Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuoki. This amazing anime was created by Asuka Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Hasegawa and Mitsutoshi Ogura. I only created my Asuna and some side characters.

Editor / Beta Reader: Waffle (Thank you)

Rated Teen for violence, blood, coarse language and / or sexually suggestive scenes (rating may change to Mature in the future as story progresses, readers have been advised).

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Kiss Of Snow

By: Swanna

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Chapter 16: Suitors

Hijikata went motionless.

Anger shot through his bloodstream as he watched Shinohara taking Souji's finger in her mouth. He wasn't sure what to make of their intimate act right at that moment. Then, with a flash of insight, he realized she was taking his blood. It was the only logical explanation he could come up with, considering Shinohara had made it very clear early on that she didn't like being touched by anyone without skin privileges - it had stayed in his mind ever since.

"Looks like we got caught, Asuna-chan," said Souji, not bothering to hide his grin of satisfaction.

There was a vehemence in the atmosphere when Shinohara showed no visible reaction even after four other men had just witnessed their exchange. Most women would have blushed and turned away, but her expression was impossible to read as usual.

Kondou cleared his throat again. "Souji and Asuna, come over here and meet Kashitarou Itou."

While Souji heeded the order and rose from the bench to stroll towards them, Shinohara walked off in the opposite direction instead. But for some unknown reason, she was studying Itou with an intense expression Hijikata couldn't quite decipher. Her glance was wary and pondering, as if her thoughts were elsewhere. His intuition told him something was wrong.

"That girl…" Itou's eyes also seemed to be firmly drawn to Shinohara as she made her way out of the garden. "Who is she?"

"Ah, she's my niece. She's come to stay with us for the time being. Pardon her manners, Itou-san. She's just shy but she means no disrespect."

After an interminable discussion, it had been decided that Shinohara would pose as Kondou's niece so no one would question her identity or presence. They'd then told Shinohara the plan in its entirety to persuade her. To Hijikata's bewilderment, she had accepted without any objections as though granting them a favour.

"I see." Itou looked thoughtful for a moment before giving a small laugh. "I didn't know that Kondou-san had such a lovely niece."

"Good thing she took after my sister, who inherited all the good looks in our family," said Kondou, playing his part to the hilt.

"Asuna-chan is definitely a beauty who can topple empires, don't you agree, Hijikata-san?" Souji stared at Hijikata, attempting to gauge his reaction.

Even the worst fool could tell Souji was playing mind games again, trying to push Hijikata into a corner until his defense collapsed and he exploded with a verbal outburst. If this was his game, then Hijikata wasn't going to fall into his trap.

"You need to stop running your mouth," Kondou scolded sternly. "I haven't even asked what were you doing with Asuna back there."

Itou chuckled again. "Don't be too hard on him, Kondou-san. Young people can be quite spontaneous and passionate these days."

"Back in my day we were more conservative, though it makes me feel old saying that."

The fine arch of Itou's brows lifted. "What are you talking about? You're not old at all, you look the very definition of youth!"

"I bet you've been practicing your flattery, Itou-san." Souji's words were laced with heavy sarcasm.

"Flattery? I meant every word I said."

Now that Kondou heard the praise, he couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear. "Thank you, Itou-san. You certainly know how to make me feel better."

"Perhaps we should continue our conversation inside, where Itou-san can be more comfortable. I'm sure he's been on his feet for a while now," Sannan suggested politely.

Kondou nodded in agreement. "Yes, Sannan-kun is right. Come on, let's continue our talk inside so we can also show you around the headquarters."

"Yes, please do." The three of them left, leaving Hijikata alone with Souji.

"I don't know about you, but he seems shady to me." Souji was right. Though Hijikata was reluctant to admit it given his current misgivings towards the man.

Something about Kashitarou Itou had rubbed Hijikata the wrong way from the moment they'd met. For someone who was skilled in dishing out empty flattery and deceptive ingratiation, the verdict was still out as to whether he was trustworthy or not. After all Itou was still new to the circle, and he would need to prove himself to the rest of the Shinsengumi first. That process in itself was already trying. Judging from the looks of several other Captains, it was clear that they also shared his skepticism towards Itou.

