The next morning…
I made tea for everyone and handed it out with medicine for the people that needed it. "So what's this medicine made of," I asked. "Well, this medicine comes Hijikata. His family owns it's farm and they've been making medicine ever since," explained Okita as he took the medicine. "Yeah, this stuff is great. It's doesn't matter what kind of wound you have, this stuff will heal you like crazy," said Heisuke. "I also wonder what it taste like…" he poured some into his mouth, "Eww, this stuff is nasty," complained Heisuke. Hijikata looked at him and raised his fist. "Do you mind saying that again Heisuke," said Hijikata in a irritated voice. "No I'm good and I already have enough injuries," replied Heisuke. Okita then brought up the guys from last night. Saito added on that they weren't from the Choshu Clan. "Whatever, I just know next time, I'm gonna win that battle," said Okita. I than had a look on my face. "What's wrong Moka, is something bothering you," asked Sanso. "A little, it's just that last night. That guy. He kept calling me cherry blossom..." I mumbled. "Haha, cherry blossom that's a good one," said Shinpachi. I turned to him with this scary, annoyed, and terrified look. "Don't you dare call me that," I said looking at him. "Uh, yeah okay. No problem Moka!" he replied back scared and nervous. "Okay," I said and put a smile back on my face. Everyone looked surprised and started laughing. But not Shinpachi, he laughed a little bit. Not forgetting what I said. After this, I took everyone's cups and headed out to clean them. "Hey, Moka," Hijikata said right behind me. I was startled but managed. "I want you to go with Harada and his unit on patrol today," he said. "But today's not the day I go out to patrol with everyone," I questioned. Hijikata sighed, "just shut up and go," he said. I stood there for a moment watching him walk away. But I came back to my senses.
Patrolling later on…
I soon went on patrol of with Harada in Kyoto. As we were walking I notice that all the people around us were avoiding us. People shut their doors, windows, blinds, you name it. I turned to my left and saw mother hide her child behind her. "Um, Harada I get the feeling that people in this village are avoiding us for some reason," I said. "Ah, following the incident that happened at the Ikidia Inn, they've come to completely hate us," he said. "But why is that? All of you worked so hard to protect the peace here in Kyoto," I explained. "Blah, blah, Choshu, crap, crap, blah," said Shinpachi as we met up. "Oh hey, Shinpachi," I said happily. "Hey Moka, find anything out about your father?,"he asked. "No, not yet," I said lowering my head down. "I see. Well, if not today there's always tomorrow. Am I right?" He said. "Yeah, definitely!" I said with a smile. "Hey, Shinpachi. Anything out of the ordinary?" asked Harada. "Not really, not on the surface anyway," Shinpachi said. "On the surface…" I mumbled. "There's rumors that Choshu guys are gathering up here in Kyoto," Shinpachi explained. "So then, things are starting to look suspicious again," Harada commented. Just what's going to happen to Kyoto, I thought. Sorry, but all you guys can go on ahead of us for now. We got something to take care of," Harada said to everyone. "Sir!" They all said and walked away. "Huh," said Shinpachi. "Hey Shinpachi, you come too. Well, want to go?" Said Harada. Me and Shinpachi were both confused but followed Harada. "Hey Sano, just where are we going," asked Shinpachi. "Well just trust me on this," replied Harada. "Trust you, you say hmmm...okay," said Shinpachi. As we continued walking I could hear music. And I got louder and louder as we walked. Then we finally arrived where Harada brought us. There were bright lanterns with beautiful patterns over them. People were looking at them and commented on how beautiful they were. "Wow, it's so pretty," I mumbled to myself. Harada looked down at me and smiled. But I don't notice him glancing at me. Harada explained how tomorrow is the second half of the Geon festival, and this is your last chance to see the Yamahoka parade. "Pretty great, huh?" said Harada. "It is," I added on. Shinpachi then listen to the music. "This music was used during a Great War," he explained. "What was that," I asked. "The tale of Heykai," Shinpachi said. I looked at the lanterns. "Shinpachi, you confused the band's music with the bells of the Monestrari haven't you?" Harada asked suspiciously. "That wasn't me ya idiot, Heisuke said that!" protested Shinpachi. It was funny when they argued, I thought. "But you still listened to him, and believed him didn't you?" Harada said pointing at Shinpachi. "Shut up, will ya!" panicked Shinpachi. "Hehehe," I laughed a little during this. This caught their attention. And they both smiled at each other. "Wanna go take a closer look?," asked Harada. "Huh, but," I said. Harada grabbed my hand. "Wait, what are you going to do if Hijikata finds out that we took our time coming from patrol?" Shinpachi asked. "As it turns out, Hijikata was the one said to take our time. I guess he means it as a reward for ya," Harada explained. "Wow, I would never expected that. Not from him," said Shinpachi. I also seemed shocked too. "He may not look like it, but he's a pretty thoughtful guy," commented Harada. "Okay, well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" said Shinpachi. He grabbed my other hand. Both of them pulled me and I followed. I blushed a little but didn't care. It was a fun night patrolling.
