A/N: Seems like someone has finally finished writing her plot summaries!

Fast, uneven footsteps were heard from the corridor leading to the assembly room of the headquarters. The captains have just finished their regular conference and were just idly waiting for the dinner call time when the door of the room was forcibly opened with a bang. Everyone looked up from their conversation and saw Akane standing at the threshold, panting and red-faced. Some tendrils of her hair have come undone and she was looking at the floor with both a serious and bewildered look.

'Akane? Is something wrong?' Heisuke, who was closest to the door asked. Akane continued staring with a dazed expression on her face. After a full half-minute, she finally sat on the floor with her head bowed.

'Hey, are you sick? You look flushed,' Shinpachi peered at the girl's face concernedly. When she did not answer, he hesitantly poked her on the arm.

'Akane? Woohoo...'

The girl slowly moved her head up and then down.

'Yes…you're okay…?'

Her head then changed directions midway and started turning side by side.

'No…?'

All of a sudden, she looked up and stared at the wall ahead. Heisuke and Shinpachi both jumped a little on their seats. Akane looked to her left and gazed at Heisuke. Then, out of nowhere, her lips curled into a mischievous smile and she gave a soft giggle.

Souji watched the little scene in front of him, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. She seemed to be acting strange tonight. His eyes followed her as she slowly moved forward and leaned towards the eighth unit captain who has slightly leaned back on his seat. The others were also looking at her silently as if afraid of making any noise that can snap her out of her daze.

'Um…Akane,' Heisuke muttered, feeling a little uneasy now. The girl's smile merely widened. There was some emotion playing on her eyes that he can't identify.

'Heisuke-kun…'she murmured breathily.

'Y-Yes?'

Akane fluttered her eyes and sighed.

'I like you.'

Everything went still for a few seconds.

'W-WHAT?!'

8 hours earlier:

Akane wiped the sweat off her forehead with her sleeve and sighed. She felt a little hot after sweeping the expansive yard of the headquarters for almost three hours straight. It is late spring and she got fascinated by the rich colors of the yard so she volunteered to help tidy it up after her morning practice with Saitou. It has taken her the whole morning to do the task and would have gladly worked more if not for Shinpachi calling her for lunch already.

She returned the broom to the small cupboard behind the kitchen and proceeded to the well beside it to wash her hands. Then she dusted her hakama and started walking towards the dining area. She was just a few steps away from the turn of the corridor when she heard Heisuke shouting. His voice sounded strained and a little more high-pitched than usual. She started sprinting to see what was happening. When she finally turned the hallway, she saw him, Shinpachi, and Okita standing just outside the door of the dining room. Shinpachi was scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Okita looked amused, and Heisuke seemed to be just an inch from dying from fright. She knew that expression. There was only one person who can do that to him.

Could it be…

Before she can even finish thinking of her name, a girl's head poked from inside the room. The young woman's eyes rounded in glee and she let a small squeal escape her lips. A moment later, she was flying towards her.

'Akane! Akane! Akane!'

Akane nearly fell back as the girl glomped her. She felt her arms circle her neck and her body being rocked as the brunette started jumping up and down excitedly.

'S-Sakura, what are you doing here?' she gasped her words out, placed her hands on the other girl's shoulders and slightly pushed her back. She regarded her at an arm's length a little cautiously.

'I visited you! It's been a while since I last saw you!' she said. Then her eyes suddenly roamed her surroundings. 'This place is so beautiful! Who would have thought that some old men are living here?' she gushed, her hazel brown eyes sparkling brightly.

'Hey, who are you calling old?' Shinpachi called out from behind. Sakura ignored him and took hold of Akane's shoulders. Then she looked at her up and down.

'You're still wearing these clothes? But you're beautiful as a maiko! I don't understand why they have to force you to disguise as a boy! They are so mean, not even allowing you to wear a proper yukata,' the girl pouted a little. 'Can't they afford to buy one?'

