Still, he would deal with this another time. If he were alone. Akito knew that he would have tailed them by now. But he isn't alone, he turned his attention back to the girl, "Setsura?" Akito called out the girl's name when he was sure that all the enemies had left.

Realizing that she didn't reply, he noticed his hand was still covering her mouth and removed his hand from her mouth and watched as the girl avert her gaze, "Akito, why are you here?" she asked.

"I came for business."

Business in the middle of the forest? Akito prepared for another sarcastic remark from the girl. Whenever he said things that had no logic behind them, rather than ignore it as most people would, Setsura would point it out to him. However, this time around, the girl didn't say that.

"I see… " she trails off, "We can walk and talk on the way back. So …could you take me home? "

Despite her nervousness, she asked him, yet he could see the hint of red on her cheeks. Akito blinked, why is she acting all shy for? This is a first for him, not once since the first day has he seen her act like this. It's a pleasant surprise for him, though.

"Yeah, sure," Akito agreed. It's getting late anyway; the forest isn't safe at night. Not safe at night? Because ether creatures of the darkness come out. He looked at the girl; she seems fine today. So it should be alright, no? Akito's lips curve to a smile, "Why don't we do this instead? I'll take you to dinner."

Setsura looked at him puzzled; it looked like she wanted to question him, "Don't worry, the place I'm going to take you too, isn't a place for normal civilians."

It's time to show the girl about the dark side of the Meiji era. It's not common like in the past, but the existence of demons.

_________

XX Street - 8:00 PM -

"Ah, we're here."

Setsura looked up and saw a beautifully illuminated street. Different colored lights filled the air, like lanterns. Streets filled with people. At least that's what she thought initially. These people weren't all human; all around her were creatures of different shapes and sizes talking and laughing. Some were even breaking into fights. Aside from their different color skin and clothing, they acted like normal humans who hung around at night. She could see people sprawled on the ground, bottles, most likely alcohol on the ground. Some wore expensive and elegant clothing, while some wore ugly clothes. Clothes with large patterns and colors that simply didn't match.

"So this is what you meant by you won't be seen by anyone normal," Setsura commented. She didn't know what to say.

It's not like she is too surprised. When she studied folklore back in the modern-day world, she often saw creatures like this in western myth books.

The Edo Japanese period was actually known for the existence of demons. Though because of all the stories created afterward - it lost its credibility. Some people in her time say that those people who saw demons were crazy, and 'sane' people never saw them. As long as there is evidence before, Setsura would not doubt their existence.

'This is enough evidence,' Setsura thought as she looked at the sight before her again. The faces of the creatures differed. Some were beautiful to the point one would doubt what they were seeing. Some looked hideous and had extra limbs and body parts or lacked an arm or leg. There were those with scales, large eyes, an extra eye. For Setsura all of this was new to her.

Despite her lost memories, over the last few days, Setsura figured she was quite academic. Since whenever she read the books in Akito's study, she would understand everything. It's written in old Japanese language, but for some reason, Setsura could understand everything.

This place, the Meiji period. It's a whole new world for her. It's the kind of world that belongs in fairy tales, and yet, 'It's similar,' Setsura thought. Similar to any street at night, except other than humans, there are these strange creatures. The air was filled with something ominous, too, but these beings don't see anything wrong with this eerie feeling in the air. On each side of the streets, there are restaurants, bars, and other shops. It sort of resembled a red light district with how lively it was at night, the workers of the bars were trying to attract people into their shops. Some fell for the bait, those who got angry, and those who turned threatening.

"Not pleased?"

"Well," Setsura paused, "It's not like I didn't know. I mean, if light exists there will always be darkness, and in Meiji Tokyo, there's more darkness than light correct?"

Akito chuckled, "You understand already, huh? Guess you'll be fine when your house arrest is finished."

'House arrest,' indeed. While Setsura understood why Akito wasn't letting her out, she had no memories, and there was that commotion from the other day too. But sometimes she felt like Akito was too cautious, even now walking side by side. He had his arms around her shoulders. Being touched by men made her feel disgusted, and it didn't take Setsura long to realize that she had some kind of trauma.

