I don't own Hauouki or any of it's characters.


Kasumi came from the early morning mist like she was one with it, swirling around her, her namesake did well to disguise her late return. Soft dew drops fell from the strands of hair in her face, dripping to her shoulders and chest, she loved this time of day.

She stepped silently into the camp, knowing that everyone would still be asleep, she walked with a relaxed confidence, her heart still warm from Okita's embrace, her lush lips curved into a beautiful, mischievous smile.

"And where have you been Sumi-chan?" Shinji's smirk was enough to annoy Kasumi. He leapt from the rocky outcrop he had been sitting on and walked straight at her, grabbing her wrist when he was close enough, "You are playing a dangerous game...woman." he sneered, bringing his face right up against hers. "I'm watching you..." was all he said before he turned and left, making sure to twist her wrist painfully as he did.

Kasumi stared at his back as he left, a string of curses playing in her head. "And to think I loved you once..." her mind flooded with more intimate memories of Shinji, a light shudder running down her spine. "You will not have me again."

Lost in her own angry thoughts, Kasumi did not hear the old lady approach.
You are up early Sumi-chan."
She turned, quickly painting her face with a smile.
"Of course Oba-chan! We'll be in Kyoto today, how could I sleep with all the excitement."
"Indeed Sumi-chan." the old woman smiled at the young woman's exuberance, reminded of her own reaction when she came to the city for the first time. "And if our performances go well, we might have the honour of meeting the Shogun himself. Now that would be something." she smiled.
"Yes...that would be...something..." Kasumi dropped her head, her voice quiet.

The old lady was taken aback by Sumi-chan's reaction, but quickly brushed it off as nerves.
"You'll do fine Sumi-chan." she reassuringly patted Kasumi on the shoulder. "You and Shinji-san make a great team." She didn't understand the tension that suddenly shot through the young woman's body and knew it was time to distract her.

"Let's go and check the supplies Sumi-chan, we will be leaving shortly...for the big city." she said with a toothy grin as she walked towards the wagons, hearing soft footfalls following her.

/

Three days had passed since Okita had woken to an open window and a new vial of medicine. He now took a small sip of the vile concoction, trying to swallow as fast as possible, it still burnt like molten flame, but he had grown used to it and the fact that the liquid was his current salvation, made him bear it without a grimace.

He felt uneasy, he could not shake the foreboding feeling that his 'Mistress of Mist' was in trouble, he was convinced.

He had reread her last note numerous times, the ill attempt at hiding her words haunting him, Mission, what did it mean? He couldn't banish his thoughts of her faltering, falling, the only colour in his visions was red, her blood.
Okita sighed, he needed to meet her, quell his own worries, he felt naked, unarmed and unable to react. He can't help her if he doesn't know her.

Her note had confirmed one suspicion, she had a dangerous occupation, whatever it might be.

A note...
It was the only way he could reach her, their only contact.

Okita searched his room for the ink and brush he needed, and unceremoniously fell down on the floor, crossing his legs as he did. He stared at the blank sheet of hanshi before him and froze. How do I start? What do I call you? His mind searched for a way to talk to her, let her know his yearning for her without writing it down, his appreciation, his infatuation, his hand shook as he attempted the first stroke.

I can't get you out of my mind.
Okita looked at the sentence and chuckled. "Now that is quite the opening line." He took the sheet in his hand and crumpled the paper into the smallest ball he could, throwing it into the corner of his room. Taking a deep breath he tried again, still not sure what he was about to write.

I am not a man of deep words, I have always found my katana speaks much louder and clearer than my tongue, you have given me another chance to use my sword, and for that I will never be able to thank you enough. Okita leaned back and studied his own handy work. "That's better." he smiled before taking brush to paper again.

I am not a man of deep words, I have always found my katana can talk much louder and clearer than my tongue, you have given me another chance to use my sword, and for that I will never be able to thank you enough.
I am hoping that I can meet my saviour and thank her in person, I will be waiting in Maruyama Park two nights from today as the moon reaches it's highest point, under the weeping Cherry Tree. It is my wish to see you. -
Okita Souji

For what was not the first time in the last hour, Okita wished he had paid more attention to Sannan-san's writing lessons. "It will have to do..." he shook his head in dismay at his own lack of elegant expression. Carefully tying the thread from her last note around his own, he placed it in the only spot he knew she would find it, on the windowsill.