Souji gave a short amused laugh at her words.

'Wow, this girl is so rude it's almost unbelievable,' he said, grinning.

Akane's attention was suddenly pulled to the door of the dining room when she heard an angry voice call out Heisuke's name from inside it. The poor boy almost jumped a foot and looked at someone inside helplessly.

'I told you Hijikata-san, I did not invite her!'

'You take care of this! Our lunch is already chaotic enough with you and Shinpachi here!'

Heisuke moaned and looked at the two girls in front of him.

'Hey, Sakura! Go home! Please go home!' he moaned pitifully.

Sakura slowly turned her head towards him, a deadly, almost manic smile on her lips.

'I came here to visit you and Akane. What's so wrong about that?'

The eighth division captain ruffled his hair with both hands and gave a frustrated growl. Then he looked at Akane who nearly drew back at the helpless look on his eyes.

'Akane, please…I want to eat lunch today…' he moaned. He even clasped both his hands in front of him for added drama.

'Ah…uhm…Sakura, maybe we can just meet later?' she stuttered. Her words died in her throat though when she saw the other girl's face fall.

'I'm disturbing you, aren't I? I'm sorry, I guess I should just wait for you to come by the restaurant again. I'm just feeling a little down lately and you're the only friend I have…' she looked at the floor, her hyper mood extinguished in an instant. Akane thought she even saw tears briefly shine in her eyes.

Akane inwardly groaned and berated herself guiltily. Her eyes moved from the brown pair of eyes that look so downcast and the blue ones which were staring at her helplessly. Finally, she sighed.

'How about I come with you and we can eat lunch together?'

Sakura's face lit up in a span of half a second. She grasped her hands together and resumed jumping up and down again.

'That would be fantastic! Let's eat at our restaurant! My mother is serving her special ramen today. We'll have a girl to girl talk! I'm so excited!'

Akane nodded fervently then looked at the three men who were still standing outside the door of the dining room. She raised her eyebrows to silently ask for permission. Shinpachi nodded a little too enthusiastically and Okita made a playful, shooing motion with his hand. Heisuke's shoulders slumped in relief and mouthed thank you to her.

Sakura turned her head back to the men in the hallway.

'I'll take her out for a while, okay? She'll be home by dinner time!' she started pulling Akane down the steps. From the hall, they heard Souji call out.

'Bring her back in one piece!'

Sakura only grinned at him. She tugged harder, eliciting a small yelp of panic and surprise from the other girl. Then they were out of the gates and on to the road leading them to town.

Sakura carefully put down the tray of sake bottles on the floor. Akane smiled at her before looking around her once more. They have just finished eating their late afternoon snack and were currently in Sakura's room. The girl had sweet talked her way to her parents about letting them have a few drinks after their meal. Akane, of course, tried to decline the offer but Sakura simply waved her off saying that their first ever get together deserves a celebration. She finally conceded after seeing the brunette look so happy bustling around and arranging things for her.

Just like that day when she helped her with her maiko attire, Akane felt awkward talking to Sakure at first because of her hyperactive moods. She immediately warmed up to her though and in no time, they were laughing together like old friends. She's just the type who can affect even the glummest of people with her sunny disposition.

'Here, you get the first drink,' the girl offered her a cup which she took a little reluctantly. Akane closed her eyes as she drank and felt the liquid warm up her throat. Sakura clapped her hands and poured herself her share. She coughed a little after drinking and made a face. The two girls looked at each other then giggled in unison.

'I'm really happy that you're here, Akane. We just moved to Kyoto a couple of months ago and I didn't have the time to go out and mingle until recently so I don't know a lot of people around here. You're the closest to a friend I have so sorry if I'm always popping around randomly,' Sakura looked at her sheepishly before turning her attention back to the drinks in front of her.

She felt herself smile. A warm, happy feeling spread in her chest as she watched the girl happily bustling around.

