I wake up in the same position I fell asleep in, on my back with a sleeping Elise on top of me. She looks so peaceful on top of me, and by the gods, have I never slept so well in a while. I take a glance over and see that Keaton is up, smirking at my position. "Good to know she can satisfy you just as well."

My face starts burning, "I'd still pick you first." Elise squirms but stays asleep.

"I'm aware." He moves towards me with an air that, for a second, makes me think he is about to take me right now. "We're moving out within the hour." The mood breaks as I am reminded about actually having to do things.

"Yea yea, I'm getting up." I sigh and nudge my little sister, who just grips me tighter and pushes her head closer to my scales, "Time to wake up, Elise."

"I don't wanna."

I start giggling, "We still have responsibilities, we can't just lounge around all day." I poke her.

"Elise says sleep." She replies.

Keaton starts snickering, "I'm afraid she is only going to listen to me now. Mate, get up. I'll grab your sister."

Elise gasps as I comply and Keaton deftly grabs her, she starts squirming and giggling in his grip, "Oh! I didn't realize you were up!" She pauses and stops squirming, "HEY! Who gave you clearance to move around?" She pouts.

"Jakob. About an hour ago when he came in to check to see if anyone was awake in here." He sets her down.

She flushes, "Then he saw… gods." She goes and grabs her clothes, "That's… embarrassing."

"I don't see anything to be embarrassed about." The Wolfskin smirks.

She gasps, "Gods, you two are just...being so dirty lately."

I grab my own armor off the floor and start on the buckles, "Says the one who took control last night."

"Y-Yasei! Come on, stop it!" She hurriedly puts on her clothes and looks away, "Breakfast should be ready, right? I'm going to eat." She walks straight out the room.

"That's a good idea, I'd rather not walk back down that path without food. What about you?"

"I have eaten already…" He looks away, "Some of the other Pegasus."

'Not Hinoka's , ' "Meat is meat, right?" I carefully ask.

He shakes his head, "Hinoka's… it just doesn't look right." Even he seems disgusted by it. "I don't think any of the Wolfskin would eat that unless they were outright starving."

I shiver, but for once it's not from excitement, "Yea, Phoenix really did something to it." I pause, "The other one, is it still good?"

"It was fine about twenty minutes ago, might want to hurry though. I'm surprised it lasted all night."

"Ah, Lady Yasei and Keaton." Jakob barges in, "Pardon my eavesdropping, but I had it preserved with some ice magic."

"Thanks Jakob, you're the best Butler ever." At least I am completely lucid this time when saying that.

He smiles, "Now! The reason I rushed in is because we're having another join our group as we leave. I just wanted to inform you beforehand."

I raise my eyebrow, "Then why do you smell so worried about it?"

"It's Lady Camilla."

'Oh . ' "I'm going to eat, now."

"I'll try to have her stalled to give you time to wash afterwards." I nod my thanks as I make my way towards the door, then following the scent of somewhat dried blood over in the next room to where a lone pegasus lies. There isn't exactly much left, Keaton must have been hungry. Still I take what I can get and rip into it… then cough up one of the feathers. 'Alright, plucking it clean, then.' I remove a patch of feathers before resuming. A shame the blood isn't fresh, it just does not taste as good. Nearly the entire chest and lower section is gone by the time I finish, leaving probably the barest animal yet. 'Meat is meat . '

I make my way back to the main room and over to the small bath area, and I happen to spot Jakob near it, "That pegasus is good to be removed." He hands me a towel and nods. I enter the room and for the first time in months, take an actual bath in an actual bathtub. I wipe off some of the blood off of my mouth and face, remove my armor, then my hairband with the two hairpins, which are attached to the band instead of my hair, before almost throwing myself in. "Gods…" Still warm, I soak in the warmth for several minutes before I even bother trying to clean myself. The soap smells good, the water feels wonderful, and I am just enjoying myself, nearly forgetting the fact that people were just living here a day ago. 'Worth it . ' I pause at the rather grim thought before resuming, 'They were Hoshidans, Father told me to get rid of them.' I reason with myself.

