So, here's the 2nd re-edited chapter. 2 chapters in one day! Don't get used to it, it maybe another month, maybe six or maybe tomorrow! I may well continue my procrastination tomorrow! Although I really shouldn't!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuoki or any of the relating characters.


In the following days Kaiya set up a medical room so that she could properly attend to the Roshigumi members injuries. The Roshigumi had very minimal medical supplies, but that was understandable considering the closest thing to a doctor they had was Yamazaki Susuma who was in fact the son of acupuncturist. Yamazaki had a general knowledge of how the body operated and had learned a few things from attending to the other members injuries, but his knowledge was limited. Upon meeting her, Yamazaki seemed relieved to have someone who knew what they were doing and seemed eager to learn from her.

She asked him to accompany her on a shopping trip to buy supplies and used the trip as an opportunity to see what his knowledge was and to teach him what she could. He was quite eager to learn more and quite capable, he just lacked the knowledge. Within a day, a friendship had quickly begun to bloom between the two. At the market they had picked up a broad range of herbs, and various other things like needles, a proper suture kit and other such items that the Roshigumi lacked.

She then set about getting the men to submit to a physical (which was almost like pulling teeth), and once again Kaiya taught Yamazaki what was normal and what was not. After assisting her with a couple of exams she left him to perform his own physicals which made some of the older men more comfortable since there were several who extremely traditional and were not comfortable with being taken care of by a woman. She also directed those who were a little too excited to be checked out by her, to Yamazaki.

Kaiya took it upon herself to check out the Captain's as well as Kondou, and Sannan, herself. Kaiya practically had to force Hijikata to submit to an exam, it took a direct order from Kondou to get him in her clutches. She hadn't found anything serious, just the lack of proper sleep but given time Kaiya was concerned that disease would start breaking out.

Now she once again sat in the meeting room with Sannan, Kondou and Hijikata. They had gathered to hear her verdict.

"So, Ishikawa-chan, what's the state of our men?" Kondou enquired.

"Well, it's mostly what I expected to see. Several sprains and bruising but only one broken bone which is better than I expected. At least three quarters of the men have an outbreak of a rash either on their sides or backs due to unclean bedding and unclean clothing. This place is extremely unhygienic I suggest a good cleaning and I think the men would benefit from a better diet."

Kondou laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "We're a group of men I guess we're not that good at cleaning. Uh but what are you suggesting we do exactly?"

"Basically, this place needs to be opened up so it can air out. Your headquarters is practically a breeding ground for disease. Then all the bedding and linens need to be washed but that's the minimum of what is required. Ideally I think the floors need to be washed and the walls and screens need cleaning."

"I think I can get the men to do all of that." Said Hijikata.

"But the food will be more difficult. As I'm sure you've already figured out, we all cook for ourselves." Said Sannan.

"Their diets seem passable, but I thought that considering how rigorous their daily routine is, they might need better food. But you're right they need to take care of that themselves."

"Thank you, Ishikawa-chan. Toshi will get the men organized for the cleaning. We can probably skip training for one day and focus on getting this place more liveable. Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"Just that maybe you could inform the men that the more they maintain everything, the less likely they'll have to do it again."

Later that evening, Kaiya strolled through the market trying find the remaining items she required with Saitou in tow. Hijikata and Kondou decided that she needed an escort when going into town. They worried that once people realized that she was with the Roshigumi, her life might get threatened. It just so happened that Saitou had just finished his duties for the day and even offered to go with her when she had mentioned to Kondou that she wanted to return to the market after lunch.

Kaiya stopped at a booth loaded with a bunch of fresh herbs piled high. When Saitou stood by her side, she smiled at him apologetically. "I'm sorry that you have to accompany me. I'm sure this isn't how you wanted to spend your free time."

Saitou shrugged, "I didn't have to escort you; I volunteered to. Besides, you are a lot easier to be around then say Sanosuke-kun or Shinpachi-kun."

