Sakura and Ricken - Room to Grow

Sakura wasn't much of a morning person, but she often woke up early enough to catch the beautiful moments of a sunrise in motion. Even as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and shivered at the morning air, she couldn't help but smile at the pretty sight outside. The way the sky shifted from dark blue to a yellow line and then a lighter blue shade above it, Sakura didn't mind the early wake up at all. Others, particularly the ones that got up super early, were well into their morning routines.

"Good morning Lady Sakura!"

The Hoshidan princess turned to see Hana and Lon'qu, the latter pausing his training to bow to her, while Hana did likewise but tagging along behind her best friend and charge.

"Do we have anything planned today?" Sakura wondered aloud, watching as Subaki, Cordelia, Caeldori, and Severa engaged in an intense footrace across the camp, the pig-tailed mercenary proudly in the lead, trailed closely by her sister. Subaki, ever the perfectionist, 'supported' his wife who was struggling to keep the tempo of her two future daughters.

The samurai stared blankly, appearing lost in thought, but came back after a few seconds and shrugged.

"Commander Robin is still asleep as far as I know. Commanders Takumi and Leo are making movements to march ever closer to Walhart. I'm not sure if Commander Robin has any other plans though, being that he kinda just got freed from a Valmese fortress."

"I see... W-well, I think I'm going to talk to my brother before he loses himself in his strategy arguments with Leo again," Sakura decided. "Today is going to be a busy day."

"Do you need my help with anything milady?" Hana asked, not noticing the slightly-lonely Chon'sin behind her. Thankfully, the Hoshidan princess saw it and shook her head.

"I-I think Lon'qu needs you more," she added after a brief pause, forcing Hana to scoff but blush sheepishly. Sakura couldn't even count to ten before Lon'qu's grunt of surprise heralded the sound of a flurry of clashing blades and brazen feminine laughter.

"A-are you crazy, woman?"

"Come at me you weakling!"

"Why you... Rragh!"

Smiling to herself at Hana's antics, Sakura exited the scene to the sound of rabid swordfighting and Lon'qu's stream of complaints.


"Ah, Princess Sakura. Didn't think you'd be up already."

"U-um..."

"Is something the matter, Sakura?"

Opening up the war tent, the Hoshidan was greeted not by her brother, but his Nohrian counterpart, who in turn was accompanied by Maribelle.

Who was also in rather close proximity to him.

Was that normal distance?

No... a foot farther would be ample personal space...

This was... close.

Were they...

"U-uh... hello Prince L-leo..." Sakura stuttered quickly, shutting off her own thoughts, before mustering up the confidence to ask her questions. "I-is my b-brother here?"

"Takumi? Probably not. He promised he'd spend some time with his daughter and son today, leaving me to man the fort until Robin wakes up."

"I-I see... Sorry if I-I'm interrupting anything..." Sakura blurted, turning tail and nearly running into the door. Leo craned his head at her implications but disregarded them.

"Interrupting? Oh."

"Oh indeed," Maribelle giggled, laughing at the timid princess who made herself scarce within the next second. "Let her think what she will. A little gossip never made anything boring."


C


Running away quickly, Sakura nearly tripped at the body of red that had suddenly rounded the corner, sending her to the ground if not for the gruff hand that caught her. Following the gauntlet up a loosely clothed arm and finally to the garb of a Hoshidan ninja, Sakura nearly yelped if not for her loss of breath at her fall.

"S-saizo?"

"My utmost apologies, milady," the ninja bowed swiftly, his mask covering any frown that he may have had. In his hand was a rather large bag, the contents unknown. "Excuse me for asking, but have you seen that Ylissean boy, Ricken?"

"N-no, but I could find him for you-"

"Absolutely not," Saizo said pridefully. "I will locate the lad myself and deposit these items to his immediate possession. Excuse my swiftness-"

"I-I insist," Sakura stated boldly, trying not to stutter for once, failing miserably. "I can free up your time to help out my brother, and I'll be useful for the moment too!"

Saizo paused, before scowling internally at himself before nodding his reluctant agreement.

