Disclaimer: Hakuouki is a visual novel game by Idea Factory. (They make a bunch of cute guys! Drools. So I always look up new series just so I can stare at them~) Hakuouki then was adapted into an Anime by Studio DEEN. And today, the Anime series is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America. (I got this information from Wikipedia and I believe the information is accurate. I wouldn't know though!)

"Forever" will not keep us connected

Chapter 22

"Yuma, what's wrong?" Ren's voice echoed through the underground tunnel. Ren approached the silverhead, who leaning back against the wall of the manmade tunnel. The ceiling almost touched their heads and the path was quite narrowed, only allowing about three men to walk through at the same time.

Ren carried a torch of fire and the light revealed Yuma in the darkness. There was concern in Yuma's eyes when he slowly looked to the black eye patched man. "…I'm asking myself why Haru made us come down here," Yuma replied quietly.

"For one," Ren blinked, shrugging a bit. "She said if we hid down here, that Harada guy wouldn't be able to sense us."

"I know," Yuma looked away, narrowing his eyes to the ground. "Still…"

Chuckling, Ren raised something wrapped in a large leaf. "One of Akio's men brought rice for us to eat," Ren stated. "I already ate mine along the way here."

Yuma's eyes gazed to him once again. But he refused, "No, thank you."

"Not in the mood to eat?" Ren smirked. Not being responsive, Yuma folded his arms to his chest. "You hadn't eaten in three days… you're not worried about that girl, are you?" Yuma's fingers twitched on his arm and Ren smiled. "So, I'm right? …Did you fall of her?"

"No," he responded softly.

"Does it have something to do with your bloodline then?"

Yuma nodded, "Correct."

Ren snickered, throwing the wrapped rice to Yuma, who bothered to catch it without looking. "Yuma, you have been very absentminded," Ren had observed. "I'm sure you're thinking about her too."

With a grunt, Yuma looked to him expressionlessly. "Yes and no, however it's more about our bloodline," Yuma explained. He did not want Ren to get the wrong idea. "Don't forget, hatred runs in my blood. I do not have the will to stop it."

Enough with teasing, Ren inquired, "You're not saying you're worried about that girl because you had sexual intercourse, right?" Yuma grunted again, feeling uncomfortable. "So your family is cursed with hatred… What did you mean by that?"

Yuma gently toss the wrapped rice back to him and Ren caught it. "There's no point discussing it," he judged, closing his eyes.

"Then let me guess," Ren slightly twisted his wrist that continued to hold up the torch. "Haru had been filling us information she learned about Ayumu first. About how he had his father's power and that it may stop her if she let him live. Then she tells us your clan hated that girl's family. …As of now, I'm assuming Haru intended to make something happen between the two families. …Have you wondered how she knew about all of this?"

That was already a question Yuma found no answer to. "Yes, I have," Yuma lowered his eyes. "But…"

"And how is it that your family is cursed with hatred?"

Keeping his eyes lowered, Yuma thought for a moment. "That is something I am not certain of," he replied ruefully. "Ever since I could remember, my father would fill my mind about the past he wanted to pass onto me. …And that hatred… it's always there at the back of my mind."

Ren sighed sadly and shook his head. "Man, you guys have too much issues," he commented indifferently. There was a pause between them and Ren looked back in the direction he came from. And then his eyes went over to Yuma, who appeared to be concerned again. "…Answer me honestly this time," Ren seriously desired. He threw the wrapped rice and Yuma caught it yet again with his eyes glued to Ren's face. "Are you worried about that girl at all?"

"…Her name is Kanon," Yuma noted. And that caused Ren to laugh a bit and Yuma was confused. "Is something funny?"

"Ha, hell yeah," he smirked to the silverhead. "You actually remember her name! It caught me off guard, that's all." Yuma heaved a sigh, slightly peering to the other man. "And you avoided my question again. …You're really worried about her, aren't you? Is there a reason why?"

Yuma gave him and had to look away. "I…" he uttered quietly. "…I fear if she's bearing any child right now… because if she did… then…" Ren blinked, waiting for him to finish his sentence. "Then… she might lose her life when the child is born."

Puzzled, Ren was silent for a good few seconds. "But we don't know that," he gestured with his hand.

