"Come on, Subaki!" The swordswoman yelled as she readjusted the box in her hands, "Lady Sakura is waiting for us."

"Which of us is carrying more, mind you?" The sky knight was more than a bit perturbed, though that was somewhat the norm ever since their newest retainers had joined.

"You wouldn't have to carry so much at a time if you didn't spend so much time on your hair. You spend more time on it than Lady Sakura."

"I also happen to have more of it."

"You also spend more time on it than I do. More than both of us combined."

The knight grumbled in a rather imperfect manner, "Your point?"

"Okay, okay, you've been quite testy lately. I'm sure that has something to do with one of our newest recruits."

"Hah, 'recruit,'" The redhead scoffed, "She is no mere recruit. No one is that skilled naturally. I'd bet my ponytail on it."

"You just can't stand to see someone better than you, can you?"

"No!" Yes, "It's just very suspicious to have a random stranger suddenly ace the sky knight exam, shattering all the records, and then signing on as a retainer to one of the royal siblings."

"I think you're just being petty."

"Oh, like you're one to talk."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I happen to know that you can hold quite a grudge. Remember when poor Setsuna accidentally ripped your garb while training?"

"That was a matter of decency!" The samurai went red.

"It was at the hem of your garment," She replied smugly, "What was it you did to her over a month later…"

"Alright, alright," The samurai yielded, "Let's just…focus on helping Lady Sakura."

"Yes," She beamed triumphantly, "Let's."

"I haven't managed to find anything suspicious," Kamui stood at attention across from the desk, "But I'll keep looking."

"Good," The twintailed woman smiled warmly from behind her desk, "We must remain vigilant. I trust that you won't let anything happen to the Queen."

"You have my word," Kamui bowed, "Though, if I may ask, what intel do you have suggesting they will make a move? Not that I doubt it, I'm just curious."

"I've heard some disturbing tidbits from my sources. I hope you'll understand if they wish to remain anonymous, but I assure you that they are quite reliable sources of intel."

"Of course. I'd never want to endanger an asset. Though it's hard to believe that there would be Nohrians willing to help."

"A rarity, I assure you, Prince. They are not exactly the most upright individuals, but they serve their purposes."

"I see. Well, I thank you for your service."

"Hey!" A banging on the door gained their attention, "Kamui! We promised to help Sakura decorate. You'd better not leave me alone to do it."

Reflet smiled, "Go, don't keep your siblings waiting."

"Thank you," Kamui bowed before running off. Once the door was slid closed and the royals were out of ear shot, Reflet dropped her smile. She walked over to the window looking out almost absently.

Ryoma was sitting cross legged in the gardens as cherry blossom petals fell on him. It was a serene sight had his eyes been open to look at it. The sword across his lap did not budge as he calmed his thoughts trying to make sense of the hard situation he found himself in.

"I take it your mission was a success?" He suddenly called out without opening his eyes.

"Perceptive as ever, my prince," A brunette ninja emerged from the shadows as a redheaded man dropped down from a nearby wall.

"You taught me well," The crown prince finally opened his eyes as he stood to greet his retainers, "So, what did you learn?"

"It would seem that the Kampaku's intelligence was correct as best we can tell. The Nohrians are increasing their military might."

"That is troubling to say the least. I hate to admit it, but she may have a point."

Kagero looked over to Saizo before speaking out when she realized he would not, "My lord, we also received word that Kaze has gone missing behind enemy lines."

"What?" Ryoma's expression grew from serious contemplation to flared concern, "Saizo, were you not going to mention this?"

"He knew the risks," The ninja replied coldly, "We all do."

"He's your brother!" Ryoma stood his ground as one of the few who would push back against Saizo's apparent callousness, "Where was he taken?"

The redhead sighed, "This is utter folly. A rescue attempt would be suicide. He was in the heart of Nohrian territory. We don't know where he was taken, but even we would hard pressed to get to him. If he is still alive, and that is a big if. You know what Nohr does to saboteurs."

"Saboteur? You mean this was not just an intelligence gathering mission?"

"You didn't know?" The ninja raised a brow, "I simply know that it may have involved sabotage from some of my contacts and that the mission came from the Queen's office."

