Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Fire Emblem, but any original plot belongs to me so please don't steal.

Notes:

Just some small changes I've made to note; in this Takumi, Kamui and Sakura are all Mikoto's children, which therefore makes Ryoma and Hinoka their half-siblings. I'm using the Avatar's Japanese name (Kamui) because in this she was raised entirely by the Hoshido Family and giving her an English name seemed bizarre (plus I personally prefer the name Kamui). Also I'm using Kamui's default appearance with the only deviations being the small beauty mark by her bottom lip like Mikoto's (which actually is a genuine customisation option) and that her hair colour is a darker grey resembling Takumi's rather than silver, in an attempt to make the Hoshido family look a little more…well, related to one another like the Nohr family do. Besides the Fates cast, I plan to add some Awakening cameos in here too (especially when it comes to Odin, Luna and Lazward). Ages of the Hoshido family are:

Ryoma: 34

Hinoka: 29

Kamui: 24

Takumi: 22

Sakura: 15

Lastly, though this doesn't necessarily pertain to the story too much, I just wanted to get something off my chest about Kamui. From what I've seen Kamui has developed a bit of a bad rep among the online community, but personally I think this is unfair. Due to their imprisonment Kamui has spent much of his/her life without being given much (if any) freedom or responsibility, so when he/she are suddenly dumped into being such an important figure isn't it far more realistic that he/she doesn't have much of a grasp on what they're doing? Kamui's flaws (his/her naivety and the fact they aren't as intelligent or level-headed as Robin was) are often criticised, while his/her good qualities (their kindness and the way they try to accept/understand their companions' nature) are completely ignored. Personally I like Kamui (I've always seen them as a bit of a polite but clueless Hugh Grant type of character) so I do intend to keep her as such in this, but I also understand why she might not appeal to someone looking for a more forward, savvy protagonist. Hopefully, that covers everything, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask and I'll try to answer, and sorry about the long-winded info dump.

The Dismissal.

To truly understand the situation in Touma our top interviewer here at In Style Magazine, Anna Coin, managed to snag an interview with Business Insider and the genius behind the Shepherd Shoe Line, Robin Grimm. Anna met Robin Grimm at a high-end restaurant in none other than this season's fashion destination of choice, Touma [pictured bottom left] in hopes of getting some insight on the fifty year feud.

RG: What you have to understand about both the Hoshido and Nohr brands is that these are two giants in the Clothing Industry squashed into the same space, even without their history some form of tension would be expected.

AC: Just as a recap, exactly what is the history between the Hoshido and Nohr labels?

RG: (chuckles) I find it hard to believe you don't already have that information, Miss Coin?

AC: Indulge me?

RG: (pauses) Alright, both Hoshido and Nohr were relatively unknown Labels in their home countries of Japan and France, respectively, it was only when they moved to Touma and discovered the versatile textile uses of the local flora here that their businesses began to really take off. They hit main stream, until about 1989 when Hoshido experienced an unprecedented boom for two years.

AC: You almost sound jealous, Mr Grimm?

RG: Well, yes, I suppose I can admit that. The growth Hoshido underwent in that two year period was almost as large as most Companies can realistically expect in ten-maybe twenty-years. It left Nohr in the dark, and the Label was practically on the brink of bankruptcy when it too suddenly experienced the same sort of Business Growth in 1991, just a year after Hoshido had seemed to plateau out again.

AC: Wow, you don't see that every day, right?

RG: No you don't. You hardly see that sort of thing in a century. Of course, Nohr hadn't forgotten how Hoshido had completely overshadowed them for those two years.

AC: So it'd perhaps be justified to say that Nohr was bitter?

RG: (pauses) I'm not exactly sure if 'bitter' is the right word. Hoshido weren't exactly happy with Nohr's sudden popularity when their own company was suffering through a lull, either.

AC: I always thought that a little friendly competition was good for a business.

RG: Usually I'd agree with you completely, but with Nohr and Hoshido it's never just been about business. Did you know that roughly 39% of the population of Touma are second-generation Japanese immigrants, and that 41% are second-generation French immigrants? Most came over when Sumeragi Hoshido and Garon Nohr were Company Directors of the two Clothing Labels, but even outside those two companies Touma suffers from one of the highest average ratios of Discrimination and Equality complaints in the UK. Religion, even, in Touma is dominated by either the worship of the French-originated Dark Dragon or the Light Dragon from Japan. This isn't just about competition, its-and I hate to use such an extreme term-but it's like a small-scale war.

