This is also posted on ao3 so if you follow that, then awesome. It's more likely to be posted there, since I have issues with ffnet sometimes. That's why this is so late, aside from the fact I don't have an internet connection at home and it's difficult for me to go to places with wifi. Please forgive me. I hope you enjoy.

Leo awoke in a cold sweat, his fever having been broken. He opened his eyes, gazing upon the night sky, noticing Kazahana beside him. She was kneeled next to him, staff in hand, head hanging low. She was asleep. She must have fallen asleep while healing him, the exhaustion too much.

He vaguely remembered the dreams he had and realization struck his heart. She was the princess, the lost princess…

But as he gazed on her sweet face, he realized he couldn't bear to tell her he knew the truth. For one, it would make their travels awkward and heated. For second, he knew she had her reasons. She had to be in disguise. People were probably out to murder her. For once, he was thankful for her deceit.

He noticed Niles was still awake, sitting by the fire, single eye focusing on it. Odin was curled next to him, gone to dreams. Leo sat up, still weak, and coughed.

"Milord, you survived." Niles stated plainly. He smirked at his master. "Miss Kazahana worked tirelessly to ensure it."

"She has done quite a deed then and should be thanked appropriately." Leo stretched his arms, stiff from laying for so long. "How long was I out?"

"Just a few hours. The fever wasn't as bad as expected, but still, without healing you probably would have passed on…" Niles had a way of delivering bad news without so much a care.

"Wonderful. Just another thing to add to my list of regrets. Almost dying," Leo said sarcastically. "Anything happen while I was out?"

"Nothing aside from birds twitting on and the occasional bold squirrel. I'm surprised to see such life." He turned to Kazahana, who had not moved. "She's interesting."

"How so?" Leo asked.

"She's not a very good liar, for one. She's definitely a noble, if not a princess. She holds herself differently than a mere common musician," Niles noted. "She reminds me of that lost princess that your sister Corrin goes on about."

Leo gulped. Niles was always perceptive. It was part of his line of work after all. "What do you think? Could she be?"

"Lord Leo, you're not stupid, if you'll pardon me," Niles said with no regrets. "She's bound to be. The description of the princess is too close to this young girl's appearance. No one found a body? Because that body was long gone, in Nestra, away from the destruction Hoshido faced."

"I may have made the connection in my slumber," Leo admitted. "She told me eventually that she was some spy who sought refuge in Nestra during the war. She…lied a lot to me, and I tried to get to the bottom of it. It seems we finally have."

"Are you going to tell her?" Niles asked in a hushed tone. Kazahana's hand had twitched.

"No. I don't want to make this awkward for her. She saved my life. She has her reasons." Leo looked at her. She was still asleep as far as he could tell.

It was odd that suddenly he felt this sympathy for her. He had never felt it before, but perhaps his normally cold heart had finally melted in the warmth of her presence. Realization had finally dawned on him that he couldn't be an absolute pig all the time.

His attention turned back to Niles. "If you say so, milord. I'll die with the secret if you want me to." Niles flicked hair out of his good eye. "She's cute."

"Niles." Leo warned.

"Just saying. A princess, identity lost to the world, with a prince known to be cold and calculating. It would be quite the match."

"I'm not marrying her. I'm not marrying anyone. I haven't the time for such frivolities." Leo declared. It was what he always said when confronted with this.

But in his heart? He felt like no one would ever love him the way he craved. It was simple really. Besides, after all the hurt he put Kazahana through, no, Sakura, he knew she wouldn't take his hand, even if she admitted to reciprocating feelings. The only thing he could do was live his life as advisor to the king and continue to study the world around him.

Leo sighed. "You're not wrong. She is quite cute, but I could never court her. What we could possibly have wouldn't be accepted. If she's still in disguise, it's probably of her own will, and I doubt she wants to be discovered at this point." For once, he was right.

"But what of Lady Corrin? Surely she'd recognize her own sister."

Leo hadn't thought of that. "That…may be a problem." He knew Corrin wasn't always the sharpest one, but even she was no idiot. She'd recognize Sakura immediately.

"Perhaps it isn't wise to bring her along," Niles advised.

"We have to. We've come too far. I can't just send her back. She probably wouldn't make it."

"Well, I hope that this resolves peacefully. You know, the king may end up sending her back to Hoshido."

