"It's been a week, and she hasn't gotten any better." Okita complained as he sat beneath a tree, staring at his friends who sat on the veranda. Saito sat at the edge of the floorboards, Harada beside him. Heisuke stood and leaned against a support beam with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well, the fever has gone down compared to how It was before, but she has a nasty cough and nausea." Harada stated before he released a small sigh. The day they came back Harada and Heisuke immediately had taken her to her room and had Inoue tend to her and to see if he could lower her fever. For the first few days she didn't look like she would make it.

"She hasn't been able to stay conscious for more than an hour before fainting again." Heisuke added as he glanced at the room behind them, being Mei's room. "What do you think it is?" He asked, giving a glance to everyone in eyesight.

"I have no clue, but it's serious…" Harada whispered.

Up until now Saito had remained quiet, not having contributed to the conversation, but now his silence was broken, "Perhaps this is a relapse of some sort." He stated, "She might've had contracted some sort of disease in he travels. She might be experiencing a relapse of this sickness, and her body might be trying harder to fight it once more. It wouldn't be uncommon for such a thing to happen." He commented, his hands in his sleeves.

"How often do people who relapse end up living through it?" Okita asked.

"… I'm not sure… In my experience, it's one out of three." Saito said a bit lower before he glanced behind him at Mei's room. "I'm sure she shall be fine." He added lightly as he looked over to Okita, who looked less than pleased with their situation.

Their hands were tied. They couldn't do much of anything, but wait for her to either kick the bucket or get better. Okita wouldn't admit it, but he had missed her up and about nagging him and being with him the majority of the day. He hadn't even gotten the chance to spar with her. Whether they noticed or not, Mei had given them a refreshing feeling while usually amongst males. She wasn't as girly or feminine as most would like but she held her own against the captains' insanity and the arrogance of Serizawa. She fed them when it was her turn, served them tea, helped clean, helped spar with the lower ranking soldiers, even helped them on patrols. She hadn't hindered them, making sure she didn't. She took her end of the bargain (being Okita's page) with more dignity than most people on the Earth. Aside from playful joking, she never complained. Compared to the first day they met, she seemed happier… She seemed less guarded… She seemed relaxed. They hadn't even noticed how much time had passed since she had been with them. It had become their general norm to have the young and practically fearless foreigner at their sides or roaming the compound. They were so used to it, now that she was bedridden they just noticed how much she was really there in their lives now. It never crossed their minds in the beginning that she would have such a noticeable role to the point her absence left a little empty feeling in their daily routines.

"I wonder what she's dreaming about…" Okita wondered out loud.

-dream-

"How long do you plan to sleep, Mei?" A young man asked. The space around he was black as pitch and yet she was perfectly seen, as if a light shined down on her. The man had dark red hair and flaming orange eyes, he was her bother, and a small and warm smile graced his features. "Hiding will not work forever."

Why not? Mei thought, but he thought was out loud, as if she had spoken it, and clear for her brother to hear. However, the voice was still of a small child, the small child he last saw. Why can't I hide…? If I hide they cannot find me… They won't find the swords.

The man chuckled a bit, softly, and walked over to his sister, crouching down before her. Reaching a hand out he set a gentle touch upon her head, "That is a possibility… But another, is that they will find you… and they will kill your new friends… They will kill you as you lay there practically dead, and will take our swords." He spoke gently but his words carried a heavy weight.

Friends? Mei asked confused. The woman sat on the pitch black floor with her knees tucked into her chest. My new friends?

"Are they not your friends? The men of the Roshigumi? Okita Souji, Sanosuke Harada, Saito Hajime, Toudou Heisuke, and many others. Are they not the friends you are afraid will abandon you?" He asked gently as he began to stroke her head. "You need not fear, little sister… If you have chosen them as friends, you must know the chances of them leaving you are very slim. Otherwise you wouldn't have opened up to them…" He cooed gently, as if trying to get her to look up at him.

