Hakuouki: Dragon Circles in Quiet Summer

Chapter 24

~~3rd POV~~

"Tell me what you see." Takeo's voice growled.

"P-please... S-stop..." Her voice rasped, torn with salt particles.

"Tell me and I'll stop." He pushed the thin needle down on her chest letting blood bloom. Holes from other insertions were still open. She couldn't cry or scream so she just closed her eyes letting the tears stream down her face. She weakly tried to pull her hand from the chains but to no avail.

"Then we don't stop." He plunged the needle in her causing a small noise of pain before she fell still.

~~~

He left her again. She used the time to continue her plan. Using the blood she slipped out her hand, breaking a few fingers in the process.

She shakily used her teeth to pop them back into place, grinding her skin between her teeth in pain.

She repeated the process three more times.

Energy was something she didn't have. She couldn't heal so she didn't take out the various needles and her fans from her body the blocked the blood loss although it made movement nearly impossible.

Her clothes were torn and shredded, my top opened to reveal the top of my chest but she couldn't be bothered with it. She took a knife from the table and cut open the screen wall sloppily with difficultly. She grabbed a sword that was left in the room and used it as a walking stick. She couldn't block the door with anything she could carry which was next to nothing so she just left. She heard no noises within the house so she knew he was out.

Luckily an old man was out in the late hour and she knew she wouldn't make it back alone. She waited for him to pass the alley before grazing his arm. He looked back, startled.

She slumped back against the wall. "Please..." She begged. He looked at her startled. The faint moonlight on her face was enough to tell him why she reached for him.

"W-what-"

"I-is this... Kyoto?" She asked in barley a whisper but he was close enough to hear.

"Y-yes. You need help. I'll-"

"I just need... To get... To the Shinsengumi." She coughed in her hand.

"I'm too old to help you all the way there. My son can carry you and my wife can bandage you. I live right here." He pointed to the shop in front of her.

"No... I-I have to get straight there... Only they... Can help... I'm okay, no more bleeding..." He nods.

"Wait in the shadows so no men see you. Here." He helped sit me against the wall and covered me with his dark red haori. The color of blood. She nodded.

~~Sakura's POV~~

I didn't know what happened but I was in arms and bandages that made me more stiff and put more pressure on the instruments inside me. All the bandages were soaked so the man had to keep checking my breathing.

"You're awake. My father found you in the alley. Luckily before we left. We're leaving for- I'm rambling." He shuts up.

"How... Far?" I ask shakily. The salt was worsening my throat and mouth making it harder each time to speak.

"We're nearing the gate. What do I do?"

"Set me down at the gates and get going. I hope... I hope you get there... Safely... They'll attack you if you... Stay." His eyes widen but doesn't question it. The rumors of the Shinsengumi still proceeds them.