot her with his bow without hesitation. How she survived no one knew, but whatever brought her back strengthened her to release her own brother's soul from this world. Leo knew it had to have hurt Corrin beyond words.

It was here, the memories of the war that Leo gulped in regret. He imagined Kazahana, merely a common girl with a gift for music, fought in a war that she probably didn't understand, one that still affected her so. She was meek, sure, but she possessed a kind heart, a strong heart that beat for her people, and he, his family, and his nation robbed that from her.

"Kazahana," he breathed, "I am so sorry for what we have done to you." And this time he meant the apology.

He had interrupted her story on the mythos behind the Dawn Dragon and she paused. "Do you truly mean it?"

"Of course. It never even occurred to me… I mean war takes its toll on everyone, but it never crossed my mind on what exactly we did… It was all for Nohr's selfish gain, for glory… Or that's what Father wanted. Corrin merely wanted to help bring peace, but Father… He trapped us and would have killed us if we didn't use his methods. It only got messier as we approached Hoshido, leaving us no choice but to kill your people… We didn't want to, believe me. It wasn't until after Ryoma's death that we turned on our own soldiers."

"I…didn't know that. Is that how you won?"

"In a way, yes. It was a way to prevent more violence against the Hoshidans. But, trust me on this, it wasn't an easy fight. Nohr's army is strong, and many of us nearly lost our lives." Leo stared at the horizon ahead, the sun setting now. "I wonder if that would have made things right… For us to lose our own lives…"

"I think… it would have made everything pointless," she answered. "What's the point of a war, of killing others, when you fail in your objective?"

"How shrewd of you. You're right. It would have made it all pointless, a mess that both nations would struggle to clean without the help of each other. Peace would not have been had." Leo agreed with her. If Nohr hadn't conquered Hoshido, then they wouldn't have gotten what they needed, even if the means was what could be perceived as evil.

For once, he doubted in Corrin's decision. Perhaps from the beginning she should have rejected Garon's methods, opposed him at every turn, turning it into a rebellion that no bit of history had ever seen. Even if she told the truth about Garon from the get go, even if no one believed her, perhaps the war could have ended a different way, without all the deaths and crimes they committed. Perhaps the Hoshidan family would have survived.

There was no way to know that of course. What was done was done and nothing would ever change that.

On the horizon, during the next day, he saw the estate and announced to Kazahana its sight. She was pleased to hear that news and together they trotted, trying to get closer.

Of course, things never go right.

Coming down from the mountain on their right side was a group of bandits, relatively small, but malicious nonetheless. Kazahana's heart skipped a beat, knowing she'd have to kill these men. They would have done the same to her, or worse.

From afar, Leo hit the majority of them with a powerful spell from Brynhildr. The vines and massive tree cut the enemy down, dragging them into the depths of the earth. The few that it didn't scattered, turning their attention to the female bow-wielder.

"Capture the girl!" Their leader yelled. "She'll make a delicious prize!" Kazahana shuddered but readied her bow.

She managed to hit one in the neck, collapsing from the force of her Shining Bow. The magical energy fueled her, making her stronger, and she readied another arrow and released it without hesitation. She hit a man square between the eyes.

The leader stopped his remaining men, and before he could call for a retreat, Leo was there to spear him down, running the lance through the man's stomach. He coughed up blood and went limp. Leo ripped it out of the man's body and turned to the remaining bandits.

"Would you care to meet your leader's fate?" he asked darkly. The men dispersed, trying to escape, but Leo wouldn't let them.

First, he captured them with a spell that had brambles erupt from the ground, trapping the men in a thorny fence. They all begged for their lives and each vine tightened around them, cutting into their skin.

Leo wanted to question them first before slaughtering them.

"You've crossed the line, dear bandits. Before you is Prince Leo of Nohr, your liege and your future executioner." The men gulped. There were only three of them, but despite outnumbering the duo, they were rendered speechless and weak. They knew what the prince was capable of. They heard the stories.

"We're sorry, Prince Leo!" one managed to choke out. "We didn't mean nothing by it!"

"Nothing? You intended to capture my partner and dared bare your fangs to royalty. What, pray tell, brings you to this place? What does a barren forest benefit you with?"

"We was just trying to capture them Wolfskin!" said another. "They fetch a pretty price!"

"Poachers. Disgusting." Leo flicked a piece of hair back. "And what did you want from us?"

"If we'd've known you was a prince, we'd've left you alone!" the last one cried. "We know what you done!"

"Your lack of grammar is appalling," Leo commented. "I should put you down just for that. But you didn't answer my question." He readied a spell to intimidate them.

"Sorry sire!" the first exclaimed. "We was gonna take your valuables and food, and take the girl…"

"Despicable." He saw Kazahana stiffen in his peripheral vision. She was clearly affected by what the man meant.

Common bandits had no respect for women and took what they wanted.

"Well, since we now know what you were after, which was unsurprising to say the least, I suppose it's time for you three to meet your deaths." The spell grew brighter in the palm of his hand, but Kazahana stopped him.