Neither Ryoma Hoshido nor Xander Nohr were willing to comply when asked for their own takes on the matter, but the situation more than speaks for itself. We here at In Style Magazine have to wonder, when exactly is it all going to come to a head? And what will it mean for the Fashion Industry when these two key players eventually do?

Kamui had read the article a sum total of five times. She read it twice more in space of waiting for Aqua to finish her call. Perhaps it some vague form of research into public opinion? Or a mental kick to find more time to revise the family company history? Maybe, she just liked the photograph of the rooftop view of the Hoshido quarter of Touma swathed in warm early afternoon hues and garlanded in strings of festive lanterns like little flairs of gold stitching? The correct answer, however, was much less ambitious. The article had aroused Kamui's morbid fascination with hearing about what people said about her family behind her back. It had started with the girls gossiping in the school bathrooms, and it was still alive to that day with Kamui's meticulous tendency to scour every tabloid she could get her hands on for any articles on the Hoshido family behind the Label.

Oboro evidently did not share her slightly masochistic habits.

"I don't know how you can waste time reading that trash."

To further empathise her distaste Oboro plucked the magazine from Kamui's fingers, holding it an arm's length away and giving it the stink eye like it'd been dipped in something unhygienic.

"The way they slander you and Takumi," she scowled, "Urgh, it's shameless."

In typical Oboro well-meaning but forceful manner, the magazine was flung carelessly away where it hit the wall and eventually slid into the paper recycling bin. Honestly, Kamui was a little too impressed by the shot to notice that her friend was working herself into a verbal lather about how unscrupulous the glossy gossip mag and its ilk were.

"-I caught some of them lurking outside Sakura's school yesterday, bastards, they came to regret that when I caught a hold of them!"

"Wait," Kamui zoned back in abruptly, "they've been harassing Sakura?"

"Well….no," Oboro's face coloured as she dropped her gaze to where she was twisting her hands in her lap, "b-b-but it's only a matter of time. Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't!"

"Oboro…" Kamui paused to ensure she worded her next question correctly, "Have you been keeping an eye on Sakura for Takumi and me?"

"Well, when you put it like…" she grumbled, still resolutely avoiding eye contact.

Kamui couldn't help smiling at her friend's reluctant semi-confession. It was a recurring duality in her life that the people she knew with the strongest approach, also happened to be the biggest softies. Oboro for one and Kamui's big sister, Hinoka, especially. Oboro only seemed to wilt further with embarrassment under her friend's gentle smile, squaring her shoulders for the evitable thanks like it was a mortal blow. Not that Oboro didn't like getting thanked, just that being thanked by Kamui and Takumi made her feel stupidly self-conscious.

"Oboro."

The pony-tailed fashion designer almost smirked at the interruption, grasping enthusiastically at the opportunity for escape. Aqua was watching them both patiently behind the metallic half-moon desk stationed outside the Director's office, one perfectly manicured hand holding several sheets of paper out in their direction while the other balanced the telephone receiver between her ear and slim shoulder.

"The contact information you asked for," Aqua continued in her usual steady tones.

"Ah!" Oboro practically shot up from her chair, "Thanks Aqua!"

"Please, don't mention it. Was there anything else?" Aqua smiled mutely as Oboro rushed over to scan the document.

"No. No, this is it. Thank you!"

From that moment hence Oboro was a whirlwind of activity, commandeering a stapler from Aqua's immaculately organised desk and copying, organising and stapling the documents before finally rushing back to where her bag rested on the seat beside Kamui's. She scooped the handbag up to rest in the crook of her arm then pivoted to dash off again.

"Oh!" Oboro snagged to a halt, "Kamui, hold on a second."

The navy-haired young woman licked the pad of her thumb before carefully wiping away an errant smudge of eyeliner from Kamui's cheek. Task accomplished, Oboro grinned.

"There! Alright, I have to get back before Hinata takes the top of his thumb off with the Fabric Scissors, are you sure you're going to be alright?" she fixed Kamui with a stern gaze, the kind Kamui imagined a mother gave her child when telling them not to get into any trouble.

She supposed the analogy was quite apt considering Oboro's tendency to be the assertive portion of their duo.

Kamui's lips pulled in what she hoped was a reassuring smile, "Honestly I'm fine, Oboro, it's probably nothing anyway."

"…If you say so," Oboro replied dubiously.

"You better call me straight after, okay?" she called, already speed-walking back to her department.