"Only because your reasons are valid, milady. This bag contains those disgusting candies the thief Gaius insists on caching in every corner of his tent. I am doing him and this army a favor and relieving him of those... poisons. I figured a child like Ricken would have actual use for these instead of a grown man like Gaius."

Sakura thought to herself how Ricken would react with the candies.

First off, the boy was about the same age as her at a lively 15, far too young for whatever military action he had seen and performed in at 13. Even if her initial reactions with him were somewhat short-rooted, she knew enough of him that he hated being treated like a child.

Just like me... I hate it when both my big Sisters get to do all these brave and dangerous things... and they think that even healing is too risky for a princess like me.

"I-I don't think he'd want these, Saizo," Sakura decided, and the ninja looked surprised.

"The boy is as dime-a-dozen as any Hoshidan youth I know. Let him have the candies, even if he will not enjoy possessing them. Anything to get them out of Gaius's reach, if anything."

"I suppose... that c-could work," Sakura agreed, gently taking away the bag and peering inside. All sorts of confectioneries and treats lay inside, and judging by the weight, none were lacking in content.

How long has it been since I've had candies? Hmm... I do miss the castle's deserts...

Feeling an idea spring up, she timidly continued the conversation with Ryoma's retainer.

"U-um... could I have some too?"

Saizo stopped whatever he was thinking about and looked at Sakura as if she had cracked a bad joke.

"Er, say again?" Instantly, Sakura shied away, keeping the bag by her side instead of open in front of her eyes, quite crestfallen.

"S-sorry... it was a dumb question."

"Uh..." Saizo began, not sure whether to discourage or encourage Sakura's desire to have candy. Would Lord Ryoma allow it? On one hand, Sakura was just a girl, one of the youngest in the army. Of course, she was still in the army, but being one of the youngest Shepherds had her being treated like a child.

Which, technically, she was.

...And the Princess of Hoshido.

But of course, Lord Ryoma would probably let his beloved sister have a few candies every now and then. They were royalty after all. Not that royals were more prone to enjoying sweets. But little princesses seemed to enjoy them quite vigorously, even one as soft-spoken and timid as Sakura.

And dare he remind himself of the time he smuggled desserts for her as repayment when she randomly found him bleeding out in the woods due to a botched spy mission.

Against his better judgement, Saizo nodded slowly, his mask thankfully blocking the light smile he was bearing at Sakura's request.

"If you wish, Lady Sakura, then I shall not stop nor condescend you..."

"T-thank you!" Sakura exclaimed, rather excited at her new stash of sweets she had inadvertently earned.

Okay... it is a rather crippling weakness of mine...

Thinking quickly, Saizo added, "But be sure to eat plenty of vegetables and engage in thorough exercise. Candies are known to slow the mind and body quite severely."

"O-okay!" Sakura nodded happily, more excited than she should have been and continuing her merry way towards Ricken's tent.


"...What?"

Ricken yawned as he felt the atmosphere of his tent change. Opening his eyes slowly, a blur of red and white flew inside, followed by the wind getting knocked out of his lungs.

The Ylissean stared in confusion as Sakura just barged into his tent, dumping a bag of candies atop his blanket. Which, if she didn't quite tell, he was still under.

Ow. It's heavy. Why is it so heavy?

Grinning sheepishly, she began to open up the closest chocolate to her, sitting atop the side of his bed.

"Um... Sakura? What are you doing?"

Never mind the fact that there was a girl in his tent...

...But it was a Princess! A Hoshidan Princess, gracing him with her presence, first thing in the morning at that. Sakura waltzed in like it was nothing of note, and then sat down on his bed!

Gods, if Vaike hears of this I'm screwed!

Disregarding the fact that there was not only a heavy bag of chocolates and candies on his bed... but a princess of a foreign country!

Said princess, in an odd display of joy, simply grinned a chocolate-stained smile and proceeded to grab another treat off Ricken's blanket.

"You should try some!" she exclaimed, happy beyond belief. "They're really good!"

