Been far too long without a chapter here, so let's get right back to the shenanigans! It's time to eat Yato, Fuga! …And maybe a pie or two.

A Friend Returns

Corrin was not made into a eunuch.

That was perhaps the best news to come out of the next few hours. Felicia and Azura had successfully chased Hana down before she could make it to a public space, and after explaining why they tackled her, Hana was incredibly embarrassed.

She didn't blame Corrin for it, which made the plane-walkers gape in surprise, since it was her own fault for forgetting to put her robes back on correctly. As such, no blade was taken to Corrin's valuables and Flora felt a surge of relief at her current location.

It also let them set up Fuga's test without issue, minus the raging gales that popped up every so often. Apparently, that was common at Reppu Castle, and Corrin had to wonder how anyone got the damn thing built with such strong wind.

Fuga's non-answer of sheer determination and stubbornness did little to alleviate that wonder.

"Alright, we're ready to go!" Fuga called from his place upon a large pillar. "Prince Corrin are you and your chosen fighters ready?"

Corrin sighed and looked back, noting everyone was ready. "Yes, Chief Fuga, we're ready to begin!"

Fuga appeared to nod, as he was quite a distance from them. "Very well then! Your test is to overcome the obstacles laid out before you and reach me! Should you do so, I will join the fray! Defeat me and my trust is yours!"

Corrin's breath exploded through his nose, frustration building. "Why is everything a contest of strength? I swear, people just don't want to talk about things."

"Words can be bent and misused." Gunter reminded him, gaze glued to the edges of the arena. "Actions are always seen as more honest. You may intend to help someone, but no one will believe simple words. You must build that trust first."

Azura hummed at the words. "Ser Gunter is correct, one must act in goodwill before another trusts words alone. Fuga is within his rights to test you, for he does not know you."

"How do you think I started trusting you?" Hana asked as she tested her blade's edge. "You never did act the spy and you were so naïve, the very idea you were some manipulator didn't hold water. You've only proved it since."

Corrin shook his head and looked balefully to their newest member. "And you, Ms. Rinkah? Can words be used to solve something before violent action must be taken?"

"Hey, they were talking about helping people, violence is different." Rinkah replied, her club bouncing impatiently over her shoulder.

To explain, Rinkah had shown up while they were getting the test set up. Apparently, she believed that Fuga was going to try and assault Corrin's party based on false rumors and rushed to the village in order to stop them. Much to her surprise, she found them chatting amicably while getting the arena set up.

She then found herself accosted by the plane-walkers, each curious to meet her and learn more about the Fire Tribe. Rinkah did her best to explain, but the arrival of a panicked Subaki searching for Sakura derailed that conversation.

She'd at least agreed to help Corrin in his trial after he asked. Felicia was still too exhausted from the desert trek, so they needed one more anyway.

"What did Lady Cordelia talk with Sakura about?" Azura wondered aloud as a gong rang over the arena. "They were both quite giddy after returning."

Corrin shrugged. "I don't know, but at least Subaki calmed down. You'd think trying to keep the perfect façade up would preclude him from threatening harm to Gunter with Sakura dismounting not two yards away."

"He was acting quite appropriately." Gunter stated, his blunt lance ready to go as their foes closed in. "Now why don't we turn our attention to the matter at hand?"

Corrin nodded and ordered his fellows forward, the sides meeting in a clash of blunt weapons.

Off to the side sat the plane-walkers, Sakura, and Subaki. They would be observing this battle and watching for any… unpleasant actions from either side. It was mostly a formality, but Sakura and Subaki wished to see how this neutral party acted as a unit.

That and Sakura always thought seeing Hana in action was super cool. Same with Azura and Corrin.

"Talk about a strange place to fight." Robin muttered as he watched Rinkah get picked up by a particularly strong breeze and deposited on another walkway. "The winds of the castle are strong enough to carry people, yet they designed the walkways around those winds. One wrong step and you're done for, but the wind could just as easily carry you away from the enemy's blades."

Severa agreed with the assessment. "Nohr would have a hell of a time trying to get through this, that's for sure. Wyverns wouldn't be fast enough to dodge the gales, you'd need pegasi."

"I kind of want to surf those gales." Morgan muttered dreamily, watching the twisting wind. "That'd be a load of fun."

Cordelia bopped her daughter, but she was equally intrigued. "When we're not in the middle of a test Morgan. Even then, you have to ask permission."

