Who could blame Nina for being mildly concerned when she came to in the morning? She awoke, having forgotten where she was and why. As far as her mind was concerned, she knew herself to be back with the army, hoping to catch a few extra z's before someone barged into her tent to shake her awake. The longer she began to rouse, however, the more aware she became. One of the important things she noticed were the arms wrapped around her torso. At first, the sight startled her, but that was before she rolled her eyes.

Today was that day.

The one day.

When her eyelids unveiled her vision, she was met by the sight of Soleil. To be more detailed, Soleil's face, whose smooth skin bathed in the morning sunlight. She was still asleep, snoring up a storm, but her motions seemed to convince her otherwise. She pulled her closer, took a concentrated breath from her nose, then released a sigh. It was a content sigh. Nothing new for Soleil, but the dialect was by far the most pleasant Nina had heard from her. It was shortly afterward when her eyes slid open as well, revealing deep brown orbs. Thick was the euphoria that swam within that brown. It wasn't a side effect of rousing, seeing that it did not lose its viscosity as she spent time observing her.

Without a word, but a smile, Soleil slithered closer until their faces were deathly close. There, she planted a note of affection on the bottom of her lip. When she finished, she did not pull away.

"Good morning..." She narrowed her eyes slyly. "My darling Nina." Like her eyes, her tone was thick too, borderline amorous. The sudden change in mood had a blush emerge onto her listener's cheeks.

"G-Good morning," she began awkwardly. "Erm... Soleil..."

"Heh. You're cute in the morning, did you know that?" One hand traveled to the back of Nina's neck, where she gently took a cluster of muscle to begin soothing it. Oddly enough, it was a cluster of muscles that just so happened to be in deep need of a nice rub. It was reasonable to wonder where Soleil could have possibly cultivated such intuition in the practice. "You must've slept well since you're not stiff in too many places."

Sighing, Nina shrugged.

"No more nightmares, if that counts as good sleep," she said, leaning in to broaden the range of her masseur's palm. "Except someone kept waking me up..."

"Really? Who was it?"

"You know who it was."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Not."

"Do."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Silence would not find a home between them for long; Soleil released a chuckle before it could kill the momentum of their conversation.

"Okay. What was I doing?"

"Nothing big... Just kissing and singing to me in your sleep. Do I need to demonstrate how irritating it was?" She rolled out of her temporary lover's embrace to land on her back, where she sprawled her arms, prepared to recite. "Oh, Nina, Nina; I love you so. For you, to the fiery depths I'd go. Your skin, so soft, so sweet... How kind of fate to have us meet. For you, love, my loyalty knows no bounds; barren of your touch means my mind no sound. Have I the permission to caress either m-"

"Oh. Oh oh oh. You were awake to hear that... and you memorized it too." She was red suddenly, looking away. "I thought you were asleep when I was practicing. I was going to serenade you with that sometime today, but it looks like there's been a slight change of plans..." She raised her brows then after slapping a charming grin on her face. "So? Did you like it?"

Blinking, Nina stared up to the ceiling. Based off the look of her face, she evidently considered her answer with care.

"Well... Poetry could be a strong suit of yours, but that's it. Poetry. Not singing."

A half compliment was better than a complete insult. Soleil was willing to live with that sort of feedback.

Time was pressing, pressing enough to have the two feel it beginning to close in on them. It was the pressure that commanded them to gather their things the soonest they could and prepare to leave. It was worth mentioning that Nina was prejudice upon stepping out of the hut they had been lent, but her worries were ultimately, and graciously, for naught. The moment they set foot into the village, they found it buzzing with as much life as it had the day before. While standing in the midst of the chaos of everybody's business, the two remained as they were for a while, puzzled as to where to go.

Nina suggested that they simply left without any sort of notice. The Wind Tribe already knew they were spies, so it was not as if they were being devious. Soleil did not disagree with the plan, so they went their own way after observing the compass. Northwest had them walking away, hand in hand.

Their journey out of captivity did not live for long, for along their path, they eventually ran into an alarming sight. In the midst of the road that would spew them out of the village stood Fuga. His mighty arms were stiffly crossed over his chest, and a frown of old decorated his aging expression. Even after being noticed by the two, he remained still, allowing the many oblivious civilians to pass him by. He motioned for them to come closer, which they, especially Nina, were hesitant to obey. Even worse on her, Soleil looked to her for answers.

"What should we do?" she inquired.

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

"I don't know!"

