Yay for finally updating! Anyway I had originally had chapter nine and ten together but my beta suggested splitting it so not to injure ya'lls eyes or mind with too much. So yes I am updating twice today so ya'll get ya fill and I will start working immediately on the next chapter, don't you worry! There is spoilers in this, you'll get more info on Midnight. I would also like to think wolfkibagirl69, Lady Kato, xXAnimeLoverpotterhead4lifeXx, Bloody Misaki, Captaintsukiko34 for the awsome reviews you guys made me work harder on these chapters!
In August a few months after Chizuru's arrival, the Shinsengumi received a request from the Aizu Domain asking for help. They set out to help them thwart the Choushu Domain's plans of infiltrating the Imperial Palace. Every member and captain set out; expect for a select few that stayed behind and guard the headquarters.
Among the remaining soldiers, Heisuke, Souji with Midnight on his shoulder, and Sannan were watching the army depart; the feeling of despair floated around the men and cat.
"I wanted to go too." Heisuke whined.
He turned away and huffed, but continued. "Standing by at the headquarters is way too boring."
Souji smirked at Heisuke; mentally agreeing with him while Sannan smiled. Midnight just gave him an exasperated look as if asking him 'Again?'
"At least you can return to the front lines once your wounds heal." Sannan spoke truthfully; his voice laced with despair. "In contrast, I..." Sannan's words drifted off.
Souji and Heisuke stared at him for a few seconds. Heisuke looked down in shame. "Well, we'll just have to be obedient and rest." Souji said distracting Sannan's attention away from his arm. Souji elbowed Heisuke in his ribs before taking off with Midnight snickering on his shoulder. Heisuke called out after them.
"What're you doing, Souji!?"
Sannan watched them with envy before closing his eyes. 'If I use that drug, I may be able to wield a sword again'
Lounging in Souji's lap was Midnight; she was enjoying the peaceful afternoon but it soon turned into a weary and worrisome one. As the sun fell voices invaded her mind. 'The Choushu inside the Imperial Palace were killed.' soon after that it turned disturbing. 'They have set fire to the palace!'
Awhile later the voices stopped and Midnight grew worried; with all the information given to her she knew of all that transpired. What happened to the Shinsengumi? Kazama Chikage had shown up again this time with two other oni's; Shiranui Kyo and Kyuujyu Amagiri. Chizuru being injured by Kazama's sword and the wound healing within seconds. She knew everything all thanks to her fellow felines, but with all this knowledge all it did was make her job harder.
'If that girl is the Yukimura heir then this won't be the last we've seen of Chikage...My job certainly has gotten that much harder since she's shown up. Then again it's my own damn fault for getting attached to humans again.'
As she contemplated all that happened, she figured her best plan was to ask for help in keeping certain things in check; along with keeping her knowledge of events up to date. Her eyes glowed and she spoke to her allies.
'Everyone...I need to ask you to do something for me again. Continue watching that Kazama brats whereabouts as well as his companions for me. If you can also find out about the Yukimura clan I need to know if anyone lived from their massacre and if so who. Get back to me once you do. I'll be waiting.'
A week later everyone returned back to the headquarters; two weeks had passed since then. Things have calmed down; the injured were back on their feet and back to patrolling and training. Midnight was making her own rounds. She checked many of the men to see if any had been slacking off or worse; pretending they were perfectly healed when they were not. She already caught a few men doing just that and they quickly returned back to the infirmary with Yamazaki when they felt her glare on them and saw the claws glistening in the light.
As she passed by the meeting room she overheard a familiar voice question someone on the other side. "So, Itou-San will be joining the Shinsengumi?"
Another voice soon joined in. "He is a skilled swordsman and it seems that both you and Sannan-Kun acknowledged that."
This perked her interest. She wondered who they could be talking about. She put her paw on the sliding door and extended her claws to help. She inched it open slowly with some force on her part; no thumbs did make it harder. Once she had it opened enough to see in; her eyes rested on Heisuke, Hijikata, Kondou and Sannan.
