Hello guys! I'm back~~

Wow first of all, thank you for all the reviews! I didn't expect the last chapter could get 10 reviews! You know, I hadn't written in so long and Hakuouki is a small fandom so yeah, it's like my old golden days! *the hell, why am I feeling old all of a sudden?*

Anyway, time to express my gratitude!

scarletrose, hello! yeah I'm back ^_^ Hopefully for good this time, thanks for the compliment!

Guest (1), I'm sorry for making you wait in so long! Hope you enjoy this new chapter! xD

KitsuneSenpai18, read this chapter and you will know whether Chizuru already knows the truth or not hehe! *evil's laugh*

misao97, thank you for still being here! I might have taken a short (okay, not that short actually) break but I would never abandon my own stories :3 Though as you said, it's kinda depressing when the authors of good stories never came back :(

SoulEmpress, feel free to punch me with Saito plushie! xD Thank you for the review, glad you liked my previous chapter! Enjoy this one too ;D

Kit2000, yeah for the kiss! After a long hiatus, a kiss was the least I could do for this young couple haha! And wow, I can't really imagine Saito in Deep Purple! O_O

Guest (2), long time no see! Thanks for the review ^_^

AzureArchxngel, awww I missed you too! xD and you're right, it's better late than never. I hope I can update in a steady pace from now on :3 *crossing fingers*

Reaper, where have you been?! oh and about Saito OVA, I've watched it 12483xx times just to see his cute blushing face! Have you watched the Hakuouki movies (part 1 and 2) by the way? Saito turned into a rasetsu in the end and used both hands to wield swords! Oh yeah for sexy dual blades!

Guest (3)/ Monica, hi there! thank you for liking this story! ^_^ Hmm I can't tell you what's going to happen next yet but plot twist does sound yummy :3 *mini spoiler*

.

.

Okay, before I'm tempted to continue my rambling, let's read this chapter together! Popcorn, anyone? XD


BLURRED KALEIDOSCOPE

CHAPTER 8: MURDERER


"...Murderer..."

Only one word, spoken in a whisper.

Yet it was enough to forcefully snap Saito and Chizuru back to reality and trigger the reflex from the samurai. He moved forward so Chizuru was protected behind his back, and that was when he realized that his swords were in his room. Worse, there wasn't enough time to take them before the intruders did something bad.

However, there was no fear in himself upon facing such unclear situation, and slowly, three shadows revealed themselves from the darkness of the night.

"Kazama Chikage...," Saito growled as he saw the blonde demon leading the rest of the group.

"Oh," Kazama smirked. "I see there's no need for introduction. Looks like that traitor, Yukimura Kodo, has told you everything about us."

Saito's eyes blazing with blue fire, scanning the either side of the demon lord. There were a large man with red hair on the right and another man with a gun on the left.

Amagiri Kyuuju and Shiranui Kyo, Saito thought. Now with three intimidating demons right in front of him, could he really protect the trembling girl behind him? His clever brain started making a quick strategy— He would call for the other captains' help now and while they were busy fighting, he would use the opportunity to take his swords and then join the fight himself to drive the invaders away. Chizuru's safety was their top priority and there was no way he would let Kazama kidnap her.

The plan might have been worked...

...just if the fourth shadow didn't appear from the rustling bushes and froze Saito's tongue.

As the once sweet moonlight now shone upon it, Saito's and Chizuru's eyes widened in shock while the demons' lips curved in winning, menacing smiles. Here he was...the fourth demon who was not related to Aizu nor Satcho, he who was called a wandering oni before he swore his loyalty to Kazama.

And he, whose existence was erased from Yukimura family's history despite being born together with Chizuru...

A smile forming on his lips, Chizuru's smile.

"Good evening...," he greeted the frozen couple, but mainly it was directed to Saito. His brown eyes focused at his azure irises, "...Saito Hajime, or would I rather call you 'murderer'?"

Strange, the smile didn't leave his face as he said those words. His expression remained calm, too. The opposite happened to Saito, whose face grew slightly pale even though he tried not to show it.

"...Who...are you?"

Chizuru's question broke the silence. Still clinging to Saito's yukata, she knew something was not right here. A young man her age with her face and Saito's weird reaction upon being called 'murderer' despite the fact that he had slain countless lives... Was this case something very specific then?

"Sorry for the late introduction." The stranger's smile grew wider and he bowed politely, "My name is Nagumo Kaoru, or should I say..." His eyes narrowed, "Yukimura Kaoru was my birth name. I'm your twin brother, Chizuru."

