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.

ZygardeFusion: I dunno, ideas are just flowing in.

Elise will be a far better person to tend to Sakura. Flora was just too… cold. (HA!)

Methinks there still have to be limits, though. Fighting a highly improbable battle from someone who is clearly not going to talk about is the point where Hana should have stepped back. This is basically equivalent to Subaki and whether he should stay behind with Sakura or not. Sure, there's a chance Subaki would have been spared, there's a chance Hana would have won, but it's so small that it's better just to not take the chance.

Half-beastdragonsoul2013: Hm… perhaps, but I'd advise against being so hopeful. Let me take a moment to pick apart the last two Sakura scenes. First, Sakura wakes up imprisoned, right? Easy stuff. Flora comes in and treats her in a harsh manner, but still heals her. Sakura, despite it, still thanks Flora. Leo enters, plainly stating the facts, but also in a relatively harsh manner. He's starting off using fear, perhaps assuming this would be the best route to take for Royalty, but then he sees her innocence…

Enter Sakura's second scene. Leo is first to enter, this time approaching with the intention of playing with Sakura's hopes, rather than her fear. The results? He succeeded. Yes, most of those questions were harmless… except for two. Let me take the situation to the extreme. Let's assume that the Nohrians knew nothing specific about Hoshido. So, with that said, let me go to those two 'dangerous' answers:

1) "Well, I like brushing my sister's Pegasus." The pegasus that her sister owns, Sakura has unwittingly let out that her sister, or at least one of them, is a Sky Knight. With that, Leo could have arranged to focus a bit more on Sky Knights in an effort to draw that sister out and either kill or capture her. What she should have said in this custom scenario is: "Well, I like brushing Pegasi feathers."

2) "Not really, but Subaki knows…" First off, young and innocent Sakura, don't name people. Leo repeats the name given which leads to: "He's one of my retainers, one of the rarer male Sky Knights with darker red hair and a streak of perfection. He's really nice and likes to help." … By the gods Sakura, shush! Again, assuming the Nohrians know nothing, she just went through and almost gave them an exact description of one of her retainers!

And to think, this all came from Leo just asking for some preferences, imagine if he really got into the 'nice cop' persona? Now, to add to that, would it really be that far off to say that he allowed Elise only to add to this sense of 'good'? Leo is playing on Sakura's innocence, and she's falling hard for it. Yes, she's intelligent, but if she doesn't mature quickly and realize all of those subtle clues, she's going to end up spilling some sensitive information.

J-Dawg (Guest): It is, but you're right, I prefer the parts where I'm at right now.

Well, thank you, thank you!

Hm, I'd rather not type it a second time, so I'll just refer you to Half-beastdragonsoul2013's Shout-out for the bit about Sakura.

Leo has no need to torture Sakura, as stated above, he just needs to carefully work with her innocence and he can extract a lot out of her.

Here's for Ryoma winning, yeah?

Consort: Yeah, I've already been over Sakura's piece once, so that just really leaves Lupus's section, since there really isn't much on Hana's scene… maybe I should do a different person?

A single bone would be generous, don't forget that Keaton's foot in his 'human' form was enough to break through Hana's chest armor and to her ribs… and I doubt he was actually trying. And for Keaton's durability? Hina did believe his skin/fur/hide or whatever to be like iron. Again, in his 'human' form.

However, unlike Hinoka, Ryoma has armor. Yes, the duel is 'unarmed' but he can still wear his armor, and those high-quality Hoshidan metal gauntlets might be the thing that gives Ryoma enough edge to win. Also, Keaton is limited by another factor… predictability, as pointed out by Hinoka. If Keaton can't get himself to change his fighting tactics on the fly, Ryoma will probably win.

The only real problem Ryoma has will be during the first minute or two, since Ryoma knows nothing about how Keaton fights, how tough his skin/fur/hide is going to be, and the only measure of strength he knows is that his foot is enough to crack a Samurai's chest piece.

