A/N: Whew, well… can't really say much here this time. Except that… I'm prepping for plot.

Canon name = Nickname: Corrin = Lupus. Velouria = Vella. Keaton = Keaty. Setsuna = Seta. Hinoka = Hina. Sakura = Saku. Subaki = Superman. Ryoma = Red. Selkie = Silky. Kaden = Ka-da. Lastly, only Selkie/Silky refers to Corrin/Lupus as Lu-pu.

…

And Orochi = Viper.

Curse of Whimsy: Well, I'm glad I went with continuing with Hina. I was unsure at first, but as it went on, I realized that there was much more needed to be said, even if it comes in the form of, "If it came down to it, who would you stay with?"

I'd say in terms of possessiveness, lowest to highest and family/close friends only, it'd be: Saku, Takumi, Hina, Mikoto, Ryoma, Keaty, and a huge gap with Vella being far on top. As for why? I think Saku is too timid and against fighting to get into a fight with the Wolfskin… well, pre-war Saku. If the war came and went, and she was a part of every battle, then I could see her much higher up. Takumi wouldn't hesitate to defend, but his determination is small compared to the others. Before the last chapter, Hina would probably be right near the top, but it's now clear that if Lupus really chose the Wolfskin, then she would respect her decision. Mikoto under Ryoma? I have a very good feeling that Ryoma would act rashly, regardless of what Lupus wants. As Consort believes, I also think that Ryoma would be the closest human version of an alpha. Keaty's next as the Wolfskin are in danger on a daily basis, so it'd make sense they'd fight for the pack's lives. Vella is in a league of her own, in addition to her possessive behavior present in canon, now she also has the motivation of viewing Lupus as a sister to add onto the Wolfskin's need to prevent loss. But, what pushes her so far up is her fear of losing Lupus… I mean, I'm talking close to the in-game canon equivalent of Camilla losing Corrin levels of fear… except she would not have the "I love you too much to let you live."

Glad to hear you're still enjoying this! And… well. I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I'm afraid Consort has a better viewpoint on what Lupus should do.

Consort: I agree. Lupus is starting to reach her emotional limit again, as Seta recognized all the way back when Lupus met with, I believe Takumi, if Lupus is pushed a bit more, she's going to lash out. However, unlike last time, Lupus can't unwind with Seta, as she's one of the reasons why Lupus is in so much distress. So yes, no family, no Seta, no Kitsunes. She needs another source to go to, someone she doesn't have much attachment to, or preferably hasn't met at all.

So, Monkundo is a good idea, as is Orochi… and I think I'm going to have her meet Orochi, because I thought of the perfect nickname…

Sausage1: Yes, if she chooses to return to the pack. Let's not forget that Lupus still has some of canon Corrin's wishes… Lupus would prefer if she could unite all of the people she loves. She would prefer if she could unite Wolfskin, Kitsunes, and her own blood-family.

But, if she were to fail? If she did have to choose? Well, we'll see, yeah?

She needed space. It wasn't because of she didn't like her family, it's because she knows she's reaching her limit. As unfair as that question was, Lupus knows it was one she needs an answer to. Yes, she told Hina she'd go back to the pack, but… What about Seta? Lupus groans, why do things have to be so difficult to think about?!

Maybe she should just go now, at least she knows she'll be happy in the pack. She's mostly completed her task, all she needs to do is to learn to fight in her dragon form… and that won't take long. She could even start having those rough and fast playfights with the others now! And she can go back to disarming traps, and she would…

…

Leave Seta behind. She would end up hurting all of her family, the people who are so happy for having their sister back. She's been gone for nearly eighteen years and she just wants to turn around and leave them? Possibly for good? The alpha isn't just going to let her travel from there to here freely. How would Saku react? Lupus would think she'd break down, she's too gentle, too nice… too fragile. Hina? It would surely damage her forever, no matter how many times she says she'll 'respect her decision'. Takumi? Ryoma? Mother?

Lupus plants her back against one of the walls. Too much, too much. Space, she needs that space, but where? She'd really rather not see anyone right now. Not even Silky or Ka-da. She takes a breath and tries to will herself calm, her eyes dart around. She touches her Dragonstone, feeling a sort of calm from it. Yet, that roar is also there.

Hunt?

She's hunted before, but she always had to be incredibly careful, as she could only do so much with her hands and that flimsy sword. Nodding to herself, she walks to the outside, looking to go to the forest.

All she needs is some time, some space.

No, she knows she just wants to go back to the pack…

And just leave her family behind?

She wants her simpler life back. Sure, it was at times, incredibly difficult in the pack, but she didn't have to have all of these things to deal with.

Seta keeps popping up, she can't just abandon her.

Yes, no, yes, no. Wants to, doesn't want to. Wolfskin pack, blood-family.

"Lady Corrin?" Who? New voice, new scent. Lupus turns to see a purple-hair woman standing some few feet from her, one finger is twirling her hair, the other hand is holding some sort of small item. "My name is Orochi." She smiles and takes a step forward. "You seem troubled."

"I don't want to talk about it." Yes, she does! "Besides, I know what I want." No, she doesn't! "So, leave me alone." No, help her!

"Oh, I'm aware of your problem, and I knew you'd come this way." She smirks… "I am a Diviner, Lady Corrin. I can use my cards…" She fans out those small items, "And I can get predictions for the future. I'm here because you need to talk."

Too smooth, too easy. "The future?" Lupus repeats. "The pack, how are they?"

She frowns for a half-moment, before plucking a card from her grip, "An early warning… I won't be able to foresee all of their well-beings."

Of course… "Then do Vella and Keaty."

She mutters some sort of phrase, before seeming satisfied with a nod, then placing the card back, and putting the deck away, "Keaton is holding up well, it seems he has recently gotten control of a… um, 'new form'?"

