Aiko and Sen did not stay long. Chizuru was dismissed much to her chagrin. Though the other demon vouched on her behalf, offering to teach Chizuru more about their history if the Shinsengumi would allow it.

Hijikata agreed reluctantly, again with conditions attached of them being supervised. Chizuru shot a grateful glance to the older demon, who merely smiled at her ever so subtly.

She and Sen remained speaking to the Captains about the furies for some time before leaving. They were staying in Kyoto and Kimigiku met them halfway on their way back to what Aiko called a 'safehouse.'

The captains were curious of that Chizuru had no doubt. But seeing another woman, one wielding a sword so casually was...odd to say the least.

They would be meeting at the safehouse once a week, so that Chizuru could be taught more about Demons. Though originally she had asked Sen, Aiko was by all means the more knowledgeable.

Even the demon princess referred to her as " Aiko-Sama." A first name basis but still showing her rank above Sen.

The excitement had left a sense of lightheadedness around Chizuru. The captains joining her would change per week. Sometimes several would be going, Chizuru assumed it was to gauge Aiko's abilities.

Possibly to also remove the risk of Kazama trying to abduct her.

Her first lesson was tomorrow. It was exciting just as the hours before her expected first lesson with Sen had been before Aiko made her appearance.

Although, Chizuru did not know what to expect. Aiko was too much of a mystery. Her sleep was quite restless that night

Okita had expressed interest in joining her. But with him being so ill, he was forced by Hijikata yet again, to rest.

It left Harada, Shinpachi, and Heisuke-kun to follow her this time. The first lesson was not supposed to be difficult but the three were good company.

"Ha...so what do we expect of this lady?" Shinpachi began as they walked. His arms lifted, crossed behind his head as he lazily made his way down the road. Heisuke shook his head with an exaggerated sigh. "Shinpach-San you really are too relaxed about this. Even we are taking this seriously, ne Sano?" He looked to the spearman who merely tipped his head in acknowledgment, looking down to Chizuru afterwards curiously. "Hai, though I think it's more important that this is taken seriously for Chizuru-chan's sake." He mused. "I don't think that Himura-San wore that sword for show."

Shinpachi shot Sano a sharp glance. "Planning on testing that theory, Sano?" Watching the red head shake his head. "Just an observation me and Saito shared." Harada murmured.

Chizuru glances up at Harada but merely purses her lips as the safehouse came into view.

It was not anything suspicious looking or exactly impressive either. Just a small building set between two others. Much like the Ikeda inn with its layout. A small upper level with different bedrooms and windows facing the enclosed backyard. Sakura trees covered the sides and a small pond at the back keeping the back of the building private from anyone next door as well. The entire back of the property was shaded by pink blossoms and branches.

It was there that they found Aiko and Sen. Kimigiku greeted them at the door before leading them through the building to the two demons.

As usual, Sen was garbed in her pale yellow kimono. However Aiko was dressed much more differently than before.

Her kimono was black, with white patterning that almost resembled smoke. Her obi was a deep red, matching the string ornaments from her hair pin, which held her hair pinned back in an elaborate bun. Flowers adorned her hair as well, seemingly symbolizing her as a single woman if she wore it for the sake of tradition.

She greeted them all with a subtle incline of her head and Sen quickly made room for the men as more pillows Were brought out.

Chizuru found herself watching Aiko's hands as she poured them all tea. Strands of chestnut hair framing her normally severe features. Softening the angle of her eyes and jaw. It was hard to look away.

"Is my face so fascinating, Yukimura?" She lifted her eyes, locking brown in a deep blue. Chizuru jolted and lowered her gaze to her hands. Thanking her as she accepted the tea with both hands around her cup. "Ah...gomen Aiko-sama…I was merely surprised by your clothing. I did not expect to see you in a kimono."

Aiko seemed bemused by that. "Ah…" she turned to Heisuke and poured him tea as well, her lips curled still in a subtle smile. " traveling dictates I be ready in these troubled times...however walking down the street dressed for battle would look rather odd on me. Sen-chan can only cover so much for me. Claiming me as a bodyguard or some such nonsense."

Sen scoffed. " it would be believable given your attitude…"

Aiko raised a brow slowly. "I was not the one provoking the Ronin, ohime-Sama."

Sen's cheeks darkened and she ducked her head as Chizuru had done.

"Jokes and pleasantries aside, Chizuru, I agreed to teach you our history, not sword fighting." Her tone was a gentle chide. Her gaze sharp as she met the young demon's gaze who fingers her sword absentmindedly.

Aiko's gaze softened and she sighed. "That will come later I suppose. If you pay attention to the general lessons."

She gently tucks back some loose hair and glances to the men. "I do have sake inside for you,Captains. Though I would prefer if you would let me teach Chizuru for a bit before we heat it. Of course I can continue offering you tea in the meantime."

