Hakuouki: Dragon Circles in Quiet Summer

Chapter 14

He was throwing and breaking things. He didn't notice me until I was right in front of him. His hair was white and his eyes were golden. But at the edges I could see the darkness.

"Fuyu..." I whisper.

"He took you! And I was powerless to stop it! Damn Yukimuras they-"

"You got me back. I'm here now."

"Does that mean anything? It was like you said, I wasn't there!" He kicks at a chunk of rocks, spraying them everywhere.

"Than you will be there for me now!" I yell at him.

"You already know that I can't do anything! You don't need me..." I feel something, a wall, break.

"But you need me. And I'll be there for you until I need you too." He freezes and I use that time to get closer. "Now you have to promise that you need me. That whenever you don't need me, you will be there for me because... I need you." His eyes widen.

I look into his eyes as the black slowly begins to clear. "So you can't do this to me, or them. We need each other. So you can't lose yourself because then you'll bring all of us down with you." I don't know why but I feel my eyes moisten with tears. "You can't... You can't do this to me! I deserve more than this! You can't leave me like this when I just... I just got you back. So stop being selfish and give me what I deserve! Give me my damn family!" I scream.

I let go of the hands I had squeezed and covered my face. "I'm selfish, I know that. But-"

I feel his arms around me, surprising me. "It isn't selfish to want what's yours." He whispers.

I hold him back tightly and I see his hair is normal. I look up and his eyes are the same dark as mine, his hair, dark like mine. This was the first time over seen him out of his demon form.

I realized then, how close we look alike...

I scoop up the golden sash from the ground. He had taken it when I was captured saying it was his originally.

I hold it out for him. "You look decent without the white hair and golden eyes."

"I did tell you we were twins." He smirks.

"I didn't expect it like this." I roll my eyes making him laugh.

"Seeing how you look now, it does make a difference." I face palm him. "Hey-!"

"It'll hurt a lot more if you try to do this again, idiot." It makes him grin.

"So you were concerned for your little-"

"You really know how to ruin the moment."

"Your fault for hitting me." He throws back with a laugh. I stroll over to a tree and sit down.

"But I think I should explain myself sense this is my fault." His grin falls. He stands above waiting. I roll my eyes and tug him down to sit, surprising him.

"I was stupid and ignored your words." He starts.

"You gave it to me when I was captive because you found it at my house. I originally lost it but it makes more sense now that he took it from me so I wouldn't know. I didn't say anything because I was happy... At first. When you kept me locked up I just kept thinking about how I could call him right now to help me escape and... I realized that he abandoned me. He didn't want me to know that he was still alive. I wanted to ask him why but... After the meeting I realized all the reasons why he couldn't be my brother." I take a shaky breath.

"He killed my master, he took my memories, he used me, manipulated me, he... He abandoned me. Before it all happened he changed towards me. He got angry a lot and I just thought it was because he was feeling guilty at what he did by killing Ryou. Now look at me, thrown back and forth between fake families."

"We're your real family." I hold out the bracelet making him tense.

"I wanna make you a new one. For now you can use the button. I didn't want to let go but... Only the button has my blood. I'm letting go of him because I have a real brother. Because it hurt you like this you can destroy it. I... Just don't... Don't leave me like the others. I've had enough of being lied to." I whisper.

He takes it from me and holds my hand.

"I promise never to be like those who've betrayed you." I nod, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"I'll beat you up if you do." I whisper making him chuckle softly.

"You tired?" He asks. I nod.

"I stayed up all night searching for Mei's bottle. Then I had to hunt all night so she could have some blood for today. The butcher is visiting his family..." I yawn. "Deers run fast." I yawn again.

"That's... Weird." He says. I weakly smack him in the arm but it ends up being a light brush.

"You exhausted me." I mumble. I was really tired.

~~~

"Hey! What did you do to her!?" I wake at the loud voice.

"What's happening?" I say looking around and realized I was being carried by Fuyu.

"Sakura!" They call rushing over. He sets me down and just as that happens a sword appeared.

It was immediately blocked by my hand. I traced the blade to Heisuke who was frozen with shock. Everyone who was rushing over froze as well. "How dare you-" Fuyu begins.

"I'm fine. I'll see you later." He nods but pulls out a handkerchief. He gently wipes the blood away.

"I'll be back." He says giving me a hug and I can tell it's just to anger them. I still hug him back but narrow my eyes at him when we pull away. He just laughs it off disappearing as he turns away.

"What was that?" Souji asks in a low growl.

"He's my brother..." I begin.

"The brother who beat you up for months and brought you back looking half dead?" He asks making me narrow my eyes.

"Let's just say I've gotten use to it." I say coldly making him freeze.

"Where did you go?" He asks angrily.

"He was losing himself. I had to calm him before he hurt someone or himself."

"And after one meeting you can forgive him for attacking you, Mei?" He was taking this too far.

"Maybe I just understand him enough to know why he did it." I say cryptically.

"Than that makes you no better than him." I freeze, feeling a chill come over me. I narrow my eyes.

"Low blow, Okita-San. But I'm glad you finally realized it. I'm also glad you finally told me how you see me. But... Weather you like it or not, weather you like me or not, they're my family just like the Shinsenngumi. I won't let you hurt them." I give him a smile. "I hope you understand." I step past him, letting my smile fall flat.

"Sakura..." He tries to catch my hand. I chuckle as he missed.

"Too late, Okita-San." I wave as I walk away. I sigh putting my hands behind my head.

Too much of a good thing takes up the space for the old things.