Chapter 10: The truth

Hijikata leaned towards Abigail, both of them closing their eyes slowly in perfect unison. W-what is Hijikata doing? Abigail thought, and before she could think anything else, she felt his lips pressed gently against hers. She felt her cheeks burning, and she knew she was blushing, yet she couldn't pull away from the man she had desired for so long Is this finally happening? This isn't a dream, right? Her thoughts started running wild, and she felt his hands cupping her face. She almost instinctively moved her own hands and held his wrists gently, almost begging him not to let go of her.

After a few long seconds they broke the kiss, both staring straight into each other's eyes. Abigail was completely frozen for a second, then tears started rolling down her now red cheeks "H-Hijikata-san… I… I have fallen in love with you as well…" she whispered. Hearing this, Hijikata's eyes widened in surprise, and he hugged her tightly as she did the same.

"I'm so glad… that you feel the same." Hijikata said in an ever so gentle voice. They hugged for a few minutes before Hijikata pulled away and looked at her with caring eyes. "It has gotten late, we should both go rest." Abigail nodded while smiling.

"I totally agree." she said, and noticed Hijikata was leaning for another kiss. After their gentle goodnight kiss, Abigail walked back inside her room, waving at Hijikata as he waited for her to close the door. Once she did, Hijikata started walking to his own room, unable to get rid of the taste of her lips from his mind.

It has been a while since Abigail and Hijikata confessed their feelings to each other, yet had decided to keep their relationship secret for the time being as to not create a disturbance. This night however, would put them and their friends to the test. A meeting was held that night, they were talking about a group of ronin who were going to meet at an inn to attack the shogun. It's the Ikeda Inn incident. Abigail thought quietly as the other decided which inn would be the one. Abigail's eyes widened for a second Wait a minute… Kazama and his comrades are going to be there! She quickly scanned the room, spotting Chizuru right away. Abigail walked to the young girl and sat right beside her, calling her quietly "Chizuru…"

Abigail immediately got the girl's attention "Yes, Abi-chan?"

"Listen carefully Chizuru, it's going to be at Ikeda Inn, but stay put until Yamazaki comes back. Sannan will send you to tell Hijikata's group about it, I will stay with Kondo's group, fighting in the second floor, so please don't say anything until Yamazaki arrives." Chizuru looked at Abigail in shock.

"You saw all this happen already?" she asked, and Abigail nodded. After agreeing silently to the plan, both girls did their respective jobs. Before heading out, Hijikata called Abigail apart.

"Be careful alright?" Abigail smiled softly and nodded.

"I will, you be careful as well ok? I may save you a few ronin so you can have fun too." she joked teasingly, making Hijikata smirk. He then walked to her and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead, making her blush slightly. "Oh, Hijikata-san, I didn't say this at the meeting, but I'm sure it's Ikeda Inn. However, you need to wait for Chizuru to let you know, the Aizu arrive shortly after your group does." Hijikata was surprised, but nodded in understanding.

"Thank you Abigail." she nodded as well, then they parted ways.

The night was dark, almost no stars shimmering in the silver light Abigail liked. She was in Kondo's group, they waited silently in the shadows as the ronin walked inside the inn. Kondo's looked at the scene in slight shock, and turned to Yamazaki, who had soundlessly walked behind all of them Yamazaki, go report this to Sannan and Hijikata." he ordered, and the ninja nodded, dashing out of the alley as Kondo prepared his next move.

Abigail was looking at the inn intently, struggling to keep herself completely calm. Kondo noticed this and put a hand on her shoulder, making her look at him "Abigail, you alright?" she nodded, then stared at the inn again.

"I sense a strong aura from inside, an ominous one at that." Saito, Kondo and Heisuke looked at her surprised for a second, then looked at the inn. Kondo then gave the order to attack the inn. Kicking the front door down, Kondo stood tall and proud.

"We are the Shinsengumi! Surrender at once or be cut down on the spot!" he yelled, Abigail rolled her eyes Just like the anime. She chuckled at her own thought as she readied herself into a fighting stance, holding her ninjato steadily. She had decided to tie her hair up in a ponytail so that she could move easily during the attack, wearing her black leggings and halter top that made it look as if it was one single piece of clothes with the light blue haori over them. Her eyes gleamed light amethyst as she smirked, observing her surroundings as the ronin appeared one by one.

She heard Shinpachi and Heisuke talking about Kondo's way of announcing their presence, and she laughed lightly. "Hey, makes things more interesting, right?" she asked in a cocky way, and started dashing towards the ronin, cutting them down swiftly and skillfully It's only a matter of time until Chizuru makes it here, I have to hurry and save both Heisuke and Okita before it gets bad. And just as she thought this she noticed they were nowhere to be found on the lower floor.