I probably spent half an hour in that tub, before finally deciding to exit, using the towel to dry myself off. I glance at myself in the mirror, and for once, I feel at least okay about how I look. 'Only Keaton's and Elise's opinions matter.' I nod and put my armor and hairband back on. My hair is about down to my neck again, 'Why did the Hoshidans cut it in the first place?'

I exit the bathroom and am greeted with another new scent… no, not new, it's Camilla. She is on the far side of the room, talking to Beruka, then ends the conversation the very second she sees me. "My darling Yasei!" She all but sprints and brings me into her usual hugs, which causes my face to become embedded in her cleavage. "I was so worried for you!"

"Big sister, I missed you too… now how about giving me some air?" She releases the hug, gods, I couldn't remember how annoying that habit is. "I take it that since you're here, your mission is finished?"

She smiles, "Of course, dear. The day I got that dreadful letter from Leo, Elise, and Jakob, my retainers and I worked triple-time to get done." She pauses, "I had to stay a little longer to get some official stuff done, which is why I didn't arrive with them yesterday!"

'Dreadful' , "No need to wo… er, no need to have excess worry, I'm feeling better. I'm assuming they sent that letter, before Father authorized a use of an Elixir on me?"

She gasps, "Gods, it was that bad? Elixirs are the single most expensive medical item, magical or otherwise."

"Worth every gold piece, though just know that the Wyrmslayer scar will never heal properly." I frown, "It will always be more liable to rip back open."

"Well, we just have to make sure that armor is kept in top-notch and you have someone watching over you."

Speaking of, 'I'm surprised Keaton hasn't shown himself… ah, he is in the medical room with Jakob. Probably giving me time for Camilla . ' "Jakob and Elise do that quite well… Oh!" She gives me a curious look, "Elise can use tomes!"

"Is that so? Since when?"

"Yesterday, she borrowed Phoenix's Mjolnir tome and casted it at... " 'Not Hinoka… don't say,' "A Pegasus Knight in the previous room."

She laughs, "I thought healers didn't need weapons?" She pauses, "Phoenix? I'm not sure I've seen that one yet."

"She's a Tactician, probably with Selena right now." 'Oh, she is definitely with her right now . '

"Hmm… that explains why my sweet Selena wasn't here to greet me."

Sweet is probably the last thing I would use to describe her, "Phoenix is really talented, you should have seen this huge stack of papers she drew up in a few hours to show off her tactical prowess! Actually, you probably would have been better off not seeing them, I don't understand how she goes through that much." In these few minutes, it feels like everything is the way it was that last seventeen years, but I know it isn't going to last much longer.

"Interesting…" Then a sly smile crosses her face, "Now, are you being well taken care of? Because you, my dear Yasei, look incredibly well rested…"

I start blushing, "Camilla… Yes, I am."

"Ooo! Who is he… or she? Don't worry, I won't judge!" I pause for a little too long and her smile starts dropping, ' Do I say Elise? Keaton? Both?' , "Yasei?"

"Elise." I decide. "That isn't wrong, is it?" I try to play off my hesitation.

"Did you think it was wrong when you wanted me?" She counters.

"That really isn't the same thing, I was in heat then, thinking like a Shifter." She looks concerned when I bring that up, but I continue before she starts, "Now, my mind sort of drifts between the two thought processes. Elise enjoys our time together, I enjoy our time together, it's just… I've called her sister for seventeen years, so it still feels a little weird."

"As long as you two are happy, I don't think there is anything wrong with it." The air becomes much more serious and I am dreading the next topic, "Now, about this animal stuff Leo went on about…"

'Breathe , ' "I should have told you all earlier, but I was too afraid… I started to change after my first dragon transformation, more than just what you can see physically. I was worried that you all might, I don't know, shun me out if it got out…" I pause and gather my breath, I feel the emotions that have been locked behind this topic for so long being let loose, tears start forming. "I mean, how am I supposed to come up to my family and ask if we have any raw meat to eat? Or I have this near irresistible urge to have sex? Or… Or…" The tears are falling freely now, "Gods, Camilla… I am a… a freak now."

My big sister lowers herself and starts wiping my tears away, "My dear Yasei, look at me." She gently moves my head when I don't respond, "Gods, we were so worried when you returned, you were acting so unlike the woman we've come to love. Xander insisted that the Hoshidans did something to you. We won't shun you, you are family after all." She smiles and gives my cheeks each a quick kiss, "Looks aren't everything, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

I finally smile as the tears dry up, "Thanks, Camilla… you always seem to know what to say."

