Sannan jerked up in surprise when I opened the door. I placed the food in the entrance and looked up at him.

"I made you something special. This should dull the pain in your arm."

His eyes flickered when he looked down at the food. To him, it looked like the food he was used to eating with the group. He raised his gaze to mine.

"I'm not all that hungry..."

I shrugged.

"Suit yourself, but you won't get better unless you eat it."

I was about to turn around and leave when his hand shot out to grasp my wrist lightly. His eyes were uncertain, yet determined.

"Stay with me awhile and I promise to eat."

I glanced at the paperwork on the nearby table. I looked him over wearily.

"Fine."

I waited in silence for him to release my wrist before stepping into the room and closing the door. He positioned himself in front of the tray of food and began to eat. After the first couple of bites his eyes widened, and he looked at his arm in awe.

"Is something wrong?"

He turned away.

"No, nothing. Any special spices in here? My arm seems to have numbed."

I shook my head innocently.

"Nope, it's probably just your mind playing tricks on you."

His eyes were skeptic, but he finished his food eagerly.

"You're a fine cook, Saki."

"Thank you."

I looked over at the papers again.

"Is that for Ochimizu?"

He followed my gaze and nodded uncertainly. I just sighed.

"I'll take your dishes, now."

He put a hand over the tray, causing my eyes to meet his.

"Why are you so against the medicine? It's fine if contained, and we deal with it when it gets out of hand."

I shook my head at him.

"I've already explained. Besides, it's completely unnatural. Isn't being who you were born to be enough?"

He moved his hand and watched in silence as I picked up his tray and left the room. It was too late to eat with the others, so I took my food to the roof to eat in the company of the moon. It was near it's crescent stage, the day I could end my fasting. My eyes were now specked with red, making me look a bit more dangerous than usual.

The next day I spent washing clothes. I figured the motion would be appreciated. Souji watched from the ledge of the walkway while Saitou practiced several motions with his sword.

It was nice being outside. I glanced at Saitou from the corner of my eye. He noticed it right away and ceased moving momentarily.

"Is there something you'd like to say?"

I nodded, getting to my feet.

"I want to help you guys search for Koudou. He's the father of this girl I knew."

He raised an eyebrow before returning to practice.

"I'm afraid not. There's no one who could escort you."

I sighed.

"Chuzuru only stayed in Edo because of our conversation..."

Souji perked up momentarily.

"Didn't you just arrive sometime at night and get chased around before bumping into us?"

I nodded.

"Correct, but that doesn't mean that I didn't contact someone from this era while I was still in my own time."

He scratched his head idly.

"What kind of place has the knowledge to be able to contact people from different time frames? I don't get it."

I shrugged, turning my attention back to Saitou.

"Let me join the guards who leave for patrol. I wouldn't be a bother."

Souji shrugged.

"You'd have to be able to protect yourself. It can get dangerous. We know you can jump around with style, but can you protect yourself?"

"Damned straight I can."

"In that case, allow me to test you."

I turned to glare at Saitou before smirking.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to hurt you."

He examined my face coolly.

"If you have no self control, then use the blunt side of your weapon."

I froze uneasily.

"My katana's in my room, I'll be back."

I ran off before the two could respond. I knew better than to conjure a weapon in front of them. Just as I neared an enclosed space, I noticed a strange scent on the wind. However, when I turned around, all that remained was a tree branch that had been disturbed.

I called forth my katana and went over to inspect the area, coming up with nothing but a golden strand of hair. I conjured a fire at the tip of my finger and disposed of it.

When I returned to Saitou and Souji, both looked a little peeved. Souji spoke up.

"No leaving without one of us. We'll get in trouble if Hijikata finds out you just disappeared. If you do that again, I'll kill you."

I waved off his warning, turning to face Saitou.

"You ready?"

He nodded slightly, refusing to draw his blade. I just waited, causing him to tilt his head to the side.

"Why are you hesitating?"

I smiled.

"I'm not; a true warrior won't attack unless provoked."

His lip quirked approvingly.

"Very well."

He drew his blade and swung at the air once before advancing.

I waited until his first swing, which had been aimed for my arm; the one holding the weapon. I dodge easily, merely shifting my weight. He swung twice more, both leveled at my right arm and leg.