Morgan whined about getting a bonk, but she was otherwise ignored.

"I'm curious to see Fuga fight." Lon'qu said, watching Corrin closely. "Also, remind me to give that kid some quick lessons. He's fast, but his technique is sloppy and there's not enough power behind the strikes."

Olivia hummed next to him, several barrels of water restoring her body. "Same with Hana. Oh, Lucina, would you mind giving Azura some pointers too? I think its about time they at least learn something, or we'll be bored the rest of our time here."

Lucina shrugged, giving a low whistle when Corrin cartwheeled over a poor sap's back and swept them off their feet. "They've got some neat tricks, that's for sure. Their styles are a lot more fluid, so maybe that should be emphasized."

"It'll be what it'll be." Inigo sighed. "All we can do is keep an eye on them and go from there. Besides, Father, I thought you didn't want to take on any pupils."

Lon'qu folded his arms and nodded towards Corrin, the prince locked in a duel with a young boy using spells of some sort. "He won't be a pupil, but as it stands he relies too much on his speed. If we're to see the end of this tale, he must have something else to work with when an enemy that can read his movements pops up."

Owain struck a pose. "Truly, we must do so then! A grand tale such as this will desire its champion, and who are we to deprive it?"

Morgan sighed and gave Owain a look. "Honey, if you don't give it a rest, you're on the couch."

Owain went quiet, Morgan nodding in satisfaction. Lucina, in turn, looked to Severa with a pout. "Why don't you call me by a pet-name in public? We've been wed long enough."

Severa rolled her eyes and pointed to the arena. "You already know the answer, now pay attention. They're almost at Fuga."

The plane-walkers returned their attention to the fight, cheering when Hana sent a man far larger than her to the dirt. Subaki was more focused on Sakura, specifically why she'd run off.

"I've told you already, Subaki." Sakura sighed after the fifth question. "I wanted to see more of the castle and you were taking so very long. Chief Fuga has been nothing but gracious and his people kind, there's no need for such suspicion."

Subaki bowed politely. "Be that as it may, Princess, I must remind you that Lady Cordelia snatched you in broad daylight. Were it someone of less character, I wouldn't have been able to protect you. It's enough of a stain on my honor to have left you alone for so long as is, I fear I wouldn't go on if something happened to you."

Sakura pouted, moved by his words. "S-save the pretty words for Hinoka. I'm sorry though, Subaki, I shouldn't have worried you. I was just so excited to see the castle, then I saw Hana, and… well."

She giggled and idly crushed a pebble she was playing with, Subaki gulping. How Hana, Corrin, or Azura hadn't been crushed like that rock escaped him, but Sakura's bizarre strength was as terrifying as ever.

"Pardon me, Princess Sakura." Lucina said as she looked to the young girl. "If I may ask, has the idea of keeping a weapon of some sort on your person never come up? It need not be more than a dagger, but it would certainly keep you safe should your retainers be otherwise indisposed."

Sakura frowned in thought, only to giggle when she spotted Hana get knocked flat on her back by Fuga. The duelists had at last reached the chief and he was showing why he was called the 'Master-at-Arms'. "It's frowned upon for the shrine maidens to take up arms, as we aim to heal. Even more so since I'm a princess. Hinoka's an outlier with how much martial training she has, most princesses in the past were taught culture, healing, and how to run a house. Maybe finances if we had a head for it."

Brows were raised by the plane-walkers. Back home, Sumia was queen in every sense of the word, ruling with equal authority to Chrom, and was responsible for many of their best political and economic reforms. Little Lucina and Cynthia were getting full educations too, simply because they were heiresses.

By the looks of it, this culture favored the boys, which irked the ladies to no end.

"Oh, that's gonna leave a mark." Severa winced as Corrin took a blow to his gut, the force bending him over. "Looks like they're wearing him down though."

Everyone turned their attention back to the arena, where Fuga was somehow successfully fending off attacks from five directions simultaneously. It was almost as if the man had a bird's eye view of the arena and could react accordingly.

Then his opponents had an epiphany and just sent Gunter to harass him. Fuga was good, but he could do little except dodge the horse and rider's charges. This went on for at least five minutes before the others charged as one and dogpiled the man.

It was a… less than elegant finish when Corrin disarmed him after pinning the man's arm under his weight.