But Hijikata wasn't interested in getting into that conversation with Souji. Not now.

"Why are you out of bed? And what were you doing with her earlier?"

"We're getting curious, aren't we?" His voice became much more mocking. "What does it look like to you?"

"It looks like someone wants his teeth knocked out."

Souji looked amused, his poise unshaken by the threat. "You do know you have a mean streak, right?"

"So I heard. Now stop evading the question," Hijikata snapped, his impatience beginning to surface.

"Asuna-chan was just taking my blood."

Something knotted in Hijikata's gut, and it took an instant for him to recognize it as jealousy. He had expected that answer so it came as no surprise to him. But hearing it spoken out loud was another thing. As he considered his own emotional turmoil, he noticed Souji studying him in an unsettling way.

"What's with that look? You look like someone just fed you poison." Souji gave him something that others might have mistaken for a smile, but not Hijikata. "You didn't really think Asuna-chan would only take your blood, did you? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're trying to monopolize her."

Hijikata swallowed hard to keep his anger in check. "You don't know any better, you idiot. And what the hell is that supposed to mean, anyway?"

"I will leave that for you to figure out, Vice-Commander. But you should at least be more honest with your feelings."

"Mind your own damn business," he retorted, refusing to indulge in any more of this Souji-inspired speculation about his own mental state. "I'm honest enough as I am and no one is trying to monopolize Shinohara. I was just trying to make things easier for everyone when I offered her my blood so we don't risk blowing her cover."

"If you say so." Clearly Souji wasn't convinced. "Since you insist there are no feelings involved then I guess you also wouldn't care if other men, including myself, show interest in her, right?"

"She won't be interested," Hijikata reassured him, but even he knew he didn't sound completely confident.

He wasn't particularly good at reading women, and he had a feeling he wasn't going to be much better with a demoness who shielded herself in armor that allowed no closeness. He certainly had even worse luck in unraveling the mysteries beneath her smooth, uncrackable façade so far. Time after time, he had been made aware that Shinohara enjoyed her freedom from restraint and did as she pleased. With that freedom, she might eventually take a lover. Wouldn't she?

"Don't be so sure of things. Someday she will be in another man's arms before you even know it," Souji concluded with a genuine smile this time before striding away from their conversation, leaving him lost once more in his own whirling thoughts.

Hijikata's mind started racing as rumination took hold. Would it bother him if she was ever interested in another? She wasn't bound to him and that was exactly what he'd wanted, wasn't it? So why did the idea of seeing her with another man not sit well with him at all?

X X X

It was already early evening by the time Chizuru and Saito had returned from their patrol in the city. With a load of dirty laundry in her arms, she looked up at the sky to unwind for a moment. It was painted in a blush of pink and orange as the sun was setting above her. The sense of disappointment she'd felt on her way back had deflated her, particularly when there was still no news regarding her missing father.

Chizuru's father had been an outstanding doctor and an extraordinary man, with much renown with the people of Edo. Her mother had passed during childbirth and it had always been just her and her father. In a way, one could say that he was her world. He'd always been there for her whenever she'd ever needed solace or advice, so his disappearance had been especially distressing for her.

Warding off depressing thoughts, her mind shifted back to the present instead. Chizuru started the process of scrubbing the clothes over the washboard mechanically until the masculine planes of a man's face suddenly came into sharp focus before her.

Her heart leapt in her chest. "Harada-san! You scared me!"

"I tried calling out to you earlier but you were lost in thought. What were you thinking about?" Harada asked, his handsome features creased with worries.

"I'm thinking about my father. I've been doing that a lot lately," she admitted without hesitation.

There was no point to hide anything from him. Not when he could read her thoughts before she even spoke them.

"Judging from that expression of yours, I guess you didn't have any luck during patrol today either?"

