A/N: Hm, I suppose I'll start off with this: I posted a Father's Day fic yesterday… er, this fic will be shown as posted 'today', but for me, Father's Day was yesterday. Anyway, while it was originally intended to be AU, I decided to make it a massive time-skip in the AU 'Struggles of Raising Hybrids', which was originally titled, 'When a Kitsune and a Half-Dragon Mate with Each Other…'. Now! Even though that 'Struggles of Raising Hybrids' is AU, that doesn't mean that everything in it will be different.
I'm not going to say which details from the Father's Day fic will turn out as 'canon', but just know that there will be several things mentioned or outright stated will end up being canon for 'Corrin, of the Wolfskin'.
Canon Name = Nickname: Corrin = Lupus. Velouria = Vella. Keaton = Keaty. Setsuna = Seta. Hinoka = Hina. Sakura = Saku. Subaki = Superman. Ryoma = Red. Selkie = Silky. Kaden = Ka-da. Orochi = Viper. Takumi = Tako. Lastly, only Selkie/Silky refers to Corrin/Lupus as Lu-pu.
Consort: While it was the only true option to take, that doesn't mean it was, by any means, an easy one to make. Even Keaty understands the gravity of his choice. Sure, he may not know every 'human' thing, but he does recognize that a Princess is a delicate position. And due to Lupus's 'human' habits of 'family', Keaty also can grasp why his call will hurt Hina and Lupus far more than the rest. But yes, also true, staying could have gotten Saku caught in the crossfire, even if she remained in the den.
On top of that, don't forget that Garon has a personal vendetta against that one specific pack. It doesn't matter that the 'older' Wolfskin and the previous alpha are alive, what matters is that any trace of the pack that stole Corrin from him still exists. He'll delegate Sakura's fate to others while he and primarily Iago will figure out how to kill the rest off. I agree though, having Leo or Xander handle Sakura will be for the best. She's sure to get treated as well as a Royal prisoner of war is able to. However…
That doesn't change the fact that she is a Princess. Even if Xander and/or Leo make sure she's well, she will be used as leverage. It'll probably start out with them simply announcing she's captive, followed by demands. She'll obviously be under heavy guard, too. They aren't going to risk losing a valuable prisoner.
Here's one potential plus side to the current situation. If Garon, Iago, and perhaps Leo are all confident that the pack encountered a hamlet of Kitsunes, then in the state they were in, they would die. As long as Leo doesn't go for another mind control, then they could be potentially clueless that they are alive. It's clear that the main strategy against the pack now was to weaken them, not outright kill them, and now it seems they were planning to route the pack into a Kitsune hamlet, perhaps hoping that the long-standing hatred would finish them off, except…
They didn't take into that this particular Kitsune hamlet only houses Ka-da and Silky, and that those two Kitsunes are, or probably were friends with Lupus.
Yes, make no mistake. Ka-da understands that Lupus truly desires peace between Wolfskin and Kitsune, but as he also stated, forcing a 'solution' like that will only make more problems. If it were just Keaty and Ka-da, with Lupus as the 'neutral' party, then perhaps the two alphas could try and work things out, but that's not how it turned out. The entire pack is there, and two humans. However, instead of taking advantage of the pack's weakened state, Ka-da and Silky just left.
Prt 1 (Guest): Before I start any of my responses, I would like to take the time to state that I, by no means, intend any of my replies to come out as aggressive, assertive, demeaning, or otherwise in a negative light.
Well, to be fair, I also never explicitly stated that I'm taking Valla and Anankos into account in the first place. Sure, I responded to a Valla-related topic in a shout-out to Consort, but I never mentioned I'd be including Valla. I'll make it clear: I despise 'Revelations' with a burning passion. I dislike the idea of Valla and its 'curse'. As such, without Anankos in this fic, Selena, Odin, and Laslow are to be treated as their own characters and not alter-egos of Severa, Owain, and Inigo.
