End of Chapter Eight: Chizuru should have known better after the sake of the first evening that taking Kazama's challenges didn't seem to work out for her. As she pressed into his lips and he pushed her into the table the feeble grasp on the part of her mind that wasn't intoxicated with him slipped away…

Chapter Nine: Soft Edges

"How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being."

-Oscar Wilde

Chizuru shifted her hands to slide them up his arms, the feeling of the flesh different and yet better than she'd dreamed about before now. She tightened her hands around his biceps as he started to trail from her mouth down over her chin and along her neck with his lips and teeth. She moaned lightly, her hands moving back from his sleeves, instead feeling over his back through the expensive fabric of his kimono. He shifted a single hand down her body, feeling along the top of her inner thigh before barely brushing his fingers over her womanhood.

Her fingers curled into his hair then, the girl gasping, and pulling back a moment but he held her firmly in place, leaning his head closer to her chest and his short glance made her thoughts of defiance die before she could speak them. His hair changed to platinum and his eyes were like burning caramel. Kazama let out a growl that made her shiver, it was a moment before she realized it was not aimed at her and instead he was watching the door.

"Oh god…" Chizuru realized then. "Someone is coming!"

Whatever spell he'd put her under shattered and she used all her strength along with his lack of expecting the interruption to shove him off of her not enough to push him to the floor but enough to get the sheet fully between them again. Thankfully he was swift enough to catch himself before he fell off the table completely. He sent her a withering glare at the insult. A moment before there was a knock on the door his radiant demonic features reverted to the ones he wore as a human.

"Chizuru! Are you all right?" It was Okita's voice, of all the people that could come here just then, that had to be the worst. Then he just opened the door before she could reply. "I saw…you! What the hell are you doing to Chizuru?"

Okita already had his blade out, he was one of the best in the Shinsengumi with a sword, or had been before he got struck ill. Kazama didn't move to get off of Chizuru, which likely only further complicated the situation.

The demon gave Okita a sly suggestive smile and answered. "Nothing she didn't request, or wasn't enjoying given the way she was whimpering for me."

Her cheeks felt like she'd shoved her face into a bonfire and her entire body was reddened by the blush. "Not helping Kazama."

"Get off of her." Okita swept forward, his blade was arching toward Kazama when the coughing fit hit, his arm taken off it's path at the interruption. Instead the flash of silver was heading toward Chizuru and she widened her eyes. In a blurr Kazama had put up his hand, the blade cutting several inches into his hand before stopping. The demons eyes were flickering between red and gold as he pulled the blade from Okita, ignoring the deeper wound it caused. Blood was flowing warm and sticky down onto the table, staining the sheets a moment before Chizuru could feel drops of it creeping through the fabric onto her skin.

Then the weight of Kazama was gone and there was a crash through one of the walls. Okita had been relocated by him, the demon ducking and pulling his own blade up off the floor where he'd left it near the table. His hair bleached itself out, and there was obvious fury in the turn of his brows.

"No, stop Kazama…Okita was just trying to protect me." Chizuru tried to get up and only ended up slipping on the tangled sheets, it would have been a painful fall but the clumsiness at least got Kazama to pause long enough to catch her. He eyed her in distaste.

"You relinquished yourself to me, you are mine. Why should I give this human any lenience after he nearly executed you?" There was a suffocating rage beneath his words that seemed barely controlled. "He is not a member of the Shinsengumi that could protect you; he cannot even wield his blade."

"Stop…I never said I was yours…and…" She shook her head, frowning as that only seemed to further the bloodlust coming off the demon in waves. "He's my friend. It will hurt me if he dies."

Kazama at least looked away from where Okita was struggling to stand as he continued to cough in the hallway where he'd been tossed. "Your connection to these humans is pointless, much as now, they will only serve to disappoint you. I am wary of this, you have a few weeks left to say goodbye to them Chizuru, if they don't turn you out in the meantime. Remember, humans only want demons for what they can use them for. I'll check in on you before you all leave the springs."