"I will!" Kamui laughed after her, "Oh, and Oboro? Thanks for keeping an eye on Sakura!"

Although Kamui couldn't see her friend's face the blush was almost audible, "you're welcome!"

When Oboro disappeared from view, a sigh escaped Kamui and she slumped further in the chair. With her friend gone so too had left any hope for distraction. Reluctantly Kamui's gaze meandered over to the double Cherry Wood doors across from her, 'Company Director: Ryoma Hoshido' engraved in bold brass above them with the stark finality of a full stop. For Kamui, the words above the gates of Hell in Dante's Inferno came to mind. 'Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here'.

Despite Kamui's best efforts, the reception area outside her brother's office was cleverly designed to draw all attention towards those double doors. Ceiling to floor were decorated in muted colours, the furniture (including the waiting chairs and the matching pair of broad-leafed tropical plants) were modern but plain and unobtrusive. Even Aqua's (Ryoma's PA) desk failed to incite interest, tucked away in the corner as it was and undecorated, like a little glass-topped sentry tower. Kamui glanced wistfully at the picture of Anna Coin on the cover of In Style Magazine winking at her from the recycle bin. With the silence, smell of clean carpets and heat radiating from the lighted ceiling panels above; Kamui felt the room itself was gradually shrinking in on her.

Logically Kamui knew that her apprehension was ridiculous. She was a twenty-four year old woman, not a six-year old girl sitting watery-eyed outside the Headmaster's Office. Still that didn't stop the instinctive anxiety. The memory of the human body was a remarkable thing, Kamui mused. She still prodded her the second molar from the back every time she passed the dentists. Fourteen years later she still instinctively made an effort to gently ease doors closed, remembering all those times an year old Sakura would startle and cry at a slamming door. For the years she'd been working at Hoshido, nothing good had happened in Ryoma's office. The ghosts of those past failures hung around her head like an emotional muscle memory.

"Kamui…are you alright?"

The young woman in question flushed and looked about herself guilty. Aqua's face was pinched in concern. Despite her generally stoic demeanour, Aqua had to be possibly the most beautiful woman Kamui had ever met. When she'd first joined there had been one occasion when the blue-haired woman had sang the most heart-breaking ballad at a Hoshido work function, and the experience had left Kamui feeling like they were visited by some tragic fairy-tale character brought to life. As childish as the thought had been, it didn't seem so laughable with Aqua.

Still waiting for an answer, Aqua moved as if to get out of her chair but Kamui quickly waved her off. She didn't want to cause any worry. With that thought in mind, Kamui concentrated on dredging up more pleasant memories of the office. Most were from a time when Sumeragi Hoshido been alive and it was his name above those door. Visiting her father at work with her mother, her hand in her own, warm and comforting like a lullaby. Sitting in father's lap as he patiently, gently, pointed out all the different brilliant flashes of fish in the tank behind his desk. The time she'd accidently split her father's bottle of aftershave all over the expensive rug and she'd almost cried at the thought of being scolded, but her father had laughed in an indulgent manner and told her he liked the smell anyway.

They were old and faded by use, but they put a smile on Kamui's face anyway, "I'm fine, just a little nervous."

Aqua smiled in reply, "Mr Hoshido is ready to see you know, if you'd just follow me."

"Oh, right," Kamui collected her belongings and trailed behind Aqua, smiling again when the taller woman held the door's open for her.

"If you need anything Kamui, don't hesitate to call."

"I won't, thanks Aqua."

With that Aqua nodded modestly before pulling the huge doors shut behind her. Ryoma turned to face her with a smile, hands clasped behind his back and face half-lit by the sunshine pouring through the glass wall to their right. Despite Ryoma making an effort to change as little about the room as possible, it still did not feel like Sumeragi's office. The woody undertone of her father's aftershave still lingered, the tropical fish tank still sat behind Ryoma's desk and still these felt more like extensions of Kamui's older brother than her father. The thought was not upsetting. She'd always admired Ryoma's ability to make peace with his grief.

"Kamui," Ryoma clasped her in a brief hug.

Kamui felt small again. Everything about Ryoma had always seemed so large to her, his strength, the depth of his loyalty, his determination and sense of duty. She wished she could be like that sometimes, but could not see any feasible universe where that was a reality. There just didn't seem…enough of her so Kamui was more than content watching over Ryoma's light. That was her place. That was where she fit.

"Big brother," Kamui smiled up at him, all earlier anxiety washed clean, "how are you? You've been finding the time to eat, right?"