She purred at the sight and ran in; immediately glomping Hijikata in his stomach. After mentioned man leaned back a little in shock, but as he gazed down at the cat his shock turned to annoyance. He glared down at the coy cat; it had no effect. Midnight continued to purr and rub her head into his stomach. Seeing a she was getting no attention from him she moved her entire body rubbing it all over his stomach. She ended up on her back; her front paws kneading the air in front of him and her tail swishing around lightly thumping his left thigh every few seconds.
The other three men present chuckled at the display of affection from the feline; having been cooped up and not been able to spend any time with the men the in the past weeks due to the Aizu clans help; she wanted to catch up and the best way to do that was completely interrupt anything they were trying to do and demand attention. Hijikata sighed in defeat. He rubbed her behind her ears; a trademark place for everyone one to go to. It was her soft spot.
"Souji spoils you too much." Hijikata muttered at the feline who was lost in pure bliss. She didn't even hear, nor care what he said at the moment; as long as he didn't stop. All the men laughed at that comment causing them to be on the receiving end of an icy glare. "Che, all of you spoil this cat too much!"
Kondou stopped laughing long enough to reply with. "Toshi, we all know you give Midnight as much attention as we do when alone."
All Hijikata could do was glower some more before he coughed and returned to the matter they had been discussing; before they were interrupted by the pesky cat.
Sannan looked at everyone and continued where they left off. "Yes, well Itou-San strongly believes in restoring power to the emperor will he be able to fit in with us? I'm not sure."
"As long as we explain our views to him; I'm sure he'll agree to help us. Heisuke, you're from the same school as Itou-Sensei. So, I'll be counting on you to speak with him. As for myself, I'll be going to Edo." Kondou said with a smile lighting his face; optimism seemed to radiate off him.
Heisuke returned the feeling with a "Got it!" and pointed to himself. Not everyone shared their enthusiasm however. Sannan lowered his gaze deep in thought; he bore a look of sadness unseen by the two happy men in the room, but not to Hijikata. Said man eyed Sannan with apprehension and concern. Along with his gaze Midnight was watching him from her upside down position; her eyes mirrored Hijikata's.
At the crack of dawn; Saito led his troops along with Chizuru through the remains of the city. The scene was horrible. Men, women and children dressed in torn and dirty clothes. They were starved, dehydrated and downright miserable. Kids that once ran and played with excitement and happiness now sat still like a dead body would. Chizuru watched all this with horrified eyes.
"Excuse me, Saito-San!" Chizuru yelled out.
At the sound of his name being called he turned towards the girl in disguise; his scarf bellowing around his form. Buried deep inside his scarf was a ball of silver fur. Chizuru stopped in front of him and bowed her head.
"What is it?" Saito inquired.
Chizuru indicated with her head for him to look over at a group of men that were standing in front of a sign board.
"May I speak to the people over there for a moment? They might know some information about my father."
Saito nodded at her; telling her not to take too long; she walked over to them. The mass of fur inside Saito's scarf moved; one eye peeked out and regarded the figure walking away. Midnight shook herself free of her confines and jumped down; stretching her body out. She watched the girl talk to the group of men; most ignored her or gave her rude glares. Chizuru stepped back, but was persistent to ask if they have seen him; hoping they would answer her eventually.
One man spoke up. "Ma'am we haven't seen whoever you're looking for. We've been too busy trying to survive to care. Now go away!"
Chizuru withdraw her body away from the angered man; she stared at them frozen in shock. The people were never this mean to her; usually they would ignore her or tell her yes or no. But since the fire things have been going downhill; the people becoming desperate.
"Meow."
Hearing a cat behind her; she tensed up and made her way back to Saito and his group with Midnight at her heels. Chizuru looked down at her; since the Ikedaya inn incident Chizuru has been more fearful of the feline. Much like her master she could kill her whenever she wished with little to no resistant. She had thought her and the feline were getting along, but then the cat turned a 360 and they were back to walking on thin ice. Likewise Midnight has been watching her more since she came back with Hijikata and the others. That in itself made Chizuru fear walking out at night alone for Midnight could attack her again like her first night.
Night fell quickly as they made their way back home; lanterns illuminated the dark streets giving it a slightly eerie feeling. Chizuru walked with her head down in the back of the group beside Saito and Midnight who was again in his scarf; curled up and asleep. Deep in thought Chizuru failed to notice Saito look at her in confusion that was hidden very well.
