The echoes of battle cries filled her as she felt the horse's power underneath her, the blade steady within her hand as she came up to the targets in sight. She was ready, to fight for honor and her country. She could see him not far from sight as he readied his own, charging toward the enemy as arrows flew in the air and horses flying by. It was this that she breathed for, all the training and schooling, this is what she was ready for.

She made her way down the imperial walls as she heard the diversion of the battles, she tried to ignore it as her heart sank deep within her body. Her mind wandered to the nation she had grown to love so much as her own, it was something she feared the more she saw everything fell around her. She was slowly watching as the man she knew so well turn into something she had never witnessed before, and it was breaking her heart more and more.

Shouting was all she could hear, someone was frantically trying to warn another about something, something dark and deadly yet the other wouldn't listen. That his people would be fine. The other tried so hard to warn him, yet he was ignored... and then it was too late. The dark cloud filled the air as the toxic heat covered her body in excruciating pain. She wanted to get away from it yet she was frozen as a pained screamed deafened the world around her as the mushroom clouds her last sight before her heart gave up on her.

Harper shot out of her bed with a gasp as her dreams replayed in her mind. She had seen the wars and battles of the two women, but that one was something she wasn't excepting.

"Crikey that was wicked." her gaze ventured over to her nightstand as she saw the blossom sitting there for her, waiting for her touch.

Picking up the flower, she looked at it in wonder as its image of yesterday filled her with worry instead of interest. For in its view was not him, but her. As if someone was watching her from the beach she was just at, she felt the unsettling present of someone watching her as well. She shook her head of the thought as she took in the sweet aroma once more, just to find her head swirl around back to the dark clouds. There he was, cowering on the ground and withering in pain. Gasps and moans came from him as small patches of red covered his white uniform.

She threw the flower away, her heart racing as she tried to gather her wits of the vision. The sights they always gave her were always sweet and interesting, yet as the one before was unsettling, that was downright terrifying. What on earth were they trying to show her?

Finally seeing her clock, she bolted out of her bed, remembering her deal with Mrs. Takada. Running around like a fool as she tried not to think of what would come as she graced the woman's door, ready to get the session over with.

"Almost late." Mrs. Takada shook her finger at her.

"I know, I overslept." she replied.

Mrs. Takada's eyes narrowed at her as they made their way to the woman's car. Crud, Harper knew that look. She was going to have to speak when they finally got on their way. It never failed for her, the woman was like a hardened detective and would do whatever it took to get what she wanted.

And that she did, "So more dreams?"

Harper watched as the cars drove by as she sighed at her question, "When isn't it?"

"The bigger question is women or-"

"Them, nothing else."

"You're lying."

"Ok, ok. I swear I saw the bombings."

The woman looked at her in question, trying her best to figure out what she meant. It was even hard for Harper to believe what she had seen. "Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

"Oh, those." Mrs. Takada said, her eyes looking for their exit.

"I didn't see people, more like heard it and felt the heat as someone was arguing with another." she spoke briefly as the main building rolled into sight, a single thought running her mind.

"Mrs. Takada?"

"Yes Harper?"

"Is it true the American tried to warn the Japanese what would happen?" Harper asked, the men's arguing still ringing in her head.

Mrs. Takada gave a small, saddened sigh, "There are many speculations that we American's warned the cities, the proof was sadly destroyed within the blasts to guarantee that it was true. Yet I believe we did."

"You're the daughter of a veteran of that war, didn't he know?"

"Not everything was discussed with other soldiers in the US my dear. My father was on the other side of the world, helping the English and French along with the Canadians. Yet he said they tried to warn them." she replied.

"Why didn't they listen?" she asked aloud to herself.

"That is a mystery we will never know sweetie. Alrighty, in we go. All set to start the day." the woman said holding the door open for her.

The building was vast and interesting as decor of ages covered the walls, portraits of families and history marveled her as she tried to take everything in.

"Don't make yourself dizzy there girly, get over here." Mrs. Takada laughed as she walked to her office.

Harper followed as she tried to see what else caught her eye. So many people speaking about the day and what was to follow, and the war that laid outside the land they called home. It was something she didn't like to dwell on. It was hard to believe really. The original Axis and Allies coming together and forming an alliance with one another to end the threat of Genesis, protecting the lands they call home along with so many others. Yet war was never Harper's topic of choice, she tried to avoid it mostly, wanting nothing to do with it.