She pulls me into another hug, not as tight as last time, "That's what I am here for. Well, that and making sure no-one harms our darling Yasei." A few minutes pass in silence, then I overhear Jakob giving my mate the okay to leave, and I tense up. 'Here we go . ' Camilla seems like she is about to ask what's wrong when the door opens, her grip tightens and she pulls me away from him. "Yasei, what is he doing here? Stalking you?"

"No, Camilla, he…" I try to glance over at him to make sure he lets me talk it out first, but Camilla's grip is a bit too tight, I gulp.

"She's my mate." I close my eyes for the inevitable outburst.

"You nearly killed her!" I hear metal hitting the ground and I smell that Beruka has given big sister her Divine Axe. 'No.'

"Big sister…" I try to reason.

"Why would you let him back in? What did he do you to?"

"I told you, I changed. Whether you like the changes or not doesn't matter." She holds me closer.

"What did you do to my precious Yasei? It had to have been something even Hoshidans wouldn't stoop down to." Keaton's fur bristles and I suppress a growl.

I hear the door open again and Jakob enters, the spare Sleep Staff in hand. Elise enters from the other side, gripping her Freeze Staff. "She is only doing what comes natural to a Shifter." He casually responds, trying very hard to stay calm, "Humans… most humans don't get it." He corrects himself, "My mate gets it because she has a dragon side, Elise understands quite a bit of it, and Jakob is starting to learn it himself."

"Get what? Your… hold that you have on them?"

"Camilla!" I protest, "Just… let me go!" I feel her glare at me, and she is about to ask why before I make a split-second decision to forcibly remove myself. Given my draconic strength, it takes little effort. I am panting, and my pupils are narrowed, teeth are sharpened. "Of course you aren't getting it. You are trying to grasp for an explanation that isn't there ! It's just instinct , and it just is. There is no more than can be said."

"She's right, big sister. I just… understood it one day when I wasn't even thinking about it. Stop asking the why's and what's and it will come to you." Elise adds.

"That… doesn't make any sense!" Beruka is by her side and by now Selena and Phoenix have entered, the latter's left hand surrounded by a soothing blue mist, at least she doesn't look as pale anymore. The red-haired woman seems to be supporting the Tactician as she is muttering an incantation.

"Phoenix will stop them from fighting," Selena just barely whispers to me. "Trust her." The other nods, too focused on whatever insane spell she has brewing. 'Wait, why is she using her left hand now? Why does the incantation feel… peaceful? Calming?'

"Jakob, Elise, put your staves away." They both hesitate, but comply regardless. 'I might as well bring this up now, since that spell will probably knock her out . ' "Camilla, there is one more thing I want to know. Why did you send your retainers without me having a way to control their actions?" I mutter a silent apology at Selena, she nods.

My big sister hesitates at the sudden change in conversation, "You were in danger, I couldn't let them stop for a second if it means your life."

I narrow my eyes, "Hinoka is dead because of your orders. She wasn't trying to kill any of us, and I had ordered my unit to keep her alive, and her retainers if possible. We almost got it done, then they came in and just killed her!" I breath, "I didn't want her dead!"

"So what? She can steal you away from your family? Yasei! Are you even listening to yourself?"

Her attention swaps from me to Keaton when he speaks up again, "Perhaps it is you who is clueless, Camilla."

She grips her battle-axe and finally rises to her full height, "We wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for you!" Keaton growls but stays put, "Leo was right to describe you as an animal!"

"I'm not the one lashing out at people." He shrugs. "You know, like a wild animal would." He smirks and it sets big sister off.

She charges and he stays still, completely trusting Selena when she said Phoenix would handle it. A blue aura envelopes Camilla, "...Sleep." Phoenix barely whispers. Within seconds she goes from completely calm to a heavy sleep, and Phoenix begins to breathe heavily, sweat practically covering her. "Naga… Please, don't put me in another situation like this for a few more days…" She nearly collapses in Selena's arms.

Beruka is calmly observing the situation, axe in hand, "What did you do to my liege?" She turns to Phoenix but is showing no sign of aggression… or any emotion really.