The peanut gallery was expecting a more dramatic end to the test, but they couldn't fault Corrin for ordering the most practical solution. Not everything could be highfalutin and grandiose, no matter what Owain said.

"Oh, Lady Cordelia, can I ask you something?" Sakura questioned as the gallery began to empty. "It's about what you said earlier."

Cordelia looked a little confused but nodded. "Of course, what's confusing you?"

Sakura fidgeted a bit. "Well… it's just…"

"What's coitus mean? I know you said Hana and Corrin doing it would make her my sister, but… I don't know what that word means."

All fell silent, Cordelia suddenly feeling intense danger surround her.

"Dear… what did you talk with her about?"

Cordelia's head turned with an almost audible creak, her terror hidden behind an uneasy grin. "Oh… you know… just girl stuff."

Robin had literal lightning in his eyes, the energy crackling with the promise of punishment. "Really now? Girl stuff, to a sheltered fifteen-year-old?"

"Admittedly, I knew what coitus was at fifteen." Severa muttered despite glaring at her mother with equal anger. "But this and that are two different things."

Morgan decided to be a little more dramatic. "Mother, how could you defile her innocent mind?! That was my job!"

Robin fixed her with his glare, Morgan wilting instantly. "Want to repeat that?"

"Never mind."

Robin took a deep breath before looking back to find Cordelia trying to sneak away. He vanished in a flash and appeared before her, using his slight height advantage to glare down at her.

"You're on the couch for a month, and I won't be making any of my sweets for anyone."

Cordelia slumped in defeat. She knew that look, under the lightning, and it meant Robin would not budge. Not even if she went all-out and wore the skimpiest lingerie she had and promised sinful pleasures for him alone.

She'd tried that before, it didn't work.

"Um… is anyone going to answer my question?"

They looked back to Sakura, who was looking even more confused, when Subaki came up and patted her shoulder. "It's simply another term for marriage, Princess. It's more a layman's term for the ceremonies and reception."

The plane-walkers mentally applauded his explanation. Not only did it solve the current issue, it would lead to some hilarious misunderstandings down the road.

"So…" Sakura hummed, thinking. "Does that mean Takumi and Oboro's wedding could also be called coitus?"

Subaki gave her a patient nod.

She smiled brightly, and every heart melted. "Then that means Ryoma and Kagero are gonna have coitus at some point, yay! I hope Oboro makes the kimono, it'll look lovely."

Sakura skipped away humming a happy tune, Subaki shooting Cordelia a glare before following. When they were gone, Lon'qu sighed wearily. "Cordelia, what have you done?"

"I mean, I appreciate getting Sakura onboard." Olivia said. "But aren't you two supporting Azura in this little relations war? Why help Hana?"

Cordelia shrugged, still forlorn. "Sakura was going to support Azura anyhow, and this makes it more interesting. Got carried away though, as you can tell."

Lucina got a glint her eye. "Well, we of the younger generation have our support behind Corrin's maid, Flora. It's so boring waiting for her to join though, and she's losing ground fast…"

Severa gave her wife a wary look. "Lucina… what are you thinking?"

Lucina's smile was sweet and dangerous in equal measure. "Simple. Instead of relegating Cordelia to the metaphorical couch as Robin suggests, have her make up for giving Azura and Hana an unfair advantage. By say… bringing Flora here?"

Inigo and Owain had long fled the area, not wanting to get involved in Robin's anger, and they praised their forethought when lightning fell from the sky and smote the gallery they'd left behind.

"Are you mad?!" Robin roared at Lucina, the girl not so much as flinching after the heavenly wrath fell upon her. "It's been fun, but that breaks any semblance of continuity this realm has! We won't know what'll happen if Flora isn't there to freeze the sea!"

Lucina shrugged in answer. "Camilla and Elise will join with their retainers, no matter the reason. Garon's likely given them more than enough reason to be suspicious by now, so they'll join after Corrin works his magic."

She grinned a sinful grin. "Showing how intimate he is with all three is bound to help."

Robin fell to his knees and clasped his hands in prayer. "Forgive me Sumia, Chrom, I have allowed your daughter to stray! I didn't think separating from her wife for so long would breed such debauchery!"

Severa smacked him. "Now who's being dramatic? Look, the stories are going to change regardless, so I thought we'd all just have fun. What's with the sudden fixation on continuity?"

