A/N:

Okay, so this story is spoiler free, but if you've played the Nohrian path, you'll see a huge reference to something that happens. You'll also get it if you've played Birthright (or any path, really) but what happens in this story does NOT happen in any of the paths, so there are no spoilers.

Enjoy!

The sun was setting, and leaves rustled from the forest trees as the skies turned a light shade of amber.

Prince Leo of Nohr was laying hidden on the grass, his head propped up against a rocky boulder. His hand was pressed firmly against his wound, the blood seeping from the side of his stomach as he grunted every so often, murmuring curses.

He was angry.

Angry that he let himself be ambushed by those Hoshidan soldiers. Angry that he was forced to hide from them, because he was so careless and let himself get injured. But most of all, he was angry at his brother. His traitorous, traitorous older brother, who had betrayed the country who raised him, along with the siblings that cared so much for him.

Corrin's ability to be able to give up all he ever knew and instead side with Nohr's sworn enemy was beyond Leo's comprehensive capability. He couldn't for the life of him figure out his brother's thought process, and although all he ever felt for Corrin had been nothing but brotherly love, he only wanted now to strangle the breath out of him.

His other siblings—Xander, Camilla and Elise—also shared Leo's rightful anger. But his sisters especially were overwhelmed with confusion, and instead demanded an explanation.

Leo, on the other hand, didn't need an explanation.

His brother was tearing his family apart, and not only failed to justify his actions, but also began all this talk about how he needed to kill their own father.

Gods, was Leo angry. He was seeping with rage to the point where he couldn't feel the constant pumps of pain that came from his bleeding wound.

He couldn't think of anything better to do other than to lay still and wait for the night to pass him by. As for his injuries, he decided to label that as tomorrow's problem, and focus only on making sure he was completely hidden and that no more Hoshidan soldiers were able to find him.

Night had almost dominated the sky when Leo heard rustling—footsteps not too far from his hiding spot. His eyes shot open.

What was he going to do? He was hardly in any condition to make a run for it, much less fight back.

But before he could consider his limited options and act upon them, it was already too late, and the unknown person behind the trees had already found him.

Their eyes met.

Leo's mouth slowly gaped open.

And that was the first time he met her.

"Y-You…!" Her hibiscus hair made perfect contrast with the greenery around them, and the girl froze, shocked to find Leo at such a place. "W-Why are you here?! What do you want?!"

It was not long before the girl in front of him had noticed the blood leaking down the prince's body.

Leo's mouth tilted, showing a bitter smile. "I'm hardly in any position be elsewhere, aren't I?" And a sudden realization hit him. She wasn't just any Hoshidan. "Wait.. You're Corrin's younger sister.."

It was impressive how quickly the girl's face turned red. She took two steps backwards and furiously shook her head, her eyes shut tightly.

"I-I'm not!"

"Don't try to hide it," Leo sighed. "You can admit it. It's not like I'm going to try anything." His eyes lowered to the wound on his stomach, and Sakura opened her eyes slowly.

"You're hurt…" she whispered, gradually making her way to his side. She leaned down until her knees were on the grass, and looked closely at the prince's blood-stained armor. "May I have a look at it?"

"No," Leo scoffed, attempting to sit up. Her presence was making him nervous, as he was well aware that she was his enemy. "Stay away."

"It's not like I'm going to try anything," she copied Leo's earlier words, and he glared at her, unimpressed.

"Are you mocking me?" his tone was threatening, sending alarming shocks through the girl's body.

"N-N-No! I-I was j-just, um.. No.. I-I'm sorry..!"

Leo watched as her hands shook on her lap, her face flushed from embarrassment. He began to feel guilty, knowing that he may have insulted her. But in his defense, he wasn't aware that she was so timid, and over-interpreted every little word.

"No.." he lowered his head, "That's.. okay."

He couldn't believe he was letting a Hoshidan off the hook. But all he knew is that this girl's relation to Corrin meant that she's a princess, and that she could have called the soldiers from earlier at any point. He was just glad she hadn't done so.

The girl sighed, averting her eyes to the grass as she grabbed the small staff beside her.

"L-Listen… I'm going to treat your wound now.." she tightened her grip. "I-Is that okay?"

"H-Huh?!" Leo looked at her in disbelief. "What.. Why? I'm your enemy.."