Ultimately, I think the deciding factor of this duel will be if Ryoma can survive those first few precious minutes. If he stays on the defensive and focuses on evasion, I think he'll win. If he risks some attacks, then he will be liable to get suffer some serious and maybe duel-ending hits.

Prince Leo has kept his word, a portion of Sakura's preferences have made their way into her cell. Perfume? Well no, but she expected that that would be one of the things that wouldn't make it, just like any animals. A cotton-stuffed pillow and a thin sheet, both made with light pink cloth, have been added. She is given a single slice of a red apple with every meal, and the tiniest cup she has ever seen with some green tea. It isn't much, but at least it goes to show he is trying?

Of course, there's that part in Sakura's mind that is telling her he is only doing this to try and coax more information out of her…

Then… is Elise's joy and care part of the act?

Sakura's eyes dart around as she starts to go over the events of the last few days in this place. Leo started off with threats… or maybe he was just stating facts? Things that all prisoners are told? Flora seemed intent on being harsh, but then she's gone the next day. Leo returns tomorrow and suddenly he is all nice and asking for preferences…

But Leo is also the one who cursed Corrin and essentially caused Sakura to end up in this position in the first place.

What will be his next move, then? Threats or compassion? How can she get one step ahead of him? Sakura takes a steadying breath, focus. Just focus. As long as she stands strong, she'll be fine.

Her family is coming for her.

Footsteps, but no voice. The guards part way once more and, "Leave." She sees a man with slick black hair and some sort of half mask on his face. The two guards quickly depart and Sakura is left alone with this man. Why is his skin so pale? "Princess Sakura." His voice comes out… horrid.

"Wh-where's Pr-Prince L-L-Leo?"

"I'm afraid Lord Leo is busy with the war… and we can't have you missing a day of 'conversation' can we?"

Brave, brave, focus. "U-Um… what's… y-your name?"

"Iago." He has yet to step into the actual cell. "I see he has procured… lavishes on your behalf."

She slowly nods, "He d-did."

"Only because Princess Elise repeatedly asked him." He tilts his head, a sick smile to his face. "What do you think of Princess Elise?" Sakura gasps and before she can reply, "Oh, what's the matter? Did she not tell you?"

"Th-there were more im-important things th-than titles at th-th-the time!" She somewhat lashes out.

"Ah, there it is. That hidden courage of yours." The cell finally opens and he steps in. "How does it feel, to be so afraid all the time? Wouldn't you like to get rid of that? Leave only bravery and courage with you?"

His presence only spoke of wrongness, his words more foul than anything she's ever seen. Whatever came out of his mouth can't be trusted. "Only through m-my own w-work!"

"On your own?" He steps forward, "Heh, the only thing you can accomplish on your own is cowering as you are now."

Sakura takes a breath, steadies herself and speaks up, "You don't kn-know that! I… I won't let you i-i-intimidate me!"

"That precious stuttering isn't making a good case for you." He takes another step, she stands strong. "I could have you as not much more than a wailing child in minutes, Princess."

…

This man is just… "Iago!" Sakura's breath catches as a very angry sounding Leo storms in, "What are you doing here?"

"Prince Leo? My apologies, I thought you were going to be unable to attend to Sakura today."

"Did King Garon give you privilege to enter her cell?"

"Interesting that…"

"Leave." Prince Leo orders with such a sternness that it frankly shakes Sakura.

"...of course." He bows and takes his leave as Prince Leo stares him down.

Then looks at her, "Are you well, Sak… Princess Sakura?" He asks.

"...He scared me, but other th-than that, no." She looks away…

Missing the sigh of relief, "Good. Princess Sakura, I had omitted this, but… only Princess Elise and I have the right to physically enter your cell. Unless the person has authorization from King Garon, of course." She looks at him again, "Do you understand? You do have rights, Princess Sakura."

"I understand, Prince L-Leo." A short pause. "Thank you."