I couldn't afford him actually wounding me, so I had to end this quickly.

I gave him a few more shots before letting my body ease around him like water flowing past a rock, then tapped his behind playfully with the side of my blade.

He whisked around and lunged. I hopped onto his blade and pointed the edge of my own at his throat. I yawned mockingly.

"Satisfied?"

He seemed slightly angered by my actions, but let them go with ease.

"Yes."

I got off the blade and sheathed my katana. Saitou mimicked the gesture and gave a slight bow. Souji clapped loudly.

"Impressive! I've never seen anyone come even close to Saitou like that. That's pretty amazing."

I gave him a small smile.

"It was nothing."

Saitou glanced at me momentarily.

"We'll ask the lieutenant for permission to bring you out with us."

I nodded my thanks. Souji spoke up.

"However, if you get in the way or try to escape, we'll kill you."

I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, ma'am."

He chuckled before making his way inside.

We faced Hijikata, and he easily gave me permission to attend the rounds. He warned me to listen to the captain at all times. The Choushuu had been acting out lately, and he didn't want me endangering the others.

Souji grinned.

"I'll be sure to abandon her if we meet up with some rogue warriors, ok?"

Hijikata frowned.

"Of course it's not alright!"

Souji chuckled. Heisuke came with Souji and I on my first patrol. I asked pedestrians on the street if they knew where Koudou could be found, but I knew it was all for naught.

Finally, a strange looking man pointed me to Masuya. I nodded my thanks and turned to leave when I heard several of our men start shouting. Souji turned and rushed over.

I waited a few moments before continuing on. Surely I'd be fine on my own.

As I entered the shop, I noticed a group of sketchy looking men eyeing me. I ignored them and began speaking to the shopkeeper. One of the men pointed at me.

"Brat, you were with the Shinsengumi!"

He pulled out a sword and rushed at me. I knew that Souji was on his way, and drawing my katana would only cause trouble.

I dodged him easily and watched him fall to the ground before turning to eye the rest of his group.

"Weapons, gentlemen?"

I clucked my tongue at them chidingly.

"Naughty, naughty."

The man on the ground moved to stab me in the leg, but before I could react, Souji had already knocked him out. The rest of the group came in to deal with the men.

I noted the presence of Yamazaki and Shimada in the crowd. I knew they were spying, but couldn't help winking their way.

Back at headquarters Souji and I were both complimented as well as lectured by Sannan. To my surprise, Hijikata stepped in and took some of the blame for us.

Turns out one of the men we'd caught was a spy. The Choushuu planned to set all of Kyoto aflame on a windy day. In the chaos created by the fire, they would kidnap the Emperor and take him to Choushuu.

Because we'd apprehended one of their spies, it was assumed that they'd hold a meeting tonight to put together a back up plan. It was assumed that they'd meet at either Shikokuya or Ikedaya.

Kondou ordered for the Aizu clan to be notified while Hijikata went to gather the men.

When we all met up afterwards, there weren't as many soldiers as I'd primarily assumed.

"Is this really ok?"

"It should be fine."

The Aizu clan hadn't sent word. In my eyes, it meant they wouldn't help until the very last second in order to claim the glory. Typical.

Hijikata was eager to start the mission. I couldn't blame him; night had already fallen and the meeting would probably be starting soon.

Kondou frowned.

"We still don't know whether they're meeting at Ikedaya or Shikokuya."

Sannan looked over at him.

"They usually go to Ikedaya. I don't see why they'd go there after all that's happened."

I moved to speak, then shut my mouth. It was all too clear where they would meet. They were probably counting on the commanders to read way too much into it, which they were. Even if I spoke up, their eyes were set. I could almost smell the bloodlust churning amongst the group.

The men were split into two groups; the lesser amount heading towards Ikedaya.

They left quickly, Souji sending me a wink before heading out the front gates. I pouted; they wouldn't let me go because of what had happened earlier. I hadn't gotten hurt, but because I was a girl, it was apparently too risky.

Sannan and I spent time together in a room, him idly lighting candles while I just waited.

3, 2, 1...

Yamazaki burst into the room.

"They're meeting in Ikedaya."

Sannan jumped.

"At Ikedaya?"

