Spring found me standing peacefully in the courtyard, watching as the sakura petals danced on the wind.

It seemed like just yesterday that Heisuke and I had spent hours taking care of a dying cherry blossom tree in Edo.

We were older now, and a lot had changed since then.

A bamboo-copter flying on the gentle spring breeze brought a smile to my face.

There were some things that would never change.

I yelped as a strong arm dragged me down into a playful headlock, "What are you so quiet for Karou! Did your brain fall out on the ground somewhere?"

I laughed, trying to pull free of Shinpachi's hold, "No I was thinking of ways to help you find yours!"

He ruffled my hair with a noogie, "Hey now! That's just mean!"

I flailed, only to find myself laughing when Sanosuke whacked his friend over the head with the blunt end of his spear.

"You suck at dealing with women Shin."

Heisuke joined in with a laugh of his own.

"Heh! I'll show you; you little runt!"

I stepped out of the way as Shinpachi started chasing after Heisuke.

"Heisuke you should respect your elders!" Sano added, joining in on the chase.

My gaze moved to the porch where Kondou-san was laughing heartily as his sipped on some steaming tea. Souji was carving himself another bamboo-copter. Hijikata was leaned against a post, watching the scene with mild amusement.

And for the first time in a long time I realized, I was happy.

"So then we hear this guy across the room talking about how the Shinsengumi are nothing but trash, and Hijikata-san slams his cup on the table!" Shipachi shouted animatedly.

"Yeah and then He stands up and stomps over to the guy and just slams his foot into the guy's face!" Heisuke continued.

"The table flipped over and knocked out the man's companion," Sanosuke put in.

"And then Toshi says 'Old man, this should pay for the damage' and hands the owner some money and the guy yells 'Please never come back!'" Shinpachi finished, causing us all to laugh.

Well, everyone except Hijikata, who seemed mildly irked by the whole ordeal, "If people are going to complain about how we do things then they should get off their asses and change things."

"I would have just killed them and got it over with," Souji said lazily.

"Violence doesn't solve everything you know Souji?" I responded, as I finished the last of my rice.

The room seemed to go silent at my comment, and for a moment I didn't notice, but then I felt everyone's eyes on me and looked up.

"What? It's true!" I said in my defense, setting my bowl down.

"I agree with Mogami-san," everyone turned to look at Saito, "Some situations are best handled with a demonstration of superior intellect."

It remained silent for a moment and then Heisuke spoke up, "Yeah but violence is definitely more fun!"

Sano and Shin raised their sake cups in approval, cheering boisterously.

I rolled my eyes, laughing at their antics as I moved on to my steamed fish.

As the meal continued I could feel Souji's eyes on me, I fidgeted under his scrutiny, trying my best to keep from glancing in his direction.

After a while Souji got up and left.

The meal continued as if he were still there.

Later that night I found Souji sitting on the stairs in the courtyard, staring up at the stars like he did every so often.

I moved to sit beside him.

"Neh~ Karou-chan."

My gaze shifted to Okita, "Yeah?"

He kept his eyes on the sky, leaning back as he spoke, "What's a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?"

I got the feeling that he wasn't teasing me, at least not completely, and that he really wanted to know.

I let my gaze slide back to the sky as I answered him, "At first, it felt like I had no place else to go, and I thought 'If I have to live somewhere then I would rather it be near Okita-san and Heisuke-kun'," I paused for a moment, thinking, "but then Kondou-san taught me how to fight, and I met Saito and Sano and Shin and they became the brother's I never had. After that Hijikata taught me what being a samurai really means and for the first time in a long time I felt like I belonged somewhere; like I was a part of something important."

I glanced over at Souji, who seemed just as relaxed as ever, "I guess I'm here because leaving isn't something I can do. Staying here, with Kondou-san and everybody, it means the world to me."

'Being near Okita-san means the world to me' I added mentally.

Souji frowned, still not looking in my direction and then, just as quickly as it had vanished, his playful grin returned, "Hmmm~ Karou-chan isn't being completely honest."

I felt my face flush as Okita's emerald green eyes flicked over to meet mine.

"I think the real reason is because Mogami-chan has fallen in love with a very handsome samurai," Before I knew it Souji had moved closer, leaning over me and trapping me between his lean arms, "Isn't that right Karou-chan?"

"N-No way! N-Nothing like that!" I protested, feeling flustered all the sudden; I put a hand on his chest and gently pushed him back.

"I-I should g-get some sleep," I laughed nervously.

Okita chuckled, allowing me to escape as he returned to his previous position.

I moved to leave, heart pounding in my chest.

"Karou,"

I stopped, looking back at the preoccupied Souji with a fluttering feeling in my gut.

"Good night."

I found myself smiling, "Good night Souji-san."