"I don't want to found a new religion!" Robin cried in frustration, making everyone step back. "I'm still getting tribute every month from one of the provinces in Valm after I told them to stop! I've even heard the cult became the local religion! The only good thing is they're not going the Grimleal path!"

Morgan could sympathize. "Mom doesn't have to show up like an avenging angel, you know that right?"

"She has to if she'll get there fast." Robin seethed. "That's why I have to come with. I can at least make a cocoon around Flora that Cordelia can carry."

Lucina nodded with a smile. "So you agree that she should be allowed to catch up?"

Robin snarled and started for the exit. "I agree to nothing, only that it's the safest way. I'm starting to wonder if starting this little contest was a bad idea."

Cordelia followed him with a grimace, knowing this was bound to continue. Robin was normally such a genial man, but she knew when it was best to let him vent. This was one of those times.

Severa watched her parents go with a scowl of her own. "Did you have to push so hard? I know you want Flora here so the pyramid can get going, but that was a little much."

Lucina sighed morosely. "Sad as it is, Flora's being left behind, and I won't let her heart be broken like that. Not only could it breed resentment, remote as the chance is, her powers are… impressive. It took mother years before she could freeze a lake without drawing on Artezza, yet Flora can freeze a sea by herself."

"That's not someone you want to make an enemy out of, even more so should she turn into a jilted lover."

Severa gave her an amused look. "You mean like you and Morgan? I don't recall ever using those positions you forced on me during the make-up session, and Morgan almost burned down an entire section of Krakenburg."

Lucina blushed at the reminder. "In my defense, I was beyond horny after being abstinent for two years, didn't even take the easy way with Mrs. Right Hand. To say I had some creative dreams I wanted to try out is… an understatement."

"My legs were covered in ice." Severa deadpanned, Morgan fleeing the area as they started to bicker about private details. "You did things with your mouth I didn't think physically possible, not to mention all those things you made."

Lucina flushed further, ears starting to steam. "Can we… drop the subject please? I think your parents are about to leave."

Severa smirked at her, the pair watching a serpent of fire rise into the sky with a bolt of lightning wrapped around it. The serpent paused, looked to the east, and streaked away with incredible speed.

"We should go warn Corrin, right?" Severa asked, already knowing the answer.

"Where's the fun in that?"

-Corrin-

"Did anyone else feel a shiver or was that just me?"

His companions paused in their packing to consider. They'd been given enough supplies to last the trip up to Izumo, the destination given at Fuga's recommendation, and were spending the rest of the day getting things in order.

"Now that you mention it, I did feel a shudder go down my spine." Felicia pondered as she folded clothes. "It's weird, stuff like that only happens when Flora's involved."

Gunter grunted from his place overseeing the packing. "I'm sure she's fine, Felicia. I'd bet it has to do with the other members of our party."

Corrin mumbled his agreement, a partial transformation giving him a tail that Azura was using to hang laundry.

"I don't know what it is about them, but they're certainly set on teasing us." Azura said as she removed a pair of trousers from Corrin's tail. "I don't think I've heard more scandalous words spoken so casually than with them. Nor have I seen such casual attitudes towards serious subjects."

Hana took the trousers and passed them to Felicia. "You can say that again. I mean, Lady Cordelia just grabbed Princess Sakura in plain view! Sure, the others tracked them down and scolded her, but now Princess Sakura's all giddy around me. I mean, that's not a bad thing, but I kept getting these looks and I don't like it."

The princess in question was out of earshot at that time, but Subaki was in range. "She won't speak of what occurred during the chat either. Insists on calling it private, which is beyond strange as is. She's never hidden things from either Hana or me."

"A lady's allowed to have her secrets." Corrin recited blankly, as if the platitude was rehearsed. "Besides, we should be thankful she's decided to come along. Having her vouch for us is bound to help with Takumi and Hinoka should we run into them. Ryoma… well, depends on if we have the other two to shout him down."

Sakura chose then to join them, several bags of herbs in her arms. "Ryoma's not that bad… most of the time. He's probably going to be emotional though, so I can understand wanting Takumi and Hinoka on our side first."

She blushed at Gunter and Felicia's confused stares. "Uh… Ryoma tends to suppress his emotions in order to stay calm and rational. That's fine with the small stuff since he's going to be king now, after we find him first, but he has trouble processing heavy personal topics. He… still has trouble with Father's death."

