Happy Holidays! Tomorrow (Dec 1) is my birthday, so I thought I'd post in honor of that. Hope you enjoy. Unbeta'd.

It was a commotion in the night that awoke Leo.

There was yelling, the sound of a spell being cast, and the loud thunk of a dagger missing its target. Leo immediately grabbed Brynhildr and dashed out the door.

He narrowly missed the same dagger as an assassin covered in a black cloak and mask aimed at him. Odin came from behind Leo and hit the assassin with a strong fire spell. Niles had emerged from his room and had grabbed his hunting knife strapped to his leg and charged at the fallen assassin. His, or her, life was no more.

But then Leo heard a crash from behind him and another assassin had burst through the window, spraying glass everywhere. This assassin had throwing knives and had thrown two and barely missed Leo. He felt one prick his ear, but that was nothing. Leo ran down the hall to gain better vantage, but Odin and Niles stood their ground.

The assassin was quick in avoiding Odin's spells and Niles had run back to the room to get his bow and quiver of arrows, his preferred weapon. But as he did so, Odin was struck, falling to his knees as he tried to pry the small knife from his stomach. The assassin was about to finish the job but then a bright arrow shot from further down the hall, hitting the assassin square in the head. They were knocked down, blood seeping through the dark hood.

The arrow in question was glowing with magical energy, sparkling like stars in the night sky. It was Kazahana's arrow from her Shining Bow. Right then, Niles had emerged, bow and arrow drawn, but he looked to the fallen assassin and was quite impressed. He nodded his approval at her. Kazahana averted her eyes, surprised the retainer approved of her for once.

Leo turned to see that more assassins were coming up the stairs. What was this? A small militia intent on killing royalty? What had Leo done?

Leo kept them at bay with Brynhildr, sprouting trees and roots to trap them and trip them, as Kazahana collected her healing staff from her room to heal Odin. Niles helped Leo in managing the assassins, killing them or at least wounding them. In a matter of minutes, due to Kazahana's quick thinking, Odin was better, and he snapped to attention and unleashed spell after spell next to Leo.

The trio took on the assassins who seemed to keep spawning. Were they fighting the entire town? How did the innkeeper allow them in? Was no one at the counter, ready to accept tenants? Were they perhaps killed for harboring royalty?

Kazahana stayed behind them, healing when needed, which thankfully wasn't too often. Spell after spell, arrow after arrow was sent flying towards the assassins as they kept trying to kill their intended target. Leo felt the bottlenecking strategy was a good one; the narrow hall prevented the assassins from surrounding them. Unless more came from the windows of the rooms, Leo and company were safe.

But an errant dagger flew past Leo and in a state of distraction he turned to see it had hit Kazahana in the shoulder. She put on a brave face and pulled it out, blood spurting slightly from the wound, and she tried to heal the wound herself, but as Leo learned in the war, only special abilities that some healers had could heal what damage they received.

While her festal didn't work, Leo saw that an aura of white surrounded her, glittering like jewels in sunshine, and he saw the wound close. So she did have that ability after all.

He turned his attention back to the assassins and saw that most of them had fallen. It was an incredibly stressful and unexpected situation, but Leo was thankful for the competent retainers he had and the healing abilities of Kazahana.

The last one had dropped to their knees, not yet dead, and Leo approached them. They were weaponless and Leo could see that this one was female. Interesting.

"Pray, madam, tell me why on earth are their assassins after me? Or should I say were?"

She lowered her cowl. Leo felt dread hit the pit of his stomach. "You royals and your Hoshidan sympathizing. How dare you turn the glory of Nohr into a sham, allowing yourselves to be tainted by the Hoshidans and their selfish ways? How dare you conquer it and then let it rule itself, instead of taking it for what it's worth."

Leo rolled his eyes. "This is an era of peace, led by my sister. No more conquering for Nohr, as we will become a nation that harbors good intentions to all other nations. That is the declaration of the king, and if you can't accept that, then perhaps you and your small militia should end."

"I'll never accept it. I stand for Nohr's former glory even to my death." And with that the woman collapsed.

Niles felt for a pulse. "Dead."

"How odd that we were jumped by this small army of assassins. I didn't think this trading town would take to the new rulings so badly," Leo admitted. "We should leave."