Harada held his cup out with a slow nod. " Of course. We're just as curious as Chizuru-chan I'm sure."

Aiko chuckled as she poured him his tea before she arranged herself more properly.

"Sen and I discussed where to begin, although honestly I would hear your opinion, Chizuru." She intones softly. "What is it you most want to know?"

Chizuru pondered the question as Aiko poured Shinpachi's tea as well. Her gaze followed the blush across the captains cheek and Harada nudged him with an elbow in reprimand of his wandering eyes.

"I...suppose I would like to know about the different clans...and their...ranking?" Chizuru stated hesitantly.

Aiko tilted her head taking a drink of her own tea and lowering her gaze for a moment in thought.

"The basics then. I'm surprised Kodo did not teach you even that much...though I suppose he raised you entirely as a human."

Chizuru nodded and Aiko pursed her lips. "What did he say of your healing capabilities?"

Chizuru shifted nervously on her pillow. "Ah...he told me to keep it quiet. That people would try and figure out my secret and hurt me to do so. He didn't say it was anything to do with my blood or family…"

Aiko nodded. "Well, it may surprise you to hear it but not every demon heals the way you do."

Chizuru blinked. "Kazama was cut on the cheek at the Ikeda Inn incident. It...sealed very fast." She reasoned. Aiko seems amused and chuckled.

"This may seem like a change in topic but when a fury heals damage have you noticed anything about the wound?" Her blue eyes were sharp. Curious.

"Ah...steam tends to rise from the cut? And there's a sound like...sizzling." She mumbled awkwardly.

Aiko nodded. "When a fury dies they also turn to ash." Her voice was casual. Her gaze drifting between the captains. Settling briefly on Heisuke as he yawned under the dying light of day. Her lips twitched and he then fidgets under her gaze.

"There are countless demon clans...but there are 4 main families. And then other large families below them. Typically related through siblings. Distant cousins." Aiko begins. Gently smoothing out her kimono as she spoke.

"The 4 main families make up the original demon clans, the greater demons. They consist of the Himura, Mizushima, Akiyama and Ueno clan's respectively…"

"Ano...so you're part of the Himura Clan?" Shinpachi asked, watching the woman closely, a hand scratching at his cheek.

Aiko watched him through dark lashes for a moment, her lips set in a lopsided sort of smile. "Hai, I am the heir of the Himura clan." She explained simply.

Looking back to Chizuru she explained more accurately. "Each of the main clans are represented by different symbols. Centuries ago our people fought amongst themselves over land. Petty squabbles that the greater demon clans knew would end badly. Eventually the Himura and Mizushina agreed on a truce. Creating the greater demon clan council...essentially overseers of our people." She took another sip of her tea before continuing. "The main family line of each clan...the heirs. Remain the most powerful politically and physically amongst our people...they take over the seats on the council when their predecessor retires or passes on."

She paused. Fiddling with her cup for a moment. "The other clans below the greater demons were said to have branched out from us. Cousins and such. They formed other clans over time, which trace their roots back to one or two of the greater demon clans. Though rarely is the connection strong if they are not a direct descendant of the main family. The full extent of their beginning is unclear...they married outside of the greater demon families. Over time the differences between the 4 families and the other clans grew more pronounced."

Chizuru nodded. "Is...Kazama related rather directly to any clan?"

Aiko shook her head. "His family is pure blooded, meaning every member was a demon born. But he traces his family line back to my own clan. Technically speaking he is a distant cousin of mine. We share little in terms of blood however."

Chizuru nodded. "You mentioned two of the families- or rather clans- formed a truce...what about the others?"

Aiko chuckled. " the four main families are represented by different aspects. They share similarities however. The Himura and Amiyaka clans use the sun as a symbol. In contrast, the Mizushima and Ueno clans use the moon. Back in times of conflict both moon and sun clans were close allies. The Himura are known for their warriors and the Mizushima for their diplomacy...a deal was struck between the leaders of each and eventually our allies followed suit."

"Why the symbology?" Chizuru frowned.

Sen piped up. "Traditionally...the Sun clans would rise at dawn and sleep at dusk...almost like a cycle. They are also known to be very hot blooded...quick tempered. Equating themselves often to a passionate flame…" she smirked. "Whereas the moon clams were much their opposite. Sleeping at day and waking with the moon. They are cool and detached. Calm as water until provoked. Together they create familiar?" She joked lightly, eyes sparkling.

Chizuru furrowed her brows. But nodded slowly her gaze lowering to the ground as she thought. " Aiko-Sama...you said that not every demon healed the same...so what exactly did you mean by that?"

When Chizuru lifted her head, Aiko was observing her rather closely.

