~Prologue~

Today 2015

Loud, heavily populated, and sometimes dangerous are just a few of what some would call New York City. On this particular day, Mia, a young girl of 18 was trying to get back home after buying herself dinner. That is, if one would call 3 Big Mac's, 2 large fries, and a soft drink from McDonald's as such.

On her journey there she had to deal with an endless sea of people, who couldn't be bothered with watching where they were going. Not to mention she almost got run over by an irate, and crazy driver who she graciously flipped off. Before the driver could step out to deliver a few gestures of his own in person, Mia had already scuttled off with a smirk on her face.

"Hope he trips up the stairs..." She mumbles turning a corner. Up a couple blocks ahead was her apartment building, shabby and run down being its defining characteristics. However it was better than the orphanage she grew up in for the last 17 years. Picking up her pace, Mia made a beeline for her home was hen she notices a homeless man laying on the streets asleep. He was shivering for he only had the clothes on his back to keep him warm, and a little cup set aside for donations. Only a few coins remain inside.

Feeling sympathetic for the poor man she left a huge portion of her food to him, and shrugging off her only coat, Mia wraps it around him. His shivering seemed to settle down some, and he began to stir awake. Stuffing a french fry into her mouth, Mia quietly left hoping she at least made a difference in that man's life.

Once inside the building, she had to take 7 flights of stairs to make it to her tiny apartment. Of all the days the elevator had to be out of order. 'I needed...the exercise...anyways...' She thought to herself, already out of breath on the sixth stairwell. Pausing for a moment she puts another french fry into her mouth; the large container of fries being the only thing she saved for herself from before. When she finally made it to her tiny little abode, she collapses on the bed with a groan.

For a girl who enjoyed parkour as a means to "stylishly" travel, since she couldn't afford a car just yet. Seven flights of stairs are, and always will be her greatest enemy. "If I had more time to actually spend on working out, I wouldn't get so tired so quickly..." She mumbles burying her face into her pillow. The exhaustion took over her body, and just as she was about to fall asleep, the landlady furiously knocks on her door.

"AMIA! YOU BETTER HURRY AND PAY RENT. I NEED MONEY FOR BINGO YOU HEAR? OKAY I EXPECT TO SEE YOU TOMORROW!" The landlady, a tiny yet fierce oriental lady barks from the other side of the door. Getting no response she walks off mumbling about the troublesome youth of today.

'Ugh I totally forgot. Ms. Lee must be pretty pissed to use my full first name..' Mia thought rising from the bed to find her secret stash of money, and nearly tripping on the way there. 'I need to clean too...tomorrow.' Going over to a small shelf of books, she pulls one out and opens it to reveal it was hollow inside except save for a few dollars.

Mia cringed on the inside knowing it wasn't enough to pay her renting expenses. Sighing she stuffs the book back in its place, figuring she could persuade to give her an extension tomorrow. Shuffling back to lay on the bed, she pulls out her phone and opened up an app. "You're the reason why I'm so broke you know..." She mumbles watching Hakuoki's opening game theme flit across the scene.

A smile tugs on her lips as the Shinsengumi appears. Mia didn't have a particular favorite, she liked them all the same. From the stoic yet kind "Demon" Commander to the Cheerful and immature 8th division captain. "Kinda wish Yamazaki, Sannan, and Shinpachi had routes too..." Mia thought as their faces pass by, then with a yawn she shuts off her phone to take a small nap.

Stretching, and bringing a pillow to hug against her chest she accepts the darkness sleep had to offer. Falling, and falling deeper into it...

Until she literally fell off her bed...or so she thought. "Ow..." Mia sits up looking at the tatami floor beneath her. 'Wait a minute...my floor is not this clean...' Her gaze travels upwards until it lands on a girl who had an air of importance around her. Also noticing that wherever she was, it certainly wasn't her room anymore.

The stranger wore a lavishly made kimono, of red and white. Gold patterns of what appears to be birds travel up her sleeves. However what caught Mia's eye was not her clothes, but the ornate headdress she wore that glittered with jewels burning bright like the sun. 'Her hair reminds me of lava..' Mia thought eyeing her long, red tresses that fanned about her; a volcano personified who appears she could erupt at one small mistake.

"Well why thank you. I guess my hair looks a bit like lava doesn't it?" The girl spoke sounding flattered as a hint of a blush spreads across her face. Focusing her orange eyes on Mia, she sees her give a look of surprise. "Oh yes, sorry, I did read your mind. Bad habit, I'll try not to again."

Before Mia could stop herself, the words fell from her lips.

"What the fuck?"