Grunting, Ricken sat up as carefully as he could without spilling the wrapped candies to the ground beneath. Too shocked to be scowling, he instead looked at the content Sakura with a mix of astonishment and fear.

"W-what's this for?" he asked, wincing as his morning voice cracked. Sakura heard it too and laughed with a full mouth.

"Saizo stole these from Gaius because he wants him to stop eating candy! So... h-he gave it to me to give to you."

Ricken stared blankly, still shocked at the weight of the bag while at the same time feeling as if this was a really bad prank.

"Early in the morning? Er... Not to mention, I don't really like... candy."

"Oh, that's too bad-I-guess," Sakura giggled, tempting herself to grab another chocolate but maintaining some sort of composure.

"So..." Ricken began, "Explain the situation to me."

Sakura craned her head at Ricken's attempt to learn the story, and he frowned, fearing he said something wrong.

"Uh... I mean... what are we going to do with all this..."

"Chocolate? It's soooo good..." Suddenly, her face contorted to realization and she blushed intensely.

"Are you okay?" Ricken asked, not in a position to help Sakura but still feeling concerned.

"S-sorry," she whispered, reverting to her normal self and cowering outside, clearing his tent in record time. "Oh gods... oh gods!"

Ricken gently moved the chocolates off his body and slipped out of bed, donning his mage robe and stepping outside to see Sakura frowning in infinite distaste and clearly being more flustered than usual.

"Princess Sakura?" he began, causing her to flinch even more.

"I'm so sorry! I d-didn't realize what I was doing-"

"Are you usually this excited when sweets are concerned?" Ricken asked. The princess merely nodded sheepishly and buried her face in her hands, debating whether to run off or not. Deciding not to, she appeared lost in thought before continuing her rant.

"I-I... I remember, b-back in Hoshido... After a banquet or someth...something along those lines, my Mother would give me sweets, just because she knew I-I liked them... a lot." Sakura appeared to calm down slightly, but her face darkened at the thought of her deceased mother. Ricken followed along and nodded in understanding.

"So candies... remind you of home?"

"Y-yeah..." Sakura replied, smiling slightly at the thought of being back in Shirasagi. "I miss it... a lot."

"Yeah, I miss my home too," Ricken reminisced, before glancing at Sakura. She was still flush with embarrassment, absorbing all the red wavelengths in the immediate vicinity.

"I wish I could go b-back, even for a few d-days."

This caught Ricken by surprise. Sure, Sakura was shy, but it was easy enough to tell that she enjoyed the company of others around her. He didn't realize that she missed her home so much, even when surrounded by her family.

"I'm sure we'll be able to visit Hoshido soon. After all, it is on the way back to Ylisse. We'll get to see your home before you get to see mine..."

"Oh..." Sakura realized. "I... I guess you're right."

"Still," Ricken offered, a slight smile gracing his face, "It's good that you miss your home. Even though you're helping us save our country... I think it's great of you to think about your own."

"Ha... Thanks."

"..."

"..."

"Well... those candies aren't doing us any good in my room," Ricken decided, opening his tent door and gesturing Sakura back in.

"R-really? You don't mind?" Sakura asked, more excited than scared now.

"Well... there's worse things to be doing than eating candies and talking about your homeland in the morning, right?" Ricken asked. "Just... don't tell anyone about this... they might look at me wrong."

"I promise!" Sakura nodded, eagerly coming back inside. "B-but... we are the same age. I know we b-both want to be treated like adults..."

"Doesn't help that I'm short," Ricken sighed, trying to snub that darn cowlick on top of his head, his notable hat still destroyed since the last battle. "But you're the youngest of your siblings. You probably have it worse than I do."

"Well, my Mother always said that every year we grow is a step closer to the top... I-if we try to take it too fast... A-all we do is trip and fall, n-never knowing h-how to grow steadily. While I want people to l-look at me like I'm mature... I haven't grown enough to be mature... yet."

Ricken thought about this as Sakura sat back down, hesitating to get another candy before he noticed this and gave it to her himself.

Maybe... I can afford to slow down, just a little. Patience... just like Robin and Chrom tell me. I have to be patient, and live in the moment every now and then, right?

