Harada POV

"Your dumplings, sir," the waitress said as she set a plate of steaming food in front of Nagakura. "And sake for the table," She placed the bottle in the center and distributed the O-choko around the table.

The waitress squeezed between Nagakura and Harada and leaned in slightly. "May I pour your drink, sir?" She asked Harada. The young woman allowed her sleeve to inch up her arm as she reached for the bottle, exposing her wrist. He had seen this maneuver done by the geishas at Shimabara many times. Harada paid her no mind.

Nagakura reached out his O-choko to be filled as well, but the waitress turned and hurried off, hurt by Harada's rejection. Nagakura slammed the glass on the table and cursed. "I can't take you anywhere," he grumbled.

"What are you talking about?"

"Everywhere we go, all the girls flock to you, and then I'm completely ignored."

"That's not true, and you know it," Harada rolled his eyes and took a sip of his drink.

"It is so! Just last night at Shimabara, that geisha came looking for you just so she could offer you a free drink. She wasn't even the one serving us!"

"She knows we come there often and treat the staff well; she just wanted to butter me up in hopes that we'll request her next time we're there. She was just looking for a break from the usual drunk crowd."

"Of course, you see it that way. The lady killers never know how blessed they are." Nagakura pouted into his drink and stuffed two dumplings into his mouth.

Nagakura's words had some truth to them. He didn't notice any women flocking to him. This wasn't because he 'didn't know he was blessed'; he just wasn't looking at other women. Harada only had his eyes set on one unattainable woman, Elena. Time had healed the awkwardness between the two of them. She could now stand to be in the same room as him without becoming flustered and running away, but their chemistry had died. At least hers had.

It was still torturous to be around her, close enough to reach out and touch her like he had once been allowed to but knowing the damage it could cause their fragile relationship if he did. The part that hurt the most was that Elena said she didn't want to be with him because she couldn't attach herself to someone knowing her ultimate goal was getting back to the future. Now, a year later, he saw Saito and Elena canoodling under the engawa before dinner. The unanswered questions ate away at him. Was Saito's timing just better? Did she like him all along? Did he do something wrong? Could things have been different with a different strategy, or were they always doomed to fail?

"Well, don't you two look like a barrel of fun," Souji laughed from the entryway of the café.

"What are you two doing here?" Nagakura asked.

"Saito and I are headed back from the market when miss Sen spotted us. Apparently, Elena and Saito helped her out of a tight spot a while back. She wanted to buy us a meal to show her thanks."

"Perhaps we may join you?" Sen asked, flashing the boys a most charming smile. "I would be happy to buy your meals as well for the intrusion."

Harada forced his face to stay neutral. Saito was the last person he wanted to have a drink or share a meal with. It wasn't that he was necessarily angry with Saito; Elena made it clear she had no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. Enough time had passed that it wasn't really improper for Saito to court her. Still, it surprised him that Saito didn't offer him any warning before making his move. Especially seeing as he knew Harada's feelings towards Elena. The entire situation bugged him.

Nagakura waved a dismissive hand, oblivious to Harada's discomfort. "You know what I say about friends and food!"

Nagakura got up, grabbed an extra seat, and moved over next to Harada. On the other side, Saito sat directly in front of him, and Souji sat on the outside corner. Sen took up the extra spot at the end of the table. The waitress returned to get the new orders and made yet another pass at Harada, which he ignored. He was so caught up in his own head that he didn't realize his schooled expression had fallen into a grimace until Sen spoke up.

"Are you sure we aren't disturbing you? You seem perturbed."

Harada was mortified. "No, of course not! It's nothing."

"That's bullshit if I've ever heard any," Souji huffed. "You were practically scowling at your sake."

Harada spared his smartass comrade a sideways glare.

"Forgive me for prying," Saito said. "But, if the issue on your mind has something to do with me, I encourage you to speak on it. I can't help but notice your frigid attitude towards me recently. As leaders of this organization, we should attempt to resolve any conflicts between ourselves for the benefit of the whole."

"There's no conflict. I'm just..." Harada trailed off. Was there conflict? That didn't feel fair to put on his friend. After all, he had established he had done nothing wrong... Harada huffed a frustrated sigh; he didn't want to have this discussion in front of an audience. Especially not an outsider. He was shocked Saito brought it up in the first place. However, now that it was out, he was forced to speak on it.

Harada struggled back and forth for a long, uncomfortable while, wracking his brain for the words he needed to continue the conversation. He became increasingly anxious as time passed, and he still didn't have an answer to give. Somewhere in his mind, he knew the answer; the issue was that admitting it out loud was humiliating. In the end, though, he ended up doing just that. Maybe it was out of necessity, as Saito suggested; perhaps it was the earnest eyes of Sen coaxing him to speak. "My pride got hurt," he finally admitted.