"Ok Harper, as of now I have an early meeting I have to be at. If you wait here, Marie will be out to meet you soon, alright?" Mrs. Takada took her shoulders and rubbing them lightly.

"You're leaving me?"

"You'll be fine sweetie. You trekked up here from Australia all by your lonesome, you can do this little bit. I promise you're safe." the woman gave her a quick hug, just to disappear behind the large door.

She felt like a child waiting outside the Headmasters office as they discussed things with her parents. From rubbing her arms to twiddling her fingers, Harper grew anxious as the time ticked by. She was becoming more worried as her mind raced with thousands of possibilities and her memories flooding in. She felt it once more, the sickening feeling gluing to her feet and slowly reaching up to her throat. She had to get out of there, had to escape before things just got-

"Harper?" someone called out.

Following the voice, she saw a tall woman walking her way. Her pixie brown hair fit her complex perfectly as her blue eyes were warm and inviting to her. The sweet creamy floral dress she wore accented her body as the black cardigan added a flair. The woman gave a reassuring smile as she came up to her.

"Harper I presume?" she asked, holding out her hand, "I'm Marie Beilschmidt."

"Oh, ok!" Harper let out louder than she planned, "Sorry. I was a little frazzled."

"I can tell. How about we take this elsewhere, where you can relax and we can speak freely?" she gestured her hand behind her.

As she began walking back from where she came, Harper noticed more to Marie than she first thought, making her comfort in the woman grow, "Um please correct me if I'm wrong, but are you..."

"Schwanger? Ja bin ich." Marie smiled at her.

"Oh, well that explains the accent then too." Harper chuckled.

"Ja, Minnie told me a little about you. So, I would like for you to tell me more about yourself. And I have no issues if you want to ask me anything either." Marie said as they entered a small office.

"Thanks, not used to therapist being like this." she stated as she sat down at the table.

"I'm not like most." she watched as the woman sat down, letting out an exhausted sigh.

"You seem far?"

"Less than two months for this one." she replied, her hands resting on the globe of her belly, "Praying it doesn't get any bigger."

"You don't know what it is?"

"Nein, we learned our first so we thought we'd follow our friends and be surprised this time."

" So, you're already a mum?"

"Ja, a little girl and a little boy of past."

"Past?"

Marie gave a heavy sigh, "I believe this is why Minnie asked Marissa and I to help you. You see each person understands pain in many levels yet we all pull together to overcome it as one, no matter how different it is. For me was my son and drug addiction. You see, before my daughter I had a son. A sweet little boy that was my world, yet one day fate was cruel and his father took him away from me. He was still a baby and it rocked me. I vowed to never let anyone close to me pretty much, to never love again. Yet when I found my husband I gave everything a chance again. And now here I am, with an amazing husband and beautiful daughter and another one on the way."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Nein nein, don't fret it. I want you to feel open to me about anything, it's why I don't mind explaining my past to you. I'm not all business, I'm more of the friend that you need."

Harper wasn't sure of what to think, she tried to focus on things within the room to keep her grounded as her eyes found the files of her past.

"It seems you already know me."

"Papers are bullshit."

"What?" Harper wasn't prepared for that.

"You heard me. They are what people speak of in medical terms and books. Me, I want to know the real you, the one you don't have to force out just because you want away from me. I want the real Harper, not the paper file Harper."

Never had she felt like that before, this woman was treating her as an equal. Not as someone that needed pity or a destroyed mess. She was speaking with her as a friend would, and for her, it was the greatest feeling in the world. Tears pricked her eyes as the emotions of her past came flooding in. Marie handed her tissues as she moved to sit beside her, he arm wrapping her in a gentle hug.

"It's ok. Let it out, I'm here." she spoke softly to her.

"What good would it do me?" she asked as tears started to fall.

Harper felt Marie take her hand and placed it on her belly, a small tap to her hand widened her eyes as Marie softly whispered in her ear, "This is why. Any man, woman, and child can be helped if you speak. You tell me what's hurting you and I can help fifteen more girls like you, and so can Marissa, helping another twenty and so on and so forth. Every time you speak, it helps me protect little ones like this one in the future."

Harper felt the tap to her hand once more, almost a notion for her to go on. Leaning her head against Marie, she left out a quivering sigh as it all came back, "I was so damn little when it started."

Never had Harper let out her emotions so easily and fast, she never let anyone in that simply. She couldn't stop it once it began, it was as if Marie was meant to pull even the darkest secrets from within and help her.

"How do you feel now?" Marie asked as she handed her a tissue.