"The Kuromori Oni Clan are known for their strange childbearing," Yuma gritted his teeth. "If the woman is pregnant, the child inside of her takes her lifespan to grow faster than a normal rate. And when it is born… the mother dies."

"…You're kidding." Yuma glared to him and Ren backed off with a hand raised. "Okay, I believe you." There was silence again and Yuma softened his glare and returned the wrapped rice back to Ren's raised hand, who caught it. "Yuma… if that's true… this is really serious then, assuming if she is bearing your child."

"I know," Yuma breathed those words out. He moved to stand up straight and turned to face Ren. "But what if she isn't…?" He was itching to go out there and find her. Perhaps find a way to save her. Although, would she accept his help at all? After what he had done to her? Then he thought back about her shielding him against that green-eyed man. 'Maybe she…' Yuma rubbed his face with his hand.

"Feeling lovesick?"

"Ren, be quiet," Yuma glared to him yet again.

The purplehead chuckled as he played with wrapped rice by throwing it up back and forth. "Just trying to lightened up the mood," Ren smirked. Considering how Yuma used to be always so calm, Yuma now seemed irritated. He must be really anxious for that girl named Kanon. "Don't get mad if I say this, Yuma… I think I just convinced myself you really like her."

Yuma walked away and Ren blinked as he followed. "I won't love anyone," he murmured bitterly.

"Well, we're all men," Ren shrugged with a grin.

The Oni stopped walking and Ren stood by his side. "…Ren, she was talking in her sleep," Yuma sighed, his hand rubbing his face again.

"Eh?" Ren raised an eyebrow.

Yuma's chest ached and he tried to ignore it. "She was… calling another man's name that night…" he surmised.

"Ouch, that's not good," Ren backed away carefully.

Yuma's arm swung to hit him, but he only got the air since Ren already moved beforehand. "Stop talking like that," Yuma warned, his voice becoming hoarse. "No one… No one falls in love in that kind of situation."

'Clearly, he just admitted it,' Ren looked away with a blank face. He knew he should not be joking about it given that Haru made Yuma did such a despicable act. Yet, Ren was merely happy for his friend, who could possibly be in love. 'Yeah, I got a mess up mind, but what if there's a happy ending waiting for all of us at the end?' Ren visualized with hope.

As vexing as Ren was with his teasing, Yuma could not deny the fact his mind had filled with Kanon ever since that incident. He felt mostly guilt and petrified. And he denied any other feelings he had. Because there was no room for that kind of emotion.

Yuma suddenly recalled about a certain person. 'There still that person who may possibly have an answer to my question…' he told himself mentally.

"Here," Ren used the wrapped rice to nudge Yuma's shoulder. Even when Yuma's process of thoughts was disturbed, he did not respond. "Eat this. You need strength. What if Haru suddenly loses her power? We would have to be strong and take her out. Don't you think so?"

Yuma was quiet and his eyes moved as his head turned to Ren. He suddenly grasped he did not know a single thing about this human with the eye patch named Ren. And Ren was right about keeping his strength up, so he accepted it and faced him. "…Thank you, Ren," he faintly nodded as their eyes made contact.

Smiling, he patted on Yuma's shoulder three times. "You're very welcome," he said with pleasure. "I would have done the same for Hajime. …Speaking of which, I wonder how he's holding up. Flapping his wings of freedom, I bet."

Without warning, an explosion was heard and echoed in the cave. It came from where Ren had headed from and dust flew towards them. The two men covered their faces and the flame of the torch flickered, but remained lit. "What was that?" Yuma narrowed his eyes when he opened them.

Something snapped in their heads, leaving a pain behind for a few seconds. Ren touched his head and rubbed it roughly. "Ow…" he mumbled, closing one eye. "Wait a second…!"

Yuma felt in his head as well. 'Haru's released her mind control,' his eyes glared over to where the explosion occurred. The dusts were still flying around and rumblings of earth were collapsing in the distant. And then Yuma dashed forward.

Without a word, Ren chased after him, still holding the torch that was their only guiding light. They ran through the faint smokes and through the dark, straight tunnel. Yuma stopped right in his tracks and the light of the fire revealed the path blocked with dirt. Sealed off from the world.

