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: I am so, SO sorry for the confusion I made in the last chapter. When I was editing it, I was half asleep and I DID NOT realize I made Haru 'talked' when she's actually mute. FORGIVE ME! She's mute, I repeat!

Also, I seriously wanted to update this chapter much sooner, but I was sick and too tired to open this story up. I was also catching up with an Anime (before that I had a lot of rest and I'm still feeling faint when I watched). If I may add, it's been almost a whole week since I have been feeling 'sick' and I am now recovering little by little.

*Talks on and on* and here's the next chapter! I should be free for two more days, so I'll be sure to update one more time before the weekend is over! 8D But no promises! I'm afraid I may not have time since life is unpredictable. :D

Anyway, that is all! Enjoy reading!

"Forever" will not keep us connected

Chapter 27

There was something that disturbed Souji, for he was thinking about a lot of things.

The problem he tried to solve in his head was… why was he not healing by himself? He was a Rasetsu, was he not? Those Hakuouki could regenerate by themselves, so how was Souji any different?

Then he started to recollect the past. There was that time when Souji asked Hajime to use his power on him. When Hajime caused Souji's fingertip to bleed, Souji realized that certain minor wound could not heal by itself. And this scene, none of the other men seemed to have noticed it either. Were they really too caught up in Haru's mess to even think straight or notice what was not right?

And there was the very beginning when Kanon did not fully heal him for the first time. With him being a Rasetsu, he should have healed without trouble and without Kanon's help, right? After all of this time, Souji only just found what was so wrong. Was something happening to him? What exactly happened? It all seemed to have taken place after Kanon revived him.

Perhaps the problem lied there. Kanon's healing power—

The carriage was now coming to a stop, Souji snapped out of his long, deep thoughts. Was it safe now? Souji slightly turned his head as he heard Akio moving into the carriage. "Where are we?" Souji demanded, grunting with pain once again as his eyes ached.

"Deep in a forest," Akio replied indifferently.

"Are we heading anywhere?"

"Do you have any suggestions?" Souji had none at the moment. Akio then said, "Perhaps we should find a doctor. The problem were only be the money…"

"We don't need a doctor," Souji informed emotionlessly.

Akio moved with his right foot on the carriage and he leaned his right elbow on it to look back at the blinded man. "And why not?" he inquired calmly. "You don't want to see if you can get your eyesight back?"

"Kanon can heal me when she wakes up," Souji said, his hands scratching the wood beside him. Saying her name reminded him she had a baby in her. …But what if it was not baby? Maybe it was just some fat? …That would make no sense though.

Observing closely, Akio could tell Souji wanted to snap. Having a thought, Akio asked, "This girl can heal? What do you mean?" Souji decided not to answer and Akio furrowed his eyebrows in their moment of silence. "Can she heal herself too? Are you saying she doesn't need to see a doctor? She's pregnant, remember?"

Souji lifted up his head and realized about that part. If Kanon really was having a baby, they should probably go see a doctor just in case. "…Take us to a doctor," Souji lightly nodded.

Akio smiled approvingly and turned around to face forward. "I still have no idea how far out we are," he stated as he scanned around. "The horses may need to drink water soon too…"

"Do whatever you see fit," Souji told him, leaving it to the older man. The carriage moved again and Souji remembered about Little Fukui. And then he wondered if Kanon could really bring him back alive. Maybe she could. Ayumu and her talked as if they could before.

Feeling rushed for answers and for Little Fukui to wake up, Souji moved to crawl on his knees and his hand touched long hair. His left hand then shook her shoulder. "Kanon," he called with a normal tone. "Kanon… wake up…"

Akio glanced back and frowned, 'What happened to letting her rest?'

While Souji was still calling her name after each pause, Kanon's fingers twitched. Being able to force her eyes opened, there was only one thing on her mind that was now conscious. "…Where's Saburo?" she almost whispered.

Souji stopped shaking her and remained very still. Seeing Souji saying nothing had already answered her question. Her chest felt heavy and she tried to breathe properly. Kanon closed her eyes and tried to see if her power was still connected to anyone. Yet again, her power felt too dry. She could not control it as well as she used to.

The carriage was still moving and Akio wondered what they were doing in the silence.