She then looked upstairs "Damn!" she exclaimed, dashing up the stairs. Just when she was about to reach the top a ronin appeared, holding his sword over his head and getting ready to swing it down. Abigail gasped, she knew she wasn't gonna be fast enough to block or dodge it Damnit! I was distracted! She thought, when she saw the shine of a blade fly from behind her and stabbing the ronin right in the heart. Abigail looked back, seeing Saito was her saviour. "Saito-san! Thank you." she said.

"No time for thanking me, next time I might not be able to save you, now go." he said as he turned to fight with another ronin. She nodded and dashed to the second floor, the door flying right in front of her. She covered her face with one arm, and when she uncovered her face to see what had happened, she found Heisuke over the remains of the wooden door. She gasped "Heisuke!" she yelled, picking him up gently from the back of his neck "Speak to me Heisuke!"

Heisuke started opening his eyes "A-Abigail… O-Okita-san… dan… ger…" he struggled to get the words out, and Abigail hushed him gently.

"Sorry for making you talk, it's alright I'll take care of it." she said as she laid him gently on the wooden door. She then felt an electric shock run through her whole body that made her look straight to the next door He's there. She thought, running to the door and opening it quickly. Her eyes widened, the scene before her something she never expected to see in person. Okita was on his knees, gasping for air as he glared at a familiar man. Okita started standing up, his legs trembling as they struggled against his weight, and Abigail stared for a few seconds until she recognized the other man. Kazama…!

Anger filled Abigail's heart, and she quickly stood between Kazama and Okita, holding her ninjato straight towards Kazama. She glared at Kazama as her eyes turned the crystal blue, and Kazama smirked. "So, you're finally here. Saving your friend here I see."

"Shut your mouth! You have done just about enough damage as it is, I will not, and I mean I will not let you touch him or anyone else of the Shinsengumi for that matter. Your fight is with me!" she exclaimed angrily, and Okita looked at her in shock.

"Butt off Abigail! This guy's mine!" she then glared at Okita from over her shoulder, her eyes glowing.

"Stay there, you cannot face him in that condition nor in your perfect form, he's an oni!" she yelled, looking at Kazama once again, who was still smiling.

"Come at me." Kazama said, and Abigail dashed to him so fast that Okita couldn't see her properly.

"I will be more than happy to oblige!" she said, swinging her ninjato in an arc, aiming for Kazama's chest. He jumped backwards, but the sword grazed him still. Kazama's eyes widened, looking down at his chest, then looking at Abigail with angered eyes.

"You bitch!" he yelled, his eyes turning bright yellow and his hair turning silvery white. "I will teach you how to respect a male oni!" he dashed to her fast, and she immediately blocked with her ninjato, holding against his overwhelming strength. Okita watched as both oni fought, completely shocked. The two are just too strong… but… he looked at Abigail and noticed she was struggling, and when he was about to help her, her hair started lighting up in blue fire.

"You imbecile, I'm a woman from another time and world… and you are just getting a sneak peek of how strong women have become through the years!" Abigail screamed, swinging her ninjato and pushing Kazama away with a blast of fire. Her hair got loose, flowing graciously as she stood at the center of the room, glaring at Kazama, who was brushing her flames away. Two long pointy white ears popped from her head, and a white fuzzy tail waved from side to side "Get this one thing straight through your thick skull, women from the future do not need the protection from idiots like you, we are pretty independent. Now… it's time for you to disappear!" she swung her ninjato downwards, straight to Kazama's head, but was abruptly stopped by a large man with long burgundy hair.

Abigail's eyes widened as she stumbled back, then glared at the man "Amagiri!" she growled, making the man look at her in surprise.

"I do not know who you are woman, but I would like to solve this without use of violence." the man Abigail called Amagiri said, holding a hand up. Abigail straightened, sheathing her ninjato and looking at him, her eyes still shining blue.

"Still as peaceful as always I see…" she then turned her gaze towards Kazama "Heed my words Kazama, you will not be this lucky next time." Abigail said in a dark voice, turning towards Okita as the oni duo disappeared. She knelt in front of Okita "Are you alright?" she asked, reaching for him to help him. Okita then slapped her hand away, glaring at her.

"What gives?! First you tell me to butt off and then you let them escape?! What's wrong with you?!" he yelled, coughing harshly afterwards. Abigail just looked at him in shock, not changing her form. Abigail then stood up and sighed.

"Look, I can take on Kazama if I take on my full form, but Amagiri is another story, that oni is too strong, even for me. Sorry for trying to help." she said and turned around, seeing a wide-eyed Chizuru.