"It's of my error, I had been held up." He admits. "Now then…" He enters her cell and the aura of power kicks in again. "Due to Princess Eliss's absence, I am collecting information of your well-being on her behalf." He pulls out that same notepad and pen. "Other than being shaken by that snake, are you experiencing any other pain?"

Iago isn't held in high regard, is he? Then that means… Prince Leo has limits… standards. Then, why would he cast that curse on Corrin? Why would he bring the dead back to life in such a cruel manner? "I'm as well as a prisoner should be, I guess. Princess Elise healed what she could, and all that really bothers me now is a relative lack of food and water."

"...Good." He starts writing, "I can't do anything about portion sizes, but Princess Elise will be relieved to know of your condition." He rises.

"Is that it?" She quickly asks. "No questions about me or…"

"Interrogation, you mean?" He looks surprised, "No. I'm afraid Iago wasn't too far off, I do have quite a number of duties to attend to today." He clears his throat, "However, in light of his meddling, I will have one of my retainers either outside of or in this hallway. He will be under strict orders to only allow Princess Elise or me inside… unless for the aforementioned authorization from King Garon."

"U-u-um… thank you!"

"His name is Odin… have a good day, Princess Sakura." He walks away, "Guards! I want two of you posted back in your previous positions, and this time… do not move!"

…

Act of genuine compassion or a means to get information out of her? Sakura truly can't tell the difference.

Red stands on one side of the 'arena', Keaty on the other. Due to the inherent and extremely dangerous risk of not having it, Keaty is allowed to have his Beaststone on him. Red is allowed his armor, but not the Raijinto. High Prince facing off against an alpha. Neither Hina nor Lupus had the time to properly warn Red just how strong Keaty is unshifted. True, Red saw that he cracked and almost crushed Hana with his foot alone, but Keaty was barely even trying then.

"...Please, brother." Lupus whispers, "Don't die, I'd rather you yield." That wasn't directed just towards Red, but also Keaty. While she is certain of what all will happen if Keaty yields, she has no idea what all Keaty will order if he wins. Keaty has been slowly becoming more tense and stressed as the 'human things' kept stacking up. Being chased by an army, voluntarily changing himself and the pack, allowing humans into the pack, even having Hana and Red challenging him…

She has a distinct feeling he'll probably have them killed.

"He'll win." Vella 'assures'.

"No, Ryoma will win." Hina 'assures'.

That's not the point! Lupus doesn't want this fighting in the first place! "Yeah, sure…"

"Sister?"

"Sister?" Both Vella and Hina presses.

"She's my sister!" Vella hisses.

"She can be both of ours!" Hina counters.

"As if… you humans are causing all of these problems in the first place!"

"You wouldn't even be alive right now if it weren't for 'us humans'!"

"Stop! Both of you!" Lupus shouts, "Go! Opposite sides of this area!"

"Sister?" The two ask at once.

"Away from me, opposite sides. Go!"

"...If that is what you want." Vella rises.

"My apologies, sister." Hina leaves.

"Lupus?" Dadaan approaches her.

"I don't wanna talk." She huffs as she sits down.

"Hmph." He also huffs as he sits down beside her, but otherwise remains silent.

Red finishes his round of stretches, "Thank you for allowing me the honor of dueling you, Keaty of the Wolfskin." He bows.

"...honor." Keaty shrugs, taking his stance, which is the same as when he is shifted. "Ready."

"As am I." The two remain almost as still as statues… then Keaty charges. The distance is closed in seconds, and Keaty strikes. Red focuses and dodges, the alpha goes for another and another, but Red only moves away. Is Keaty too fast? Dodge, sidestep, dodge, Red makes no effort to seem like he's attacking.

Then Keaty stumbles back as Red lands a quick and precise strike on his stomach. In that moment, Lupus understood his style. He's waiting to strike… kinda like Hina, actually. Except that he has enough force to actually deliver a solid blow to Keaty.