He chuckled at that, "I have. Though I'm sure Rinkah would have something to say if I weren't."

Kamui didn't doubt that. Although conversation wasn't the ex-professional kickboxer's strong suit.

"How's Shinonome, still running circles round you both?" Kamui couldn't help giggling at that. Her boisterous nephew had limitless energy, something Kamui suspected was partly fuelled by the amount of food he and his mother managed to get through.

Ryoma sighed with a fond smile, "Yes, he's been trying to convince me to let him join the Kendo club."

"And you didn't let him?" Kamui asked, perplexed.

"No," Ryoma nodded, "Although mainly because they don't do a Kendo Club for eight year olds. Rinkah handed him some boxing gloves instead."

Kamui laughed, easily imagining the chaos that decision would unleash.

"Though enough about me, Kamui, you get that every weekend at the family meal. How are you?"

"Me? Well, Orochi's finally given me and Kaze the green light to approach Youko Silk so hopefully there's a new Supplier Contract in the works," Kamui noted, completely oblivious to the serious turn in the atmosphere around Ryoma, "Sakura's been worrying about her Biology Exam, but I think she'll do fine, she's definitely got the smarts and dedication to get an A*. Oboro's-"

"Kamui," Ryoma interrupted, pausing as he steeled himself before asking, "…do you enjoy working here?"

Kamui blinked. No one had actually asked her that before. It had just seemed certain that she take a job at the family company. She'd never been as intellectually gifted as her siblings and she'd never particularly stood out in sports clubs either, preferring team sports while Takumi had competed competitively for the UK in his archery club. The only thing Kamui had ever been gifted in was languages, which was why she'd majored in French, minored in Italian and dabbled in German at Touma University.

But in the end she'd ended up working at Hoshido and she'd accepted that it was just an inevitable factor in the way her life would pan out. Though not her first choice, Kamui enjoyed her job. She wanted to be of use to her family in any capacity. Maybe she'd had dreams of being a translator and seeing the world when she was younger. Maybe she still felt frustrated by her own dependence on her family's approval. Maybe it did make her feel lonely sometimes but that was something Kamui could deal with, she just wanted to be close to them. It was by far her strongest prevailing desire. Any personal feelings on her position could and would take a backseat, enough of one that Kamui felt selfish when reflecting on them even in private.

"Of course," she replied, suddenly feeling vulnerable, "why?"

Ryoma crossed his arms over his chest and directed his frown to the rug underneath his polished shoes. Finally Kamui realised that her earlier apprehension was justified. Ryoma was working up to something.

"I need to ask you do something for me, and I want you to know that I won't be angry if you refuse."

"Anything," came the instinctive reply.

Ryoma lifted his head up to grace her with a sad smile, "You haven't even heard what it is yet?"

"I don't need to," Kamui said with determination, "Whatever you need, big brother, I'll do it."

"Kamui…"Ryoma sighed, though at his next words the affectionate tone had steeled into the voice of a leader, "I'm going to fire you and I need you to apply for a job at Nohr instead."

"What?"

The urge to laugh was the most immediate one for Kamui. Surely he was joking? Though this did not seem like something that would fit in Ryoma's category for humour. Still there was no way Ryoma was serious, was there? He didn't reply immediately, instead twisting round to push a button at his desk to inform Aqua that the others could enter now. Kamui stared helplessly at Saizou and Kagerou like they would hopefully be merciful and shed some light on the bizarre request. Besides a sympathetic glance from Kagerou, the couple kept their gaze locked on Ryoma.

"Although I'm as uncomfortable with secrecy as you, Kamui, it's important that what I'm about to say doesn't go beyond the us four in this room," Ryoma began, "There's a Nohr spy in Hoshido."

"A spy?" Kamui echoed in bewilderment.

"Who?" Saizou growled.

"Saizou," Kagerou hushed with a warning tone.

"I don't know who," Ryoma answered grimly, "Kagerou and I have gone through the company records and security footage countless times but we couldn't find anything. Though we do know that whoever it is has complete access to highly sensitive information. Kagerou?"

"Yes, sir," the brunette cleanly stepped forward to spread two documents on Ryoma's desk.

Saizou and Kamui huddled forward for a view. The first was a pencil layout of a high-collared evening coat constructed from navy wool and with an overall feel of effortless luxury, Kamui recognised Takumi's precise hand and attention to detail immediately. The second was a photograph of Nohr's winter line from last year, including a short high-collared coat in mossy green.

