Time was a mysterious thing to Kiku. It was something that either went insanely fast or painfully slow, in this case, it was a mix of both for the both of them.

He could see it within her, and himself as well. He saw as Harper and Feriah moved around the small kitchen and spoke softly to each other. He knew she needed it, to speak freely to others. Well, the women at most.

He took Marie and Brie's words to heart and did whatever it took to help Harper out. He watched as she slowly came out more and more to his family and friends. All that he had learned so far was that a traumatic incident in her childhood made her absolutely terrified of men and touch. There was a part of him that wanted to just let her be, to just help her out as best as possible yet deep down he wanted to know what happened and do whatever it took to fix it. In reality, he was shocked with his own emotions as well. How his heart raced when she walked by, her lemon-honey scent lifting to him as it took over his mind. Her voice a gentle tickle to his ears, her words laced with her accent giving it an added quirk. It was the little things that made her more intriguing to him; her care for animals, her dedication to them as well as home and food, her own pet and how she cherished the rabbit dearly, how friends meant so much to her.

Yet as he watched her helping Feriah, he saw her eyes. Her gaze never met another's, it seems like she was afraid to look people in the eye. Even small conversations between them, her eyes were focused on her hands as her fingers tangled within themselves as she spoke so quietly.

A sudden weight landed in his lap, taking him off guard, just to find Usagi sitting in his lap. The rabbit looked up at him, his nose twitching in wonder as Kiku began to stroke the little ears upon the creature. He has slowly gotten used to the little guy running around the house as Pochi would follow him, making sure he stayed out of trouble.

"What trouble are you causing now?" he asked Usagi just to have the bunny nibble his chin once more.

Kiku chuckled at him as his gazed ventured from the pet to the garden outside, causing another smile to dwell upon him. He saw Hercules sleeping upon the stone bench, napping under the maple as Apollo was sound asleep on his chest. He remembered the phone call from him and how he found his capital, he was overjoyed really. Sadiq was just as surprised with how hyper and ecstatic he was when he fully gained her. Now here he was, a husband and father of two back to his old ways of sleeping all day.

"Someone is awake." he heard Harper giggle.

Looking back to the kitchen, he saw Harper pressing her hand to the round belly of Feriah as the woman smiled at her, "That she is. Oceania knows there's baklava made."

That was one smile Kiku wished to see more on her, her love of children. He had seen it multiple times as it graced her features when the nation's children came to his home. She sat on the terrace way, showing the children Usagi as they asked her thousands of questions which she gladly answered with smiles.

"Eyeing her up, are you?" he heard someone say.

Kiku's head snapped to the sound as he saw Hercules smiling at him as he held his boy to him.

"I am doing no such thing." he huffed at him.

He hated when everyone caught him off guard as he sunk into his mind, unaware of his actions. He knew he was staring, but how could he not?

"Has she spoken more to you?"

"We have had light conversation, but not like you or me. She still won't look at me." he explained, "I remember Juliet and hearing from Arthur about her past and seeing them work it together, even today she slightly shrinks back when he or others yell. Yet I never raise my voice or hand and she still looks at me like I will hurt her."

"Her wounds are different, deeper, I believe."

"It was her childhood. That's where it was, and it still affects her now."

Hercules gave a hum of understanding as he continued to stroke Usagi's ears. "I just wish I could open her up more Hercules and just show her not all is bad."

"Keep working with her and the girls and one day she will. Besides, she'll miss talking to Marie if you don't hurry out of here."

Kiku looked at the clock and saw the time. "Unchi! I lost track of time. Hercules, could you-"

"Make sure everything is taken care of here, yes I will." the Greek smiled at him as he went to Harper.

He was hoping that this visit to Germany would open her up just a little more, especially with all the girls there.

"It's so quiet here." Harper said to him as they ventured farther in the home.

"Hai, it's not usually this quiet." he replied, "Something must be going on."

She was right, the Ludwig and Marie's home was too quiet. The usual greeting of dogs and giggles or Gil's boisterous self didn't greet them. It wasn't alarming, just a calm quiet, it was just, well, odd.

"Oh, hello Mr. Honda, hello Miss Harper." a small voice greeted them.

