Disclaimer: Hakuouki is a visual novel game by Idea Factory. (They make a bunch of cute guys! Drools. So I always look up new series just so I can stare at them~) Hakuouki then was adapted into an Anime by Studio DEEN. And today, the Anime series is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America. (I got this information from Wikipedia and I believe the information is accurate. I wouldn't know though!)

Author's note: Yikes! It's been almost two weeks! Here's the new chapter, everyone! XD

"Forever" will not keep us connected

Chapter 25

Surrounded by the Hakuouki, Souji fought against them with his katana. He swung horizontally and sliced the flesh of three men. His slanted his eyes and continued to move his katana at the same level, circling behind him. The shape edge cut across the incoming whitehair man and some blood splattered on Souji's cold expression.

No matter how much he hurt them, their wounds would always heal. This was pointless.

As well as Souji was fighting, his mind was thinking of something else. 'What was with that black wind?' he asked himself, attacking with care.

What was happening to Kanon?

Saburo's blood extended from both of his arms and formed into blades, striking out like branches to push all of the Hakuouki away. He gritted as his teeth as he noted the enemies regenerating their flesh wounds. 'There's no end to this!' Saburo glared, becoming impatient.

Even striking for their hearts, it was still not enough. Cutting their arms off was hard because the bandits were rather skilled and evaded as if it was a child's play. They were very quick on their feet as well. They were more like monsters than humans.

When Saburo tried to aim to cut their heads off, he would hold back because it felt too cruel. 'But if I want to get everyone out of here…' Saburo tried to strengthen up his resolve. He would have to be more brutal. So he waved his right hand whilst the blood struck out to the surrounding bandits.

And blood dyed the mound.

In Kanon's arms, she held Little Fukui close. She jumped away from all of the blades that aimed for her. Akio was with her, protecting her while Saburo did the same. As for Souji, he was a bit too far from them.

"Saburo-sama, we must escape!" Akio yelled over his shoulder.

"How?!" Saburo wailed. Hearing men behind him, the blood formed out of Saburo's back and struck out, tearing his upper shirt to pieces. Two men fallen in that moment as Saburo's hardened blood returned to liquid, but the bandits healed rather quickly and got up on their feet. And Saburo hurried to push all of them away with his power.

Earlier, Akio was shocked to see Saburo utilizing such a strange ability. And what caused the boy to gain such a frightful power? Akio snapped his eyes to the girl, "You!"

Kanon flinched from his loud, deep voice and stopped evading as Saburo backed up behind her to shield her. "What?" she looked at Akio with a light glare.

"You did something, right?" he questioned her. She gave him a perplexed stare and Akio attacked more bandits with his katana. "That black wind!"

They were being pushed back by the Hakuouki. Kanon's eyes became watery, "That wind… wasn't me…"

"What?" Akio's eyes glanced over his shoulder to her. He was hoping she could throw some of the Hakuouki away to clear themselves a path. But if that was not her doing, who was it? It made no sense to him. Perhaps she was lying. She had to be, right?

Souji hissed infuriatingly and pressed forward. His katana begun to dance and blood flew to the sky in the direction he took. His hair became white and his eyes turned as red as the bandits'. "Stay out of our way," Souji murmured. As calm as he wanted to be, he was losing his edge.

Realizing Souji ran off even further, Kanon shouted to him, "Souji, come back here!" But it would seem he chose to disregard her.

"Another Hakuouki, eh?" Souji heard a voice snickered. Souji turned his hands to hold his katana tighter just as he blocked another incoming katana. He glared into the pair of red eyes of the bandit. The pair of eyes that showed they were the same kind of monsters. "Why don't you serve Haru-sama too?" the bandit smirked widely.

"Invitation rejected," Souji's eyes grew deadly. "My only desire is to kill her."

Over to the other group, Akio took note of the carriage over fifteen meters away. It was the same carriage where they kept Little Fukui inside earlier. Fortunately, Akio raised the horses as he saw the animals were calm and simply stood at the sidelines. The Hakuouki seemed to have picked up their pace as well. "Saburo-sama!" Akio gestured his left hand to the carriage.

Saburo glanced back and easily understood the man's plan. Side stepping by Kanon, Saburo threw his right fist out. His blood shot out from his knuckles and created a tunnel-like pathway that lead straight to the carriage. Saburo winced since using his power caused him pain.