Confused. That was the emotion Chizuru felt right away. She couldn't retort and gripped Saito's clothes even more tightly to gain support she needed although her husband did nothing. But then she remembered that she must be strong to face any kind of situations. She was a survivor, after all.

She inhaled and exhaled a few times before saying, "My parents never mentioned, even once, that I have a brother..."

Kaoru laughed a little, "Of course they didn't. You know... They threw me away when I was a baby under Nagumo family's care."

"But why..."

"Simply because I'm not a rare female oni."

A hint of hatred was shown in Kaoru's eyes as he stated that sentence, and Chizuru couldn't help but feeling guilty.

"You've already seen my face, which is identical to yours. But I have one more proof." Kaoru took out a sword from his belt, "This katana and your kodachi is one pair. See? Even the design is the same."

Unconciously, Chizuru nodded. It was right. There was no doubt this man was her long-lost brother. And before she knew it, pearls of tears had fallen from the corners of her eyes. What a relief to know that she still had a living blood-relative, although she had many, many questions to ask.

"Chizuru..." Kaoru slowly spread his arms, as if he was longing for something dear, "Come here, I want to see and hold my sister."

"Brother..." Chizuru smiled, a genuine smile. After a lot of difficult times, she wanted to share the stories with him. How their parents died, how she planned to avenge them, how she ended up in Shinsengumi headquarters, how she was forced into an arranged marriage, how terrible the marriage was...yet only at first before she fell in love for real...

However before she took a single step, Saito had stopped her, "Stay with me, Chizuru... Something's suspicious here."

Chizuru shifted her gaze up at her husband, not understanding a thing now her mind had been blurred with happiness, "W-What do you mean, Hajime-san? That's my brother over there..."

"Yes, with three demons who are also our enemies," said Saito with steel in his tone.

Kaoru talked back to Saito, "If by 'enemies' you mean Satcho, then we demons have severed our ties with those humans. There's no reason for you anymore to forbid me seeing my own sister. Moreover, we can't leave her under your care, murderer."

Again, this 'murderer' thing..., which made Saito's expression more stern than before.

Laughing, Kazama joined the conversation, "People said that Saito Hajime from Shinsengumi is emotionless killing machine... But right now he seems panic to me."

"...I don't know what you're talking about," Saito glared at Kazama. "And I don't care whether you're a part of Satcho or not... I won't let you take my wife, who is under the protection of Shinsengumi!"

As the young captain finished his sentence, Kazama laughed maniacally, waking the other captains up. It was quite a rare sight, the Wolves of Mibu in their sleeping attire holding weapons— except Saito who held nothing. Had it been a normal situation, Chizuru would have laughed too.

"I see the sidekicks are here, too," Shiranui chuckled as he loaded his gun. "Then let me and Amagiri take care of them so you can continue your very important conversation."

"No, let them be," Kazama motioned his hand to his subordinates, telling them in silence to stay still. "I want them to hear what Nagumo Kaoru has to say about Saito as well. That would be interesting..."

Kaoru bowed, "You're most kind, My Lord."

The captains of Shinsengumi looked as confused as Chizuru now. Silence descended upon them until Hijikata asked his most loyal subordinate, "What does he mean, Saito? What is happening here?"

But no answer was given...

"Afraid of telling the truth, huh?" Kaoru chuckled, then he continued, "Let's see... How about we shorten the story and say that one of Shinsengumi captains has killed two pureblood oni and took their only daughter as his bride by force while pretending he knows nothing about that tragedy?"

Saito clenched his hands into fists, "Don't listen to him, everyone..." His deep cerulean eyes bore pure hatred as he glared at Kaoru, "...and Chizuru, stay near me."

However, the small hands that gripped tightly onto his clothes were not there anymore. Saito looked behind and found the girl, looking at him as though he was a monster or something scary.

The memories of that violent night played themselves in Chizuru's mind once more... Her dead parents, blood, fire, and...

... A shadowy figure holding a bloody katana with his left hand.

"Chizuru...?"

"...No..."

"Chizuru...listen to me..."

In an instant, Kaoru appeared between them. In his hand was Chizuru's short sword. He took his sister's shaking hand and placed the kodachi on her palm.

"You know what to do, don't you? I don't think I have to explain the details," Kaoru cupped Chizuru's cheek, swallowing some tears.

This was too cruel...

"...Hajime-san...," Chizuru sobbed in Kaoru's embrace, "Please tell me it's not true... You're not the person I saw that night, aren't you? You're not the one who murdered my parents, right?"