Slowly, his hand reached into the bag and he held one of Gaius' candies in his palm.

"Kids my age usually like this stuff, don't they," Ricken realized, slowly unwrapping it as Sakura watched.

"I'm sure a-adults like candy too..."

"Funny thing," Ricken began, placing the treat in his mouth before continuing, "My mom and dad always gave me candy... telling me... I should enjoy these things before I'm not allowed to, anymore."

Slowly chewing it, Ricken's eyes closed as he recalled the last time he had such a confectionery in his mouth.

"I always refused it, thinking that it was something only kids ate."

"And what happened?" Sakura asked, silently chewing on her own candy.

"I never knew what kids ate," Ricken realized. "I was so... focused on trying to act like an adult. I never got to be a kid. I think that's my most... childish trait."

"You fought a war," Sakura reminded him. "Y-you're pretty mature considering that."

"Kids don't fight wars," Ricken whispered, but smiling all the while. "And here I am, in my second one."

Ricken's hand grabbed another candy out of the bag, this time, confidently.


B


"Another free day?" Ricken echoed, not believing what Robin had just briefed the camp. Sure, he looked a little off considering his time as a prisoner, but to keep the Shepherds idle even more than they had been?"

"Is there a problem?" Takumi asked the mage, to which Ricken decided he voice his complaints.

"Walhart's army isn't getting any smaller. We need to fight back!" The archer nodded in agreement, but still pursed his lips.

"I actually agree with your sentiments, Ricken. But, as our newly reinstated Commander would have it, one more day of rest will do our army better. Plus, he just came back too, so he may need his thoughts and his wits to recover before we head off. Not to mention... my wi-girlfriend and my future children would appreciate this day as well."

"Right," Ricken sighed, reminding himself how Takumi had somehow ended up with Sumia. He still had no idea when this was a thing, but he decided to go with it.

"Anyway, you've been training hard already," Takumi noticed, "Even on a day like this, you should take a break. Considering the fact that my sister was giggling in your tent like a schoolgirl, I assume she'd have plans that you, clearly, do not."

Ricken cringed at Takumi's assumptions, but laughed nervously to fight the suspicion.

"Of course I have plans," he reasoned. "I... Wait, how did you even know Sakura- I mean, Princess Sakura was in my tent?"

Takumi glared at the Ylissean's near slip-up at not addressing his sister by her rightful title, but shrugged anyway.

"She seems to like you, probably because you're around your age. Take my advice, kid," Ricken glared at that, "and try not to disappoint her expectations. She doesn't smile very much because she feels lonely a lot, even in her own home. If she thinks you worthy of spending her time with, then by all means, you had better not fall short of her wishes."

"H-hey, where is all this coming from?" Ricken mumbled, still feeling a little off that Takumi, who was at most a few years older than him, had called him a kid. The nerve!

"Just saying," the archer scoffed. "I can't really make Sakura happy the way you do, and she's my sister. Use the most out of this day, I... beg of you." He added the last part sincerely, catching Ricken even more off guard.

"Why me? I have plans-"

"No you don't, first off. And secondly, as to the why? The wisest man I know knew when to make a lady smile. Boys can make others giggle, fawn over them... But a man?" Ricken listened in, curious as to how Takumi knew of his plight.

"A man captivates the hearts of his peers with courage, compassion, and most of all, honesty..." Takumi drew a blank, but fought off his thoughts and added his personal flair.

"N-not that I know what it's like to fail miserably, of course." With that, a slightly embarrassed Takumi disappeared, Cynthia and Kiragi in tow.

Ricken thought about this and agreed wholeheartedly, deciding that Sakura was the best person to try to relate to.

But, he wasn't lying when he said he had plans. His own agenda would come first, Ricken decided. If he had time for Sakura, then she would be next in line.


Dear Father and Mother,

The war to repel Valm is progressing as intended, so far. Our Commanders, both Robin and Corrin, were kidnapped a few days ago. We recovered Robin yesterday, and Corrin seems to be on Robin's most preferred course of action to take. I hope we find her soon; she's a huge part of the unity between Hoshido and Nohr. If she were to disappear, I fear what may become of our Hoshidan and Nohrian allies.