Growling, Keaty restarts his attack, except that this time… Red had to shift direction due to the boundaries of the 'ring', his side is clipped by a claw swipe. It isn't enough to tear through his higher-quality armor, but there are reasonably sized shredding in it. A second strike as Red isn't able to get back to simply backing up yet. "Red…" Lupus quietly whimpers. It won't take many hits for Red to fall… if Keaty can land them. Lupus glances to one side, Hina is as tense as she can probably be… the other side and Vella seems certain that Keaty will win.

Saizo is actually having to be restrained by Kagero and Seta. The rest of the humans are keeping themselves contained.

"Ngh…" Keaty staggers, but it doesn't seem like he's actually suffered any visible cuts or bleeding. What is Red thinking?! He's gotta do more than just stagger Keaty!

Crunch… off goes on of Red's shoulder-guards in a single swipe. Lupus can tell Keaty is struggling… not from the fight, but to keep himself from using his Beaststone, or maybe it is a bit from the fight itself. Red is definitely putting up a better fight than Lupus thought. She has the feeling that she would have a tough time against Red.

One, two, three, Red makes three quick blows, stomach, upper chest, jaw. Blood finally spills on Keaty's side.

"Brother!" Vella growls.

"Get him, Ryoma!" Hina cheers.

"Alpha!" Came some of the Wolfskin, and by now, most of the ones watching are chanting one side or the other. The exceptions are Lupus, which should be obvious. The next is… Dadaan, actually, who seems to be consoling Lupus, rather than supporting either fighter. The third and fourth are the Ninjas, Kagero and Saizo… or maybe they are? She honestly can't tell from their stone-cold expressions. Lastly is Seta, who seems as disapproving of this as Lupus.

"Big brother!" Hina shouts as Keaty's claws out an entire section of Red's chest armor, kinda like how the enraged Vella did to Hina's chest armor. Red can't risk another hit like that. Which is something he picked up on, as Red goes on the defensive again.

"Get him, Keaty!" Vella calls out.

"..." Lupus simply retreats into herself, but unable to get herself to look away.

"Lord Ryoma!" Saizo shouts, but this time he's able to keep himself still.

Keaty rears another claw strike, but Red weaves under and delivers a rather vicious uppercut. A hefty kick is followed up. He goes for another head strike… but Keaty grabs his hand. Lupus holds her breath as a sickening crunch sound follows. With a single twist, Keaty almost turns Red's hand in an unnatural angle before ripping off the armor. Keaty then slams his own foot onto Red's exposed chest with enough force to send him sliding across the ground.

"B-B-Big brother…?" Lupus whimpers. "Don't die, please… it's not worth it!"

Red rolls over as Keaty attempts to stomp the man into the ground, then the High Prince sweeps Keaty from under his leg. Red rises and places his foot onto Keaty's chest and… nothing? "Do you yield?!" He shouts.

Lupus didn't need to hear Keaty's response… neither did Dadaan or Vella, or any of the Wolfskin.

Keaty replied with grabbing Red's leg and throwing the man off of him. The alpha spits out some blood, now clearly injured. She can see he's struggling, especially without his Beaststone. Red rises once more, beaten but ready to fight some more.

This is going to go to the death, isn't it?

Lupus should have expected as much, but she had hoped.

Red meets Keaty halfway, the two exchanging one fierce strikes, both on the midsection. They both keeled over and stumbled back. Red isn't giving up the defensive, is he? Two more mirrored punches, this time with Keaty's fist meeting Red's armored glove…

The gauntlet cracks and metal is pushed into his hand. Red looks pained, but still he pushes on as he knees Keaty in the stomach, followed by another quick kick. Once Keaty hits the ground, Red stumbles back. "Lord Ryoma!" Both Saizo and Kagero call out.

"I… I got this." Red announces as he heaves a breath…

Lupus didn't believe a single word, as much as she wanted to, and by the looks on his retainers' faces, neither did they. One of Red's arm has been twisted, almost completely useless, his other arm's hand now has fragments of his armor in it. His chest armor has been swiped off, he is missing one shoulderguard.

Keaty has a number of internal damage and only a few spots where he is openly bleeding.