"Of course he's not!" Chizuru could hear Heisuke's voice from far, very far away... "Lord Aizu never gave us such order! Right, Hajime-kun?"

Yet still, Saito was just standing there, glaring at Kaoru without saying anything.

Hijikata spoke out, "Saito... Just say that you didn't do it. We know it's the truth." Narrowing his amethyst eyes, he stared at Kazama, "These demons are really something. They've gone too far by spreading false rumor-"

"It's the truth."

Suddenly, silence enveloped all of them. There was no wind either that could soothe the maiden's broken heart even just for a tiny bit. She covered her mouth with both hands, still holding her beloved kodachi. The captains' eyes widened in disbelief, and the demons laughed, a winner's laugh.

"...Hajime-san..."

"I killed your parents, Chizuru."

Kaoru smiled and let Chizuru go from his embrace. The girl took one step closer to her husband, only to ask 'Why?' Though her tongue had betrayed her.

"Saito! This is no time for a joke!" Harada exclaimed. "Why did you say something like that? You scared Chizuru off!"

"I'm not joking."

Their eyes met. The strong, determined sapphire and the frail, watery amber. Upon hearing Saito's statement, Chizuru wanted to scream at the top of her lungs that he was wrong and deny everything with every fiber of her being.

"...That was my first time since I joined Shinsengumi, that I killed neutral people, who belonged to neither Aizu or Satcho."


...Then why...


"And I'm really sorry for that."


Sorry? Is that all you can say?


That deep voice, that cold tone...the one coming from the same lips that gave her a gentle kiss not too long ago, was now revealing the truth she didn't want to hear.

However, this was reality. Not some fairytale when happily ever after was guaranteed.

Chizuru lifted her kodachi and was about to unsheathe it when a strong arm gripped her hand and prevented her from doing so.

"It's no use, Chizuru...," said Saito. "Even though I'm unarmed, I doubt you can hurt me."


A pure woman like you...


You're right, Hajime-san... I can't kill you...


Oh no, I made her cry again...


Please, could someone say this is a dream? A very bad and long dream... How could I fall in love with my parents' murderer?


Chizuru, I'm very sorry... But I must do this.


Hajime-san... No... Saito Hajime of Shinsengumi, I...


It was all too much for Chizuru that she abruptly lost consciousness, only to be caught in Kaoru's embrace once again. Meanwhile, Kazama seemed to enjoy the drama that just happened before his ruby eyes.

"Quite amusing, wasn't it?" A smirk played on the oni's lips. "So you've been lying to her this whole time. No wonder you couldn't bring yourself to touch her."

For the rest of Shinsengumi's captains, it all made sense now that the oni came here. So Saito really hadn't touched Chizuru's body. Yet to think that Saito was also the culprit who killed her parents... It was too unbelievable.

"I've had enough of this nonsense!" Okita drew his sword with killing intent. "Die, you damned demons!"

He rushed toward Kazama. Unsurprisingly, the demon avoided the attack easily and with rapid movement, he came to where Saito, Chizuru, and Kaoru were, "Thanks to your confession, Saito. Don't worry, this girl will get a better husband."

"As if I will let you take her so easily! I might be the person who has stolen her happiness, but I have an honor as a Shinsengumi warrior! This woman is under our protection!" Saito shouted as he was about to hit the demon king.

Kazama avoided Saito's punch, "You called 'lying' as 'protection'? Don't make me laugh!" He landed a powerful kick in Saito's stomach, making the samurai cough up some blood. As though he wasn't satisfied yet, he gripped a fistful of Saito's violet hair and sent him flying with brute force of oni.

Saito could hear swords clashing from a far... That must be his comrades fighting Amagiri and Shiranui... He tried so hard not to lose consciousness. He wouldn't let Chizuru be taken away so easily.

As he made an attempt to get up, Kaoru had stomped on his head. Saito twitched in agony but the demon didn't seem to care. Slowly, Kaoru knelt down and whispered to Saito, "Brother-in-law, you look pathetic, you know..."

Kaoru stopped talking for a while and scanned his surroundings, "See your wounded comrades over there? Looks like they aren't even worthy to be Amagiri's and Shiranui's playthings."

"...And when I marry Yukimura Chizuru...," all of a sudden, Kazama appeared. "We will create a more powerful, pureblood oni you've never seen before!"

Although he was in pain and barely can move, Saito's eyes were still full of determination and fighting spirit. Upon seeing this, the demon lord sighed and gestured his hand, telling his underlings that it was time to leave.

"I've got what I wanted. Let's leave this stinky place!"

