Anime: Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan

(Y/n)'s POV

Sneezing involuntarily, coughing fiercely, panicking surreptitiously. Red, hot, flaming fire ate everything, its greed for food only fuelling its power and prowess. This small town was finished.

"Run miss! Those samurai aren't human! They aren't dying from the fire!" yelled a man running for his life.

Many others followed in his footsteps, rushing out of this hopeless situation. Running away from problems too difficult to solve, never bothering to try.

The sleek, stainless metal shone bright in the moonlight as I unsheathed my katana. Facing the rouge samurai who now surrounded the only occupant of this town who remained, I stared at them with a look of resolution.

They charged at me, their mouths twisted into a ferocious snarl. Gracefully slashing my blade, I danced across the dirt floor as they fought and clawed, their sanity having already been destroyed.

A strike to the head, and a blow to the stomach. Already some down. I growled when one pierced me with its sword, panting from the exhaustion of having to fight off over two dozen of them.

Their eyes glowed, amplifying their seemingly lustful desire for blood. I took a few steps back as they neared, suddenly coming into contact with...something, or rather, someone.

"To your left," the man warned.

Hurriedly stabbing my katana into the samurai's heart, I kicked his failing body away before noticing the man fend off the rest, preventing them from reaching the area in which I stood.

His blue robes swayed in the wind as he wielded his katana in his left hand, his movements graceful and effortless. A man from the Shinsengumi...

A wave of vertigo overwhelmed me, my stance staggering. Vision slightly blurred, I willed myself to stay conscious regardless of my deteriorating condition.

The man immediately wrapped his right arm around my waist to keep my body upright. Using his left arm to defend us from the rouge samurai, I felt a sense of guilt eat at my mind.

"Sorry for coming so late," exclaimed another man, his spear in hand.

"Saito, the villagers have been evacuated safely. Luckily there were only a few minor injuries. Other than losing their property, I'd say they're pretty safe. We'll handle things here," said another.

"I'll leave it to you," replied the man named Saito, the one holding onto me.

Feeling my consciousness slip away, I caught the male's stern eyes as he lifted me into his strong arms. I blacked out.

~Some time later~

Sitting up with a start, I gasped. Sweat clung to my skin, my eyes wide with fear. Noticing my unfamiliar surroundings, I suddenly became acutely aware of my situation.

A young girl stared at me, concern etched onto her face. Saito stood by the door, his hand on the wall, making it seem as if he had just entered the room.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"My name's Yukimura Chizuru. You fainted from exhaustion and stress. Saito-kun brought you here," the girl replied.

"We're in the Shinsengumi headquarters," added Saito.

"...I've got to go. Thank you both for all your help but-"

"The least you could do is give us your name," Saito exclaimed.

"...(L/n) (Y/n)."

I stood up, the cool towel falling off my head as I headed for the door leading outside. Saito pulled me to the side just as someone stumbled inside with a tray of food.

"Whoa, sorry! I um brought you food, miss. Are you leaving now?" he asked.

"Yes, I was planning to leave. Sorry for all the trouble I've caused."

"Heisuke-kun, are you alright?" Yukimura questioned worriedly.

"Come with me," Saito said, his hand having already grabbed my arm.

I followed the male without a word, hurriedly bowing to the two as we headed into the snow. Saito kept his gaze on path before us, the snow covering the dirt ground, almost as if a purification of one's sins was taking place.

I admired the beauty of the scene, ignoring the cold that stuck itself to my body. My breath came out misty and cold. My feet did not mind the numbness, yet I wondered when we'd stop.

Having already left the Shinsengumi headquarters a while ago, I took this chance to get a glimpse of the man who saved my life. He was...handsome, his quiet demeanour only increasing my curiosity about the man before me.

"You're a demon, aren't you?" he asked once we had come to a stop.

"...yes, I am. Does anyone else know?"

"No, I kept it to myself. If Hijikata had asked, I would've told him but he couldn't have known and besides...it wasn't my secret to tell."

"Thank you...may I ask how you found out?"

"Your wounds. They healed at an incredibly fast rate."

"Oh, thank you for helping me before. I really appreciate it."

I bowed deeply, somewhat surprising the male. A smile tugged at my lips as he stood unsure of what to do. Standing upright again, my eyes flashed in recognition as he held out my katana.

"Thank you..."

"Your swordsmanship...it's beautiful," he commented.

"H-huh? I'm not nearly as skilled as you-"

"Don't downgrade your own talent."

"But the fact that you wield the katana with your left hand is even more amazing-"

I shut my mouth once noticing the widening of his eyes. Awkwardly tucking my katana in my belt, I caught his eyes softening as a small smile graced his face.

"I'm sorry, I was being too insensitive."

"It's fine," he said.

"I...I have to go. There's someone that's after my life. My father died protecting me, I can't let his death be in vain. Please...keep my identity a secret."

Bowing once again as I pleaded him for this favour, I was take by surprise as he placed a hand on my shoulder, his fingers barely grazing my cheek. His hands were so cold...

"You'll catch a cold out here. I'm sorry for keeping you here. You should head back inside."

Taking his hand in mine, I bestowed warmth onto his skin as I brought his hand up to my lips, whispering the quiet enchantment of a spell. Smiling up at him as I finished, I could only see his eyes widen with shock, his cheeks flushed red.

"It's...warm," he commented.

"Consider it as a token of appreciation. Well, then."

I bowed one last time before his hand shot up to grab mine just as I turned around to leave. He took his scarf and gingerly wrapped it around my neck, the soft fabric blocking out the cold air.

"Will I...meet you again?" he asked.

"Who knows? If fate decides so, then we shall. But personally, I'd love to see you again someday. I still have to give your scarf back."

"Then...see you later?"

"Okay, see you soon, Saito."

I wouldn't say goodbye. I would meet him again. A large smile plastered itself onto my face as I pulled the scarf over my mouth and walked away.