*NEW Into the Future ~ The Red Strings of Fate ~ Hakuoki Fanfic

Chapter 3: Travelling Together

In the next day, everyone rises early in the morning and they soon set out for the Fortress City Hakunon,

Once again, Asuka must deal with the monsters by herself. The group was worried that she might be tired or collapse from over-fighting, but surprisingly she can handle herself well.

She often went on ahead to clear the road and came back with some fruit for them to eat. Asuka also often explains about the various monsters they have encountered, she told them about their weak spots and also how to handle them.

She also told them about the various plants and what they can be used, some are poisonous while some are ingredients for medicines. Ever since the virus outbreak, there have been multiple new plants growing. Many people have started studying about them, and now they are able to use it effectively.

The group was quite amazed by Asuka's wide range of knowledge....

Right now, they're standing beside a waterfall to take a break. Kaoru was in the middle of drinking water from the river, when his eyes travels to Hijikata and Chizuru who are in the middle of talking with each other with smiles on their faces.

Kaoru's face suddenly turn dark when he sees them, just when he felt his chest constricting— SPLASH!

His face was suddenly splashed by water. Kaoru hurriedly wipes the water from his face only to find Asuka beside him with her hand dripping wet.
"You-! Did you just spray water on me!?" Kaoru shouted,

"What? You got a problem?" Asuka then sprays some water again at Kaoru,
"You-! Take this!" Kaoru soon started spraying water in return,

Soon the two began playing with the water like little children, and unknown to them. Chizuru who's across is looking at them with a tender smile, then her face turned sad.
"What's wrong?" Hijikata asked,
"No,...it's just that, I was thinking that...maybe I could've done something different to stop Kaoru," Chizuru said,

"Kazama had to kill him in order to stop him, but...What if, I did something else? Maybe he could've lived and have a family of his own," Chizuru said,

Hijikata then patted her head "It was in the past, there's nothing you can do about it. But now, you should try and get along with him. Have a heart to heart talk with him," Hijikata said,

"Yeah....I should do that," Chizuru said as she looks at the two of them playing by the water,

"Why you-!"
"Ha! You can't beat me!"

The two of them shouted, until...the two of them slipped and a loud splash can be heard....
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"What is this??" Shiranui asked,

Asuka and Kaoru are now completely drench from head to toe and the two of them are currently shivering from the cold water.
"Are you two kids are what??" Shiranui said,

"H-H-Hold on...j-j-Just a sec...I-I-I think I have some spare...clothes...!" Asuka went toward her backpack and pulls out some new clothes and dry towels,

She threw one to Kaoru "Use that, we happen to have the same height,"
"Yeah, thanks...Achoo!" Kaoru and Asuka then went to different directions and hid to change their clothes

Soon Kaoru returns newly changed. He now wears a simple red hoodie and brown pants. Meanwhile, Asuka returns wearing a grey hoodie with black pants.

"Looks good on you, and what is with this fabric it feels soft...," Shiranui said as he feels the hoodie's soft material. But Kaoru slaps his hand away,

"Gross! What are you doing!?" Kaoru said,
"Geez, I was just feeling the material. But really, the fabric is really smooth," Shiranui said,

"Ha! Guess it's my luck to be able to wear it," Kaoru said with a smug smile,
This caused Shiranui to feel annoyed, but then a smirk forms on his face,

"Man! I'm pretty lucky! I didn't have to wear a girl's clothes!" Shiranui said,
"Wha—!" Kaoru also happens to just realize it,

"It's okay, boys and girls can actually wear it. Which is why I brought them, it actually feels pretty smooth and warm, don't you think?" Asuka asked,

"Yeah...," Kaoru said after hearing it,

"Alright, you guys are done? We should continue," Kazama said,
"Sure," Asuka said,

The group eventually starts walking again, and luckily they didn't encounter that many enemies. The sun is almost down and so they settle down in a nearby cave...

Asuka started cooking the rabbit meats she hunted just before they settle down. Under Asuka's hands, the rabbit meats let's out a mouthwatering aroma.
"Hmmmm! This smells good!" Shiranui said,

"I just seasoned it with some salt, pepper and rosemary. It's not actually a grand dish," Asuka said as she hands each of them their meat,

"Thanks," Kaoru takes the meat from Asuka and started eating it, when the soft meat and crunchy skin enters her mouth, Kaoru's face suddenly lit up.
The same goes for the others as they sample the meat...

Once they all have their fill, everyone sat down by the fire without a word. Until, Chizuru asked Asuka...

"Asuka, where do you live?" Chizuru asked,
"Hm? Oh, I live in Hakunon city along with the rest of my group," Asuka said,

"Hmm, how about your parents?" Chizuru asked, but they can only see a sad smile on her face. "They're no longer here,"
"I'm really sorry, I didn't know..,"

"No no, it's okay! I don't really mind it that much anymore..." Asuka said, "They were killed by the Rasetsus when my brother and I were still little, it's already a long time ago,"

"And is that why you're working with your group, to destroy these facilities?" Hijikata asked,
"Yeah, I can't have them creating anymore monsters. There's already enough suffering...," Asuka said with a sigh,

"You...You said you have a brother, is he along with your group?" Kaoru asked,
"...no," Asuka said "He's working at a different place...we often contact each other,"

"I see,"

"We should get some sleep," Asuka said
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Not long, everyone seems to have fallen asleep. Meanwhile, Asuka is still wide awake , she started rummaging into her bag and takes out a headphone and an iPod...

"What is that?" Kaoru suddenly asked, surprising her. She thought he had fallen asleep,
"It's a headphone...wanna try it?" Asuka asked,
"What's it for?" He asked,

"For listening to music," Asuka said as she puts the headphone on Kaoru's head, then she plays a song for him. She chooses a much softer song as to not surprise him.

"Whoa..!" Kaoru was quite shocked at first to listen a song coming from such a weird device, but as he listens to the song she chooses he slowly felt calm...

Asuka had chosen an instrumental song, seeing as Kaoru slowly closing his eyelids, she plugs an earphone to the IPod and listens to the song with him. Slowly, the two of them fell asleep near each other....

As the two have fallen asleep, Chizuru slowly opens her eyes...she sees Kaoru and Asuka leaning against each other as they have fallen asleep. A smile appears on her face, she's very glad that Kaoru have managed to befriend someone nice....

She hopes that she might soon be able to confront Kaoru as his little sister...,