"Our dearest daughter… You mustn't have your past govern your life in every aspect." Came another male voice. Her father's form slowly becoming detailed and solid just a bit behind her brother. "If you do, you will never be happy… You will never find peace… You will never be able to move forward." He said softly, a smile on his young face. His bright gold eyes filled with warmth for his two children. "I do not wish you the same fate as us, of a young death."

A woman with pink hair appeared beside the man like smoke, solidifying once details could be made out. Her mother, "You are the last of my children… I wish to see you happy… To fall in love, just as I did, and live out your life in peaceful happiness…" Her hand found her husbands and laced their fingers together. The couple images were very young, early twenties to say the least. "You must wake up… And make the time you have, to live, count. To live without regrets…"

"They are weak things… And could easily die… But the friends you have made are strong… They will fight to survive… But even the strong must fall, be there for them when they do…" Her father murmured as he gave his wife's hand a tight squeeze.

"You haven't used your voice… In so long… I wonder what kind of voice you have been blessed with. When you were younger, remember you used to sing often? I always loved you singing to us, Mei… I'm sure others would be love to hear you speak." Her mother softly pleaded.

It's cold now… without you all hear… Mei thought to them, the thought shaky, breaking. I miss you all… Why?... Why were you all taken away from me?...

Frowns appeared on all their faces before Lao leaned down and brought the woman, who slowly turned into that small child again, into his arms and hugged her closely. "Our time to die came, there was nothing that could be done… But if you don't wake up, Li will harm your friends… He will hurt others the way he hurt you and us… You can't let him… But you can't continue to be afraid of him… Or you shall meet our fate, so young… Please… Mei… Wake up…"

Suddenly, a scream of agony cut through the air like a knife. Mei covered her ears immediately and released a silent whimper of pain. The screech was familiar, and it sent chills along her skin. It hurts…!

"Mei, your friends are in danger…" Her mother stated worriedly, "You have to help them."

"You must wake up…" Her father urged.

Suddenly the black turned bright white, and shined brightly till everyone disappeared.

-Reality-

Mei shot up from her futon in urgency. Her heart beat against her chest, in her ears, and made her head throb. Immediately she remembered what happened that made her wake up and she grabbed onto her blades, dressing into some of her nearby clothes. A white Chinese dress with dark rose pink lining and a dragon embroidered in it. Her movements were in haste, not wanting to waste time. Even though she still had remnants of a fever. I know this feeling… She thought to herself. That eerie feeling that clawed down her spine slowly, leaving her body almost stiff with alarm. It was familiar.

As she opened the door she sniffed the air, and looked towards another part of the compound. Blood… She thought as she suddenly sprinted off in that direction. She knew that smell all too well, and that scream of agony was in no way normal. It was familiar to her, and it was the scream of someone losing their mind. It was distinct in a way that it could easily be set apart from a man screaming from torture or anguish. What have they done…?

"Run for it Ryunosuke!"

Harada?

Thinking it would waste precious seconds to run towards the entrance, Mei built up enough speed to jump over the large wall and catch the sight of Ryunosuke in front of a man with glowing red eyes and white hair. She felt her throat tighten and her eyes go wide, No way… Pulling both her swords out of their scabbards, Mei cut her palm. Look this way…! She thought frantically as her feet gracefully touched the ground.

The man with glowing crimson eyes wasted no time and following the scent of blood to Mei. Looking at her with crazed eyes, too far gone to be saved, he charged at her with excellent speed and ready to slaughter her.

"Mei! MOVE!" All of the men shouted.

But Mei ignored them and a grin spread across her lips, absently, and she lurched forward. One of her swords connected to his before she kicked him back. Causing him to stumble, a small noise that was probably meant to be a chuckle passed her lips before she charged again. Her speed rivalled Saito's and Okita's. Hell, it rivalled all the captain's, who watched in confusion, awe, and surprise. Blocking another attack from the crazed man she kicked him once more before stabbing the man through the heart. Watching his body go limp, and the grin on her face disappearing.

"Mei wait! That guy-"

But Harada was cut off, "It's alright now… Apparently, you can kill them if you pierce them through the heart or behead them." Sanan's voice came from the darkness before he and Kondou emerged from the building.

