A/N: where we last left off, Kawa and Souji had put an end to Kaoru's little scheme to abduct Chizuru and restore the Yukimura Clan.. with some help from Kazama in the form of a death blow. promises were made and the noose tightens. enjoy the chap!

*also, just a head's up: episode 18 will be different in this fic. if you lot know what i'm talking about, you now have permission to get excited and start biting your fingernails in anticipation. lol xDD anywho, onward~!

disclaimer: i don't own Hakuouki; Kawa and Kisuke belong to me.

Chapter Fourteen: New Moon, Half Moon...

::::::Flashback::::::

'Have fun out there,' I'd wished as I'd hugged him tightly.

He'd held me close, nuzzling into my neck. 'S' not gonna be much fun if you're not there. But you need to stick around and man the fort for me.' He'd smirked at me, kissing me lovingly.

I'd held onto his neck and kissed back, letting him cup my left cheek. 'Come back safe.' I'd requested quietly, bumping foreheads.

Souji had nodded, planting a tender kiss on my forehead, 'I will.' He'd whispered, kissing me again before he'd pulled away and trotted after the small group that would go train the recruits, waving absently.

I'd smiled after his leave, looking down at the green charm of the pendant he'd bought me, smiling at the sunlight that glinted off the jade charm.

:::::::End-o'-Flashback::::::

"We brought tea," Chizuru announced as she and I trotted up the stairs leading to the loft occupied by Kondou-san, his temporary 'study', a tray of tea in my hands.

"Oh, Yukimura-kun, Yasakawa-kun; thanks as always, girls." Kondou-san greeted with his trademark kind smile.

I tilted my head to one side as I looked at the few books scattered over the desktop, looking at him. "What've you been reading, Kondou-san?" I asked.

"'The Story of the Three Kingdoms' and 'Kiyomasa-ki'. They're just fairy tales." He answered, sounding almost sheepish.

I chuckled, lifting the Kiyomasa-ki book and scanning the pages. "Aren't they stories of a great general or something like that?" I wondered.

"Yeah; I've read them so many times I've memorized them!" Kondou-san said sheepishly as Chizuru set the tray down and I put the book back infront of him. "Back when I was a kid, I thought, 'someday I'll be a great general like Kanseiteikun and fight for someone other than myself'. But dreams alone don't turn you into a famous general… It took a bit too long for me to realize that." He lowered his gaze at the reality of his long-term dream.

I shared a look with Chizuru before frowning softly, sighing. "You're still gonna be remembered one day, though, for getting the Shinsengumi this far. For being the great Commander Kondou; I know you will." I declared gently.

Kondou-san blinked before he laughed quietly, "Your faith in people surprises me sometimes, Yasakawa-kun. It's a wonder Toshi is proud of having a sister like you; and Souji is happy to have stayed at your side for so long." He admitted, rubbing his neck.

I widened my eyes a little at this factoid, blushing shyly and laughing quietly. "Geez, now you're gonna make me cry, Kondou-san!" I teased lightly.

He looked sheepish again, "I apologize, Yasakawa-kun!" He barked, making me giggle.

I smiled and clapped a hand on his shoulder, winking. "Sorry, that's a habit I picked up from Souji." I assured gently.

Kondou-san chuckled weakly, "it figures, knowing Souji's sense of humor..."

"Kondou-san, are you up there!?" Toshi shouted from the foot of the stairwell before he, Shimada-san and Kisuke hurried upstairs to the loft, skidding to a halt at seeing Kondou-san, Chizuru and I present.

"Toshi, what's wrong?" Kondou-san asked.

I looked at the alarm in my brother's gaze, feeling a weight sink onto my gut; something was up and it didn't smell good.
"Prepare to leave immediately; the enemy has us surrounded!" Toshi informed gravely.

Chizuru and I perked up as Shimada-san and Kisuke looked out the window; I moved to look out the window with them, seeing a fresh batch of enemy troops circling the perimeter of our hideout. "Shit," I grumbled.

Definitely not good.

"There's two or three hundred of them; Ichinose-kun and I came in through the back entrance so they wouldn't notice us." My lip curled as I noted that they were the Satcho dogs, not the Furies... it'd be easier to cut them down if they had been the latter.

"We could handle them if there weren't so many; we don't have enough time to wait for Saitou and Souji to get back." Toshi chimed grimly.

I perked up and looked at him, "Toshi, what'll we do?" I asked, my voice slightly rising by an octave in the growing panic.

"Shimada, I'll manage things here; take Chizuru, Kawa, Ichinose and Kondou-san and get outta here." Toshi instructed.