That dampened the mood, Sakura stuttering as she tried to cheer everyone up. "B-but he's thinking of other things too! Uh, after Takumi's wedding, Ryoma had a talk with… Mother, about the process required to bring Kagero into the family."

The reminder of Queen Mikoto's fate dampened the mood further, so everyone latched onto the last bit.

"It's kind of funny." Hana said. "Both of the princes fell in love with their retainers. It almost sounds like something out of an old love-story."

Corrin shrugged, his tail disappearing as the last of the laundry was taken. "Retainers are the closest to their lieges. Nohr has a long history of nobles and retainers wedding in secret, it's why the royal family has such strict rules on relations between theirs."

Sakura's eyes flitted between Hana, Corrin, and Azura. "Maybe if they were normal people, that would make sense. Noble retainers though, would that work?"

Azura gave Sakura a strange look. "Do you mean how most of the Hoshidan retainers come from nobility themselves? I could certainly understand if that were the case, but Felicia has told me most retainers in Nohr come from humble origins."

Sakura nodded thoughtfully but ran to Felicia as she picked up a nondescript box. "Wait, Felicia, let me take that! It's my personal belongings."

The maid turned to do just that but tripped and sent the box flying. Sakura dove to catch the box, as did Subaki, but they bumped into each other and missed the box. It bounced a few times before the latches came undone and several dolls rolled out.

Right at Corrin's feet.

He picked one up and dusted it off, only to blink when he saw it was a very cute-yet accurate-doll of Azura. Then he noticed the doll's hands were attached to another doll that looked like him, followed by another that looked like Hana.

"Brother, no!"

Sakura leapt forward and tackled Corrin, sending him to the floor with a grunt. As he regained his bearings, Sakura scooped up the dolls and returned them to the box, face almost scarlet.

Gunter spotted the dolls too, though he wore an immensely amused grin. "So, Princess Sakura… something you should tell dear Hana and your sister?"

Sakura immediately clammed up, nerves getting the best of her as she started to tear up.

The sight of the poor girl crying was enough to get Gunter every glare in the room, the elder knight coughing in embarrassment. "Forgive me, I only meant to jest."

"It didn't work." Subaki grumbled as he patted Sakura's back. "Come now, milady, there's no need to be upset. We're nearly done packing and then we'll get to visit Izumo. You've always wished to go, correct?"

Sakura sniffled and cleared her tears before nodding to Subaki. "You're correct, Subaki. I apologize, Ser Gunter, I shouldn't have become so emotional over a harmless tease."

"It's quite alright, Princess." Gunter said with a shallow bow. "Now that we've moved past this, are we almost finished?"

Corrin chose then to look around, grinning at what he saw. Two wagons made for desert travel had been given to them along with enough supplies to last everyone the week's travel it would take to reach Izumo. Add on Lillith popping up after they'd been left alone to explain accommodations and they were set.

"Unless something strange happens, we'll be just fine." Corrin said, tempting fate once more.

Not a moment later, a pillar of lightning and fire rained from the heavens, everyone who'd bourn witness to the events of the plains barely blinking. Subaki of course leapt before Sakura as a shield, but the pillar faded as soon as it arrived.

Only to cause much gaping.

There was Cordelia, the source of the fire, and there was Robin, the source of the lightning. That didn't shock, not at all, but the third member most certainly did.

It was a very confused looking young woman in a maid outfit like Felicia, only with light blue hair and a red gem. Judging by the way Felicia and Corrin's jaws hit the ground, they knew this woman.

"Flora!" Gunter exclaimed, striding over to check his dazed charge. "What in the nine-hells are you doing here?!"

Flora blinked a few times, gaze far away. "There were… wings… and lightning… and shouting… I think I heard… bickering and… so much fire… I see a light…"

"Crap, we broke her." Robin groaned, ignoring how Felicia and Corrin bounded to Flora's aid. "Even after we explained what was going on and got the whole tribe into hiding."

Cordelia shrugged as Felicia tried to bring her sister back from the light. "I did burn that village to the ground after they'd vacated may I remind. That's not something you recover from easily, even if it was literally nothing but the building frames that burned."

"Nor would I expect someone to be unfazed after trying our method of traveling." Robin sighed. "Show me someone that isn't shaken by crossing a continent while being suspended in a cocoon of lightning and fire."

Corrin turned to glare at him, horns shimmering into existence. "What the hell is she doing here?! And what's this about burning a village to the ground?!"