I'm going to take that question literally and at face value, so… I can't actually answer it as it is. Selena, Odin, and Laslow have made their retainer vows to Camilla, Leo, and Xander respectively. They don't serve Nohr itself, they serve their lieges. Sure, King Garon can override their orders with his own, but the 'Awakening' trio follow the three mentioned Royals.
Alright, now we're entering the personal preferences. Again, I'm not trying to sound like I'm demoralizing what you're presenting me. I'm returning your personal thoughts with my own. A mental trade, if you will. I'll also try and stay away from brushing any reasoning off with 'screw Valla'.
It has, yes. Garon isn't himself. I care as much about Garon as I do Azura and Lucina. I won't pick up my hypothetical pen and try to breathe in morals into him, nor will I even bother to fix him. The only thing I'll ever teach him is how much it hurts to get his entrails torn out of his body through his spleen. Mikoto… she and Emmeryn have some serious issues to overcome. Peace ain't gonna rain down from the sky because they called for it. Then again, I'm also the guy who is legitimately tired of 'happy endings'. 'Conquest' would have been perfect if it ended with Hoshido despising Corrin while Corrin becomes an emotional train wreck.
Split Personality Disorder Anankos: Alright, I give in. Anankos can go jump down the Bottomless Canyon, but starts slamming into the rock cliffs on the way down.
Corrin's Rampage: Doesn't change the fact that Mikoto is Corrin's mom. She treats them as a mother should the second they meet. Methinks Camilla makes a far better qualifier for a parent than Gunter.
How I believe things should change:
Completely remove all traces of Valla and Anankos. Make Corrin full-blooded Hoshidan and Azura Nohrian. Have Nintendo and Intelligent Systems take the time that was spent on 'Revelations' and pour it into making Hoshido and Nohr seem more alive.
ZygardeFusion: You're wondering if they can use breath attacks. I'm worried about the resulting gas that will come out of them. I'm guessing everyone is going to sleep in an open area away from each other.
J-Dawg (Guest) Ch.25: Greetings to you, too. I've noticed you have been popping up in several ones, as well. I'm glad you're enjoying a lot of the fics I have. And don't worry, I've no intention of stopping. I enjoy what I do and I wanna do more. Granted, delays may pop up from time to time, but that's at least to be somewhat expected.
Ch. 31: I totally get you there, because believe me… it hurt to put Sakura in that position, but yes… bringing her along and having her survive the trip would have been too unrealistic. Staying and fighting would have been suicide, in addition to Nohr having three Princesses instead of one. The only realistic choice was to leave her behind.
A new chapter? Well, here you go!
*Shrug* I'll tell ya like I told the guy who PM'd me. Lemme know your preferences: What do you like? What do you dislike? Are there subjects you won't read about? I don't want to recommend something, but then it turns out it holds a topic that really offends you. These are also the types I things I prefer to PM about, but...
Cold, so cold. Quiet and cold. Yet, this dual sensation brings the young woman a sense of peace. If she so let it, then she could easily slip into an eternal sleep. Cradled by the fact that she's actually quite comfortable where she is right now. In her mind's eye, she can see her father, a man begging to have one of his daughters by his side again. A promise of infinite peace, love, and caring. No pain, no hard times.
No.
This girl pushes past that tempting offer. She can't die here. It would definitely be the easy route, but she refuses to take it. The war between Nohr and Hoshido won't be won with inactivity. "B…" she coughs, because despite her mental fortitude, she's still lacking so much blood. "Sis…" tears fall as she forces her fragile body up.
Hinoka will save her. She knows this. Her family will win, and she needs to hold out until then. "Ngh…!" She squeals as her limbs give out and she hits the rocks with… wait.
The cave floor wasn't this smooth.
Her eyes slowly focus and her suspicion is confirmed. She's not in the den where she was skewered. Thick bars of metal greet her, one guard on each side.
Thump, thump, thump. Her heart slowly starts to pound faster as she realizes her current situation.