"Bastards," Saizou muttered heatedly.

Kamui glanced up, not immediately understanding how the two pictures correlated to one another. She'd always dealt more with the client relations side of the business rather than the actual mechanics of designing and creating the clothes (something Oboro endlessly tried to educate her on).

Noticing her confusion, Kagerou leaned forward to calmly explain, "The buttons and the cut of the front, besides the length and material, the two practically identical."

"Oh," Kamui breathed then turning to her brother said, "But we shouldn't jump to conclusions, right? This is only one case so it might just be a coincidence."

"After it was brought to my attention I had Kagerou look into it," Ryoma replied, "She's found over thirty examples from spring last year to now, summer, exactly like this one. We even attempted to have them fully annotated in Japanese and code but still no luck. Someone's been feeding Nohr our designs and from what I've learned from the other departments, they've been giving them our customer and supplier information too."

Saizou was clenching his jaw so hard Kamui was worried she'd hear a molar crack. In contrast Kagerou was stone-faced and collected. Kamui, however, was confused. Not by what Ryoma had said but by how a fellow employee could be convinced to do such a thing. How did they come into work every day, smile and talk and eat lunch with their co-workers, with the knowledge that they were helping to destroy those same friends' careers and livelihoods stretched across the back of their mind? Why would they do such a thing? For money, or was this personal? How could they act so convincingly that even the amazingly perceptive Kagerou had no idea who the culprit was?

Kamui's thoughts abruptly turned to her best friends and family, the people she loved who would end up hurt by this spy's actions. Oboro, who'd dreamed about working at Hoshido since she was a little girl. Kaze, who felt such a sensation of accomplishment by following in his father's and older brother's footsteps. Takumi and Ryoma who worked so hard to protect the company their father had poured so much love into. Kamui was sure whoever it was had their reasons, but in her mind they could not be justified enough to allow such a betrayal to continue. Bewildered as she had been by Ryoma's abrupt delivery, Kamui was now determined to shield her family and friends from any harm.

"We have to stop them," she breathed.

Ryoma smiled, patting her head like she was a child again, "We do and we will. I'm publicly firing you, and I want you to apply for a job at Nohr under the impression that you're bitter about it but still want to work in the fashion industry. They'll likely be mistrustful at first but the opportunity to insult our reputation and the inside knowledge you could offer, should have them taking the bait. From their side I want you to try to find out who the spy is, Kamui. Though I want you to know that you're not going to be alone in this, I'll support you in any way I can, and if you ever have doubts come to me and I'll stop the whole thing immediately."

As determined as she'd felt moments ago, Kamui's confidence began to deflate slightly at Ryoma's words. He was only being comforting but perhaps that meant he did not believe she was capable enough? Was she capable enough? Honestly, Kamui did not know.

"I want to help, Ryoma, but…are you sure you want me to do it?"

"Kamui, I'm asking you do this because I trust you completely," he smiled gently down at her, "and because there's no way anyone would suspect you of doing something like this. Though you aren't as…forward as Hinoka, you've always had a talent for getting people to open up to you."

Trust. Ryoma trusted her to do this. Even if the notion of spying on others left a gnawing sensation in her gut, even if she'd been chosen specifically because this task warred with her very nature, how could she refuse? Kamui nodded, putting immense effort into wiping any evidence of her internal conflict from her face. Her family had always heavily encouraged her to be open with her troubles, they wanted to be one who slayed her dragons or kissed her skimmed knees better, but Kamui had discovered that some of her hurts had to remain hidden from her family for their sake. Ryoma needed her. Trusted her. He'd never even entertain the notion of letting her go through with it if he knew how much dread playing the part of corporate spy filled her with.

"I understand, brother," she smiled, "you can count on me."

/

What followed was something Kamui would tentatively describe as a 'debrief'. Tentatively so because the ones her Department Head, Orochi, gave were never as hot-blooded as Saizou had been nor did they involve the same amount of overprotectiveness Ryoma had exhibited. In the end Kamui had had to look to the other female present for more of a level-headed explanation. She had been given a phone to contact Kagerou and Saizou on, they'd given her times and contracts for the Nohr Employee interview process then drilled her on her techniques. She'd also been urged to have as little face-to-face contact with Ryoma and Takumi from that point onwards and Ryoma had agreed to make her dismissal look as callous as possible, in order to further maintain the ruse that she had been fired and retaliated by applying for a rival company. Then there were the countless other little details that had collectively left Kamui frazzled and completely drained by the time she exited Ryoma's office hours later.