"What if they took away the only means of our leaving?" Niles asked shrewdly. "They very well could have executed our steeds, milord."

"I highly doubt that. Their aim was to kill us. They were to think that their mission would succeed. Killing our only way of escaping would prove that their initial plan wouldn't work."

"Astute as ever, milord!" Odin declared. "You are a master strategist."

"Hmm, I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but thank you, Odin," Leo said gratefully. It was nice to hear the compliment, even if it was expected from his retainers.

He turned to Kazahana. "Gather your things. We leave now." She nodded and Odin followed her so they could take the koto down to the stables.

After a few minutes of tugging the thing down the stairs, they made it to the stables and found their steeds were fine, perhaps jumpy, but fine all the same. Niles kept a lookout as Leo mounted and Odin helped Kazahana attach the cart to the horse's harness.

When the coast was clear, they all galloped off. Leo took flight to keep a further watch for any assassins, but they managed to get to the edge of the town and found none. They were safe for now.

He descended and continued trotting next to his fellow companions and they spent the entire night running as far as they could from the savagery they had experienced.

Xander would need to know about this immediately.

They spent the entire night trekking through the rough terrain as the barren land seemed to swallow the horizon. By dawn, they had made it to what Leo called the 'walled town' and they rested for just a moment at its border.

Would they find trouble here as well? Surely the gods wouldn't punish them this far in their trip.

They trotted carefully through the town. Leo could see his pegasus desperately wanted water and he felt her steps drag. He looked behind and saw that everyone equally seemed exhausted. He was still keyed up from the night's previous fight, but the exhaustion was getting to him as well.

Should they be ambushed, they'd be done for.

They found another inn and Leo entered it cautiously as he instructed Odin and Niles to watch over Kazahana. Niles found the domesticity of his request out of character for his prince, but Odin dutifully complied.

There was no need to stay a night there, but Leo inquired about any places that could feed them and let their steeds rest. The man at the counter said there was a tavern nearby that would provide everything they needed. He recognized Leo and bowed as well, speaking as respectfully as possible. It left Leo on edge, but he thanked the man regardless and told his companions the news.

They went to the tavern, requesting water first. They watched as the animals gulped down water desperately. Niles pulled out some provisions and the group sat in a circle next to their animals and ate quietly, too tired to express concern for last night.

The dread that Kazahana previously felt filled her stomach again, this time heavier than before. She was so close to the castle and she was horrified at what was to come. She was worried she'd be found out. She was worried that she would be sent back to Hoshido to a sister who thought her dead.

She was worried for Leo.

Leo, should he be found out that he knew the entire time, or at least harbored the secret for just a moment, could face serious repercussions, or so she thought. She wasn't sure what kind of people the Nohrian royals were, but Leo spoke of them fondly. Surely they couldn't be so bad. Surely they would understand. She could only hope.

She also worried for their safety. Assassins hunting them through the night… She alone being Hoshidan put her at risk, but if more assassins were to find out she was a lost princess? She'd be done for, as would Leo for harboring her.

Niles had finished his food when he decided to speak. "What is our next move, milord?"

Leo swallowed the rest of his food. "We're too close to the castle to just give up now. I say we leave for it immediately." He looked to Kazahana. "Is that okay with you? Will you be alright?"

She nodded. "I w-wish to l-leave this place immediately as well," she affirmed.

Leo then got up and dusted himself off. "Then let's head off before we come into contact with more would-be assassins."

Odin gobbled up what was left of his food and they all mounted their animals and galloped off, hoping to be rid of this place as soon as possible. Not that anything happened, but they wanted to run no risk.

It didn't even take half the day to reach their destination. Castle Krakenburg was in sight and though Kazahana felt intense regret for agreeing to come on this journey, knowing she would at least be safe from assassins eased her mind. Surely the castle was well guarded.

She was right in assuming that. Guard after guard were placed at each entrance to each level, all dressed in fine livery, ebony and gold with details of violet. It was beautiful, but lethal.

They dropped off the horses at the stables, Leo directing a butler to help Kazahana haul her koto around. They were to head to the throne room immediately, where they were sure to find Xander.

