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!)

Author's note: Okay, it's time for a confession (since my two fanfiction friends know this). 8D On FanFiction, my other pen name is "waremono Iv" BUT with a 'period' between 'waremono' and 'Iv' (no spaces or whatsoever) because I think fanfiction detect it as some kind of link or something. So yeah, I have two fanfiction accounts.

One reason why I have another account, to run from the readers once and a while. XD So that they don't know I am getting lazy or doing something else, which I try not to. :3

That is all.

Oh wait, another thing. I have a 'collaborate' fanfiction account as well. With my sisters, though it's mostly just me. I will mention this on another day. XD If I ever feel like it.

Enjoy reading!

"Forever" will not keep us connected

Chapter 32

Shut up, Kanon! You're annoying!

Kanon, stop sharing your food with me.

Why are you smiling for, Kanon?

Who named you 'Kanon?'

Kanon.

"Lady Haru?"

Gradually, her eyes opened. Haru found herself sitting by a tree outside in an deserted, small street. The sunlight beamed through the branches and leaves. Lifting up her view, she saw Momoko and Kiko standing in front of her, hands clasped in front of them.

'Oh, you two are here,' Haru smiled, fixing her blond hair from the wind. She woke up from a strange dream and tried to be collected about it. Yet, her heart yearned for what it was about.

Momoko moved to sit by Haru and giggled. "Can Kiko and I run off to play?" the pink-eyed girl grinned.

Nodding, Haru used her power to reply, 'Of course. This is your only break you'll get.'

Chuckling, Kiko stood where she was. "Lady Haru, yesterday, Yuma had taken Kanon," she informed. "Though Kanon had not woken yet, Yuma seemed to be searching for Kuroro."

There was silence from Haru, whose eyes stared at the ground. And then the girls heard her questioned, 'Who is Kanon?'

The two young women stared blankly for a moment. Momoko then seemed shocked while Kiko smiled sadly. "Lady Haru," Kiko closed her eyes. "Kanon is the key to your happiness. Our happiness. Everyone's."

Haru seemed confused and looked to Momoko, who struggled to smile. 'Oh… I see,' Haru realized, feeling lightheaded. She had forgotten about a certain part of something, but she recollected the reason why she could not seem to recall Kanon's face. Without further due, Haru stood up, but Momoko quickly helped her to her feet. 'Then I guess this would mean Kuroro will lead Yuma and… Kanon here?'

"Yeah," Momoko lightly nodded.

'Alright then,' Haru walked off by herself. Her eyebrow furrowed, still puzzled as there was a heavy feeling in her chest. 'I must go back to Chizuru and Shinpachi. You two can go and play for a while. I'll call you when Kuroro have news.'

While Momoko walked to stand with Kiko, they watched Haru return to her friends a mile from here. Edo was peaceful and people's voices were in the distance. When Haru was gone from sight, the two young women both let out a tired sigh.

"So…" Momoko tugged Kiko's sleeve. "The ones Lady Haru loves the most, she forgets them first, is that right?"

Barely nodded, Kiko murmured, "The cursed power of the human clan with the Oni blood… is truly horrifying."

"Lucky that Haru is an Oni, the effect of the curse works much slower," Momoko looked to where Haru had disappeared. Touching her chest, Momoko felt terrified and her eyes wavered at a thought. "But on a human… the curse works its way much faster… Will Souji be okay, even if he's an Hakuouki?"

Kiko closed her eyes and breathed in. Smiling, she now gave Momoko and gentle look. "Do not think too much," she told the girl with the pink eyes. "Right now, it is the only time we are able to relax. Shall we go, Momoko?"

She tried to smile, desiring for their free time. Taking the yellow-eyed girl's hand, she giggled, "Let's go and eat some sweets, Kiko!"

With a soft chuckle, Momoko lead the way and Kiko did her best to keep up as they entered the marketplace crowded with people of Edo.

'Ayumu-kun, I hope Kanon will still be alive after all of this,' Kiko secretly thought as if she was being burden by an unknown force. Haru's wish, Kiko would see through all of it with Momoko by her side.

[…^…]

From a deep slumber, Little Fukui opened his eyes. His body felt extremely exhausted and all he could move was his eyes. As he got his mind to work, the last thing he recalled was when the strange men took him away in front of his grandfather's eyes. His parents must be worried by now. But how long has it been?

And there was that time when he was shot from behind. He winced when he clearly remember the pain.