"You can't; there's too many, even for you!" Chizuru exclaimed.

"She's right, it's suicide. Besides, it's broad daylight; you can't use your powers, not right now." I agreed, scowling at him.

"We'll never know until I try," he began to leave before Shimada-san grabbed his shoulder. "Wait a moment!" He declared. "The enemy troops were carrying guns!"

Kondou-san straightened and stood up. "Toshi, there's no need for you to go." He stated, surprising us; his face looked passive and calm. "I'll go to the enemy camp."

"Kondou-san!" Kisuke balked.

Toshi looked disbelieving, "what're you talking about, Kondou-san!? You'd be going to your death!" He demanded.

Kondou-san nodded as if he understood everything, "of course I won't tell them I'm Kondou of the Shinsengumi; if I tell them we're a pacification unit sent by the Shogun's vassal, then it should buy you enough time to escape."

"They're not gonna believe you, Kondou-san; if you forfeit your life then the Shinsengumi is up shit creek!" Kisuke barked.

"He's right, don't be stupid!" Toshi chimed angrily. "They'll see right through that!"

Kondou-san smiled, "assuming they do, I'm still a daimyo. It won't be easy for them to kill me."

"You're being naiive; those bastards don't give a shit about titles bestowed by the old Bakufu!" Toshi argued. "I won't die as long as they don't pierce my heart. It'd be better if I bought time!" He stated.

"Nii-san, don't! We can think of another way, you don't have to go out there! Please, Toshi," I piped up, looking at him and gripping his sleeve.

Toshi glared at me, "It'd be wiser for me to instead of you lot, Yasakawa; I made a promise to protect you and I'm not going to abandon it!" He snapped.

I widened my eyes slightly, "Toshi," I began softly.

"It's unacceptable, Toshi; no matter what you say, I'm going to draw the enemy's attention." Kondou-san stated firmly, surprising him; he lowered his gaze. "I've made up my mind, Toshi."

"Cut the crap! What'll happen when we lose our leader!? I'll see to it you escape even if I have to tie you up: your body no longer belongs to just you, Kondou Isami…!" Toshi snarled.

Kondou-san looked serious and sharp, reminding us that he was indeed the Commander of the Shinsengumi. "Then this is an order!" He snapped, his patience lost.

Toshi balked; I widened my eyes slightly.

"Vice-Commander Hijikata, take all soldiers stationed here and join up with the Ichikawa Army!" He commanded.

His violet eyes remained widened a little, "…You're ordering me?" He wondered softly; he lowered his gaze as if in shame. "What… what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Aren't the Captain's orders absolute?" Kondou-san's face softened again, only in sadness this time. "Or are you different, having made others become Fury or disembowel themselves over this?" He asked; he looked at Shimada-san and Kisuke. "Shimada-kun, Ichinose-kun."

"Sir!" Both men perked up.

"Please escape together with Toshi. My staying here will be in vain if you wait until the enemy closes in." Kondou-san instructed.

Shimada-san looked at Toshi, "Fukuchou, let's go." He urged quietly.

Toshi looked away, his shoulders shaking a little.

Kondou-san smiled his trademark kind smile, "Toshi, let me be at peace; you've run this way and that trying to raise my fame, and you even became a Fury… It's painful for me to see you like this."

"Nii-san," I squeezed his wrist gently, practically feeling the anger from his body radiate to mine from just the touch, keeping my gray eyes on him and vainly praying he'd come up with some sarcastic-yet-serious remark like always did in the past, brushing it off but mulling over the situation later on when noone was around.

His hands balled into fists, "I… I've been making you suffer? I wanted to become a samurai and serve our country! I thought you and I would rejoice together in the end." He wondered quietly.

Kondou-san quieted and lowered his gaze, "I'm sorry… I'm the one who's driven you down."

Toshi inhaled sharply, lifting his head. "So you ordered that as Captain, right?" He asked.

He smiled a little, nodding, "right."

"Then I have no other choice." He mused, looking at Shimada-san and Kisuke, "Shimada, Ichinose, pass this message to the soldiers still here: we have to secure an escape route." He ordered.

"Right!" Shimada-san hurried out of the room; Kisuke looked at Kondou-san and smiled tightly before he flew after him downstairs.

Toshi looked at us, "girls, wait here." He ordered.

"Got it," Chizuru nodded; I met his violet eyes and smiled weakly, nodding, watching him return the smile before he followed Kisuke and Shimada-san's leave downstairs.