The alpha rises once more, unwilling to stay down. He growls and charges.

…

Drip, drop.

A cornered beast is the most dangerous. With a speed that shouldn't be possible with his current injuries, Keaty slashes into Red's already twisted arm. Without wasting a beat, Keaty grabs him by his entire chest and slams him onto the ground, his foot now on his chest.

No, no, no! "Please, just yield." Lupus cries out. "Big brother!" The rest of the humans are silent.

"Human…" Keaty regards. "Well?" It's a gamble now, if Red even tries to remove Keaty's leg, then it's a sign he wants to continue.

"..." Red takes a breath, "I recognize your strength and admiration to protect, Keaty." He states, "I respect the authority you command in your pack and..."

"Answer." Keaty growls.

"...I yield." Red keeps his gaze locked onto Keaty.

"Up." Keaty removes his foot and Red rises.

"Lord…"

"No!" He immediately shouts, stopping Kagero and Saizo in their spots, "You both are to honor their traditions! I entered this duel, knowing what would happen if I lost, and I will stand by my word." Red stands tall. "I will not back down from my word… my honor."

Keaty looks him over. "Give them their weapons."

"Brother…?" Vella asks.

"Give them. Their weapons." He repeats. Red remains silent as weapons are slowly returned. "All of you humans, leave." He firmly states.

"Alpha?" A single Wolfskin asks.

"I also recognize the strength you possess, human. I had not expected you to last as long as you did. It would be a waste to kill you."

"Then I assume we are to simply not return?" Red asks.

"No, not exactly." Keaty replies, sending yet another wave of silence. "You will deal with this 'army'. I will not have my pack continued to be hunted down."

"The Nohrians need to be stopped, the entire world will benefit from their downfall." He nods, "However, I will also keep your words in mind as we fight. Not just for Hoshido, but also for the pack. Is there anything else?" Keaty remains silent…

So, Red takes that as a 'no'. "Lord Ryoma." Kagero and Saizo come to his side, some first aid with them.

"Oh-ho, I almost thought you were a goner, High Prince." Monkundo chuckles as he pulls out his Festal.

"If that is your command, Keaty." Superman bows, "But know that if you so need my help again…"

Keaty remains silent as the humans start leaving. "Brother?" Vella asks.

"Thank you, brother." Lupus breathes, yet… he remains tense?

"Hina." Keaty finally breaks his silence.

"...huh?" Lupus's big sister stops, as do the others to look at her.

"She's staying."

"...what?" Hina asks. "Why me?"

"Because that is what I ordered." He flatly states. "Hina stays, the rest leaves."

"And my ret…"

"Hina stays. The rest leaves." He grits his teeth.

"...she's part of the pack." Seta lazily states. "I get it."

"Well, I don't." Red replies.

"I'll explain on the way, Red… we shouldn't stay." Seta advises.

"...understood." He nods. "Little sisters… be safe." Unable to give a proper farewell, the rest leave.

"...Keaty?" Hina asks as she walks back into the open area. "I don't understand." He takes a step closer, then a second, and keeps going until he's right up at her face. He growls something so low that Lupus can't even hear it… but whatever it is, Hina gasps, steps back, and her eyes widen. "That's…!"

"It is as I say. Red lost the duel, and these are my conditions. Understand?"

"But… you can't just!" She continues, before stopping herself.

"You're part of the pack now, Hina." He says as he turns and walks, "Remember that."

Lupus shares a look with Dadaan, who shrugs, seemingly just as clueless. Vella shakes her head. She looks at Keaty, whose back is turned. Finally, she looks at Hina, whose face is burning a brilliant red.

...What did Keaty tell her?

"Ngh…" Hana gasps as she slowly wakes up, "Gods… my chest." Why does it hurt so much? She reaches down and touches it… hundreds of points of pain snap back in response. "Tch!" She grits her teeth to keep herself from crying out.

"Oh, look who's awake." The madly smiling face of Azama is staring right at her, "Are you going to attempt another suicidal fight?"