'No problem. I'm happy I've met you too. It's hard disguising as a boy after all. At least with you, I can be myself,' she answered. Lately, everything seems to be going well for her. If not for the support of the people around her, she would have already descended to hysteria with the continuing problem with Rika and Suzume. Everyone is treating her better than what she originally expected and they more than helped in making things easier for her.

'So, who among the captains is your lover anyway?'

Akane was suddenly and forcibly yanked away from her solemn internalization and she sputtered and choked in her cup.

'W-what?' she gasped at Sakura and wiped the drops from her face that she accidentally let out in such an unladylike manner.

The girl merely looked at her with a knowing look on her face that made her extremely uncomfortable. Her mouth quirked on the corners and Akane felt herself blush furiously.

'You're surrounded by strong, ruggedly handsome men who wield swords 24 hours a day. Don't tell me not one of them has caught your eye,' Sakura leaned towards her and wriggled her index finger at her face. Akane leaned back . She felt her face burning.

'I don't know what you're talking about,' she stuttered.

'Come on, Akane. I want to know. That's partly the reason why I kidnapped you today. They may not be that popular in a good way around here and I may be new in town but I'm pretty much aware of their effect on some of the women in town. I mean, those looks! You can look at them and not feel hungry and thirsty for a day. They look THAT delicious to the eyes!'

Akane fidgeted on her seat and drummed her fingers awkwardly against her cup.

'Well, I guess, they're good looking,' she mumbled.

'So. Can you tell me some things about them? Like who has the best body or who looks best after waking up? Hey, have you seen any of them give bedroom eyes?'

'Sakura!' Akane groaned at her, completely scandalized.

The girl sighed and went back to her seat.

'You're so innocent,' she shook her head hopelessly. Then suddenly, she smiled again. 'Is it Shinpachi? You like him don't you?' she asked coyly.

Akane shook her head fervently. 'No!'

Sakura's face fell then squinted her eyes at her as if trying to figure her out. She suddenly clapped her hands excitedly.

'I know! Let's play a game!'

'G-game?' Akane looked at the girl in front of her warily. Somehow, she felt as if any game concocted by her can be life threatening.

'Okay, okay, we'll do it like this. I will mention a name and you will tell me what you think of the person okay? You can answer in one word if you want but you are not allowed to pass! After every name, we will drink!'

'That sounds dangerous, Sakura,' Akane eyed the bottles of sake between them cautiously.

'Oh, come on, Akane-chan, please? It will be fun!'

'But why am I the only one who should answer?'

'You can ask me questions next! It's your turn first.'

Akane looked at the eager face in front of her and sighed after a while. Who can deny someone with that kind of expression? She looked so eager and excited it seemed like a mortal sin to say no to her.

'Fine, fine.'

Sakura gave a girly squeal and poured some sake in both their cups.

'Ready to start?'

Akane nodded weakly. The brunette grinned at her and heaved a deep breath. She braced herself.

'Shinpachi.'

'Brother,' she answered and the two girls both drank at the same time. Sakura immediately filled their cups again.

'Vice-captain Hijikata.'

'Capable.'

'Captain Kondou.'

'Father,' she said with a small smile on her face.

'Saitou.'

'Role model and guide.'

'Heisuke.'

Akane looked up before answering and saw Sakura with a nervous look on her face. The anxious look in her eyes suddenly made her realize one of the reasons why her friend wanted to know so much about what she thinks of the men. She smiled at her knowingly.

'Friend,' she said. Sakura's shoulders relaxed in relief and she smiled at her shyly.

'Okay, how about the guy they call Sannan?'

'Clever.'

'Harada.'

'Best friend.'

'Okita.'

Akane opened her mouth then immediately closed it again after realizing that she doesn't have any answer to say at all. She knitted her brows. Is he a friend? With all the teasing and fighting they are doing, she knew without a doubt that their relationship doesn't fall in the category of normal friendship. Are they enemies? Not really. He had shown her kindness countless of times already and even saved her one time.

So what are they?