Mei dropped the limp body of the man onto the ground, none too gently, and earned herself a growl from none other than Hijikata, who came up from behind her only to move passed her and check the body, properly setting the man on his back. Mei gave Hijikata a very hostile glare, her hands gripping her katana and kodachi tightly. Enough to make her knuckles go white.

"Mei, put those away, we're all safe now." Harada urged as he walked over to her, gazing down at the crazed creature on the floor. After some moments his lips pulled into a frown and his brows furrowing in confusion. "That face… I've seen it somewhere before…" He whispered. Slight frustration evident on his features as he couldn't seem to figure out where he had seen that face from.

"Saito. Harada. Sorry to ask, but I'll need you two to take him inside…" HIjikata said before glancing around the courtyard. Scanning the area of who was present to see the whole ordeal. Though in the end his eyes landed upon Mei, who still had yet to sheath her weapons. "Put them away or I'll take them from you." He warned, not in any mood, let alone have the energy, to deal with her.

Mei didn't even move, seemingly to ignore the man. Though the look of I dare you in her eyes said otherwise. She was in no mood to deal with him, just as much as he was with her.

"If you don't put them away, I'll cut your hands off with them." Hijikata already began to unsheathe his own katana. He stood right in front of her and was ready to fulfill his threat.

"Mei, just put them-" But Harada stopped. Her eyes now were on him, and bore into his with such hostility, with such an intensity that it was the look one would reserve for the enemy.

"Mei." Came a stern growl. This time, it was from a certain green-eyed swordsman. Everyone looked to Okita, who seemed to be giving Mei and equally hostile glare. An awkward silence following them before she turned away and put her swords back in their scabbards.

With a heavy sigh, Hijikata spoke again, "Please, everyone gather in the hallway. We need to talk. That includes you to, Ibuki. Mei. You both witnessed this too." He glanced at them both before leading everyone inside.

Mei delayed back a bit, enough to make eye contact with Serizawa, who gave her an arrogant smirk, and walked inside. What have they done…? How many must die because of that shit… She thought bitterly before following everyone inside. Ignoring the gaze of Okita as she slipped inside.

"It was through foreign trade that the Bakafu came across and acquired this medicine referred to as, The Water of Life." Kodo Yukimura stated. "Should you drink this, I'm sure You'll find your abilities on the battlefield to increase exponentially. At the same time, you will obtain remarkable healing abilities. But on the other hand, you will lose the power of thought and any grasp of sanity." The words didn't faze any of the men, and woman, present. In fact, they all looked too deep in thought to even care. They knew what the cost was for that medicine… They had just witnessed Mei kill the end product of a person who took this "medicine".

"Meaning, that the medicine doesn't come without its own peril, huh, Kodo?" Serizawa said, as if the con to the medicine was merely as little as the loss of ink to write.

Kodo didn't look up as he continued, "Indeed… Furthermore, these powers can only be exercised in the dark… We call those who take the medicine… Furies."

Shinpachi murmured something beneath his breath, only few could hear. But at the same moment as he finished, something clicked in Harada's mind. His eyes widening a bit before he looked at Shinpachi.

"Now I remember…" Harada started softly, "That was Isato…"

"Isato?" Heisuke asked a bit confused before it dawned on him, "Hey, wait… Wasn't Isato one of the guys that left Edo with us?" The revelation shocked him. And he looked upset as he looked at his friends for confirmation.

Shinpachi, however, didn't need a confirmation. He remembered the man that left with them. Their friend. "You used one of our pals to test your crazy ass medicine?" He almost growled.

Kondou simply looked at the ground with pained eyes and let out a low frustrated sound. As if mad at himself already.

"He was simply supposed to commit honorable suicide for breaking the code. Ultimately the same thing." Nimi said with that usual arrogant smile on his face. The look and casual tone he held seemed to not only irritate Shinpachi, but also Mei. Who stood in the back of the room in the corner. Her arms crossed over her chest.

"That's no excuse." Shinpachi urged.