Ryoma frowned, looking down to the nearby shrubbery. He hated feeling powerless. He and Kaze may not have been close, but his family had served faithfully for generations.

"I…am truly sorry for your loss."

Saizo looked at him for a moment, "As I said, he knew the risks. May he have died with honor."

"...Yes. Let us remember him honorably."

"It really is beautiful this time of year," The songstress commented as she walked alongside the queen. Stopping to admire a cherry blossom tree, she closed her eyes thoughtfully, "I wish Mother could have seen it."

"I'm sure she found beauty in her old home," Mikoto attempted to soothe the bluenette.

"Perhaps she did," Azura opened her eyes, "But if she did, I could not see it. All I saw was darkness and cruelty."

"Azura…" Mikoto trailed off sorrowfully.

"I'm sorry. I know you do not desire conflict, and neither do I, but I cannot see them as a force for good."

Mikoto looked at the very same cherry blossoms, "I suppose that is understandable, but just do not let your bitterness prevent you from seeing clearly. It can be such a nasty thing, and very hard to weed out once it has taken root."

"I…understand."

"We have much to discuss after the festival, all of us," She turned her gaze back to her charge, "But for now, enjoy yourself. At least try to have some fun."

"I can try," Was the best Azura could give.

"Good. Forget about Nohr for a while. Now come, I want your opinion on entertainment."

"Thanks for all your help today!" Sakura beamed at her siblings and retainers, "I really hope people like all the hard work we did on the castle."

"I'm sure they will," Hinoka offered encouragement. She was just happy to see her younger sister so engaged. She did like it when people were happy after all, and the festival was the perfect fit for her.

"Yeah, but maybe you should rest for a bit," Takumi suggested seeing his sister stifle a yawn, "The palace is taken care of and the organizers will handle the town."

"Are you sure there's nothing more I can do?"

"You could do plenty," Hinoka folded her arms, "But you've done enough. Relax, and make plans to enjoy the festivities with everyone else."

"O-okay," Sakura swayed awkwardly, "If you're sure it's okay."

"We're sure," Takumi smirked and Sakura bowed before scampering off. Though, once she was gone, the prince's smirk turned to his older sister, "You're the last person I ever expected to tell someone to take a break."

"Like you're one to talk," Hinoka bristled at the jab.

"Hmph, I like to be ready."

"And I want my sister back. What do you want, Takumi?"

"I want what we all really want. Well, except maybe Sakura. I want them to pay."

"Yeah," Even Hinoka could never quite get used to the cold anger Takumi held for Nohr, "Just don't be reckless. I don't want you and Kamui getting yourselves in trouble."

The sniper scoffed, "I think I'd be the one going after him to save his tail."

"Maybe you're right. Just look after each other."

"You make it sound like we're going to war, but we will. Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Mikoto looked out over the festival, content that her people were enjoying themselves. They may not have been her people by birth, but they had taken her in during her time of need. Sumeragi was nothing but kind to her and ensured she would be accepted as one of their own. Much like Arete in Nohr, few knew that this was not the land of her birth or that Mikoto was not her birth name.

All the same, they were her people and she was their queen. Life had been kinder to her than it had been to Arete, and she hoped to use the position she had been granted to make a difference. To preserve this happiness and maybe even spread it.

More than all that though, she loved seeing her children happy and smiling. Even Kamui despite the great burden he had placed upon himself. They all missed her, none more so than herself, but Kamui had a special bond with her. She was worried about the bitterness that he might fester, but he had them to help balance his emotions. At least, in theory.

Her children all watched on happily as she stepped out past the table of presents to address the people. Reflet stood to the side, eying the gathered crowd. Kamui saw a soldier come whisper something to her causing her to leave with him. The prince wanted to follow, but custom dictated he stay for his mother's speech.

"My people," Mikoto stood smiling in the town square, "It does my heart well to see you all happy. Today is an important day to every Hoshidan. Today marks the day that the founders came together as a people to form this great nation. It is a day of celebration in our homeland as well as reflection on why we love it so."

As the speech continued, Takumi was the first to notice something glowing on the table. Kamui also picked up on it, but they were too late to do anything as a cloaked figure summoned the object, a sword it seemed, to his hands. Said figure was making his way up to the stage.

