Hakuouki: Dragon Circles in Quiet Summer

Chapter 4

"This rain is making me feel down." Heisuke sighs as they all eat. It had dampened the mood but I felt something stronger than the lazy pull of a gray sky.

"Yamazaki." I call, who was in the next room. "Come over here." I order, not touching the food, not adding any emotion to my voice. Everyone took notice.

"What's wrong?" Kondou asks but I don't respond. Yamazaki comes in.

"You called?" He asks and I tell him not to sit as I stand up.

"Something's happening. Keep an eye out, at this point I'm unsure to where they are heading but I know it's all of them."

"I understand." He nods. "I'll be careful."

"I'll be outside. Call if you need me." I walk past Yamazaki and jump up. I catch the edge of the roof and get up on it. I run across to keep post at a more advantageous spot.

This was instinct. One that had been strengthen by spending my time with my supposed family.

I was grateful but in addition to the improvement it had a dramatic affect on me. I was too aware of their presence.

~~~

I felt it before it came. The rain had been pouring down on me for an hour or so but it only helped me focus.

I got to the point where the intruder would be and who it was, was a big surprise. It was Kazama and Amagiri. Both of them held something, someone.

"So they were telling the truth. You're alive." Kazama says.

"We can speak later. Why did you come and who are these... Furies?" I had not sensed any demon blood in the two covered figures.

"They say you are a friend. They're both dying." My eyes widen.

"Come." I say leading them to the nearest empty room. "Lay them down and show me."

"A woman and a child. They took a poison, most likely Healers Water on command of their master. The master died and they asked us about you." Amagiri explains

"Thank you... Get one of the others and tell them to bring me fury rope enough for two. Hurry." Amagiri gets up and I push aside the woman's hair. No not woman, a friend, a fury. One of the few that she had connected with who was a year younger, Kaede.

The younger child must've been her child. The more I thought about it the more it made since. The same dark hair and porcelain skin. The same relative face that seemed always like nothing was wrong.

Sannan came back with Amagiri with the rope. "Tie them how I taught you and position their heads on my legs." I say sitting against the wall. I order. He is smart enough to wait to answer questions.

When their on my legs I quickly cut open both wrists and have them bleed in their mouths. "I will get the others so the explanation is not repeated." Is all he says as he leaves. I say nothing as I look down at the peaceful figures.

"After explaining to them what's happened, you may ask them about my supposed death. I'll need to save my strength to feed them both." The loss of blood had begun its effects.

"Sakura, what's-" I hear after a while.

"Do not try to speak to her. This process is consuming her energy and she still needs to feed them." I had my eyes closed trying to keep my breathing leveled.

I felt the brush of fingers across my cheeks but I don't react. The demons explain the situation surprising them. I could tell they wanted me to elaborate but knew I couldn't do it immediately.

"Sakura, you explained this process to me. You need to replace all of their blood while taking in theirs. You won't have enough blood to save both. Even if you could survive off the poisoned blood you can only save one or the other." Yamazaki reasons.

"What about those two? Can't they-" Sannan suggests.

"No, any demon can make the poison but only the founding demon blood can reverse it." I had taught Yamazaki everything for moments like these. He could be my body and voice when I was unable and replace me when the time came.

"Sakura, the woman is waking up." They inform me. I take a second before pulling away my wrist from her.

"Cut her rope." I say softly. Kaede slowly drags herself up and collapses against me with her head on my shoulder.

"You always knew the answer before the question was given..." She chuckles weakly. "I'm glad I get to see you again, Sakura." I lean my head against hers.

"Blind faith can get you killed." I whisper. "But I'm glad to see you too. I'm glad..." Kaede reaches a hand for the girl but she's too tired. I help her hand reach the fragile girl and she reassuringly tries to give her a smile.

"I knew you wouldn't let me down... Her name is Mei. She likes to learn and play. She is highly skilled in combat and knows everything that I do so you may ask her whatever you like. Just please... Take care of her. Everyone is dead." She starts to cry, cracking her speech. "I know what we are but she doesn't deserve this. I want you to have her because then she will be safe. She'll like you and you'll like her. You've always been great with kids. If you won't have her make sure she ends up somewhere safe. Please..." She begs in a fading breath.

"I owe you all everything and more." I whisper feeling my vision going hazy. I close my eyes.

"Good... Good... C-Can you make it go away? Can you take the nightmares and all the bad things go away? Just like when you took care of me." She asks tightening her hold on my hand unable to lift her head.

"No, I lied. But you know no one can ever do that. I can only help you to see the beauty in the dark. That was all I could offer you."

"You will take hers away." She says with such certainty it almost had to be true. "Only the good things can touch her. My little Mei. My flower." She says pushing the girls hair out of her face. Thunder cracks against the sky.

What a beautiful dream.

I feel my tears pour from my emotionless eyes and with all the strength left I whisper the song I use to sing for her as a child, 'Sakura Sakura.'

"'Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
In fields, mountains and villages
As far as the eye can see.
Is it mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the spring sky,
As far as the eye can see.
Is it mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come now,
Let's go and see them.'"

I sing it softly but by the stillness of the room I can tell they're listening. When I finish she is unconscious but alive. Her breaths shallow and weak.

She was leaving to the cherry blossoms.

I hum the tune in her ear over and over until soon it becomes softer and softer, until it ceases to make sound. As I feel myself begin to drift off the little girl begins to stir.