Chapter One: The Proposal
Susumu Yamazaki often reconsidered his vocation as a spy. The hours were long, the workload gruesome, and the benefits deplorably scarce. But just as the hardship began to take its toll on the undercover agent, life would grant him a moment of pure bliss.
Nestled in the rafters of an old temple, Yamazaki tried not to contemplate the alarming height of his vantage, but instead appreciate the panoramic view of the city below. For at that moment, Kyoto shimmered in the fading beauty of what could only be described as the golden hour. Sweeping his gaze across the capital, he watched emerald rooftops glimmer in the sun while scarlet lanterns took full bloom in the shadows. The tributaries in the west wove into the city like rich brocade, as the tea houses in Shimabara began to trickle with song and sake.
Beautiful, he thought with a faint smile.
Sadly, the splendor of the evening was short-lived. He had come to realize that nightfall was also the hour in which dubious depravity seeped from the fringes of darkness. The kerosene lanterns flickered with life, and a lone figure stirred in the street below.
He watched his target slip from the doors of a textile factory across the way. It was the same man he had followed for a few days now. Short, round, and coarse, the ronin dressed plainly with a pair of swords at his hip. Deep lines around his mouth and eyes suggested he was past his prime, yet his questionable activities said otherwise.
Trespassing, stealing, artifice, and bribery, Yamazaki tallied in silent reflection. All crimes considered typical for a common street thug. However, it was not these crimes that troubled the Shinsengumi spy, but something far worse.
Rebellion.
Like poison on the tongue, rebellion against the government killed all intentions of political stability within the city. Two hundred years had passed under the Tokugawa regime, but the times were changing, and political unrest began to wither away its foundation. As the storm continued to brew, every clan sought to gain power, and every man sought to make a change.
So, what's your purpose? Yamazaki questioned his target.
If there was one thing he despised more than mutiny, it was the inability to decipher one's motives. This man had done a remarkable job hiding his. Ronin under his control would camp within the industrial district after hours. Intermittent and brief, they congregated within the factories – mostly to train and strategize, but for what, Yamazaki had yet to discover.
He thought it strange that the men wore no insignia on their clothing. They never voiced their allegiance or organized into ranks either. The little organization they demonstrated lacked all rebellious initiative except their rallying at sundown. The longer they lingered on the outskirts of town, the more perplexing the matter became.
For his part, Yamazaki prayed they were not some new underground faction. The city's vices were doing just fine without the unregulated crime. And with the increasing pressures placed on the shogunate, his days of espionage were already growing late and tiresome.
Sighing, he slumped against the temple gargoyles with a look of resignation. Though this roost gave him a bird's-eye view of the commotion below, his stone companions gave him close-fitting quarters. He was already beginning to feel the numbness creep up his legs and into his back. But just as he mentally prepared himself for another dull night, he spotted two swordsmen step out from the alley.
Absorbing the scene below, he cocked his head curiously.
A rendezvous?
These strangers…he had never seen them before during all his secret stakeouts. Yamazaki knew this at once from their unusual appearances. One man wore an elegant black kimono and looked rather conspicuous with his shaven scalp. It served to offset the deep, sunken sockets of his eyes making him skeletal. The other man was not so intimidating in physique but could easily pass as a merchant. He wore faded burgundy robes and carried a bottle of liquor wrapped in twine.
Yamazaki crouched, pleased to discover that their voices traveled to his ears with ease.
"Good evening, Masa-san." The merchant greeted, dangling the bottle with a devious grin. "We've just received orders. This is cause for a celebration!"
"Not so loud, Tadao." The other man cautioned his colleague. "We should attend to business inside."
The merchant scratched his head sheepishly.
"Yuu's right. Bring the sake with you." Masa pushed the door ajar and allowed them entrance, but the men loitered at the threshold.
"Tatsuya, are you coming in or are you going to sulk in the shadows all night?" Tadao called out to a figure leaning against the wall.
Compared to his associates, Tatsuya was quite young for this ragtag confederacy. Scarcely eighteen, Yamazaki had to guess. He was tall and sinuous from proper training, and his crisp garments suggested a certain amount of wealth. But there was something abrasive in his demeanor. He leaned against the wall with a foul expression on his face, black eyes glinting under the lamplight.
"This is ridiculous," he sneered at his companions. "We finally have our assignment, and you waste time to drink!"