Leo didn't want that. No. Sakura, (or was it Kazahana?) was too precious to him at this point, even if the love, like, whatever he felt, for her was shallow. He didn't want her to leave.

"Queen Hinoka would have a heart attack," he tried to convince himself. "She would probably start another war, claiming we had kept her sister prisoner all this time. She wouldn't believe that Sakura hid herself of her own will."

Niles shrugged. "It isn't my place to make those decisions. Whatever will be will be," Niles simply said. "But perhaps all this talk is tiresome. I think you should rest more."

"I'm too restless now. I need…to eat, to drink. I'm quite parched." He felt the tug at his vocal chords. His throat was dry.

Niles handed him a water skein. "Here, milord. Drink this." Leo was appreciative and gulped the liquid down. "Easy now."

Leo finally finished drinking and handed the skein back to Niles. "Thank you, my friend."

Niles nodded. "I am always here to please."

"Niles."

Niles just laughed.

Kazahana had heard most of the conversation between Niles and Leo. At least, she still identified herself as Kazahana. Sakura had died long ago.

She was frightened. Prince Leo had figured it all out. She was no longer safe. She was afraid he'd spill the secret to his family, but upon listening, she felt relieved that he respected her privacy. Considering all they went through, it was welcomed. He seemed to be learning basic respect.

Kazahana wasn't quite sure if she was ready to reveal herself. Of course she considered Corrin. Corrin would certainly figure it out. It would wreak havoc too. Would King Xander really send her back? She wasn't sure if she was ready to see her older sister. As Leo said, she probably would have a heart attack. Hinoka was more emotional than she let on.

What made Kazahana queasy about the whole thing was how easily she agreed to go on this trip, but she supposed she couldn't refuse the request of a prince. She felt it was in her best interest to follow him, though in retrospect, leaving for Izumo would probably have been the better choice. Izana, despite being the flamboyant character he was, would have kept her and her secret safe. In fact, he was oblivious enough to probably not have even known she was actually Sakura. She could only wonder though, as that choice was taken from her.

She stirred and lifted her head up, gaining the attention of the two men. Niles smiled at her in his sneering way, but Leo seemed genuinely concerned for her.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine. I mean… It was exhausting, but I'm glad to see you're up," she responded, still sleepy.

"You should rest more then."

"As should you."

Niles laughed. "Look at you two lovebirds. It makes me want to almost gag."

Leo and Kazahana both looked away from each other. So Niles knew.

But whatever thing that was developing between them would have to be extinguished. She had an identity to protect and he had a kingdom to serve. Neither could afford such silly feelings.

It hurt, but that was how it was.

The next day Kazahana deemed Leo well enough to take up the reins once again and head to the trading town. With Niles and Odin by their side, the two felt much safer than before. Though Kazahana had much to learn about the two eccentric men, she knew that Leo trusted them with his life. Their stories were intriguing, as both had told of how they had met 'Lord Leo.' Niles was ever at the mercy of the prince, but somehow Leo saw potential in him, and thus gained Niles' eternal loyalty. Odin was more mysterious, as he came from nowhere, claiming to be a powerful dark mage. In truth, he was, but Leo had seen him use a sword before and the man's prowess for it had always made Leo wonder why the man wasn't a mercenary or something else. Odin never commented.

The trek seemed to fly by as all four told stories of their lives. Kazahana kept to herself, sharing very little. Odin was mystified by her silence, but Niles and Leo knew, though they didn't know Kazahana knew.

She tended to tell folk tales from Hoshido and they captured the attention of Odin. He adored theatrics, she discovered, and these tales were full of magic and whimsy. Niles was bored from them but said nothing. Leo was glad she was at least taking to his retainers well.

Odin then made a comment that made Leo's blood run cold.

"Miss Kazahana, you hold yourself with such a regal air! One would think that you were a princess in disguise, escaping from the threat of some dark kingdom." He gesticulated wildly. Leo knew that Odin was just being his histrionic self, but it still unnerved him.

Kazahana froze, stuttering and bumbling with her words, but Leo swooped in.

"Really Odin? Dark kingdom? I thought you would think of Nohr better than that."

"But milord, it simply is true! Nohr is dark, full of dangers. There is nothing to be ashamed of by admitting the truth!"

"Be careful with your words, Odin. Leo may let slip a powerful spell to shut you up," Niles insinuated.