She shook her head. "No.. Corrin made it clear that our target is King Garon.. Not the people who were so kind as to call him their brother and take care of him… Corrin doesn't wish to fight you."

"Cut the crap," Leo narrowed his eyes. "You Hoshidans are the only ones who think that way. My brother and I clearly view you all as enemies—and for the sake of your survival, you better start thinking the same."

"What we think is.. Hoshido and Nohr could become great allies. If only you and your siblings could join our cause—"

"To kill our own father?!" Leo began a laugh but the pain from his wound prevented him from doing so. "You people must be insane."

"Maybe.." the girl smiled at him. "But whatever your beliefs are, I'm going to treat you. I'm a healer—my job is to heal and make sure I prevent as many deaths as I can as long as I can help it. I'm not going to let you die here. I'm sure Corrin wouldn't want you dead."

Leo sighed, leaning his head backwards against the boulder. "You fool.." he whispered. "Aren't you the least bit scared that I may try to kill you after you heal me?"

Sakura raised her staff, adjusting her grip. "You said you wouldn't try anything. And I believe you'll keep your word."

"That's…" he stopped, looking up at the hibiscus-haired girl. "I only said that because I'm wounded. Doesn't mean I won't try anything when I'm healed."

"Well then that's too bad," she said. "But I'm a healer, and my duties to keep others in health is my only belief. If I die doing so, then so be it."

Leo couldn't believe what he was hearing. What a selfless act she was doing. Though the two had Corrin as their brother, they had never spoken a word to each other before. He didn't trust her one bit… so why did she have so much faith in him? She should really be more careful around strangers.

The girl's staff lit up and soft light illuminated the air around them. As the seconds passed, Leo could feel his pain slowly begin to fade. More and more… until it was completely gone.

He looked down at his stomach and, although his armor was stained still, his wound had been perfectly healed. He slowly looked up at the girl.

"T-Thank you.." his voice was quiet, low and reserved, and he felt his cheeks heat up as a big smile formed on the girl's face. His words seemed to make her happier than he had thought, and the look on her face took him by surprise. She looked… cute. Very, very cute. There was something about her face contorted in an innocent smile that he grew fond of very quickly, and for a second he thought he had never seen anything more adorable in his life.

"You're welcome," she said. "Your name is.. Leo, right?" He slowly nodded, still mesmerized by her features. "I'm Sakura."

Sakura… The name would forever be embedded into his brain.

"Sakura.." he said, bringing his leg closer to him. "I've decided… I'm not going to try to kill you." He slowly stood up, and began brushing remnants of grass off his armor. "I-I… I owe you my life, after all."

Him.. Owing his life to a Hoshidan? What was he saying?

Sakura followed his action and stood up as well.

"Maybe if things were different…" he trailed off, his lips parting slightly. He examined her eyes as she gazed back at him intently, confused at what it was that he was trying to say.

If things were different.. what?

They could have become friends? They could have gotten to know each other better? They could have gone out, into the Nohrian markets, and tried different food together?

What was he saying?

"Never mind," he brushed it off, walking over to the bushes and leaning down to grab his Brynhildr, on the spot where he had dropped it earlier. His eyes found their way back to look at her, and he took a good look at how she looked under the low lighting. The way her hair was brushed softly by the wind, and the look she had on her face as she gazed back at him.

If things were different, indeed.

"Well.." he said. "Goodbye then."

Sakura nodded, not knowing what to say. She raised a hand up and waved, wanting to say one last comment that could possibly change his mind about his views on Hoshido. But she knew it was useless, and that he probably wouldn't listen to her and instead dismiss what she has to say as if her persuasive words meant nothing.

"B-Bye," she choked out, her words lost in the wind as he walked away from her. And she knew that next time they meet, they'd once again be enemies on the battlefield.

He felt it.

He could feel himself losing power—losing control of his own body. He knew he was no longer himself, but that wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault he was taken over. It wasn't his fault he was being possessed by a greater power—the power of all his heavy angers and regrets. It was as if a parasite was invading, taking care of the job he wasn't sure he could do on his own. But that wasn't truly what he wanted. Sure, he was angry. But he didn't mean it when he said he wanted to kill his own brother. True, they weren't related by blood, but he was his brother nonetheless.

His brother wanted to kill their father. But he couldn't help not really wanting to kill his brother.

All he did was feel betrayed. But he didn't want to kill anyone.