What followed was far more difficult.

Kamui gazed at her reflection in the metallic sheen of the elevator doors. Under the heavy lighting she looked as wan as the smell of pine fermenting the little metal box. She had been warmed by her Orochi and Kaze's willingness to leap to her defence when Saizou had delivered the news, but the backlash of guilt had kept her tongue shrivelled in her mouth. In the time it took to enter the elevator, the entirety of the Customer and Supplier Relations Department had heard the news.

Kamui shut her eyes, feeling as though the sympathetic gazes of her co-workers clinging to her like a second skin. In the end, Saizou's gruff rebuttal had earned Kamui enough time to clear her desk without too many protests from Orochi (her superior). The usually teasing, purple-haired woman was a close friend of Kamui's mother, and no doubt believed that she should represent Kamui's best interests in Mikoto's place. On the other hand, Kaze had been quietly supportive and chosen instead to help Kamui avoid further embarrassment rather than voicing any of his own opinions on the matter. For that kindness alone, Kamui was endlessly reminded of why the green-haired young man was one of her oldest and dearest friends.

The elevator doors swished open to a wave of fresh, cold air. Kagerou's heels clacking on the marble floor of the Reception Area seemed particularly damning in the otherwise silence. Natural light poured through the glass front, the area itself looked impossibly wide and high now it was near empty. Setsuna sleepily lifted her head from her desk before finding them of little interest and flopping it back into her arms again. Either the news of her dismissal hadn't trickled down to ground-floor yet or Setsuna simply didn't care for gossip. Kamui nodded farewell to Kagerou and Saizou, the glass doors parted and finally she stepped out into the carpark.

And immediately felt stranded.

Countless times she'd exited the Hoshido building, located her car and drove home; yet suddenly the actions seemed foreign to her. Kamui stood there for a moment, hovering by the driver door of her little blue fiat (a hand-me-down that Kamui had purchased from Hinoka when her older sister moved to the Military Base full time). Regardless she slipped into her car and drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She'd never left work this early before. Kamui sat there, feeling empty-headed and vaguely awaiting some cosmic cue for action. Nearly everyone she knew would be busy with their own lives at that moment, and she'd promised to let Ryoma handle telling Mikoto. Sakura. Kamui's eyes darted to the watch on her slim wrist. Her little sister would be leaving high school in about twenty minutes, plenty of time to get over there and surprise her with an impromptu visit to the bakery. Kamui sent a quick text to her mother, telling her that she'd handle the carpool today before pulling out.

/

"Sakura!"

"…K-Kamui?" the sweet-faced fifteen year old jumped and looked about with wide, doe eyes. It was the first time she'd looked up since the students had begun leaving the school gates in a sea of uniforms. Even from this distance Kamui could spot the way her little sister was gripping onto the arm of Sakura, her best friend, like a buoy.

Kamui smiled and waved from her window, "I've come to pick you up, I wanted to see if you fancied stopping round the Bakery?"

Sakura smiled softly, tipping her head in a shy smile while Hana and Tsukuyomi took it upon themselves to part the way clear. The three teenagers bundled themselves into the back of Kamui's car in a flurry of conversation, belts clicking and black blazers being readjusted. Tsukuyomi settled for gazing moodily out the window while Sakura and Hanna searched for their elusive belt buckles (the back ones always had a habit of slipping under the seat). Once complete, Hana turned to Kamui with a wide grin and head of long, wavy hair kept precariously away from her face by a single snowflake clip.

"Hi, Kamui!"

"Hello, Hana," Kamui smiled, "How's football practice?"

"It's going good, yeah, we might be competing regionally soon," Hana beamed with pride.

"….Hana's their star shooter," Sakura added, her pride in her friend seeping through despite her quiet tones.

"Ah! Sakura, just telling her like that is kind of embarrassing!" Hana laughed.

Tsukuyomi snorted, "Yeah, that's why you're always telling practically everyone in a five-mile radius."

Hana's cheeks puffed up furiously at the sarcastic comment and she shuffled about to kick at the boy's shins.

"Eh?" Sakura gasped, trying to break up the pair's squabbling, "H-Hana, please don't try to bite him!"

"Settle down back there, please," Kamui chuckled, keeping one eye on the road while the other watched the teens re-right themselves in the rear-view mirror.