As soon as the words were out, he wished he could have taken them back. What the hell did he just say?! Although, a tiny feather of a weight lifted off of him after admitting this.

"I am afraid I do not follow..." Saito said.

With another heavy sigh, Harada explained. "A few months back, I saw you and Elena snuggled up under the engawa. Look, I know it's none of my business, and we've never really discussed courtship like that...still, I just-hell, I don't know!"

"You expected I would extend you the courtesy of informing you that I had plans of courting Elena before doing so?"

Harada nodded.

"You are correct; I should extend such courtesies to you, seeing as we are friends and comrades. And I would if I was to ever court Elena. However, I am not, nor do I ever have plans to."

Harada was taken aback. "I'm sorry. What did you just...."

"I said I am not pursuing Elena, nor do I ever intend to. Elena shares my interest in swordsmanship, is brilliant, and a beautiful woman; however, I see no future with her."

"How can you see no future with a woman like that?" Nagakura demanded.

"It's simple; her goals and mine do not match up. Elena's ultimate goal is to get back home to her own time. Mine is to keep perfecting my craft as a swordsman, surpass as many righthanded warriors as I can, and continue bringing honor to the Shinsengumi. If I entangle myself with Elena past a certain point, one of us will have to make a sacrifice, regardless of the route.

"If Elena lives a proper life as a wife here in Japan, she permanently sacrifices all modern luxuries she has ever known. She also gives up her right to ever be publicly recognized as a scientist again. Even if we are to stay with the Shinsengumi, Elena will never rise above a woman's place regardless of whether or not she is capable of more. In turn, if a decade from now she finds a way back home, I too would have to sacrifice my entire identity as well and go live in her foreign world.

"I do not wish to make such a sacrifice, nor do I want to ask Elena to make the other. The only thing that is fair in my book would be to not entangle myself romantically at all. Ironically, I came to this conclusion the day I was snuggled up with Elena under the engawa. She had a tough day that day. She realized that she may never make it home, and it crushed her. I realized that she will never be truly happy living in the past. I didn't have enough empathy and comfort to offer her that would even take the edge off.

"You obviously still love her, Harada. If you're worried about missing out on your chance of being with Elena, you should speak with her. Confess your intentions to her and see if she reciprocates the sentiments."

"Hang on a second," Nagakura cut in. "Didn't you just say Elena can't be courted because she will sacrifice too much?"

"You misunderstand me. I am by no means saying Elena should be alone because she may or may not go home someday. I was simply pointing out that I am not the right man for her. I not only lack the willingness to sacrifice my way of life should she ever make it back to the future, but I also lack empathy and the ability to comfort her should she never make it home. Whoever takes Elena's hand does not have an easy job."

"A girl like that comes at a price." Souji mused.

"What do you suppose the odds of Elena making it back to the future are?" Nagakura asked Sen.

Sen was thoughtful for a long moment before answering. "It's hard to say—the seal is the tricky part. I do not think it will dissipate for a long time. After that, she will need to learn how to control her chi and use her abilities. She is the only time walker left, so her learning will be slow. It is likely it could take over a decade before she's able to make such a venture. And by then, she will have lived here about as long as she had in the future, so her decision to go back may not be so simple."

The table nodded, everyone contemplating her words.

"How has Elena been adjusting?" Sen asked.

The table fell into an uncomfortable silence.

"She's been kind of funny lately," Nagakura said

"She's going through quite a lot," Saito added.

"I'd like another chance to talk to her. I would like to be a resource for Elena, perhaps talk her through her situation and give her more knowledge about her abilities."

The table exchanged glances and looked for the approval of those around him. Souji cocked his head to the side ever so slightly, indicating he didn't see anything wrong with the suggestion. Nagakura dipped his chin fractionally in a nod of approval. Saito blinked his eyes closed a tad longer than usual, signaling he too thought this plan could work.

"This would also be a good opportunity for you to extend a branch to Elena and try to open yourselves up to trying again." Sen enticed Harada, not knowing they had already decided to go along with her plan. "If you are the one to escort her, it would give the two of you some much-needed bonding time."

Harada tried to hide his smirk and huff of laughter. "I will ask Elena if she is interested in meeting with you again. Should she agree, I will send word to you and set up the outing."

Sen stood and bowed. "Wonderful! Thank you so much for doing this for Elena and me."

Harada looked at the small woman in confusion. In a matter of minutes, she had picked up on and solved the growing tension between him and Saito, played matchmaker with Elena, and then felt the need to thank him. Was it a common trait for oni women to come in like a storm and rearrange their entire world for the better?