Akane felt suddenly aware of the eyes of the girl in front of her boring into her face. She was suddenly shook from her reverie when she noticed Sakura's lips quirk in that strange, knowing smile of hers again.

'Uh…confusing,' she finally muttered and drank. For the first time that night, she relished the warm flow of the alcohol as it warmed her body. It somehow took her mind a little off her obvious blushing.

'What?' Sakura's smile merely widened at her answer.

'Confusing. He's confusing.'

'Is he a confusing person or you feel confused about him?' the girl pressed on. Her eyes were shining with something she couldn't quite place.

'Huh?' Akane blinked up at her. She tried reaching for the closest jug of sake near her but her sudden movement made her vision spin. She realized how dizzy she was already.

'Is he a confusing person or do you feel confused about him?' Sakura repeated patiently.

'Oh. Um. Both.'

She didn't know what's wrong with her answer but it made the other girl in front of her smile wider that she had ever done that day.

'I see,' Sakura leaned back after pouring sake in both their cups. Akane's vision were starting to slowly blur in the edges but Sakura's knowing look still clearly registered to her. She looked like someone who just discovered something big and grand. Her head felt light and she felt suddenly carefree. Her friend nodded her head eagerly at her, egging her to continue.

Akane sighed. There is no way she'll let her out of this, won't she?

'He confuses me. Sometimes he' teasing me so bad and there are other moments when he's so kind and gentle. It's really strange,' she threw back her head and drank the sake at one go. 'There was even this moment when he said I belong to him,' she decided to add. She knew the alcohol was making her more talkative and open than usual but in that moment, she just didn't care.

It took Sakura everything not to jump on her seat right then and there. She knew that any sudden movement can make her friend conscious of what she's doing and break her talkative mood.

'Really? He said that? And what was your reaction?' she asked, barely able to keep the excitement in her voice.

She watched as Akane inclined her head a little on the side as if contemplating something.

'I don't know. I got confused. I always get confused with him. I start with one emotion but always end up confused afterwards.'

'Hm…I see. You didn't feel angry at all at what he said?'

Akane shook her head.

'How did you feel about what he said then?' Sakura asked softly, a small smile playing on her lips.

Akane looked down at her cup as if contemplating. Then she smiled. Her eyes looked gentle despite of the obvious haze in them.

'Safe. I felt safe.'

'Heisuke-kun. I like you.'

Heisuke scrambled back towards the far wall, his face bright red, as Akane continued to slowly approach him. Around him, the other captains were also dumbstruck and have been rendered immobile in their positions. The boy squeaked in fear as he felt the wall hit his back and gaped at the girl still slowly crawling towards him.

'Shinpatsu-san…' he called weakly at the man across from him. Shinpachi, however, just continued gaping at Akane as if it is his first time seeing her.

'Heisuke-kun,' his attention was brought back to the person in front of him in an instant. Heisuke could almost feel his heart on his throat as he stared at the girl who is close enough to grab him now. Her hair was messy, her cheeks were red, and her lips were parted. He gulped before forcing an answer out.

'Y-Yes, Akane-chan?'

Akane leaned his head a little to the left as if regarding a strange creature she saw for the first time. Then she suddenly smiled at the boy in front of him.

'Please take care of me tonight,' she whispered before reaching out for him.

Before she can touch him though, a hand held her back using the collar of her kimono. Akane looked back and saw a thunderous looking yet smiling Okita holding her. She frowned at him. In front of her, she heard Heisuke make a strange choking sound before collapsing into a coughing fit. Then in a flash, she felt a strong pair of arms go around her back and the back of her knees and her body being lifted off the ground. She squinted her eyes and looked at the face of the man hovering above her. She tried asking what was going on but her tongue seemed to have lost its coordination with her brain and all that came out of her was a jumble of slurred words.

'You're drunk. You have to go and sleep before you do or say something more that you will regret tomorrow,' Okita gave her a sweet smile that reminded her of something venomous.