The entire situation made her chuckle to herself. When she had been Sakura's age, it had been Hinoka asking Oboro to calm down while she, Kamui and Kaze piled into the backseat. The dynamics of Sakura's friendship group and Kamui's were diverse, and yet there was still a vein of similarity.

The traffic was jammed in the afterschool rush, but Kamui was content to listen to her little sister and her friends chatter in the back. She chimed in her and there, the acoustic crooning from her radio filling the car with calm ambience despite the ongoing hit-and-run war Hanna was waging on Tsukuyomi's shins. When they finally pulled up to the Sweet Tooth Bakery, Kamui barely had time to kill the engine before Hana was barrelling out dragging Sakura behind her while Tsukuyomi followed at a more dignified pace.

Sweet Tooth Bakery was a sweet little hidey-hole that had managed to remain unscathed by the whole Nohr/Hoshido rivalry. It was the sort of establishment that came to mind when Kamui had to summon the image of 'grandma's home-cooking'; full of dollies, cutesy animal figurines, floral patterned furniture and pastel colour scheme. The place always seemed to be maintained at a cosy temperature and smelt like baking bread, regardless of the season or what was actually on offer. Sakura loved it, and Kamui tried to take her as often as possible despite the extortionate prices.

Kamui was convinced that the rated Gaius priced for his wife's, Sumia, goods were some form of PG robbery.

"Oh," Sakura breathed softly, wandering over to one corner of the confectionary array showcased behind the glass counter, "They have Mochi again."

"Would you like some?" Kamui bent down to Sakura's height and smiling back at her sister.

"Yes, please," Sakura nodded.

"Good choice, Pop-Tart."

Kamui lifted her head up to see the owner of the establishment's orange-haired head peeking down at them, chin propped on his arms that were draped over the countertop. The lollipop stick in his mouth quirked upwards as he gave them a quick, feline smile.

"G-good afternoon, Mr Gaius," Sakura mumbled, hiding slightly Kamui's back as her chronic shyness kicked in.

"C'mon, Pop-Tart," he chuckled, using the nickname he'd dubbed Sakura, "you can just call me Gaius, you've been in here often enough."

Sakura didn't make a verbal response, instead withdrawing further behind Kamui's back though both knew she didn't have any fear of the man himself.

"Looks like Big Sis is here today, too," he smoothly continued rather than drawing attention to an already red-faced Sakura, "If you're after the Mochi, I can do you a deal."

"Really?" Kamui asked.

"Uh-huh," he nodded, "Buy one, get one half-price, sound good?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah that sounds great, thank you," Kamui replied with a distracted smile, hunting around her handbag for her purse, "Do you have someone to share it with Sakura, or do you think you could managed two?"

Seeing as Hana had already snagged an inedible looking square of neon-yellow…something, Sakura turned to boy currently frowning at the shelves above his reach.

"Tsukuyomi, erm, would you like to share some Mochi with me?"

"Mochi?" Tsukuyomi directed a patronising glare at Gaius, "Don't you have anything more… sophisticated?"

"Nope," Gaius shrugged unapologetically.

Tsukuyomi sighed, "Urgh, very well if I must."

"So, we'll have two Mochi-"

"Oh and this!" Hana interrupted, slamming hers down, "…Please!"

"Two Mochi," Kamui began again, "and, er…."she struggled to come up with the appropriate name for it, "…that, please."

"Alright," Gaius nodded, leisurely ringing them up at the antique till, "Eating in or eating out?"

"In, please."

"That comes to £17.50," Kamui reluctantly handed the money over (internally bemoaning the futility of the Mochi special offer), "Thanks."

The quartet situated themselves at the table closest to the window, and Kamui spent the next half an hour amiably catching up on her little sister's life. Hearing about what subjects they were enjoying ('PE obviously' according to fiery Hana), which of their classmates were immature ('everyone' according to a dismissive Tsukuyomi) and if they were still determined to chase their dream professions ('yes, big sister' according a determined but still bashful Sakura), did wonders for lifting Kamui's previously disoriented mood. Unfortunately, her relief was short-lived as Tsukuyomi cast her a suspicious glance.

"How come you're picking us up, anyway?" he muttered, "don't you have work?"

Kamui's laughter caught in her throat, where it bobbed there for one speechless second as she scrambled for an answer. She couldn't exactly blurt out that she'd been fired to her little sister and her friends. Not only was it rather pathetic, but she didn't want to make any of them uncomfortable. She was treating Sakura and she didn't want to make the occasion about herself. Yet, she didn't want to lie to Sakura either.