"Wait…" She reached out and caught his sleeve, frowning as he winced. "Your hand…"

"It will be fine in a few hours, the flesh needs time to knit itself." Kazama replied without looking at her. "You should check on the human, he's worse off than I."

"I…" Chizuru couldn't finish her thought, Kazama was gone and she pulled her sheets tighter around her as she bent next to Okita.

"What the hell…are you doing Chizuru." Okita's words were broken with wet heavy coughs, he was scowling at her as best he could through the pain. "Didn't I tell you what I'd do if you betrayed us?"

"Well, guess if you killed me it wouldn't be a problem anymore." Chizuru said with a bitter laugh. "Are you all right, he really attacked you…"

"I'll be fine, what the hell is going on? Are you okay Chizuru?" Okita relaxed, for all his threats he moved right past it to ask her how she was.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Better than you, what were you doing here?"

"I saw the woman that was supposed to be working on you and when I asked why she wasn't here she acted suspiciously until she told me someone had paid for her to leave. I thought something must be going on, was the last thing I expected." Okita said, smirking at her blush and her tugging the sheets closer before looking away from her like a gentleman. "You and Kazama? That's the sort of guy you like?"

"No, erm, it's complicated…I care about him but I don't know if that's just weird demon stuff or…" Chizuru grew quiet, glancing away a little. "…I'm surprised you aren't angry."

"Well, I'm pissed at that prick not at you. I'm not gonna take it out on you." Okita said with a small sigh. "I'm sorry Chizuru, I didn't think I'd start coughing or that I might hit you."

"Okita, don't worry about it, lets both not be angry about what we can't control hmm?" Chizuru sighed. "If you don't mind though, I'd sort of like to get dressed."

"Assuming you don't want me to watch I'll wait on the steps up the hall here to interrupt anyone else coming along." Okita replied, grinning a bit at getting her to blush again before he headed down the hall. His lungs were on fire, though he didn't have another coughing fit he was still having more trouble breathing than he let on. He knew that the Tuberculosis would only get worse but now he knew for certain he could no longer be a reliable warrior.

Chizuru and Kazama, good for her, it would be better for her to find a guy able to protect her. Even if Okita hated the demon, the guy had taken a blade for her without a moment's hesitation. If she was happy with him then it wasn't his place to judge. Kazama could offer her things humans could not, perhaps she was better off if she was with a demon and away from the dangers and worries of the Shinsengumi.

"Do the others already know?" Okita asked once she emerged in her kimono again, looking her over, it was still strange to see her in female clothes. "That's what all the tension was at breakfast mmm?"

Chizuru nodded, sitting on the steps outside with him. "They didn't want you to just attack Kazama so they didn't tell you."

"I think I'm taking it better than Hijikata." Okita commented and Chizuru couldn't help but giggle. "If you find something you care about stick to it Chizuru, whatever it is. I should get back before mother hen comes looking, I think the same probably goes for you. You should go enjoy the hot spring for a while."

"Maybe, I'm not sure when Kazama will show up." Chizuru said with a shrug, sighing at the raised brow Okita offered her. "Lets see if we can get lunch without the others and I'll explain what I can."

"Oh? Asking me out to lunch? I'm going to make that red eyed freak jealous." Okita winked at her blush and the pair returned before long in silence. They managed to get a separate room easily with her pretending to be a geisha and as they were eating Chizuru explained the basics of the problem and avoiding every intimate detail as much as possible. Okita was smart though, she could tell by his expressions he was able to read between the lines on what her dreams of Kazama involved. She made sure to mention the only way out of it was to breed with the demon.

"That's…bizarre…but I dunno, it sounds sort of like it would be fun." His dark smile was making Chizuru wish she hadn't told him. "Demons get too many unfair advantages, healing, lack of sickness, fast, deadly…I wouldn't mind most of those."

"Well, you'd have to be a jerk." Chizuru commented.

"Ha, well see, I'm already ahead." Okita replied, grinning at the smile she offered at his comment.

"What are you two doing in here?" Hijikata snapped as he slid open the door, he was obviously unhappy with them.

"Eating…don't worry boss, I don't want to hold Chizuru down and seduce her." Okita only smirked at the glare he earned for the comment.