* * * *

Elena and Sen seemed to really hit it off the second time around. Sen took her out for dango and tea at a local shop. The two sat on a wooden bench right outside, snacking and chatting with one another. Elena's smile was pleasant, and her posture was relaxed. It was the first time in a long while he had seen her that way. Harada was thankful he was able to convince Elena to come out with him that afternoon. She didn't seem too interested in visiting with Sen but was willing to jump on any excuse to leave the compound.

Harada tried to give the girls their privacy by averting his gaze and watching the bustle of the citizens on the streets. Still, his eyes seemed to wander back to Elena like the sun is pulled from the east to the west. When their giggles carried over the crowd, his eyes slid over in hopes of catching a glimpse of her joyous smile. As the two sat close to one another, he stole glances and reminisced when he too sat next to her in the main hall and shared meals with Elena.

Towards the end of the visit, Elena's head snapped up suddenly as Harada was watching them. Their eyes locked, and he froze. He expected her to be angry, equally shocked, or embarrassed. Instead, there was something else in her eyes...It was as though she was seeing some new part of him. The look was fleeting, and the pair came to their senses and looked their separate ways until the end of the visit.

"Thank you so much for arranging this today," Elena said on the walk back to headquarters. "Have I honestly been that gloomy lately?"

Harada felt his cheeks flush, and his eyes bulged from their sockets. Sen couldn't keep a secret to save her life. "She told you, huh?"

"I hate that I've worried everyone so much..."

"Don't be silly! You looked thrilled to get off that boring ole' compound and spend some time with someone like you."

Elena huffed a humorless laugh. "You make us females sound like a different species-" she cut off her own sentence. "...You weren't referring to us both being girls, were you."

"Not entirely," Harada admitted, rubbing at the back of his neck and scrounging through his brain for the right words. "You both being girls was a bonus, but we all figured it may be time for you to connect with someone who...you know, shares the same heritage as you?"

"I appreciate the gesture and the thought you and everyone else put into this excursion..." Elena began. Her speech was slow and methodic as though she were hand-selecting each word as she did produce from the market. "But I don't feel any more connected to Sen and her demonic heritage than I do my biological parents and their Irish heritage. It is a part of me; I can't deny it. Still, to label Sen or the oni as 'my kind' is a stretch."

"I shouldn't have assumed. You already have a family and heritage back in your own time and country. I just thought you needed someone to connect with is all."

Elena cast a sad smile to the dirt beneath their feet. "I don't even know if I can call them my family anymore. If I'm honest, the Shinsengumi is the closest thing I have to home and kin at this point."

Harada's lips pulled into their own sad smile. Without thinking, he reached down and gave her hand a quick squeeze. "I know it's not the life you would have chosen for yourself, but we're damn lucky to call you one of us."

Elena returned the squeeze then let their hands drop. "Maybe I've had things backward for a while now. I've been so focused on what I had lost that I didn't give credit to the gains in front of me."

"Don't sell yourself short. We didn't make it easy for you in the beginning. I don't blame you for taking so long to warm up to us."

"Honestly, though, I feel that it's our success despite the adversity that makes our relationship that much better. It's more about the work put in than how little we've ever fought."

At first, Harada found her perspective strange, but the more he thought about it, the more merit he saw to her point. It was because of the work they put in to overcome all their obstacles that they could appreciate the value of their relationship. It wasn't a friendship that came fast and easy; it took effort to establish and maintenance to keep up. Harada slowed his pace as they neared the main gate and tried to muster up the nerve to tell Elena he wanted to put more work into their relationship and try again. Now seemed as good of a time as any to speak with her about the subject-

"Captain! Captain Harada!"

Harada turned to see the tenth division's best soldier and Harada's right hand, Yuuto, headed towards them. Yuuto greeted him with a bow.

"Captain, there was an incident on patrol today. I made two arrests on your behalf. The commanders are awaiting your return, so I may give my report."

'Of all the damn days!' Harada thought. "Tell the captains I will be there as soon as I escort Elena back to her quarters," Harada told Yuuto.

"That's alright," Elena said. "It's well into the afternoon; I should be making my way to the kitchen to start dinner preparations. I will follow the two of you until that point."

The confessions died on Harada's lips. He replaced his words with a nod and followed his subordinate to the main hall. In his rational mind, Harada knew that this would not be his only chance to talk to Elena. Still, he felt an irrational sense of urgency to speak with her at that exact moment. The corridor leading to the kitchen came up entirely too fast and Elena bowed to leave them.

"Thank you again for everything today, Harada. I had fun."

"I did as well, anytime you want to get away from here let me know. I'm always happy to make time to escort you."

Elena's eyes lit up. "I believe I'll take you up on that offer."

Harada prayed she would.