Nohr imprisoned her.
In that moment, memories come swarming in… how Corrin's vivid red eyes dimmed, slowly shifting to a sickening purple. How Sakura felt an incomparable pain as Corrin somehow turned her arm into a lance and pierced her midsection. How the world around her quickly became colder, her vision blurred, the metallic taste of blood coming out of her mouth.
The screams around her were dulled, the pain drowned out other senses. All she really saw was the murderous yet empty look on Corrin's face. All she felt was the lance slowly ripping more into her.
Then she woke up, weakened, almost dead. Subaki and Hinoka just barely healed her wound in time.
And how she spoke that she trusts her family to save her. Despite her incredibly critical state, Sakura knew exactly what was going to happen. The Nohrian soldiers would find her… then one of two outcomes.
They would just execute her right there, or she would be held as a Prisoner of War.
It's obvious they were ordered to do the latter. Sakura isn't ignorant, after all.
"She's awake!" One of the guards yelled. "Where's her medic?!" Soon after, the faint sound of a door opening and slamming shut follows. The iron bars part to show off a light-blue hair woman… a Maid's outfit.
"Open." She coldly states. However, considering she's a healer, Sakura understands and opens her mouth. "Hm… close." A second, more keen look shows that this Maid is not pleased being here. "Arm." Sakura's body drags a bit as she slowly raises her arm, "Other." Down goes one, up goes the other. The Maid sighs, "Clothes."
Despite how weak she currently is, Sakura still manages to squeal and her face instantly flushes. "I-I-I-I…."
"I don't have time for this." Sakura's face is absolutely burning with embarrassment as the Maid flips her shirt up without a second thought. The Princess just wants to fall unconscious again. "Lousy healing job." She comments, as Sakura feels a wave of healing magic wash over her midsection. "I'm surprised the wind didn't rip your stomach open." Why is she so… cold?
"U-u-u-um…" Sakura starts with a beet-red face. The Maid pats the shirt back down and almost glares at Sakura.
"Yes, Princess Sakura?" Oh, so she does know. While Sakura is thankful for any proper treatment, this woman's coldness doesn't rub well with her. Sakura's mouth opens and closes, frankly intimidated by the other. "I'm only here for a general inspection, if you're worried about me returning, then don't."
"Wh-what's y-y-y-your name?"
A question that seems to catch her off-guard. "Flora." Her mask of coldness returns, "And now that I know you aren't about to keel over and die, I can take my leave."
"W-w-w-w-wait!" She reaches out as Flora walks away. "Th-thank you!" Flora stops, partially turns, but then resumes walking without a word. Sakura pulls her shirt up a bit, just to see… there's only a nasty scar left, it's like someone drew a ragged circle onto her skin.
And Corrin's lance is what caused it.
A mind-controlled Corrin. Sakura knows that Corrin wouldn't harm her otherwise. Oh, if only she knew at first glance, she could have done something. Sure, she wouldn't be able to dispel it, but she could lessen the effects.
But, that line of thinking is moot, as Sakura is now a prisoner.
"Part way." A far more stern voice calls out.
"Milord." The two guards reply at the same time…
And into Sakura's cell comes a single man. Blonde hair with the Dark Knight's armor set, bar the helmet. "Princess Sakura." On his hip she can spot a tome.
Brynhildr.
"U-u-um…"
"Sit." He commands. "I'm here to inform you of your situation." He pauses, "My name is Leo, second eldest son of King Garon. You are Sakura, the youngest Hoshidan Princess. Do you understand why you are here? Or is the shroud of innocence clouding your perception?"
"I-I-I'm a… pr-pr-prisoner." Tears start to blur her vision. Prince Leo has a very commanding presence and his Brynhildr only adds to the sheer authority he holds.
"That you are. A prisoner of war. Left behind by your 'family'."
"Th-They had to!" She squeals.
"Or perhaps your sisters thought you too weak." He sneers.