He looked to its source to see Thomas enter the living room, the small boy of Liverpool smiled widely at them as he waved to them both. Harper wasted no time to walk over to him and pat his golden hair, as she fawned over his green eyes. It was then Kiku's eyes landed on Thomas's hand. He knew underneath that sweater was scars and damage of Genesis, something that still he could never forget. Yet he acted like it was nothing. The fact his pinkie was missing along with some of the muscle from his hand didn't faze the boy in any sort.

"Oh, good heavens. I'm sorry Kiku, I didn't hear you come in." he heard Arthur's voice ring out.

Finally, he saw Arthur as he slipped the outfit over Elizabeth, "It's alright, I was wondering why it was so quiet when we came in. It's still early no, why are you here?"

An excited shout echoed the home as he heard Gil running down the stairs, "Es ist ein Mädchen! Es ist ein Mädchen! It's a girl, another girl! Eliza, it's a-" the sound of metal hitting bone filled the air, "Ow, what the hell was that for?"

"Calm down, you'll scare the children." she scolded.

"Oh, that explains the calm." Kiku said as he saw Harper light up.

"Yes, they called early this morning, he knew we were already here. Little did Gil know, the little thing is a couple hours old already." he smiled as Elizabeth's fingers wrapped around his tie.

He looked over at Harper only to be shocked, she was looking right at him. Right in the eye no less. Her face was full of excitement, as if she was asking if it was ok to see the baby. It was at that moment he realized how beautiful she really was. Giving a small nod, he watched as she and Thomas went upstairs to see the baby and leaving him to his thoughts.

"Smitten."

"Nani?"

"The look upon your face." Arthur smiled, "It's the look of smitten. Seen it with Allister when he found Siobhan, it was an interesting day of pestering and picking."

He couldn't look at him directly, the blush upon his cheeks were darkening as they went up the stairs. He wasn't wrong. Finally seeing her chocolate eyes and the sweet dusting of freckles upon her nose and cheeks made her adorable as her short chestnut brown tresses flaunted around her head, it just made her more desirable. Yet as his heart sang, his mind fell.

"Is it wrong of me to wish she would be better than she is now?"

"How so?"

"She is distant. Not that I'm not that way, but with her, it's a different type. Deeper. I just want it to go away so I can know her more and not have to worry of it."

He heard Arthur sigh, "It's not simple really. She'll tell you when she's ready, don't push it. It might feel like eternity but the moment she opens to you, you will feel a weight lift that you would have never imagined."

"Speaking of Harper, are we?"

Glancing back, he saw Nora and Yao ascending the stairs behind them. Nora waved to them as she slipped by to see the new baby as Yao stood by them, "Women and babies. Can't separate them."

"Never will my friends." Arthur said making his way to Ludwig as he opened the door for Nora.

Kiku watched as the two men exchanged words, the smile growing on the German as Arthur laughed.

"Seems you are at an end?" Yao asked.

"I wouldn't call it that, more of confusion."

"Of gaining her trust?"

Kiku thought about that. He knew one day he'd gain her trust and much more, yet there were other things he wasn't sure about. He saw Harper and Nora within the room as they swooned over Marie holding the new bundle. The same beautiful smile adorning Harper's face broke his own free.

"More than trust. Let say what I lack."

"Lack in what Kiku?"

"Love. I loved Tomoe and Tokuko yet not like what I feel for her. There is something more that I want to fulfill and I am not sure how to approach it."

Yao caught his gaze as the man's features fell with confusion, until realization hit him, "Kiku, be honest, have you acted upon the flesh before?"

With a defeated sigh and a knowing conversation, he knew he wasn't escaping his friend's side for a bit, "No, and if age does bring knowledge like they say, you are the one I should turn to. If not, Francis is next."

Harper couldn't help but admire over the sweet baby as she slept so gently against Marie's legs. Her dark, soft curls like her mothers were to die for as Harper's fingers graced them once more.

"She's a gorgeous bub Marie. You and Ludwig are lucky with your girls." Harper said.

"I told you it was a girl." Juliet said, placing the last of her things in her bag. "You get rest sweetie. You did a lot of work. "

She and Nora watched as Marie nodded to the woman as she left the room. Honestly, she didn't want to leave the little baby behind but knowing the nurse, she'd be barked out in no time.

"Is there anything you need Marie?" Nora asked.

"Oh yea, anything at all for you or her? A dummy, bunny rug, or put her in her cot before you have a lie down?"

"Dummy?" Nora asked.

"Bunny rug?" Marie giggled.

"Oh, sorry, Australian terms. Blankets or pacy?"