However, Kanon reached for his forehead with her first, right fingertip and healed his opened wounds. He smiled gratefully, "Kanon-san, take Little Fukui there first. We'll be behind you."

She nodded, dashing off with the dead child in her arms. Her stomach felt ill again, but she tried not to let that stop her. She stomped her feet to run, passing Akio and aimed for the carriage that was just in front of her.

Right after that, Akio followed Kanon promptly, hearing the Hakuouki trying to break through the tunnel of blood with their katanas. Even bullets were fired.

Kanon had opened up the wide door in the back carriage and rushed to lay Little Fukui over on the right, but she had a bit difficulty doing that by herself. Her arms were giving in for some reason and she felt she had not been very strong as of late. Akio soon aid her, carrying the boy with ease and laid him down carefully.

There was no time to exchange words as Akio picked Kanon up with his hands under her arms. She stared blankly and she moved to sit in the carriage. There were questions she wanted to ask the man, but kept them in and focused on escaping.

"Okita-san!" Saburo's voice called.

The green-eyed man looked back to follow the voice. He reckoned the others were planning their escape now. Which was good. So Souji dashed toward the red tunnel, his blade waving out to cut an incoming bullet that aimed for his chest.

Saburo was at the end of the tunnel with the only entrance. On his will, the tunnel grew spikes to attack all of the offenders. Souji now approached him and Saburo sealed up the entry for the time being. "You go first, Okita-san," Saburo quickly said.

Wanting to argue, Souji smirked. "You first," Souji snickered.

The blood of the tunnel hardened even more and continued to grow spikes back and forth on the outside to keep the Hakuouki away. Saburo pouted to Souji and pointed the way, "I'm telling you—"

"A royalty should always go first," Souji patted on his shoulder. Grabbing the same shoulder, he gave Saburo a push further into the tunnel. Sneering, Souji gestured, "So, go already."

"Hurry, Saburo-sama!" Akio shouted over to them. He was now seated in the front carriage with the reins in his hands. He was quite upset and impatient. Mainly the reason was his own men… half of them fought each other and were no longer under his own command. But he had lost an army a few times before. The loss meant nothing to him. Even Yumeko's death.

However, everything now seemed to be going downhill… his men… and his niece's death. He was losing his duty and everything else. And now, Saburo was his only remaining objective. Evidently, he must carry out to make sure Saburo was safe from harm's way.

Saburo grunted, glancing back to Souji for a mere second. The horses neighed and the sound of the carriage begun moving. Saburo turned to look and saw Akio riding toward them. At the back of the carriage, it appeared Kanon was standing on the edge at the back and her arms on the roof of the carriage.

"Come on, let's go already!" Kanon expressed with a soft glare.

Seeing as Kanon reached a hand out, Souji gladly moved pass Saburo and took her hand as the carriage came by. She pulled Souji up as strongly as possible and his feet stepped into the back. Saburo flattened his expression as the carriage slowed a few feet from behind him. Grunting childishly, Saburo turned his head and peered to Souji, who just moved into the carriage with Kanon. She turned her head to the jet-black haired guy and her face told him to pick up his pace.

Within a single step Saburo took, the tunnel of blood suddenly had cracks all over the place. There was that red light again, revealing through the cracks eerily.

Akio scowled, "Saburo-sama, come!"

Kanon reached out and Souji was looking out to the cracks. It happened so quickly. As the tunnel collapsed, the red eyes of the Hakuouki peeked through the large cracks. Saburo glared to them and his palms opened. His blood leaked through them, whilst he winced more in pain, he willed the blood to circulate around him, the horses, and the carriage.

The blood managed to slice parts of the Hakuouki who were near by and the other monsters backed away with one leap to dodge them skillfully.

Souji glared and his red eyes continued to stay the same. The Hakuouki seemed much powerful than the Rasetsu. Why was that though? It felt amiss. "Saburo, come on!" Souji shouted rashly, his eyes over to the younger boy.

Saburo smiled at the back of his head. The blood formed into whips and slapped behind both horses of the carriage.

Letting out a light gasp, Akio bit his tongue as the horses screamed and charged forward without the one person who had not gotten on the carriage. "Saburo-sama!" Akio snapped his head to the back, trying to grip on the reins that almost slipped from his fingers.

The horses were still galloping. Kanon cried as her heart raced, "Saburo!"

Souji could not believe that just happened. What was Saburo thinking acting alone? They could still escape together. "Saburo!" Souji shouted as well, a bit pissed he had to play the hero.

