Doumeki had woken up from his dream sometime around midday. After he stumbled away from his mirror and allowed himself to wallow in the baths for nearly half an hour, his mind started to puzzle over how long he'd been asleep. It had felt like forever – a lifetime of Haruka's memories had been transferred to him during that dream, but he'd only been in the Dreamscape for mere hours in the real world. It was bizarre how differently time could travel on another plane.

Then Doumeki began to wonder just how much of what he'd seen had been true. How much of his dream had been just that – a benign dream? Had his grandfather really shown him his memories? Had Watanuki planted that dream in his mind? And just like that the captain had to clutch at his head and squeeze his eyes closed as he tried to shove aside those foreign emotions of adoration and devotion this dream had started to bring up every time he thought about the Traveler.

A part of him, deep down inside of his conscious thought, buried beneath fear and shame and anger, there were a stab of jealousy. Doumeki Shizuka had never experienced emotions as he had felt within that dream. He was no longer considered young as a hunter, not with how early his kind died. It was wholly unfair such pleasant feelings were denied him all his life. Never had he felt so loved, so safe, so secure in the knowledge that he would never have to endure another broken bone, another dead comrade, another child lost to the witches' magic.

The foundations of his beliefs had been thoroughly rattled to the core and forced to shift. There had to be a better way to go about defending people from the witches that plagued their world without so many cold sacrifices demanded of the men that were forced to become hunters and the women that were forced to endure them.

Doumeki decided that if he wanted to determine if anything in his dream had been real, he should perhaps start by checking some facts. In order to do that, he'd have to head to the archives and start reading.

He grabbed a quick meal that he didn't taste after his bath and headed straight to the archive building. He would see just how much of Haruka's tale matched up with written accounts. First, he looked up his grandfather's service record. It was a very thick tome that was covered in dust. Very few people visited the archives, especially the section of deceased hunters. Once the hunter in question was dead there was no need to update the archived information.

Haruka had been very decorated. He'd received nearly every possible honor a hunter could, with the exception of being asked to formally join the council itself. Most of the awards were for bravery in combat. As a captain, commander, then general, he'd nearly sacrificed himself many times over to save countless lives.

The captain found record of the massacre of his grandfather's last two missions. The raid on the southern farmlands had killed many people, both hunter and civilian. It appeared that even General Ashura had died on that mission.

The final record merely stated 'MIA – Assumed Deceased.,' two days after his final mission. So. The council claimed no knowledge of the kidnapping ever happening. Doumeki's own memory lined up with what Haruka's dream had shown him. The record was falsified.

With a determination he'd never had before Doumeki poured through the rest of the archives of his ancestors. Tome after tome he read through. He forgot to eat as the sun set low on the horizon and he gathered everything he was reading.

Doumeki hunters did not go 'missing in action.' There were only eight other instances of Doumeki hunters that had gone 'MIA – Assumed Deceased.' This was a significant finding, as there had been nearly hundreds of Doumeki hunters throughout the years. Shizuka cross-checked other corresponding information surrounding them.

All of them were older – in their late twenties to early forties. All of them had married and had children. All of them were also highly decorated – commanders or higher. One had even been a member of the Hunter's Council.

There were gaps of several years between them. The smallest was roughly thirty five years – the longest was over a hundred and fifty.

The records went back seven hundred years – as long as his family had been hunters.

His mind reeled at the number. Seven hundred years ago... my family became hunters because one of their sons had been stolen by a witch. That was the story that was passed down to him from his father. Seven hundred years ago, Watanuki had used a scrying pool to determine where his Intended would be found.

The thought that everything was true stung more than he thought it would. Were they spared a painful death as well? Did they ask to be taken? Did any of them fight?

Haruka could still talk on his final day of life and felt no pain. Commander Sakurazuka had told him explicitly that a hunter that was dying from heart attack could no longer speak, eat, or scream. He could only suffer in complete silence. Had that been all because of the Traveler's magic?

He did not know what to think anymore. The answers that he sought did not make anything clearer.