His provocation formed a static tension among the swordsmen – the kind of tension preceding a swordfight. Yamazaki observed Tatsuya grow aggravated under the critical scrutiny of his elders. His body tensed and he continued to cower near the wall. Fear flickered across his face bright as day. It was a small detail, but one that provided significant implications nevertheless. They did not trust each other, and what a confederation without trust?
Yamazaki held his breath.
If their stalemate persisted any longer, he anticipated news of homicide reaching headquarters instead of a burgeoning rebel threat. This thought, of course, annoyed the spy. All those long hours waiting in the shadows, wasted. But just as hands curled around hilts and eyes flashed with anger, Yuu stepped towards the youth.
"Cool that tongue of yours, boy." He chided in a soft, sinister tone. "You seem to have forgotten we've invited you for a reason."
"And you have tried my patience, old man," came Tatsuya's scathing reply.
Chuckling, Yuu raised his hands in peace.
"My young friend, you are among allies here. More reason to share a drink, no?"
The sullen youth remained wary.
"Come. We have much to discuss." Yuu beckoned him. "Tadao?"
The merchant shared a quick glance with Yuu before disappearing into the factory. Slipping his hands into the folds of his kimono, Yuu followed casually behind him. Only then did Tatsuya feel brave enough to approach.
Relieved to have evaded a roadside skirmish, Masa checked the streets one last time before sliding the door back into place.
Finally, Yamazaki breathed. Our target is on the move.
Pulling away from his roost, he leaped from the temple rafters and melted into the dark.
. . . . . . . .
At that exact moment, several leagues across the city, another group of swordsmen gathered within the golden hour. It was in their company that the usually cheerful and optimistic Chizuru Yukimura found her life in jeopardy.
"Come with me, Chizuru."
Senhime's eyes were bright and expectant – pleading even – but Chizuru could do nothing to dispel the fear mounting in the pit of her stomach. It was a monumental feat coming to terms with her newfound status as a demon, but the prospect of leaving headquarters left her feeling bleak.
"Where?" She asked her female guest.
"Away from here, of course," Senhime answered her freely, "to a place where Kimigiku and I can better protect you. The Shinsengumi is no place for a woman."
The room cooled, as all officers took offense to her words.
"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?" Shinpachi sputtered in outrage.
From his place, Sanosuke frowned. "I think she's implying that we are nothing but scoundrels."
Souji cast a sly glance at their lieutenant. "Only one of us fits that description, eh Hijikata?"
Senhime lifted her carmine gaze to the vice-commander as well, observing the way his dark eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Whether her words had offended the great swordsman or not, Hijikata remained calm as he considered her statement. The others awaited his response, eager to see how he would respond to their most puzzling predicament.
He took a breath.
"We are the Shinsengumi." He said. "Our presence is felt throughout the city by friend and foe. If Chizuru is indeed in danger, there is no safer place than within our walls."
His words earned the staunch approval of his company. Chizuru lifted her troubled gaze too, hoping to catch his reassurance, but his attention remained steadfast on the demoness.
"Forgive me, but you are underestimating the peril that she is in," Kimigiku interjected with a grave glance at her charge. "Kazama has incredible strength even by oni standards. Why do you think an entire shinobi clan has protected the Suzuka Gozen bloodline all these years?"
Behind the kunoichi, Souji scoffed.
Images of the Ikedaya Incident flooded his mind, reminding him that his duel with the blond-headed devil had been left unsettled. Kazama had jumped through the window and escaped before Souji had time to recover his strength. It left a silent fury in the captain for many reasons – the most poignant one being deprived of a fair fight.
"I say let him come." He shrugged, finding the situation completely copacetic. "Chizuru's presence will guarantee his return, and when he does…we'll be ready."
Senhime shifted her focus to the captain. Though he lacked weapons, his presumption was enough to suggest his character.
"Tell me, Souji Okita," She spoke his name unfavorably, "is it valor that compels you to make such a statement? Or your love of blood sport?"
His grass-green eyes flashed for a moment, but he otherwise remained silent.
"I thought so," she frowned.
The Head Commander of the Shinsengumi exhaled sharply, bringing their banter to a close.
"Yukimura, what is your opinion of this?" He asked.
Chizuru jolted. Lost in her turmoil, she had taken to tracing the lines of the tatami mat with her eyes hoping the concentration would be enough to calm her racing thoughts. Nothing in life had prepared her for a moment as outlandish as this, and she found herself gawking at the head commander speechless.