Standing in front of the bandits, or the Hakuouki, Saburo was in a cautious stance as his blood swayed around him to keep the Hakuouki from slipping by him to get his friends. 'Where did that red light come from?' Saburo's silver eyes hurried to search among the whitehair men.

For a mere moment, Saburo saw a little boy. He was sitting up in a tree about a hundred feet away. The ten or eleven-year-old boy's hair was black, the length of it reached down to his neck. His eyes were red, staring at the ground. He wore a black, buttoned, long sleeves and black pants with brown short boots. His gaze was as silent as he appeared.

Saburo felt a cold air going down his spine as the boy's red eyes gazed directly to him. With his red eyes glowing, a ray of red light flashed outward. Saburo covered himself with his hardened blood. He was not sure what would happen. As the red light touched his blood, it shattered once more and vanished into thin air.

"What?" Saburo hissed, his eyes glancing around. 'Who is that boy? Is he being mind controlled by Haru too?'

"Thanks, Kuroro," one of the bandits waved to the red-eyed boy with a snicker.

Some of the Hakuouki slid by Saburo's watchful eyes. Luckily, he stopped them in time with his blood becoming a sharp edge. Yet, he was worried about that kid who created the red light. What if the light touched Saburo? Would that cease him from using his power? He must keep his guard up.

"Saburoooo!" Kanon called him again. 'What the hell is he thinking? Is he planning on leaving my side and let me die?!' …Or was it going to be the other way around? The thought terrified her and she hoped Saburo was not thinking what she was realizing.

Akio was able to stop the horses, but they were quite a few ways from the group of bandits now. Souji had seen the scene of the red light and the mysterious boy who was behind it all. With the way Saburo was going at and all by himself, Souji doubt Saburo would be able to handle all of it on his own.

Just when Souji was going to jump off the carriage, Kanon grabbed his arm and he looked at her concerned face. "Souji, you can control the wind with your eyes!" she notified. He saw slight tears in her eyes and she demanded, "Bring Saburo here right now!"

She feared losing Saburo, Souji understood that. But he wasted a few more seconds to adjust her words and the expression on her face. The way she finally told him his power… it was only because she wanted Saburo to be by her side, was it not? Why was Souji even bothering to feel jealous at this point?

Souji's hair and eyes returned back to their original colors. He changed his view over to where Saburo was, who still fought against the Hakuouki. The red-eyed boy seemed to stop what he was doing and was just relaxing up in the tree. Next, Souji tapped into his power as soon as he could.

Wind. Every day, Souji would feel the breeze when he patrolled Kyoto back then. Sometimes the wind was pleasant, sometime it was ill. The wind always carried the scent of blood around him too. And the wind rarely carried any other scent. Not that he could even recall it though.

"Please don't tell me you can't use your power either!" Kanon hoped that was not the case. She tightened her grip on his arm and he let out a soft grunt.

Back to where Saburo was, he walked backwards as the overpowering Hakuouki were ganging up on him. 'Did Kanon-san just say what Okita-san's power was?' Saburo thought questionably. Her voice was faint, but he believed he heard something like that.

Saburo just aimed for the Hakuouki's necks and hearts, but they simply moved too fast for him yet again. They even blocked him with their katanas. The only thing Saburo was relieved about was that he tore up all riffles he saw. In this way, no bandits had a bullet to shoot anymore.

Out of nowhere, the wind seemed to carry Saburo's off the ground. Having no idea what occurred, Saburo shot out more blood to stop any Hakuouki from coming any closer. The wind pulled Saburo while it also pushed the Hakuouki from proceeding forward.

'Oh,' Saburo blinked. He realized it. Was it Souji's power?

On his bottom, Saburo landed right into the carriage with his legs over the edge and his eyes widened as Kanon hugged him from behind. He was quiet and his face went a bit pale. "…Kanon-san?" he did not blink. He was just so shocked by her embrace, which was out of her own free will.

She whimpered fearfully, "Don't ever leave me…" Her chin was on his right shoulder and her eyes were closed shut. 'I can't imagine what I would do without you, stupid Saburo…'

Souji and Akio were staring at them. And they both were disapproving the moment between Kanon and Saburo. Shortly, though, Souji went back to hold the Hakuouki back with wind. Since he could only control the wind with his eyes, he tried to ignore the closeness between the two.