"Leo! No!" Kazahana cried. "P-please… Spare them…" She wanted nothing to do with their deaths.

"Yeah, listen to the girl!" the second said. "We won't bother you no more!"

Leo turned to Kazahana. "They wanted to take you, hurt you. They would have killed me. They would dare steal from us. Who knows what other atrocities they've committed? They were after the Wolfskin as well. Sparing them puts those lives in danger and I'm not about to do Keaton an injustice."

The men all started to cry as Kazahana merely stared at Leo, shocked and hurt. Another death by another Nohrian. She wasn't surprised.

"I…I must go. Do what you will…" She cantered off. Stupid on her part, Leo thought, since they were just accosted by bandits, but he knew they were somehow safe now.

And as Leo willed, he ended the lives of the three bandits. No mercy whatsoever. Their cries echoed in his mind as he realized that Kazahana would never view him the same again. His spell pulled them underground, an undignified burial, but at least even the carrion eaters wouldn't have to deal with such abhorrent meat. Bandits like them deserved nothing but dirt, if even that.

At the thought of Kazahana's hurt, he shut his heart off and decided that her feelings didn't matter. He meant to protect her as well as the Wolfskin, and she could not hold that against him. She would be foolish otherwise.

When he was done with his execution, he went to search for her and found she hadn't gotten too far. She had stopped and he heard her quiet sobs.

"Kazahana, you know those men deserved what came to them," he said upon his arrival. "It wasn't meant to hurt you. It was meant to protect you."

"I…I know that. I don't know why I'm being so…upset over this. I-I know they d-deserved it, and I shouldn't sympathize, but it's more death…" Ah. Death again. He supposed even an evil man's death was hard for her. "I just can't stand it," she finished.

"It's hard, but you yourself have managed to kill."

She sighed. "You're right. I just… They were defenseless and seeing them in pain… I suppose my healer instincts kicked in."

"It's fine, Kazahana. You'll be alright." He assured her. "The estate is just ahead. Let's continue our journey. We, especially you, need the rest."

She agreed and they set off, getting ever closer to the estate. She seemed to have cheered up some and he heard her hum some song, one that seemed so familiar, yet he knew he probably had never heard it before. Still, it was soothing, and he found he was no longer weary.

They arrived and Leo knocked on the door when he dismounted. Shortly after, a butler answered.

"Prince Leo? What brings you here?" the man asked. Leo was most relieved he didn't have to make an introduction, but felt it wasn't the butler's business. Still, he stayed cordial.

"There has been a state of emergency and I find myself travelling by foot," he answered. "Is your master in currently?"

"He is! He is in his library. Let me lead you there and call a squire to take your steed." He noticed Kazahana. "Ah, and I will help your lady dismount." Ever the gentleman, the butler approached her.

Kazahana allowed him to help her and she bowed deeply. Leo found it funny that she showed even the help such respect. He wondered if that was simply a Hoshidan custom or a Kazahana trait. He'd ask her later.

A young boy came to take the animals to the stables and the butler took the cart off the back of Kazahana's horse to tug it behind him as he led her inside. The three of them went to the library, where the nobleman was reading some book by candlelight. Gorgeous works of art and giant tomes filled the library, and rich candlelight lighted the room up brilliantly. Incense was burning as well, and Leo found the atmosphere to be most relaxing. It was nice to be indoors.

"Ah, Prince Leo, welcome to my abode," the nobleman said. "What brings you here?" A repeat question, but Leo could answer again.

"I experienced a rebellion in Nestra while I was taking a sabbatical," he explained. "I managed to rescue this girl here and we are travelling by foot back to Krakenburg."

"Why by foot? I see you are in Dark Flier attire. Surely you could fly?"

"You see, she is a musician, and we are unable to cart her koto by pegasusback."

The nobleman questioned what exactly a koto was, and Kazahana, who introduced herself politely, explained the intricate Hoshidan instrument. The nobleman found it interesting she was Hoshidan.

"A Hoshidan accompanying a Nohrian royal? An interesting concubine to take in, Prince Leo."

Leo corrected him. "She is no concubine. I will appoint her as a court musician."

"Even stranger," the man commented. "But I'll leave you to it. I'm sure she's exquisite." His voice held some sarcasm, but Leo didn't comment on it.

"Um, I-I don't mind p-playing for you, if you'd like," Kazahana said shyly.

"That would be splendid." He indicated the butler to set it up. "Do play." Leo sounded as if this was merely a nicety and not a genuine interest in Hoshidan music. Leo knew this man could be shallow, but he didn't know how far that shallowness went.

So Kazahana, in the romantic atmosphere of the library, played her song, a slow tune that Leo found he wanted to dance to. He wanted to hold the girl in question in his arms and focus only on her. His eyes glided over her slender fingers plucking the strings, her eyes closed in concentration. This was a young woman dedicated to her craft.