"That's a lie!"
"Maybe not weak, but… too passive? Helpless? A woman who cowers in the face of danger?" He presses, taking a step forward.
"I-I'm not! I stood up and I…"
"Fired a single arrow before nearly wetting yourself?" He cuts her off. "Yes, because a single arrow is going to kill all of your enemies."
"St-stop!"
"Tch." He scoffs, "Listen, 'Princess'. You are only alive because of your value to Queen Mikoto." He pulls out a sheet of paper and a pen, "Now, you will write whatever tearful tale you wish to your family. Make those words count, as it could be the last time they hear from you." Sakura almost immediately reaches for it, but stops. No, she's smarter than that. There's another motive at play here, but what? She can't trust that the contents of this letter will be the…
"No." She firmly states.
"You'd rather be forgotten?"
"You're going to copy my handwriting and forge your own letter." Shyness slowly leaves her, not that she actually realizes it.
Leo takes a breath. "Perhaps you aren't as ignorant as I thought." He nods, "Very well, Princess Sakura… yes, that was my intention." And he… openly admits it? There's something else going on here. Sakura wracks her mind at the possibilities. Prince Leo holds great magical power, not to mention the Divine Weapon, Brynhildr. He's clearly far more intelligent than most. "I suppose you win this round." He tucks the paper and pen away… then smirks? "I'll admit, I'm eager to see where you move your pieces next. How long will it take to push you into a corner and admit defeat? How much can you take before you break?"
"Y-you…!"
"We were unable to procure Corrin, so consider this as interest. If you ever see the light of day again, if you ever see your family again, you won't be the same. They're going to receive a shell of their precious princess. An emotionless wreck." He turns and starts to leave. "Keep her food and water at a minimum and at irregular times. We can't have her becoming numb with predictable repetition."
"Yes, milord!"
As he leaves and Sakura is left alone with only the two guards, she slinks back to her 'cot'. "Big sisters, big brothers…" She quietly whimpers.
Horseback riding can be a potentially rough experience, especially if the person only has minimal training in it… such as Hana. She can already feel the soreness on her both of her thighs and all the up to the area around her, obviously extremely sensitive, core. Perhaps she should have taken some extra classes instead of attempting to tune her near mastered skill with the katana?
Besides, High Prince Ryoma is the only one more skilled in the katana than she.
Now normally, she would be riding beside with Lady Sakura and maybe Subaki, if his Pegasus were taking a short stroll to rest his wings before taking flight again, but neither of them are here. Gods, she feels so horrible for not pushing the topic of going with Lady Sakura.
How is she supposed to protect her liege with her whole being if she isn't there with her! Subaki better be doing better than his supposed 'perfection' while Hana is away. If there is so much as a nick on her when she arrives…
"Hana, relax." High Prince Ryoma rides up beside her. Perhaps it's due to his multiple trips across Hoshido, but horseback riding seems to not have nearly the same effect on him. "Not just for yourself, but also your horse."
She takes a breath, though it doesn't do much, "I wish I had just left with Lady Sakura…"
"Saku will be fine, Hana. She has Lupus and Superman and Keaty and Vella and the pack with her." Setsuna slowly says.
"That's besides the point! I need to be the one beside her! I'm her retainer!"
"Hana, it would be a bad idea to just run up to her, anyway." Setsuna remains calm.
Hana only seems to grow more agitated, "I'm going to her, and…"
"Setsuna." Ryoma interrupts, "Would you please explain why?"
"The alpha only let Saku arrive because he needed her. If we arrive in unannounced, he will react in a violent manner. It would be for the best if we set up camp, then get into contact with Lupus, so she can relay our presence to the alpha, then we will be able to safely enter."
Hana huffs and all but glares into the distance. "How can we even trust them?"
"Who?" It's Ryoma.
"Those Wolfskin." She bluntly states. "With all due respect, High Prince Ryoma. Lady Corrin has been missing for nearly two decades and apparently she's just been living with a pack of wolves?"