Kazahana was beyond nervous. Xander was once the crown prince, one of the leaders of the army who invaded Hoshido. She should hate this man for helping to destroy her former country, but on the way to the throne room, Leo spoke of his brother so kindly that Kazahana had no will to hate a man she did not know. Xander seemed to be a kind king apparently.

The giant ornate doors that led to the throne room were wrapped in what looked like stone ivy, threatening in its appearance. Leo noticed the look of horror on Kazahana's face.

"Nohrian décor…can be sinister I suppose, to those unused to it. I assure you, the castle may appear dark and looming, but we royal siblings, ideally, are not." He chuckled. "Well, at the very least Elise isn't. I can't speak for Camilla."

Kazahana could only nod as her throat was now dry due to nerves. Leo opened the door and before them sat the king, speaking to a lavender-haired woman that Kazahana took to be Camilla. She was buxom, scantily dressed in feminine armor, but the woman had strong legs and arms that Kazahana knew were lethal to those who opposed this woman. By her side was an axe so sinister in appearance, Kazahana thought it would take to life of its own and murder her for her deceit. But that was just silly.

Xander looked up from what he was saying to Camilla and his eyes landed on his little brother and their new court musician. He had gotten the letter a while ago, and his brother's lack of appearance sooner worried him. But to see him alive and in the flesh was most soothing to Xander, who always worried about his younger siblings. He just didn't show it the way Camilla did.

Camilla turned and locked eyes with Leo. In her sultry way, she walked to him, hips involuntarily swaying, boot heels clacking on the stone floor, hair undulating behind her. Camilla, Kazahana saw, was a naturally seductive woman and it unnerved her, one who was so modest and young compared to the older, more experienced woman.

"Little Brother, you have returned. I missed my little Leo so much." Camilla engulfed Leo in a hug that made Kazahana blush. Leo was just tall enough for his face to be planted in her… Well, Kazahana looked away, embarrassed for him.

Camilla let go, attention turned to the newest addition. "So this is the young musician that has taken my baby brother's heart," she cooed. "You're so cute."

Kazahana flushed and hid behind her hair, bowing respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you. Leo has spoken so highly of you all."

Leo scoffed at Camilla. "No one has taken my heart, Sister. She just…plays well." A lie, but Kazahana understood. Leo was shy about this and Camilla seemed the type to torture and tease her younger siblings, especially one as stoic as Leo.

"Oh, Leo, deny it all you want, but your big sister knows," Camilla said. "There is no need to be ashamed."

Kazahana righted herself and saw Leo blush. He said nothing.

"That's what I thought," Camilla declared, chuckling at her embarrassed brother.

Xander cleared his throat. "It is good to see you, Leo. I trust that your trip was safe?"

Leo sighed. "I have news, Brother. There was an attempt on my life, as well as my companion's here. Niles, Odin, myself, and Kazahana fended them off, but it wasn't easy." Xander took note of the grimy condition they all were in and saw faint blood stains on Leo's sleeves and Kazahana's dress. He saw Niles and Odin peek their heads in from outside the door, ever the protective duo of their liege. Xander wasn't happy at this news.

"Do you know why the assassins were after you? I trust you managed to at least capture one and question them," Xander asked, worry furrowing his brow.

"We managed to question one, and it is apparent that our Hoshidan sympathizing is not sitting well with the public. The entire trading town seemed to be after us. It was…eerie," Leo admitted. "The walled town outside the castle was accommodating, but the trading town…"

"While you were gone, I had to personally quell a riot. Some Hoshidan merchants on their way to the castle were attacked. They didn't survive," Xander said solemnly. He looked to Kazahana. "You are Hoshidan, yes?" She nodded. "I am so sorry that your people have lost their lives to such hatred still. It is my mission and duty as king to end all the violence had on either side, but it hasn't been easy. This has been going on since the end of the war."

"I b-believe you," she stuttered out, fearful of the king, despite how kind he seemed. "It's spread to N-Nestra."

"So Leo has told me in a letter. A rebellion, yes?" She nodded. "I thank the gods you both are now safe."

Leo looked around, seemingly distracted. "Where are Corrin and Elise?"