Chizuru shook her head, and she could see compassion softening his expression further. "Hey, remember what I've been telling you? You will find him so don't lose hope just yet. Tomorrow will be a brighter day so keep staying positive."

"You're right. I won't lose faith or let my heart be troubled. I know I will reunite with my father someday."

And she truly believed that. She had been comforting herself with the promise that one day, she would find her father. It was a promise and mantra that she repeated often to herself to give her hope, wanting to wish it into reality.

"That's the spirit." Harada smiled at her.

As usual, his smile made her feel something she never felt before. All she could do was return the gesture and smile back. His compelling eyes riveted her to the spot. He projected an energy and power that undeniably attracted her to him. She'd tried to ignore it, block it from her mind, hide it and even pretend she had imagined it, but all her efforts had been to no avail. She'd realized now that everything was up to her and she'd allowed herself to fully embrace her feelings for Harada.

But what about him? She certainly knew that he cared for her a lot, but did he feel the same way she did?

"Here, let me help you with that," said Harada as he unexpectedly took the clothes from her.

"What? No, it's alright, Harada-san. This is my duty so let me do it."

He huffed at her rejection. "Even though you were tasked with the responsibility of cooking and cleaning around the house, you work hard enough as it is already. We know you always do your best to look after us, so can't you just let us help you out every now and then?"

"But you all have been doing so much for me already, this is the least I can do to show my appreciation."

"You're one stubborn woman, you know that?" Harada took her by the elbow and guided her to the steps. "Just sit here and take a break. I will handle the rest."

Chizuru alternated her gaze between his muscular arms and back as he worked, the muscles in his forearms and back rippling with every stroke back and forth over the washboard. She willed her gaze to stay on his face and not his heart-stopping masculine form.

"So how was the meeting with the Commanders earlier? Anything interesting happen?" She asked, more than eager for a distraction.

"The usual stuff. We just introduced ourselves to Itou-san and the new recruits."

Chizuru remembered seeing Kondou accompanied by a tall, thin man with long black hair that was tied up in a half ponytail as she was on her way out to meet with Saito today. There wasn't an opportunity for interaction earlier but he seemed approachable enough.

"Looks like the Shinsengumi will be growing," she commented.

It was very pleasing to see the Shinsengumi finally being recognized by officials and expanding. The men's hard-fought efforts were being rewarded. All they had fought for was slowly coming to fruition.

"That's one way to look at it. It all depends on how well we can work with him. Things may or may not work out, but we'll see." His voice was curt, but something in his tone told her it was more than that.

"You don't sound like you had a good first impression of him."

He lifted his shoulder in an exaggerated shrug. "I'm never the type to judge a man by his appearance, but don't you think he looks like a fox?"

"A fox?"

"Yeah, with his eyes like this," his fingers were pulling the corner of his eyes towards his ears to make them slanting.

Chizuru couldn't help herself and laughed. A bubble of laughter crept into her voice. "Harada-san, you're just too much."

He strolled towards her in two strides and crouched to her level so that they were face to face. With arms crossed on top of his bent knees, his steady gaze was locked on hers. Under his scrutiny, she couldn't even think, let alone speak.

"You finally laughed." Harada let out a tight sigh of relief before giving her a grin that made her stomach flutter.

How did he do that? Chizuru had constantly wondered in amazement. He always managed to make her smile and laugh with ease. Even now. Even with everything happening with her missing father. She felt closer and more comfortable with Harada the more time they'd spent together.

While she was distracted by her thoughts, it took her a moment to become conscious of his stare that was now directed at her lap. "What are you looking at, Harada-san?"

"Your hands."

She blinked, puzzled. "My hands? What about them?"

"I'm just amazed at how small they are and yet you are able to accomplish so much with them."

Confused, she lifted both of her hands, examining them. "Huh? My hands aren't that small."

"Yes, they are," said Harada while pressing his hands against hers, palm to palm. "See, compared to mine, they're tiny."

In comparison, his hands were large and calloused from the constant use of weapons in training and battles. It made her smile again, the way he was so unequivocally male, the way her heart raced when she noticed.