"All demons share certain abilities. We are naturally faster and stronger than humans, and recover faster as well. But certain clans heal particularly fast and can even help other people in healing to. Sickness can still claim demon lives as well if we aren't careful, although it is more rare. The lesser known characteristics of our people is easier to show than tell. But we can see better and hear better in our natural forms. Likely from a time when we were hunters."

Chizuru jumped on one of her earlier remarks. "What demons can help heal others?"

Aiko was silent for some time, watching the other woman in a silent manner for some time. "The ones I knew the most about was your own clan Chizuru."

Chizuru blinked. "The Yukimura clan?" She asked tentatively and watched Aiko nod. "...H-how?" She mumbled. Her clan was gone after all.

Aiko pursed her lips. "Your family traced their roots back to the Ueno and Mizushima...both moon clans. Many of your clan were considered doctors and medics. You all healed faster than most demons. The clan power in the Yukimura bloodline allowed the members to mend wounds that others had received. Sometimes this only meant scrapes and bruises. I recall being told your father could even mend bone. But his clan power was quite powerful and he discovered it young. As the head of the Yukimura Clan. He was quite well known by the other clans, even the greater demons knew his name at the least. If not his face."

Chizuru sat there timidly. Her eyes downcast as she considered what she had been told, throat bobbing as she swallowed. " You speak of my father like he is no longer alive."

Aiko paused, her eyes softening briefly. "...yes….Kodo is not your father, Chizuru."

Chizuru nodded, she had gathered that much in her years away from him. However it still left a pain in her chest to think of Kodo as something other than her father. He still raised her.

Harada set a warm hand on her head, ruffling your hair. " Sounds to me...like your old man was pretty damn impressive, Chizuru-Chan." His tone was gentle, his golden gaze concerned.

Chizuru gave a watery smile and looked back to Aiko tentatively. "So...a clan power...it's unique to each clan?" She asked gently.

Aiko nodded. "Given how much the clans spread and blood mixed. New clans made for new clan powers. But the fathers bloodline is always strongest. It's likely you inherited at least some of his clan power and his proficiency with it as well."

Chizuru chewed on her lower lip and took a break to drink some more tea. Her hands around the cup helped to steady her frayed shaking nerves. "Ah...what is your clan power?"

Aiko was silent. Promoting Chizuru to lift her chin to peer at her. The greater demon was sharing a look with Sen and her lips were tightly pursed.

Sen lightly but in with a gentle voice Hesitantly began to speak. "Clan powers and how many there are...are complicated. We can teach you about your own, maybe a bit about ours as well...but it is something we hold close to our chests...clan powers tend to be our last resorts...our strongest abilities. Revealing their uses is...uncommon outside of Demon clan settings. It is a risk, if one who would wish to abuse the abilities would overhear information about them…"

Aiko nodded. "Kodo was not wrong when saying that people would try to use your abilities, Chizuru…" Her voice was soft. Eyes distant for a moment before she sighed shaking her head.

"Clan powers are easy enough to explain vaguely...first born demons are typically the strongest. This means the first born of the clan head typically takes over as his or her successor unless something befalls them before hand. Typically speaking demons have large families...our villages are made up of demons who married into the clan. To cousins and siblings of the clan leaders. Or smaller demon clans were closely tied to a larger one, and joined their village out of necessity- safety in numbers so to speak. Female demons are more rare...1 out of every three or four pregnancies. Twins are even more rare. Women are thus viewed as...treasured by their clan mates and fellow Oni...women are not stopped from learning to fight. However it is rare to let them actually perform in battle...rare as fights among our people are. We don't have the numbers for a war like the Oni of the past."

Heisuke has started to lean forward a bit, interested and intrigued by the thought. Harada and Shinpachi were oddly silent.

Aiko finished her tea. "Those are the basics at least...I hope I'm clear when explaining...it can be difficult to speak of without revealing certain facts better left to Oni ears only."

Harada nodded. " We appreciate you telling us this much, Aiko-San…"

The woman merely inclined her head. "Well enough heavy discussions for now. Shall we enjoy some Sake now?"

The agreement was murmured around the group and Aiko rose gracefully to go prepare the drinks. Chizuru was left looking down at her hands as Sen shifted closer to her side.

"You seem troubled." Sen offers gently.

Chizuru lifted her head and blinked. "Ah...I...find myself thinking of my father. His ability to mend bone...if I inherited his clan power- I could help people." She insisted firmly.

Sen frowned and her eyes sharpened. " Chizuru-chan...clan powers are sacred...even your father could not stop death...the Yukimura clan was not known for fighting. People went to him for help. Not surviving in the heat of battle…" she murmured gently.

"Even so-" Chizuru argued but Shinpachi places a hand on her shoulder making her jump.