Akane blankly noted the shoji doors of the room opening and the familiar walls of the corridor passing by. After a while, she saw another set of shoji doors opening and felt her body being lowered to the ground. She sighed as she felt her body sink on something soft.

'What do you think you're doing? Getting drunk like this. I sure hope Sakura helped you go home tonight or I'll kill her,' he heard Okita growl somewhere beside her.

'Why…angry…'

'What?'

'What are…Why are you angry…'

'Because you're acting like a silly child,' he glared at her. 'If you know you can't handle your alcohol well, then don't over drink and make a commotion. Leave that to the guys,' he said to her heatedly. Seeing her like this made him uncomfortable and irritated especially with the scene she made in the dining room. Akane, however, merely looked at him in confusion. After a while, she yawned.

Souji's anger and worry immediately evaporated at the sight. She looked so small and fragile and innocent. Akane moved to her side, facing him, and placed her hands under her cheek looking ready to sleep.

'You're not Heisuke…' he heard her mutter softly, her words still slurred. His smile faded.

'I'm not. Do you really want me to go get him?' he asked in a low voice.

Akane seemed to think about it for a while. Then she reached out for his hand and cuddled it to her face like a pillow. She smiled.

'Iss okay. You're warm anyway,' she said softly, sighed again, then smiled at him. After a while, her eyelids fluttered shut.

Souji felt rooted on the spot as the feeling of her warm cheek registered against the palm of his hand. Her breathing has become long and deep and it tickled his skin. She's probably very drunk to be able to fall asleep this fast, he thought. He found himself smiling down at her peaceful face after a while.

'Good. Because I can already take care of you well enough,' he murmured.

'Akane? Akane. Look at me child.'

Akane opened her eyes and looked around. She doesn't have any idea where she is or what she's doing. Everywhere around her is dark except for the bright circle of light that she's standing on. She knew she should feel afraid but her emotions seemed to be travelling slowly in her body at the moment.

Where am I? What is this place? Am I dreaming?

She whipped around when she heard a musical sigh from beyond the darkness.

'Yes. You're dreaming.'

'Who are you?' she called out.

In front of her, a dot of light suddenly appeared in the dark where the floor should have been. It became larger and larger until it finally reached the same size of the spotlight she was standing on. Akane squinted at it. Thin, flimsy wisps of light started swirling on the area above it, like barely visible gusts of wind whirling together at the start of a hurricane. The wisps swirled and reeled, swirled and reeled until it coagulated into a big mass. Akane watched in awe as the shape lengthened and widened until it finally took solid form. The form pulsed brighter and brighter until the light was too much for her and she had no choice but to close her eyes and shield them with her arm.

'Open your eyes, child.'

Akane started at the soft voice and raised her head up in surprise. She has heard that voice somewhere before. She wasn't able to mull over it enough, however, with the sight that welcomed her eyes. There, in front of her, also standing in a spotlight, was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her hair was white, reaching her ankles and pooling off gracefully around her bare feet. She was wearing a white kimono as dazzling as the rays of sun that seemed to pulse under her gaze as if it was alive. What really took her attention, however, is the face of the lady. She is both angel and siren. She had the pure innocence of a child and the blinding attractiveness and femininity of a grown young woman. Her eyes were like molten gold and her lips were red.

'Who are you?' Akane found herself whispering. Somehow, she felt as if she is not allowed to speak any louder in her presence. The woman in front of her smiled kindly at her.

'I'm Hanae. The Great Demon of the Light. I am she who is part of the one half that started the great race of onis. It is my blood that flows in the veins of our kind,' the woman stopped and regarded her silently for a moment. 'It is my blood that flows in you.'

Akane simply stared at her and tried to process her words. She knew she was in a dream because of the bizarreness of things but somehow, she also knew that whatever she is experiencing has a hold on reality.

'Why am I here?' she asked.