They paused when Fuga took matters into his own hands, for he slowly began making his way toward them. The thin crowd that gathered in the streets parted to make a way for him as they continued with their own affairs. The stoic face that remained stamped on his expression made Nina tense, then make a movement backward that invited Soleil to follow. However, instead of doing so, Soleil only gave her hand a brief, reassuring squeeze.

"Maybe he just wants to bid us farewell. I mean, he doesn't look like he means any trouble..." She grinned. "Besides, you have nothing to worry about. I'll beat him up for you if he tries to hurt us."

"That's what I'm afraid of." With the roll of her eyes, Nina growled through her teeth. Reluctant, she returned to Soleil's side, unable to bring herself to break their union. She became tense with each step nearer Fuga grew, but, like the worry she experienced upon setting foot outside their hut, it was for naught.

"Salutations," muttered Fuga with a bow. "Did you enjoy your stay in our guest hut?"

Nina and Soleil exchanged glances. Both asked who was to respond. Since Soleil wasn't talking, Nina felt that the obligation fell upon her. As she slid her hand out of the warmth of Soleil's, she shuffled forward to reply with a bow herself.

"W-We did. Thank you for the hospitality."

"The food was good too."

"Yes... The food was good."

"Except that stuff with the beans and daikons. It wasn't all that great."

"Yeah, except the-" Nina paused, horror sweeping across her face as she turned to her neighbor. "Soleil! That was rude!"

Though he seemed like the type to take offense, Fuga sounded with a rumble that built itself within the depths of his throat. It was laughter, they would soon come to find out. A gentle laughter.

"I see. Your western tongues are not quite used to our eastern cuisine," he commented while shaking his head. "Fear not. We, as mere humans, do not favor the things that are strange to us." When he returned his gaze to them, he breathed in the passing breeze with delight. "I suppose the two of you are hurrying out of our humble village? You must have a deadline by which you are to reach Hoshido's capital."

Nina, with a blink, nodded sharply.

"Y-Yeah... A deadline... That's a good way to put it..." She cocked her head to the side timidly. "So if you would, uh, let us go... that'd be great."

"Of course, but first..." Fuga looked up, but not at them. Instead, he peered over their shoulders to watch someone coming down the road. It was a horse, they would discover when they too directed their gaze the same way. Upon him rode a small, but decorated, boy. Attached to his saddle was a cart housing only a bed of hay. When the steed arrived to their side, his rider looked down at the two of them, dipped his head to the man, then cleared his throat.

"Hello, Chieftain," he greeted respectfully before turning to Soleil and Nina. When their eyes met, his face stiffened slightly. It was a detail Soleil did not see, but Nina definitely did. "Are these the two I am to guide on their journey?"

With a nod, Fuga smiled slightly.

"Indeed," he replied. When he returned to the two girls, he quickly addressed their confusion. "If you have a deadline, I must apologize for wasting your precious time by keeping you here. To compensate, I offer you one of my finest warriors, Hayato, who shall take you as far as he can before the sun goes to rest."

Again, the two looked back to Hayato, who remained on his horse. When their eyes met again, he raised a brow condescendingly. The smug air contrasted greatly with his smooth, round cheeks, unblemished skin, skinny arms, and small stature. The sight drew a snort out of Soleil.

"Your finest warrior? This tiny thing?" she giggled as she drew close to the horse. When she took one of his feet to chuckle at its size, Hayato began to furiously wrestle.

"Chieftain Fuga does not have a joking personality, so you'd best take his word for truth!" he exclaimed angrily. Amongst the conflict, Nina dropped a brow as she turned back to Fuga.

"You're giving us a ride?" she asked before crossing her arms. "What's the catch?"

"Not a thing at all," replied Fuga humbly. "The elders and I had an intense discussion through the night. They have come to the conclusion that you are headed to Hoshido by the order of he who wields the legendary Yato. Am I correct?"

Nina was taken back. There those elders go again, knowing things they had no way of knowing. It was useless to try keeping secrets around the people of the Wind Tribe. She had to thank her lucky stars she didn't live anywhere near them.

"Um... Yeah. His name is Corrin."

"That, friend, is why I have chosen to offer my resources to support your cause. Legend has sworn that whoever the Yato chooses shall be the one who brings the end to bitter war. Though I love Hoshido, I also have friendly affiliations in Nohr. More than anything, I do not want there to be a victor to this conflict. What I do want is for there to be peace." He took another deep breath. "If the wielder has willed that you get to Hoshido, I will provide my utmost assistance so that he may prevail."

Quiet, the girl remained hesitant before lowering her gaze.

"The speed would certainly help..." she considered lightly, only to be stopped when Soleil eagerly clasped her hand again. When she looked, she saw her presenting the cart tied to the steed.