"Timeless spell… Sleep. Far more potent than any staff can produce.."

"...And you just let her do that, Selena?" Her gaze turns to the other retainer.

"I know it goes against my oath, but trust me when I say, you do not want to be on the receiving end of Phoenix's attacks. No amount of Talismans will spare your life if she gets serious." There is a tinge of fear behind her statement. 'I don't blame her, Phoenix possesses some powerful stuff.'

She closes her eyes for a moment and sighs, "Very well." She drops the issue and sheathes her axe. "I will keep an eye on her, at least."

Selena nods her head, "Should probably get her in a cot, too. How long will she be out?"

Phoenix shrugs, "I'd say wait about thirty minutes before trying to wake her up. If you let her sleep the spell off? I don't know. I don't use the Timeless spells often. They tend to take too much of my magic up."

"Effie! Get big sister Camilla in a cot!" Elise calls out, then waits a few moments before adding, "Effieeee!"

The surrounding floor shakes as her heavily armored retainer walks in, "Pardon the wait, I was moving bodies..." The Knight effortlessly picks up the Malig Knight, "Any of them?"

"Yep." She nods and walks off to one of the side rooms and Beruka follows. Then the Nohrian princess frowns, "It won't be like this with Xander and Leo, will it?

"I'm afraid it will be." I say.

"Leo's reaction will most likely be the worst." Jakob agrees.

"Yasei..." Phoenix starts, "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure."

The Tactician lazily looks me over, it looks like she is having trouble staying awake, "Is your relationship with Keaton or Elise causing anybody here physical harm?" She pauses, "Besides the hickies and scratches?"

I flush red, "Uh, no."

"Then why the hell should you give a damn?" Selena snickers. "The bonds you have are improving your combat prowess, I mean, you, Keaton, and Jakob handled yourselves just fine without my help yesterday."

"Because they're my family and I care about their opinions? Wouldn't you do the same?" 'Only Keaton's and Elise's should matter . '

Selena's mood turns sour again and Phoenix's eyes narrow at me, I feel like I just crossed a boundary, "My mother was murdered by my father, and my father was obliterated by an alternate version of my father." She seems out of it, "Would you like me to contact the dead so you can get their opinions?"

'Harsh, much?' "I… oh, I didn't mean…" I recoil.

"That is how she usually is. Tacticians aren't supposed to be sugar-coating their words." Selena says.

Phoenix smirks, "And that is exactly the reason why you love me."

Selena's entire face turns as red as her hair. "Y-you! Gods… I never said that!" She lets Phoenix drop to the ground, who is currently laughing.

"Your words say one thing, your scent says another." She continues goading.

"Sh-shut up!"

"Well, you got under her skin quickly…" Elise says.

"Oh, that isn't the only…" Phoenix starts up again.

Selena slaps Phoenix, the sound echoes through the room, "I said shut up!" Yet Phoenix's good mood doesn't diminish, she is looking at Selena with glazed eyes.

"Hey… Selena…" The woman in question turns away, "Well, I was going to say something that is actually appropriate, but now I have a rather nice view of…"

"Gods, Phoenix! Cut it out!" The red-haired woman leaves the room.

"My word, I don't think I ever heard anyone be that vulgar before." Jakob says.

"Tacticians shouldn't be sugar-coating their words… I need a nap." She promptly passes out.

The room stays silent for a moment, "Pack up what we have and let's get ready to move as soon as those two are awake." I order. Jakob bows and leaves the room, which leaves Elise, Keaton, a napping Phoenix and me left.

"So…." Elise starts, "When did you wake up, Keaton?"

"I woke up before the sun rose from the smell of sex, I got up when Jakob stopped by about an hour or two later."

"Gods, everyone is being so blunt today…" She pouts with a flush on her face.

He smirks, "I'm also pretty sure I heard…"

"What's that? I think Effie needs my healing! See you!" She dashes off with a completely red face.

"Speaking of vulgar…" He continues, before staring me down, "I believe you said you'll make up your promise to me later…"

Now my face turns red, "Gods… you heard that? Were you even asleep?"

"Maybe, maybe not." He shrugs, "Come." I follow him back to the makeshift infirmary, he locks the door behind us. "Mine."