"Do you wish to stay or leave?"
"Sir, you shouldn't say such things!" Shinpachi reproved, but the head commander motioned for silence.
"We can voice our opinions on the matter all we like, Shinpachi, but she still reserves the right to choose." He reasoned with the captain. "What matters most is her safety. If she feels that Senhime can offer what we cannot...so be it."
A hush settled over the room as all eyes fell on Chizuru.
She took a breath, realizing that Kondou had just given her control over their forum. Though it troubled her that she would have to decide right there on the spot, she couldn't blame the head commander for his expediency.
As of late, the Shinsengumi suffered hard times with an alarming shortage of resources. In her heart, she knew they would never turn her away if she chose to stay. But her value in headquarters diminished to a handful of responsibilities. Washing, cooking, cleaning…it would never be enough to compensate the terrible misfortune she risked by remaining in their encampment. Kazama posed a threat to them all, but he was her enemy, not theirs. Was it right for her to stay when she attracted more trouble than she was worth?
The answer was obvious, and yet...her moral compass swayed.
"Chizuru."
Caught delaying the issue, her body tensed.
"Yes, Hijikata, sir."
Risking eye contact with the vice-commander was dangerous at this point. She was already consumed with dread and knew that his sharp voice was indicative of an equally piercing gaze. She did not desire being trapped within the iron will of her warden. Kondou was known for his candor, but Hijikata was notorious for his stringency. To her greatest bewilderment; however, his following question was far from harsh.
"You wish to stay here, correct?"
Baffled, she lifted her gaze and found him watching her with mild impatience. Though his expression was no less severe than before, there was something significant in his choice of words. Almost as if he had already grasped her true feelings on the matter.
Finding comfort in this thought, she gave a curt nod.
"Then stop wasting time on this nonsense," he dismissed with a sigh. "You can stay."
Chizuru relaxed. The raging tempest in her heart dissolved, and even the hottest summer day paled in comparison to the warmth in her cheeks. Overcome with gratitude; she dipped her head in respect.
"Thank you, sir."
Senhime observed her reaction, confused. Chizuru was glowing in such a way that anyone might think the lieutenant had just graced her with a lavish compliment instead of criticizing her for her indecision. This caused the demoness to question his motives, and she was at once curious.
Studying the man shrewdly, she supposed he was rather striking for a human. Mature, broad-shouldered, and equipped with a low, smooth voice, he seemed well suited to his rank as vice-commander. His appeal was akin to something wild and untouchable though. A person incapable of tenderness. He was a dangerous swordsman and an unsuitable guardian for Chizuru. It did not sit well with the demoness to contemplate what might happen should the girl continue to linger in his company. A man like that was destined for hardship, something Senhime hoped Chizuru could escape.
Sensing her scrutiny, Hijikata returned her regard with a quirked brow. "Well, there you have it. The girl stays."
Senhime pursed her lips, displeased.
"How can I be sure she is sincere when you pressure her so? A woman has no business residing in a regiment. You know this!"
"Osen-chan," Chizuru tried to soothe, but Hijikata was already straightening with indignation.
"Yes. We are a military institution, and as such, we conduct ourselves with honor, not the grotesque things you seem to have collected from gossip."
There was bitterness in his voice, and when he glanced at Chizuru, she flinched.
"Gender is irrelevant here," he finished.
A noticeable change took hold of Senhime, something powerful and treacherous.
"You think I act on the whims of town gossip?" She squared her shoulders, displaying the proud visage of nobility. "Do not presume to know me, lieutenant. My family has ruled over these lands for a millennium. Nothing happens in Kyoto without my knowledge–of that, I can assure you." Then with a cool glance, she added, "though, I must confess the local rumors do you justice…oni-fukuchou."
Kimigiku mirrored Chizuru's fearfully tense posture as demon and samurai shared hostile blows. The atmosphere in the room shifted, accentuating the strange aura that enveloped the demon princess. She cast her gaze over the commanding officers; severity marked clearly in her expression.
"Oh yes…I am well aware of the reputation your regiment imposes in the capital," she continued, smoothing the folds of her gown. "My informants have already conveyed a certain drug has fallen into your possession. If Kazama does not strike you as probable cause to release Chizuru from your custody, then surely blood wraiths will."
Shock took everyone. Inadvertently, their gazes fell on the only blood wraith present in the room.