Ren also ceased his pace and slightly stood ahead of Yuma. "…Damn her," Ren clenched his other fist on his side. "What is she up to now? Freeing us of her control and trapping us here…"

Yuma stepped forward and begun digging out with his hands. "We have to get out of here," he said, expressing concern in his voice. Ren set the torch on the ground, walking to the silverhead's side and dug with his hands as well. "She released us out of her control and blocked our way back… whatever it may be, she begun setting her next plan in action."

"I wonder what it is," Ren frowned, his nails digging the dirt.

They both knew the answer already. Haru undoubtedly had her sights on the daughter of the Time Healer. What else could it be?

'…Kanon,' Yuma gritted his teeth, clawing his way out through the rocks and dirt. That certain night would never be forgotten. He committed a horrible crime. He felt indebted to Ayumu. Thus, he would do anything to protect her. If he had to do it from the shadows, then so be it.

The other fear was: what if she was pregnant? What could he do to save her? There had never been a method to save a woman becoming a mother. Yuma never met his mother. If Kanon were with a child, that little, young life would never get to see the mother as well. The repeating history needed to be stopped.

"Ren, step back."

The purplehead looked to him and stopped digging with his bare hands. He backed away as Yuma converted into his Oni form, horns growing and his hair extending. Even his rage was rising. "Yuma?" Ren felt uneasy. But he could trust him and continued to take a few more steps.

Yuma glared, his golden eyes glowing, "I cannot allow Haru to do as she pleases. I won't let her."

[…^…]

Over on the plain field of tall grass, there was only Sanosuke and Souji with Kosuzu and Kanon. The other men had split up to keep their guard up. Sanosuke and Souji were facing in different directions whereas Kosuzu and Kanon were sitting on the ground. Over to Souji's left, there were three horses, which Ryunosuke had to teleport them when the horses were left behind because of Haru's previous attack. The event which Kyuuju was freed from her mind control.

Except, Kyou and Kyuuju mentioned they did not need horses. They were much faster than being on one anyway, they said. The other reason was to give less burdened work on Ryunosuke for they did not wish for him to teleport too much living beings at the same time.

And so, only Hajime and Saburo rode the horses out there somewhere at the moment. Although, Hajime was with Kyuuju while Saburo was with both Kyou and Ryunosuke.

"When did you guys learn how to fight?" Kanon inquired. She was sitting on her ankles while Kosuzu was combing Kanon's long brown hair with her fingers.

Only Sanosuke looked back, "Why do you ask?"

Kanon blinked and shrugged. "Since we're waiting, I thought it would be appropriate to chat," she considered with a nod to him.

A small smirk was on Souji's face when he turned around to look at her. "It's a long story," he told her.

She frowned, "So?"

Kosuzu giggled softly and smoothed Kanon's hair down, finishing with combing. "There we go," Kosuzu moved to sit beside her.

"Thanks," Kanon smiled to her, touching her hair with her left hand.

At the same time as Sanosuke looked outward to the horizon, Souji eyed Kanon's two swords, which were stolen from the bandits from before. "I'm more interested to hear about your story," Souji remarked, folding his arms to his chest. Kanon gazed to him with no expression and he added, "How did you and Ayumu learn to fight? You two only lived in a village."

"Hmm," Kanon moved her lips around, appearing to think hard when her eyes wandered off. "I… don't really remember, but a possible married couple came to our village by accident and I think the adults in the village let them stay temporally…"

Souji stared at her with confusion, wondering where she was going with it.

"And that big man of the couple was picking on Ayumu," Kanon begun to remember a bit more, tapping her chin with her finger. "I'm not even sure if it was a teacher-student bond, but that man started to teach Ayumu a few things. I got jealous and tried to learn a thing or two."

"Hehe," Kosuzu covered her mouth with her hand softly. Kanon glanced to her curiously. "That sounds like you, Kanon-chan. I hope you did not injure yourself from learning."

"Well!" Kanon pouted. "I couldn't allow Ayumu best me! So I had to train too!" And then Kanon stood up, making two fists as she glared. "But Ayumu always kicked my ass! It was so annoying! I bet Seri-chan didn't teach me everything, even if he claimed to!"

Sanosuke glanced back, "Seri-chan?"

With a bigger pout, Kanon angrily nodded, "I call him that to annoy him! And he would always hit me because of it!"

Souji chuckled, "You really didn't change much, did you?"

"Humph!" Kanon turned away to look nowhere. "So what, Souji-chan!"

That sounded out of the place. "Don't call me that," he frowned.