Curling his fingers over hers, he said abruptly, "I've got an idea! Since I don't have to patrol tomorrow, why don't we go out for a bit?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"That's a surprise. You will have to wait and find out tomorrow."

Chizuru's eyebrows rose in suspicion. "Is this one of your spontaneous moments?"

"What's wrong with being spontaneous? You don't like spicing things up?" Harada asked with a playful smirk, almost daring her. Then she noticed it took him longer than it should have to let go of her hands.

She stared at him with narrowed eyes. "Why do I have the feeling you're making fun of me, Harada-san?"

"I wouldn't do that," he said with a smirk. Noting her reaction, his expression grew into a half-hearted smile as if there was something amusing. A private joke that belonged to him and him alone. "Then it's a deal, I will meet you by the front entrance at the hour of the Horse tomorrow."

"Alright!" A lighthearted joy flooded Chizuru as she was already looking forward to tomorrow.

X X X

For a long moment, Kazama stood on the rooftop of the Shinsengumi's headquarters that he had been plodding along. It didn't take him long to discover a way in, the human race's sense of arrogance had led them, once again, to disregard the demons with whom they shared the lands. Or perhaps they just didn't understand the capabilities of other races.

Above him the moon hung full and heavy in the starless sky. If it was any other night, he would've had simply sat back and admired the glimmering beauty in which he was so obviously drawn to. But tonight, he wasn't out to take in the full effect of the moonlight or the soft, sultry air.

Tonight, he was out to hunt and capture the Shinohara princess.

Kazama stayed absolutely still, his jaw clenched in concentration while trying to track down traces of demonic aura to locate her whereabouts. The energy intensified rather quickly here – which meant she was nearby.

However, instead of Asuna whom he was fully expecting to be walking out of the shadowed corner, it was the same young demoness he'd met at Ikeda Inn and on the bridge to Mount Ten'nou recently. From what he recalled back at the tavern, she wasn't strong enough to handle the Choshu men, wasn't fast enough to go head-to-head with demons like himself. She had made a gallant attempt to fight, but she just wasn't strong enough.

Regardless, why two pureblooded demonesses had willingly chosen to stay with the Shinsengumi was beyond him. What did they see in this group of mortal men that no one else could perceive? What was Kazama overlooking?

He observed as she abruptly paused and looked back, as if apprehensive of danger. When she noticed nothing to be concerned about behind her, she proceeded with a few more hesitating steps before coming to a full stop again. This time, she looked up and discovered Kazama.

Her eyes widened with recognition and fear. "You…? How did you get in here?!"

Kazama took the cue and leapt from the rooftop, landing gracefully a few feet from her. His action caused her to shoot him a look of perplexity and she took a cautionary step back. Although he was curious, it shouldn't seem at all surprising to her that demons were able to jump from high heights off roofs and wall fences, or teleport a small distance away. Those were only some of their renowned, mystical abilities.

"I'm not a demon for show. I can easily infiltrate even the most guarded palace without giving myself away." He then tilted his head at her. "But you're not as inadequate as I thought you were if you're able to detect me before I made my presence known."

"Demon?" She drew in her breath, and her eyes grew even wider but with horror as she echoed with disbelief. "What do you mean, demon?"

A short silence followed her question. "Is this some kind of a joke? You should know everything when you're one of us."

"What are you talking about?" Her hand was already reaching for the shortsword strapped to her waist.

Kazama instantly recognized the weapon, Shotsuren, in her hand. It supposed to be paired with another legendary longsword named Daitsuren. Both blades were known to be the Yukimura Clan's treasures. The fact that she was carrying this shortsword could only mean she was a descendant of the prominent demon clan from the east.

With eyes narrowed, he sauntered towards her but she took another step back. He made a reach for her just when she was about to draw her sword at him. In that moment, he felt a firm grip on his forearm, holding him at arm's length to prevent him from getting close enough to inflict pain. Kazama turned and found himself staring into a pair of unwavering aquamarine eyes. Even in the dark, the shine, colour and luminosity of those eyes were unmistakable.