Getting up with her hands pushing from the wooden ground, Kanon quickly covered her mouth and when felt she was going to throw up. Her stomach settled and she winced. The moment she moved to sit up more comfortably, she felt something was preventing her from doing so. Her eyes widened and her hand touched her belly and she looked down.

'W-what?' she rubbed her belly back and forth. 'Wh-why is it so big now?' Was this a dream? She kept rubbing it and knew it was nothing of the sort. Kanon's heart jumped when Souji's hand overlapped with hers that was over her belly. Her nerves were restless and her blood was boiling. What was he going to say? …Kanon rather not know. With his hand like that, she knew he was aware of a child.

"Kanon," Souji mumbled, trying to keep a clear mind. She was not moving and he grasped her hand. "Explain this." He wanted to know now.

Completely frightened, she pushed him away and he almost fell over. Crawling away as her body was shaking with panic, Souji grabbed her ankle and pulled her.

"HEY!" Akio shouted over to them when he heard their ruckus. Kanon turned onto her back and then kicked into Souji's chest. He fell backwards and Kanon got up a little and jumped out of the carriage. Akio's eyes widened at her foolishness.

"Kanon!" Souji exclaimed when he had her heard her run. Her footsteps disappeared and he knew she must have escaped out of the moving carriage.

She had thought she would fall and roll on the ground, however black wind of its on will surrounded her and made her land safely on her feet. Kanon's heart raced with more fear of the unknown and she just wanted to run. And she did. She dashed as fast as she could and wanted to be alone. And hurry and get rid of the baby that held her back.

It was too humiliating if she told Souji what happened to her. He might even laugh at her. And she would not have it.

Souji was shouting for her name again. When the carriage stopped, he hurried to get off. Akio immediately rushed off of his seat and jogged to the back of the carriage. He stopped Souji from getting out and pushed him to stay in. "Stop it, relax!" Akio shouted in his face.

While grunting, Souji tried to fight back. "Kanon!"

Akio punched across his face and it caused Souji to fall to on his side. "You scared her away," he told the young man as he narrowed his eyes. Souji coughed a bit and moved to sit up silently as he wiped his mouth with a fist. "Why don't you calm your mind first before going after her?"

"…I am… calm," Souji murmured honestly, lowering his head. He gritted his teeth and just felt so confused. Because if Kanon shamefully ran off like that, she must been raped or something and did not want to face it with anyone. "Can you… take me to her, Akio-san? I don't want her to do anything stupid. She can be really senseless if no one watches over her."

Without much delay, Akio got a move on as if he already knew of Souji's thoughts beforehand and went back to the front of the carriage. Akio was doing this for their sake for he had nothing else to do. And Saburo would have also wanted this.

Souji placed his hand over his eyes and groaned when he felt his eyes staining from his own tears that were about to form. 'Stupid, stupid… Kanon,' Souji frowned. She was making him worried all over again.

[…^…]

The sun had disappeared from the sky and clouds covered the moon. Kanon had no idea how far she ran. Time passed a little, but it felt so long. She walked hills after hills and her legs were giving in. Falling on her knees, she punched her legs angrily and pulled on the grass around her. Her useless body was changing so much without her knowledge and she blamed the baby. She wanted to punch her belly, but she hesitated many times before. It just seemed too cruel.

'What am I going to do?' Kanon felt the tears in her eyes when she closed them. Feeling like an idiot for running off, she wondered who could comfort her. Saburo was always with her and he always did his best to cheer her up. When she opened her eyes, her vision blurred from her watery eyes and then she looked around slowly. 'It's all because of Haru,' she concluded. But for some reason, Kanon could not bring herself to hate her.

But… was there a reason why Kanon could not find herself to hate her? Kanon knew for sure she blamed Haru for all she done, however…

Kanon lost Ayumu, Yumeko, and Saburo. The people she was so close to, the people who seemed to have been with her just yesterday… they were gone. Kanon had never felt so lonely so much in her entire life. What was Haru trying to do? How could a person be so evil and enjoy all of this pain?

Kanon begun to recall anything about Haru to see if she did something wrong to her in the past. Anything. Since Haru was doing so much to hurt Kanon only to revive her brother. Although, thinking about it again no longer made any sense. Haru could just catch Kanon if she wanted to, right? Why go through so much and to the point to get Kanon pregnant by Yuma? And why Yuma?

The wind seemed dead. Kanon stared into the dark, cloudy sky and her eyes dried from tears.