When the song ended, the nobleman clapped. "Excellent. You know, I've never heard this instrument before, and I consider myself quite cultured. Still, Hoshidan artifacts elude me." Interesting to call them artifacts, as if they were from a civilization of old, but Leo said nothing. Slight Nohrian racism against Hoshido. Nothing less to be expected from a nobleman.

"My dear Kazahana," the nobleman said, "Allow my butler here to lead you to your quarters." The man instructed the butler where the girl would be sleeping and she was whisked away, koto in tow. The nobleman turned to Leo.

"I have a hard time believe she isn't some Hoshidan slave of yours." Again, that racism. Leo felt like a dog whose hackles rose from aggression.

"She is not. I met her in Nestra after a performance one night, congratulating her. She is merely an acquaintance at best."

The nobleman chuckled. "Boy," and Leo felt slighted, "I saw the way you looked at her. Even if she is nothing more than an acquaintance, you are surely enamored of her, completely smitten."

Leo's face dropped. "No such thing," he recovered.

"Hmmm, if that's what you think, or at least want to think." The butler returned. The nobleman's attention turned to him. "My good man, take Prince Leo to his chambers. The ones on the west side if you will."

The butler nodded and led Leo to his quarters. He heard the koto playing in the room next to his. So the nobleman wanted to set them up. How deplorable. Leo wanted nothing to do with that.

Because no matter what his feelings for her were, he knew that any relationship was entirely inappropriate, especially on this journey. He could confront his feelings later. For now, they must focus on the journey ahead.

One long trek after resting here, and then he could finally relax. Then she could finally relax and find a new place to call home, a home that wouldn't erupt in rebellion as her previous one just had. Leo would ensure her safety.

He certainly had it bad, didn't he?

Kazahana finished practicing, using the time to try and quell her quivering heart.

She, in a masochistic kind of way, found she liked Leo. He was handsome and enjoyed her playing, but his suspicion of her made her nervous and she was glad that she could at least somewhat avert his attention to her origin. He didn't need to know she was actually a former royal, let alone a princess. Stating she was from Hoshido felt like such a relief, like she could let go of the burden that was her lie, but her true origin, her true lineage, could never be known. She could not tell him, no matter what.

It was true that she, the true Princess Sakura, wanted nothing to do with a Nohrian Hoshido. It was a relief to know that her sister was alive and the queen, and she wanted desperately to reunite with her sister, but she knew the shock would probably kill Hinoka. Would she even believe Sakura was still alive? She was a shell of her former self, or at least perceived herself as such. Hinoka was probably no better.

However, Sakura was Kazahana now, a Nohrian court musician, and she would stay as such. Her royal title was over.

But then she realized Corrin was at the castle right now and how she would probably recognize the forgotten princess. She was surprised that Leo, sharp as he was, didn't put two and two together, but Corrin would most definitely know it was her.

Why oh why did she agree to this? Her cover would be blown. Would they execute her? Exile her? Send her back to Hoshido? She wasn't sure, and she didn't want to find out the answer.

However, she reasoned, Corrin was only in Hoshido for a short time, and probably had forgotten her little sister's face. Her hair was longer now, her figure more womanly. Surely Corrin wouldn't think the grown Kazahana was actually the former Princess Sakura? Kazahana could only hope.

To comfort herself, she turned to her koto and played the one song that would always soothe her spirits. It was one her dear friend Azura sang all the time, and its somber melody always managed to calm Sakura, especially after Azura's frightening ghost stories.

She didn't sing the words, but they rang true in her mind.

You are the ocean's grey waves

Destined to seek life beyond the shore, just out of reach

Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time

The path is yours to climb

When she finished, she set the koto aside and readied herself for bed. She wondered how Leo was doing, but she waved the thought aside and fell asleep. She didn't need to occupy herself with thoughts of boys, especially royals out of her reach.

Even if he returned her feelings, the utter notion of a prince with a common Hoshidan musician was inappropriate and wouldn't be approved, even if the Nohrian court was now accepting of Hoshidans.

And if it were to be found out she was the lost princess? Surely hell would break loose. No, Kazahana wanted to keep these things in check. She would push aside her feelings and leave everything be.

But then she started awake, wondering why on earth she had fallen for such a…rude young man? His constant suspicion of her was taxing. She wished he would just stop. This odd…frustration seemed to arouse some sort of feelings in her heart.

She almost liked the attention. It proved he was intelligent, something that Sakura, no, Kazahana, had always treasured. It reminded her of Takumi, who was more intelligent than he had given himself credit for. She found little things that Leo showed were parallel to Takumi. It was…odd, and yet she found that she didn't mind his company as much as she thought. True, sometimes when it got too much, she wanted to run away, but she always returned, or he always came after her, and she knew, somehow, deep in her heart, that Leo cared about her. Or at least, so she convinced herself.

Kazahana had never dealt with this sort of situation before. She surmised that she was still naïve in the ways of boys and forced herself to sleep it off. She would consider it some other time.