Speaking of...

There's a girl, just my age in the Shepherds. She's a Hoshidan princess, and wasn't even my friend until a couple weeks ago. Her name is Sakura. She has Mother's hair, even as a Hoshidan. A shade lighter than my own, but it reminds me of her when I see her around camp. I think you'd like her, whenever the Shepherds ever come back to Ylisse. She's kind, yet brave. Timid, yet determined. Quite an odd, yet captivating set of traits.

Thankfully, no one has gotten seriously injured yet, even a year into our campaign. We've been finding new children nearly every month from the ruined future that Lucina talks about in her stories. I think these two were named Severa and Caeldori. They're Cordelia's daughters. Half Hoshidan, half Ylissean. This story gets harder and harder to comprehend by the minute, but I must try to make sense of it. I bet Commander Robin or Exalt Chrom know how to treat those kid's claims. If only we shared insights...

Anyway, we're resuming our march on Valmese territory soon. In the year so far, we've trekked nearly half of the continent, running into Chon'sin, Valmese, and even the Mila Tree. A shame we couldn't climb it though: Princess Say'ri and Commander Robin had other plans to sway her people, mainly her husband, the new Emperor of Chon'sin, Ryoma. I heard the Voice of Naga lives up there. It would be an honor to meet her in person, one day. Heck, even climbing the Mila Tree would be a feat by itself.

And no, I haven't gotten any taller since my last letter. I fear my growth is at a premature end, but I will continue to try, no matter the odds.

And even if those odds aren't in my favor, I'll no doubt surpass the even steeper ones that I may not return home.

I promise you, Mother, Father, that I'll be home before you know it.

Your son,

Ricken, first son of the House Licht

"It's sweet," Sakura smiled, reading over Ricken's letter before folding it back up and giving it back to him gratefully. "Thank you for letting me read it."

"It was embarrassing at first to consider... but I wanted you to see how I try to handle my situation as the formerly youngest Shepherd here."

"Is my hair really like your m-mother's?" Sakura wondered, gazing at her own locks that fell past her shoulders. Ricken stared and nodded after a pause.

"If you'd see it, you'd agree."

"You know," Sakura began, not stuttering as much due to her ease, "I think it's a v-very honorable thing to keep in touch with their parents. I fear a mother and father's greatest fear is to not know how their children are doing... knowing that they can help them."

"They understood I had to fight after a while," Ricken explained, "But I don't think they'll agree for a second that I should be out there with the rest of us Shepherds."

"We don't belong in a war," Sakura sighed. "But if it's for the sake of this world, then I'll gladly fight."

"As will I."

"When will you send it?" Sakura inquired, and Ricken shrugged.

"I... never do."

"What?"

Ricken turned to his bag, a full bag of letters inside. All sealed, all unread. All still in his possession.

"S-so your parents never know how you do?" Sakura wondered, and Ricken nodded sadly.

"Back during the Plegian war, it wasn't too hard to find a village postal to mail my parents. But we're half a world away now. They haven't heard from me ever since we left last year."

"O-oh... It must be terrible for them..."

"They know I'm fine," Ricken reassured, mostly to himself. "Besides. The less they know about the threats outside their doorsteps... the better."

"Still, to not h-hear from their son," Sakura quivered at the heartbreaking thought, but recomposed herself.

"..."

"So why do you write?" the Princess asked, and Ricken flushed pink in his cheeks just a little.

"Don't tell anyone."

"Y-you have my word!" Sakura promised, leaning in.

"I... write nearly every day. But even if my Mom and Dad will never see this... it's for my own reassurance. I... I want to tell myself that I'm gonna come home one day... no matter how far away it is. And... by letting you read it... my heart is at ease, knowing every step is one step closer on this journey."

"Ricken..."

"Haha, pretty pathetic of me, huh..." Ricken admitted, burying his head on his arms and exhaling deeply.