Sannan sat motionless, having observed the conversation with mild interest. His spectacles, filled with a burning glare from the furnace, veiled his eyes from sight, preventing anyone from reading his expression. Remarkably, he kept his composure despite knowing that, only a few hours ago, his slip into temptation had nearly cost Chizuru her life.
"She makes a valid point," he conceded softly to Hijikata. "We are not entirely innocent either."
Hijikata's brow furrowed, his displeasure growing more imminent with every passing moment.
"That was an isolated incident born out of carelessness," he brushed off with little remorse. "She was never supposed to be there in the first place."
Chizuru wilted in their presence, feeling foolish.
"Yet, if she hadn't been there, I might not have survived," said Sannan.
The head commander cleared his throat, eliciting the full attention of the room as he addressed the demoness.
"Lady Senhime, this information is a national secret. If you have informants recording our dealings with the shogunate, you are positioning yourself as a serious threat to our division."
"One that we are at liberty to subjugate at will," added Hijikata.
Senhime considered his threat.
"I could say the same of you," she warned him in a tone that suggested aptitude for the task, "but that is a discussion for another time. My business tonight is to ensure the safety of Chizuru Yukimura. Kazama poses a danger to her wellbeing, and I cannot leave her vulnerable to humans, skilled samurai though they may be."
"The decision stands. The girl stays," Hijikata growled. "If you will excuse us, Souji will show you to the gate."
This caused a reproachful look from the captain.
"Me? Since when am I the page-boy?" he began to protest. One scowl from Hijikata; however, and his cynicism vanished swiftly under the searing wrath of his superior.
Rising to his feet, he slid the shoji screen aside and let the cold night air swoop into the room.
"Ladies," he gestured in mock decorum.
Senhime rose to her feet, followed by a tense Kimigiku who appeared ready for an ambush. The kunoichi kept close to her charge, eyeing the occupants of the room with fresh contempt.
"If this is indeed your wish," said Senhime, turning around to face Chizuru, "then perhaps you will consider another proposition. One we can all agree on."
Reaching down, Senhime clasped Chizuru by the wrists and pulled her onto her feet.
"Osen-chan, what are you–?"
"Now that Kazama is aware of your heritage, he will stop at nothing to obtain you. Female demons are rare and sought after by other demons. He will have no scruples coming after your Shinsengumi to get to you." Senhime imparted gravely.
Chizuru's eyes flashed, as she recalled times in which both Souji and Hijikata battled against the fair swordsman. The demon fought with a grace both beautiful and cruel. Was she truly the cause of such wrath? The fury of Kazama Chikage brought about by the likes of her?
Aware of her plight, Senhime quickly pulled her back into the present.
"If you will not let me protect you, then you must learn to protect yourself," she implored. "The blood of a demon runs through your veins, Chizuru. You too have powers! I can teach you how to harness these gifts. It is the tradition that the Demon Arts be passed down from demon to demon, and with Kazama on the prowl…time is of the essence."
Senhime released her and turned to face the others.
"My proposal is this: allow me to instruct Chizuru in the Demon Arts, and I will allow her to remain in the Shinsengumi. Let us consider this a compromise."
Her statement was met with quick confusion, as an active wind burst through the entryway. Its icy breath stirred hot sparks from the brazier, causing several members of the group to gasp in alarm. Amid the disturbance, Chizuru found herself locking gazes with the lieutenant just long enough to watch the sparks illuminate his look of mistrust.
Her heart raced as it recalled the last time she had been on the receiving end of his disfavor.
It happened on the night they first met. Cowering in the snow, Chizuru slumped against the crates of an alleyway that had been desecrated by slaughter. Large, globular snowflakes dusted Hijikata's brow as he stared at her from the other end of his katana. The bodies of her pursuers laid motionless at his feet, and as he loomed over her, she recalled the sharp cruelty in his eyes as he contemplated her death.
She knew she was innocent, and yet she had played witness to an ill-fated scene. Accursed men in Shinsengumi colors had crossed paths with her and demonstrated a vehemence so profane it was if hell itself had unleashed its horrors. If she was going to die, it was for merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A coincidental fluke.
Mercifully, Hijikata had chosen to spare her life, but in doing so, he had trapped her in a terrible secret.
His men safeguarded a deadly substance – an elixir wrongfully named the "Water of Life." Rumors claimed it came from demons, but these speculations were debatable. No one knew where it came from or who first discovered it, only that her father, Koudou Yukimura, had been researching its elusive properties. After his disappearance; however, the information left behind culminated in one frightening truth: the Water of Life was cursed.