Cordelia ran a hand through her hair. "Well, we had to. Flora wouldn't leave until her tribe went into hiding, but they didn't want Nohr hunting them down for a treaty breach. So, we told them to head to whatever sanctuary they knew would be safe. After they stripped their homes bare of everything in them, Robin wrapped Flora in the cocoon and I burnt the whole place down."

Utter silence met her words, Cordelia giving them a frustrated glare in turn. "Oh, come on, they only lost the buildings! No one's going to go searching for the tribe now that I left such a big scorch mark either, they're fine! Question the actions later."

"We'll have words." Corrin muttered, taking Flora into his arms and making for the wagons. "Sakura, help me and Felicia get her comfortable. She's stable but shaken."

Sakura and Felicia jogged after him, Robin heaving another sigh when they were gone. "I knew this wasn't the best idea, but now my hand's been forced. Lucina, let's hope this doesn't go too far south."

He threw up his hands and stalked off, Cordelia giving chase. At that moment, Rinkah showed up with barrels slung under each arm. "Hey, I'm back with the radishes!"

She blinked when she found the crowd stunned silent, Corrin and Felicia huddled around a wagon while Sakura waved her staff over something. "Um… did I miss something?"

Azura groaned and ran a hand down her face. "Our… compatriots continue to meddle where they shouldn't. Come along, we're almost finished and need to set out soon. We'll doubtlessly be introduced to the new member when she regains her senses."

Rinkah stared at them incredulously before sighing. "Geez, why is it always chicks?"

-Flora-

Her life for the past while had been an utter whirlwind.

After the battle on the plains, Flora had been with Prince Xander's retinue before being ordered back to her village. In that time, she'd seen and treated more injuries than she ever thought she'd have to and borne witness to several events that would've shattered her life back in the fortress.

First and foremost, Xander had come forth with a fiancée. The confirmation of rumors he was seeing someone at the border would've been shocking enough, but the woman was… something else.

Her name was Charlotte and she was a trained Berserker that could kill Faceless with her bare-hands. She was also, as Lady Camilla described her, a beauty that rivalled her own. Blonde, curvaceous, all the things one needed to be considered attractive.

Xander though, was won over by both her martial strength and otherwise straightforward demeanor. Coming from a poor family had made her into a gold-digger, but that was common in Nohr and she was fairly tame.

Flora didn't have the full story of their romance, but Charlotte apparently dropped the doe-eyed damsel act soon after meeting him and finding it didn't work. Xander in turn appreciated her frank opinions and ability to treat him normally. Apparently, she kept his feet on the ground.

Anyway, after that news, she'd left the retinue. From there, Flora returned home to find the village in danger. King Garon was threatening to attack over some kind of violation in their treaty, so Flora had spent the past few days attempting to put out fires.

Then literal fire, with a helping of lightning, had rained from the sky. The wrathful elements then turned into a pair of strange people that she recognized from the battle of the plains. From what she'd been able to hear, they'd convinced her father to evacuate the village and let her go with them to Corrin.

She'd barely processed that tidbit before a cocoon of energy had surrounded her and she'd shot into the air. There was nothing to see beyond the blinding light, so she closed her eyes and prayed.

Then heat bloomed below and the cocoon began to race at speeds she thought impossible, disembodied voices bickering while streams of fire flitted about her cocoon, putting Flora into a near constant panic.

It was over soon after, Flora standing in a daze as Gunter, who she thought dead, strode up and started talking to her. She gave some kind of response, but the sheer rapidity and impossibility that had just occurred left her with darkening eyesight and an approaching light. She didn't even notice Felicia and Corrin start trying to help.

When she finally regained her bearings, her first sight was the black canvas of night, stars dotting its great expanse. At first, she thought it was all a bad dream brought about by bad crystal-fruit wine, but then a rush of wind carried sand into her mouth.

Sitting up, Flora spat out the grit and looked around. There were several fires burning nearby with several people around them, including her erstwhile kidnappers. There was also Felicia, who she was relieved to see ok, and Gunter, who should be dead.

That line of observation stopped when someone pulled themselves into the wagon she was sitting in, familiar red eyes shining in relief. "Thank heaven you're up. We'd thought you wouldn't be conscious for the entire trip."