Sakura lay silent for a while, the chocolates long forgotten for now but still on the bed they were sitting on. After a few seconds, she got an idea.

Grabbing one of his manuscripts and his quill, she sat down on his study and began to write. Ricken raised his head and looked at her in surprise.

"What?"

Dear Mother,

It's been more than a year since we disappeared from Hoshido. Before everything happened all at once, I remember you telling me that you saw a world where Hoshido and Nohr would be at peace. A world where all of us would, Kamui included, would be a family again.

I think I'm living in that reality now.

It's so wonderful, that even amidst a campaign, one that neither Hoshido and Nohr would have fought, that our kingdoms can finally be at working harmony.

If only you and Father could be there to see it.

Ryoma is in a bit of trouble, but not the type you'd think. He's as much the heir to Hoshido's throne as he is to the country of Chon'sin. Supposedly, there's a prophecy in Chon'sin that whoever liberates their homeland wielding a katana wreathed in lightning is destined to be their greatest Emperor. Oh, and you'd love his Queen, Empress Say'ri... she's such a wonderful woman. She and Ryoma get along just perfectly! They are going to have their wedding after the war, and I know that Ryoma would make you and Father proud.

Hinoka hasn't changed much. With Kamui safe and sound, she's gotten a lot happier. But she still trains day in and day out. It is wonderful to see her smiling so much now, instead of wondering about fighting off Nohrians. She misses you the most out of all of us, I think. Your death really weighed on her, perhaps as much as when Kamui was kidnapped.

Azura is still here with us, and she tells me scary stories sometimes just like when we were kids. She has been acting strange, but she has her reasons, I suppose. One time, when we were on the ship embarking for Valm (it's where we are now,) Azura sang her song and made the waves move! I hope she didn't hurt herself too much when she did so, because she fell unconscious for a while after she sang.

Kamui is alive and well, though is missing from our camp at the moment. I wouldn't want to worry you, but we have absolutely no idea where she could be. But she'll be fine, because we're all looking for her. Her children, Kana and Morgan, along with her boyfriend Robin, are all trying their best to find her. And if you would be surprised by that, just wait until your next youngest child!

Takumi probably has undergone the biggest transformation out of all of us. There's so much I don't understand, but there's children from the future, who traveled from a world like ours to aid us on our quest. Apparently, two of those are Takumi's children, if you'd believe it. His girlfriend, a really nice Pegasus Knight named Sumia, is another person I think you'd like to meet. She has such a gentle spirit and loves reading and taking care of animals, just like you and Hinoka did when she was younger. Some of it has rubbed off onto him already. All of his anger and rage at your death is fading away. I see him laughing a lot, especially with his newly-found children.

As for myself... I'm growing just as you said I would. Day by day, I'm learning more, stuttering less, and living every moment wiser than the one before. Perhaps it's not at the rate I desire to grow, but progress is progress, and I am happy for that. I have made friends with Princess Elise of Nohr and Princess Lissa of Ylisse. Funny, the former's name is said how one would pronounce the latter's kingdom.

But I have other friends too. In particular there's a boy-

"You're going to need another sheet of paper, at this rate," Ricken interrupted, looking over her shoulder. He seemed to be perfectly fine, and he softened up when he read along with her writing. Aside from the part she was just getting into, he seemed to be genuinely intrigued by both her writing and her insight.

"You are right though," Sakura noted, "this really puts me at ease. Is this what writing a journal is like? Just letting all your pent-up stress out and narrating it onto the page?"

"...I-I wouldn't know," Ricken lied.

"Well... How should I finish this?" Sakura wondered, seeing she had room for one more line.

"In your words, not mine," Ricken advised, thankful she didn't continue the spiel about him.

"Hmm... how about this?"


A


"Princess Sakura, a word?"

The Hoshidan Princess turned to see Robin, who was walking patrols around the camp. He looked odd with his hood on, but the smile he flashed her put her at a slight ease.

"O-oh, Commander R-robin! How may I... help?"

"As you know, we're marching tomorrow, and will not stop for a long while," Robin explained, "I aim to take out Walhart while his forces are convening with Nohr's. If we can take out Valm... Ah, what I'm trying to get to is that we'll be busy for quite a few weeks. Months, even."