Odin clamped his mouth shut then. Kazahana was relieved and visibly showed it. Leo noticed.

So she really was the princess.

"No more talk of that," Leo commanded. "We must focus on our journey ahead."

The two retainers nodded as did Kazahana and they rode well into the day.

The forest surrounding the mountain base soon turned to plains. This was a good sign to Leo. It meant that they were nearing the trading town. It would probably be a day's worth of riding, but that was nothing compared to what had happened to them.

Another good sign was there were no bandits or brigands in sight. It was almost too peaceful and Leo kept his guard up as did his retainers, but Kazahana relaxed a bit, happy to see there was no immediate danger. The sky was slowly getting darker, which Kazahana took that they were nearing the capital of Nohr. Leo had mentioned at some point during this particular trek that the skies above the capital were the darkest. For now, it seemed simply cloudy at best.

While riding, Kazahana daydreamed about Hoshido and its beautiful blue skies, plentiful green fields bursting with crops to harvest, and the lovely capital city just outside Castle Shirasagi. Hoshido was such a beautiful place at one point and Kazahana's daydream turned to nightmare as she remembered how the war had torn her home apart. She only wondered now what it looked like. Did it resemble Nohr at all, soldiers standing along the border, manning stations in the capital city, ever watching the citizens, who lived on edge? Or did Nohr restore it to its former glory? Kazahana could only imagine, for she had no intention of returning at this point. The shock would kill Hinoka and what would the people say? Surely that would wreak even more havoc than anything.

She could only hope that, should the Nohrian royals discover her identity, they would stay quiet about it.

But then her thoughts turned to what Hinoka would think should someone reveal that Kazahana, or in this case Sakura, lived at Castle Krakenburg as the court musician. Surely she would be upset. And, most assuredly, she would start a war. Hinoka jumped to conclusions about some things, and the idea that Sakura was being held prisoner would be the first thing that would cross her mind. It would take some convincing on Sakura's part, but Hinoka would eventually calm.

But what was Kazahana doing coming up with scenarios in her head that would never happen? She needed to focus on this journey first, her identity crisis later.

Of course, Niles would be the one to interrogate Kazahana.

"So you say you're from Hoshido, having come to Nestra as a former spy. What's a girl like you doing with the likes of us?"

Kazahana lowered her gaze. "Y-you make it sound like you're b-bad people," she stuttered, a little off put by his questioning.

"Oh no, never Lord Leo, though he has his reputation," Niles drawled. "And of course, Odin too has a fairly positive reputation, though he's also an enigma."

"Ah, the tale of my origins is nothing important, for it is one of sadness and woe," lamented Odin. "I cannot recall it therefore."

"Well, that leaves me, the suspicious one. I've told you my tale," and so he did. Kazahana could not believe a prince like Leo would accept so readily a former bandit, one who would have easily forfeited his life. He should have killed the man in cold blood, but his mercy told Kazahana that Leo truly was kinder than he let on. His refusal to execute Niles said as much.

"S-surely you can't be that b-bad," Kazahana said, trying to divert the attention off her. "Prince Leo trusts you after all."

"Ah, but though he trusts me, I can be quite wicked, especially in terms of protecting him from liars," Niles hinted. Kazahana felt her hands go numb, tightening themselves on her reins.

"Niles," Leo warned. "I think you've startled her enough. Let it be."

Niles sighed, though he didn't seem ashamed. "As you wish, milord, but should she-"

"I said that's enough!" Leo snapped, halting his pegasus and turning to Niles. "Kazahana is a dutiful and honest woman. To question her as anything other is a sign of lack of judgment."

Niles knew Leo himself was lying. They both had that discussion last night after all. "If that is what milord wishes to believe, then so shall I," Niles acquiesced. He stayed silent the rest of the way.

After another day of camping and Odin's dramatic tales, which Kazahana never tired of, they had made it to the trading town. Here, there were men and women bustling and hustling, selling wares of all sorts, from fruits and vegetables to weapons of all varieties.

The people here recognized Leo and bowed deeply, out of respect or fear no one knew. Niles kept his hand on a hunting knife at all times and Odin, though he always came across as oblivious, kept a close eye on his favored tome. Kazahana wasn't sure if she should keep her weapon close by. On one hand, she knew she was a good shot. On the other, they would need her healing abilities should disaster strike.