However, a deep sigh made all attention draw to Serizawa, "The man didn't die by disembowelment, that's the only difference." He was brushing off the whole situation like it was such a trivial matter. As if they were talking about a child who ruined their brand-new clothes in dirt. As if some man's life didn't just become a price for an experiment.

"Serizawa… When Isato took the medicine, he did not recognize any one of us at all…" Hijikata's voice was soft, yet carried the heavy weight of a burden. Knowing he was partially at fault for allowing such a thing to happen to a friend.

"I agree whole heartedly." Kondou stated.

"However, Dr. Yukimura says, there is still much room for improvement." Nimi countered, as if that justified everything.

But before anyone could say anything to such a flimsy attempt of justification, a loud thud and crack filled the thick and tense air. Everyone turned to the source, who happened to be Mei. Her fist had broken through the wall and blood streamed down onto the floor. "Exactly how will you make the improvements…? How many… Will die… For that cursed liquid!" The raspy, cracking voice, seemed to be loud and echo off the walls, despite its actual sound. The fact she had spoken caught everyone by surprise. "What gives you the right to play god with the lives of other men?" She growled. The more she used her voice, the clearer and stronger it seemed to get. Though it's true sound still a bit distorted by the raspy sound due to its lack of use. "Nothing good will ever come of that liquid! There is no improving it!"

Serizawa gave Mei that same arrogant and calm smile, "It was a direct order straight from the top. Though, an unintelligent woman," He glanced at Hijikata, "Or someone not born into a warrior family would ever understand this logic."

"Someone who can't get his head out of his ass wouldn't understand proper morals, let alone the cost of playing God with lives that are not his own." Mei responded.

"Mei." Okita stated.

"Toshi." Kondou murmured.

"Considering our current standing… It would be inopportune to ignore the will of the shoganate." Sanan stated, though seemed torn about his words.

Mei couldn't believe her ears. I can't believe what I'm hearing… She thought in astonishment and yet was not surprised at all. Slamming open the sliding door she walked out of the room, fuming with anger and frustration. They're Actually … After what they saw… I'm not dealing with this… Not again… She thought with a growl. Her hands clenched into tight fists and she couldn't help but look at the ground with frustration. She had not place to speak like that… As much as she knew involving themselves with that medicine would only bring madness and suffering, she was not one of them. At best, she was a glorified errand girl.

"Mei hold on…!" Came a familiar voice behind her, followed by the owner of the voice grabbing her hand.

Mei stopped and turned to glare at him. Okita didn't glare back with the same intensity, but lifted up a hand to her forehead. Unfortunately, Mei was in no mood to talk. Harshly pulling her hand away from him, she gave him a look. Silence, as if she didn't just speak not too long ago, was what he heard. But the look in her eyes said everything he needed to know. The frustration, the anger, the anxiety, the disappointment. She wanted to be left alone…

But even now, Okita was still Okita. "Hey, don't give me that look. It's not up to me." He started, "If it were, I'd make Serizawa take it so we all could have an excuse to kill him." He slightly joked, but was mostly serious. Grabbing her wrist again he began to lead her back in the direction of her room, "Sleep the frustration off. We're sparring tomorrow, and I don't want you to be boring because you're sleepy." He half teased. "I get how angry you are… we all are… But you can't keep letting Serizawa see you get so mad… It only makes him want to do things that will get you angry."

Mei followed behind Okita silently, unable to say anything back to him. As much as she just wanted to throw that glass full of that cursed liquid onto the ground, she couldn't. It wasn't her place… And Okita was right, the more she reacted to Serizawa, the more he seemed to enjoy pissing her off. She had to do something though… To prevent anyone else from losing their life to that liquid… She had to do something.

Thanks for reviewing, please let me know what you think. I'm sorry if it seems a bit spotty, my computer keyboard likes deleting things. I read this over a few times and I haven't found anything like that but I tend to read pretty fast so I might've missed it.

Please follow, favorite, and review. And to the guest who reviewed that her fainting was a bit cliche... I know. But when is there not at least one cliche moment in a fanfiction with really hot guys? If you know one please let me know haha~

Love always,

Chess