"Crikey that hurts." Harper said to herself as she walked the hall of the building.

It seemed like her day was just getting better and better as it went on. Not that it was horrible but just not what she thought it would be. From being late, to a nice bite to her hand, it was peachy now that Marie wanted to see her after work. So, there she was, walking down the hall to the same room she met the girl in yesterday. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of it. Between her talk with Marie and them, having her past haunt her throughout the night and the lovely dreams she had been having, she now couldn't shake the sensation of being watched. It lingered for what felt like an eternity to her, having that sensation upon her skin just didn't help her mind at all. It was slowly becoming too much.

"Harper!" she heard Marie exclaimed happily as she came to view.

"G'day Marie." she waved, instantly regretting the action as pain ran through her hand.

"Mein Gott, what happened?" the woman asked as she saw her bandaged hand.

"Nothing much, just a bite from a dog." Harper shrugged it off, "I got in the way of its target."

"Was?"

Harper sighed, "Abusive parent demanding dog be put down because it knocked the kid into the curb, only to protect the kid from getting hit by a car. Dog was doing his duty, but you couldn't get it through the man's head. The guy went to grab the child and the dog darted for him, stupid me tried to stop the dog and my hand got the result of it."

"Oh wow. Well, nobody ever said dogs aren't good protectors. We have three at home and god have mercy on the soul that attempts to hurt one of us." Marie stated as she looked at her hand, "You're bleeding through the wrap, here let's get you to Juliet."

"I'm fine I swear-"

"Nein, don't worry. Juliet is a nurse and will be able to have you wrapped up again in no time." Marie said, pulling her along.

A bombardment of hellos came to her as they entered the room, the women all sitting around one another as they enjoyed what was left of the day.

"Oh, my lord, what happened?" she heard Juliet say.

Harper watched as Juliet handed her daughter to Nora as she came to her, taking her hand into her own. She carefully peeled back the bandages as Harper winced at the pain, "Got in the way of a dog protecting his person."

"I can tell." she said looking over her now open hand. "Definitely a warning bite. Come on darling, sit down."

Pulling Harper to the table, Juliet went right to work upon her hand as Brie handed her everything from her bag she asked for.

"Guessing it's not often you get bit on the job?" Lily asked.

"Heck no, that was normal down in Australia. All kinds of critters biting and scratching, it's their way of defense." she hissed as Juliet cleaned the wound.

"Sorry, want to make sure it's clean." she apologized as she moved upon her hand.

"It's alright. But yes, it's normal but it's been awhile since I have been." Harper said.

"As I said outside the room, the dogs are good protectors." Marie smiled as Nora played with that baby.

"I think that's one thing I didn't learn yesterday." Harper said as she watched them, "The names of the kids."

"Oops, that's our own fault there." Amber replied, "Mine and Liberty and Lincoln."

"Jeanne, Jacque, Satine, and Pierre."

"Alexei and Grigori."

"Thomas and Elizabeth."

"And Adeline." Marie finished as she laid her hand upon her belly, "And this one with either be a Frederick or a Sophie, not sure yet."

"I'm telling you it's a girl. All signs are leaning toward it." Juliet pointed as she wrapped Harper's hand.

"Superstitions are just that, superstitions." Lily said, "If I would've believed them, Alexei would have been a girl."

"I don't just mean old wives tales, I mean the proof of it. Girls have higher heart rates than boys and they are also higher." Juliet stated.

"The only reason girls are higher than boys is that we stress over everything while they think with only one head and that's the one between their legs." Brie smiled as the women laughed around her.

Harper laughed along with them, knowing her share of men in her life they were all after the same thing she wasn't giving.

"Alright girls, all fun aside, we need to be serious." Marie said.

"Serious about what?" Harper asked, "You still didn't tell me why I'm here."

A cool silence filled the room as the baby's light coos the only sound heard, "What's going on?"

Their eyes shifted to one another and then to her, looks of worry and understanding laying within their features.

"Look Harper, we don't want to alarm you but things have come up that involve you." Marie started.

"What do you mean?"

"It's why I called you in. We have to take necessary steps to keep you safe and out of harm's way."

Harper's mind went back to him, was he free and looking for her? Was that why she had her in here? She felt the panic begin to rise as her mind ran with countless scenarios.

"It's not what you think sweetheart, it's a little...more than that." Marie said, placing her hand on hers, "In truth, it's not your past that has you in this situation, but your dreams and visions."