Even if he wanted to, even if he could entertain the idea of going with Watanuki and forsaking everything he'd ever worked for, what would happen to those he left behind? What would happen to that girl he was supposed to marry? What would happen to his parents? His cousins and uncles in the surrounding villages? Would Watanuki steal him away quietly, so no one was really any wiser? Or would he decide to make his move in plain view of Doumeki's fellow hunters? The ramifications of the unpredictable man's decisions could be detrimental if he chose wrong.

The captain pushed all of the tomes back on their respective shelves and slowly made his way out of the dusty old building. When he made it back to the barracks it was the witching hour and he could do nothing more than pass out from exhaustion on his bunk.

. . . . . . . .

It was almost a week since his dream. Doumeki had finally managed to section off Haruka's memories from his own, though at times he found himself forced to stop before he said something he wasn't supposed to know. He was acting more distant than was normal even for him, due to the mental battles he faced with himself every day.

One afternoon found him as he finished cleaning his armor and weapons for the day. His duty roster allowed him to get off early and his family had demanded his presence at supper that evening.

Just as he was putting his sword away he felt a familiar aura come up behind him. He ignored it as he grabbed his bow and began to wrap it up for transportation.

"Captain?"

Doumeki forced himself not to sigh. "Sumeragi," he replied tonelessly. He swung his bow over his shoulder and turned around to address the, as usual, concerned ensign. Doumeki raised one handsome eyebrow with impatience as his ensign stood in front of him. Subaru shifted from foot to foot.

"Are you all right?"

For all his frustrations, Doumeki was exceedingly skilled at not displaying anything. "I'm fine. Was there something you needed?"

Subaru bit his lower lip. "The whole barracks is worried about you, Captain. I'm worried. You've been acting strange lately. No one has seen you use your bow since the training incident." Subaru paused and placed a hand on Doumeki's arm and he squeezed. "I'm just-"

"If you'll excuse me, ensign. I have some family obligations to attend to this evening." The captain shook his arm free of the grasp on it.

Subaru's cheeks flushed at the reminder of his station, but his eyes hardened with a stubborn determination. "Yes, Sir."

Doumeki knew he would continue to receive questions from his – bafflingly concerned – ensign. Subaru seemed to have a keen interest in his welfare. Shizuka was growing concerned that the attention was not entirely innocent.

No one spoke of trysts between hunters. It wasn't supposed to happen, and it was punished when it became known to the council, but with how often hunters spent away from their 'families,' it occurred more often than anyone wanted to admit. When he'd first been promoted to captain and been assigned to one of Sakurazuka's divisions, he'd been pulled aside and told to keep his mouth firmly shut about any 'dalliances' he might see if he wanted his men to remain loyal to him. He was highly encouraged to not engage in any himself unless the hunter was of equal rank.

The whole idea was only made creepy because of the way Seiichiro had explained everything with unhidden lust in his eyes, though Doumeki had never been able to pinpoint where that lust had been targeted. No advances had been made towards him by anyone under his command, or his commander for that matter, until now. At least, if that was indeed what Subaru was quietly wanting. Once again he felt a stab of anger and hatred towards the way his world was structured.

He left the barracks without a backward glance but he could feel Subaru's eyes on him until he was out of sight.

It was a quick walk to the family home. They'd always lived close to a hunter's barracks, considering the long family history in the order. While he probably didn't need his bow with him it was a long ingrained habit that had him keep it on his shoulder. A witch could strike anywhere and he never wanted to be unprepared.

Granted, he didn't want to use it in front of everyone. One more test revealed his powers had only increased. He hadn't engaged anyone in a fight, for training or otherwise. His heart twinged in his chest as he thought about how the council would find out sooner or later. The pain reminded him of Haruka's failing heart and he wondered if he could be suffering from the same affliction already.

His father greeted him at the front door. "Shizuka," Kino said warmly.

It had been a while since he'd seen his father. While his last memory of his father was admittedly Haruka's, it was still the first image that came to mind.

His father had not aged well. Already at thirty nine years old his hair was graying and his face crinkled with wrinkles and crows feet as he smiled. Doumeki thought it odd how his grandfather had aged better despite a harder life. "Hello, father."