Other than that first time where she flinched when Akito touched her, she no longer freaks out. She still trembles slightly, but it's not bad now. .

"I can walk."

Akito nodded, "Yeah, but you're still not steady on your feet at times. It's okay for you to use me as your support."

He doesn't have to go this far for her. Setsura understood that it was part of his work to help her. But even so, it felt he was crossing certain boundaries he shouldn't at times. Still, once in a while, Akito's hold on her would tense, especially if a demon got too close or bumped into her. Is he afraid? But it seems like he goes to these places often. Setsura wasn't paying much attention earlier, but she heard him greet somebody at the gate. He's a regular here, and he seems to know about these mystical creatures.

It made her feel at ease, Akito's arms that were wrapped securely around her. But at the same time, because they were so close, she could feel how tense he got whenever something got close. At the same time, she became fully aware of how close they were. It's been a long time since she was this close to a man before. She shuddered at that thought, the last time a man got close..

After a few days, Setsura calmed her mind and tried to recall what happened. From the bits and pieces she learned, the man named her brother tried to do something to her. Setsura was unsure of this, and it was just a theory. But considering the state of her appearance that day, there was no doubt about it. It's no wonder she trembles whenever family is mentioned. Despite what it looked like, Setsura had been paying close attention to her own condition. She's in a pretty bad state, other than her lost memories. She's lost a lot of weight, and all those sleepless nights have led to her collapsing whenever she uses even a little bit of strength.

Still, her gaze flickered onto Akito. Despite her being such a burden, this person has not abandoned her once. Setsura knew what the servants in the mansion thought of her. Some called her the master's plaything and all sorts of cruel things. But, Setsura didn't see the need to argue with them. She barely had the strength to walk around, let alone pick a fight with a random group of maids.

"You should stay close, and don't let go," Akito instructed as he drew her even closer to him. Setsura didn't know why, but she felt her heartbeat speed up. She looked at him with a puzzled face; she wonders why she reacts this way with him. Is it simply because she isn't used to anybody touching her?

Yet, for sure in those memories, she lost there was somebody very important to her.

"Were here now, watch your step," Akito said.

Setsura nodded, and Akito carefully leads her inside one of the better-looking buildings on the right side of the street. But right at the entrance, Setsura realized something, "Wait, I don't have any money," and there's no way she would be able to pay him back either unless she finds work in this era. However, Setsura didn't want to get too comfortable in this place. Eventually, she would have to return to her time after all.

"Don't worry about it; I'll pay."

Setsura shook her head, "You're already letting me stay at your home for free and even paying my medical fees. I can't possibly make you pay for," but her sentence fell short when Akito placed his hand on her lips.

"Just let me pay, it's a man's job to pay for a pretty lady's meal."

"Whether or not I'm pretty, even I feel bad making you pay for my food."

But, there's no way she can use the money she does have in this time. Akito had gradually returned her belongings like he promised after his group finished inspecting them, he would bring it over. In that small bag she was carrying, it surprised Setsura that there was so much stuff inside. It's no wonder they thought to inspect it. What kind of small bag weighs that much? They most likely thought there was something suspicious inside.

To her surprise, when she got her purse back, other than finding identification cards or maybe a photo to jog her memories. She found a lot of money — around six billion US dollars. Considering the foreign currency, Setsura understood that the her with memories must have been running away. So, what happened to that person? The one she loves? Was he not with her on that day?

Akito reached over and flicked her forehead, "Don't frown, it doesn't suit your cute face."

Setsura looked down.

"I'll pay, for now, you can pay me back when you remember things. And you don't have to use money," Akito nodded, "How about this? Just keep me company."

"Huh?"

"As you can tell with my line of work, I avoid associating with others too much. Since the death of my wife, I secluded myself and buried myself in work. But lately, it's become suffocating. Burying myself in work isn't healthy. I need a companion. That's why I require some company, won't you be that person?"

Setsura just stared at him with wide eyes. Why is this person so weird? Who mentions all that stuff about isolation so casually. This man is peculiar, but like her, he's in pain. His wife's death must have traumatized him. Setsura nodded, "Okay, that sounds like a deal."