"What's not to like about the offer? It'll be like the hayrides they have at home!" Before Nina could agree, or object, she led her to their ride. Wordless, Nina followed her gestures, one of which offered her hand to assist her upon the cart. It wasn't too far off the ground, the cart, but Soleil insisted that she helped her up anyway.

The deal they made kept Nina from refusing the offer.

At last, things were finally going their direction, both could say with joy. Riding in the backseat of the vehicle made their travels become nothing but easy. They not only traveled quickly, they traveled comfortably. The hay, whatever breed it was, happened to be oddly soft and seldom poked them in places they'd rather not be poked. Away from the village they became, returning to the vast wasteland that surrounded it. Hayato, steering at the front, held possession of the map and compass at the moment, and was expertly navigating their way through.

Soleil and Nina had to do one awful, repugnant, tedious, and exhausting job to do: lay down and relax.

It hadn't been long before they took to the sport. When they did, they were almost immediate masters, bound to strike fear in any competition they faced. They normally would be each other's competition, but today wasn't the day for that. Today was that one day. That one day was theirs to seize, and, quite frankly, there was no better day for it. Soleil saw that they had more than a dozen plethoras' worth of time to do whatever the heck she pleased, but she was mindful to use her time efficiently.

It was no accident that their bags of equipment happened to be above their heads. It was Soleil's doing, for she figured that, from Hayato's angle from his horse in front of them, their faces would be concealed. Even so, that, and the fact that Hayato wasn't likely to be checking on them too many times, wasn't enough to set Soleil at ease. She was a thorough individual, and a thorough individual stopped at nothing to be comfortable. That is why, after a while of basking in the sun and the lovely zephyrs sweeping across the land, she brought herself up to sit, where she began shedding her top. Her movement awakened Nina, who once dozed off at her side. Initially, she was flustered to watch her, but that was before she was reminded of an undershirt.

When Soleil plopped back down, burying her head in the straw, her white top found itself over their heads. The sun was bright enough to sink through its stitches, but not hot enough to continue buffeting them with its heat. When she rolled on her side, Soleil found Nina staring at her oddly. She simply dismissed the situation with a:

"I'd hate to see your pretty pale skin get sunburned, so here's a cover for you." Such a sentence would only be followed by Nina's brow, which raised quickly.

"Right... I suppose your arms aren't as important?" she inquired. Her word had merit, for it was the skin surrounding Soleil's healing wound and everything else beneath it that became the sun's new victim. Having noticed that, the girl released a snicker.

"Alright, you got me," she said before pecking her nose quickly. "I want to use every minute I have today, not waste it worrying if the kid sees us."

From ahead, though faint, Hayato cleared his throat.

"I heard that."

Soleil flinched, but soon recovered.

"Oh, snap." She lowered her tone. "He has those sharp ears kids have too." When she paused, she waited for Hayato to comment again. He didn't, and Soleil took that as a sign that she had reached a decibel not even his sharp ears could pick. Now, the thorough Soleil was completely within the snug walls of her comfort zone, and it would be a while until someone, or something, could invade them. She slid closer to her partner before stealing another kiss. "Liking the way things are turning out? What were the chances of getting a ride?"

"Slim," Nina sighed. "I'm thankful nonetheless. We should use this time to catch some shut eye so we can keep on traveling some hours after dark."

"Mm, I'd love that, but..." She knew she was in for an earful when Soleil grinned again. "I only have so much time, so I want to make every moment count. By the way..." She leaned in closer to reach Nina's ear. She started with a whisper that tickled her sensitive skin. Nina had to admit that she did feel her spine crawl with a wave of goosebumps. "What I had in mind for tonight may not get us any sleep at all..." The fact that her tone didn't follow with a chuckle left Nina's cheeks fiery. Before she lost herself to embarrassment, she shuddered.

"Just remember this: I may have a few boundaries to draw."

"Aw, that wasn't part of the deal."

"It is now."

"No fair."

"Too bad."

They paused. Somehow, the air remained lighthearted, which invited a few mutual chuckles. By now, both were red as could be, easing closer. When their conversation died, they were finally nestled against each other. Though it was warm just outside the cover of Soleil's garment, they pressed against one another comfortably.

"Alright, you win," Soleil caved while retrieving the cluster of muscle she had tended to earlier that morning. "But so you know, I'm going to find those boundaries and see how far I can push them without getting in trouble."

Nina was delayed by a hiss when she happened to pinch a peak spot.

"You won't get as far as you'd hope," she challenged.

"Oh, we'll see."

