The nighttime air is chilling, the upcoming fall season beginning to usher in it's cooler temperatures. Not that he minded, Hijikata loved to roll the windows down late at night while he was patrolling in the car, to have a few cigarettes and just relax while he drove; which was precisely what he was doing.

The roads were scarce, save for the occasional homeless or drunkards, not many people were out at two in the morning on a wednesday night, especially with all the recent happenings. It was an easy patrol, which was why tasks like these were given to the less reliable of the Shinsengumi members. Of course, everyone still had to keep their eyes peeled for any sort of activity― vampiric or not. After all, there were still men being found dead in the streets, and women going missing without so much as a trace. Something was dangerously wrong in Edo, and the lack of… well, any leads whatsoever kept him up hours every night.

Speaking of leads, they hadn't found jackshit yet with the perm's, and the guy hadn't so much as shown his face anywhere that he or his men had seen. Hijikata had a background check run on him, which came up rather weird, to say the least. No one could get anything from the first half of his life, and the people who did know something said he was very tight lipped about his past. Other than that, they got a lot of information on the people he interacted with, such as the Shimura siblings and the old lady that runs the bar. Not that that was extremely helpful, however it was a start. He'd have to get Yamazaki to sakeout his house in the next upcoming days.

At this point, he's not taking any chances. Gintoki seems like the type to be hiding enough secrets to disappear off the radar for months at a time when the police get a little too close for his comfort. He'd dealt with many criminals like that and now with two and a half weeks gone by since the warehouse incident along with no signs of a silver perm, his intuition is feeling more and more right by the minute.

He's praying he's wrong, he wants to trust the guy in hopes he can get more out of him and stop the senseless killings and kidnappings, but he can't afford to waste time on finding someone like that when more and more phone calls keep coming in.

He's got the wife of Kawahara Yushiro to meet with tomorrow, and he justs hopes she'll actually be able to talk. They'd tried to get information out of her a week ago, but she was still too emotionally wrecked and wouldn't speak; along with everything going on in his schedule, tomorrow was the soonest date that he could make to hopefully get a lead while still ensuring her time to mourn.

Hijikata lets out a yawn while pulling into the barracks, snuffing his cigarette out in the car's ashtray. The barracks are quiet, aside from the nighttime watch making their rounds and the cicadas, everyone is mostly fast asleep in their rooms. It's nearing three, and he's just glad there hasn't been another call in yet. They typically come around this time, right before the sun starts to come up. It's a good sign, to say the least.

He makes short time of getting to his room, and after a quick shower and a lone report, he turns off his lamp and prepares himself mentally for the upcoming day, before falling restlessly asleep.

His handwriting is terrible, all wiggly and sloppy. He's having to write down his questions for Yushiro's wife, Toriko, while Kondo drives them to her house. He's talking to him about the same insane cabret girl as always. Of course, he's not listening to a bit of it, too focused on the task at hand then catering to Kondo's one-sided love affection. Not that he didn't care, he just didn't care― at the moment.

There's so many things still hidden to him; he realizes this fact as he scratches out yet another word. Between the girls, the murders, and now this massacre…

For the first time in what seems like ever, he's really at a loss with what to do.

Hijikata only can hope that this meeting will relieve some of the anxiety that's tensing up both him and the entire city. Everyone wants to see an end to the killings, everyone wants to see their loved ones returned to them, their friends, mothers, daughters; and everyone is looking towards the Shinsengumi to fix it.

He groans, crumbling the piece of paper in his hands. Fuck it.

"Toshi? Are you alright?" Kondo asks, eyes darting from the road to him, then back to the road― checking to see if he was okay.

"I'm fine, just a little stressed out is all."

"Those long nights are starting to get to you, I can tell. You're only human, Toshi. You need to get more rest then what you're getting now." He rolls his eyes at the suggestion, like it was even an option for him; and although Kondo can't see it, he knows. "Don't give me that. You know I'm right." There's another frustrated sigh in return and Hijikata just takes out a cigarette in reply. "Vampires aren't going anywhere anytime soon, remember where your priorities lay."

"It's precisely that vampires aren't going away soon that I'm working so hard." Hijikata takes a drag, watching houses pass by outside the window. "I won't have another Mitsuba, Kondo-san."

A heavy silence falls over them with that statement, and it stays that way until they reach the residence of Kawahara Toriko. Kondo shuts off the car, and it seem only correct for the overcast clouds to begin sprinkling that very moment. Hijikata takes out a blank sheet of paper and steps out of the car, cigarette crumbled the dirt below his feet. He runs a hand through his hair, and steps up to the door. Kondo's right behind him, which is comforting, and he tries to relax his shoulders and brows before he knocks on the door.

