A/N: I do not own Suikoden, and unfortunately I do not have Yuber as my personal hitman. Alas, he is only a fictional character who has no substance in the physical world. (That's probably a good thing). I'm very glad so many of you have reviewed! I tried to make this chapter longer, but you'll have to be patient with me. Longer chapters require more ideas. That said, please enjoy. Oh, and if anything isn't canon…deal. As I said, it's not my game and I don't know all the backstories. (Note: edited for one teeny tiny error.)

Session 5: Family Revisited

"Alright everyone," Mio greeted her disgruntled patients as she seated herself. "Your assignment for today was to think of one thing you like about your family, and one thing you need to work on. Who would like to start?"

"I will," Albert offered coolly. Surprised, Mio nodded for him to begin. "My family bears a long and distinguished history as first-class strategists, with a reputation that has been more than beneficial for me." He waited for Mio's nod before continuing. "However, my brother Caesar is not a first-class strategist."

The younger Silverberg was upright in a second. "Why you…shut up! Just…just…argh!" He threw himself at his brother, pulling hair and attempting to land a punch. However, being only a support character was not helping his situation.

"Get your hands off my coat!"

"No!" Caesar continued to struggle. Then Albert began to fight back—as much as a support character can, anyway.

Mio started towards them, then halted and looked helplessly at the fic author. "Should I…?"

The author shrugged. "Oh, let them fight. They are unlikely to harm one another."

"But…"

"They're relieving some pent-up tension." After a pause, she added, "It is a little sad to look at though, isn't it? What is Albert saying?"

"…Disgrace to the family name. You should never have been allowed out of the house without a nanny. Oh wait, I forgot. You have one, don't you?"

"You leave Miss Apple alone, you heartless snake! I'll rip you to shreds!"

"Oh, I'm so scared. When are you going to start this 'ripping'?"

"Argh!"

The fic writer held up her hand. "I think that's enough."

Caesar halted, and stomped back to his seat. Albert brushed himself off with composure and seated himself as well.

Mio studied her clipboard for a moment, and then asked, "Caesar, what do you like about your family, and what do you think you need to work on?"

"Um…our reputation…so I don't have to work so hard. But Albert's a prick!"

"How original," Albert murmured, just loud enough for Caesar to hear.

"Why you…"

"Shut up, both of you!" Billy roared. Caesar subsided and tried to ignore Albert's smirk.

"Billy, how about you?" Mio inquired.

"Uh…well…um…Melville's a good kid, I guess."

"Is there anything you want to improve?" Mio prodded him.

"Uh…yeah! I'm gonna hit treasure and get rich!"

"Okay…what about you, Melville?"

"My dad's the best treasure hunter! But…I wish he wouldn't hit me," he added in a soft voice.

"Very good," Mio praised him. "Goro?"

"My father makes excellent baths…but I'll never match him," Goro declared as he burst into tears. The other patients looked away or stared as their natures dictated.

Mio blinked, unsure of what to say. "Well…I'm sure you'll manage eventually."

Goro continued to sob, so Mio shrugged and turned to the identical bishops. "What about you two?"

Luc stared morosely out the window, while Sasarai studied the floor.

"…"

Luc turned away from the window and stated in a monotone, "My brother is a gullible and easy-to-manipulate pawn."

"…" Sasarai sighed.

Mio blinked. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Oh, it's a good thing," Luc assured her.

"Then what do you need to improve?"

"My brother needs to learn to act for his own interests, instead of obediently doing what he is told."

"And you need to not destroy the world," Sasarai retorted.

"Now Sasarai, let's not shout," Mio chided him. "What do you like about your brother?"

Sasarai gaped at her for a moment. "What is there to like? He used me, betrayed Harmonia, initiated a war, killed indiscriminately, and attempted to annihilate half of the continent and destroy his true rune."

"Don't forget that he made your life meaningless," Albert reminded him helpfully.

"Only because my life was already meaningless," Luc pointed out.

"And," Sasarai added, "He's fought against me more often than with me. I hate him, and wish he had never come into my life!"

"That seems rather harsh to say," Mio protested.

"Well, it's true," Sasarai affirmed, and pouted.

"Oh, act your age," Luc snapped. "It's time you grew up."

"What did you say?"

"That you're childish. I suppose that explains your gullibility," Luc mused.

"So I'm a child, am I?" Sasarai asked coldly. If Luc had been looking at him instead of staring out the window again he might have noticed the cold light in his brother's eyes. Albert calmly stood and moved across the room, out of the way.

The rest of them were startled when the room suddenly shook.

Luc looked back at his brother, snarling. The symbol of his rune appeared in the air as he cast the Shredding. Melville yelped and ducked behind his father. Albert began building a barrier out of the miscellaneous furniture in the room, aided by Goro.

"That'll never work," Caesar informed him derisively.

"If you were building it, it wouldn't. I, on the other hand, am capable of considering the variables. If you wish to assist before Luc casts Funeral Wind, I will not dissuade you."

Caesar scowled for a moment, but as Luc dodged another of Sasarai's spells and raised his hand, he reached for his chair.

The fic writer calmly crossed the room to Mio. "You'll want to get behind the barrier, I think. Did you learn enough from this session?"

Mio gulped and nodded, eyes on the two dueling mages.

"Good. Let them battle it out. I'm gone." She vanished from the room. As soon as there was a break in the fighting, the others ran for the door.