*NEW Into the Future ~ The Red Strings of Fate ~ Hakuoki Fanfic

Chapter 2: The Stranger

"Are you all okay?" The stranger asked,
"We're fine, thanks for helping us," Hijikata said,

"Hm, Anyway we shouldn't stay here too long. We should get going, follow me,"

"Hold on," Kazama said,
"What is it?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Shiranui said,
But the stranger tilted his head...

"You haven't even introduce yourself," Kazama said,

"A-Ahhh...you're right. I'm sorry about that," The stranger opens his mask to reveal a young lady with flowing black hair and dark eyes.
"It's a little late, but you can call me Asuka," The girl said,

"Asuka, huh? Is that your real name or...?"
"Yes, it is my real name. And how about you guys?" She asked,

"I'm Hijikata Toshizo, this is Yukimura Chizuru, my wife."
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Chizuru bows her head,

"Yes!"

"Nagumo Kaoru," Kaoru said,
"He's my twin brother," Chizuru said with a smile, and Kaoru seems to have a slight blush on his cheeks.

"I'm Shiranui Kyo, nice to meet'cha!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Amagiri Kyuju,"

"....Kazama Chikage, now...Woman, I have a question for you," Kazama said,
"Go ahead," Asuka said,

"...Just where in the world are we? And why are those Rasetsus here? Did those idiotic humans experimented on them again?" Kazama asked with a frown,

"Let's see, I was planning on telling you until we reach a safer place, but I guess it's better to say it now." Asuka said,

"Hearing your names, especially Hijikata Toshizo's...tell me, what year do you think it is now?" Asuka asked,

"The year?...Hmmm, is it somewhere in the 1900?" Shiranui asked, but Asuka shakes her head.

"Hate to break it to you, but it is way way longer than that...this is the year 20xx," Asuka said,
This caused the group's eyes to widen in surprise!

"What the hell-!?" Hijikata shouted,

"How in the world are we here?" Kazama asked with a frown,

"...recently the Rasetsus have been doing this kind of ritual, they have summoned many people that were once alive during the Bakumatsu period. That is why you are all summoned here," Asuka said, "And just so you know, Yukimura Chizuru and Nagumo Kaoru,"

"Y-Yes?"
"What is it?"

"The two of you may be their prime target, after all....Kodo Yukimura was the one who created the Rasetsus, didn't he?" Asuka said,
"...t-that's right...," Chizuru said,
"Look, if you wanna blame her then stop!" Hijikata said as he went to stand between the Yukimura siblings and Asuka,

"I have no intention of blaming anyone...and why should I..?" Asuka mumbled the last sentence that nobody could hear,

"Look, you guys are jackpots for the Rasetsus. It's best if you guys follow me, we'll keep you guys safe," Asuka said,
"We?" Hijikata asked,

"Me and some other guys have formed a group to locate all of the Rasetsu facilities, we've split up to find the other facilities," Asuka said "Look there's no more time, we need to keep going,"

In the end, the group follows Asuka as they travel through a forest.

"Hold on," Asuka said,

"Are there more of them?" Shiranui asked,
"Hm, stay here," Asuka then went to attack the monsters in front of them,

They have been encountering many of those monsters along the way. Sadly, the group couldn't do anything to fight back, so the fighting was left to Asuka who is in possession of something called the Spiriton Gear.

Asuka managed to explain what the gear is to them. The Spiriton Gear is a weapon that is imbued with a Youkai. If a person wants to have a Spiriton Gear, they must be compatible with the Youkai they'll be wielding.
Asuka has yet to explain what kind of Youkai she's wielding.

"That's all of them, I saw a cave nearby. We'll camp there for the night," Asuka said,

Eventually, they stayed inside the cave until night finally arrives. Asuka covers the opening of the cave with some sticks and leafs and then they light a fire.

"As you all may know, the monsters and Rasetsus will be moving much more freely during the night, so I'll keep watch while the rest of you sleep," Asuka said,
"No, we should switch every hours," Hijikata said,

"It's fine, just go ahead and sleep. We'll leave first thing in the morning, we don't wanna lose too much daytime," Asuka said,
.
.
.
In the end, Chizuru did feel tired and so she went to sleep. However, the rest of the men aren't able to sleep. And so, they proceed with asking Asuka some questions.

They asked about how the country had suddenly become flooded with Rasetsus and Monsters. Asuka explained it to them in detail, about how those group of scientist found a hidden file of Kodo's regarding the Rasetsus, about the massive explosion that spreads the virus all over the world, about how humans had to survive on their own in fear for years, how the Onis showed up and they worked together with the Humans, and how the Youkai reveals themselves and the Spiriton Gear is created, and about the Fortress cities...

The men all wore an unbelievable expression on their faces as they listened to Asuka's story.

"What a mess...," Hijikata said with a sigh,
"Hmph! So humans are behind this incident as well..." Kazama said with a sneer,

"So, where exactly are we heading? Is it to one of those Fortress cities you mentioned?" Kaoru asked,

"Yes, my group have promised to meet up in Hakunon. We'll arrive there in about two days," Asuka said,

"....there's actually something else I wanna ask," Hijikata said,
"Hm?"

"You said that everyone from the Bakumatsu period might have been resurrected...has there been any news regarding any of the Shinsengumi members?" Hijikata asked,

But Asuka shook her head "Sadly, no...The only Shinsengumi member is you alone,"

"I see...," Hijikata said,
"But don't worry, my friends might have found some of them," Asuka said,
"Thanks you,"

"It's getting pretty late, you all should get some sleep," Asuka said,

"No, you should get some sleep," Hijikata said, "You should leave this to the men,"

"No, I couldn't possibly-!"

"Just shut up and get some sleep!" Shiranui said as he pushes her head down to the ground,
"Ack! Ow ow ow! It hurts you know!"

"That's why just sleep," Hijikata said,
"There's no need to worry, if some monsters are here we will notify you," Amagiri said,

In the end, urged by the men Asuka slowly closed her eyes.....

"She's finally asleep...," Hijikata said,

"Can't believe a girl could even do this alone," Kaoru said, "Even my kid sister couldn't do this much on her own,"
"...what a tragedy this is even such a young girl needed to take up arms to fight," Amagiri said,

"Anyway, we should all get some rest, tomorrow's gonna be a long one," Hijikata said,