"You need to stop trying to take so much on your shoulders, Chizuru." His eyes were dark with concern and Harada and Heisuke voiced their agreement right after.

Sen sighed. "Your willingness to help shows your connection to your father. But clan powers are hard to control...even more so when one has no practice with it. If you did inherit it...well you're the last remaining Yukimura with the healing clan power as well...what I and Aiko-sama can teach you about it will be limited...we have no experience using it. Every clan power is different, and unlocking them is often difficult."

"Why?" Chizuru demanded, her jaw setting stubbornly.

Aiko chose then to return. Her voice sounding from the door. "Because. Most clan powers activate young in response to emotions. You being raised human blocks your nature. We need to rewrite your thinking in order to even access that part of you…"

Chizuru jumped and lowered her head awkwardly. Hearing the light shuffle of fabric as Aiko resumed her seat. She began pouring out sake for the group, starting with Harada and working her way around. The sake was perfect for the coming night chill and the captains all relaxed with Aiko saying her piece.

"I understand you want to help...and to know yourself. But if you wish to learn of your Oni powers...we will start with the basics. Clan powers come much later."

Feeling sufficiently scolded Chizuru nodded. Managing to swallow past the lump of unsaid words in her throat she lifted her eyes to Aiko. "So where do we begin?"

Aiko shot her a small smile of approval. "Allowing you to take on your Oni form...or rather. Your true form. We shall begin there."

The rest of the evening past with idle talk of the events in Kyoto. Sake flowed freely for the captains and on more than one occasion Chizuru found herself enraptured by the small movements of the elder demoness.

Aiko poured the men's drinks and flattered them with ease. She would never believe this woman, gentle and refined. Was capable of wielding the sword she carried the other day.

She had a beauty mark below her left eye. Her lips were deeply pigmented without a touch of rose petals to tint them. Her lashes were long and her movements graceful...like she danced rather than moved.

She caught the appreciative glances the captains shared towards her. Though Harada was the most subtle.

It felt almost like a home. The warmth Aiko exuded was more open in that moment than any before. Chizuru felt a small piece of herself falling into place. Her troubles of clan powers and furies fading away with her smile.

She could think of it later.

Light was fading when a commotion in town made itself known. The ringing of bells sounded, followed by loud cries from the west. Thankfully not from the Shinsengumi headquarters.

The captains grew stiff as men could be heard running through the streets near the safehouse. Aiko's expression grew tense and she brought them all inside with a pensive glance towards the backgate.

Sen stuck close to Kimigiku as the bells grew in volume and Chizuru thought she saw Aiko glance towards her quarters hesitantly. Her eyes flickering like the coals of a fire.

"Aiko-Sama." A man called from the stairs. "I know you are concerned- but this matter doesn't concern us. Unless furies are involved."

Aiko looked between the bald man to Sen and Kimigiku standing tense nearby. Finally to the Shinsengumi members already preparing to leave, she sighed. "There is a clear path from the back gate...I trust you can return Chizuru to your headquarters safely?"

Chizuru piped up before he captains could answer. "What about Sen-chan?"

Aiko flicked her gaze down to Chizuru, the glance so sharp Chizuru felt her spine stiffen in response. " No harm will come to the princess under my protection, of that you have my word. However I doubt the Shinsengumi would enjoy knocking down my door to ensure your safety."

She looked to Harada who nodded to her. "We'll get her back safely before anything else,Aiko-San." She relaxes at his reassurance with a nod. " I don't doubt it, captain…"

Quickly she ushered them to the path outside the back gate. Whispering quick instructions to Harada before they departed. There was clear concern in her eyes as she looked to the orange light in the west, signs of fire on the horizon and the smell of smoke in the wind.

Harada caught her arm lightly. The touch tentative. "We will take care of it." He promised simply, his casual confidence enough to shake her from her daze. She peered up at him curiously, wind tousling her loose hair across her forehead.

"Thank you, Harada." Her voice was no more than a whisper. He inclined his head to her. "We'll circle back afterwards...patrol the area where we heard those men. No harm will come to your walls either, under our watch, Aiko-San."

Her gaze widened briefly before she nodded. Not trusting her voice to speak. Humans were odd and she found his...genuine nature to be throwing her own composure through a loop.

"I will hold you to that then." She whispered. " go." She said urgently, watching the spearman send her a wide smile before the four took off. Chizuru glanced back to see the older demon watching their backs. Her eyes almost seeming to be incredibly sad.

She quickened her pace at Heisuke's urging and soon the Safehouse was out of view.

" I fear she is more right than we want to admit…" Harada mutters.

Shinpachi and Heisuke glanced at him. Though Harada did not leave them confused for long.

"Kyoto won't be safe for much longer…"