"Nein, girls. I'm good. If Sophie is sleeping and happy, I'm the same. Danke." Marie replied as she settled the baby to her chest.

Nora tugged on her arm as Harper gave the girl's soft hair one final pat, "Come on Harper. More babies are either here or on their way. There's more to play with so come on."

"But she's so tiny."

"Harper."

"Ok, ok, fine." she gave up and followed Nora out the door.

She heard the men talking as they went down the stairs, catching Kiku and Yao right off. Looking over to the office area, she saw Arthur bouncing his daughter as Ludwig combed Adeline's hair as the two men spoke to them, noticing Ivan and Feli in the room as well.

"Getting used to us?" Nora asked her.

"A little." she replied as she followed the woman outside.

"How are you with Kiku?"

"I'm good."

"Ok, now say that as you look me in the eye."

Harper stopped as Nora turned to face her. In all honesty, she couldn't even look Nora in the eye well, let alone even look at Kiku. The only person she fully had trust in was Brie.

"I was given a rundown on what happened Harper. I understand you are afraid, you have good reason. But I can tell you now, that Kiku will do whatever it takes to help you. He's more afraid of you than you think."

"What? How so?"

"He's called almost all of us at one point, asking for pointers to make you more comfortable in any sort. It was Brie and Marie that gave him the most and that was to let you open up to him on your own."

"It's not a lie, it's good. I just... I don't know Nora. I want to trust and believe yet-"

"Yet you are scared." she finished for her. "We understand."

"Do you really?"

It was Nora's turn to be silent for a moment, ""I never fully spoke of what happened to me in Genesis's hands. To be honest, I still feel it at times when Yao touches me. What they did. I'm trying to break myself of it even today. I know Yao would never hurt me yet when I see him with a brick or a bottle, I must pause and think everything again. It's hard, but he has helped me through everything before us both. It will be there, no doubt about it. It's just the power of you that needs to break through."

Harper took in her words as her own past swirled in her head, the growing rock within the pit of her stomach was begging for relief yet she gave no such thing.

"Don't think too hard. You'll be sick with worry."

"I wish it was that simple."

"What else crosses your mind then?"

There were thousands of things that crossed her mind. Between what she knew of Kiku and what was spoken about him, she truly knew very little of the quiet man. Well, besides the fact that he was handsome to her. How his dark eyes would watch his garden and pond, just to turn and find Pochi and Usagi playing, having a small smile cross his face. His dark locks lifting lightly in the sweet breeze just added the growing desire to her as the blossoms visions came to mind.

"Does he have scars?"

"Yes. And yes, they are what you think they are from. Both men have them from those attacks in the 1940's and both apologize on the day it happened to the other." Nora replied, cocking her head to her, "But I think you want to ask more."

Harper sighed, "Well, I don't know how to ask it or say it really. Ok, might as well get it over with. Has Kiku-"

"Harper! Nora!" they heard shouting from the door.

Harper turned to see Kiku, worry lacing his features, "You need to come in, now."

Neither of them hesitated as they entered the home as cries caught their attentions. Shouts were heard from the office as the two of them made it into the living room, just to see Brie holding Jeanne close to her as the child wept. Her grip upon her mother tight as she asked her questions in their tongue. Marie was rubbing the child's back, whispering in her ear as more cries erupted from her.

"Why would they do that maman? Doesn't her papa love her? Why would he do that?" Jeanne cried out.

Harper felt fear and past roll together as she watched the heartache unfold. Nora pulled on her shoulder as she made her way to the office space, where the shouting continued. She knew that accent as a slew of French curses flew out. Entering the room, she saw all the men together as Amber and Lily stood next to their husbands and Nora making her way to her own. Pure instinct led Harper to Kiku's side as a wave of unease filled her body.

"What happened Kiku?"

"Genesis." was all he said as Francis slammed his fist down upon the desk.

"Things need to be done!" he shouted, "You have no idea how hard it is for me to stand here as my daughter looks at me like a monster. I would never harm a damn hair on her yet those bastards went within my country's borders and did unthinkable-"

"Francis, you need to calm down. We know Jeanne is upset, you being angry isn't helping the girl." Ludwig warned.

"It's not that though. Jeanne saw things that she should have never seen, especially to a girl her age. The fact the father stood there and did nothing boils me, yet it was the look Jeanne gave me. As if I would do the very same to her. Nothing is killing me more than that very look."