But nothing seemed to happen as the people went about their business once they paid their respects to their prince. There was an inn nearby and Leo and company entered the building after dismounting their steeds.

The innkeeper was a nice older woman, greying at the temples, cheeks round from rich food. She was plump but had the energy of a younger woman. Leo could see in the back through an archway a gentleman who was cooking something fierce. Good. Freshly cooked food that wasn't jerky.

The woman gave them a key to their rooms, Leo having one to himself, Odin and Niles sharing one, and Kazahana having her own as well. She, along with the help of Odin who was ever the gentleman, hauled her koto upstairs so she could practice as well as keep it safe from the elements. Odin was equally enamored of her playing and wished to hear more. Niles turned to Leo and together they entered Leo's room.

"I don't see how you trust her," Niles began. "You know she's the princess."

"That doesn't mean she's out to kill me. From what Corrin has told me, Sakura was always a gentle young woman whose only thought was to care for others. She even apparently kept dolls and other oddities and if that doesn't prove she's a woman of innocence, I don't know what does." Leo said through gritted teeth. Niles was protective sure, but this was getting ridiculous.

"I just want you to be safe milord. She's still Hoshidan."

"What does that mean?" Leo asked. He didn't like the sounds of this.

"The Hoshidans still hold hostility towards Nohrians as do the Nohrians towards Hoshidans. She may be a Hoshidan sympathizer."

Leo sighed through his nose. "I know she misses her home country. That much I can tell. But she's saved my life on multiple accounts and I won't have anyone misjudge her. Sakura is innocent in all this. I can tell she wants to live a simple life, away from all these problems."

"Will she really escape the problems by living at the castle?" Niles asked, feigning innocence. "The politics at Castle Krakenburg will only be more dreadful for her."

"She's the court musician now. She'll be away from all this," Leo insisted. "I'll make sure of it."

"Oh? How so?" Leo saw the look in Niles' eye. He was imagining a ludicrous situation.

"Nothing of that sort!" Leo insisted fiercely. "I will simply ensure news of policies and the like won't reach her. I won't speak of them around her. She will only listen to the silly gossip that goes on between the help and others."

"My, my milord you certainly are touchy on this." Niles cackled. "I'm sure there are other ways you're touchy…"

"Niles, please stop," Leo warned, being exhausted by this whole ordeal. "I don't want to think of this anymore. Leave me be. Should something happen, I'll call for you."

"As you say milord," and Niles was gone in a flash.

Kazahana was fond of Odin. He seemed flashy and even a bit flakey, but she could tell he had a heart of gold. He was enamored with her playing and through it, he opened up a little about himself.

"You know, though this instrument is one I am most unfamiliar with, it reminds me of when my mother used to sing lullabies to me as a baby."

It was the most she had ever heard him speak of his past she would come to find out.

"Oh? Th-that's a lovely compliment. I'm sure your mother was very kind then." Kazahana plucked a string.

"She was. She was energetic and feisty, always keeping a wide smile on her face. And then…" He stopped himself.

"And what?" Kazahana asked tentatively.

"Well, I shouldn't go into family details now. 'Twas a long time ago, you see."

She could tell Odin was hiding something, but since she was also hiding something, she chose not to pursue it.

"I see." She began playing a melancholy tune.

"You truly are exquisite. No wonder Lord Leo is smitten by you," Odin admitted. Kazahana stopped abruptly, disturbed at this.

Was it truly so obvious that they were taken with each other? She thought she hid herself better than that.

"Oh, you don't mean th-that," she murmured, embarrassed.

"I do! It has been so long since the war, and poor Lord Leo has seen so few, if any, suitors, male or female alike! One would think someone would be taken with our fair prince, but alas, none have come to call. No wonder Niles calls him Lonely Little Leo." Odin threw himself ceremoniously on her bed, lamenting away. It caused Kazahana to giggle.

"My lady! One mustn't laugh at our liege's woe!"

"I can't help it! You're funny!" she exclaimed. It was the loudest Odin had heard her. "You're so dramatic."

"Aye, I have heard that quite often, but none shall dim Odin Dark's shine!"

She laughed again, feeling at ease. It was the most at ease she had felt since starting this journey. How good it felt to be in an inn with good company.

