This is my first fanfiction based on 'Hakuouki'. I found the anime by accident and I couldn't help but adore it. Yes, it was sad, but also wonderfully made and the fact that it was based on real historical events and real warriors, only made me love it more.

Head-canon and Post-canon (from Hakuouki Sekkaroku and Hakuouki Movie 2 – Shikon Soukyuu)

Disclaimer: I don't own Hakuouki. I own the title and the plot of this story. Also I don't own the cover image; I found it on the Internet so the credit goes to the original artist! This is non-profit story and I'm not making any money from it.

Chapter 1 – Falling Snow

Kazama's P.O.V.

I opened the door and walked down Shimabara's small corridor, searching for an empty room. Taking a look around, I noticed that nothing had changed in my four years of absence – the place looked as if it hasn't passed a day. The same applied to the people that worked here; a group of nobodies who pretend to be loyalists.

Demons had no business with humans, and since the debt of honor – that wasn't even mine – was fully paid off, I actually had no real reason for visiting Kyoto again. However, it couldn't hurt to pay a visit once in a while, even though I had planned to never come back.

I was feeling the coldness of the atmosphere getting stronger; no doubt the city would be covered with snow soon, since autumn had passed fully into winter a few weeks ago. I raised my head up at the dark sky. A crescent moon was shining bright surrounded by thousands of stars. The clouds were moving softly, drifting with the winds, making them look like they were caressing the starry sky.

A cold breeze blew, making the fallen leaves in the yard dance in an irregular rhythm, but completely in tune with nature. Looking up, my eyes caught a movement; like a dance routine between the night and the winter, as a snowflake succumbed to the laws of nature. Soon more followed and before I realized it, the snowfall had already begun.

I reached the edge of the corridor and I trailed my eyes over the city around me; it was as beautiful as always.

I took a deep breath, emptying my mind for a second. It was the same old story which never ceased to be repeated, no matter how many years passed. The humans were foolish creatures, but not totally useless; while they possessed the ability to create wonderful things together, they fought recklessly and tried to destroy whatever beauties they made.

"How foolish…," I muttered to myself as I closed my eyes, allowing a soft yet bitter smile.

However the smile only lasted for a moment, because in the next one I was alarmed. I turned around taking a fighting stance; my hand was near the place where I kept my sword, even though weapons weren't allowed inside Shimabara. Seeing who was there, I smirked, leaving my guards down.

She was in front of me, a confused expression on her face.

"Kazama?!" she exclaimed, clearly surprised to see me there.

Unlike her, I wasn't surprised at all; seeing her there, being followed by her loyal guardian.

"Sen-hime," I called, giving her sometime to overcome her shock.

Her expression changed into a more suspicious one. "What are you doing here, Kazama?" she asked with a hint of threat in her voice.

Her tone didn't pass unnoticed by Kimigiku as well, and even under the dashing geisha's perfect calm I could sense her getting ready for battle. Useless, as I had no intentions of hurting Sen-hime. However, her interruption tonight was unexpected, yet not totally irritating. Looking upon her determination, I could honesty say it was rather welcome and, in a more appropriate environment, I could consider answering it.

I walked in her direction, but passed by her, heading to the empty room behind her.

"Bring some sake to this room." It was more of an order than a request.

"What?" Sen-hime asked, turning to follow me. "Kazama, are you listening?"

It wasn't easy to not hear her, however it was up to me to decide how, or when, I would choose to give her my answer or not.

"Hurry it up. Aren't you pretending to be a geisha who works in this place tonight? Act like one then."

I saw her frowning, irritated at me daring to reveal her plans, but Kimigiku hurried to obey and avoided saying more about it. Soon I found myself relaxing, with company to talk with, while being served warm sake. I was feeling Sen-hime getting even more impatient, as I was enjoying myself. At her end, she couldn't wait any longer.

"Kazama." She stared, "What are you doing in Kyoto these days?"

I didn't answer, as I drank my sake, slowly.

"What business do you have with humans now? You owe them nothing," Sen-hime continued, getting serious.

This time I lifted my head to look upon her, holding a sigh, "As you said, I owe them nothing," I repeated her words. I extended my cup to her guardian to refill.

"So, why you are here?"

I tilted my head slightly, looking straight in her eyes.

"If I told you that I was simply passing by the capital and stopped to enjoying myself a little, would it be enough to satisfy your curiosity?"

Sen-hime's reaction didn't surprise me. And, of course, judging by the way she looked at me, my answer didn't satisfy her at all. Sometimes the truth sounds more ridiculous than a lie.

"Kazama Chikage!" Sen-hime snapped, looking at me sternly, "You really want me to believe that you made the journey all the way from the West to Kyoto just to enjoy the fun the capital can provide?"

I took another sip. "I didn't come from the West and I plan to be gone from here in a week's time," was all I said to her.

"Then why… Wait!" she was about to say something then her tone changed completely and somehow intrigued me. "Don't tell me you're still after Chizuru-chan?!"

I was ready to take another sip, but the mention of the name froze my hand an inch away from my lips. However, I quickly recovered and drank the sake at once.

"I'm done with Yukimura Chizuru," I announced emotionlessly, however, I wasn't believed, again.

"What are you telling me, Kazama? That suddenly you stopped being interested in Chizuru-chan? Please find a better excuse."

"My princess?!" Kimigiku swapped, warning her not to cross the line.

"You don't believe me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes angrily. "Don't confuse me and a human; I am not so lowly, lying so easily and making up excuses."

Sen-hime, lowered her head slightly.

"I'm sorry, but it's hard to believe that you're done with Chizuru-chan, especially after you explained your reason for being after her in the first place. What happened to change your mind?"

"Yukimura Chizuru is indeed a female demon from the main family. That alone makes her special and very valuable," I stated the truth.

I noticed a hint of sadness in her eyes. I took another sip of sake, ignoring her. My memories traveled a year back, to the time I spent with Chizuru, when I asked her to stay with me, but she chose to go after another man. At that point, even though I had developed some actual feelings for her, I let her run away. And that man, no matter the circumstances, won my respect, making me acknowledge him as an equal. How strange, yet absolutely true; I, Kazama Chikage, head of the Kazama family, demon from the West, acknowledge a Rasetsu as a true demon – as one of us. Hijikata Toshizu proved to me by his will, and the way he chose to live his life, that he was worthy enough to have someone like Yukimura Chizuru.

I took a deep breath and, with a quick movement, I emptied my cup. Sen-hime stared at me, still waiting for my answer.

"Well?"

I looked down at her. "Yukimura Chizuru has nothing to fear from me. I have no ambitions, as far as she is concerned; she is free to live her life as she wants," I announced and got ready to get up.

Her eyes widened a bit in surprise. I walked to the door, but just as I was about to open it, Sen-hime rose too.

"I don't understand; what has changed your mind, Kazama? Protecting your bloodline was always your priority, even at the expense of your own feelings," she said, and I had to give it to her… she had a good memory. "If it wasn't impossible, I'd think you'd found another female demon. What changed your wishes so much?"

It was natural for her to be confused, but I wasn't obligated to give any further explanations.

I turned to face her, saying, "Situations change, even if wishes don't."

I didn't stay to hear her comment, or her next question, as I disappeared into the night.

"Hakuouki…" I murmured, and my whisper flew away and was covered up by the falling snow, "I hope you take a good care of her…"

I want to give special thanks to all my betas.

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