Harper could see the tears of hurt well in the man's eyes. Whatever happened was damn serious.

Francis calmed slightly as a shaky sigh left him, "I sheltered my daughter from the nastiness of the world and now it dug its putrid claws into her. The innocence that she had was ripped away, and no one touched her. Yet the very act she saw scarred her for life. Fuck, I still hear her screaming for me."

"Papa?" a small voice emitted from the door.

Harper saw Jeanne standing before the door, her eyes red and puffy with tears as she looked at her father as she gripped tightly to a shirt. Before anyone could say anything, she ran to Francis. Crying and speaking to him as he lifted her in his arms as he carried her out of the room, giving words of love and reassurance. Marie entered the room next as Juliet followed behind.

"All the children are playing in Adeline's room." Juliet nodded to them all.

"So, here's the real question, what the hell happened?" Alfred asked.

"Something before the French border. Whatever it was has him furious and Jeanne scared." Ludwig stated.

"Jeanne saw Genesis." Marie announced.

A pin could have been heard as they all looked at Marie, "From what I gathered, Jeanne was walking around a park as they were finishing things up to come over here. As she was walking she saw a large gathering of people, within them were children. Girls about her age and so on lined up as people looked them over. One of the men shoved his daughter forward, saying she was perfect for the cause. A man came over to her as the girl pleaded for her father to have them stop. He then..." Marie paused.

"He then took her by force. Saying she would make great soldiers and a good one herself. The girl begged her father to have him stop but her father told her to stay quiet and do as told. Another girl that was there was shot as well, she didn't know why but by then that's when she started screaming for Francis."

"Jesus god almighty." Juliet gasped.

All she could do was stare at Marie wide-eyed as she took in her words. Her heart sank for poor Jeanne, the horrible things she had seen no child should ever witness. A low buzzing filled the room as Ludwig answered a phone. Sharp German was shifted between the piece and himself as he flipped on the TV.

A reporter upon the piece was flying in the native tongue as a video played behind her. The woman's face was plastered with fear and worry as she reported the piece, just to have it cut off and go straight to the video.

"Dear souls of the world. How far you have wandered from your paths. The people within your nations and religions guiding you so wrongly that you are walking into a bottomless pit of hell itself. Full of warfare, disease, suffering and hate. We of Genesis do not wish to guide you that way, but guide you to the path of righteousness." the man said as he waved his hands to the people behind him, all cheering for his words.

"It's ok Nora, he's not here." she heard Yao speak softly.

Harper looked over and saw Nora shrinking into Yao's side as she watched the TV. She had almost forgot that Genesis had taken her hostage and done unthinkable things to her. He tried to advert her eyes yet she was glued to the piece.

"You have been lied to about us. We are not vile people. We only find the strong to help stand against the man that wants you to suffer under their boot. We find the healthiest and loyal to the cause to help us show the world what we really are." he continued.

Harper saw images and videos of people, either fighting in war or helping the soldiers. Yet there was something that made her sick, she could feel the nasty feeling crawl upon her skin as she saw all the little girls being lined up and touched by men three times their age. The man continued to speak of how good and pure they were and what they would do to nonbelievers.

"Looks like The Handmaiden's Tale." Marie said aloud.

"Might as well add Schindler's List too." Amber added.

"That isn't freedom." Lily spoke up, "That is hell."

It was then the image changed. It went from his words of great wisdom to total hell as he went into detail of their ideals and beliefs. Men that were impotent were either shot or removed of their genitalia, the same for women whom could not conceive. Boys and girls were taught to kill each other and other nonbelievers as they were told they were saving the world for themselves, and some even being forced by the hands of older men to act upon their design or thoughts.

Harper couldn't take it; her heart was ready to burst from her chest as her memories came crashing to her. She slowly backed away from them all, she could feel her world crashing in as the TV continued to speak of the hell it wanted people to believe in. Before she knew it, her legs were carrying her away from the room as fast as they could move. She heard someone call out her name yet she paid no heed to it. All she wanted was away.

Away from her past. Away from the pain. Away from the touch. Away from the screams. She just wanted to escape from everything that plagued her mind as her vision blurred with tears. She realized she was outside in the garden from earlier as she slumped onto the tree, letting her emotions free.

All she wanted was peace from the hell she knew too well, just to feel a hand grip onto her shoulder.