One sip and the most debilitating ailments disappeared with newfound vigor. The Ochimizu drug preserved life, but even more extraordinarily, it could reverse death. Such power came at a personal cost, and the result was devastating. For once the curse took its hold, the victim developed the insatiable thirst for human blood and fell into a life of carnage. Even now, Chizuru could see the snow-white hair and bloodlust eyes of the rasetsu she had encountered on that fateful night she met the Demon Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi.
A chill crept into her heart as she saw a frightening correlation.
If a demon gave life to the blood curse, then where did that leave her?
Chizuru's brow creased, as she thought about the times in which her wounds had miraculously healed. She also thought of the blue fire and golden eyes of Kazama. Was it possible that underneath her human exterior a demon lurked in the recesses of her being? Was she capable of incredible violence too?
A hand covered her mouth, as she understood Hijikata's aversion.
"I-I'm sorry, Osen-chan," she blurted, withdrawing from the demoness, "I can't."
Chizuru dropped her gaze, immediately overcome with shame. Spinning on her heels, she dashed out of the conference room before anyone had time to act. Her departure was so abrupt even Souji missed his chance to stop her with a strategic arm placed across the door frame. She dodged him easily and fled down the steps that spilled out into the courtyard. By the time Senhime called out her name, she was already halfway across the lawn and well outside earshot.
Solitude. Solitude was what she needed – what she craved. A moment in a quiet place where she could let her emotions roam free without fear of judgment. Her mind required time to process all that had transpired this night, but the sight of Hijikata's revulsion stung her deeply. In the wake of her horror, had he reached the same conclusion too?
Devastated, Chizuru longed for her absent father. She missed the days where they lived peacefully in Edo without fear of the supernatural. Ever since he left for the capital, her life had fabricated deeper and deeper into the unknown. It grieved her to think how much heartache she could have prevented if she had simply asked him to stay.
Pausing under the eaves of her apartment, Chizuru leaned her shoulder against the nearest post and rubbed her cheeks furiously. Tears would achieve nothing, she knew, but it was better to anguish here in the dark than in a room full of swordsmen.
Resting her head against the column, she opened her eyes and let herself drown in the night sky.
. . . . . . . . . . .
The inhabitants of the conference room were in a temporary state of pause.
Concerned for their ward, Shinpachi was the first to stir.
"Let her be, Shinpachi-kun," Sannan advised with a vague smile. "She has undergone a lot in the past two days. Some privacy is what she needs right now."
"But she hardly touched her dinner," the captain pointed out.
"You can save her meal in the kitchen for when she gets hungry. Sanosuke can take the first shift guarding her door tonight." Kondou offered by way of accession. "We can revisit this issue in the morning if need be. But for now, let's give her a moment's peace."
"Yes, sir." Shinpachi abated grimly.
Senhime observed their exchange and was unexpectedly moved by their compassion. In truth, she had only ever come across the Shinsengumi during their many routine patrols throughout the city. Civilians usually gave them a wide berth, as the reputation stood that these men were dangerous and unpleasant. But she began to see that this was not entirely true. Dangerous, yes. Unpleasant, yes. But they were also fiercely loyal to those they considered their own.
She had a small inkling as to why Chizuru hesitated to be free of them.
"Milady?" Kimigiku murmured, concerned.
Senhime smiled, retracting her misgivings for the moment.
"Chizuru has endured much hardship, but…it comforts me to know that she has all of you to count on." She admitted repentantly. "So long as you understand what you are up against, all I ask is that you do not allow her to fall into Kazama's hands."
"We are one in that regard," Kondou assured her.
Senhime nodded.
"Good. Then perhaps in time, she will seek me out to learn more about her gifts," she said softly. "Until then, I bid you all good night."
The demoness and kunoichi bowed before vanishing into the night.
A/N: Hello there! Thank you so much for reading The Seven Gates of the Demon Arts. This story is the result of my post-Hakuouki disappointment when Senhime failed to pass along the secrets of demons to Chizuru. As I began speculating over all the amazing things she could have learned – and all the things she could have prevented as a result – I felt compelled to indulge a little. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan series.
Here is the soundtrack that inspired this chapter:
Travel to Edinburgh – Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil
Destiny's Path – John Williams
The Dragon Book - John Powell (Senhime's Second Proposition)
