Once Upon A Time [Hakuouki SSL]

Prologue

"Why would you go such length for me?"

She felt happiness well up inside of her at his words; the voice was teasing, but she could see kindness - and even what she could only dare hope was a flicker of fondness - in the man's mysterious, azure eyes. There were a number of other men gathered around her, broad smiles gracing their features. For some reason, she couldn't quite make out what they were saying; although they were close enough to touch, it was like they were having this conversation underwater, and their voices sounded hollow and distant.

Regardless, she found herself nodding, as if making a promise with them...

He was bent over and on his knees, surrounded by a slowly growing pool of his own blood. Despite how he looked, he had one hand grasped tightly around the hilt of his sword as he struggled to stand. She admired how the fire in his eyes - that loyal glint itching for a fight - never dulled, even though they were in what she perceived to be a hopeless situation. She was holding back tears, trying her best to appear as brave as he was; her arms were wrapped around his shoulders to support him - or were they there to hold him back?

The scene was fading to black, but she heard her own tearful voice ringing out from the darkness.

"Why did you do that? You said that your duty come first! So why?"

"... Hm? That's right... Huh, I wonder... Why...? Maybe.... You are.. more... than my duty..."

She then heard a dull thud, followed by her voice calling his name frantically, as if afraid that he might slip through her fingers if she stopped even for a second.

"Fuyu-chan!"

She groaned softly, pulling her blanket over her head.

"Fu-yu-" She felt someone pull the blanket off her with so much force that she was almost thrown off her bed, "-chan! Come on, it's time to wake up!"

That startled her enough to wake her for good. Still disoriented from being so rudely awoken, she slowly sat up, opening an eye as she yawned.

"Daddy....." She whined. The man grinned at his daughter's pout.

"You're gonna be late for schoo-"

He stopped abruptly, and leaned in way too close, his eyes squinted as he scrutinized her face. Instinctively, she leaned back and away, but her daddy had other ideas; he had a firm but gentle grip on her cheek to hold her in place.

"Say, Fuyu-chan. Were you crying?"

"Huh?"

He had freed her after taking a good look at her face, and she quickly touched her own face, surprised that her skin felt moist and slightly sticky. She frowned, and looked down at her pillow, finding one side of it wet.

"Did you have a nightmare? I'm glad I woke you up then!"

"Ah, no... That's not..." She pursed her lips as she pushed herself off her bed; It was memory. She could remember it last nigh. As she recalled her other memories, she felt a sudden, dull ache in her chest.

"No? Hm, I see... That's good then," His frown remained for a few seconds when he noticed the brief flicker of pain that appeared on her face. When she looked like she was back to her usual self, he flashed her a toothy grin, "Or could it be that you were drooling your sleep?"

"Ew.. daddy, that's disgusting!" Fuyu scrunched her face in fake disgust.

"Alright! Alright! Get ready. You wouldn't want to be late on your very first day. Right?" He patted head and left.

Fuyu closed eyes and signed in sorrow, "why did you leave me, Hajime?" A tear escaped from her eye as she remembered his death.

I can't even share this with anyone. They would think I'm crazy and it's all in my head.... But I know the truth. She wiped her face got ready for school.

In an hour she was ready for the day. She step downstairs and saw her daddy busy in the kitchen, making Breakfast.

She sat down on her chair and smiled gratefully as Her daddy sat her plate before her. She couldn't help but smile at funny face on her face and ate.

Her eyes settled on the clock and they widened, "It's time already!" She quickly took her bag and kissed her daddy's cheek, "Don't be late for work. Love you!"

"Love you too, be safe!"

"I will!" She ran out of house to school.

What she didn't know that she would find her missing piece again......