Lupus smiles, "Wolfsegger." The determining factor of if a Wolfskin will shift into a… well, Wolfskin or a Wolfsegger is entirely dependant on how strong that Wolfskin is. So, that would mean that Keaty is now at least as strong as the alpha. That kind of information easily brings her mood up, "Okay. And Vella?"

Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump. Lupus can pick up her heart beating just a bit too fast. Her smile fades and Lupus is glaring, "Concerned, to say the least." Orochi seems to buckle under the intensity of her gaze, "Wondering when you'll return." Well… that does sound something Vella would think. Vella has always been far more attached to Lupus and Keaty, even by Wolfskin standards.

…

You never know if today is your last day back in the mountains. It's difficult living there, with death being considered almost 'normal'. The pack would have been lucky to make it an entire year without one of them falling to one thing or the other. Even with Lupus's skill in disarming traps, there would still be the one of the unlucky few.

She fears the day when Keaty or Vella fall into that list.

No, not fear. She's terrified.

"Okay." Is all Lupus replied with. She wants to return to the pack, she wants to be with Keaty and Vella… but she knows she won't be able to simply return here. The alpha won't let her have that kind of power. "Thanks, I guess…" She's no better off than earlier.

"Lady Corrin?" Orochi asks as she began walking away, "If there's anything I can do to help you out…"

Can she do anything? "No, you can't… Viper." Too convenient, too slippery… she's hiding something.

"Uh, Viper?" Viper echoed, but Lupus had already walked off.

Not enough, she needs something else to focus on.

Lupus walked the halls without thinking, no true destination in mind. "Sometimes… I just wish you were born Wolfskin…" Lupus sniffs, "Me too, sister." She mutters to herself. Maybe… she should go outside for a bit? Run? But, what if she ends up encountering Silky again? Ka-da? If he ever does return? Lupus touches her Dragonstone. There's no need to hunt, since there's plenty of food. She's pretty sure that Red or Hina or Takumi or any of their retainers are in the training grounds.

It occurs to her how little there is to do without the interference of family, friends, and retainers. If this were any other of her earlier days here, then that'd be a great feeling, but now? She just wants to get out… and not run the risk of getting in Silky's or Ka-da's senses.

…

Maybe she should just return to the pack? Wait, no! That'd hurt her family more than anything… how would she feel, if Vella and Keaty just left? "I'm… so confused…" She whines. Her thoughts continue to conflict with each other, always contradicting, never agreeing on a single solution.

She has yet to stop walking.

"Lady Corrin?" Her ears perk up as she detects that silent movement she associated with that man sneaking around her all those days ago.

So she growls. "Stop. Hiding."

"My apologies." Into her view comes a forest-green hair Ninja. "I was concerned for your well-being, so I followed you… I'm sorry if that bothers you."

"Then go follow someone else." She spits out, "I'm not gonna talk."

"Even if I offer my services? Is there anything you need?" He pushes.

A pause, "I wanna be alone for day. Away from everyone else, I wanna do things alone, without worrying if a family member is right around the corner… or any of their retainers. Can you do that?"

"I know of several highly secluded sp…"

"'Se… cluded?" She echoes.

"Hidden."

"Then why didn't you just say that in the first place!? I hate all of these 'higher education' words that you humans…" A silence reigns over the area… she did it again. 'You humans'. "No, nevermind. I don't need help." She turns and walks away.

"Lady Corrin, I…" He takes a few steps before stopping…

Lupus formed her lance, her eyes are showing that lurking dragon right beneath the surface, her teeth even look far sharper. "I. Don't. Need. Help." She growls, "Leave. Me. Alone."

He bows his head, "As you command."

The lance fades, but that danger still lurks as she storms off… brick giving in to the force of her steps. She grits her teeth… Why did she have to go and say that again? Does… does Lupus even consider herself a human, then? Sha's a half-dragon. Her mother even said that she was born with scales, rather than skin. Maybe… she's more than half-dragon? Three-fourths dragon? Maybe she's actually like the dragon-version of a Wolfskin or Kitsune? Maybe she's a full-blooded dragon… somehow.

Maybe, even if she isn't, she'd rather consider herself a pure-blooded dragon. While yes, it's obviously impossible, since her mother can't use a Dragonstone, but…

Wait, if there's never been another one like Lupus, then how would they know about the Dragonstone in the first place?

…

She's being lied to. Lupus nods to herself, managing to convince herself of this newest idea. Vella, Keaty, and the alpha are right… humans will trample over each other to get what they want. So… who cares if Lupus is really family? They're obviously telling most of the truth, but then cover up other spots with carefully crafted lies. Even… even family aren't excluded from their greed… their…

She's leaving.

Lupus turns on her heel and makes one more stop before she does do that… She needs to get her little bag with all of her treasured items. However, as she was making her way to her old room, the sound of loud, frantic footsteps echoed down the halls. She barely managed to avoid a man who was running as if a pack of Wolfskin was on his trail.

"P-Pardon me, ma'am! I-I… need to get our Queen… now!" He shouts as he rounds another corner, "M-Message for… Queen Mikoto!"

She tilts her head, letting curiosity get the better of her… in a bit. First, she's still getting her bag. It took her a few minutes, but she managed to locate it, she goes to grab her bag, then follows that frantic man's scent trail.

Oh… if only she knew the severity of the message that man had in store…

A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Super-ominous cliff-hanger! What could possibly be so important that it would greatly affect even Lupus? Will it be enough to keep her in Shirasagi? Or will she just discard it as another 'human problem'? Find out next time on, 'Corrin, of the Wolfskin'!

…

Okay, all drama aside. The overall plot will be resuming next chapter… before Lupus could even spend time with her entire family once more. Real life can be so cruel, right?