"So, I am crazy? About damn time right, always kinda knew it." Harper laughed at herself, of course it involved those.

"No, that's why we're are all here to talk with you." Marie replied, "You see, we were all like you."

Now things didn't make sense, "Like me, really? Come on now, the dreams putting me in the nut house I wholeheartedly believe, but this?"

"Tomoe and Tokuko are within you." Nora spoke up, "Just like Ng, Wing, and Wu were within me."

All she could do was stare at them, Tomoe and Tokuko? What were they talking about? Nothing she just said made any sense to her.

"You also have dreamed or had a sight of a man, non? Some one that makes you question so much yet you want to know him more and more." Brie added.

"Plus, according to Marie, one of the sights you had was of two clouds as a burning heat took over your body. That sounds just like the atomic bombings of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Amber said.

Harper just stared at them, this had to be a joke, a sick on at that and one that she wasn't going to relive again.

"Whatever this is, I'm done." Harper said as she stood up, "As a counselor you aren't allowed to speak of my session without my permission. And the fact that all of you are upon me like this-"

"We've all had it." Brie said, "Dammit, we are trying to help you. At least you didn't watch yourself die every night, or wake up with burns and a cut on the back of your neck proof of the way you died."

The girls were silent as they stared at Brie, "Sorry let more slip than I planned."

"What?" Harper felt her own mind slipping into the void of hell that she knew too well.

"She's not wrong Harper." Lily said, "Like Brie, I heard death instead, yet when it finally came to view I watched myself die. Both young and old."

"And I saw women of history, day by day a separate set. Some that changed the country completely." Amber added.

"You see Harper, we are like you. We understand your dreams and visions, we really do." Marie placed her hand on her shoulder.

"This can't be real, it's not possible. It's just a coincidence, that's all." she repeated to herself, hoping that it was all it was.

"But it's true dear. Brie had the souls of Marie Antoinette, Marie the souls of Hanna Reitsch and Sophie Scholl. Lily had Queen Catherine and Anastasia Romanov, and myself with Queen Elizabeth the First. Nora had already said hers and Amber has so many that the list is more than we could say." Juliet explained, "Tomoe a Japanese warrior and Tokuko, an empress that slowly lost her empire and became a nun to the day of her death. Those are the women within you Harper and with them they are guiding you to be who you are really meant to be."

"And what pray tell is that?" she nearly shouted.

"To become a Capital." was all the Brit said.

Capital? Harper shook her head at them, there was no way any of this was real or sane. They had to be nuts.

"Its true sweetie. We all are capitals of the countries our husbands represent. We all are technically the personification of the countries and the capitals while the children are the cities." Nora said trying to get closer to Harper. "Believe me it's hard to believe but it's the truth. If it wasn't the fact you are in danger due to Genesis-"

"What!" Harper shouted.

"Lā shǐ." Nora said, her hand slapping against her head.

"Ok, now that you spilled that out." Amber said, standing beside Harper, "Yes. Genesis now has your information because of the fact you dream the way you do. It's true what we say about Capitals and ourselves, it's just hard to take in at first. Normally we'd work you into it or you'd figure it out on your own but time is not on our side in this case."

"Do you people hear yourselves?" Harper demanded, the whole thing just becoming too much, "This talk of Capitals and such, it's insanity. Do you not realize it? I thought I was crazy but you all have me beat."

"Harper please-"

She cut off Amber as she removed the woman's hand from her shoulder, "Don't please me, I don't want to hear it."

"No wait, Harper don't touch my-" she heard Amber shout but her mind blurred.

Harper felt the world spin as she tried to gather her wits only to hear a woman scream out in pain. Looking over she saw Brie tied to a stake as a fire was lit under her. Harper tried to run to her yet found herself frozen as the wind swept around her and found herself looking at the guillotine, Brie once more upon the deadly piece as the blade came flying down. Before she knew it, she saw an older version of Lily laying within the bed, rubbing the head of a man just for it to change to a cramped room as a family sat in horror as soldiers came into the room, guns drawn at them. It was then Harper noticed Lily in the corner, hanging onto her family as the guns rang out. Countless first ladies passed before her as pilots, soldiers, and adventurers that molded the US came forth just to turn to the great palace of Westminster to see Juliet walking the hall as her own husband followed behind. The sound of war filled her as she saw a woman jump into a plane as it changed to a woman being placed in a guillotine, jumping to Marie hanging onto the will of life in Auschwitz. The calming sounds of nature came to her world as two women practiced martial arts upon the rocks of the land to change to the imperial halls as Nora walked down with her head high and her subject taking her words down.