"Corrin took Elise to the underground to explore. She is still shaken by the events that happened at Castle Shirasagi."

Kazahana's heart froze. She almost asked what had happened at her former home, but caught herself. They couldn't know.

"Ah, she's still hurt that Queen Hinoka spurned her," Leo suggested, throwing Kazahana off. Hinoka wasn't pleased to see Corrin?

"It seems so. Our sister is so sensitive over things like this, but who can blame Queen Hinoka? Her entire family is gone. I would be bitter too," Xander admitted. "I cannot imagine a life without any of you."

"And I you. A life without any of you…is not a life I want to know," Leo uttered. He turned to Kazahana. "All this talk must bore you." She definitely didn't feel boredom. She was unnerved. Leo then turned to Xander. "Where shall I take her?"

"You? I take it you are her new body guard," Xander joked. Leo stiffened. "I jest, Brother. Take her to where the court musicians used to be holed up. The eastern wing of the castle near the courtyard."

Kazahana looked to Leo who seemed pleased at this piece of news. Perhaps this was a better location than what she thought. She hoped the courtyard wasn't as creepy looking as the inside of the castle.

"Then I shall take her. Come, Kazahana." Leo led her out of the throne room. Niles and Odin closed the doors and followed their lord and his new companion.

When the four left, Xander laughed. "Our dear Leo has it bad, doesn't he, Sister?"

"Oh, so you noticed?" she jested. "I've never seen Leo so…passionate about another person. He was only ever like that with Corrin when he was little."

"I do remember he had some fascination with you when he was much younger," Xander noted. "Though he has surely grown out of that by now."

Camilla chuckled. "Oh, he has. The minute he heard I was his sister his baby face paled! Ah, those were…interesting days."

Xander didn't like to think of the days of the concubine wars. "Let's not speak of those days."

"Of course not," Camilla agreed. "How horrendous they were."

There was a small silence until Camilla smiled. "That girl will surely bring Leo out of his shell. He does so need it."

"Agreed. I think bringing her here, despite the perils they faced, was an excellent decision on his part."

"Leo very rarely makes poor decisions. Such a smart boy…" Camilla had a far off look in her visible eye. "He makes an excellent advisor too, but I have no head for politics, so I will leave that to you."

"Ah, Camilla. Ever the high maintenance sister."

"Someone has to keep this place lively. Elise has her way, and I have mine." She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "I must be off. I want to see what Elise and Corrin are up to."

"Do so. And if you see Leo, don't give him such a hard time. This is all new to him." Camilla liked seeing the gentle, big brother side of Xander. It was endearing.

"Oh, Brother, I would never," she drawled. "I am off." With that, she click-clacked her way out of the throne room, heading to the underground market where Elise liked to roam.

Xander watched as his sister left and worry hit his heart. An assassination attempt… Should he have lost Leo he would have been devastated and no force on earth would have stopped him from burning the town until it was nothing but ruins. Xander was a kind king, but he was no idiot; his father's teachings still were ingrained.

However, he was glad to meet the young koto player. Xander would let her rest, but he was eager to see how Elise and Corrin would take to the newcomer. Elise would be elated to have a new friend (he knew she would befriend the shy girl) and Corrin would have another Hoshidan to interact with as the foreign policy ambassador. Surely this was a match made in heaven.

But Xander was ignorant of Kazahana's true identity and did not realize the utter chaos this girl would bring.

Leo and Kazahana found a nice room that she would inhabit. It had a window that showed the courtyard outside and a balcony that gave her some fresh air. Nohr was dark and cloudy, but it was beautiful in its own way she supposed.

But what was on Leo's mind had nothing to do with beauty and courtyards. He was worried about Corrin discovering Kazahana. He wasn't sure how to broach the subject either.

Kazahana saw this conflicted look on his face and knew instantly what he was concerned with. She decided she'd gather up her courage and face this conflict head on.

"Pr-prince Leo, I have something to tell you," she began carefully.

"Yes?" He looked at her, confliction still on his face. "What is it?"

She pursed her lips, her fear getting the better of her. "Well… It's about the other night, when you were sick…"

His sharp mind flew to what happened that night. She knew.

"Kazahana, I'm sorry…" He backed away from her, suddenly needing space.