Not a moment later, there's the slide of the door's lock being undone, and it creaks open the slightest bit. "Who is it?" A woman says, and it's not a voice he recognizes.

"I'm vice-commander Hijikata Toshiro, here with commander Kondo Isao. We're with the Shinsengumi, for Kawahara-san." Hijikata states, already trying to figure out why another woman was here in the household. Protection, maybe? In any case, the other lock on the door gets undone and it's opened for them to enter.

"Welcome, she's in her room. I'll escort you in just a moment." The woman says, closing the door behind them, bolting the locks back up. It's dark inside, there's a few candles lit and the tv is running the news silently in the living room. The air is heavy in here too, like they shouldn't be here, or make any noise. Kondo starts slipping off his shoes and Hijikata follows, glad that Kondo had reminded him to. That would've been bad. He's getting too caught up in everything, he needs to calm down or else he's not going to be able to pay full attention to Toriko's story and her body language as she tells it.

The other woman slips by them, motioning for the two men to follow her. Hijikata wants to ask what her name is, what her business is here, but it's not the right moment yet; he can tell Kondo is thinking the same thing. Instead, they're guided through the quiet house until they reach the furthest back room.

"Toriko, they're here." The mystery woman calls out, and there's no reply. However the woman seems unfazed, and turns around to ask them if they would like something to drink, which they both decline. She slides open the door, revealing a small room with a table, which sat the former wife of Kawahara Yushiro.

They walk in and bow, the door shut closed behind them. Toriko is wearing a dark gray kimono, a cup of green tea untouched growing cold before her. There's an alter in the back corner, and he doesn't have to look to see who it's for. They both sit down before her, the silence of the room blurring out the pouring of the rain and the light steam coming off the tea.

"Hello, Kawahara-san. Once more, we're incredibly sorry for your loss and hope that you can help us take measures in ensuring that tragedies like this do not happen again." Hijikata says, his voice gentle and country accent all but gone.

She clicks her tongue, turning her head away from them to the window. "Save the formalities, Hijikata-san. I have no need for them anymore with Yushiro gone. We're all slaves to something higher than us, and I'm sick of it, as I'm sure you are too." Toriko states, voice void of emotion. She turns back, locking eyes with him. "So please, if you do not mind, let's just save each other some time and get this over with."

Hijikata and Kondo exchange a look before they both pull out a pen and paper. "Well then, Kawahara-san, let's get into it."

"Gin-chaaan! I'm HUNGRY! Feed meee!" Kagura yells, standing on his back and swaying back and forth to shake him. He's currently on the couch, he's been on the couch for hours now, and with Shinpachi sick at home and the pouring down rain, he hasn't really wanted to move away from the soap opera binge session he was currently enjoying. Would Chiyo figure out that Kaneshi was cheating on her with Ayeno? Would she still be able to love him after finding out? Was Ayeno really pregnant with Kaneshi's child? He needed to know.

"Gin-chan!" She jumps and he groans, feeling his immortal rib cage quake with fear.

"What do you want, demon child?!"

"Food!" She yells, and jumps again. "I want food! Food! Food!"

"Well if you break Gin-chan's ribs, the only thing you're going to be getting is a visit to the hospital with me!" Gintoki rolls over, forcing Kagura to step off of him and onto the table. "Fine! What do you want?"

It's not five minutes later Gintoki is in the kitchen, cooking Kagura three omurice servings while she talks to him about how Chiyo is actually a huge player and doesn't deserve all the effort Kaneshi was putting into her, even though he was cheating. He somewhat agrees, Chiyo was kind of a bitch. Hell, in his past life he'd kill to have someone buy him out a restaurant for the night with all he can eat food. Come on, Chiyo. Are you blind?

When he's done cooking, he throws on his black shirt and pants, pauses the soap opera, and takes himself and Kagura down to visit with Otose for a while. He opens the door for her, holding up Kagura's umbrella on the way down so she wouldn't get her omurice wet. Because of the torrential downpour, it was quiet in the streets and even quieter in the usually bustling bar. Tama was refueling herself quietly in the background while Catharine snored on her shoulder. Otose was organizing liquors when Gintoki opened the door for Kagura and she came running in, anxious to eat her omurice before it got cold.

"Ah, what're you two doing out in this weather?" Otose asks, cleaning the bar's counter where Kagura was eating. "Isn't Shinpachi sick?"