Elena POV

In the darkness, behind her closed eyelids, Elena imagined she was back home in the lab. She could see the glass board teaming with formulas and calculations and feel the cold smoothness of the stainless-steel tables beneath her fingers. Her ears picked up the soft mechanical hums and whirrs of the machinery processing data around her and smell the pungent mix of chemicals and sanitizer. Her memories were so vivid and detailed that for a moment, she almost forgot where she was.

An uncomfortable pressure building in her lungs pulled her from the daydream. The purr of running machines and cool stainless steel morphed into the serine ambient noise of lukewarm bathwater. She opened her eyes, and the equations disappeared, replaced by the distorted view of her bedroom ceiling. She opened her mouth and released a swarm of gurgling bubbles, racing for the surface and beckoning for her to follow.

Unable to withstand her body's demand for oxygen, Elena broke through the water's barrier with a gasp. Droplets rolled from her long tendrils of hair and trickled in a waning stream back into the basin. Her skin pebbled, and a chill wracked her body, causing her to shiver; her damp flesh was no match for the mild October air seeping in through the door. Even after she was dried and dressed, Elena couldn't seem to shake the cold. She grabbed her practice sword and headed for the dojo, hoping a little training before dinner would help warm her back up.

Elena opened the door to her room and stepped out onto the wooden walkway that connected the entire estate. In the courtyard below, the first division had just finished their training. The soldiers milled around in small huddles, chatting and catching their breath after a grueling workout. Nagakura, Harada, Heisuke, and Saito were gathered with Okita. Nagakura let out a whooping howl and slapped Okita on the back, Saito smiled pleasantly, and Harada laughed and pulled Heisuke into a headlock, ruffling his ponytail. Something had the boys riled up.

"Hey, Heisuke!" Elena called as she made her way down the stairs into the courtyard. "Wanna' come to the dojo with me before dinner? I've been practicing that kick you showed me."

"He can't tonight, and neither can you," Nagakura answered for him. "We're going out drinking!"

"I'm not so sure..." Elena began.

"Harada!" Kondou called, cutting her off. He and Hijikata joined the gathering of captains. "Wonderful work protecting the notice board. You've brought honor and recognition to the Shinsengumi. And, to use the reward money to treat your comrades to dinner!" Kondou smiled with pride.

"It's the least I can do, commander," Harada's cheeks flushed.

"Are you coming as well, Elena?" Hijikata asked

Elena shook her head and took a few steps back. "Oh, no. I wouldn't want to impose on boy's night."

"It's no imposition at all," Harada cut in. "I'd be honored to buy you dinner as well."

"You're one of us now; there's no need to hold back on ceremony," Saito assured her.

"Change your clothes and put away your sword, princess," Okita ordered with a smirk.

"Yeah, go put on your blue kimono. The one that makes your eyes look extra pretty," Nagakura said with a wink to Harada.

Harada's cheeks flushed from pink to red, and the heat crawling up her own neck hinted that her complexion may be the same. Elena spun on her heel and practically ran for her bedroom. Inside, she changed into her blue kimono. Not because she was told, but because her green kimono was dirty and the periwinkle one was wearing out and needed mending. She pulled her hair out of the warrior's bun and gave her curls a few good scrunches before pulling it half up and securing it with a chopstick.

"Much better!" Nagakura called as Elena made her way down the stairs. He grabbed her by the hand and yanked it above her head and around her body, then pulled, forcing her into a stumbling twirl.

"Can you at least wait until you've had something to drink before acting like a moron!" Elena snapped.

"Awe, don't be such a sour sport," Okita laughed.

"She'll loosen up after a few drinks," Nagakura smiled, unperturbed.

Elena kept close to Hijikata in hopes that he would protect her from the boy's antics. Together, the group journeyed to a place in Kyoto called Shimabara, also known as the red-light district. It was a lively place teeming with men from all walks of life. The majority of the women Elena saw were beautifully dressed geisha. Elena began to wonder if this was an appropriate place for her to be. However, the captains didn't seem to be bothered by her presence...

Harada decided to take the group to a restaurant called Sumi. Nagakura and Heisuke practically ran inside; they were so excited to eat there. Elena shared a fraction of their excitement as well. It had been years since Elena had been out to eat, and she was more than a little curious as to how 'formal dining' in the nineteenth century compared to the modern-day. Inside, the group was led down dimly lit hallways to their own private room. On the way, they passed several other rooms occupied by loud, drunken men.

The restaurant carried the delectable scent of tempura, miso, fresh ginger, and local spices. Elena's stomach contracted with pangs of hunger. On a typical day, they would have been finishing dinner by this time, and her body made sure she knew its displeasure with her schedule change. Inside the room, Elena had no such luck in getting hold of sustenance. Harada ordered sake for the entire room and sent the server on their way.