Everything slowed down from all the women and the ones she just met just to stop during the Genpei War, as she readied herself to battle. Her eyes fixed on what needed done as a man approached her.

"You know what is done, hai?" he spoke clearly to her.

"Hai, I do." she replied.

The sight changing once more to have herself crying before the same man. "What have we done to deserve this?"

"Nothing. Yet it will all end. So, surrender to them or die trying." he said sternly as he walked away, no longer the sweet man she knew so well.

Harper found herself at the sight of Hiroshima as it burned and festered, turning to see, she saw the very two women she dreamed of standing there. Their eyes full of sadness and regret.

"There is so much we never got to say." they spoke together.

She looked past their gazed to see a man in uniform upon the ground, the stains of red bleeding into the pristine white. This was the vision that had plagued her as of resent, so dark and foreboding that somehow everything they were saying... it made sense. The women she saw before her were the girls in the room with her as the women she dreamed of were within her.

Two sets of soft giggled caught her attention as their hands graced her shoulders.

"Now you see." said Tomoe.

"Do not be afraid, we will be here till the very end." Tokuko added.

"My ring!" she heard Amber finally finish as her head came back to the room.

Harper gripped onto the side table as the force of the whacked-out experience nearly made her sick. There was no way that all that happened and that it was true yet when she looked into their faces it really was real before her.

"Harper? Sweetie, are you ok?" Marie asked.

She just looked at them all, worry upon them over her as her mind tried to process what had happened, "What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing Harper, really. It's just a fucked-up world for us." Amber replied as the door came open.

"Is everything alright in here girls?" one of the men asked.

Looking up her eyes landed on his still browns as he came into the room. She saw him again on the battlefield and in the palace, the last sight before her was him bleeding on the ground as the two women tried to comfort him. Her mind just couldn't take it.

She felt numb as her body gave out, her eyes rolling and going dark for her as she heard Amber yell her name. She knew what was happening and she wanted it, she was just glad she was out before she hit the ground.

The sweet scent of cherry blossoms and green tea filled her as she slowly came to. Her eyes opened to see herself in the same room as earlier, yet she was warm and comfortable. Sitting up she found the source to the heat and scent as the jacket fell from her shoulders, picking the piece up, she lifted it up to her nose and inhaled the delightful scent as she looked around, noticing the tea upon the table as she was laying upon the small sofa.

"Harper, you're awake." she heard someone say.

Turning around, she saw Nora and Brie enter. They sat down beside her as she tried to collect herself.

"How are you doing?" Brie asked.

"Yes, do you need anything? A drink maybe?" Nora added.

"I think Kiku beat us to it Nora." Brie chuckled as she motioned to the tea.

"Oh, that he did."

"Kiku?" Harper asked.

"Oh, well yea." Nora started, "Before you passed out, do you remember what we were speaking about with you?"

Her mind was blank for a moment just for it to all crash upon her, "I'm a Capital."

"Oh, so you did get it all, well that's good then." Brie said, "As we were saying, our husbands are literally the personifications of the countries we represent. In your case, you will be Tokyo one day and your nation-"

"Is Japan?"

"Oui, you are right."

"And when you fainted, he practically flew over to you, demanding poor Juliet if you were ok. Once she said you were he picked you up and placed you here, draping his jacket over you as well. The tea is new yet not out of character for him." Nora stated, "Which reminds me, we said you need to be safe, so in doing that you have to be monitored to make sure that no harm comes to you. No big worries though, I'll be there and so will Brie and if I heard correctly Feriah will be there as well, the guys will entertain one another and leave us girls alone until we have to all go back."

"Wait, what?" was she saying she was leaving her home and going to another with a man she barely knew.

"Don't worry, it's not bad and he's a good guy. Quiet and reserved is the best to describe him yet he seems quite-"

"Nora." Brie scolded.

"What?"

"Why don't you go and make sure everything is ready for Harper to go?"

"Oh, yea I could do that." Nora said, getting up and heading to the door, "Sorry for rambling, I'll see you soon Harper."

Harper watched as the woman left and Brie took her spot before her, "Harper, sweetheart look at me please."

She looked Brie, seeing something fight within her eyes, something deep within herself, "When I say you are not alone, I mean it."

"So did they about-"

"I don't mean that, I mean the other."