"He is," Gintoki shakes off the umbrella, placing it by the door where it wouldn't get knocked down. "But you act like we didn't just walk down the steps to get here."

She shakes her head, picking up a unopened bottle of sake to pour him, which he declines, much to her surprise. He's not in the mood to drink today, weirdly enough. Actually, he's not in the mood to do anything really, so he goes around the counter and decides to at least make himself useful by washing the bar's used glasses.

"So, why are you here then? I'd typically say you're making a nuisance of yourself but you're… not, so I really don't know what to say."

Gintoki just shrugs, rinsing the soap off the cup. "Just cause." Otose seems to find that a good enough reason, and goes back to cleaning the shelf. There's a lot silence in the bar, not unwelcome silence, just silence. They're all focused on their tasks, cleaning, napping, eating, there's no conversation and that's alright. He doesn't know how many minutes pass by spent like this, all he knows is by the next time he thinks about it, Catharine, Kagura, and Tama are all sleeping or powered down― and himself and Otose are sitting quietly at the bar. He's twirling a glass in his fingers while she unwinds with some tea.

"How are things going? With you and the case, of course." She whispers, head resting on her hand.

"I haven't gotten the chance to talk to Katsura much after the warehouse incident, and I know Hijikata is going to be keeping a close eye on me until I show myself again. I'm surprised he hasn't already sent someone to watch me."

"How do you know he hasn't?"

"Well, he doesn't seem like the type to send a vampire out, and a unguarded one at that. There also hasn't been any new long-staying presences around us recently." He whispers back, the rain still pouring down outside.

"Hmmf. Well, that's good to know."

"Are you worried?"

"No, you can take care of yourself in that regard. It's when it comes to other things that I start to worry about you." She says, getting up and going around the counter to pour herself some more hot tea. He sighs, letting her go about it until he hears the sound of the pot slip out of her fingers and begin to fall. He blinks over the counter, catching it by the bottom with his hands and protecting her from the scalding hot tea that had already fallen out of the pot by letting it hit himself. Otose stumbles back, hand reaching out to grab the counter as her mind and body processed what had just happened.

He sets the pot back up on the small stove, pouring her the cup of tea she had wanted and setting it where she had been sitting prior to the incident. He looked around, checking to see if anyone had been awoken by the scuffling which, thankfully, no one had.

He goes around to his seat and sits down, the hot tea still burning into his chest. He let his hands heal, the exposed red and pink flesh mending into fresh, pale skin while Otose watched. He knew her age was getting to her. He also knew she wasn't the type to let it stop her from working and doing things she used to. For a brief moment, he wonders how much time he has left with her.

"Why'd you make so much?"

"I thought you might want some, you or the rest of them."

"Baba, you know I don't drink anything other than alcohol. It's a pain enough throwing up that." He says, flexing his hands so the new skin stretched out and didn't feel so… new. She just huffs, taking a sip from the cup. "I'm going to go change out of this so I can bring Kagura back up and put her in bed."

Otose nods, and watches him get up and walk to the door. He slides it open, the rain creating a stronger haze in his head but… no, he's sure he heard it. He looks back to Otose who's giving him a confused look, and then it happens again, a scream, a male's voice. He knows Otose heard that one, because her look changes and Gintoki's out the door in less than a second, gone towards the voice

"So let me repaint the story back to you, just to make sure I have all the correct information down; once we have that you can continue your evening without us." Hijikata says, inhaling the smoke of a cigarette Toriko was kind enough to let him light.

"So, you never knew your husband, Kawahara Yushiro, was involved in any gang related activity. He frequently brought around suspicious men but you didn't want to bring it up to him because you feared of accusing him of something you were assuming to be the truth." She nodded, he he went on.

"Around the last two months prior to his death, he began acting weirdly, warning you to stay clear of men with... tattoos on their neck?"

"Yes, he was very adamant about that, though he never did give me a reason as to why, even when I asked him. I tried multiple times to get that answer and he never would."

Hijikata pauses, writing that down. "Okay, so then after that, Yushiro would go missing several nights in a row. What was the longest amount of time he was gone at most?"

Toriko sighs, her eyes cast up to the ceiling in thought. "Mmm, four days in a row."

"What would you say the usual amount of time he spent at home in a week would be?"

"Maybe a few nights, if I was lucky. I rarely saw him during the day and many times if he did spend the night, he would leave sometime during the morning before I got up."