I sighed and then sent a scowl out at the window to the surrounding enemy, vainly hoping Souji and Saitou would find us as soon as we fled this place.
"Yukimura-kun, take this." I looked up to see Kondou-san give a small pouch of money to Chizuru, blinking.

She looked from the pouch to his brown eyes, "what's this for?"

He smiled again, "money for you to flee; it's an expression of how I feel since I never did help you out. Please take it." He deposited it into her hands. "Now leave as soon as you can, both of you; there's still time. I'll tell Toshi…"

"We're not leaving you behind, Kondou-san!" I declared sharply, looking at him as I felt like the situation was slipping from between my fingers that I balled into fists. "I don't care if I die, I told Souji I'd stay to man the fort for him, and that includes keeping you alive until then. Don't do this, please, Kondou-san!" I cried.

Kondou-san quieted at the mention of Souji, smiling and tousling my hair gently, reminding me again of a father-figure… or rather, the father-figure I often saw him as, in my time spent with the boys.

"What kind of man would I be for letting a brave young woman like you die in my stead?" His brown eyes softened sadly. "Yasakawa-kun, I'm glad to have met a brave and beautiful young woman like you. And all I ask is that you live, if not for myself but for Souji, and Toshi." He lowered his hand from my hair, smiling his trademark smile. "Tell Souji that I'm sorry."

I nodded, lowering my head and sniffing as I felt hot tears try to crawl down my cheeks, "s-sir!" I croaked.

Chizuru sounded sad again, "Kondou-san, please escape with us! Hijikata-san, Shimada-san, Ichinose-kun, and Kawa-chan want you to." She pleaded.

He shook his head, "I can't; if I say I want to escape, Toshi will turn into a Fury and risk his life fighting hundreds of soldiers. The more he uses his Fury powers, the shorter Toshi's life will become, right?"

I looked at him and wiped my eyes absently, smiling a little, "I had a feeling you were listening in, that day." I mused softly.

"I can't sacrifice him for my own survival. Don't look so sad, girls. Even I can handle drawing the enemy's attention so my friends can get away." He looked at us after looking out the window, smiling again; he turned to bow his head in plea. "Yukimura-kun, Yasakawa-kun, please take care of Toshi!" He straightened to smile his kind smile at us.

Chizuru sniffed as her eyes saddened and tears threatened to fall; I nodded, smiling weakly at him. "We will."

That was the last kind smile I ever saw from Kondou Isami.

"You've got horrible luck! I'm pissed off right now." Toshi growled.

"Who's there!?" A voice barked in the distance, perking my ears.

We looked to see a large platoon of Satcho soldiers staring down at us from the hilltop; "hey you! What're you doing here!?" The main soldier in charge demanded, one soldier drawing his gun on the left and the soldier on right aiming his own gun at us.

Toshi glared at them, "Shimada, I'll handle things here; you and Ichinose get everyone out of enemy territory!" He ordered.
"Right, let's go." Shimada-san urged the men, he and Kisuke sprinting away into the forest, leaving Chizuru, Toshi and myself.

"Freeze; we'll shoot if you don't freeze!" The main soldier shouted.

I widened my eyes slightly when Toshi gave a battle cry and sprinted forward. "Nii-san, don't do it! NO!" I shouted after him.

"Don't do it, Hijikata-san; don't use your powers!" Chizuru cried.

"Keep your mouths shut!" Toshi snarled as he flew into the fray, black hair turned white, eyes turned red.

The sound of gunshots going off made me flinch; I looked at the girl, "Chizuru, stay here." I ordered, sprinting after my brother.

"Kawa-chan, don't!" She exclaimed behind me as I drew my katana.

Blood flew as I rammed my katana's blade into the chest of the front gunman, sending him down; I yanked the blade out swiftly, turning to the next gunman and ripping his throat open, blood flying as he fell.

"Fire!"

"KAWA!"

I dodged two or three of the bullets that flew at me, wincing as one grazed my left arm, before I hurtled into the soldiers, slicing the throat open of the one who'd commanded the soldiers, ripping open the forehead of another one with my short sword I held in my right hand's grip.

A battle cry sounded at my back as another soldier flew at me; Toshi's katana stabbed into his back from behind before he yanked the blade free, slightly surprising me.

I met his red eyes and nodded wordlessly, rushing forward to tear into the next soldier, blood flying in the air; another soldier flew at me with his katana drawn and held overhead.

My foot rammed into his chin, cocking his head back; my short sword ripped his throat open before I scrambled away and helped Toshi tackle the rest of the soldiers.

These Satcho dipshits were the reason Kondou-san was going to die; they were the reason we were even in this damn war in the first place... I will never forgive them for this!