"You told him?" Hijikata turned toward Chizuru. Before he could start chewing her out Okita interrupted him with a small wave for attention.

"I saw Kazama holding her down against a wall today and interfered, she was kind enough to tell me what was going on then." Okita's comments were slightly a lie, but Chizuru was silently relieved he didn't say table instead of wall. "Gee thanks Okita for checking on her, it's so good you were there to stop him. Forgive me Chizuru, I've lost my appetite."

He got up and went past Hijikata, ignoring the scowl he received.

"You shouldn't have told him." Hijikata said to Chizuru as he moved inside and then sat down where Okita had left. "But, Okita is smart, I understand if he figured part of it out already. How did you keep Kazama from attacking him back?"

"Erm…" Chizuru thought it was best not to mention Okita getting tossed through a wall. "I told Kazama that he was my friend and it would hurt me if something happened to him."

Hijikata offered a glance that was coated in skepticism.

"I know but that's what I said, he wasn't happy but he left." Chizuru shrugged. "I know he's…harsh but I think he cares about me."

"Chizuru." Hijikata's voice was unexpectedly light. "I know Sen said this can make you have feelings you wouldn't otherwise have. I'm against this which I think is clear, but you have proven you aren't a threat to us. You are welcome to stay or leave with Kazama; though once you've left the Shinsengumi we cannot let you back. There are too many security issues with the possible defection of your father. After all these months it seems unlikely we'll find him."

"Oh…all right." Chizuru nodded a little, looking down at her plate without seeing it. Kazama's words haunting her suddenly…

"Remember, humans only want demons for what they can use them for."

"You knew this was going to happen someday, we couldn't keep you with us forever." Hijikata said.

In her mind she could still hear Kazama's voice as if he was there. "Only as long as your presence was beneficial to you…"

"Just think about it; please let us know if you know when you're planning to leave if you have some sort of date in mind so we can prepare." Hijikata said, pushing himself up to his feet, he was about to open the door when she spoke up.

"A few weeks…I'm not sure what exact day, but I'll only be with you for a month at most." She said, wanting to answer him right away. "Was I just fooling myself when I thought they were friends? Was it a joke that I could be a valuable member of the team without being related to my father?"

"All right, I'll make sure things are prepared." Hijikata returned, his voice cool before he slid the door closed. Chizuru sighed, closing her eyes and trying to keep the moisture in her eyes from falling. She was quiet when an arm wrapped around her from behind, pulling her close, she knew without looking that it was Kazama. His gesture was significant to her, perhaps he'd been vexed by the instance with Okita but he was giving her support now and she didn't have it in her to consider it some sort of game. He didn't say anything; just pet her hair as she cried quietly.

She knew it wouldn't be the last time she shed tears over losing the Shinsengumi even if they were the things Kazama said she'd always consider them friends. Still, it might be best for her to go with Kazama, perhaps he knew where her father was, and that's why she left home in the first place.

"I…Thank you." She offered a weak smile at Kazama and he reached up to push tears from her cheeks.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

"Yeah, I think so…I think things are clearer than they've been in a while. I'm still not sure of this, but for now I'll stay with you until I have a child." Chizuru said with a sigh.

"And after that?" He pulled her closer to his chest again, his heartbeat audible for her so close against him.

"I want to still find my father, maybe have a family of my own…a lot could happen by then. Maybe you'll convince me to accept your proposal." Chizuru commented with a smile in her words.

"You'll be my wife Chizuru, even if you haven't realized it yet for yourself." Kazama's confidence never wavered for a moment, and that strength was something she couldn't argue with just then. She just stayed close to him, leaning against his chest; it was a nice break from the stress and the usual interactions – she couldn't have handled him trying to seduce her.

"You'll have a trip free of me this evening, I have things I need to return and finish so my duties here will be complete. It will take much of the next few weeks but I will try to visit you at least a few times…" He explained, he was looking out the window at the view down on Kyoto, probably planning.

Chizuru took one of his hands and entwined his fingers with hers. "Can I have a few more minutes?"