He was silent for a moment before looking up, his eyes ablaze. Yamazaki spoke up.

"I'll inform the Lieutenant at Shikokuya immediately."

"Please do. This is an emergency."

Sannan turned to me.

"Please go with him. It's more likely that the message gets through if you both go."

I got up and stretched, muttering under my breath.

"About time..."

As Yamazaki and I ran side by side in the dark of the night, I conjured my blade and angled it away from his view, attaching the sheath to my belt and keeping my hands free.

"You're Saki, right? I can't guarantee your safety."

I scoffed and smiled gently at him.

"Don't worry your handsome head, I'll be fine."

He didn't comment, but quickened his pace.

We were stopped by some men on their way to headquarters. Yamazaki stopped. I simply slowed my pace slightly.

"Do you have business with the Shinsengumi?"

The men hesitated. Yamazaki narrowed his eyes and leaned in close to me.

"Keep going. Don't stop no matter what."

I grinned.

"With pleasure."

The men finally started attacking. I leapt up and landed on several heads before landing on the ground. Turning to run backwards, I waited until Yamazaki turned his back before elongating my canine teeth and pricking my index finger.

The streaming blood solidified and sharpened, resembling a whip. I made sure to forceit to split into three and sharpen the edges before sending it out to kill several of the men surrounding Yamazaki.

My conscious cleared, I turned heel and ran at full speed, narrowing my eyes. If I didn't hurry, they'd go in without back up.

I reached the group with record timing. I didn't even stop, just relaying the message whilst getting ahead of them.

"They're at Ikedaya. Move it!"

No one questioned me and rushed to catch up.

When we reached Ikedaya, there were bodies strewn all over the place. I watched behind us as the Aizu clan finally showed their faces.

"Tch. They took their sweet ass time."

I looked up at Hijikata.

"You can take care of them, right? I'm going in."

He moved to protest then shut his mouth and awaited the Aizu clan.

I shot up the stairs after noting Shinpachi was alright. I raced into the first room I could find, only to freeze in mid step.

Souji was covered with blood, some of it being his own. He was facing a man with golden hair. My nose twitched momentarily before the small shards of red in my eyes began to grow. I was done fasting. Tonight was the night.

Souji projected himself towards the man in anger, swinging his blade. The man dodged easily and swung his own blade, which Souji barely escaped.

"Souji!"

The man jerked, shifting his gaze to me. Souji tried to use that to his advantage, but failed. The man chuckled mockingly.

"Is that the best you've got?"

He pushed Souji into the wall. He knelt, coughing up blood. I went to his side, trying to contain my anger.

"Souji, don't move! You're bleeding too heavily!"

A blade graced my cheek, and I turned my eyes to the man standing before me.

"Are you his friend?"

He cocked the blade.

"Get in my way and I'll kill you."

Souji got in his way.

"Don't you dare touch her. I'm your opponent."

I narrowed my eyes. The secret was out.

I sighed and pressed two fingers against a pressure point on Souji's neck, knocking him out. Getting to my feet, I allowed the flecks of red in my eyes to glow. They'd grown to cover almost my entire iris.

I wouldn't hide in front of this man.

"I pity you, you picked the wrong day to mess with my little friend."

I took out my katana and pointed it at him.

"Don't hesitate; I certainly won't."

He looked me over carefully, taking time to inspect my eyes. Finally, he withdrew his blade. I gritted my teeth.

"My job ended the moment the Shinsengumi got here. I have no need to fight you."

He turned, and a flash of silver later, his cheek was covered in blood. He touched the already healing cut in surprise, as if he hadn't expected me to actually lash out at him.

"Don't think you can just walk away after what you've done."

My voice was chillingly calm.

His hand rested on the handle of his blade, as if considering his options. Finally, he made his escape, jumping out the window. My eyes went ablaze, not a hint of violet to be seen.

"Bastard! Get back here!"

I leaned out on the balcony, but he'd already disappeared.

I helped the rest of the group bring home the injured. The small specks had returned, the rest of my eyes as violet as ever.

One of our soldiers had died, one greatly respected among was carried off by a few of the men. We walked through town, and even the wind seemed to compliment our bittersweet victory.

One thing was for sure; he would pay. Big time.