Even so, his hands were pressed tightly around his brother's throat, the Brynhildr on his palm.

"L-Leo.." Corrin coughed, tears flooded his eyes as his blood-red irises gazed at the younger brother he loved and grew up with. "Haha.. It's o-okay… t-to hate me."

He had managed a chuckle, and Leo couldn't understand why he was smiling so genuinely at a time like this.

No.. I don't hate you.

"I-It's really.. okay.." Corrin's hands were on Leo's arm. "I understand, so.. So it's okay to kill me."

I don't want to kill you.

"I know I betrayed Nohr, so.. I understand your hatred. B-But, hey.. I'm not going to fight you, Leo. You have every right to.. to feel the way you do."

I don't want to fight you, either.

"But Leo.. All this time.. I really did love you like a brother."

Those were his last words before the Brynhildr had enveloped Corrin in its magical trap. His Hoshidan siblings screamed for their brother, but Corrin didn't stop smiling, even when his unconscious body plummeted to the floor beneath them.

Deep within himself, Leo cried tears of sorrow. His body had done a terrible thing, and there was nothing he could do about it. With every might he could muster, he tried to take back his control, raising the Brynhildr and using it to attack himself.

How dare.. you hurt my brother..

With continuous magic blows to his chest, Leo felt his consciousness fading.

And those were the memories he had lost, before he found himself in a medical bed, staring at the hibiscus-haired who saved his life, and whom he longed to speak to again.

"Corrin.." he tugged at the ends of his hair. "Corrin!"

It's my fault!

Corrin must have been recovering in a medical room like I was, Leo thought. It's my fault he's here. It's my fault we're both here!

"AAGH!" Leo shouted at the top of his lungs, flinging his pillow until it hit the wall beside the night sky visible through the window.

"I'm so sorry, Corrin! It wasn't me.. It wasn't me who hurt you!"

He wept and wept, throwing fists at the mattress and hitting his head against the bed.

His heart was racing. There hasn't been a thing in his life that he regretted more than that faithful day, when he thought he had killed his own brother.

That must've been it. Leo wondered why he was still the second prince of Nohr—because Corrin had sided with Hoshido, leaving his Nohrian prince title behind.

It's only

under the moonlight when

I feel safest. If only

you were here

to keep me from breaking,

when the moonlight

is gone at night.

He didn't know how long he had been shouting his regrets and punching things around him, before the door opened and Sakura found him in his despair. Upon seeing the tears that stained his cheeks, Sakura quickly rushed to the prince's side, a look of concern on her face.

"P-Prince Leo.." she spoke softly. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

Leo had settled down after feeling Sakura's warm hands touching the side of his face. He closed his eyes and felt her wipe his tears away.

"S-Sakura.." he whispered. He didn't know if he couldn't fret over his lack of formality for the Hoshidan princess because he felt so much misery, or because he knew he had never referred to her so formally in the past. "I-It's all my fault.. Corrin i-is in trouble, isn't he?"

Sakura stared at him, and her heart felt heavy inside her chest.

"Y-You remember?"

Leo nodded, his eyes averted from her gaze. Sakura lowered her hand to his shoulder. "Oh."

She wrapped her arms around him carefully, leaning close to him and hugging him tightly. She wasn't sure what to say to him, but she did know that she wanted to comfort him in every way she could.

Leo was surprised to feel the Hoshidan princess's body pressed so tightly against his own. Her scent instantly filled his nose, and his ears grew hot.

"It's okay.." Sakura whispered. "He'll be okay. I came because I wanted to tell you I found the herbs he needed at the market in a nearby town."

Leo's eyes widened. "You.. You did?"

"Yes," her voice was quiet. "He'll be alright. I'm sure of it."

Leo mindlessly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. He let himself relax as his chin rested on her shoulder, and a smile found its way onto his lips.

"That's.. great to hear," he whispered. And he realized then that he truly did feel happy to embrace Sakura like that. For that moment, he felt pure bliss and hope.

Hope, that everything would be okay.

"Thank you.. Sakura." Leo closed his eyes, raising his hand to her hair as he ran his fingers through them. "Thank you for finding me that day." Sakura blushed, her eyes widening as she realized he really did remember. He remembered everything. "And thank you for finding what Corrin needs to recover."

Nothing broke Leo's heart more than the day he visited Corrin in his recovery room. It turns out, his older brother was getting treated just down the hall from where he was, but since he could barely walk before, he didn't have a chance to see how he was doing.