Heisuke was the first to show signs of inebriation. "This here high-end sake-" his chest heaved in a hiccup. "So smooth...it just hits like-BAM!" He slammed his fist on the floor, causing the bottle to jump and wobble.

"Hey, pipsqueak!" Nagakura slurred. "If you drink the whole bottle on an empty stomach, you'll get drunk."

"Shut up! It's fine for tonight; tell him Hijikata. Tell Shimpaco I can be drunk if I wanna'!"

"Elena!" Nagakura moved on to her. "Where's your drink? You won't get drunk if you don't pick up a cup!"

"Maybe in a little bit," Elena said.

She wasn't feeling well. The closed-off room was quickly warming with so many large bodies occupying it. She felt as though her intestines were tangled around her spine and her core was a void. Elena was just about ready to say something when the door across the room opened once more. A stunning woman dressed in an expensive silk kimono bowed and entered. There was a collective intake of air around the room as the men took in both her beauty and recognized the woman's face.

"Good evening, gentlemen, with your consent, I shall be accompanying you this evening," Kimigiku said with a coy smile.

"A seamstress, shinobi, and a geisha. That's quite the assortment of occupations," Okita smirked.

"What can I say? I'm a woman of many talents."

"Got any other talents we should know about," Hijikata grumbled

Kimigiku pretended to think for a moment. "I can juggle if you would like?"

Their banter caused an uproar of laughter from the room and eased the tension Elena didn't know was there until it dissipated. Kimigiku knelt next to Elena and placed a delicate hand over her shoulder and wrist.

"You look unwell. Is everything alright?"

Elena nodded. "I think I'm just hungry."

"I shall have the kitchen staff prepare your banquet immediately. In the meantime, go through those doors on the other side of the room; I believe the night air will do you some good. Gentlemen, try not to run out of sake while I'm gone"

"No promises!" Heisuke said.

Elena made her way to the other end of the room and out the sliding door to the balcony. She pulled the sleeves of her kimono up as far as the billowing fabric would allow and let the autumn evening seep into her skin. The bustling streets below provided an adequate distraction for Elena. Intimate packs of men prowled the streets looking for geisha to keep them company. Others went at the sport alone. A few seemed to be out for the sake of a decent meal and alcohol, and the remaining were either blackout drunk or begging for a charity meal.

People-watching never ceased to entertain Elena. There was always something fascinating about glimpsing into someone's life when they thought no one was paying attention. Below her, two women whom she assumed had to be geisha gossiped about the evening's drama.

"Did you see that little harlot in there!? Brushing her thigh against the daimyo's as she poured him drinks! He used to come in and request me, but the moment Michiko comes in and shows him a few lewd tricks, he forgets about me!" A shrill, raucous voice rose to Elena's ears.

"A whore like her will never win anything more than the fleeting favor of a man. Remember, you are here to sell your beauty, art, and entertainment skills, not your body..."

Coming down the center street was a pair of well-dressed men discussing business; Elena switched over to their conversations.

"Ever since the Yagi family served my tea at their party a few months back, I can't seem to keep the herbs in stock. I've disappointed at least a dozen customers who turned away without making a sale. At this rate, I'll lose all of my newly acquired business! I need more supply," one said to the other.

"This summer's drought has been tough on all of us. I lost one-third of my crops. I hope the fall harvest is plentiful, or else this winter will be rough," came his companion.

"I just wish things were more stable between the clans right now. I hear crops were more plentiful in the south, but trade routes are becoming more and more dangerous..."

Elena's focus shifted a few shops to the left where a small man...No, the man was of average height; he only appeared small because the man whom he was bowing to was huge in both size and stature. He wore a dark hakama and kimono with an interesting figure-eight pattern on the sleeves. Elena couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something familiar about his clothing. It was only when her eyes made it to the man's face that Elena remembered. The long auburn ponytail and facial hair sparked recognition in her brain and ignited panic within her. He was one of the oni from the Ikedaya!

Elena pressed herself into the back corner of the balcony out of his sight. She needed to get back into the room and behind the safety of a closed-door, but she was too petrified to move. Sen's previous words echoed in her head, heightening her panic. "Kazama has been content with toying with you all, but I cannot guess how much longer that will last...Kazama and his companions have not turned their full strength on you. Even the Shinsengumi is no match against the power of the oni!" She could still smell the pungent, coppery scent of blood as it poured from Heisuke's head and feel the unyielding force of the giant's arm wrapping around her and dragging her off. She saw Hijikata's trembling frame as he tried to fend off Kazama, who hadn't even shed a bead of sweat.