"Shinohara-san!" The young demoness glanced up at Asuna who'd silently appeared next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Asuna demanded, letting go of his arm though her gaze never faltered from him.

"Let me tell you something since you apparently don't know what you are," said Kazama, regaining the other girl's attention. "Just like the rest of us, you're a demon too and you might as well get used to it."

Her head snapped up. Before she could open her mouth to argue, Asuna ordered her in an austere tone, "Chizuru, go back inside."

"But Shinohara-"

"Go. Inside."

She seemed to know better than to argue with Asuna, or to convince her further. With a quiet nod, she ran off in the direction she came from. Already Kazama had noted Asuna's protectiveness of the young demoness. As the head of his clan, he liked her protective nature and the way she cared about her companions. At the same time, he had to also consider the information he had learned tonight and how it could be used against her when the time called for it.

"You didn't answer me," Asuna reminded him as soon as Chizuru was out of their sight. Up close, her skin was as pale and perfect as it had seemed from a distance. "Why are you here?"

Her coldness brought a curve to his mouth. He couldn't remember having met another demoness who could quite stand up to the Shinohara princess's icy perfection. It was like she was encased in a shell, even more so than any other demons. Nonetheless, he was determined to break down her indifference towards him.

"Didn't you want to know my relationship with the Kazama Clan? I'm here to tell you now. I'm the head of the family."

Asuna didn't seem surprised by the disclosure; she looked at him directly. "You're the son of Kazama Homura?"

"It's been a while since someone mentioned my father's name."

Although he was no longer in Kazama's life, memories of him should be honored. He had taught him well over the years. He had taught him how to survive in a world where a sword would constantly be at his back or at his throat.

"I should've seen the resemblance," she commented. Kazama felt she was mocking him as there seemed to be an implied innuendo in her offhand remark. But he couldn't figure how.

Choosing to disregard it, he then continued and said, "And to answer your question, I came here because I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition?" Head tipped to one side, she continued to regard him inquisitively. "What could you possibly offer that would interest me?"

"I want you to be my mate."

"If that is your proposition, then you can leave now." She started to take her leave, but he wasn't planning to let her walk away from him.

Kazama moved with her from behind and felt her spine stiffen slightly. "Our main purpose is to procreate and perpetuate our lineage. So, aren't you forgetting your obligation to your own family and to our demon race when turning me down?"

Asuna turned to him again. He could feel the power of her eyes when they looked into his; he could feel the enormous strength of will inside her. "I don't know why you chose me, but why should I choose you to be my mate?"

"Why not? I came from a royal family and I have strength that cannot be matched," he reassured her with earnest promise, especially when he had an impetuous desire to impress her. "Through our unison, we will definitely be able to produce a stronger bloodline, how about it?"

Intimate touch was never a necessity for demons. Even as a child, he was rarely shown physical affection from his parents. So Kazama didn't even know what came over him when he suddenly reached out to touch her face, giving into the compulsion of feeling the softness of her skin under his fingertips. He wanted to know if her ivory skin was as soft as delicate petals and cool to his touch.

She edged away from his reaching hand, denying him the pleasure of touching her. "If that's all you have to offer then there are many other demons suitable to be my potential life partner. Besides, I'm not interested in taking a mate right now."

"If not now, then when? If not me, then who?" Kazama wasn't taking no for an answer, no matter what choice Asuna made.

"I don't need to explain anything to you, nor do I wish to continue this conversation any further," she said, shifting a subtle inch away from him.

Kazama knew she was attempting to increase the distance separating them, but he didn't want that. His gaze never left hers.

"You already made a mistake once when you turned down my father's offer, don't repeat the same mistake again." Closing the distance between them, Kazama extended his hand out to her. "Come with me."

She didn't move. For a brief moment, her eyes were focusing on his hand instead. "You're just like the rest of them."

"What?" Confusion overtook him.