"Are you alright, Yukimura?" Saito questioned.
Chizuru snapped out of it and gazed up at Saito. "I'm fine." She answered back, but truthfully she wasn't. Saito's eyes told her he didn't believe her.
"Tell me if you feel unwell." Saito continued. "It'll be troublesome if you push yourself too hard and collapse." He spoke softly so no one would hear him expect Chizuru. The mentioned girl was shocked at his confession; even though he didn't say he would be concerned she felt as if he was hinting at something. She smiled, touched by what he said. She watched him continue walking. Her eye's met Midnight's and her smile slowly fell.
She lowered her head; breaking eye contact. She walked faster to get back beside Saito once again; matching his pace with some effort. she picked up her head when she didn't feel the cold, blue eyes watching her back anymore.
Midnight laid her head down after Chizuru passed; keeping an eye on her was getting tiresome, but it was needed. She was still weary of the child and even more so since hearing she might be an oni. True, she had softened a bit on her, but she wasn't starting to like her; no way! She reminded her of herself when she was younger; of course. So naive, so innocent, so easily take advantage of, believing and trusting in everyone so readily. It wasn't that simple, not like she had believed or like Chizuru still believed. She admitted she didn't want to watch the girl go downhill like she did; not down that same dark path she ran down.
These men though, they would help her grow, help her not lose her heart or innocence like; she had. She would face many hardships; she would probably come out of it less scathed and be happy in the end. Midnight figured if only she met them sooner in life. She would have been purer, more accepting. Of course, that was impossible considering none of them were alive back then. Midnight shook her head. She needed to stop thinking about the past. What's in the past stays in the past; or so she thought and hoped.
The sun was just going down when dinner was served. All the captains were in the room; except Heisuke who had gone to Edo along with Kondou to help recruit. Chizuru, as usual, was serving tea to everyone. She was just about finished setting down the tea in front of Hijikata; when she noticed Sannan was missing. She looked around the room until Souji answered her.
"He's busy studying something."
Chizuru regarded him with curiosity; Midnight sat by his side. "I see. Then I prepared his tea a little too early. I've made too much."
Hijikata who was watching her went back to eating his food, "Just leave it there. Someone will drink it eventually. Better yet give it to the cat; might as well get rid of it." He told her.
"I see...Alright." Chizuru muttered and slowly inched her way to the mentioned feline. She sat the tea down watching wearily; ready to jump away once she felt teeth. But nothing happened. Midnight simply twitched her ears then lapped at the tea; purring to note her overall approval of its taste.
"Salty." Saito spoke from beside her; he was holding up a piece of vegetable with his chopsticks; regarding it with a touch of disgust.
"Whoa, this tastes bad!" Sano yelled out he too held a piece up staring at it as if it was a foreign being. "Souji prepared this dish, right?"
Souji glared at them. "What do you mean by that?"
He looked at his food in wonderment. "I'm only responsible for boiling the vegetables and soaking them in soy sauce."
While he was talking Souji set his bowl down in front of Midnight; who all, but happily took a piece of green vegetable and scarf it down to help her master out. She then promptly spat it out; hacking before dumping her whole muzzle into her tea. Everyone watched her; worried that she was going to keel over any second. Souji looked as if he just killed her. Midnight lifted her head up from the tea painfully; her taste buds wouldn't be the same for a while. Souji sighed at her; he petted her and tried a piece for himself.
"I think they taste just fine." It was the perfect seasoning for his taste buds; although he did notice that lately he was putting more seasoning into everything he was making. Maybe, He was coming down with a cold. Next thing everyone knew Saito had stood up taking his bowl with him.
"What's wrong, Saito?" Sano questioned him.
"I'm going to wash it with some water. Too much salt is bad for your health." Saito told him. He walked to the door and opened it; leaving it opened he left the room. Everyone stayed still for a few moments before they took initiative; starting with Sano. He looked from his food to Saito before getting up and saying.
"Me too."
Chizuru confusingly stared at the men as they all slowly left the room with their food; leaving her, Souji and Midnight alone. It didn't take long for Souji though.