Elena had heard whispers that the Ikedaya wasn't the first time the Shinsengumi had gone against the oni. She also heard rumors that the Ikedaya wasn't their first loss to the oni either. Was she safe? Were any of them safe?

"Elena, are you alright?" Someone asked from the doorway of their room.

Elena's shaking hands latched onto her mouth to muffle her startled scream. She whirled around on the intruder and saw Harada in the doorway. His eyes met hers and then widened in concern. He closed the door and knelt beside her, leveling their eyes. When he had her attention, he spoke slow and low.

"Hey, your eyes are glowing. What's got you all freaked out?"

"They're here...I think they've come for me," Elena could barely manage a whisper.

"Who?"

"Kazama, I just saw his companion a few buildings down to the left."

Harada stood up to go look, but Elena latched onto his forearm.

"No! What if he sees you?"

"I know you're scared, but I need to look. It's harder to protect you if I can't see what's coming."

Elena's hand fell limp to her side. She lowered her head and looked at the floor, too nervous to watch him work. The door to the balcony opened once more, and Kimigiku stepped out. She, too, noticed Elena's eyes and demanded Harada tell her what happened.

"Don't look at me," Harada glared. "It's those oni bastards causing all the trouble."

"Oni bast-" Kimigiku gasped. "Kazama!"

"Yeah, he's down there, and so is his friend."

Kimigiku rushed to the railing to take a look. "Was there a girl with them as well?"

"Not that I could see," Harada replied, taking another look with her.

Kimigiku swore. "I must report this to the princess! Stay here with Elena and calm her down. Kazama is extremely sensitive to chi, but there is still a slight chance he hasn't noticed Elena yet. If she continues to allow her panic to build it up, she'll be a beacon leading him straight to her."

With that warning, she left the two of them alone, shutting the door behind her. The others inside didn't seem to notice their two missing counterparts. Shouts, laughter, and the tinkering of chopsticks on dishes seeped through the paper barrier. Harada resumed his position beside her and put his hands up in front of him, making a non-threatening gesture.

"May I?" he asked.

Elena understood the unfinished request and nodded. A familiar, steady hand came to rest momentarily between her shoulder blades before running an irregular serpentine path up and down her back. Even through her fear, Elena registered how wonderful it was to feel Harada's touch once more. She allowed herself to become lost in the soothing sensation. Before she knew it, she found herself cozying under the nook of his shoulder and resting her head into the crook of his neck.

"I'm scared," Elena squeaked. "We have to go home at some point. Everyone's been drinking, and it's a long walk home."

"It will be okay," Harada reassured her.

Elena continued on as though he hadn't even spoken. "Someone could get really hurt or worse..."

"No one is getting hurt-"

"Kazama only wants me because I'm some pureblooded oni and can give him an heir, but what if I don't want to have-" Elena cut herself short as a thought occurred to her. "Do you think he will...oh God!" She couldn't bring herself to finish the statement.

"I won't let him touch-"

As she continued to express her fears aloud, her mind found pathways to more horrifying scenarios. She began speaking faster and faster as her mind drowned her in an ocean of possibilities, each escalating in extremity. "There are no hospitals in this time! The birth would have to be natural. If I even survive the birth. What's the death rate of child labor in the eighteen hundreds-are the statistics in Japan the same as in America!"

"Sweetheart, please calm-"

"I should have taken the tea Sen gave me. I'm such an idiot! Sannan was right; I was selfish and brought danger to everyone in the Shinsengumi. If I had tried a little harder to break the seal, then maybe it would be gone by now, and I could be back where I came from-"

"Elena!" Harada exclaimed as he captured her jaw in his hand and brought her face to his. Soft, warm lips pressed against hers and the hand at her jaw slid to the back of her head, intertwining with her still damp curls. Harada tilted his head, bringing his face in closer. His long eyelashes leaving butterfly kisses on her cheeks. Elena instinctively parted her lips and allowed his tongue to mingle with hers for a brief moment. Their mouths closed, and their lips parted, hovering mere centimeters away from each other. Harada froze as though he was waiting for her reaction. Elena twitched forward a fraction and hesitated.

What was left of her logical mind was screaming at her to stop. It remembered well the pain of breaking things off with Harada. It damn near killed her the first time to let him go. Was she strong enough to do it a second time? The dominant emotional part of her brain didn't give a damn. It screamed at her to close the distance between them and take what she had been craving for so long! After all, she had already kissed him. Doing it again wouldn't make much of a difference in the detox process.

Elena leaned in, pecked him on the lips, and froze. Maybe she had doubts about his reaction; perhaps it was because she was shocked. She actually went through with kissing him twice! Harada wasn't concerned; the hand in her hair tightened while his other arm slid around her hip. Their lips met again, this time without hesitation. Years of pent-up passion sparked between their skin, pushing their embrace past passionate and heading dangerously fast towards lust. Elena's hands roamed the heated ridges of his bared chest and cursed her kimono for keeping a barrier between them. She yearned to feel the intimate sensation of skin to skin but settled for twining her arms around his neck and pulling herself deeper into his embrace.

