Hakuouki: Dragon Circles in Quiet Summer

Chapter 30

~~3rd POV~~

She stumbles back into headquarters late in the night. When her foot catches on something, making her fall, she laughs before getting up again. Something appears before her and she runs into it. "Woah..."

"Sakura, finally you're here. Where did you go? Everyone was worried." She takes a moment to focus on the figure and she finally realizes it's Fuyu.

"Oh... Um, I was... Memories! Yep, too many of them." She says in a single breath. Luckily he notices nothing.

"Well don't run off again. I was too worried." He says giving her a tight hug but then she hears him sniff. "Sakura... Why do you smell like saké?" He pulls back.

"Well... Um, so... I definitely did not drink, so that's out of the question. Yeah, and I wasn't drinking with Kyo and my betrothed so stop asking." She says in a rush as she looked away.

"What?" She fakes a yawn.

"I'm tired, yeah, so I'll be leaving you here and you can-"

"Sakura, demons have high tolerances to alcohol so they make a special type for them. Did you drink that kind?" She looks away.

"I dunno." She begins to fiddle with her thumbs until he takes her hand. They begin running, making her inner child awaken, ready to have fun.

She giggles as she's dragged into a room full of the captains. She's forcefully sat down. "Sakura! Where've you been!?" They ask .

"She was out drinking with Kazama and Kyo. Demons have specially made saké so they can be affected by it so she'll actually be drunk right now." He explains and they all look to her.

"Long hair..." She whispers in awe as she reached for her brothers longish hair.

"Watch your hair, she likes to cut it." Heisuke warns, gesturing to his new hair cut. She pouts when he moves her hands away.

"You're so mean, Heiski!" She cries as she falls to the ground dramatically.

"What!? And did you call me-"

"Everyone's here! Let's play games!" She cheers, jumping up.

"Sakura, if your drunk don't you think it's best to rest?" Kondou tries to reason.

"Kondou-san, logic doesn't work for Saké." Hijikata says with a sigh.

"Saké?" Kondou asks confused, watching the girl excitedly talk and poke the others.

"It's the name she calls herself when she's drunk like this." Hijikata explains. Kondou nods, understanding. "It's best if you escape before this phase of her passes." He nods getting up. Hijikata had always gave him advice that would save him.

"What!? Where are you going!?" She asks when she sees him by the door.

"I'm going to rest. Have fun here." He smiles.

"Oh, okay. G'night!" She waves.

"And I need to keep watch. Take care of her." Fuyu says, leaving before he could be caught in the drunken mess.