"Come inside. Your mother is just about to finish cooking dinner. You should be pleased with who is our guest tonight."

A lesser man would have groaned. Of course. A guest. Why else would he be wanted home? He only had to wait the time it took to remove his shoes at the door and enter the sitting room to see who it was.

Kunogi Himawari smiled at him brightly as he made his way into the room.

"Kunogi," he said respectfully as he set his bow down against a far wall.

The girl stood up and walked up to him. Her smile did not reach her eyes. "Hello... Shizuka." He was ever so grateful when it sounded like she was uncomfortable saying his given name. "Please accept this gift I offer you." She held out her hands to reveal a white cloth with yellow embroidered trim.

Doumeki took it and examined it. Of course, it was a bride's handkerchief. Inside were two gold rings, unadorned with gems or filigree. A standard wedding ring set for a hunter and bride to be.

She was expected to give this to him. Gods, it was that dinner they were having that night. Shizuka resisted the urge to pinch his nose and sigh. The stupid wedding is only three weeks away. Gods help me... That night was going to be a nightmare to get through.

His father invited the both of them to sit back down and indulge in a warm cup of sake. Shizuka did so only to take his mind off the awful meal that was to come. Himawari sat herself a respectable distance away from him and tucked her legs under herself, her head down and hands on her lap. She was the picture of manners and respect. Doumeki felt a little pity for her, and perhaps some empathy. She was stuck like him playing out this charade of a life that had been chosen for them.

"Dinner is ready," his mother said from the doorway.

The three of them stood up and made their way into the dining room.

Partway through the meal his mother started in. "Shizuka, dear, you haven't said anything all meal." She smiled. "You must be anxious. Don't worry. Your wedding will be lovely, your family will make sure of that."

Doumeki swallowed the bite of rice in his mouth loudly.

"Sweet Himawari already has her dress, and oh is it lovely! I am so happy my son is marrying such a beautiful young girl as you, Himawari."

The brown haired girl lowered her head and blushed. Shizuka thought she looked uncomfortable as she squeezed her hands in her lap. "You are too kind, Miss Doumeki."

"Please, Himawari, just Yakani! You'll be my daughter-in-law in a few short weeks!"

The girl smiled her not quite smile.

Shizuka grunted and set his utensils down. "How's your heart, father?"

The silence that settled over the room as palpable. It was a full minute of awkward stares before someone finally spoke.

"Shizuka," Yakani bit out harshly.

Kino raised one of his hands. "It's all right, Yakani."

"But in front of Himawari-!"

"She'll find out eventually." Kino turned his eyes to his son. "Who told you?"

"Commander Sakurazuka."

Doumeki Kino sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry you had to hear it from him."

"Well," Shizuka pressed. "How is it?"

Yakani's face was red but she dared not say any more after her husband's acceptance of the conversation. Kino rubbed at his chest. "It's... not well."

Him too. My father will... He couldn't finish the thought.

"Miss Doumeki...?" Kunogi whispered worriedly.

Shizuka stood up abruptly and left the dining room. He heard his father's rough voice begin explaining the grizzly details of an old hunter's death to the ignorant girl at the table. Shizuka heard her gasp as he rounded a corner and headed to the room that was designated as his while he stayed at the family home.

He sat down and and closed his eyes and as he did Kimihiro's blue eyes were all he could see. He suddenly felt trapped by everything. Trapped by the Hunter's Council, trapped by his family and his arranged marriage, trapped by his vicious commander and his too-concerned ensign and the inevitable doom of every hunter not lucky enough to die on the battle field.

His door slid open and Shizuka looked up. He was too late to hide that he had been holding his head in his hands and his breath was not as steady as it was supposed to be.

Kunogi closed the door quietly but did not venture further into the room. "Your father explained the... the Hunter's Heart Attack."

Doumeki did not look at her.

She bit her lip. "I'm sorry for coming in here. Your mother insisted that I-" she paused as there was a hitch in her throat. "That I console you. I'm sorry for intruding. I can slip out of your window if you'd like me gone right now."

"Kunogi." He finally lifted his head to look at her. "Do you want to marry me?"