Harper gave a shaky sigh as she dotted her eyes, "A bit better. Still hard to relive."

"I know sweetheart I know, I've been there. To this day talking about Adrian brings everything back to me, but I must focus on what's before me now. It's a bit of a road, but with help from Marissa and I, you will get back there." Marie smiled at her.

The door slowly came open as a small child popped their head in, "Mutti, sie bitten um dich."

"Ok Adeline." Marie replied to the little blonde, standing to her feet, "Harper, why don't you come with me and talk with the others?"

"Oh, I don't want to be a hassle-"

"Nein, you're not that. We wouldn't think that. All of us women are in one room with the kids while our husbands talk. Thought you'd enjoy a little company instead of being alone for the day."

Harper looked back at the door as she saw the little girl come in, her blonde wavy curls flowed in her stride as her blue eyes looked at her as the girl gripped onto Marie.

"Aright, why not." Harper agreed.

"Gut, lass uns gehen." Marie said as Adeline ran ahead of them.

"Taking a guess that's your daughter?"

"Ja, that she is. My blondie." Marie laughed. "Sorry couldn't help myself. Love the 80's music."

Harper laughed along with her as they made their way down the hall after Adeline. Before long, they entered another office space, this time with women and children within. Adeline ran over to others as Marie motioned her to the table where the other women were seated.

"Don't mind the rowdiness of the children, it's not often they are together like this to play and be around one another. We're always back and forth between countries." Marie stated as spoke over the giggles of children.

With a nod, Harper found herself before five other women, each one smiling at her as she sat down with Marie.

"Alright girls, this is Harper. This is the young lady Minnie asked Marissa and I to help. I invited her along." Marie said.

"Nice to meet you, my sister-in-law is excited to meet you. I'm Amber by the way." the long dark haired one said, holding out her hand.

"You know Marissa then?" Harper asked as she shook Amber's hand.

"Yep. Her husband and mine are brothers." she replied.

"Oui yet they are nothing alike." the brunette said beside her, "I'm Brie. Welcome to our little slice of madness and never be afraid to ask-"

She was cut off as a blonde cut her off, "Yes, be afraid of this one. The French don't have filters for certain things. I'm Juliet darling."

"Seems someone's eyes are elsewhere." the woman with the undercut said to the other blonde.

"Net, I'm watching behavior...Alexei!" the blonde yelled.

Harper turned her gaze to the blonde boy standing by the window, pushing a pillow down on another little boy. The look on the older one screamed the annoyed older sibling while the other was the baby that wanted to be like them. Yes, Harper remembered those days.

"If you continue Lex, you will find yourself across your father's knee, do you want that?" the woman warned. The boys head shook furiously with his reply as he let the smaller one up

"Then behave." she stated to him, "Sorry about that, I've had to be on top of him as of late being so mean to Grigori. I'm Lily."

"And I'm Nora. I know better than to interrupt the mothers." the last one said.

Harper nodded to them all as they gave her the warm welcome, just for small cries to fill the room.

"Mama England is being called." Brie said as Juliet got up from her seat.

"You're face says it all." Amber giggled at Harper, "It's a little joke we have about coming from different nations, so whichever child is crying, it's the mama from that country that goes and fixes the issue."

"Mostly before papa's get involved." Lily added.

"Come now, no one has seen Ivan punish Alexei. I doubt he'll do so." Marie stated.

"All Ivan has to do is just raise his hand slightly and the boy behaves all week. That or I send him to Natalia's for the week. That straightens him up fast."

"Come on girls, don't overwhelm the poor thing. She just got here." Juliet chided them as she patted the babies back. "Daddy didn't get that burp out like he said he would."

"So how many kids do some of you have?" Harper asked.

"Most of us have two, the French have four." Amber replied.

"And planning another last I heard." Nora added.

"And you are nuts for even thinking that Brie." Juliet glared at the woman.

"What can I say, we love children." Brie shrugged.

Harper was surprised with how many there really were, the children she remembered where always loud and excited about the day, making themselves known over the adults. Yet she had to remind herself that not everything was what she had in Australia either.

A sudden knock came to the door as it opened up, showing Mrs. Takada in the hall, "Oh there you are Harper. I have someone here that needs your help. A family pet got attacked by a cat and she wants to know if he'll be ok with how she fixed him up."

"Sure, show me the animal." Harper said as she stood up.

A woman entered holding a small bird to her chest, her eyes full of worry and uncertainty, "I tried my best."