The woman simply looked at her solemnly. The look in her eyes was so intense and deep Akane almost felt choked by it. It was sadness displayed in her golden orbs. Pure, unfathomable sadness.

'I hope you forgive me,' the woman finally said.

She started at her words. She wasn't expecting that.

'For what?'

Silence.

'For taking you away from your world and bringing you here.'

Akane gasped and took a step back in surprise. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the woman in front of her.

'You…You're the one who brought me here?'

The woman just continued gazing at her with sorrowful eyes. She tried to move forward to get closer to her but she felt her body stopped by an invisible barrier that prevented her from taking another step outside the circle of light she was standing on.

'Why? Where are my friends? Are they alive?' she shouted at her desperately.

'You're needed here, Akane.'

'Rika and Suzume! Please tell me they are still alive!' she beat her hands against the invisible barrier. Tears have started flowing from her eyes, staining her cheeks with salty streaks. She felt scared and desperate. She needed answers. She needed to know something, anything, about her friends. To her horror, the woman's form started to slowly fade away, her light slowly evaporating in the vacuum. Akane beat her hands harder against the shield and tried to shout but realized helplessly that her voice was also suddenly gone. She slowly dropped to the ground as the last wisp of light dissolved in the air. The last she heard before she woke up were the words whispered to her from beyond the darkness again and again until she resurfaced from her slumber.

'I'm sorry child. But this where your real pain starts. Be strong.'

Akane woke up with a start. She was panting and was drenched in sweat as if she ran a marathon. Her heart was beating fast and there was something streaming on the sides of her face.

Tears.

She closed her eyes to calm herself and was not surprised at all as scenes and words from her dreams flashed vividly on her mind. She knew it was real. She felt shivers slowly build up from the base of her spine and move up to the back of her neck as she remembered her words.

But this is where your real pain starts.

Akane stretched her arm to clutch on something to relieve the emotions that were currently racking her body when she felt something silky and soft touch the tips of her fingers. She opened her eyes and moved her head to the side. There, beside her futon is a single red rose with a roll of paper tied to its thorny stem. Akane stared at it for a while, contemplating if she was really looking at a lovely flower or just hallucinating. Finally, she pushed herself off her bed and gingerly touched her head. She had a killer headache. She reached for the flower, rolled the stem a little between her index and thumb, and untied the roll of paper.

With her sight still a little blurred from sleep and the pain in her head, it took her a while to finally read the handwriting on the paper. When the words finally registered to her, she felt her heart stop.

Your friends are such beautiful ladies. Come find me if you don't want that beauty wasted.

Akane felt a pounding in her head that throbbed painfully in time with her beating heart. Rika and Suzume. They are alive. And they are with him.

They are in danger.

She was suddenly brought back to reality when he heard the strangled voice of a man from somewhere in the house. It took her by surprise so much that she unconsciously tightened her hold on the thorny stem of the flower. Akane felt a faint pain on her index finger as it got pricked and saw a drop of blood blossom from her skin and trickle down to the parchment. Then, the voice suddenly registered to her awareness. She knew that timbre.

She stood up in a hurry, grabbed her robe, and dashed out of her room.

When Akane reached the meeting room, everyone looked like a mess. Hijikata looked beyond angry and worried. His hands were balled into fists on his lap. Sannan looked shocked. Harada was staring at the two, pale-faced. What grabbed her full attention; however, were the three men in the middle of the room. Shinpachi and Heisuke wore similar stunned expressions and were fighting to hold down a struggling and manic looking Okita. His green eyes were flashing with so many emotions that both made her scared and worried about him. He was staring at something on the floor, his teeth gritted in fury.

Akane followed his gaze and saw an opened box near Hijikata. Beside it was what looked like a thick twig around 4 inches long. She squinted at it to steady her vision.

And felt her heart stopping for a few heartbeats for the second time that morning.

It was finger. A human finger.

Before she can even open her mouth, Heisuke spotted her and answered her silent question with a weak voice.

'Kondou-san. He has been kidnapped.'