Next two weeks…
"We've revived a formal request from the Izu, they want us to mobilize and subject gate the Choshu," Kondou announced to everyone. Everyone in the room seemed happy and excited. "This is our time to shine," said Harada to everyone. Kondou put hand on his head, "Finally even Izu has noticed us from our actions," he mumbled to himself. "Alright! This is the Shinsengumi shining moment!" said Heisuke and put a fist in the air. "The hell you talking about, Heisuke your wounds aren't healed yet so you gotta stay behind," commented Shinpachi. "Huh? No, I'm going," said Heisuke. "The injured need to rest and stay on stand by right?" said Okita sticking his tongue out. "That applies to you too Okita, you too are still injured and are not fully recovered. So both of you will stay here with me," explained Sanso. Both of them sighed. I smiled at the both of them. "Yukimura-kun, will you accompany us as well?" asked Kondou. "Wait, Moka?" said Heisuke. "I'm not asking for her to join on the battlefield, I'm saying we could use someone to message and care for the wounded," Kondou explained. "We won't force you, you can decide for yourself whenever you want to go or not," said Hijikata. "Umm…" I mumbled. Everyone in the room looked at me. "I'll go if I can help in anyway," I said. "Yeah, Moka!" said Heisuke. Everyone was pumped. "All right let's do this!" said Shinapachi standing up now. "Yeah!" yelled everyone else. After this we gathered everything and started our journey. We all headed out and left headquarters. Sanso, Heisuke, and Okita were at the entrance waving bye. "Man, I wish I could of gone," complained Heisuke. "Yeah," added on Okita. "Same here, but we must rest up and than we'll be back in the battlefield," said Sanso smiling. Than he looked down at his arm with a look. Heisuke and Okita noticed but ran away. If I take that medicine I would be able to wield a sword again, but at what cost though Sanso.
On a boat in another location…
"How are you feeling princess?" a ninja women asked. "I feel as if the wind is calling me," replied the princess. "The wind?" questioned the ninja women. "A century old storm is about to rage," said the princess. The ninja women looked surprised. "Ma'am," whispered ninja women. "From now on take care when you turn wind whirn," said the princess. "Understood princess," answered the ninja women.
Journey to Izu…
Today we all headed to mobilize and protect the Izu. And to also drive away the Choshu. We than arrived at the Izu entrance. "In the name of the Lieutenant General Izu, we are the Shinsengumi. We arrived to this place as requested to protect the capital," Kondou stated loudly to the guards at the entrance. They looked at us for moment. "Requested, you say? I received no such word," said the main entrance leader. Kondou became surprised by this. "However, we have been given a former letter," said Kondou. "If you would pass it to your," Kondou continued. "Even if I did the Etszu would be the same, now leave us. We have no use for you wolves here," he said interrupting Kondou. This got me mad. "How cruel, calling all of you guys that…" I mumbled. I clenched my fists together. Than I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned and it was Harada. "Well, this is how others treat us. Don't worry yourself," he said. "But if…" I slowly said. Harad then quickly explained to me and I clearly understood. Saito walked up behind Kondou. "Director Kondou, we' get nowhere with the Shoguns representatives. I believe we should leave now and just go and meet up with Izu," said Saito. "That's our only choice. We'll have to look for the office Kyoto is set up," said Kondou nodding. He then liked at Hijikata. They nodded to each other. We then continued our journey in the hot scorching sun. It was really hot, it had me painting a little like a dog. We then arrived at the Kyoto office. Kondou went inside and we waited outside.