"Well, I guess I'll do that too. Come on Midnight; I'll get you some milk to help wash the taste down." He picked up Midnight with his free hand. The cat lay limp in his arms; salt defiantly was not her preferred seasoning and Souji followed the others. He seemed a bit off with everything that was happening, but going along with it none the less.
Chizuru was alone and she had no clue what just happened; the poor thing.
Walking down the corridor at night was Souji. He had Midnight at his heels; their destination was Sannan's room. Reaching the door; he waited for any sound. All he could hear was the swishing of some liquid; deciding now was as a good time as any he interrupted whatever was going on in the room.
"Sannan-San, you're still awake?" Souji inquired; Midnight pawed at the door.
"Is that you, Okita-Kun?" Sannan inquired; surprised the man was still awake. "Come on in."
The door opened to reveal Souji with his famous smirk set on his face. Midnight sat by his feet her tail thumbing the floor; her eyes scrutinizing him.
"You're so dedicated, but it would be meaningless to ruin your health by researching." Souji said.
He closed the door behind him and Sannan turned to him to answer him. Midnight rubbed against the bifocaled man before settling herself in his lap.
"Don't worry. My health was ruined a long time ago. But take a look at this. I improved Ochimizu. Theoretically, this will neutralize its side effect." Sannan told him; his smile laced with a ting of sorrow and pride at his development.
Souji looked at him; his smirk wavering a bit, but it held strong. He sat down in front of Sannan. "Are you planning to give it a try? If you're confident, I won't stop you."
"I'm still considering what to do..." Sannan replied back letting his words trail off.
Souji chuckled a bit. "Well, if you fail, I'll kill you." He said.
"Now, that's a comfort." Sannan smiled at him; seeming happy with the answer Souji gave him. Midnight looked from Sannan to Souji then back to Sannan. She titled her head and her eyes narrowed at him. She wasn't pleased with the conversation. She prayed to the gods that Sannan wouldn't take that extreme, but she knew if he did the gravity of the situation would call for Souji's promise.
"What about a glass of this instead?" Souji inquired as he held up the jug he brought with them; Midnight perked up at the sight of it.
"Rice wine? Now that should be better for your health." Sannan laughed.
Souji passed him a cup and then poured himself one; Midnight purred and rubbed herself against Souji's leg. 'It's been to long since I've tasted rice wine, hm give me some~'
She kneaded her paws into Souji's thigh; her head inclined up towards his cup her nose pushing against it asking for a drink. Souji smiled and brought the cup towards her. Just as she went to lick it he quickly took it back and downed it in one gulp. He and Sannan laughed at the felines face; depression hit her hard and she fell down ungracefully in Souji's lap.
She pouted beginning to form a plan in her mind. 'I'll get you back master, one way or another'.
Kondou stood outside shaking hands with a feminine male. "Itou-Dono, we've been waiting for you."
The man named Itou smiled. "I'm honored that the commander has come to personally welcome me."
Shinpachi, Saito, Sanosuke, and Souji stood a ways away watching from a distance the exchange between the two men. From the look on their faces; none of them like it at all.
"That man is Itou Kashitarou, an ittō-ryu style master." Shinpachi explained to them.
"I've heard that he's a Sonnou Joui. I can hardly believe that he willingly joined the Shinsengumi." Saito spoke his mind; it seemed everyone else was in agreement by the nodding going on.
"I suppose this means that he holds the same beliefs as the Choushu. Will he be able to work well with us?" Sano questioned.
Just as they were speaking Sannan walked by with Midnight trotting a ways behind him; he overheard their conversation and stopped.
"Itou-San is a highly educated man as well as a persuasive speaker." Sannan told them; the men's heads swiveled to him. Sano looked down in thought.
"Oh? So, Sannan-San is acquainted with-" Sano lifted his head up to look at Sannan, but the man was already gone; leaving a depressed cat in his wake.
"Sannan-San is getting colder these days...Even Midnight is feeling the coldness from him."
The mentioned cat only shook her head and laid down; her head rested on her paws. She stared off into space where Sannan once was.
"Yeah, he hardly even says two words." Sano agreed. "Well, he's never been much of a talker."
Souji stared at the sky in thought; a blade of grass in between his lips. All he could think about is a feeling he just couldn't shake.