"I see," Sakura answered, not sure what Robin was implying.

"We'll take a day off every now and then, but we still got another sunset left before our journey resumes. Just a few more hours of daylight before it's back into the long hours of marching and guarding our camp."

"So you're saying we won't have any more f-free time for a while?"

"Yes. And while you and I both do enjoy being of great use to us and our cause, milady, it doesn't hurt to indulge in a few moments of leisure."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Well," Robin began, "for starters, my favorite short mage-teenager is looking even less vertically gifted without his usual hat. Was it an unfortunate casualty while I was gone?"

"He saved me, but almost lost h-his head," Sakura recalled, realizing she had the cloth in her room, having grabbed it after getting up off the ground. Now knowing why she kept it, she realized now was a perfect time to get it fixed. Nodding at Robin's unsaid suggestion, she understood his allusions well enough and ran back before being stopped by Robin for a brief moment.

"Oh, and Sakura?"

"Y-yes?"

"Thanks for sticking to the poor kid. He's growing up much to fast for our taste. Someone like you only catalyzes the process, not that we'd complain."


"E-excuse me, O-oboro, are you busy?"

The seamstress turned to see the youngest princess bowing meekly to her, and she immediately straightened up and bowed back.

"Of course not," she laughed, pausing her own work and turning fully towards the princess. "How may I help you?"

"I was w-wondering if you could fix this, if you weren't occupied," Sakura offered, holding out the tattered remains of Ricken's hat, shredded during the previous siege a couple days before.

"I would always be ready to help," Oboro guaranteed, holding the rags in her hand and raising her eyebrows, "But... what... is this?"

"It's a hat," Sakura blurted, starting to blush at the implications. "Ricken saved me from a Malig Knight but he almost got hurt in the process. Luckily, the wind spell only hit the top of his hat, h-hence the damages."

"Ah, that boy is always running around, getting himself hurt to prove his worth," Oboro laughed, going through her fabrics to find one that matched Ricken's odd hat.

"So you can f-fix it?" Sakura hoped, smiling eagerly.

"Anything for my master's adorable little sister's new boyfriend," Oboro teased, loving how Sakura's cheeks burned to the shade of her hair.

"P-please don't say that," the princess pleaded. Turning away, she almost hid her smile.

"As you wish, milady," Oboro complied politely, whipping out a needle and getting to work on Ricken's hat. "Come back in a few hours or so, and I'll have this weird thing fixed, good as new!"

"T-thank you so much!" With that, the princess left, clearly brighter than before. Oboro, left to her designs, eyed the blue-gray cloth in her hands with a slight purse of lip.

"Now then... how do I even approach turning this sheet back into that enormous hat of his?"


It was very difficult to hide a giant hat in her bag, but Sakura pulled it off. It pressed constantly into her back, reminding her it was there.

"Oh, Sakura. I guess it was you wrote that note. I... should be recognizing your handwriting, by now." Ricken smiled lightly, turning to notice that they were a few hundred feet away from the camp, "So... what is it that you needed help with?"

Sakura, seeing as now was as good a time as any, reached into her bag, pulling out the patched-up hat that Oboro had finished seaming a few minutes ago.

"Oh... wow..." Ricken breathed, wordlessly taking the headgear and looking it over. "It's... fixed?"

"I figured... you always liked that hat," Sakura reasoned. "It'd be nice if the person who saved my life got it back."

Ricken smiled, immediately donning the hat, enjoying the familiar fabric on his head again.

"Did you ask Oboro to do this for me?" Ricken asked, still in a very bright mood.

"Er... yes," Sakura reasoned, "-But she's the one that did it! Thank her!"

"I will, I will... But still... it makes my gift pale in comparison," Ricken frowned slightly, reaching into his own bag.

"W-what? You got... something?"

"I asked Commander Robin about the note you dropped by my door, earlier," Ricken admitted. "He didn't spoil anything though... this is genuinely a surprise - but he said that I find something 'the person whose writing matches Sakura's perfectly' would like..."