Harper felt herself recoil at the mention of it, the fact that there were all sorts of people like that out there and still walking freely without a worry upon their brow sickened her.

"Only differences were I was an adult and it was the full content of it." she said to her as she placed her hands upon Harper's knees. "I am not saying my experience is worse than yours because of that difference. It'd be like Juliet saying that hers was worse than Nora's yet they were alike, just one was slightly different."

She pulled her knees to her chest as Brie tried to comfort her, "So you really understand?"

"When innocence is ripped away from someone, it doesn't matter what kind it is, it all amounts to the same thing and in this case, it strikes home for me. He's still away to let you know."

Her head shot up, "He's still in jail Harper. Mine were able to walk just a few years later. You do have that safety. And I know it's scary going to another person's place, especially when your own comfort is at risk of a panic attack. But I will agree with Nora, Kiku wouldn't let a fly harm you. Last I saw, my husband has placed you at the far end of Kiku's home, to give you comfort in that. I'll be beside you longer than the others. I already told him that."

Harper felt the tears sting her eyes, "But what about you? Your kids need their mother."

"Oui, that is true, yet they also know you are hurting and maman is the only one that really understands." Brie smiled at her, "Besides, maman wants a vacation alone from both children and husband."

Harper let out a small laugh along with Brie as she thought of everything that was to happen, "Brie?"

"Oui?"

"I'm scared."

Brie pulled her close, rubbing Harper's back as she rocked her, "I know sweetheart, I know. I'm here for you. Always."

She couldn't stop them this time, letting the tears slip past, she let the Frenchwoman comfort her until her new life was to begin.

"Alright, this is it." Yao said as he opened the last door in the home. "As Brie said, she'll be here in this room until you are ok. Nora here as well with Feriah next to her. No need to feel alone."

Harper nodded as she looked at the elevated bed with the screens surrounding the room, the old furniture adding a traditional flair as calligraphy decorated the walls. It was something she could get used to over time, yet her racing mind was not as forgiving.

"I'm off to make supper, anything in particular?" he asked.

"No thank you." she peeped out as she looked over the home.

"Alright, don't be afraid to wander. The girls will be here soon." and then he was gone.

She just stood there, there wasn't much she really could do without slowly losing her mind. Saying goodbye to the Takada's nearly killed her as she left the one comfort she gained coming to the country. She felt like her own free will was ripped from her, but remembering Brie's story of Nora's capture, made her understand why they were doing as they were.

Finally moving, she made her way out to the backyard she saw as she entered. It was something she marveled at for a moment as she moved her things within. Sliding the door open, she was taken aback by the sight. The array of bonsai, maples, and cherry trees were amazing as the koi swam around within, the stone path done with precision of hand. It was beautiful. She listened as nature sang to her, its own calming melody drifting through her. Movement caught her eye from the large tree and bench to her side, turning her head, she found her source as a small gasp left her.

He stood there, taking in the sight of the tree as his hand reached out to touch the very blossoms she had seen so many times before. His raven hair lifted lightly in the breeze as his stoic brown eyes never left the awing sight of the flowers. It was then it donned on Harper that she still wore his jacket across her shoulder. Lifting the material from her, she quietly and slowly made her way up to him as she held the piece out. She wanted to drop it and run as fast as she could, yet she felt grounded in the backyard. His head snapped around as he finally saw her.

"A, gomen'nasai, I did not hear you." he said bowing to her.

"It's fine." she replied, "I wanted to give you your jacket back."

"It's alright, if you want you can keep it on for now until you are comfortable." he nodded to her as she pulled her arm back.

Silence was thickening between them as she stood there unable to move. She could almost hear the two women giving her hell, to talk to him and to make things ok between them. Yet she was lucky enough to even breath before him.

"Go joryoku arigatōgozaimasu."

"Dōitashimashite."

"I don't want to be a burden-"

"You aren't, far from it actually."

Harper couldn't help but giggle at his accent as he spoke English, "Nani?"

"Sorry, typical English speaker thing I guess."

"You know, we have seen each other a couple of times and the blossoms have guided you to Japan as well." he began, "Why don't we start anew?"

"You mean start fresh?"

"Hai." he nodded and bowed before her, "I'm Kiku."

She heard Nora and Brie as they spoke of him and his ways, the visions and dreams of him collided together as she watched him be the man they knew so well, as her mind told her to approach with caution and worry, her heart told her to go forward and move on.

"I'm Harper."