"If I don't feel the same way then who are you to decide my life to be more valuable than others? I don't need anyone to sacrifice their lives in exchange for mine just so I could live," she said softly, her voice was decisive and very cold when she raised her head defiantly. "Takeda had been loyal and unswerving in his devotion to us. What does that make me if I had forsaken him just to receive protection from your family? If you truly believe that decision was a mistake then it only proves that you're unworthy to be my mate."

She regarded him with a stare that seemed to go right through him, something that bordered on disdain. Just like the first time he'd seen her, she had touched him, reaching a dark, unexplored part of his psyche that he'd never shared with anyone. It was an imperious gesture that took even Kazama by surprise. Back then, he may have been too young, too inexperienced to understand her pain and torment. But now he realized that Asuna had lost everything in this world, except her pride.

"At first I only wanted us to meet again because I was curious about your identity. But now that I know you're the son of Kazama Homura, there's no reason for us to see each other again. I suggest you leave before the Shinsengumi are alerted," she continued, remaining distantly aloof and began to move away.

Ignoring the quickening of his pulse and the tension in every muscle, Kazama grabbed her wrist, forcing her to turn back to him. "Wait-"

Suddenly a sword was thrusted towards him, forcing him to let go of Asuna as he dodged the preemptive strike. Once he regained his composure, Kazama got a good look at his attacker's face and instantly recognized him. If his memory served him correctly, he was the same man who was able to fend him off at the bridge even though Kazama was faster and stronger. If memory served him further, his name was Hijikata.

Before he knew it, Chizuru had also returned with two other mortal men by her side. Instead of striking back, Kazama just stood and watched as they drew their weapons, pointing the end of their blades directly at him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Cold anger simmered in Hijikata's eyes, readying himself to fight if the moment arose.

"Hell has nothing to do with it," Kazama replied with just the slightest grin as he took in the thrill of taunting the man.

"Why don't you spare me your shit. What do you want here?"

"I came for her," he said simply. "Asuna is obviously too much for you to handle. I'm here to take her with me."

"She's not going anywhere with you." Hijikata moved into the space between Asuna and him, trying to block the way and shield her.

"Aren't you being too desperate coming here, of all places, to chase after a girl?" said the man with long indigo hair that was loosely tied to a side.

"Hey creep, don't think you can just barge in here and then run with your tail between your legs when you're surrounded." The red-haired man raised his spear to his chest level, ready to charge at him as reinforcements arrived and started running towards them. "You've got nowhere to go."

Seeing that he was outnumbered and hemmed in by the Shinsengumi men, Kazama decided he should leave for now as he had no reason to stay in their territory and put himself in danger. Danger didn't bother him, but he was the head of the Kazama Clan and that duty overrode every other emotion, every other need. And from the looks of things, Asuna wasn't going to leave with him tonight either. He knew the battle was already over, before it had even begun.

But Kazama hadn't given up and he would figure out how to get through to Shinohara Asuna, who was meant to be his mate.

"I will come back for you," Kazama ignored the mortals as he spoke to her; his eyes boring into hers though she never once looked away. "And next time I intend to take you with me even if it's against your will."

"We will see." It was a blunt reply, challenging him. Her attitude was anything but meek acceptance. Good, because Kazama never liked easy prey.

"You can mark my words, because I always get what I want." And right now, he wanted her.

Without another word, he jumped onto the roof and retreated into the darkness of the night.

Asuna watched Kazama disappear from view while feeling she had just become his target. That thought triggered an irritational reaction within her. She really couldn't fathom why he chose her over any of the other demonesses he could have had. Although she knew enough of her own worth to understand that eventually she must select a mate to carry on her family lineage, she wasn't his or any other man's object. She would choose her mate on her own terms without being forced into the mating bond.

Saito sheathed his sword before turning to Hijikata and said, "I should take our members to check the premises and make sure our security is in place, just to be safe."

After receiving a quick nod of approval from the Vice-Commander, Saito commanded the men to follow him.

"Well, looks like it's over already," said Sanosuke as he relaxed and lowered his weapon. "Good thing you notified us just in time, Chizuru. Otherwise, Shinohara-kun would've been kidnapped and taken away by that creep already."

