She remembered many things about the day she was reborn. She remembered the sudden order from their Chief first of all, remembered the tight expression on his face as he faced them. He hadn't wanted to send the two of them alone, but Kanami had insisted. They would lead their charges away from the bulk of the fighting, protect them until they were well on their way toward the neighboring village, then head back to regroup. She remembered the worried expression Sanosuke had given her as he hugged her to his chest. Hajime had reached up and brushed her lilac colored hair from her face before sharing one of his rare smiles. Even Hijikata was troubled as Souji touched her sister's face softly. They'd reassured them with a few words and then turned away.

It was the last time she'd seen them. The last time she'd gotten to share Hajima's rare warmth or hear the strong rumble of Shinpachi's voice. Kanami had taken up the lead as they left, leaving Kira to usher the many children and three women toward the corner of the building. As she'd followed, she'd brought her hand up to wave goodbye to Souji and Sanosuke as they lingered behind. She hadn't seen their response as she'd turned the corner, drawing her sword and giving Kanami a hard look.

She remembered reaching the break in the wall without trouble. Kanami had climbed over first, lifting down the children one by one after dispatching two bandits. Kira had lingered behind, watchful as the children and then the women that were with them climbed over. She'd been forced to attack the three men that tried to intercept them, cutting two throats before the third finally dealt a blow. The gash was deep in her right side. Her sword fell as she grabbed his, using his own blade to slash open his stomach. Fear settled in Kira's stomach as she checked the wound, it was too deep. The gash would limit her movement, preventing her from using the sword. She'd left it there, trapped under a bandit's body, and withdrew a dagger from the concealed sheath at her thigh. She could use daggers with her left hand, and she'd be able to move quicker with it.

Kira didn't tell Kanami about the wound as she dropped to the ground next to her sister. She'd shushed her protests, telling her the sword had been left in the enemy's chest. She reassured her sister, telling her she'd retrieve it later or that one of their companions would. Her name was stamped into the cold metal of her blade after all. And the others knew what it looked like. She couldn't bring herself to reveal the severity of her wound. She'd taken the packet of medicine from it's hidden place in the ribbon tied around her upper arm. The powdered herbs numbed her nerves. She wouldn't feel herself die.

They'd run toward the woods, taking as much caution as they could. The captives had gotten onto the path when several bandits dropped down from the top of the wall. She'd held her dagger ready as Kanami readied her spear. Her sister would be fine, she had to be. Kira had to make sure to send her back to Souji in one piece. She could survive, even if Kira had to die here.

The first man to reach them met the end of her blade, his blood staining the grass at her feet as his sword dropped. Kanami's skill was unmatched as she'd cut through three more of the men. There were four remaining, closing in as Kira's vision blurred. She'd lurched forward with a cry of her sister's name, taking the hit from a blade that would have hit Kanami. The sword slid cleanly into her stomach, almost all the way through. Kanami cried out, killed the man, and stood in front of Kira as she laid in the grass. Her final thoughts had been of Hajime and Sanosuke, how they would react to her death...

Kira woke with a start, her eyes wide as she took in the dark room. She was soaked in sweat from the dream, one hand on the sword that rested to her left. She traced the patterns on its sheath as she caught her breath, willing her thoughts not to stray back to the dream. It had been a recurring nightmare for weeks now, replaying the day she'd "died" over and over again. More often now that she knew their current orders.

Turning on her side, Kira glanced at the futon that should have held her sleeping sister. It was empty and cold, having not been slept in. Where could Kanami be at this hour? The sun hadn't even risen yet. She rose to her feet, slipping into her shoes as she stepped out into the hallway. Koudou would be asleep at this hour, having spent the majority of his day developing the new fury serum. There was no reason for Kanami to be up.

"Kanami?" She called down the hallway, her voice hushed to prevent waking any of the men in the surrounding rooms. Her sword remained sheathed, though she'd carried it with her.

"Did I wake you?" Kanami emerged from a nearby room, the darkened hallway shading her face.

"Why are you awake? Did something happen?" Kira asked slowly, unsure of her sister's demeanor.

"Nothing. I just completed our mission since I couldn't sleep" Kanami's voice was cheerful as she slid the door shut with a soft click.

"Finished our..." Kira froze as the realization hit her. They were to give a message to Koudou's daughter, a young woman shielded by the Shinsengumi. "Kanami?"

Her sister stepped into the light cast by a nearby candle. Kira held back a gasp as she caught sight of her. Kanami's pristine white kimono had been spattered with red, blood covering almost all of it. Her spear was held tightly in a bloodied arm, it's blade dripping scarlet to the floor.

"Did you...did they" Kira held her breath as Kanami took another step toward her, a malicious smirk on her face.

"Three of them got in my way." She smirked.

"Who" Kira was breathless as her right hand went to the hilt of her sword, pulling it out a few inches.

Please let them be okay.

"One is dead." Kanami smiled. "Two were injured, I took the courtesy to knock one of them out instead of killing him"

"Kanami" Kira summoned her confidence back. "Did you kill one of them?"

"The captains of the Shinsengumi are alive, injured but alive" Kanami smirked as she brushed past her older sister.

What is happening to us...