Odin liked seeing her smile. He noticed, throughout the journey from the mountain forest, how quiet and sad she seemed, holding herself inward, never speaking above a murmur, always stuttering, and always avoiding eye contact. Seeing her be herself, with no tension in her body or mind, made him proud, as if this was an accomplishment only he could make.

He continued talking to her well into the night and it wasn't until Niles had knocked on the door was Odin interrupted.

Kazahana let Niles in and Niles paid her no heed.

"Odin, it isn't proper of you to be alone with a lady…" he hinted. "What would Lord Leo think if he knew you were courting his beloved?"

Of course, Odin fell for the bait. "I would most certainly never do such a thing! I was simply enjoying the wondrous world of Kazahana's playing. She makes for a wonderful conversation partner too!" Odin gestured wildly as he talked. It made Kazahana laugh again.

"Ah, it seems you've already won her over. So sad. Poor Lonely Little Leo will surely be upset with you." Niles shook his head in mock pity. "What he will do to you I gather not."

Odin blanched. "Niles, my friend, have you no shame? How dare ye insinuate I am stealing Kazahana away! We are enjoying the light that is friendship, something to brighten this dark land of Nohr."

Niles shrugged. "It's on your head." He loved teasing Odin. It was so easy. "I must be off. It's time for bed. You're on the first watch."

"But we're in an inn!" Odin whined. "There won't be any danger here!"

"The townspeople know a prince is here. Some are not happy with Hoshido sympathizers, and royalty can be seen as such. We must protect Leo." Niles wondered how Odin could be so oblivious sometimes. He was certainly the weaker retainer in terms of loyalty, at least in Niles' eye, but he was a powerful ally that much could be agreed on.

"Fine," Odin sighed. He turned to Kazahana. "It is a shame we must part, but my dear Kazahana, this will not be the last you see of Odin Dark! You still have many songs to play for me!"

She bowed to him. "I look forward to it." She righted herself and gave him a brilliant smile.

Someone like Odin… One couldn't help but be friendly toward him and Kazahana saw a great friendship in the works. It was easy to be fond of him.

Odin and Niles left, not without Niles giving her a look that seemed to peep into her very soul, and he closed the door.

She hated how he didn't trust her. She knew why. He knew that she was the princess and her lying made her seem suspicious in his eye. It wasn't fair to hold that against her. Surely someone like him could eventually understand her circumstances. Right?

Assassins, should they find out her true identity, could take her life. She could be shipped back to Hoshido, where it would be speculated she was a prisoner of war, and thus start a new war. She wanted neither of those things. It was bad enough she was a Hoshidan heading deep into Nohrian land. Being the lone Hoshidan royal entertainer would not sit well with the people surely. It was still too soon. It would always be too soon.

What hurt even worse was she couldn't pursue anything with Leo. That would lead to even bigger trouble, and she didn't want to even think of that.

No. She would have to continue following Leo. She would have to do her duties as a musician. Should Corrin figure it out, she would have to beg for the royals' understanding and forgiveness and compliance with her unwillingness to go back to Hoshido.

Regardless of what happened, this situation was precarious. She should have gone to Izumo. She should have been stronger. She shouldn't have…

She shouldn't have gotten lost in those brown eyes, imploring her to travel with him. His fair skin and hair… He was a foreign concept to her, even if she had been in Nestra for two years. A man that handsome, giving her the time of day… It only made sense for her to follow him.

But it was ultimately a foolish choice. He shouldn't have put her on the spot. But he didn't know at the time her situation, of her relation to Corrin, so she couldn't put him to blame either.

This whole situation was dreadful. Kazahana wondered if it would have been better to have been captured or even killed. Then, she would never, ideally, deal with the Nohrians again. They would have released her after the war (she was sure of it. Corrin wouldn't let harm befall her baby sister) and she would have been a princess putting together a kingdom ravaged by war. Or had she been killed… Well, she would have been with both of her mothers, Ikona and Mikoto. She would have been with her father, Sumeragi.

She would have been with Ryoma and Takumi.

She shuddered at the thought of their deaths. She didn't even get to say goodbye. Instead, she ran away, like the useless sister she was.

And now? She was useless still. Her only skill lied with her koto playing and while she could admit she was good at it, what good would it bring her? It only led to trouble it seemed.

But Kazahana let the thoughts fall and undressed for bed. She buried her face in her pillow and cried herself to sleep.

Nothing would assuage the dread in her stomach. Nothing.