"...huh?"

"Oh dear… hazy memory? Hm, well…" he pauses, "Well, that was a crushing defeat, I'm surprised you weren't flattened."

"Get to the…" Hana's mind catches up.

"And now you have been enlightened." He rises, "If you're up to it, there's a meeting soon." He walks out before she can even collect her thoughts.

That's right, she was almost crushed by 'Keaty'... completely humiliated. He snatched her sword by the bladed end, snapped it, then shook the ground with such force that she stumbled… his foot was planted on her chest armor, then…

Lack of air, burning pain, cracking sound after splintering, choking up blood then… nothing. She must have fell unconscious. "Wait!" She yells, but Azama is already long gone. "That…" she scowls, before forcing herself up. Pain… so much pain.

She, more or less, stumbles her way out of the tent, going to, what is undoubtedly, the war tent. She can hear people talking, but there's too many voices to discern each. "Hana?! Gods…" Kagero breathes, "You shouldn't…"

"Gotta attend meeting." Her stubborn side shows again.

"...very well. At least let me assist you." Hana offers no resistance as the Ninja becomes a living crutch.

Eyes turn to her, but they return their gaze to the front. Both High Prince Ryoma and… Subaki? They ate up front. High Prince Ryoma has large bandages wrapped around his chest, one arm, and the other hand up to his elbow.

"What happened?" Hana asks.

"I dueled Keaty for everyone's safety." The High Prince announces.

Oh, whew, "So, you won then, right? Heh, should've…"

"I yielded, Hana." A few seconds passed as Hana tries to comprehend that, "I was pinned in such a way that if I attempted to continue, then he would have crushed my chest."

"Th-then… I thought…"

"He spared us, Hana." Subaki supplies and gods, he looks so… distant. Empty, even.

"Alright, we're spared, then why does everyone look like complete…" She stops herself.

"Keaty kept Hina." Setsuna states. "Lupus remains…

"Stop it with the nicknames!" Hana snaps.

"Setsuna please, let us speak." Lord Ryoma says, "But yes, she's right. He let us walk in exchange for keeping my little sister."

"He has no…"

"Would you rather us fight and die?" Subaki shouts, "Hana, stop acting in the moment and think about the repercussions of such rash actions!"

Woah, why is he so… aggressive? "Because he stole a Princess!"

"...I was aware of the outcomes if I lost, Hana. If you blame anyone, blame my lack of skill…" Lord Ryoma trails off.

Wait, missing… "Hey! What about Lady Sakura?"

All eyes turn to Subaki, and the supposed 'perfectionist' falters. "Many things have happened during the time spent in the pack. I had not realized that the beatfolk have it as hard as they do until I experienced it for myself." Silence, though Hana is losing her patience, "During Prince Leo's attack, Lady Corrin was both struck by the Brynhildr and a curse. By the time we figured out what the curse was… it was too late." He's… crying?

"Su…" Hana was cut off with Lord Ryoma shaking his head.

"It was a remote mind control spell… Lady Hinoka was near during the event and I was, by Lady Sakura's suggestion, tending to the injured Wolfskin…" He takes a deep breath. "I heard Lady Hinoka scream my name and for multiple Festals. I arrived to a scene of blood. Lady Corrin's arm had… changed into a lance, blood soaked it from the tip to her elbow… L-Lady Sakura's bl-blood…" He chokes on his breath, "We… Lady Hinoka and I managed to keep her alive, but… the Nohrians weren't far off."

"Subaki…" Hana starts, "Where. Is. Lady. Sakura?!"

"Due to her fragile…"

"Where is Lady Sakura!"

"... We left her behind." Subaki seemed to have braced himself for the worst, which was a really good thing…

Considering that Hana scream out in anger and charged at him, "You… you did what?!" It was only through the grace of Lord Ryoma that Subaki was spared Hana's assault. "You abandoned Lady Sakura!?"

"We had no real option." He calmly states.