The Hakuouki were not flying off of their feet though. Was it because Souji was too far? Or was it just because he was not yet strong enough? Souji glared as the red-eyed boy tilted his head as if he was thinking up a plan. Kuroro was his name, right? And that boy had the power to cancel out other powers…? Was his mind being controlled by Haru as well?

With a simple smile, Saburo moved to face Kanon. He was on his knees and touched her right cheek with his bloody palm. His other hand patted her shoulder. "You're my princess, remember?" he grinned happily. "So, I'll protect you with my life, even if it means I have to leave you."

"Wait, what?" she looked up to him. Her hands securely held his arms in case he planned on really parting.

Akio suddenly grasped he should make the horses gallop now. However, his eyes were still on Saburo and Kanon. Just then, Saburo's thumb on Kanon's shoulder reached down to her collarbone. In a flash, he pressed his thumb behind the bone and it made Kanon lose her conscious. Then he slightly pushed her back toward Souji, who just caught her.

"Saburo!" Souji fixed his gaze to him, stopping his winds. His eyes widened the moment Saburo swung his hand out to his face. The blood blade from Saburo's palm cut across Souji's eyes and Souji backed away with his hand quickly covering them. He groaned painfully, feeling the blood through his fingers, and wanted to curse.

Saburo smirked, "You let your guard down again, Okita Souji… Because I can be ruthless when I have to be."

"Damn you…" Souji mumbled, cringing with absolute pain. His other hand around Kanon held her tightly while he gritted his teeth together. The bleeding continued and he tried to focus.

"…Saburo-sama," Akio lost his breathing, staring at the young man. He was not sure how to feel, but Saburo would never assort to such violence. Was Saburo getting desperate?

"Akio, leave here with my friends," Saburo commanded, moving off the carriage.

"But…" Akio turned his upper body. Chuckling, Saburo gave him a thumbs up. No more words were exchanged and Akio gradually looked away. He nodded though and tightened his grip on the reins. 'So… even I would lose Saburo-sama…' An order was an order. And Saburo had firmly meant it.

"Later, Okita-san," Saburo said, turning around and ran off. "Take care of everyone."

Souji tried to grab for his arm, but he obviously made his move too late. Souji almost hit against Kanon's fallen body and he tried to shake her awake. Of course, she did not respond. "Saburo! Get back here!" Souji exclaimed.

That damn guy could not be doing this to him. How was Souji going to explain to Kanon about all of this? It would only tear her heart apart.

Akio shook on the reins harshly, commanding the horses to neigh loudly and charging forward once more. Souji grunted in the rocky ride, his hand still over his eyes. His chest felt heavy thinking about Saburo looking for death. He probably was. Because he should know Kanon would die if they were away from each other. Or would Saburo catch up? Souji was not certain.

"Curse it," Souji murmured angrily, his muscle tightening up.

Ignoring the great pain in his eyes, his heart ached much more.

The boy in the tree sighed and blinked slowly, watching the carriage taking off in the horizon. 'This way is fine too,' the boy stared blankly.

A nearby bandit smirked to the boy in the tree. "Kuroro, what should we do with the remaining guy?" the bandit inquired.

When Kuroro did not answer, Saburo glared to the bandits, who seemed to be waiting now. They could feel his determination and snickered mockingly. Raising his left arm, Saburo let the blood tore off his skin and formed into a red blade. "I don't get why Haru is so bent on going after Kanon-san…" Saburo mumbled, walking forward. "…But I won't let Haru do as she pleases."

"Oh, but Haru-sama had already set her entire goal into motion," a bandit told him before laughing amusingly.

"And don't you worry," another man assured. "You'd be happy in the end."

Saburo's left arm hurt. He glared and his right hand turned into a fist. "To hell with that," Saburo ran to them now. His feet felt light and his mind felt almost faint. However, he would do anything to put an end to the group of Hakuouki. Or whatever they were.

The incoming attack made Kuroro stand up in the tree. He studied how the blood from Saburo swung like a spinning blade and the katanas of the bandits did nothing, only to be slice into pieces by Saburo's bloody edge. Successfully, Saburo sliced through the bandits' bodies in half and many others backed up with a plan of their own to counter individually.

"I am sorry," the words were whispered from Kuroro's lips. 'I cannot have you kill all of the Hakuouki…' The boy's red eyes glowed and a red light emitted in front of him. Soon after that, the red light shot out within a flash, passing through Saburo's body.