Himawari lowered her head. "No, yes... I have nothing left in this world. No one outside of the hunters will go near me. I will do as I'm told... because I have nothing left to do. No one else will have me."

It was a story he'd been expecting. Guilt gnawed at him ruthlessly. Doumeki stood up and walked up to her. Perhaps... he could convince himself he could want this. Perhaps he could use the image of her fate as mental fuel to fight Watanuki's advances.

Doumeki reached her, lifted her face, and kissed her.

A breath later and he was falling, asleep before he even hit the floor. Impossible colors danced before his closed eyelids before he could open them again. When he found himself suddenly able to breathe again he looked up from his position on the ground and saw none other but the Traveler leaning over him.

Watanuki's eyes glowed with the light that entered them. The scenery around them was dark like a moonless night, but strings of power glowed around him, thin and red and bright. The hunter's heart began to beat loudly.

"A dream?" Doumeki questioned.

"A dream," Watanuki confirmed. His eyes narrowed. "Shizuka. Did you think I'd let you try something so... underhanded?"

Doumeki glared back. "Release me from this dream."

Watanuki raised one hand and grasped at the strings around him. He made a fist around the lines of power and tugged.

The captain felt his heart pulled at in a new and terrifying way. He looked down at himself and saw the same strings of power were wrapped around him as well. The question was plain in his features.

"It's our red string of fate, Shizuka. You see the bindings that hold us together. If you cut these threads, you will die." Watanuki grinned and grabbed one of the strings between his teeth. He tugged again, and Shizuka groaned at the sensations and felt his hands reach out and squeeze at the scantily clad hips that straddled him. "Don't fight me so, my Intended. You know the truth of it all now. What is left for you there in your current life?"

"I can't," Shizuka stressed. "That girl... my parents... the Hunter's Council will-"

Kimihiro shook his head ruefully. "Ever the selfless hunter." He leaned down, the damnable red string still held tightly in his hand, and his smell invaded Shizuka's senses. His grandfather's memories washed up again and he remembered the impossible happiness and peace Kimihiro had given him.

Shizuka did not think he could fight much longer.

"You wonder about all of them. About your awful commander. You wonder about your family's reputation. About cute, silly Subaru even." Watanuki tugged the neck of the kimono Shizuka wore out of the way and sucked on the mark.

Pleasure shot through his system. Real and encompassing and nothing as faded as dream-memories. Shizuka cried out without being able to stop himself.

"They all die in the end, Shizuka. Everyone dies. No matter what you still cling to, I will not let you die as well." Kimihiro held the hunter's head very still between his hands and looked him directly in the eyes. "You don't know the agony of an eternity alone. I will not... will not wait any longer for that possibility to occur. I will save who I can but I will not sacrifice you."

The intensity of those eyes and the husky voice forced the breath from Shizuka's lungs. "I-"

Kimihiro kissed him again. Any train of thought the hunter may have developed dissipated around those lips and the hands that started to undress him. "Ki...Kimihiro," Shizuka gasped loudly when wet heat hit the seal on his shoulder again.

"Shizuka," Kimihiro ground their hips together and the hunter hissed at the friction. "This mark... this seal. It sings to me, Shizuka. Unlike all the others it demands I finish the bond with you. Only you have retained full lucidity. Only you have been able to fight."

The hunter closed his eyes as he realized they were naked.

"You make everything within me scream for you, my hunter. You will be mine."

One hand grabbed his throbbing erection and pumped, teeth bit down on his seal, and Shizuka cried out from the bright hot fiery heat that washed through him. His toes dug into the ground beneath him and he arched up into the Traveler's touch. He was shaking and gasping and grabbing the body above him and trying to pull it closer.

They were kissing again, primal and hard with teeth and hands pulling at hair and nails digging into sweaty skin.

Hands pushed his legs apart and he was too stupid with hormones to fight. Half lidded eyes looked into his as his face was roughly grabbed to hold it in place. Kimihiro grinned, then thrust roughly inside of him but before he could cry out in shock and scream the other man's name, Kimihiro whispered "Wake up, Shizuka."

He was in a cold sweat on his bed, his sheets sticky and his heart racing.