"You left her to die!" She continues to scream, her face fully reddened from pure anger. "What do you mean there was no real option?" Tears are being mixed in.

"We would have died." How is he so calm? "No, correction. Lady Sakura, Lady Hinoka, and Lady Corrin would have all been captured, and the rest would have died."

"You don't know that!"

"Yes, I do." Her protests are slowly weakening due to her injuries. "Hana, you don't know what was going on at the time."

"I know gods-damn well enough!"

"...Lady Corrin was grief-stricken as we ran. If it weren't for Vella, she would have ran back and gotten herself captured. Vella herself had just been cured of her rabies. The majority of the pack had to leave the makeshift clinic, leaving most injured. Lady Hinoka and I were primarily magically spent to the point of we were using our physical health to push on. Keaty and Dadaan were the only two capable at fighting with full strength… Hana. The battle would have been lost before it had started." A short pause, "Besides, who's to say that Lady Sakura would have been hit in the crossfire?"

"You… you still don't… you left her."

"Our chance of succeeding was less than your anger-fueled attack against Keaty." He plainly states as she slowly defuses.

"...You're no retainer, Subaki." She spits out. "You… you left her."

"And the day we rescue her is the day I will ask for my formal resignation. I will accept any punishment seen fit. But, until then, I chose to live so I can assist in the rescue of Lady Sakura."

"..." Hana looks away. "Am I the only one who takes my duty seriously?" Aaand the spark of defiance is slowly coming back. "Kagero! What would you have done?!"

"..." Kagero closes her eyes, takes a breath and re-opens them. "I would take all probably scenarios into account, then choose the one that results in the least amount of casualties." Another breath, "Even if it costs me my position in the future, I would recognized that being captured gives an opportunity to be saved later. It pains me to say this, but I agree with Subaki's and to extent Keaty's decision."

"Wh…" She rounds on the other Ninja, "Saizo!?"

"It is the duty of a retainer to serve and protect their liege at all costs. The Saizo line also has been the personal protectors of the next in line. Honor demands service. I would sooner sacrifice myself if it meant my liege's safety."

"See? He gets it!"

"Hana… this is a disagreement that is consistently brought up." Lord Ryoma speaks up, "And since they are my retainers, I would tell… or order them if I have to, to follow through with Kagero's choice."

Gaping, Hana turns to… "Setsuna!"

"Hana… you know what my answer is going to be~."

"Of course I do, you and Azama leave Lady Hinoka all the time…" She gripes. "Even the gods don't know why you two still have your positions… Why are Saizo and I the only real retainers here?!"

"We know when there is a greater need for duty. When there is a time where we fight against what we've been taught." Setsuna speaks up, "Hana, you need to take a step back and think this through. What good would it do if you charged in, died, and lost Saku? What good would come from standing your ground and losing three Princesses as opposed to one? Keaty made a choice that no-one else wanted to voice, it wouldn't be easy, but he went through with it. The pack both respects and trusts Keaty. They respect his strength and they trust he'll make the right choice."

"The pack? The pack! You mean those 'beasts'?" Silence…

And never before did Hana see the laid-back and air-headed Setsuna look angry. "Those 'beasts' have a better sense than you, it seems. Have you forgotten the fact that they saved and raised Lupus? That without them, we would have not have ever seen her again? Are you saying you'd rather have King Garon do whatever he was going to do to her? A mindless soldier? Make her think she's Nohrian? Have her fight against her own homeland?! You keep telling us that we're not fit to be retainers, but here you are, essentially wishing that Lupus was kept under the hand of a mad king! How do you think that makes Red feel? What if Tako heard this? Queen Mikoto? Saku?"

"Would you stop using those nicknames!"

