This was one of the harder chapters to write because of the major fight scene. I wanted to drag it on for as long as I could without making it become dull. There will be future fight scenes and I would love it if you guys could tell me what to improve on so I could make it better! Slowly, I'm trying to change my writing style to make it more interesting but often times I feel like I don't do a good enough job for you guys. But thanks for getting this far and I hope you enjoy! Please leave a review if you can 3

Saitou stood in the courtyard gazing at cherry blossom trees. In a few week they would be gone. The most precious things are the ones that are the most beautiful but leave so suddenly. But what did he find precious? Was it the way of the sword? The Shinsengumi? He'd leave a mental note to remember that as his kakizome* for the New Years.

" Saitou-san! Sorry for being late!"

Yumi's light brown hair was tied up and her deep ocean eyes twinkled with delight. There was an air of enthusiasm and excitement that seemed to surround her. " Hijikata-san told me that you'd evaluate my swordsman skills."

The stoic man nodded silently and handed her the katana he had been holding in his right hand. " You'll be using this sword and if you pass, it'll be yours to keep. Now how many years has it been since you've last held a blade?" he asked in as a little words as possible. He was a man of few words.

She thought for a little but nonetheless replied," I think maybe around six years."

" Six? I thought you were gone for eight?"

Her delicate lips twisted into a sad smile," My mother spent a long time saving up to get me a katana. She saved for years so I could finally have one of my very own instead of borrowing the local dojo's beat up swords. I just couldn't leave behind so I took with me. The first two years and such I practiced regularly still but afterwards I-I just stopped."

" I see then. The only part of the evaluation is that you have to spar with me. If I think you're capable enough, you'll pass. Understand?"

She nodded before inspecting blade," Will we be using the blades turned in the right way? I-I don't want to hurt y-"

Saitou almost wanted to let out a chuckle at the absurd statement," You won't hurt me. Are you sure you're not just scared?"

The blue eyed girl felt her face grow hot. Does he take me for some sort of wuss? She narrowed her eyes and smirked shooting back," Scared? That's a funny joke. Fine, if you're alright with it let's fight with the blade turned in the right way."

" Yumi-chan!"

Chizuru had sat herself down on the courtyard steps while the two had been talking and now waved at them. " Hijikata-san told me what's happening and I'm here to cheer you on! You got this!"

" And she brought us along too!"

Heisuke, Harada, and Shinpachi also sat themselves down next to Chizuru. Each one of them shot Yumi a wide grin as they all said in unison," We believe in you!"

Yumi felt a warmth unlike any other spread through her heart and stomach as she smiled happily back at them. It had been a while since she felt like that. She felt like she had friends. Friends that believed in her. She may have been a prisoner but she had to admit that the rest of the men in the Shinsengumi were friendly and kind people.

Turning back to Saitou she put on her game smirk," Challenge accepted."

" You may take the first move."

Yumi and Saitou had stood apart from each other in ready stance for what seemed like hours. She couldn't figure out what strategy she wanted to take or even if she wanted to take one at all. Maybe I can just free-for-all this and see what happens. And it seemed like that would have to be the choice she took because her opponent and "crowd" appeared to be getting impatient.

" I have to act now!" she thought firmly to herself despite her racing heart

Taking a deep breathe she steadied herself and braced her heart. She was going to have to do this. Holding her sword above her in the traditional ready stance, she lunged at him and brought her blade down upon Saitou's head. However, he quickly blocked her; the force of the impact pushing her back. Stumbling she found her footing and quickly went at it again this time trying to go with a side swing aiming for his waist. Again, he blocked her swiftly again.

She kept at this for awhile, her attempting to make swings at him and him just blocking them like it was child's play. She started to grow irritated. Nothing's working and I haven't even made a little progress. Suddenly, she got an idea.

Again, she lunged at him but instead of trying to avoid his blade and directly aim for him, she purposely made contact with his sword. However, she used more force than she had previously hoping that the impact would shake hima little. Based on the brief look of surprize that flashed on his face, it worked a little.

Yumi and Saitou then proceeded to strike one another and block each other's blows. It seemed like things weren't getting anywhere but she was purposely ambling with him wear him out.

Chizuru watched on with intense concentration. She bit her lip. At first the match seemed to be on Saitou's favor but now it had shifted where it was neutral between him and Yumi. Things were almost at standstill. But still they were going at it.

Heisuke poked her a little breaking her concentration," You think she's gonna make it? It's been a while already and she hasn't advanced at all."

She whispered," I think she has a shot. When we took lessons at the dojo together, she was always top of the class. Sparring sessions with her tended to be long because she would tire her opponent out. I think that's what she's doing but we'll see what happens."

Beads of sweat started to break out on the purple haired man's forehead. Saitou wasn't ready for this. He thought she would be an easier match and their "fight" would end quickly. Somehow she managed to last through it and drag it on for a while already. And frankly as much as he hated to admit it, he was losing stamina. In other words, he was starting to get tired.

If he was to win, he'd need to finish things as soon as possible before his energy left him completely. That was one of the problems he had. His first blows were always the strikes that granted him victory and his opponents death. But, when things went on for too long, it revealed his weakness; his lack of good stamina. Because, he always started strongly, his energy would give way quickly which meant he had to kill quick.

" How long do intend to go at me with this child's play?" he asked in between pants and grunts.

Struggling to respond Yumi panted," You know, I'm not really sure", adding in a smirk she snickered," As long as this goes on for. Getting tired sir?"