The child was able to get some of his strength back and turned his head to the right when he heard a soft mutter. Slowly recognizing the face, Little Fukui called, "Souji?" But his voice was so weak, not even a mouse would hear him. Souji was holding his katana as it leaned on his right shoulder.

"Ka…non…" As if in pain, Souji was mumbling. Little Fukui remembered her face too and blinked as he stared at the ceiling. And then he realized they were in an unmoving wagon.

There were movements outside. Little Fukui was frightened and tried to move to warn Souji. The moment Akio opened the curtains, Little Fukui shouted, "It's the bad man!"

Souji's head bobbed down and he opened his eyes. While the kid was still shouting, Souji gazed to Akiko, who was carrying a dead chicken in his left hand. Akio was sighing at the same time, but since Little Fukui was not aware of the situation, Akio backed away to leave.

"You're awake?" Souji moved forward and helped the kid sit up.

Little Fukui groaned, closing one of his eyes. His body felt sore, though his hands responded now. "Souji, that man…!" the boy turned his head.

Smiling, Souji patted on his head, "He's on our side now." The boy was confused and looked at up him. "A lot… happened," Souji lowered his eyes.

[…^…]

Everything was explained to the child, but he barely was able to take it all in. He had a little head and could not keep all the information together. "So… I have a power?" that was what crossed his curious mind. "Only Kanon will be able to tell what it is?"

Souji nodded, his back leaned up against the wagon. "But she's not here right now," he said without being so serious. "…Yuma's taking care of her."

Concerned with one thing, the boy inquired, "What about my grandpa? My mom and dad?"

"Do you want to go back to them?" The boy nodded timidly and Souji sighed. "…I'm not willingly to take you there. I have to go and find Kanon and stop Haru."

Little Fukui was slightly discouraged, however he felt guilty if he did leave. 'Kanon's in danger, right?' he asked himself, curling up to hug his legs. "B-but I'll just be in the way…" He even felt homesick.

Looking to the side, Souji called, "Akio-san, will you take him back?"

"I will not," Akio's voice was close by. "I must save the princess and her friends' lives."

Souji smirked and eyed the boy, "See?"

Before Little Fukui could utter a word, Akio suggested, "We can leave him with a family for now."

"What?!" Little Fukui exclaimed, a bit scared. "Never mind, I rather stay with you guys! Please don't leave me with people I don't know!" Being in a world with strangers was unbearable. What if he got sold off?

He nearly moved to his knees to bow, but Souji stopped him and patted him on the shoulder. Snickering, Souji said, "Akio-san was just kidding. Of course we'll keep an eye on you… but if you don't know what your power is, I will have to consider Akio-san's idea. After all, we can't protect a defenseless child while fighting."

"Right, I have a power!" the boy stood up, looking determined. He always hated being in his parents' way, so this made no difference to him to grow independently. Girls would like his confidence too. "I'll figure it out as soon as I can! Kanon and you guys saved me after all!"

Souji blinked, slightly impressed about the way the boy was cooperating and thinking by himself. His decision-making was so fast. Though, this was probably for the best. "Akio-san, how more days before we get to Edo?" he asked, tilting his head outward.

His voice replied, "Two more days and one night."

They were closer than he thought. Souji smirked and said, "Then we better get moving."

"After we eat," Akio told him, still keeping himself from being seen. "I bought this chicken to replenish our strengths."

Little Fukui's stomach growled and he blushed with a nervous chuckle. Souji gave him a smile and shrugged, "Fine, we'll eat first."

[…^…]

At the entrance of Edo, Sanosuke paused there and looked around his surroundings. Behind him stood Hajime, Kyou, and Kyuuju. It seemed like a good day since people were walking around.

Getting pass the guards at the checkpoint, the four men wandered as a group. But then Kyou spoke, "Let's spilt up."

Sanosuke nodded as he looked back to the Oni. "Good idea," he smiled, resting his spear onto his shoulder. "Hajime and I will search around this area and the west side." Sneering, Kyou turned as Kyuuju went with him without a word. As those two were leaving, Sanosuke fixed his eyes on Hajime. "Let's go and see if anyone came to Edo."

"Yes," Hajime returned a serious look, keeping his katana close. Letting Sanosuke leading the way, Hajime closely followed.

They walked for half an hour, perhaps. Even though they did not eat for two meals now, no one was saying anything about it. They were rather worked up about everyone else; they had no time to notice their hunger even if they strolled by a booth with fruits and sweets.