"They kept her safe and they raised her well, Hana." Ryoma sits up proudly. "I'd much rather her as she is now, than have been kept prisoner by King Garon."
"You should count our blessings, Hana." Kagero flatly states. "My liege is right, who knows how Lady Corrin would have returned if she was in King Garon's grasp… if she returned at all."
"I know, I know!" Hana looks away and takes another breath… she's simply too worked up from how far Lady Sakura is from her. "But… shouldn't she have stayed? Why would she choose them over her family?"
"Her choice is her own, Hana." Saizo speaks up.
"You were the one who was the most suspicious one of her! Do…"
"You pay too much mind to rumors." He cuts her off. "Your concern is giving way to gullibility. Without a constant source of direct information, you start to grasp at anything that could be remotely related to Lady Sakura's well-being."
…
Hana shuts her mouth and remains silent. Saizo's right, he cut straight to the point and hit the issue head on. Hana's concern is essentially weakening her mental resolve. The sooner she gets to Lady Sakura's side once more, the better.
"Steady your breathing, sister." Hina calmly states as Lupus, more or less, fidgets in place. "Clear your mind and calm down."
"I don't get how this is supposed to help me resist magic." Lupus huffs as she stands as still as she can. "I thought we'd be doing something like… casting spells at me."
"We'll get to something similar to that, but right now, there's the far more important matter of that mind-control part of the spell."
"That's not the point, I meant… this is supposed to be 'magical defense' training, so where's the magic?" Lupus crosses her arms and pouts.
"Resistance is linked to mental fortitude. This is doubly true for spells that intend to disrupt your performance without actually damaging your muscles or bones."
"Alright…" Lupus takes a breath and uncrosses her arms, "Now what?"
"Focus on something that motivates you."
"Protecting the pack." Lupus nods, "Alright."
Hina smiles, "Good."
"...wait, that's it?"
"It's one way, yes."
"I don't believe that! How does thinking about something prevent me from getting controlled?"
"...Hey, sister? Mind if I tell you something… personal?" Hina looks away, suddenly embarrassed. "I… wasn't always as good as I am now. It took me a lot of practice and…"
"You use to stumble around and did a lot of silly things." Lupus interrupts her, "Superman told me."
"What?!" Her face turns as red as her hair, "He… what?!"
"Yeah, also told me about how it looked like you didn't belong there. Your eyes were all red and it looked like you… uh, Hina?"
"Subaki!" Hina storms off.
"Hm…" Lupus hums as she bobs her head, "Focusing on something that motivates me will… keep me, me?" She looks around…
"Sister!" And is promptly tackled to the ground by Vella. Her tail is furiously wagging and, wow… she looks so much better. "I feel soooo good! Wanna play?" She starts sniffing Lupus without constraint. "Y'know what? No play, just… hold me."
"...Vella." Lupus sighs.
"Lupus?" Vella tilts her head. "What's the matter? I thought you'd be really happy to see me all better."
"I am." She nods. "It's just… are you sure?"
"Huh?"
"That you wanna be this close?" Lupus bites her lip as she feels the heat between her legs rise up again.
"Because you're in heat?"
"No! Y'know, what happened with Saku." Lupus is now looking away.
"..."
"Vella?"
"I'd do anything for you, sister." She solemnly states. "If you're afraid you'll hurt any of us, I'll keep you still. I'll hold you down as long as I have to."
"That won't get rid of the curse, Vella. You can't just isolate me from the world and expect all of the problems to fade away!"
"Then I will hold you until we get a cure!" Tears start staining her fur. "I'm not losing you!"
"Vella! I don't need someone to look over me every second of the day. I don't want to be held down when I can't be me."
Tick tock. Vella's expression slowly shifts, from sisterly love, to concern, to…
Hurt?
"You… don't… want me?" Vella slowly removes herself from Lupus.