Harper held out her hands as the woman held the bird out to her. She couldn't help but gasp at the bird.

"Is it that bad?" the woman asked.

"No! No, sorry I didn't mean that. I just wasn't expecting this little guy." Harper was ecstatic.

Taking the bird, she went over to the table with the women and set it down. It's wing was covered well as it's sides were bandaged too, for what she could see, he seemed perfectly fine.

"How'd you get him?" she asked looking him over.

"We were visiting Australia and children were throwing around eggs. I was able to get the last one before it was smashed. His one leg is shorter than the other and his eye a little foggy but still a good boy." she could hear the worry in the woman's tone.

"You did excellent taking care of him. How'd you get him past customs?"

"When you are high up, you get a lot through."

Harper laughed as the little bird looked up at her. Oh, how she missed their laughs in the bush at her aunts, and hearing the children get all excited as it laughed. She could feel the little curious eyes of the little ones around her.

"You guys can come and see, he won't bite." she said aloud as the children all came running over.

They speculated over the little brown and white bird with his long beak as he looked cautiously at them.

"Do you guys know what this is?" she asked.

They all shook their heads, eyes never leaving the animal, "Well, he's a kookaburra."

"A what?" one of them asked.

"A Kookaburra. He's a native bird from Australia, and a loud one at that, especially when he laughs."

"Birds don't laugh, they tweet." the little British boy told her.

"Are you sure about that, mate?" she smiled at him.

He gave a weak nod to her, "Well then, I'll have to change that. You might want to cover the babe's ears for this."

As Juliet covered the baby's ears, Nora went and closed the doors, waiting for Harper to get the bird to laugh. With a trill of her tongue, the kookaburra stared at her and ruffled his feathers and began his iconic laughter. The loud call echoing off the walls as he continued his noise. The children shot back in excitement as he continued, the smiles contagious as they laughed and squealed at the bird. Harper saw Adeline dart for the door that came open as a blonde man came in. The little girl jumped into his arms as other men came to see the ruckus, just as the bird finally settled down.

"It's loud." she told him.

"Then you haven't heard yourself with Julia." he said walking over to Marie, "The two of you are always loud."

"Doesn't help that Julia is a carbon copy of your brother." Marie added.

"Poor Eliza." Brie laughed as a long-haired blonde joined her side.

"Dude, he's so cool. Didn't Jett bring one once?" a hyper blonde came up to her side.

"Yes, and had it go after Logan the entire time." someone replied.

"Daddy, can I have one?" the little boy beside her asked.

"No. You cause enough mayhem by yourself Thomas, no pets." his father stated as he kissed the baby's head.

She smiled as the families all came together and as the children spoke to their fathers of the bird she just had laughing.

"Alexei!" she heard a man scold, "Sidi."

Looking up she saw the boy from earlier dodge for a chair and sit quietly as his father picked up his little brother. Lily laughed at him as she shook his head at the situation as Harper picked up the bird, giving him back to his owner.

"He's perfectly fine. Just watch his wing and he should be set." she instructed.

With a final bow, the woman left as Mrs. Takada smiled at her. Harper looked back at the families within the room, feeling relaxed and comforted just to have the burning sensation of that vision hit her again. Her eyes roamed the room only to land on a man in the far corner of the doorway. The more she focused on him the harder the visions came. She was becoming weak and shaky as it was flooding her mind. She could hear someone calling her name yet she gave it no need as she fled the room. Her mind was swirling as everything from dreams to the blossoms visions plagued her eyes. It was relentless as it came again and again. Something touched her shoulder, making her past flash before her. With a startled scream, Harper saw Marie before her.

"Harper!" she gripped onto her shoulders, "Sweetheart are you alright?"

Was she? That was a question she wasn't sure she could answer anymore. She sunk down to her bottom, pulling her knees close to her as her tears fell.

"Oh Harper, it's alright. Did the men overwhelm you in there? Did one touch you, I know they wouldn't mean it, I swear it. Harper-"

"It wasn't that." she spoke through her tears. "Just tell me I'm crazy Marie, please."

"What? What for?"

"No one's ever believed me in my life cause of what I dream and see."

Marie was silent for a moment, "Explain sweetie."

"I dream of women from ancient Japanese times and wars and with it I have found blossoms afloat in the ocean that whisper to me and when I touch them they show me a man. One that I am more curious about than ever." she explained.

Harper felt her heart twinge in pain as her reality wanted to crash and burn with imagination, "And I swear to god Marie, I just saw him."