"You're annoying."

That voice from the past made Kanon wonder.

[…^…]

A mile outside of the nameless village, little Kanon was chasing after the little girl with blond hair. They were walking in the tall grasses and the blonde did not look back.

Kanon pouted and called, "Wait for me, Haru! Why must you leave so soon?"

Looking over her right shoulder, little Haru frowned to the other child. "You're annoying, that's why," she glared.

"No, I'm not!" Kanon pouted even more. Her hand reached for Haru's right forearm and Kanon nearly tripped. So, she held onto Haru's right hand and regained her balance by herself. "Whew!" Kanon smiled to herself. "Haru's as strong as a tree! Every time I pull on you, you just stand so still!"

Haru rubbed the bridge of her nose and then paced off. Kanon continued to hold her hand and the two of them strolled through the grass together. "If you keep following me, you're not going to find your way back home," Haru warned.

The brown haired girl giggled, "Eh, it'll be fine!"

"How positive and naïve you are," Haru rolled her eyes to the side.

Kanon walked faster and lead the way in a rush. "I know Ayumu's hiding spot when he cries!" she grinned, slightly looking at Haru's bored expression. "I'll take you there!"

"Wait, Ba-Kanon—" Haru was practically dragged by her, yet she allowed it. There was still time… there was always time. Haru let Kanon take her on a small road and they both went pass many tall trees. Together in the big world surrounding them.

[…^…]

Kanon could only remember that much. She was not even sure if they ever got to Ayumu's hiding place. 'So… Haru thinks I'm annoying, maybe?' Kanon suddenly felt dumbfounded. '…Is that why she likes to hurt me so much?'

Reflecting some more, Kanon rubbed her head to remember about Akiko. She once mentioned revenge was meaningless.

"Everything happens for a reason."

Kanon let out a loud sigh and she hit the ground with her right fist. 'That's right,' Kanon sadly stared at the sky again. 'When Aunt Akiko got sick… she didn't want me to heal her… and then she died that way…'

That was the most heartbreaking experience Kanon first had. And all of Akiko's words taught her so many things when her parents could not. Kanon cherished Akiko's words… but… what was going to help Kanon and the baby growing inside of her?

Who was going to help her? Should Kanon go and kill Haru or something, after giving birth? Was Kanon even capable of such act? And what would happen to the baby if Kanon sought an unwanted revenge?

Her lips were shaking and she shut them to keep them from making her feel scared. 'Aunt Akiko… I want to make the baby go away…' she thought bitterly. 'I don't want it.' She did not need it.

…Maybe drowning would work. But Kanon was too tired to even think about trying it herself. Life was so tiring on her own. She… needed someone. She needed friends by her side.

'Okay then,' she took a deep breath, moving to get up. First, she should go find the others who were all blown by the wind. She gasped for just remembering about it. 'I hope everybody is all right!'

There was no time to even worry about the baby. What if someone was hurt and Kanon had to be there and heal them?

Kanon turned around and wanted to go back to carriage. She twirled some more and walked a little. Which way did she come from? Whining, she cupped her mouth and shouted, "Souji?" Her voice echoed.

"…Kanon!"

With relief, she smiled and jogged to follow his voice. But after a few steps, she stopped and placed her hand over her belly. 'Souji… knows,' she thought to herself, feeling hesitant to meet with him.

"Kanon!" his voice was getting close. And he did not sound so mad as she thought he would be. She felt he might even tease her because she was irresponsible that night. Yet… he sounded more concerned about her right now when he called her name.

Feeling uncomfortable and stepping backwards, Kanon tried to think up any excuse she could about the baby. But how could she even hope to hide it now? …Perhaps telling the 'truth' would only do. Still, telling Souji a truth may not end well either. …Since she knew he liked her.

"Ughhhhh," Kanon slapped her cheeks with her eyes shut. 'What am I going to tell Souji? Something like, "I wasn't raped or anything" or what?!' Her nerves were getting restless all over and when Souji called her name louder, she literally jumped. She had to think fast before he comes!

"Kanon, answer me!" he exclaimed, but still calmly.

She opened her eyes and smiled uneasily. Currently, his figure was down the hill and his hands were reaching out to find his way around. Akio was not with him, which made Kanon wonder why Souji was alone. She rushed back to reality and saw Souji was now walking toward her. "S-Stop right there!" she uttered, blushing a little.