Hijikata nods, continuing to look over the pages of information he'd written in the last two hours. "Alright. So after he began these weird habits, you said he'd invited you to come to where he was staying and you refused, not wanting to leave the house. That turned into an argument where he was, quote, "trying to keep you safe" and you were simply wanting him to come back home."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Not too long after that, he disappeared and then the news came in..." She nodded, and he folded up his papers and stuffed them into his suit. Kondo was the first to stand up, and Hijikata followed after him. "Well, Kawahara-san, you help has been greatly appreciated. I promise you, your time spent tonight will not go to waste."

She stands up as well, walking to the altar before saying a quick prayer to her husband. "It better not. As much as I hate to say it, you Shinsengumi boys do a much better job protecting us than the Mimawarigumi do."

Hijikata smiles, and both himself and Kondo bow in gratitude. "Thank you, have a good rest of your evening." They escort themselves out, the woman from before fast asleep on the couch in the living room. As for Toriko, it seemed that she had grown much stronger since the last time he'd talked to her, and he hopes it wasn't just a front she put up for them.

Kondo goes around and starts the car, motioning for Hijikata to get inside. However, the door to the Kawahara household was still unlocked, the other woman hadn't seen them go out so she couldn't have gotten up and locked it when she left.

Hijikata sighs, opening up the patrol car door and throwing his notes in, before shutting it and turning back around to insure that their door got locked. He knocks, receiving no reply, and decided that it was best to wake up the woman on the couch to inform her that they were leaving. He once more, slips off his shoes and heads towards the living room, gently waking up the mystery woman and telling her they were leaving. She says nothing, but does follow him to the door, which was all that mattered.

He didn't know why she was acting so… upset with their presence ever since they're gotten to the house. However, it didn't matter now; they were leaving and he knew he didn't carry the best reputation in the community; it was best not to think too deep into it with that in mind.

She closes the door behind him, and it's a relief to hear the clicks of locks behind him. He opens up the door and that's when he hears it― the scream of a male. Kondo hears it too, but Hijikata ensures that he doesn't follow him and focuses on getting the interview safely back to the barracks. He grabs up his sword from the seat and slams the door, following the cry.

The rain is coming down hard and it doesn't help that the wind is picking up, flinging the droplets of water into his eyes like shards of broken glass. It's hard to focus on where the sound is because the screen of rain hitting tin roofs and glass and dirt is causing his focus to go crazy. It's been a while since he'd been on a chase like this, a few weeks maybe. The last one was Gintoki's, that was it; but even then the bastard wasn't running from them.

Now lost in the maze of houses, he just prays his intuition is right when he takes turns, never failing to look down every alley he passes by. There's been no other scream, which isn't a good sign, and he's starting to fear he's too late. The sound was so close… why is it that he can't find it?

He stops running, the blur in his vision mixed with tears from the scratchy water and his heart racing makes him wonder if he'd passed it up in his hurry. Even so, he continues forward on his path, taking more time to check and see that he wasn't missing the body or anything that a body could be dumped into.

Of course it would be raining, any smart killer knows that blood is easily disposed of with rain. Hijikata lets out a groan of frustration, having nearly come to the end of the maze of houses and no sign of any dumpster or body on the ground. He jogs forward, taking the last turn with a slippery halt.

A dumpster― and more importantly, a silver haired perm that appears at the end opposite end of the alley the very second he gets there.

Hijikata and Gintoki make eye contact, both walking forward to where they suspected the body to be stored. Sure enough, there's a faint pool of blood right in front of the dumpster, washed mostly away by the downpour, but nonetheless fresh.

Gintoki has his hand on the lid, and looks toward Hijikata for approval to open it. He nods, and the moment the lid is cracked open he can already smell metallic. Before them is the body of a man, barely breathing, neck sliced in the same manner as the previous victim and organs pulled out of his stomach. Hijikata winces, the feeling of guilt pooling in his stomach and getting caught in the back of his throat. He wants to throw up, to look away as this man struggles to take breathes in hopes his heart will keep beating with the oxygen flow. He doesn't know his intestines are ripped out of his body, that he's bleeding so bad that he's turned all the garbage beside him crimson; and the worst part of it all is that he's staring right at Hijikata.

He can't take his eyes away. All he can do is watch this man's life drain out of him as he takes his final breath.

Moments pass, and by the time he's finally jutted out from the shock by Gintoki closing the lid, he falls back onto his ass, not caring that his new suit was just ruined from the mud and he man's blood. Not caring that the man that had disappeared for two weeks was right in front of him. Not caring that he'd just smacked the shit out of his head and that there was now a constant ring in his ears.

He'd seen many people die. He doesn't know why this is so different. All he knows is that the only type of man who could kill this brutally, hide a body, and escape the scene without a trace― was someone who is not a man at all.