"Maybe we're the first ones here," Sanosuke uneasily chuckled to himself.

Hajime nodded with a glance toward him. "That wind from before… Our friends may have ended up landing far from here," he noted.

Now Sanosuke was even more worried and put his other hand on his hip. "I hope they're still alive," he grumbled. If only his power had a wider range, he would at least be relieved if he could sense their presences from miles away. If only.

"Momoko, please watch where you are going!"

Someone had just bumped their back against Hajime and he stepped forward to keep his balance. Looking over his shoulder, Hajime saw who it was. Sanosuke had turned around too, smiling when a pink-eyed girl spun around to see how she ran into.

"Oh!" Momoko gasped. In her arms, she was holding yellow and white flowers. Her eyes stared at Hajime, who recognized her figure.

Kiko walked up to them and paused by Momoko, giving Hajime a shocked expression. While those three were quiet, Sanosuke was just confused. "I am sorry if my friend was not looking where she was going," Kiko quickly bowed. She hurried and took Momoko's hand and dragged her away.

The flowers were dropped to the ground as Hajime gave chose. "Sano, those girls may be Haru's servants from the brothel!" Hajime shouted with haste. He remembered the two young women, who planned everything perfectly for Kanon that night. Since the two were shocked to see him, he knew he was right.

"What?" Sanosuke's eyes widened, then hurrying to go after the women. His eyes glowed and memorized their presences. With his power, he would catch one of them sooner or later.

Kiko and Momoko ran as fast as the wind. Fading into the crowd, like Onis, they disappeared. However, they would spot Sanosuke nearby and would rush to get out of the area.

"Gah!" Momoko tripped, landing on her side.

Looking back, Kiko saw Momoko's right leg was bleeding. "Momoko!" she rushed to her side.

"It's Hajime," Momoko winced, looking down to her leg. A hole was created at the back of her leg when her blood suddenly forced its way out of her skin. "His power to control water…"

Furrowing her eyebrows, Kiko lifted up her chin as Hajime and Sanosuke was running toward them in the narrow path of an alley. "We should have paid attention to them before relaxing," Kiko blamed mostly herself. Since escaping from Sanosuke's eyes would prove to be difficult, they would just have to… "Kill him," Kiko concluded. 'Even if Ayumu-kun saved his life once.'

Momoko stood up, wobbling a bit and glared. "Sounds good to me," she smirked.

A second later, Sanosuke felt the wind picking up. Soon, the two men saw the girls changing forms. Their hair turning white and their eye color becoming golden. "Onis?" Sanosuke growled, gripping on his spear. "Are they going to battle us?"

Hajime took out his katana and was ready to fight. They were women, but he must defend himself and ask these two about Haru's plans. When Kiko ran toward them first, Hajime noticed Momoko aiming for him.

Kiko came in closely and Sanosuke thrust with his spear. It nearly hit her neck, but she jumped, twirling right above him and she grabbed his hair. Before she even landed on her feet, her strength pulled on his hair and threw him up in the air, tossing him away. It was quite painful, Sanosuke was sure she pulled out a few of his hair.

As concerned as he was for Sanosuke, Hajime had to be ready for Momoko. When she took a step to run, she was really fast and already showed up in front of his face. She was in pain, but her smile made her look like she was not fazed by the minor injury. Hajime slashed out before she could do anything else, but she disappeared with a hiss of mist as his katana only cut through air. And then a kick from behind threw him off his feet and he hit against a pile of wooden boxes on the side, knocking them down loudly.

Landing perfectly, Kiko flicked her bangs to the side when Sanosuke's body hit a fence. Alarmed voices were now heard. Kiko was worried about her exposing her Oni form, but it would not matter as soon as Kanon make it to Edo.

"Ow, ow…" Sanosuke used his spear to get up. He winced and Kiko dashed toward him. "Wait, we just want to talk!" he tried to be composed, readying for the female Oni.

'But we cannot afford to speak of Lady Haru,' Kiko glared to him, ready to throw a punch.

Momoko had the same thought, running with her blood dripping behind her.

A sigh escaped Hajime's lips. 'I didn't want to do this… but,' he closed his eyes halfway. But since they were Onis, being merciful was not necessary.

A chill ran down Momoko's body. Before she realized about his power again, she held back a scream as blood burst from her upper back.