Corrin's skin was paler than he'd ever seen before. His lips were shut tight, and his eyes were closed peacefully. A breathing mask was attached to his face, and he was shirtless, with patches attached all over his chest.

Sakura was beside him, and if Leo wasn't so worried about Corrin he would've blushed at the fact that she was holding his hand. For the past few days, Sakura had been taking short walks outside with Leo, since he made a huge improvement in recovery, and the healers recommended that he took walks often to get his leg muscles working again.

Even so, Leo hated that he felt so much better than the day he first woke up in his recovery room, whereas Corrin had not opened his eyes once at all. He couldn't believe he had hurt him so badly, even though it wasn't him that was in control.

"We've b-been giving him the herbs every day so far," Sakura spoke up, squeezing his hand. "It's not working as well as I was hoping it would."

"But.. It's still working, right?" Leo had a hopeful look in his eye.

"Y-Yes, of course," she glanced at him. "You don't have to worry that much."

"Well I can't help it," Leo forced a chuckle. He then took a long look at his brother, and placed a hand on his pale hair. Before he left the room that day, he didn't forget to leave flowers near the door.

A few days later, Leo waited for Sakura in his recovery room for their daily walk. When she showed up, they took a short stroll outside before Sakura stopped suddenly.

"Close your eyes," she said.

Leo blinked at her. "Huh?"

"Close your eyes, and don't open them until I say it's okay."

He came to terms with that fact that it was futile to ask any questions at this point, and Leo did what he was told. He felt Sakura take his hands, and there were butterflies in his stomach as she led the way. Leo didn't know how long they were walking before Sakura told him he could open his eyes.

But nevertheless, the sight took his breath away.

"They're cherry blossoms," she explained, a big smile planted on her lips.

Pink pedals were scattered in the air surrounding them, and they stood in the middle of a sea of cherry trees, shedding their leaves across the passing wind. Leo couldn't help but stare. He had never seen anything like it. The old, dried up leaves that fell upon Nohrian grounds were nothing compared to what he saw in front of him.

"Wow.." he said under his breath. Sakura hadn't let go of his hand, and he held hers back tighter. "It's beautiful.."

The two royals kept walking, hand in hand, enjoying the cherry blossoms and talking about the ending stories of Under the Moonlight. Leo had finished the miniature book recently. The copy he had borrowed from Sakura had a lot of sentimental meaning to her, and although he tried returning it to her, she refused, and said it was his to keep.

"We should probably head back," Sakura stopped after a while. She wore a big smile, remnant of when she laughed at a joke Leo had made earlier.

"Yes, we probably should," Leo smiled back at her. Sakura began to walk forward again but got held back by Leo's hand.

She turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"

He admired every aspect of her face as he raised a hand, caressing her cheek. "You know.. I just realized something."

Sakura stared wide-eyed at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You don't stutter much around me these days," he said in a low voice. "Wonder why that is."

Without another word, he leaned forward, and pressed his soft lips against hers. He felt a rush of satisfaction, when he found that her taste was even better than he had imagined it, and his tongue brushed against her bottom lip. He kissed her softly, and held her just a while longer, before he slowly pulled away and watched as she looked back at him with heated cheeks.

"W-W-What was t-that for?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Spoke too soon, Leo thought, and he let out a hearty laugh. "You're adorable."

If Leo thought her face couldn't get any redder, he sure thought wrong.

"U-U-Um.."

"Hmm," Leo hummed. "What was that for, you ask? I wonder.." He pulled his body away from her and held her hand once more. "I guess it's because I love you."

Leo thought for sure that was as red as faces could get. But once again, he was wrong.

When the Nohrian prince and the Hoshidan princess finally made their way back to the recovery fort, Leo sat on an outside bench near the hallway his room was in, and watched a fountain spit out water over a stone statue. Sakura had left to the markets to buy more herbs for Corrin, and he thought he'd ask her for more Hoshidan books when she got back.

He was so deep in thought about the hibiscus-haired girl that he barely noticed someone calling out to him.

"Leo!"

He turned his head around to look at the person in crutches who stood just a few feet away from him.

"I'm happy to see how well you're doing now," Corrin grinned, his smile as compassionate and comforting as Leo always remembered it was.

His eyes widened, and he couldn't help the smile that formed on his face.

"Corrin..!"