Taking his katana from its resting place, Okita made for the door, ready for the night's patrol. A last glance at the tied up note made Okita chuckle. "You are a silly man Souji..."
"And why is that Okita-san?" Sannan asked leaning casually against the door frame, one eyebrow arched in question.

A surprised Okita stammered. "I...I'm just...um...you know Sannan-san, it's not safe sneaking up on people like that...You could get a blade in the stomach."
Sannan's laughter could be heard to the other side of the courtyard as he slapped Okita on the back. "Somehow I think killing me was the last thing on your mind my friend." his face turned a shade more serious. "Okita-san, you'll have to tell me sooner or later."

/

The lazy drop of sweat rolling over Susumu's brow was an annoyance, he waited patiently for it to pass his closed eye before he moved further down the dark corridor. He swore silently as he heard the thump of booted feet approaching, he had nowhere to hide and could only hope that the patrol was too occupied by his earlier diversion to notice a man perched just above their heads.
Holding his breath he watched as the men passed by, their urgent conversation telling him that they were indeed heading towards the main entrance.

Susumu exhaled sharply as the patrol rounded the corner, the Mori Clan's mansion echoing eerily in their wake. He was alone again, with little time to waste until sunrise, he leapt from the wooden support and hit the floor at a silent run, his feet taking him to an unsure destination.

He had a mission, information to gather, a life to extinguish. His own life could soon be nothing and as always, his thoughts went to his friends, his family, his duty. He would not fail, for failure meant not being alive and that, was not acceptable.
He stopped when he saw the flicker of light up ahead, a whisper of voices accompanying the glow. He slipped from one shadow to another as he approached, the low light his advantage, as he neared the door he could hear them clearly.

"The deal has been made Master." a gruff voice said, fear evident.
"Then you are dismissed." the sound was dark, the voice reverberating with evil intent, like venom dripping from a viper's teeth.
A scuffle as the man left, then an outdrawn yawn.

An uncomfortable silence fell around Susumu, tension thick in the air as he readied himself for the kill. This man was his target and rightly so, his way into the depths of the mansion was filled with tortured slaves and grotesque scenes of death, mangled bodies littered the grounds, not even children were spared from the sick, bloodied corridors. There was evil at work here and if he could stop it sooner than later, he would do so without hesitance.
"You have come to kill me Shinsengumi Susumu-san." It was not a question, but a statement.

Susumu froze, his heart stopped, suspended in a horrid second in time.
"I will not allow it." the speaker drawled. "Go back to your masters if you survive. Tell them of what you have seen here, the atrocities, nothing can prepare you for what is to come." it went silent, the air deadly, the speaker vanished and time stood still.

Seconds, minutes, maybe hours passed, Susumu inhaled sharply. He did not know where the man went or when, he had been trapped in fear, so much so that he had lost track of his surroundings, the sound of approaching soldiers shot him into action. Susumu ran.

They had been exposed, maybe even betrayed and he had agents on the Mori grounds. He had to get them out of there.

/

Kasumi stared as the sun crept from its covers, purples and reds swirled together, paving the way for the day to come. Bright ribbons fluttered in the breeze, playing their own game of tag with the bamboo poles on the edge of the stage. The sound of workmen huffing and cursing was a distant drone, their hammers giving the sunrise an easy rhythm.

Her thoughts were far from her surroundings.
Her hand tightened, feeling the delicate hanshi paper crumple in her grip. She was conflicted, tortured by the new option she had been given, she cursed under her breath as she realised she was considering meeting him in earnest. I can not be revealed, her mind shouted even as her heart fought against it.

She still felt his embrace, his warmth and her iron will melted to indecision. She craved more of him, at times it felt more like a urgent need than an infatuation. She dropped her head in dismay, there was much at stake here and she knew her heart had to come a far second. Visions of what was to come swam before her eyes, she could not ignore what she knew, as much as her heart tried to convince her otherwise.

She wished for a sign, some divine providence, showing her the right way.

"You should follow your heart dear." The old woman said as she stopped next to Kasumi, chuckling as she saw the shocked expression on her face. "I can see something is bothering you." The woman stated, "Do what you feel is right for you." She smiled up at the young woman, "That's how I've always done it."
"It's not that simple." Kasumi sighed.
"It is my dear, YOU are the one complicating it." She gave Kasumi a knowing stare before walking off towards the stage, humming softly to herself.

Kasumi stared at the old lady for a few moments before a tiny smile graced her lips…Her decision was made.