With a frown, he slowed down and then paused in his tracks. He slightly turned his head, trying to figure exactly where she was. "Kanon…" he voiced annoyingly. "If you think you can run away—"

"I-I didn't get raped or anything!" she chose to say. Yet, she sounded so unconfident. It seemed Souji did not believe her when he grunted. Giving in easily, Kanon could not even find any other good excuses. "I… um… well…" Souji walked forward and she cringed as she lowered her eyes. "It… uh…"

"It was Yuma, wasn't it?"

Kanon lifted up her head right away and her eyes were widened with shock. He was still walking to her, but slowed down even more. "H-How did you know?" she inquired.

"Do I look stupid to you, Kanon?" he scowled. She bit her lower lip and then she touched her stomach gently. "I had plenty of time to think when you were unconscious, you know," Souji said, approaching closer.

And how else would it explain Kanon's sudden physical change? It was the conclusion Souji only had as he had remembered the day Kanon was shielding Yuma from Souji's katana.

Hearing her breathing, Souji knew she was in front of him and his hand rested on her left shoulder. She looked at him and could not tell his expression since he had the blindfold. But his lips were more than enough to know he was composed. "…We shouldn't have drunk that night… Saburo and I…"

She felt the tears behind her eyes when he brought up Saburo's name. Slapping his hand away from her shoulder, she blamed, "It was my own fault. Not yours or anyone else…" And that was a fact.

"No, the fault lies with that bitch, Haru," Souji's voice became threatening. He turned his head to the right and felt himself glaring. "And Yuma's."

"But it's not his fault," Kanon eyed him as her heart was beating fast. She did not blame Yuma. "Haru made him and—"

Souji raised his voice, "I don't understand why you're standing up for him again!" She gave him a puzzled expression and his hand grabbed for her right arm. "What is wrong with you, Kanon? No one should get away with touching you!"

She furrowed her eyebrows at his unreasonable words. "Haru was controlling him, Souji!" she tried to pull her arm away. But Souji grasped it harder and gritted his teeth. "Why would I blame him for doing something he apologized for? And this conversation is getting awkwardddd."

"That's it?" Souji demanded. "Because he apologized?" She winced and hit his hand with her other. Souji had a short moment of pausing, ignoring her hitting him over and over. "Wait… When did he apologize to you?"

'Shit, I can't tell Souji the details,' Kanon shut her mouth. And she just kept hitting him.

Whereas Souji hurried to cool his head, he still held onto her and no one said anything. Then he gave her a firm shake and she stopped hitting with a pout he could not see. "Okay, calm down for sec," he grumbled. He could always get the answers out of her later.

"Yeah, you calm down," she concurred, twisting her arm around to get it back. He slowly let her go and she rubbed her arm almost stubbornly while taking a step back. She made a pained expression and stuck her tongue at him. He did nothing and was just standing there, cooling his head off. Kanon now blinked a couple of times and noted the blindfold. "…Did you hurt yourself?"

Souji touched the cloth over his right eye and grumbled. "Saburo did this to prevent me from interfering with his… heroic act," Souji spoke quietly. There was silence and he wondered if Kanon was depressed yet again.

The moment he lowered his hand from his head, he felt her fingers softly touching over his forehead and a warm glow emitted. He did not flinch or move from her tender touch. A slight moment later, Souji was now reminded about him being a Rasetsu, who should have the ability to regenerate by themselves. Was it really because of Kanon's power? But why and how?

When her fingers retreated with the warmth, Souji untied the cloth around his head and let it fall down his face slowly. His eyes were still closed and he unfolded them steadily as if he would hurt his eyes if opened too suddenly. He saw Kanon was standing in front of him, but faced to the right with a worried look. The wind was slow and faint, however her long hair was flying off of her back like a veil. Then he directed his view down to her belly, in which she covered with her arms purposely.

"…Are you afraid?" he inquired, standing where he was. Her lips moved from a pout to quavering. "Do you know why your… child is growing so fast?" Kanon shook her head 'no' and avoid looking at him directly. Souji narrowed his eyes and slightly tilted his head with demand. "Then… do you want Yuma… or me?"