"I'm going to turn you into a baby anyway!" she looked over her shoulder to stick her tongue out at him. His eyebrows twitched and he held himself back. "Don't worry, you'll like it when you grow up, Souji-chan!"

Sanosuke snorted and shook his head when he turned around to see their faces properly. And then Souji countered with his lips curled up, "Ka-chan."

"Oh my god, no!" she glared. In the background, Kosuzu giggled softly. "That's a horrible nickname, Souji!" Before he attempted to say it again, Kanon plugged her ears with her fingers. "Shut up, shut up!"

Souji sneered and gazed to Sanosuke. "She really hates it," he snickered.

Amused as he was, Sanosuke averted his eyes and used his power. His golden eyes glowed and he scanned the area in his head. Narrowing his eyes, he noted, "We have company twelve miles from here."

"What kind of company?" Kanon grabbed the handle of her sword on her left.

Quietly, Souji raised an eyebrow to Sanosuke. He was simply impressed how far Sanosuke had begun to see with his power. Was he getting good at using it or was it because his power was growing from being constantly used?

"It's those group of bandits again," Sanosuke gripped on his spear, closing his eyes. "I don't see Yuma or Ren though… But we should get away from here before very few bandits fire a bullet us."

Kosuzu blinked when Kanon took her left hand and they all headed toward the horses. "What about Ryunosuke and the others?' Kosuzu worried.

"I'm sure they'll be fine," Kanon assured, tugging Kosuzu a bit. "And Ryunosuke gotten used to his power. We'll see him in no time."

"Oh, that reminds me," Souji walked along with Kanon's left. "You said your power got stronger… and we could be at least eight miles away from you? Don't you think that's a little too fast?"

Kanon sighed and gave him a serious look. "That's right, I'm a God now, okay? Stop asking stupid questions!" She still refused to tell anyone about the baby.

He frowned and she rushed ahead and dragged Kosuzu behind her. 'I don't believe you one bit,' Souji thought to himself. Either something was wrong or she really was just growing faster without any reason. But there was always a reason. And Souji simply felt troubled about the unknown.

Sanosuke continued with his power again and glared, "…Wait a sec." Everyone stopped walking, standing only a few meters from the horses, and Sanosuke's face was slowly raging with anger. "…They have Little Fukui with them."

"No!" Kosuzu gasped, her hand over her mouth.

Souji stepped toward Sanosuke, "Tsk… looks like Haru decided to play dirty by taking a child hostage."

"…What should we do?" Sanosuke rubbed his chin, a sweat running down his face. They should have asked Ryunosuke to take the Fukui family away someplace safe. They should have done that. Sanosuke wanted to blame himself for not taking cautious measures.

"Well then!" Kanon put her hands on her hips when she spoke loudly. The three of them looked at her and she gave them a thumb up with a dry look. "We'll just have to face the bandits and somehow free Little Fukui."

Souji scoffed, "Please, Kanon. Your idea would only bring him danger." There was always Ryunosuke who could help, but Souji just wanted to shut Kanon down.

"Then I'll go out alone," Kanon lightly glared to him.

"No," Sanosuke shook his head. He was not going to repeat the same plan Yumeko suggested. "I'm sure Ryunosuke and the others will be here soon. We should plan this together with them first." Kanon sighed while Kosuzu patted on her shoulder with a giggle. Sanosuke's eyes glowed again and he tracked his friends quickly. "Hajime and Amagiri are heading back… They'll be here shortly," Sanosuke notified.

Kanon snorted, "If we don't start moving, the bandits will only come closer to where we are."

"Isn't it strange though?" Kosuzu stared at her, looking confused. "How do they know we're in this direction?"

The two men glanced to the girls and Kanon shrugged. "Maybe Haru knows someone who was also healed by my clan?" she guessed.

"…That sounds like it makes sense," Souji slowly glanced to Sanosuke. The taller man nodded seriously and Souji blinked to Kanon. "Do you have any idea just how many people your clan saved back then?"

Shaking her head, she replied regretfully, "I don't know. I barely remember anything anyway. I was just a kid." Her eyes stared at the ground when she thought about Souji's question and her answer. 'Seriously, why is everything so messed up because of our cursed blood?' she let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms to her chest annoyingly.