She didn't want to start clinging to the demon, she knew she shouldn't at all rely on him, but she was feeling particularly vulnerable and any support was better than none.

"I can stay another hour or so before I'll need to leave." He answered, leaning down to kiss her head, taking a deep breathe of her scent. The perfume of her was something he'd enjoyed since the first time they'd met, her aroma had distracted him a moment in that battle with Okita. He figured her to be at least demon blooded then, it was a pleasant surprise to find that her line was pure. Since then things had progressed slower than he'd prefer but he would have her soon, it was better to allow her the time to say goodbye to the Shinsengumi so it wasn't something she resented for the rest of their marriage.

Mother had resented father for a lot of mistakes, and while Kazama wouldn't describe himself as empathetic, he did consider himself a good manipulator and it was clear that some things he needed to step down from Chizuru to keep the peace.

"I believe our time's about to be cut short." Kazama said softly, glancing up to the door. "I suppose you don't want me to kill this one either."

Apparently his manipulation was only something he used when he felt like it; otherwise he was content to act like a jerk.

"If you have a issue with me we can battle it out." Hijikata commented harshly, he'd planned to return to ask Chizuru if she wanted to eat dinner with them. He didn't want to just alienate her, but returning to find her sitting with Kazama only returned all of his anger, the comment from the demon had him on edge.

"Are you certain you want to sacrifice yourself so easily? With a change in Kyoto's ruler ship I doubt your little group can afford to lose one of its leaders." Kazama held Chizuru a little tighter when her body grew rigid at the argument. "You are disturbing my future wife."

End Chapter

I had fun with this chapter even if it's a little less cool than the last I think it's a lot sweeter. Still cliff-hanger esqe I'd say, but not nearly as interesting as the last one. I've worked up a new AMV (you tube: Kazama is Dangerous, username: NaliaAsh) and got almost no sleep cause I've been all obsessed with fandom for these two lately, the next OVA can't be released soon enough! I wish they'd do a series where they went through all the different possible endings so all the fans could get to see Chizuru with their choice!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

DivineRose91 – Glad I surprised you, I figured I made it too obvious. Okita is a lot of fun to write for, he's my third favorite of the guys after Kazama and Saito though. Hijikata obviously isn't happy with our demon. Chizuru is winning in her own way, as is Kazama really. I work part time at a red cross and there was a convention so I didn't have much time. I liked all the endings, even Koudou's – but mostly cause Kazama was in it a lot, and it was nice to see all the different information before I started writing anything. Lol, I think my biggest thing of her not ending up with Kazama is everyone else dies or is a freak monster vampire/zombie thing that will probably go crazy and kill her in the future…not exactly warm fuzzy feeling inspiring.

RawringDinosaur – Yeah, I'm glad I surprised a couple people. I thought I made it too easy. Kazama liked his dream, but he woke up when he was like 'no, that wasn't chizuru' and recognized it as a dream. I loved that vid thanks for sharing, poor Saito. I laughed a lot, and you know, he's not that bad looking, I think his voice more than makes up for it!

Yes, I had the massage with Kazama in mind since I wrote the first chapter but I had to get around to it. The character just comes off as a master seducer to me. I think he'd of totally gotten Chizuru under his thumb if Sen hadn't interrupted them. LOL I have to do some cliffhangers, they keep things interesting. I agree with Chizuru x Kazama, though I'm pondering also doing a crossover sometime with Kazama and Kagome from Inuyasha (she's my pimp out anime woman of choice). Though I generally ship a lot of crossovers so I totally understand pushing characters that will never actually happen. (Byakuya bleach and Kagome Inuyasha are my main couple. Yeah, I wish most of my fangirl subjects were real so I understand, all I can do is write fiction with the chars that make me rawr.

Pitifuldreamer666 – Thanks, I enjoy writing them, though I have to sit and second guess myself at times on dialogue with Kazama.

Aimawolf – Lol, cliffhangers are a love/hate relationship I've noticed.

Aj16 – I'm not sure to be honest, I don't go back through my first run down of a story so it'll have to go on my list of things to fix. And yes, Kazama is forceful without a doubt, wait til you get to later chapters than one lol.