Saitou narrowed his eyes slightly, attempting to strike her side, responding stoically," You underestimate don't you?"

Blocking his blow more gracefully than before she said in a sing song voice," Not really. I can just tell when someone's tired. It's pretty obvious."

Throughout the sparring match, she had slowly gained more confidence and now her movements were more fluid and strong than the beginning. Now she was starting to enjoy fighting again.

Taking a quick glance at Chizuru she beamed a grin at her. She was finally starting to get the upper hand. Her best friend nodded encouragingly but suddenly…

She felt a strong impact her her wrist and her katana flew from her hands

Hijikata stood alongside Kondou watching the match. Saitou was to report to him as soon as he was done however, it was taking the loyal man much longer than expected. Out of curiosity both of the high ranked men wanted to find out what was keeping the skilled swordsman from beating the new doctor.

Sweat was flying between the pair as they continued to strike at each other and block blows. It seemed almost mechanical. Hijikata rubbed his chin. He had to admit; he was decently impressed. When Chizuru had dueled with Saitou, it supposedly only took less than a minute. But somehow, McCarl had managed to hold out for much longer.

Not only was she managing to keep her ground, she was wearing Saitou out. " Toshi, doesn't Saitou-kun look a bit weary?"

He nodded slightly not breaking his concentration from the the duel," He is isn't he? I'm surprised that she's been able to hold for this long. It even seems that she's maybe starting to get the upperhand in the match."

" Mhm. She's sure got the warrior spirit in her. I saw it in her eyes the moment we met. Did you see it too?"

" I did. That sense of perseverance and determination."

Koundou sighed to himself," If she had maybe been born a man in different circumstances, she would have possibly been a find addition for the Shinsengumi don't you think."

However, this time Hijikata stayed silent. He still didn't have favorable feelings for the western girl. Even after all this time, he still didn't trust her. But that's what made him such an "ass" according the other captains and Kondou-san. The fact that he basically didn't trust anyone.

Suddenly he saw a bright flash and a loud clanging sound. The air went tense as everyone saw Yumi's sword get knocked out of her hands.

He took that brief break of Yumi's concentration to his advantage as he quickly brought the hilt of his sword down on her wrist. Hard.

She yelped in surprize slightly as she let go of her katana. Looking on in dismay she managed to find her sword laying on the dirt ground a few feet away from her. She'd have to run to get it which meant leaving her exposed to Saitou's blows.

Despite that she decided to take the change to quickly grab her sword. She had too if she wanted a good shot at maybe...just maybe winning the duel.

Putting her all in her speed, she quickly charged to where her sword helplessly lay and attempted grab it. However, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a silver blade aiming for her face.

A surge of adrenaline filled her veins as she moved quickly to duck and spin around avoiding the possible fatal swing. While doing so, she had managed to grab the hilt of her blade in a firm grip getting back into ready stance. She maybe hadn't failed after all.

However, instead of returning her more neutral and passive blows earlier, her movements became more aggressive. She was starting to a more offensive approach. Now that she had managed to somehow slightly wear Saitou down, it was her chance to turn the tides drastically.

Saitou grunted slightly as he felt the harsh impact her her sword bashing on his. He was starting to catch on to the girl's trick. All the "play" before was just merely to tire him out so she could really strike in the end. He smirked slightly to himself. Smart. But still, he wouldn't let her win.

He continued to do his best to defend himself against her rain of swings trying to find a way through when suddenly it hit him. Due to increased level of power she was putting into her swings, she was now less agile which meant…

She was now less able to defend herself.

I need to move quickly though. As Yumi was about to hit him for the top, he nimbly sidestepped the blow and managed to get behind her.

Yumi's sea blue eyes widened in shock as she realized her blade cut through nothing. He had managed to escape. However, due to blunt force she was using she was too slow to adjust grip and block to impending strike she knew that was heading her way.

But it was too late. Way too late.

She felt the cool sharp metal press alongside her neck. It sent chills through spine as she fought the urge to shiver. Her blood turned cold as realized it's over. Despite her efforts, he had beaten her. Still with his blade pressed against her pale neck he leaned closer and whispered in her ear," You impressed me. Being able to last that long. But still, you have a long long way to go if you want to outmatch me."

With that, he lowered his sword quickly and precisely returning it to its sheath. The loud grating sound it made resonated in Yumi's ears. She will still processing what had happened.

Silently the man made his way over to his superior before saying," I think she's more than capable Hijikata-san. She should be fine as long as you're alright with it."

Hijikata nodded and muttered," Do what you wish" before walking off. A classic Hijikata move.

Returning to his beat opponent, he put a hand on her shoulder," Well done. Hijikata-san has approved of your skills and you'll join us later this afternoon for our next patrol."

As soon as he finished, he left silently and mysteriously. Yumi still stoof dumbstruck confused on what just happened. Chizuru ran over cheerfully. " Good Job Yu-chan! You're so amazing! We were so impressed!"

The three other men also walked over giving her pats on her back.

The red haired men throatily chuckled," Damn that was good. It's been a while since we saw a match like that. Really had our hearts going dear."

" Pretty good for someone who hasn't held a sword for six years eh? I'd sure say so." Shinpachi threw an strong arm around her.

Even though she was bashfully denying their compliments with a huge blush on her face, she couldn't help but remember how Saitou whispered in her ear.

One day, she would beat him. One day she would. But in the meantime, this would do.

Kakizome* - It's the first piece of calligraphy done for New Years in Japan. Traditional Chinese characters are often used and words written are sort of a New Years resolution in a way.