::::::::oOo::::::::

Blood soaked the ground after the platoon had been slain.

I panted, doubling over to stick my katana in the ground and grip my knees, closing my eyes tight to fight the rush of adrenaline in my veins at fighting so many soldiers.

"Kawa," his boots came to a halt a few feet away from me; I looked up past locks of black hair that stuck to my cheek from sweat to meet his eyes to see they were still red, his hair snow white.

He extended a hand to me; I smiled slightly and took his hand, straightening to my feet. His eyes glanced at the rip in my left sleeve, frowning. "Your arm," he began.

I shook my head, smiling again. "It's not that bad." I replied, perking up when he pushed locks of black hair from my cheek gingerly.

Toshi smiled a little, tiredly, "She-Wolf of Mibu indeed." He muttered.

I nodded, thinking back to Kondou-san's kind smile and lowering my head, closing my eyes. "I'm sorry, for earlier. I should've dragged him with us, even if he wanted to sacrifice himself for our sake… I couldn't get him to leave…" I felt the tears fall down my cheeks at the memory of his kind face, shutting my eyes tight.

He quieted and pulled me into a hug, holding me close and letting me cry and bury my face into his shoulder.

I heard Chizuru come forward several minutes later.

"Did Shimada and the others get away?" Toshi wondered quietly as I rubbed my nose gingerly and sniffed.

She seemed to nod, "yes, I believe so."

His shoulders shook as he held me close again, perking my ears; I quieted and held onto his shoulders gently, lowering my gaze. "I see; you should go while you can." He told her.

She moved closer to his back; "what're you doing? Get moving!" He snapped at her, his fingers digging into my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, but I can't follow those orders."

"What?"

"I won't get in your way… So let me stay with you."

Chizuru, I thought before I smiled softly, resting my cheek against his shoulder. Kondou-san was right; you really have become Toshi's attendant.

"Why did I work so hard to come all this way: was it to hand over Kondou-san back there? He's better than Kanseiteikun and Kiyomasa… I wanted to make him a true warrior. I wanted to see how far the owner of a poor country dojo and a peasant's son could go. We shared the same dream! So what am I doing here…? Why was I spared after leaving Kondou-san behind!? I abandoned a friend I never should've left behind! You should have survived!"

"Toshi," I began softly, closing my eyes and burying my cheek into his shoulder, feeling his fingers dig into my back as his hands shook again.

Nii-san, please don't beat yourself up for this… Please!

"Just as you care about Kondou-san, Kondou-san didn't want you to die. He wanted you to live on!" Chizuru said softly as I noticed she'd come to support him at his back. "So I think that this was inevitable."

Toshi lessened the tight hold he had on me, looking back.

I looked at him and smiled sadly, rubbing my left arm gingerly as I looked over my shoulder at the dying sun.

Souji, please forgive me… I couldn't obey your wish.

"Kondou-san's been arrested!?"

"…Yeah."

"I see… Hijikata-san's got a heavy burden on his shoulders, now…"

"I thought I heard someone complaining."

Shimada-san and Shinpachi looked up to see me coming forward.

Shinpachi huffed and smiled at me, "yer lookin' beautiful as always, Kawa-chan." He greeted.

I chuckled and smirked at him, folding my arms calmly, "shut up. Oi, so what brings you here? And where's your partner in crime?" I wondered.

"Just came to check in with you lot; we are still part of the Shinsengumi, y'know. And Sano… well, Sano is Sano." He shrugged.

I nodded, smiling in relief. "I know, and I'm glad you two are still alright. Kisuke should be around here somewhere." I noted, looking around.

"Oi, look what the dog dragged in." Kisuke barked as he trotted forward, a wide grin on his lips.

"Yo, Kisuke!" Shinpachi beamed, extending his left fist out as Kisuke touched knuckles with him, both men grinning like idiots (which they still were to me…).
"What're you doing here, Shinpatsu?" Kisuke wondered, standing at my side.

Shinpachi rubbed the back of his neck, "I've got some important errands to run, so I'm on my way back to Edo."

"What a shame; it's been so long since we last saw each other." Shimada-san lamented quietly.

Kisuke sighed and then clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder, "regardless, we'll see each other again most likely, so there's not much need to look like a drowned cat." He mused calmly.

Shinpachi looked at him and then laughed, nodding, "yeah, you've got a point. We're still fighting under the same sky." He amended with a smile.

A/N: a bittersweet ending to the chap, neh? things will pick up soon so look forward to that.

Sano: please review Porcelain-chan's fic; thanks a mil~ ;)