"So you know. Of my true identity at least." She had such a sorrowful look in her eyes. She gathered the ends of her hair and fiddled with them nervously. "This wasn't how I wanted to reveal it…"

"You wanted to reveal at some point?" he asked. "Well, you'd have to. Corrin…"

"Yes. Corrin. I'm so glad she wasn't here w-when we arrived. The D-dawn and D-dusk Dragons favor us today."

He laughed darkly. "After the hell they put us through last night? Oh how droll."

She didn't like his sudden change of the subject, nor his humor at what she said. She found it disrespectful. "Say what you want, Prince Leo, but we were fortunate. We now know of the discord the kingdom is in."

"Yes. This is true. But how do you, as a lost princess, fit into this? How will you take this news?" He was suddenly crafty, like a cat who had finally caught his mouse. It unnerved her.

She shook her head. "I-I have no interest in taking part in this. I want to be a musician. My days as Princess Sakura are over."

He squinted his eyes at her, as if he couldn't get a read on her. "You would willingly give up your title?"

"I already have, the day I escaped the war and took refuge in Nestra. I relinquish all ties I have to the kingdom."

"But you miss your home?" He saw how she shrunk away. "Would you like to go back home?"

"N-no…" Her fiddling with her hair made small tangles in it. "It's one thing to miss, and another to long for. Hoshido is dear to me, but I don't want to see it in a Nohrian state."

"Corrin says it hasn't changed that much. Buildings are rebuilt, the customs have stayed the same. Sure, there is some Nohrian occupation, but that's custom after a war. It will end soon enough and then the Hoshidans will be completely free."

The way he said it so normally, as if this was such a mundane thing to occur, bothered her. "Hoshidans under Nohrian eyes… The people won't forgive that, Prince Leo."

"How do you mean?" He was intrigued. For a girl who wanted nothing to do with her princess duties, she sure had a mind for her people.

"Hoshidans are proud of their heritage. They are proud of their culture. For Nohrians to be there, to scrutinize them… It won't sit well." Her statement was strong and he noticed how she didn't stammer. This was something she was passionate about, yet denied such passion.

He narrowed his eyes, studying her. "What are you saying?"

Her hands stopped what they were doing. She looked up at him. "I wouldn't be surprised if another war started."

First, Nohrians showed their distaste for Hoshidan sympathizing. Now, a former princess declares war is imminent. How had his life become so confusing and cumbersome?

He simply sighed in contemplation, wondering exactly how to bring this up to Xander. Of course, Xander couldn't know. Yet. But at some point, Kazahana would have to reveal her true identity, and that would most definitely have to be addressed.

He wondered exactly what Xander would want to do. The diplomatic thing would be to send her back home. Should Queen Hinoka find out that Sakura was here, being treated as a mere court musician, she would surely start a war over her sister's being held hostage.

But she wasn't being held hostage, here of her own will actually, but Leo knew enough of Queen Hinoka to know she was very stubborn and wouldn't yield. The woman would most assuredly start a war, or at the very least retract from the declaration of peace they made two years ago.

The other option was to simply keep her a secret, but should Queen Hinoka come to visit for diplomatic, political reasons, she would see her sister at some point, for she would expect festivities upon her arrival. That would be a disaster.

Leo wasn't sure what to do with Kazahana, and he wasn't sure how to address her. Sure, she wanted to simply be Kazahana, but Leo felt it wrong to deny her true identity. What was she to him? A former princess, his Sakura, or his court musician, Kazahana?

Then he noticed the possessiveness of his thoughts, and hid them away. She belonged to nobody, least of all him.

"Princess Sa- I mean, Kazahana, I will take into consideration what you said. I should bring this to my king's attention as well. He needs to know of any sort of unrest among our kingdoms."

"I-I understand, b-but m-maybe you could put it from your p-point of view? I don't want him th-thinking it was me…." She stammered out, hiding behind her hair again.

"Of course. Your secret is safe with me." He nodded to her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezing, and left her.

When she heard the door click shut, she let out a sob. For her lost heritage, for her lost home, for her risk of seeking refuge in Nohr.

She wished none of this had happened. She wished she had died with Subaki. But what was done was done, and there was little she could do.