Kiko stopped, eyes widened when she heard blood splashing. She turned her head and saw Momoko falling onto her face. "Momoko!" she exclaimed at the amount of blood spilled.

Quickly, Sanosuke had seized Kiko from behind, taking her arms, but Kiko was furious and grabbed his arms. She bent forward and threw him into the air yet again. "Sano!" Hajime called, eyes focusing on Kiko.

But she disappeared. Hajime's eyes snapped open and Kiko had appeared with her hand on his blade. Her hand bleed as she snapped the point of the katana off, taking the piece as she aimed to slash across his eyes to stop him from using his powers. She thought he could control water with his eyes, but little did she know he actually could control water at will.

"Hajime!" Sanosuke cried.

Before the edge reached to Hajime's eyes, Kyou dropped by to kick Kiko away. The young woman had fallen a few yards away and the point of the katana fell and she landed on it with her back. She let out a shout and groaned.

"Hey, hey, don't forget about us!" Kyou grinned when his feet reached the dirty ground.

Sanosuke smiled with great relief at his entrance and stood up with his spear in hand. Kyuuju had showed up out of nowhere and begun to walk toward Kiko. "Wait, don't hurt her!" Sanosuke told him. Even if it was too late, Sanosuke did not desire to harm the female Onis any further.

Groaning with pain, Kiko forced herself to get up. She ignored the point of the katana in her back and she stepped to Kyuuju. As the tall Oni stopped walking, Kiko walked by him and simply approached her friend on the ground. "Momo…ko…" Kiko's voice weakened, her Oni form vanished.

Something seemed wrong. Hajime's eyes widened as he saw Momoko's back was still in the same state. She was not healing… but Onis could heal by themselves, could they not?

Who cared if they were caught now? Momoko was hurt and they were out numbered. Kiko slammed her knees on the ground, staring at her friend helplessly. "Momoko…?"

A hand moved and Momoko groaned. Her hair returned to normal and her pink eyes looked up to Kiko's own. "Heh… I'm… okay," she tried to smile. Blood dripped from her lips and she blinked to herself. "Maybe not…"

"Wait, you're an Oni…" Kyou stared at Momoko's back. A lot of blood was still flowing out of her body. "Why aren't you… regenerating?"

Gazing back, Kyuuju was having a very bad feeling and stayed quiet.

Sanosuke hurried down to Kiko's side and he took off his shirt. "Why isn't she healing?" he asked, utterly shocked to see the Oni bathed in blood.

When he was going to touch Momoko to cover up her wounds, Kiko was angered. "Don't you see it?" she frowned, her heart aching. She allowed Sanosuke to pick Momoko up as Hajime immediately aided. "Onis who were healed by the cursed clan became Tainted."

Kyou's mouth dropped, "What are you talking about?"

The yellow-eyed young woman glared up at him. "Can't you feel it inside of you?" she inquired at Kyou's ignorance. With her hand reaching to the edge in her back, she pulled it out and then threw it to Kyou's face. The point of the katana merely scratched his left cheek and he did not even bother to dodge. His eyes widened when the small wound did not heal. "You and I, healed by that certain clan, can no longer heal on our own."

"…What?" both Kyou and Kyuuju stared at her. It was like her words went through their ear to the other.

"We rely on them to heal us," Kiko lowered her head, hating herself for not being strong enough to protect Momoko. "But the human who saved Momoko… no one else can heal her now…!" Her voice rose, causing Hajime's eyes to waver.

Sanosuke grunted, finishing up wrapping Momoko's back. It was still leaking though. so then he picked Momoko up, who seemed to have lost consciousness. "It's not too late, where can we find a doctor?" Sanosuke asked, looking down to Kiko.

Her eyes looked up at him, surprised. Why would he help the enemy? This man confused her, however her friend's life was in danger. It was more important to save her. "I-I think it was over here," Kiko uttered quietly, moving to get up on her feet.

"Wait—" Kyou called, but Kiko and Sanosuke already hurried to the exit of the alley.

Kyuuju was sighing about the bloody scene, it would bring trouble of no one washed it off. Who was going to do it though? Maybe they should just leave it like this and hide the fact a fight occurred here.

Trailing after Sanosuke, Hajime left the Onis in confusion. Although, Hajime was puzzled as well. 'So then, the humans with the cursed blood can heal others… and if it was an Oni they saved, they become Tainted?' Hajime tried to calculate the possibilities behind it.

…What else lie behind the power of the cursed human clan?

Thanks for reading! :D