If only Kanon could go back in time and make her great-great-great grandmother change her mind and married that Oni she was betrothed to. …But then that would mean Ayumu and her would have never been born. Was it worth it? Kanon thought so. She felt her very existence was disturbing. She felt her situation and bloodline would never end if nothing were to be done.

"Let us assume it this way then…" Sanosuke fixed his stare to his friends. "Someone might have the same power as me and knows our position. He or she could be looking at us right now." Kanon nodded before shrugging. "Damn…" Sanosuke cursed. "I should have been the one to stick with Ryunosuke. With my power and his, we could have gotten together with everyone in no time."

"Oh, that would have been a nice idea," Kosuzu nodded uneasily. Why did no one think of that?

Souji chuckled, "What's done is done. And we ought to start get a move on. And I'm sure Ibuki will bring Shiranui and Saburo here very soon." One would hope.

"I still think I should confront them alone," Kanon suggested again, raising her hand high. Before they could utter a single word, Kanon wanted to explain, "Haru only hurts the ones around me. I'm sure she has a good reason or maybe she's just a sadist. But I have to meet her and see what she wants from me." Other than reviving Kazama Chikage.

"Kanon," Souji narrowed his eyes to her.

"Also," she pointed a finger up, wearing a simple look on her face. "Remember when Haru had her mind control over Kyou? …I was there that night too. Why didn't she come to me? Again, maybe she just wanted to make me sad by taking every single person away from me. Yet, I'm sure she can't use her power on me. Plus—"

"No," Souji directed his glare to her. Kanon squinted her eyes in response and Souji turned to look the other way. He obviously disapproved anything she wanted. She probably was not thinking either.

Sanosuke rubbed the back of his head, heaving out a sigh. "Kanon-chan, I can see where you're going with this, however…"

"But you can always regroup with Ryunosuke later!" she sighed loudly into the sky. Lifting her head back down, she angrily said, "And Ryunosuke can teleport Little Fukui too! There's nothing to fear, you stupid men!" Kanon pulled out her blade with her right hand and pointed it to them annoyingly. They stared at her, dumbfounded. "Should I use force to make things go my way?"

Souji's hand touched the handle of his katana, but then Sanosuke's arm reached out to gesture him not to do anything. "Kanon-chan," Sanosuke smiled, raising an eyebrow. "This is serious. Please listen to us."

As Souji grunted, removing his hand away from his weapon, Kanon snorted, "I'm serious too." Her blade was still pointing at them and no one moved. Kosuzu was worried though because Kanon was being stubborn about this. "I'm tired of having to wait around. If I lose someone again—"

"You won't lose anyone!" Souji retorted. She glared to him and was appeared to be even more impatient. "What's wrong with you? Stop talking like you know what you're doing!"

"Souji-chan, shut up or I'll definitely run off without any of you," Kanon raised her own voice, but more evenly and maturely.

Their argument was cut off as Kosuzu reached her hand out and grabbed Kanon's other wrist that was by her side. She smiled when Kanon strangely looked to her. "I'll make sure she doesn't run off," Kosuzu smiled to the men.

Whereas Kanon tried to shake Kosuzu off, Sanosuke nodded. "Thanks, Kosuzu," he smiled back.

"Kosuzu!" Kanon whined, trying to shake her off even more. But Kosuzu's grip was as strong as a rock and Kanon just remembered she had super strength. Not only that, Kanon had been feeling rather tired and really did not want to use too much force. So, it was frustrating for her. "Aw, man…!"

Souji grinned as Kanon sighed with defeat. 'Good,' he thought to himself. This way, they did not have to make Kanon go out by herself. He would not have that either. Never. He would be too worried sick. Even Saburo would have agreed if he were here.

Oh. Souji suddenly remembered something very important and questioning. Chizuru. She was supposed to be with Hijikata, right? …Though, Amagiri Kyuuju never mentioned a word of her. Did something happen to Chizuru? Is she safe?

Not only that, there was still Nagakura Shinpachi, Toudou Heisuke and Sannan Keisuke. On the other hand, Souji did not want to raise the questions since Kyuuju was not present. Nor did Souji want Sanosuke to be disturbed since he was using his power once again. So… Souji kept his thoughts to himself.

Or maybe Sanosuke and Hajime had already asked themselves the same questions.

Too much things were happening too much at the same time. For now, they must focus with the matter at hand.

Thanks for reading!