The moon was high in the sky, and once again Yamazaki and Souzou found themselves the only ones awake. Though, with the occasional glance to the Seikihoutai captain Yamazaki knew that look he had in his eyes. It was the look of a man in love. And Chizuru had that sparkle in her eye but he doubted she knew why.

With a sigh he smiled as he dropped his head. "You going to tell her at all?"

Looking over at him with blinking eyes Souzou arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"That you are in love with her. Don't tell me you are not it is written all over your face."

Souzou sighed with a smile as he looked over at the sleeping woman in question. "I will not be telling her at all. It is what is best."

"For you or for her?"

"Both." Closing his eyes as he dropped his head, Souzou sighed and smiled. "I am a traitor in the eyes of the Imperial Army. And only a few of the Shinsengumi know that they turned on us not the other way around. Everywhere I go I am going to have to look over my shoulder. That is no life for someone like her."

"I see." Yamazaki smiled as he dropped his own head. That was a noble thought, but to see her happy, even Toshizo would put them all under the protection of the Shinsengumi or ship them out of the country. But he wasn't going to pry into it. 'I just hope he realizes what he has in her before he breaks her heart.'

X

"Daddy!"

"Ah Chizuru!" Kodo lifted his small daughter into his arms and spun her around. "I am sorry I had to work so late princess."

Hugging his neck, Chizuru giggled. "That is alright daddy. I am just glad that you are home."

Carrying his daughter into her bedroom, Kodo laid her down in bed. "Now my princess you need to go to sleep. Don't worry daddy is here with you."

Curling under the blanket so she could look at her father with a bright smile. "Father why were you working so late?"

Reaching out and brushing her bangs from her eyes, Kodo smiled. "You are old enough to know the truth now. You really want to know? It is something exciting and will change the future of Japan forever."

Sitting up now Chizuru nodded. "I do daddy! Please tell me. Can I help?"

"You are the key my dear princess. I have been able to make a drink that will let me transform into a different person."

"A different person?"

"A demon to be exact. Though I am a mere imitation compared to what you will be able to do when you grow up my dear."

Blinking Chizuru wasn't as excited anymore. "Daddy I am not a demon. They aren't real."

"I assure you Chizuru we are real. And you will become mine one day and bear my children."

Turning her head with a start Chizuru screamed and held onto her father when she saw a man with white hair, horns and red eyes standing in her room. "Daddy! Who are they?"

"That is Chikage Kazuma. He is a demon and has the long sword to your short sword. You will marry him one day and give birth to a demon even stronger than you and he."

Looking up at her father, she screamed as she let go of him and fell backwards. Scooting back against the wall. "Daddy why?"

Kodo smiled as he laughed an evil laugh along side Chikage. "Because we can. It will happen and your friends from the Shinsengumi and Seikihoutai will fall at our feet. See."

Turning to look behind them, Chizuru saw the dead bodies of everyone she cared about most in this world. Their blood running toward her on the floor, soaking her bed then her feet. She looked up to see the hands of Chikage and her father reaching for her with wild eyes and crazy laughter. She sucked in a wild breath and let out a mighty scream.

X

Jerking awake with a scream Chizuru shot straight up by the fire. Instantly felt strong arms wrap around her. Flinching she turned and looked up to see Souzou holding her from behind. She let the tears stream from her eyes as she fell into his chest and sobbed. Holding onto his clothes for dear life. Thankful that what she just saw was only in a dream.

Everyone awake now, Souzou sighed as he looked down at her while he held her close. "What happened Chizuru?"

"I…..I…I…..had a ni…ni…..ni…nightmare."

"What was so bad it has those beautiful eyes of yours crying so hard."

"My…..my….father."

Leaving it alone, Souzou just sighed as he held her while she cried. He knew the others were staring at him. And the look in Yamazaki's amethyst eyes were clear. He knew the meaning behind her words and he wanted to know what they were. Soon as she was sleeping again.

And it didn't take long. She cried into his chest with such force that it was only a mere hour or so before she was sleeping again in his arms. Still clinging to him. With a sigh eh brushed her bangs from her eyes and then sighed. "What is going on Yamazaki? And don't tell me nothing. The boys have told me that her father was talking about something to do with her blood. And I have seen strange things lurking about at night in some of the cities and villages. There is a connection isn't there?"

With a sigh Yamazaki dropped his head. They were still a week out from Kyoto. And the closer they got the more of a chance of running into Chikage and his goons increased. As well as her father. They had to know the Shinsengumi's dirty little secret, in order to keep her safe. "Fury."

"Fury?"

"That is what those strange things are called. Tokugawa ordered Chizuru's father to make a drink called Water of Life. Though it isn't that at all. If a human was to drink it, they would develop the healing abilities, speed and strength of a demon. But at a price. Their insatiable blood lust drives them mad."

Sanosuke glared at him. "No one can do that. Demons don't even exist."

Turning a glare on the young boy, then landing soft eyes on Chizuru he sighed. "She is one. And there is one that is after her. Chikage Kazuma. He wants her, and has tried many times to take her by force but the Shinsengumi wouldn't have it. The closer we get to Kyoto the more of a chance of running into him."

"So her father is the one who created them?"

"That's right."

Katsu then had himself a question. "But Yamazaki, why would he need Chizuru's blood?"

Looking down at the boy with confused eyes, Yamazaki arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Her father. He told her that her blood was the key to stopping something. Could that be it?"

Turning back to Chizuru, Yamazaki had wide eyes. "She didn't tell me that. I do not know why, but if that is the case, it is even more imperative that we hurry and get her back to Head Quarters. Where she will be protected better."

Souzou nodded as he looked down at the woman asleep in his lap. "The boys and I, if you think they will allow it will stay for a spell. Just until her father and this Chikage are dealt with. You understand right?"

"Yes. I understand."