Amagiri, Shiranui, and Kaoru nodded. But as Kaoru stood up, Saito's arm grabbed one of his legs.

"Let...her...go," Saito breathed out heavily.

"Don't touch me, you filthy human!" Kaoru kicked Saito with his other leg many times until finally the purple-haired man's arm betrayed his owner. The pain was unimaginable.

"Tsk! How disgusting..." Kaoru rushed forward to Kazama's side, with the still unconscious Chizuru in his arms.

One second later, they were gone.


In the morning, the Shinsengumi mansion was busier than usual. All captains were wounded but at least they could still stand up and according to the doctor, they would heal quickly as long as they rested properly.

Yet still...

"Captain Saito! No! Not with that body!" Yamazaki prevented Saito from going out of his room. Saito had taken some serious damage and his condition was far worse than the others.

"I have to...take Chizuru back...It's all my fault," Saito made a futile attempt to stand up. Sweat glistening on his face and body as he used his katana to help him walk.

Yamazaki let out a long sigh, "We don't even know where the demons are..."

"..."

"Just rest anyway, okay?"

A bitter smile forming on Saito's lips. His friends didn't need to know the whole story, did they?


The night before...

As he made an attempt to get up, Kaoru had stomped on his head. Saito twitched in agony but the demon didn't seem to care. Slowly, Kaoru knelt down and whispered to Saito, "Brother-in-law, you look pathetic, you know..."

"...that I'm grateful you covered up for me. You just couldn't say that her only living relative is the murderer of her parents, right? So... you love her that much, taking all the blames on yourself and risking your own life? Well, I really can't say that you're not involved in this case yourself, though...We met that night, after all."

Saito didn't have any strength left to answer and he knew he was about to lose consciousness. While in this condition, he could still hear Kaoru's challenging voice.

"Meet us tomorrow at the hour of the boar. You must know the location, right? If you choose to stay with Shinsengumi and continue your life as usualpatrolling and protecting the citizens of Kyotothen fine. But if you want to take Chizuru back, you have to face us. Please remember that you could lose your life anytime if you choose the latter."


The sun quickly turned into moon once again as the captain of Shinsengumi's third division laying motionlessly on his bed. He had gotten a bad fever from his wounds, yet he kept saying that he must go.

"Saito...," Kondou, who only got scratches from the fight the night before, sat beside the young male, "I know that you're worried about Chizuru, but—"

"Commander, please...," Saito cut Kondou's speech. His voice was hoarse, as breathing was already difficult. "It's my fault... We were entrusted to protect Chizuru, and I couldn't accomplish such a simple task..."

He coughed, spitting some amount of blood. It looked like Kazama's attack had left a great impact on his inside... Between blurred images, he could hear Kondou exiting his room and calling for doctor. But after that... What were those scary voices that followed?

Only one answer crossed his mind— Rasetsu.

Someone had broken the warehouse where Kodo's test subjects were kept and released the rasetsu. It didn't take a genius to read the situation as the culprit entered his room all of a sudden.

"Hello again, brother-in-law," Kaoru greeted Saito mockingly."You didn't show up so I was a bit worried... Glad to know you're still alive."

"Where is... Chizuru?" asked Saito weakly as he forced his body into sitting position.

Kaoru sighed, "She's with Kazama-sama now. Still in great shock, but she will calm down eventually. If you want to meet her that much, why don't you just take this?"

Smirking, Kaoru took out a glass vial with sparkling crimson liquid inside from his inner pocket, "You can't see my sister with such broken body, can you?"

The ochimizu. The 'water of life.' Right in front of his eyes.

By drinking it, the wounds would heal in seconds, the strength would be multiplied. Yet it also came with risks such as sucking the life force out of oneself and driving people insane.

Saito closed his eyes, "You...are planning to make me lose sanity?"

"Oh, of course not!" Kaoru exclaimed happily, making Saito feel disgust. "This is the improved version of ochimizu. I just stole it from Uncle Kodo's laboratory, and I've seen some rasetsu who are able to maintain their sanity as I released them."

Saito knew this very well. Kaoru wasn't lying. As long as he could control his emotions...

In a careful and slow pace, Saito took the vial from Kaoru's hand and observed it closely. This was not an era where you could fight with just honor any longer, and as bad as it sounded, something cheating like this was necessary.

"The decision is now yours to make, Saito Hajime."

"I know...," The lid was opened.

"...and this is my answer."


Hurrah for cliffhanger! What will happen next?! O_O Do you really want to know? Then feed me with REVIEWS hahaha *kicked*

Ahem... thank you for reading and see you soon!