Just faintly, Kanon blushed at his words and tried not to think about it. She felt it was not necessary to even respond to it. She even wanted to say 'I want no one.' But he was just waiting and standing there, it made her heart race. Her arms around her tightened and the silence was killing her.

"You do know I like you, right?" he murmured, observing at every inch of her face for any kind of reaction. She merely nodded honestly, which should speed things up for Souji. "If you want me, I'll stay with you. Forever if you want."

Kanon finally gave him a look, but she was frowning. "You didn't even ask me if I like you or not," she remarked, sulking a bit.

He smirked, "Do you want me to ask that?"

"No," she quickly said, averting her eyes again. She was not sure yet. And she rather not know. After all, there was still Haru out there.

Seeing as she was being stubborn, Souji moved forward and walked around her. At the same moment, he grabbed her hand and dragged her over the hill. She was surprised at his sudden gesture, but before she could utter a word, he promised, "I'll stay with you, Kanon."

Walking ahead of her, she was unable to see his expression. Only the back of his head. Yet, the tone of his voice convinced her enough. His fingers moved to lock around her own and he gently tugged her. She walked with ease, but he made sure he was leading as they walked over another hill.

"…Can the others stay with me too?" Kanon asked, lowering her head with feelings of uncertainties.

Annoyed, Souji flattened his expression. Having the 'others' must mean Sanosuke and them. It was not like he would object though. Souji tried not to sigh and blinked when Kanon tightened her grip on his hand. He smiled to himself and paced slower and she caught up by his side. "As long as you only want me, then yes, the others can stay with you too," Souji softly told her.

For unknown reasons, Kanon felt so fortunate. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of loss her friends and gaining new ones along the way. Why was life like this? Why could she not keep all of them? When Souji saw her teardrops, he stopped walking and faced her. Her head was lowered as she said, "Thank you, Souji…"

He hated seeing her sad and her tears. Bringing up the hand he held, he kissed the back of her hand while their fingers were still between each other. Was this gesture comforting enough, he wondered? She leaned toward him and he wrapped the other hand around her shoulder to embrace her. Just when he thought this would at least last a minute, she suddenly pushed him away and looked a bit startled. Souji's mouth dropped at her, "What?"

"Sorry—no hugs." She appeared timid about something and wiped her tears with her hands, which she had snatched away from his reach when she pushed him away.

Souji childishly leaned to her, "And why not, Kanon? You came to me first."

She glared up at him and pushed his leaned head away. "B-Because being that close reminds me about… er… that night… with… you know…" she uneasily tried to explain. And the more she said it, the more she lowered her head.

"Hmm," Souji raised an eyebrow. "…Are you saying you're suffering from a trauma?"

"I'm… not sure," she shrugged, wrapping herself again to keep her warm. The wind felt colder now. How long were they here?

Crossing his arms over his chest, Souji remembered something. "Before we left Saburo… you hugged him from behind, didn't you?" he pointed out as gently as possible. Kanon lifted up her head and seemed to just realize it too. "What's the difference between him and me?"

There was no need to think for Kanon refused to find out the answer herself. "I don't know, leave me alone!" she turned away and rushed off by herself.

He frowned disapprovingly. But then he grinned. With his green eyes glowing, he let the wind carry Kanon off of her feet and threw her over to him, which he held out his arms and she landed in them. "Now I see why you didn't want me to know my power many times before," he chuckled, walking off while carrying her.

Kanon was blushing and struggled to get down. "Souji, wait, let me down!" she demanded. He was not listening and she swore she would poke his eyes out, but then she covered her mouth when she started to feel like vomiting.

"You're pregnant, so it's only natural for me to do this," he teased with a smirk to her. She closed her eyes and looked unwell. "…Kanon?"

She groaned and cringed with her hands on her stomach. A black glow surrounded her body yet again and Souji called her name worryingly, but she could not hear him clearly after that. 'What the hell is wrong with this baby?' she cursed in her thoughts. She panted through the pain and the air seemed to have gotten colder. 'Yuma… I should find Yuma and ask him about… this…'

"Kanon!" Souji lowered her down on the ground. She had fallen unconscious and he shook her once while the black glow vanished without a single trace. "Kanon, hey! Can you hear me?" She did not respond and he narrowed his eyebrows with a sweat running down his face.

There was no time to question. Picking her back up, he rushed over the hills, heading back to where he had told Akio to wait.

Thanks for reading!