Flora blinked several times before smacking her cheeks. "This is a dream, this is a dream, this is a dream-"

Corrin grabbed her hands, frowning in concern. "Flora, I know your method of arrival was less than gentle, but please be calm. Your people are safe and so are you, there's no danger here, you are among friends."

Flora clearly didn't believe him. "I was kidnapped, how can that make them friends?!"

"You can't see it, but they've been punished already." Corrin answered, pointing to the perpetrators. Lucina, who'd come up with the idea, was imprisoned in a water flask with her head sticking out, looking incredibly bored. Cordelia was pouting as her hair, in its flame incarnation, was used to roast nuts.

Robin… was being used as a training dummy. "Ow, ow, ow."

Sakura was learning how to throw a punch. And she'd likely broken Robin's bones a few times, considering how strong she was, but Robin was taking it like a champ.

"Ok…" Flora muttered, still very confused. "So, assuming this isn't a dream… why am I here?"

Corrin shrugged helplessly. "To be honest, I don't know. If anything, though… I'm glad almost everyone's back together. Just need Jakob."

Flora looked to her hands, which Corrin had yet to release. "Yes, I suppose… Lord Corrin, may I say something?"

Corrin blinked in surprise, but nodded. "You did mention wanting to tell me something after the battle on the plains. What is it?"

Flora blushed lightly and was glad for the dark. She likely wasn't thinking straight, but the sheer absurdity of her day made hesitation fade from her mind. If she'd been brought here by gods, perhaps her fate with Corrin was more than she believed.

What better time to take the plunge?

"Lord Corrin…" Flora breathed, heart pounding in her chest. "I've meant to tell you this for some time, but… I fear that I am-"

"What is going on over here?"

Flora sucked back a gasp as a head of brown hair popped up between her and Corrin, eyes of sandalwood gazing at them curiously.

"Oh, hello Hana." Corrin greeted the intruder. "Now's as good a time as any for introductions. This is Flora, the friend I told you about back at Shirasagi."

The woman, Hana, gazed at Flora a moment before nodding. "You certainly look more Ice Tribe than your sister, no offense. Name's Hana, I'm Princess Sakura's retainer and a friend of this blockhead. How'd you ever survive childhood with him?"

"The better question is how he survived childhood." Flora shot back reflexively, Corrin giving her a scowl in return. "Regardless, I am Flora, retainer to Prince Corrin. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hana, and you have my gratitude for watching over my lord while I was away from his side."

Hana shrugged with a grin. "It's fine, he's a neat guy. My liege is his sister at that, so it's been fun… most of the time, when we're not dealing with idiot gods."

Her eyes flicked to the ones in question, Olivia catching her gaze and waving.

Flora blinked as Hana returned the wave. "I… see. Well, what is to happen now? I'm not what you'd call a fighter, so I see little use for myself here."

"We'll figure it out." Corrin promised. "But you should rest. Hana, can you help her get a bed-roll set up? I need to inform everyone she's going to be staying."

Hana gave him a thumbs-up and Corrin left, but not before placing a light kiss to Flora's knuckles. "We'll talk later, alright?"

Flora gaped at him, treating her like some high-born lady. Corrin was unconcerned by this and left the wagon, the girls watching him go. Once he was gone, Hana looked to Flora with a frown.

"You love him, don't you?"

Flora gaped at the blunt question, her blush returning with a vengeance. "W-w-w-w-what?!"

Hana kept the frown, though her gaze was sad. "That's enough of an answer right there. Damn it, and I thought it'd be hard enough with Sakura trying to force it and Lady Azura being here."

Flora followed Hana's furtive glance and felt herself stare. The women Corrin was conversing with had hair of similar shade to Flora's but it was far longer. Her dress was lovely as well, and Flora could tell she was a dancer even this far away.

"Lady Azura's almost unfair with how beautiful she is." Hana sighed, a hand rummaging through the inside of her coat. "I'm pretty sure Corrin was smitten the moment he saw her. You've got the old friend angle working for you, so what hope do I got?"

She pulled out an old piece of paper, the ink faded but legible. Flora didn't recognize the writing and curiosity pulled at her. "What… is that?"

"An old promise." Hana sighed. "I assume you already know that Corrin was kidnapped from Hoshido, correct?"

Flora nodded, of course she knew. Part of the reason she took so quickly to him was their shared nature as captives.