"A-Abi-chan?!" Chizuru exclaimed, and Abigail shook her head.

"Focus on Okita, we'll talk about this later." she said, and walked out of the room, leaving Okita in Chizuru's care. Just when she got out of the room, Hijikata dashed up the stairs, seeing her.

"Abigail! You…" Hijikata now saw her ears and tail, and she looked at him with surprised eyes.

"H-Hijikata-san…" she whispered. He walked to her and put a hand behind her head, pulling her gently and making her head rest against his chest. "How did it go with the Aizu?" she asked.

"They were a pain, but I managed to keep them from taking the credit of this." he answered in an ever so gentle tone. "The danger is gone, you can change back now. I will cover you until you finish transforming." he said, and Abigail's eyes widened "I want to be the only one seeing you like that Abigail."

Her cheeks turned pink He wants to keep my secret, he wants to protect me. Abigail then looked up at him "Hijikata-san…" she started, but was suddenly interrupted by footsteps sounding louder and louder as something approached them. Both of them gasped, and Hijikata turned to see the owner of the footsteps, his eyes narrowing in seriousness.

Abigail saw the shine of a deep dark indigo hair over Hijikata's shoulder, azure eyes staring at her in shock. Abigail's ears twitched as she stared at the man standing frozen in front of the couple, her crystal blue eyes looking at him in pain "Saito-san…" she whispered.

"What… is the meaning of this?" he asked, his voice sounded hoarse, surprising Hijikata. "Since when…?"

"Saito-san let me explain please…" Abigail said, but was suddenly cut off by Hijikata as he stretched his arm in front of her. She looked up at him and gasped, his eyes looked at Saito with a dangerous seriousness "Hijikata-san…" she whispered.

"Saito, what brings you here?" Hijikata asked, and Saito looked straight at him.

"Vice-commander… I…" Saito started, looking at Abigail for a second. He then shook his head and looked at Hijikata straight in the eye. "Are you by any chance… Abigail's lover?" the question took the couple by surprise, and Hijikata could not find the words to answer. Hijikata's dark purple eyes wandered to the side as he let the silence answer Saito's question. Abigail stared at Saito intently, waiting for his reaction with worried eyes.

"S-Saito…" she started.

"Abigail… why didn't you mention anything?" Saito asked bluntly, taking Abigail off-guard. Her crystal blue eyes widened as she realized something Saito… he has feelings for me… she then closed her eyes, her fox ears and tail disappearing and the fire covering her hair dissipating. She then opened her eyes, shining now in their light amethyst color.

"I- we have been having trouble finding a way to let you guys know about it… so we decided to keep it a secret until we found the right words to tell all of you…" she said in a low and sad voice.

"And what about Harada-san? Does he know?" when Saito asked this, Abigail felt her heart sink, why would Saito mention Harada, out of everybody else. Then something struck her mind, Harada had been the one saving her from the lake when she arrived in this world, he had been taking care of her, and at some point along the way she had started to look up to him as an older brother. Then, why couldn't she tell him first?

After thinking this, she looked down at the floor, her bangs covering her eyes, and shook her head. "How long have you guys been together?" Abigail was about to answer when she saw Hijikata take one step forward.

"I think it's enough with the questions, I believe that doesn't concern you." Hijikata said as he looked at Saito coldly.

"I'm sorry vice-commander, but I believe it does concern me." Saito answered.

At this, Hijikata started getting annoyed "And why would that be?" he asked in an intimidating tone. Abigail looked at Hijikata in concern Oh no… he might start fighting with Saito if this goes on… she thought. She touched Hijikata's arm gently and noticed his arm was trembling. What? Is he scared? She thought as she looked down to his hand, which was balled into a fist. She looked at his hand for a few seconds, then looked up at his face, he was starting to get angry.

"H-Hijikata-san… please let's not do this here…" Abigail softly said, but just as soon as she finished, Saito started talking.

"Well, that's because…" Saito started, and stared at both Hijikata and Abigail.

Hello everybody! Finally a new chapter! Ok, so I know it took me around a month or so to get this chapter out and I am super sorry about that. Truth is I was in finals at college and guess what?! This girl has finally finished her bachelor's degree! Oh yeah!

So now that I finally finished the struggle of college I can get back to writing and entertain you all! And more good news! Today I will officially post the first chapter of the Brothers Conflict fanfic too! But first take your time reading this chapter and I promise that when you are finished with this chapter the new fanfic will be out.

I'm really happy to be back, so enjoy this chapter! (even if it's a bit short sorry for that! .)

See you guys next time!

~Rin