A couple of weeks later the compound was a noisy as ever, and the Yukimura sisters were washing vegetables for that nights dinner. Itou stalked past the two of them with annoyed and angry look on his face, muttering to himself. Chizuru called to him and asked him what was wrong. He scowled at the two girls. "Due to the health inspection that Dr Matsumoto tried to forcibly disrobe me".
Ichigo giggled a little, but neither Chizuru nor Itou heard. Then Chizuru recognised the doctor's name but she asked what it was for reconfirmation. Itou looking confused and repeated the name. At that moment Chizuru grabbed Ichigo's wrist and pulled her along. While running she shouted "Ichigo and I will have a health inspection too". Before Itou could stop the two of them, they were already gone.
When the two girls finally reached the room where the health inspection was taking place, the two girls could hear loud voices of the men inside. The two girls poked their heads around the door to see what was going on. Inside the room they found the men and captains of the Shinsengumi in a line, waiting for their medical exams. The two of them stayed silent until Chizuru burst out laughing at the boys joking with one another, while Ichigo hid behind Chizuru with a face as red as her namesake. Heisuke spotted the two girls and grinned, jogging over to them. Seeing the approaching topless male, Ichigo gave a small squeak, spun around and ran as fast as she could back to the room she shared with her sister. In her wake she left an amused Chizuru and an extremely confused Heisuke behind. Alone in her room Ichigo desperately tried to get rid of her blush, which was only made harder by the image of Heisuke reappearing in her mind.
That afternoon Ichigo and Chizuru ran into Dr Matsumoto. The three of them went to a room where Kondou was waiting. Matsumoto was happy to see the girl were alright. Ichigo asked him if he got the letters they wrote. He nodded and said that the girls forgot to put their location in the letters. The girl's flushed with embarrassment until Ichigo spoke up "Did our father really work on that medicine". He just nodded and sighed and turned to Kondou who nodded and started to explain more about the water of life.
Ichigo looked at the floor and told Matsumoto what she had learnt about the water of life. He sighed and said "So you know that much". She then yawned and replied "It was nice seeing you but I am feeling sleepy so I'm going to bed". She then left the room with Chizuru following.
The next day, on Matsumoto's orders, Kondou ordered everyone to help clean the headquarters. Everyone seemed disappointed apart from Ichigo and Chizuru (the former having finally calmed down, but still refusing to look at Heisuke if she could help it). The men got to work, grumbling the whole time, while the two girls just giggled. Chizuru and Ichigo were hanging clothes to dry when something caught their eyes it was Dr Matsumoto and Okita. Ichigo thought nothing of it, but Chizuru ran off to see what they were talking about and in a flash she was gone. Chizuru returned later with a sad look on her face.
Ichigo looked at her in concern. "Why don't you go inside while I finish cleaning?" she suggested gently. Chizuru slowly nodded and walked to their room. Ichigo felt a chill down her neck and she turned to see Kazama standing nearby, watching her.
"What are you doing here?" Her eyes narrowed and she near snarled her question at him. He just smirked at her and stepped towards her. "Don't get so angry I'm not here for you. Not today at least". He paused for a second and carried on. "What exactly is your relationship with Koudou?" She scowled at him and started to speak louder. "How exactly do you know my father?" Kazama grinned at her again, but before Ichigo could ask any more questions Hijikata, Sanosuke and Heisuke appeared out of nowhere making Kazama jump back to avoid being slashed by Heisuke's blade, as the younger male moved in front of Ichigo.
Kazama sighed and looked at the men. "You're just like a pack of dogs". That irritated Hijikata. He almost draw his sword until Kazama said "sorry but I don't have time to play with you dogs. Let me give you a warning. Stop turning humans into demons".
Heisuke scowled at him. "This is our turf; you better shut your trap before we have to do it for you". Kazama gave a small sigh and mocked the younger male, saying the smaller the dog the louder the bark.
He turned back to Ichigo and smiled at her, causing Heisuke to scowl again. "Before I go your father is with us now. Do you understand what that means? Your father has abandoned the shogunate". In a flash he was gone. Sanosuke walked up to the girl as Heisuke turned to face her. Heisuke asked why he was after her anyway, but before Ichigo could say anything Sanosuke interrupted saying "there's only one reason, he's in love with her".
Ichigo disagreed but Sanosuke insisted it was true. Ichigo was almost crying at him to stop. Heisuke told his friend, to stop to looking away a little angry. Finally Hijikata told the two of them to get on with their work so the two men quickly ran off, but before Heisuke left he turned to Ichigo told her to cheer up. Her heart suddenly felt a little less troubled. Hijikata walked up to her and said" if you need some time to relax you can" but Ichigo just shook her head and got back to work.