Saburo's power completely stopped and he groaned in pain. He fell on left right knee, his right hand covered up his missing arm. He was bleeding nonstop. "S-Shit…" Saburo shut his eyes in pain. 'What the hell?'

What was he thinking, trying to die in a place like this? He knew the red-eyed kid had something to do with disabling the powers. …It was such an odd power the boy possessed. Who was he?

The Hakuouki walked forward, closing in on Saburo. They wondered who should taint their katana with his blood, giving Saburo a few moments of his remaining life. Saburo remained where he was, trying to think of any way to stall any more time for his friends.

Kuroro did not watch them. He simply spun on his left foot and vanished from the hopeless scene.

Snickering, Saburo closed his eyes. 'This is so stupid…' he mentally told himself. He wanted to die as a hero… but it clearly seemed he made the wrong choice to leave Kanon and the others. Now, all of his friends would scold Saburo down to his very own grave.

Not that he minded though. They were the very first people to talk down to him and treat him like a kid. While at his old home, as the Emperor's cousin, he was respected left and right. Which was why Saburo cherished his new friends very much. He was happy to have met all of them. There was no more for regrets.

Opening his eyes and staring at the ground, Saburo thought he should have died a long time ago. Therefore he was fine with this ending. It was better than to die in the hands of an assassin while trying to escape. Smiling happily, he whispered with a chuckle, "Take care of yourself, Kanon-hime."

'And thank you for letting me live one more time.'

[…^…]

A young woman walked on the streets of Edo. The path she took was a peaceful one and there was no sign of people. Exactly how she liked it. Dressed in a white and orange kimono, she used her left hand to brush her blond hair behind her right ear. There was a scar high on her front neck, possibly by a blade of some kind.

Her pink eyes flickered in the sunlight as she noticed a familiar figure down the path. Out in the open area where a Buddhist temple stood, there were also opened hallways that connected to two other buildings. The building in the middle stood about three floors, which was the temple. The opened halls at the sides of the temple connected to two one-story buildings, which blocked paths of the territory beyond the buildings.

By a large green tree, there was a muscular man sleeping under it. His back was on the ground and his arms at his sides. And he snored loudly.

Approaching the sleeping man, the blond haired woman smirked and went to sit by his side. His brown hair was ruffled and messy under his green headband. Seeing how cute he was, she moved and laid next to him, but distanced herself about a few feet away.

Closing her eyes, she listened to the wind that would soon turn into a storm.

There was no going back, but she would enjoy peace while she could.

"…Haru-san?" a girl's voice sounded unsure.

The blond haired woman slowly opened her eyes, feeling disturbed. However, she smiled and heard the footsteps slowly coming closer. Her eyes then gazed up as a dark shadow was casted above her. She now saw a young girl leaning forward and blinking a couple of times down to her. That girl had brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a simple dull purple kimono.

The girl smiled gently as she whispered, "Welcome back, Haru-san… Shinpachi-san was waiting, you know?"

Haru moved to sit up and just gave the girl a half smile.

"Where have you been?" the girl inquired, moving down to sit on her ankles. She was by the other side of Shinpachi. She stared at Haru, who shook her head, showing she refused to answer. Continuing to whisper, she asked, "Should I wake Shinpachi-san up?"

Again, Haru shook her head 'no.' There was no point. Shinpachi was always loud. So Haru liked the way he currently was.

There was a short moment of silence. The wind was the only thing that made sounds, aside from Shinpachi snoring. Haru blinked and then smirked. She raised her hand and pointed to the temple.

The girl stared with confusion. When Haru frowned, the girl clapped her hands softly. "Oh, should I take you to your brother's grave?" she questioned as quietly as possible. Haru nodded and the girl stood up. "You must have missed him. Come. We'll visit Kazama and Hijikata-san's graves together."

Haru smiled almost cheerfully and reached out her hand to the girl. A second later, the girl realized what Haru wanted from her raised hand. Walking around Shinpachi, she took Haru's hand and helped her up. 'Thanks, Chizuru,' Haru smiled playfully, almost chuckling.

The two were standing in front of each other and did not walk yet. The breeze just felt too good to move through it.

The girl blinked and wondered what was Haru thinking right now. 'It can't be helped,' she thought to herself. 'After all, Haru-san lost her voice.' However, the girl, Yukimura Chizuru, was not certain when Haru had suffered without the usage of her voice.

Thanks for reading!