When their lips parted ways a second time, Elena's head was spinning. She could hear Harada's ragged breathing in her ear and realized that she had somehow ended up in his lap while they were kissing. Elena resituated herself so she could lay her cheek against his chest. The last remaining shreds of her logical mind begged her to leave now before it was too late. Elena told that part of her to shut the hell up and drowned those thoughts out with the erratic thrumming of his heartbeat.

'This is right...This is how it should be-how it should have been...' her heart whispered to her head.

"I'm sorry," Harada murmured into her hair.

Elena lifted her head to meet his gaze. "That was fast; you regret kissing me already?"

Elena knew that wasn't what he was apologizing for. She knew the door she had opened and the conversation that now had to take place. Deflecting and stalling was easier.

"No! Of course not, the kiss was amazing- better than amazing, really..." he trailed off for a few moments, collected himself with a deep breath, and started again. "I'm sorry for not being able to stop myself. I couldn't stand seeing you so upset, and it was the only thing I could think to do at the moment even though I knew it was a selfish thing to do."

Elena wasn't sure what to say. Her mind swung like a pendulum swinging from one extreme to the other. Should she lie and tell him she regretted kissing him? Should she admit the truth about how much it hurt to be around him, knowing she couldn't have him? Or should she stay neutral and keep quiet? As she contemplated, Harada continued on.

"I'm also sorry because I'm not done being selfish tonight. Look, I know now isn't the ideal time to have this conversation, but I feel if I don't say it now, the discussion will never happen. I don't need you to say anything if you don't want to; all I ask is that you just listen and hear me out.

Elena nodded, giving him the go-ahead to start.

"I still love you-I'm still in love with you. You're strong, intelligent, selfless, and beautiful; you're stubborn, impulsive, and have the short temper of a wild cat. I love all of it, all of you for better and worse. I know you said that you don't want to get into a relationship with me because your ultimate goal is to go home, and I respect that, but..." Harada stopped short. His gaze shifted away, and he ground his teeth as though he was contemplating how to continue. He closed his eyes and let all the air escape from his chest. "It's damn near been three years Elena. There's no guarantee- ...You once said you had feelings for me too. If there are any left, I think it's reasonable at this point to give it a try. I'm tired of missing out on loving you because there's a chance I might lose you. Give us a chance Elena, please."

Elena opened her mouth, still unsure what to say but knowing that something needed to be said. The door to the balcony slid back, and Kimigiku reappeared. At first, she didn't acknowledge them; her eyes were focused on the streets below, scanning the crowds. This gave Elena a chance to slide off Harada's thigh and stand.

"I do not see them anymore," Kimigiku announced as she turned her attention back to them. "Kazama took another oni girl into his charge a long while ago. Surprisingly, the two seemed to have hit it off, which may be why he seemed content leaving Elena alone. If he was to grow bored with this girl, we believe he would return her to us. Nothing is a guarantee, of course; It is curious he has come back to Kyoto at all. However, you are likely safe for the time being.

"The princess is speaking with your commander now and arranging a carriage to transport you home. It is a precautionary measure, most likely unnecessary, but we are happy to arrange it for you. In the meantime, you should come back inside and try to enjoy the remainder of your evening."

Elena nodded, took the opening she was given to slip around the two of them, and made her way back inside the banquet room. It was a cheap escape, and she felt guilty for doing it as soon as she made the move. She owed Harada an answer. She could no longer hide behind the excuse of 'conflicted feelings'; She knew what was in her heart. Admitting it scared the hell out of her. Standing in limbo was painful but easy; every path was still open for her to take. If she gave Harada an answer, it meant committing to a path and walking down it until she reached an outcome, good or bad.

Back in the room, Heisuke was in worse shape than when she left him with Nagakura following on his heels. Okita was growing flushed as well, though, unlike his two silly companions, he looked more dangerous when he drank to excess. His eyes glowed with maniacal mirth, and his crooked smile showed more teeth like that of a predator.

Saito appeared to be the only sober one in the room. He looked to Elena with knowing eyes and tilted his head ever so slightly. Elena understood the unspoken question: 'are you alright?' She gave him a slight nod back and took her seat next to Nagakura. She picked up the small round cup on her tray and poured herself some sake. She tipped it back and drained it in one swallow. Saito raised an eyebrow.

"Sake is made to be enjoyed by the sip, not by the glass," he informed her.