"Huh? No! That's not what I meant!" Lupus slowly rises in kind. She hadn't wanted to start the talk like this, she wanted to approach it gently. "Vella, please listen to me, okay?"
"I want to hold you. I want to love you with all I can. But, you…" Vella frowns.
...Lupus hadn't realized just how bad Vella's obsession has become. "And I want to hold you and…"
"Liar! You just said that you don't want me to hold you! If I can't hold you, I can't sniff you! If I can't sniff you, I'll forget your scent! If I forget your scent, then I might as well just… just…" Vella turns away. "Go away." She finishes. "Is that what you want? For me to go away?"
"That's not what I said! Vella! Stop and… Vella? Vella!" Her Wolfskin sister walks away. "Vella!" She takes a step forward, then stops…
No, it would be a bad idea to keep going. Emotions are too high, she'll just end up saying something stupid, or she won't get it out right or, or… "Lupus." She doesn't need to turn around to know who it is.
Dadaan stands tall behind her. "Yes?" But Lupus keeps looking ahead, Vella has went into her den.
"What do you need me to do?"
…
'Me'. Not 'the pack'.
…
"I don't know." She states.
…
Something that motivates her. "Well, if you…" He starts.
"Dadaan?" She asks as she turns around. He is holding a rather… powerful presence. It isn't as much as Keaty's, but he's not just the alpha, but also a Wolfsegger. Still, even with all of that considered, Dadaan is far stronger than all the other male Wolfskins. "Hold me."
He tilts his head, "But, you just told Vella…"
"I don't want to be held all the time, and that's the part she didn't listen to!" She chokes on some air as tears roll down. "So please, just for a bit…" A short pause and he steps forward, slightly uncertain. More human things, but… this is also something that Lupus has done with at least some sort of consistency with the ones who grew up with her, so…
He follows through with her request. Two primarily black-fur covered arms wrap around a body covered with skin without any fur. Lupus can see the numerous patches of purple fur that lines his body, though his stomach is covered with white fur. Gentle breathing, calmness. Care. Love. Lupus takes a deep breath of his scent. It isn't as potent as Keaty's but… that lack of 'power' makes him smell… sweet? No.
Lupus's sorrow slowly stops, the rivers of tears turning into spots and little puddles. Her crying turns to silent sniffles. Whatever trembling her body had stopped and she… relaxes. She grips and strokes his fur. Peace. Her arms finally wrap around him… "Think about something that motivates you." Well, what if that some...thing is a some...one? Lupus holds him tighter, until the pain from that spell Leo casted on her just seems to fade. And that, that is when it dawns on her. Dadaan's scent, that is.
It's that same scent she's been associating with Seta.
A/N: So… Sakura's alive! But… in the care of Flora? It's clear that Flora isn't there by choice, either. Still, she has a job to do, and if Sakura were to get ill or the like, then Flora and her tribe would be the ones in trouble. And… then there's Leo. The wielder of the Brynhildr is in charge of Sakura's treatment. Oh boy, however it seems like he's wanting to break Sakura's… innocence? Her will? But, what about the part where Leo openly admitted what he was trying to do?
Next up is… Hana. It's clear she's at unease, but is she really willing to go against orders? I think so, I think that she'll take her oath to protect Sakura with her life higher than the orders she gets from Sakura. I pulled that reasoning from her Support with Corrin, when the topic of her devotion as Sakura's retainer is brought up, and the following conversation about Hana's father.
The third and last is Lupus! It started off well enough, right? Some mental training. Honestly though, I liked how Hinoka was about to bring up her determination with why she became a Sky Knight… then Lupus turned around as was like, "Yeah, Superman already told me that." I wonder what Hina is gonna say or do to him?
Then the topic of Vella's obsession came up, and… yeah. That definitely didn't go too well.
And, aww… it seems like Lupus and Dadaan are becoming a thing now, right? I mean, you don't just go and share such a deep, loving hug like that without something following up. Or, who knows, maybe it won't go anywhere...