"...No, she's right." Subaki interrupts. "We were all blinded by her return that we… or most of us, refused to acknowledge the changes. Yes, the person Princess Hinoka found was, in fact, Lady Corrin, but she isn't who she was when she was taken. The person that was attempted to learn what all humans should know… wasn't Lady Corrin. We had rescued a young woman named Lupus, a half-human and half-dragon that was raised by the Wolfskin. We had tried to change her to be the 'Corrin' that was lost. We pushed her to be the one that was lost so many years ago, but the hard truth is… that that specific 'version' of 'Corrin' was, in fact, lost. If 'Corrin' was truly 'Corrin', then wouldn't she have chosen her family over the pack? Wouldn't she have stayed? But she didn't did she? She returned to the pack, she chose her life. She wants to live her life in the pack, her name is Lupus. I believe we should respect that decision."

Kagero nods, "Lupus is certainly different. I'll never forget the fact that she fought through an almost lethal dose of a paralytic toxin."

"...Or that she can detect Ninjas with her sensitive hearing… which is sharp enough to even hear someone's heartbeat." Saizo adds.

"She will always be my little sister to me, but I will also strive to understand her choice. If she wishes to be called Lupus, then I will call her Lupus, my little sister." Lord Ryoma states.

"She had her own ways, but she still clearly loves her family." Subaki contributes.

"...I love her for who she is." Setsuna nods, a flush forming, "And I always will. Even if we never see each other again, my heart is for her alone."

"I have absolutely nothing to say that will contribute towards this tearful and serious conversation!" Azama adds with a smile.

"..." Hana looks around her. The only one here who remotely sides with her is Saizo… but even he is willing to consider Lady Corrin… 'Lupus'. "I'm going to do some light training." Alone, she walks out. It wasn't until she was out of earshot that she added, "Since I'm the only real retainer here…"

A/N: Leo did seem legitimately angry to see Iago in Sakura's cell, so maybe Leo was actually held up and Iago took that chance to rough her up some. However, in showing that he has no tolerance for that, it looks like Leo does have standards and he isn't 'cartoonishly' evil. He is even giving up one of his retainer's constant presence to make sure this doesn't happen again. The question that remains is… what part of Leo's actions is a means to get Sakura to talk, and which part of his actions are genuine care? Poor Sakura is being plagued with doubt, but at least she's starting to understand the subtleties in place.

Ryoma versus Keaton. High Prince versus Wolfskin Alpha. Alright, I wanna start off with these two questions. Who thought Ryoma was going to win? Who thought Keaton was going to win?

Next up is… how was the duel itself? Was it reasonable enough? I basically just extended Hinoka's 'training round' with Keaton from way back when, except that it's y'know, more brutal.

Now for the last big bits, the decisions made by Keaton after the duel. Sparing the humans…

As much as the hatred runs deep, surely Keaton recognizes the value of having Ryoma and his army fight the Nohrians, right? Sure, Keaton won't allow them to fight near the pack, but he will let them fight the army, thus indirectly securing the pack's survival. Second… Hinoka. I can't really say much here, why did Keaton only demand that Hinoka stays? What did he say to her that caused such a disbelieving reaction?

Aaaand… Hana's viewpoint. Just, whew. I hope she didn't come out as unreasonably hot-headed, but the good side about all of that ranting is that she got it out of her system. It seems she's the only one who is holding her oath as a retainer so fiercely, with Saizo being the only other one who agrees on the extent of a 'sacrifice'. Let's just hope she doesn't end up doing something reckless… or at least, more reckless than assaulting a Wolfsegger without any sort of plan.

Lastly, Corrin… as in the family's and retainers' acceptance that the woman that returned to Hoshido wasn't the same one that was stolen from them. It's rather simple here, as once you pull back the joy and means of celebration that the long-lost Princess is back… it's clear she wasn't raised the same. Sure, she still holds her canon quirks: Eager to help, relative ignorance about some topics, caring and loving. But, she also has her own set of traits this time, brought onto her by the Wolfskin.

She's Corrin, but she's Lupus. She's human, but she's a half-dragon. And ultimately, she chose the pack, not because she wanted to be away from her family, but because the pack needed her more. If she had the freedom to do so, and if it didn't risk the safety of the pack, I'm sure she would make somewhat regular visits, but neither of those are true.