"Oh?" Sakura blushed, fearing her methods were a bit cliche and obvious.

"So... here." Ricken murmured, gently pulling a few flowers from his bag. "I... hope you like them."

"Ricken... they're-"

"Sakura blossoms. Queen Say'ri told me they bloom in her homeland... and when I asked your retainer, Hana... she told me that you were named for the trees that were in Shirasagi castle. I... can see why- I mean..." Ricken trailed off, instead meekly holding his hand out to offer the blossoms to the princess. Instead, what he got was a crushing hug and Sakura's head on his shoulder.

"Oh, Ricken... they're beautiful! T-thank you..."

"Ha...ha," Ricken laughed, still blushing, "I thought they'd remind you of home, if even a little. Glad to see that my research wasn't far off. And... the hat is wonderful too... thanks."


"Ah? See what I'm telling you? Nothing to worry about."

"Ugh, I still don't like it. But I'll trust your judgement, tactician," Takumi pouted, walking off. Ryoma and Robin were left to stand by, watching the two teenagers chat idly as the sunset faded to night.

"I admit... she has grown tremendously over the last year," Ryoma noted, crossing his arms neutrally. Robin chuckled in agreement, gesturing to Ricken.

"And while that boy has conquered a few inches on the vertical front, he has traversed miles and leagues on the path to maturity. I think they'll be just fine, hanging out together."

Ever the matchmaker... Ah, this job doesn't get old. Especially since I orchestrated that one. Ah, Grima, you sly tactician, you.

"I suppose I will give them my blessing, and leave them their privacy," Ryoma sighed, indirectly approving of Ricken's place in Sakura's life. "Tactician, will you come along?"

"Ah, just taking in the moment," Robin laughed, before turning too and walking away. "My work here is done."


-and you'd like him too.

One day, I'll grow into the woman you dreamed I would become.

Sakura, Princess of Hoshido, and your grateful daughter.


AN: Well, how about that? No S support for the Dicken, sorry kiddos. 15 isn't even close to the magic number.

AN2: So, looks like I really effed up when it came to the Roster spin-off chapter. So I guess I should explain my methods, if only to clarify.

As you may or may not know, this story started off as simple one-shots with on obvious correlation. Around the Ch. 15 mark and the addition of 'The Start of Something Beautiful,' I changed this story into having an actual storyline... with varied results.

On one hand, it allowed me more freedom of plot device, instead of "Oh, we're fighting," Or "Oh, we're not fighting."

On the other hand, I essentially am creating a story as the character interactions come along. This makes it very hard to explain at times, and even worse when I try revising older chapters as my English improves. To quote some PM's I've received, and their responses:

Well my goal for the roster chapters is to have them scattered throughout the story. Eventually, we're going to get quick little two-on-ones (Corrin and Robin are both interviewing) for every single Shepherd. A daunting task if I get too carried away with the dialogue, but a reasonable one if I keep it quick and concise. I still have no idea how this story is going to turn out (I admittedly make it up as I go along with is probably why the story gets a little wonky at times.)

And yep, I've adopted English as my primary language for about three years and am trying immensely to improve both my overall feel for the language and how its best used. My writing style isn't the most poetic and others have said that it's good that the story's emphasis is so dialogue-based.

Along with the fact that I am illustrating this work too, I have my work cut out for me. Not only to actually construct a tangible plot that explains a plethora of things including:

The Future Children

The Hoshidan/Nohrian Conflict

The Vallite Kingdom

The Resurrection of Grima

The Rise of Anankos

Hoshidan/Nohrian Children

Outrealms/Deeprealms

, but I also have to put that into narration. And with me rewriting my work as it comes along (An author never truly is happy with his work, they only settle for when the audience does) I fear I'm slowly losing quality and increasing my own pit of destruction for me to fall into.

But until then, I will fight this glorious fight and will deliver.

Oh, and if you want to up my /r Karma for /fireemblem, it's Lad_of_The_Lake, Azura flair. I uh... am not the most well-informed on Reddit usage.