"He can try, but he won't succeed," Asuna responded with her chin up. If Kazama thought she would submit to him without a fight, then he was sadly mistaken.

"I'm sure you can handle him." Sanosuke smirked at her before turning his attention back to Chizuru, who had been silent, almost withdrawn. "Are you alright? Were you frightened by that guy?"

Chizuru shook her head. "I…I'm just glad Shinohara-san is alright. But it's been a long night, I think I'm going to get some rest."

The others may not have noticed, but Asuna could tell Chizuru was obviously troubled by the enormity and uncertainty of what she'd learned tonight. All this time she had assumed that Chizuru was only pretending to be something she wasn't; lying about what she was and hiding her true nature simply because she feared how the mortals around her would greet the truth. Now it appeared that she was genuinely confused about her own identity.

"Then I will walk you to your quarters," Sanosuke offered, and they both began walking out together.

Hijikata had also been unusually quiet. But when he realized Asuna was about to take her leave too, he shot her a sharp glance and finally spoke up. "What did he want with you?"

She recognized that tone; the same authoritative tone that demanded absolute obedience. His eyes were piercing in their directness. Asuna could well feel the spike in his anger, though she didn't know where his anger was stemming from. Perhaps he was aggravated by the fact that a demon had trespassed on his territory. Knowing that she was the indirect cause of his disarray, she decided to comply this time.

"He wanted me to be his mate," Asuna divulged without preamble.

Hijikata went very still. His tone of authority shifted to annoyance. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

The dangerous glint in his eyes almost made Asuna think he was infuriated with her. The tension between them went from admissible to scathing. She decided it was time to end their conversation since it was slipping beyond her ability to command it. She made a quick attempt to walk past him, but he was faster and stepped in her path, blocking her.

"Where are you going? We're not done talking." His tone hardened.

"You're letting your emotion control you. We should continue this when you're calmer."

Hijikata didn't say a word, nor did his expression change. But the furious sparks in his eyes soon vanished when his gaze connected with hers. Asuna knew he was still unwilling to let go of this conversation, but her own patience and temper were already riding on a thin edge after tonight's episode. She didn't feel like explaining herself right now and only wanted to savor her solitude.

"Besides, this shouldn't be the most pressing concern for you when you have other problems to worry about." A bleak reminder for Hijikata to get out of his own head and on to more important matters.

"What other problems?"

X X X

Author Note:

Happy 2021 everyone!

Although last year has been quite a bumpy journey for everyone around the globe, I'm glad it's behind us now. As new year arrived, it will be a new beginning for you and me! I wonder what's your new year resolution? Mine is (and you're going to like it) to finish at least one fanfiction story before the year ends haha! But will it be this story, who knows? I will let my inspiration flow and go from there.

Quick shoutout to the following lovely people:

Guest: You're right about everyone loving Souji! He's also one of my favorite characters but my love for Hijikata is just too overwhelming, otherwise Souji (or Kazama) would've been the main love interest for my Asuna!

Astrid Claire: I'm so happy to see your review! Can't believe it's another old friend who hasn't given up on me yet! And thanks for pointing out my errors last year, by the way. I fixed it all thanks to you!

Waistedyouth: You are such a sweetheart and I was shocked when you mentioned you've been following this story since 2016. I'm terribly sorry for the long waits in between but thank you for your endless support!

Samara Yukimura: I'm glad that you enjoyed this story so far! I know sometimes it's difficult for OC stories to get traction. But since I'm writing for my own pleasure, I decided to roll with it regardless. But it's nice to know so many of you ended up liking Asuna so much! And I can understand your English perfectly, so don't worry about using google translate! Thank you for going out of your way to leave me a review though!

Angelblueeyes21 & Waltzing Muse: What am I going to do without you both? Thank you for your constant motivation and inspiration. You know I love you guys! I already missed our Starbucks sessions where we can chat about fandoms and brainstorm fanfiction ideas! Hopefully we can meet up again sometime this year! Fingers crossed!