Hana turned the paper over, Flora recognizing Corrin's name. "I was actually playmates with him when we were very young. He was taken when he was… four. Not two months before that, he and I signed this as a promise for the future."

She chuckled morosely. "It was childish decree that one day we'd be a real mom and dad with Sakura as the kid. So small, so innocent, yet this thing helped me so much when he was taken. My father died in the attack too, so it was the lone physical reminder besides his sword of the good days."

She shook her head as Flora drooped. "I'm not saying you don't have a chance at this, Flora, but the both of us are gonna have to do something lest Lady Azura win him without trying. I owe it to my friend to try and fulfill this promise, even if it ends up going nowhere."

"How do you know its him?" Flora asked, trying to match times in her head. "How do you know that this Corrin is the one you remember?"

Hana looked surprised, but her gaze softened in understanding. "Honestly, I didn't recognize him at first. It's well known that King Garon had many children, so having one named Corrin wasn't a stretch. I mean, who would expect him to kidnap a prince and adopt the prisoner?"

Flora had to concede the point, knowing her situation was the one most of Hoshido imagined.

"I never once thought this was the same Corrin I'd naively sworn to marry." Hana muttered, watching the prince in question laugh alongside Morgan and Severa. "Not until Queen Mikoto accepted him did the idea even cross my mind. I denied it of course, just kept treating him as he wished, but it was there."

She sighed and returned the paper to her coat. "Didn't really hit until Queen Mikoto sacrificed herself for him. Made me so pissed when he ran from the plains, to the point I followed Princess Sakura's orders to chase him unflinchingly."

Hana chuckled and scratched her head. "I didn't mean to spring all that on you, sorry. I just don't want to make things awkward with him, so that's why I've kept quiet on it. Again, sorry for venting on you after we've just met."

"That's alright." Flora said softly. "I've been the receiver of many a confession before and I doubt this'll be the last. I thank you for being so honest with me, Lady Hana, but I simply wish to inform Lord Corrin so that we may move forward. I highly doubt he'll return the affection I feel for him, but as my sister and councilor have said, it's better to try and fail than never try at all."

Hana shook her head and helped Flora out of the wagon. "Well, we may be rivals in this little battle for a naïve and charming man, but I think I'll like getting to know you. Lady Azura's a good woman too, just be prepared for her bluntness."

"Rivals?" Flora asked incredulously as Hana led her towards the other wagon. "What makes you think this is a contest in the first place?"

Hana glanced back to Flora before nodding to the plane-walkers. "Those guys have loud thoughts."

"Corrin still hasn't decided what to do with his family as is, let alone who his heart belongs to."

Flora paused in mid stride, eyes narrowing. "Lady Hana… what's the true reason you've chosen to tell me this?"

Hana stopped and looked back with a frown. "What, you don't think I wouldn't want to share the fact I know Corrin from way back when too?"

"It's too convenient." Flora answered, eyes calculating. "The paper you showed me may be genuine, but I feel there's more to you telling me this than anything. Corrin may have been young when he was taken, but I'm sure he'd remember someone like you at the very least."

Hana shrugged and started forward once more. "Memories aren't the most accurate things in the world, Flora. As I said, I didn't recognize Corrin at first sight either."

"The question's if he'll ever remember me, considering we became fast friends all over again."

Flora sighed and followed, knowing what this was all about now.

Rivals indeed, Ms. Hana. You've made your position quite clear.

Her eyes and thoughts sharpened, knowing what she must do.

But do not think me an easy opponent.

Hana went ridged and turned to glare at Flora, the two women staring so intensely it was as if lightning flowed between them.

Meanwhile, Corrin was huddled under a blanket trying to figure out why he was shivering so damn much.

Azura was little better, choking back a vulnerary at Sakura's insistence after sneezing several times over the past half-hour.

The plane-walkers just sat back and watched the fireworks get set up, internally ruing the eventual explosions. They'd be entertaining, for sure…

But what were they going to do about the inevitable bloodshed? Just seeing the stand-off, courtesy of a small shard of ice Lucina placed on Flora, made them all regret their romantic tendencies.

Humans were generally messier than that, and this was a poignant reminder.

Ch. End

That's a chapter, hoorah!

I apologize for the long wait, but here we are! I do hope everyone enjoys.

No reviews this time, so that's really all I have. Sorry again for the long delay and I hope to see you all next time. This chapter fought me the whole way, so constructive criticism is very welcome!

Bye!