"I hope to have many more of these in the future. We all know that these are troubling times, but I am confident that no matter what happens, Hoshido will endure. We must stand, together, firmly, as a-"

Kamui was already running for his mother when she finally noticed the assailant. However, she stopped, mouth agape at what she saw as the hooded man approached and she could see the face underneath.

"H-how-grck!" The robed assailant wasted no time in running her through with ease while she had struggled to make sense of what she saw.

"Mother!" Kamui screamed as he slid beside her while Takumi fired at the assassin only to have each arrow blocked with ease.

"Hinoka!" Ryoma barked with no room to question, "Evacuate the square! Everyone!"

"R-right!"

"Mother," Kamui reached for Mikoto's hand, "Don't worry, I'll get you to a healer. Just relax and breathe."

She managed to pull a hand up to his cheek. It was terribly weak and shaky. "My sweet baby boy…how much you've grown…I wish I could have seen you reunite with your sister…"

"No," He clutched her hand, "You will, just hold on a little longer."

Mikoto forced a weak smile, "Be strong…my child…do not…let bitterness…consume you…"

"Mom?" Kamui panicked as the queen went limp, "Mom?! Wake up!"

"Kamui," Takumi put a hand on his shoulder, "It's…she's gone…"

Slowly laying his mother to rest against the stone pavement, Kamui did not move for minutes. He tuned out the panic. Ryoma's fight with the assailant. All of it. He just stared at his deceased mother. Then, slowly, he looked up, his eyes full of rage.

At the same time, Ryoma was doing all that he could to best the assailant, but despite being declared the best samurai in all Hoshido, he found himself on the back foot. "Just who are you? Why have you done this? Answer me!"

No words left the assailant as he almost effortlessly deflected the few blows that even got close to hitting him. With his anger and frustration threatening to make him sloppy, Ryoma tried to center his focus, but a horrific cry broke his concentration. Though roar may have been more accurate.

"Uh, Ryoma," Takumi called out as he backed away, everything else seemingly forgotten at the moment. The prince looked back just long enough to see what had his brother sounding so distressed. He was not quite sure what he was looking at initially.

The crown prince stepped back as his brother had turned into something monstrous. Ryoma hesitated as he held his blade forward, Whatever stood before the crown prince ignored him though. Instead, the four legged creature charged past Ryoma in what he could only describe as a blind rage.

The assailant's posture betrayed the first actual bit of concern for the whole fight upon seeing the beast rush his position. However, if he was actually afraid, his actions did not show it as he deftly avoided the enraged prince.

The resulting battle, though chase may have been more accurate, destroyed much of the square where just a few minutes prior they had been celebrating their nation. Now it was a scene of desperation as the maddened Kamui tore through anything in his way to get to the assailant.

He reared his head back while a deep guttural growl escaped through sharp teeth. Kamui roared as a torrent of water spewed from his maw at a pressure that shattered a stone pillar behind where the robed figure had been standing moments prior.

At that point, the assailant seemingly almost disappeared, he was so quick, but Ryoma did not have time to ponder whether he was seeing things. Without a subject for his ire, the draconic prince stalked up to his older brother, and it was not a friendly approach.

The crown prince was forced to take a defensive stance. He did not want to raise his blade against his brother, if that really was Kamui, but the younger prince did not look like he was going to stand down anytime soon.

Ryoma pulled back, ready to strike if he had to when both princes' heads turned at the sound of a lovely if not melancholic voice.

"You are the ocean's gray waves."

Azura walked between the princes, offering Ryoma only a sidelong glance as she focused on Kamui. She never stopped singing as her pendant glowed. She reached out a hand and Kamui backed up slightly, but he was also much calmer. The prince staggered a bit before finally lowering to the ground and drifting off to sleep.

Azura panted while Kamui slowly returned to human form. She supported herself on her lance and pushed herself back up straight. She turned her head to Ryoma finally, "We should move him to his room. I need to talk to him."

"Right," Ryoma nodded. He had questions, but now was not the time. Looking around the square even as he picked his brother up, he was filled with rage. For now, it was time to mourn.

Then it was time to act.