Chapter 2: The Girl who Lost Her Way

Her green eyes flew open. Where am I?! What am I doing here?! She felt something tight on her wrists, as she tugged, it went through her flesh. The same sensation was on her ankles. There was a sour ball inside her mouth that tasted like lemon; over her mouth was a white piece cloth.

She squirmed trying to escape. Where am I?! I want to go home! All you can hear of the poor girl's screams were small muffled sounds, hardly audible. She twisted to the left, and then saw a blank wall. It seemed like an empty doll house and Akira would have been mused by it if she were not tied up.

She turned to the right, her long black hair falling into her face. The man who was called Hajime entered the room, with a tray of food. Food she was not interested in. She was frightened and wanted to leave as soon as possible. She didn't stop struggling. She wanted to run.

"I will untie you. If you run, I will kill you." Hajime said the words rather coldly. He was disgusted to see the pathetic girl struggle for her life as if she were an animal. The girl trembled slightly as she nodded her head.

He moved over to untie her and removed the cloth and ball from her mouth. His hands were strong but gentle almost. Then it hit her, the girl felt a sharp pain in her chest as she realized she was no longer in her place or time. She needed the book to return but she lost it when she was running away.

When he finished untying her, he was surprised that the girl didn't struggle, but was still frightened enough to cry in his presence. She was wailing like a child who had lost her mother. Something told him that perhaps the girlsimply was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It pained him to hear her cries, but he didn't dare show it on his face. He patiently waited until she stopped.

He clenched his hands to avoid reaching over and comforting her. It was true that he didn't care much about woman, but they still shouldn't enter the world that belongs to a warrior. A woman should not be forced into a situation such as this, but there was no other choice. She had information, and they were going to get it out of her. Hiccups still escaped the poor girl's lips. He nearly lost to himself and moved his hand to remove the girl's tears from her face, when the girl wiped them on her own. He retracted his hand, frustrated at himself.

He looked at her in the eyes. "Eat," he commanded the girl. She obeyed.

She looked at the tray of food her had brought her. A bowl of rice sat on the center, fish was on the lower left, and there was a small cup of tea on the upper left. She took the chopsticks carefully, trying to remember how they were used. She held them incorrectly. The young man just assumed her emotions were still unsettled.

It wasn't until after her first few bites that she realized she was hungry. She quickly ate everything on the tray, even the fish which she dislikes. She glanced over at the man who brought her food. She held her breath as she noticed there was no emotion in the man's face.

Hajime noticed the girl stopped eating and was staring at him. "Are you finished?" he asked her.

The girl shook her head but kept her gaze on his face. He felt uncomfortable. No one had so openly stared at him without so much as flinching. The girl's mint green eyes stayed showing fear and confusion as they kept searching his.

He maintained eye contact and began glaring at the girl, hoping she would quickly look away. Her expression saddened and then slowly returned to her food, disappointed in something.

They were empty, she thought. It was the first time she had saw someone with such cruel empty eyes. I wonder what he's missing. She knew the man was strong, his sword and hands were proof of that. His beauty was like a painting; only to be admired from afar. His voice beckoned any person to come near just to hear him speak. She also knew he, at the very least, had one other companion. So what is he missing? She decided to ponder the question later.

"May I know who you are and where I am?" It took all of Akira's bravery to make the words leave her mouth. Even as she spoke, her voice was a little louder than a whisper.

Hajime stared down at the girl and she had wished she hadn't said anything. "I will tell you, when you tell me who you are and why those men were after you."

I made him mad. She lowered her head and her voice stayed just as low. "You would not believe me if I told you."

The man kept his gaze on the girl. She knew then that he did not care whether it is believable or not. He just wanted her to speak, now.

"My name is Kotetsu Akira and I-I fell from the sky. The men, they saw me. They said I must be related to somebody and I probably knew where he was, but I didn't know who they were talking about." Akira kept her voice low as she could hardly believe her own words. She glanced at the man's eyes again.

He was upset. Her statement was ridiculous; how is it possible for a person to fall from the sky? But, as her eyes met his, he knew she was serious. Her eyes were serious. She was not lying to him.

He sighed. "My name is Saitou Hajime. You are in the Shinsengumi headquarters. Unfortunately, your reason will have to be judged by the vice-commander."

Akira's eyes saddened even further. She might not even be able to live, much less go back home. That's all she wanted, to go home.

Saitou studied the girl's eyes. She knew what he meant and she was not willing to defy it. He was impressed at her resolve but, to an extent he was a little upset that she was not willing to put the effort to live.

He tied her hands together, leaving them a bit loose for her comfort. Akira took in everything that was going on. His face, his touch, his smell, she wanted to take in everything before her death. "You smell nice," she said unconsciously, blushing and then turning away as she realized what she said.

"Thank you," he said dispassionately. He grabbed the rope and opened the door into the hall.

The girl didn't want to leave with any regret from this world. If she was going to go she was going to let it all out. As Saitou turned his back she whispered, "…and you're very pretty." The girl did not think he heard the last part she said as he did not comment on it, either way she said it and so she was content.

Saitou has been complimented by women before, but not in this manner. She was assuming she will probably die and so was saying her last words. It was obvious she was not born of a warrior family, so it made him wonder what kind of life she lived to be calm about her own death, and even allow herself to let go of any regrets she had. She was an interesting girl. It would be a pity if she really was put to death.

Author's Notes:

Wow second chapter already! I am pretty much running on adrenaline right now so I apologize in advanced for how vague the story might be, but I felt a string of inspiratio and I wasn't going to let go. I am pretty sure the other writers know what I'm talking about. Once it's gone, it's gone...So please review! I like knowing what people are thinking.