As if sensing Kamui's floundering, Sakura quickly cut in, "Er, Tsukuyomi d-did you speak to Mr Fuuga about going to Touma University yet?"

Tsukuyomi shifted, putting his fist against his cheek and gazing moodily out the window, "….No. Not yet. Have you told your mother about the scholarship?"

"Scholarship?" Kamui echoed, looking questioningly at a red-faced Sakura who was desperately trying to sink into the material of her seat.

"Yeah!" Hana beamed with pride at her friend's achievement, "Sakura got a scholarship for Veterinary School!"

"H-Hana!" Sakura squeaked.

"Eh? Oh! S-sorry, Sakura, sorry….I just thought, well, it's good news," Hana trailed off, frustrated at herself for the slip.

"A scholarship? Sakura, that's great!" Kamui beamed brightly, twisting in her seat to give her little sister a quick hug.

"B-but….the Veterinary school…it's so far away," Sakura whispered, staring at where she was twisting her fingers in her lap.

Kamui pulled back slightly to check over her Sakura's expression but most was obscured under the fall of her hair. She smiled and gently swept an errant lock of hair behind Sakura's ear.

"That's fine," Kamui hushed, "This is your dream job, right?"

"…I just don't want to leave everyone behind."

Hana laughed sighed then laughed boisterously, "So that's why you were so upset, huh."

"Hana?" Sakura blinked.

"You didn't think I'd just let you go all on your own, right?" she grinned, "I'm going to be a famous footballer like my dad, so they'll have to let me in! And if they don't, I'll just make them!"

"Following that classic footballer hobby of pre-emptive GBH, I see," Tsukuyomi snorted then continued in a more subdued voice, "…although, painful as it is to admit, I do agree with her."

"You're damn right!" Hana grinned, "You're our best friend, Sakura, and I don't care if they moved you to London or….or the North Pole, nothing's ever going to change that!"

"Hana," Sakura whispered, "You're being very loud."

"Oh," Hana mouthed, noticing that the other patrons were staring wide-eyed in their direction, "Sorry."

Kamui giggled at their antics, finally releasing Sakura who seemed more assuaged by Hana's passionate declaration but still a little anxious.

"Sakura…" Kamui sighed fondly, "If I have to drive for two hours in the middle of the night to help you fix a broken coffee table in your student's accommodation or…deliver emergency Instant Ramen supplies-"

Sakura giggled quietly at that.

"-Then I will. Because you're my little sister and I love you, and I will always protect you. So, don't be scared, okay?"

"…Okay," Sakura softly agreed, smiling to herself.

"Wow…" Hana breathed, "Why couldn't I have a big sister?"

"Because then there'd be two of you in the world," Tsukuyomi muttered, "and the Government would probably have to bomb Touma to stop you from spreading."

"I'm not a disease!"

"Could have fooled me."

"Argh, shut up Tsukuyomi!"

"Is everyone finished?" Kamui hastily asked, before another brawl could break out.

There was a chorus of yeses and she managed to spirit the teenagers out before they did the Bakery or themselves any damage. Kamui dropped Hana off, before dropping Tsukuyomi at the Wind Clan Tea House (which he lived above with his adoptive father) then drove Sakura home in companionable silence. Sakura promised to E-Mail her the details of the scholarship later then declined the offer for a cup of tea. She knew her mother would be confused with her abrupt departure but Kamui didn't want to step on Ryoma's toes.

Instead Kamui settled for leaning over her steering wheel, keeping a watchful eye as Sakura turned to smile and wave timidly before hurrying up the long driveway. Sakura would be fine. Truly, she was far stronger than she believed herself to be. And if she ever did stumble, her family would be there to help her pick herself up again. Smiling to herself, Kamui pulled the handbrake and reversed out the driveway only then noticing that her handbag was vibrating ferociously. Curiously Kamui rooted around in her bag before pulling free her phone.

4 Missed Calls: Oboro

2 New Text Messages: Oboro

"Crap," Kamui whispered to herself.

She stopped the car and tentatively redialled her best friend's number, mentally preparing herself for the scolding.

"Kamui! Where have you been? Urgh, I asked you to call as soon as you got out! I was really worried!"

"You were worried?" Kamui voiced in sheepish hope of distracting her friend.

"Of course I was!" came the exasperated reply, "There's this horrible rumour going round the office and I couldn't find Kaze and-"

"Er, listen Oboro," Kamui interrupted, "about….that, well…."