She displayed her mastery when, once again, she scouted her skin to squeeze that bundle once more. Before long, her hands almost became whips, a slaveowner's whips, for she had Nina wrapped tightly around her fingers. She mewled at every sweet spot, and it was then she began to realize that her masseur was teasing her. Nina's motions, such as the movement of the shoulder blade that attempted to elevate her hand back onto the site, begged her to return. The gesture was just like Nina. Her pride was too great to possibly allow her to lift her head and simply ask Soleil of what she wanted. In the end, Soleil did humor the spot Nina was subliminally suggesting, but it took time for them to get to that point.

They remained beneath their makeshift cover for the span of a few solid hours, only emerging to take the canteen from one of their bags. After pulling it out, Soleil turned to Nina, gave her a devious smile, then shook it around. Based on the way Nina looked at her, she could comfortably assume she waited for her to take a drink and have a turn herself. Soleil did not want things to be that simple.

"Can I pour some in your mouth?" she inquired playfully, which made Nina scowl. Against her hopefulness, she snatched the bottle from her hand and began roughly undoing the cap.

"No way! I'm not your infant." She took a swig before handing it back to her. Soleil released a disappointed groan, but drowned it in water shortly afterward. When they were done refreshing themselves, they humbly offered a drink to their chauffeur, Hayato, who promptly responded with a shake of the head.

"In my warrior training, I was taught how to efficiently preserve the water that is being retained and used by my body. I've mastered the ability to go weeks without so much as a drop, so a few hours is child's play." Both could silently agree that the way he strained "child's play" came off to them as annoying. They chose to ignore him and return to the safety of their cover.

When they peeked out after what felt like a while of relaxation, they found that their surroundings had morphed from an unforgiving desert to familiar cliques of trees. Their leaves were turning unnatural colors, they noticed. The crisp evening wind, along with the trees, foreshadowed an impending autumn. It was the least of Hayato's concern, for he lived far into the heart of the desert, where season had no authority. The most he was worried about was the sun that was sinking behind them. Where the path deposited into the desert gave a perfect window to watch the sky turn orange, and it was that lovely sight Soleil relieved their cover for. The two became still against each other and quietly observed, both wordless.

The sky was almost a deep shade of blue by the time Hayato demanded for his horse to pause. The sudden change in pace awoke the two, once slipping into a light state of slumber. Nina was the first to lift her head from Soleil's chest, her groggy eyes scanning their surroundings. By that time, Hayato slid off the saddle and worked his way around the cart. He bowed subtly.

"Chieftain Fuga tasked me to take you as far as I could before the sun completely sets. When it is down, I am to return to the village. The time I relieve you of my responsibility is now, as the darkness will set itself upon us in a matter of minutes."

While rising, Soleil took in a yawn, stretched her hefty arms, then spied upon him deviously.

"Thanks for the ride, kid."

"I could easily tie you two to the cart and take you back with me," he snapped back, irritated.

"Right, right. Sorry, I forgot you're a bad sport..."

After a brief inventory check in their bags and through the hay, Nina and Soleil leapt out of the cart, confident they left not a thing behind. Soleil was the foremost to have her feet kiss the earth, and, once balanced, offered a submissive hand to assist her follower. Hayato watched while raising a brow.

"You must have a lame foot if you need help getting down from something that low," he commented to Nina. Before she could respond to defend, or whatever she was to do before an insult, herself, Soleil jumped in with a snicker.

"You'll understand when you're older."

"Very well so, then." He crossed his meatless arms to broaden his small shoulders, huffing in the meantime. "A little ways down this road, you will find the village of Kiso. It is a humble settlement with fair prices on their goods and lodges. Since the elders predicted a chilly draft to pass by the continent tonight, I heavily advise making use of their offerings." An eye peeked open "I didn't have to tell you that, by the way."

With yet another grin, Soleil reached out, pat him on the head, then began to ruffle his hair. She stopped when he began demanding it.

"Aw, aren't you sweet? Thank you."

"Your gratitude will be delivered to the Chieftain," Hayato replied as he began fixing his head. He maintained a spiteful gaze upon her despite his tone. Just a moment later, he reached into his satchel to retrieve a folded map. He returned it to Nina, upon whom he did not stare with as much prejudice. "Until then, I beseech you make a safe journey. May the spirits guide you to make the correct decisions."

Nina sighed slightly. What little stress she had bottled within her eased away.

"Thanks. You too," she replied.

It was with that, Hayato returned to his horse, where he climbed aboard. A simple heel to the stomach had them galloping into the darkness, leaving the two behind.