Elena felt her cheeks flush. How was she supposed to know? The drink was literally served in a cup the size of a shot glass! Saito poured his own cup, modeled the proper etiquette for drinking, and waited for her to mimic him. Okita shook with laughter.

"What's got you all riled up, princess? Tell big brother Okita what's wrong?"

"I'm alright."

"Bullshit, you're drinking like someone who needs to knock the edge off their nerves. The question is, what has them jumbled; the demons or Harada?"

Elena jolted as though the cushion she was kneeling on suddenly became a cactus. "I am not-...How could you possibly-...What brought you to that conclusion!?"

"So it was Sanno," Okita wagged his eyebrows and flashed a devilish grin. "Well, go on now, princess, don't be shy. Tell us all about your little bout of alone time."

"Are you honestly asking a lady to kiss and tell?" Saito murmured, taking another sip of sake. "Have some class Souji."

"S-Saito!" Elena gasped in betrayal.

How was he able to make such a spot-on assumption? Was it an assumption, or did he know her that well?

"Hell yeah, that's our boy!" Nagakura piped up.

"You! ...All of you-" Elena wasn't sure what she wanted to yell about, nor was she currently capable of stringing together a coherent sentence. Instead, she settled on downing another cup of sake.

"This is one of the things I've always loved about you, Elena," Okita made a gesture towards her with his hands. "You never have to say anything. Your actions tell me so much more."

"Cut it out, will you," Elena snapped.

The door to the balcony slid back open, and Harada and Kimigiku came back inside. Nagakura, Okita, and Heisuke erupted into a chorus of whooping cheers and catcalls. Kimigiku gave the boys a raised eyebrow, and a practiced eye roll before slipping around Harada and making her exit out the door on the other side of the room. Harada looked warily at his companions, his cheeks flushing a light pink hue. He rubbed at the back of his neck and averted his gaze as the boys egged him on.

"Right on time," Okita purred. "We can get the story from the man himself."

"Come on, buddy, Elena has been stingy with the details. Fill us in!" Nagakura crowed.

Harada fixed his comrades with a sarcastic, crooked smile that rivaled Okita's. "I spotted the blonde oni, Kazama and his red-haired companion, Amagiri two doors down by-"

"That's not what I meant!" Nagakura again.

"Yeah, we wanna talk about what took you and Elena so long outside," Heisuke agreed.

"If you can have that conversation without any teeth in your head, then be my guest. Otherwise, shut your damn mouth." Harada's tone was still light and friendly, as though he were discussing the score of the latest game rather than threatening bodily harm.

Across from her, Elena saw Saito nod in approval.

"Sanno..." Heisuke began, but Harada continued on.

"The only thing that happened out there that is any of your business is what happened with the demons. If you don't have anything to add to that conversation, then I'd like to finish my dinner."

The boys gave some wounded grumbles, which Harada ignored as he took a seat next to Elena.

"Thank you for that," she murmured.

"I'm sorry about them. That was completely uncalled for. Let me know if they get to harassing you again, and I'll knock some sense into them."

Elena gave him a sheepish smile. "You had me worried there for a second. I thought you were about to brag to your friends like our kiss was nothing more to you than a victorious end to an extremely long conquest." Elena wasn't sure what lead her to be that brutally with Harada. Maybe she felt she owed him something, even if the only truth she could muster up at the moment was a fleeting hurtful assumption.

"Absolutely not!" Harada implored. "While I admit that I do not hold back from discussing my feelings for you, how I choose to personally show such affections is between you and me. I would never taint your honor by passing off such an intimate moment as gossip."

Elena's heart skipped a beat at his chivalrous words. Never before in her twenty-first-century life had anyone said anything that made her feel quite so respected and treasured. It was one thing to have a modern man acknowledge you as an equal and recognize your intellect or skills without needing to be prompted. It was another thing entirely to be valued in such a way that someone wanted to protect your dignity and reputation...

"About what I said outside," Harada continued. "I gave you a lot to think on. Maybe time has changed a few things on your end since the last time we talked about us. Maybe nothing has changed...What I'm trying to say is, when you're ready to talk or give me an answer, I'm here."

Elena nodded. "You're right, I do need a little time to process everything, but I do owe you at least-"

"No, you don't owe me anything. I only asked you to hear me out, and you agreed, anything past that should come from your own volition, not because you feel you owe me something. If you end up never wanting to talk about it, fine by me. I'll be able to sleep a little more soundly knowing I didn't miss my shot with you. I tried every angle I could until the final outcome.

"Now, enough of this mushy stuff; Souji is staring again. Though I meant what I said about punching these bastards if they keep on, you didn't take too kindly to the last time I knocked someone out at dinner. Instead, how about I put my hands to better use and refill your cup. You look like you could use a drink right about now."

"Yes, please!"