Kaiya laughed as she rummaged through the piles of herbs, trying to find the freshest herbs. "Yes, I can imagine a quiet man such as yourself would find them a bit obnoxious."

"I really don't mind them most of time, I even consider them friends, but they certainly don't act like Samurai."

Kaiya paid for her selection of herbs and continued down the street searching for her next booth. "I got the impression that most of the Roshigumi weren't Samurai."

"That is correct. The Roshigumi are mostly average men who just want to make a difference. Technically speaking Kondou-san and Hijikata-kun are not even Samurai but they act more Samurai than most men I've known. They even wear their swords like Samurai."

"What about you? You seem like a Samurai."

"I was born one yes. I am now more considered Ronin due to my…circumstance."

Kaiya approached another booth but continued speaking as she shopped. "But you serve Kondou-san, so wouldn't you still be considered Samurai?"

"Kondou-san, as much as I respect and admire him, is still just a Commander. He is not a lord so therefore I am just a Ronin."

"Then wouldn't that be true of the other Samurai of the Roshigumi?"

"Yes, but no man likes to consider himself a Ronin."

"May I ask you a personal question?"

"You may ask but I make no promise to answer."

"Fair enough. I was wondering if part of the reason you are now a Ronin, is because you are left handed."

Saitou studied her for a moment, "…it did play a part, but it is not the only reason. Due to my handedness, I am considered soulless by many Samurai."

"Just because you're left-handed?" Kaiya said exasperated.

"Samurai tend to be very superstitious. When I was younger, my father tried to…correct it but even though I am a decent swordsman fighting right-handed, I discovered in my early teenage years that I was considerably better left-handed." Saitou was calm as he spoke, but she sensed there was more to his story that he was no willing to divulge." Now I have a question for you. How do you do it?"

Kaiya gave him a confused look, "Do what Saitou-kun? - I can call you that right?"

Saitou's face remained in its typical neutral mask, but she could see the humour light his eyes. "Yes, that is fine. What I mean is Okita-san. Normally he's very reckless in both speech and action but when you're around he actually acts almost kind and decent. You barely know each other but have quickly bonded."

Kaiya laughed as they turned and started back towards the Roshigumi compound. "Is he that different when I'm around?"

"As black is too white and night is too day."

"I'm not sure. I guess our personalities just click. Maybe he sees in me the sister he always wanted."

"Maybe." Saitou allowed, "But I think it has more to do with your personality. You seem to be the type of person almost anyone can get along with, just like Kondou-san."

"That's kind of you to say." She said as they passed into the compound.

"I mean it. You don't just affect Okita-kun but everybody."

"Even you?"

Saitou smiled very slightly. "Yes, even me. I rarely say so much as I have said to you, let alone to someone I barely know."

They stepped up into what was now the Roshigumi's medical room. "Well, we know each other better today." Kaiya put her purchases down on a low table then turned back to Saitou. "Thank you for accompanying me."

"It was my pleasure, truly. If it is not any trouble, I would like to continue to keep you company." His expression remained the same, but Kaiya could swear she saw a slight blush burning on his cheeks.

"Really?" Saitou looked a little taken aback by her delighted tone. "It'll be no trouble at all. I'm just going to be mixing up some remedies in case of emergencies, it gets quite boring doing it by myself."

"I won't be a distraction?"

Kaiya laughed, "Oh no. When Souji's sister was still a live, we'd talk while doing the very same thing. It's just makes time go by faster."

"Well then, I'm not the best conversationalist but I will try to help you pass the time."

Kaiya smiled brightly than took a seat at the table she'd set up for mixing her herbs and patted a spot beside her. "If it's not too much trouble maybe you could assist me? You don't to have though."

Saitou gave her a small smile. "Of course."

111

The next morning Kaiya was awakened by a banging at the door. "Ishikawa-chan! Are you a wake? I need your assistance." It was Yamazaki.

Kaiya climbed out of bed. "Just give me a moment to get changed." After quickly changing Kaiya opened to door to where Yamazaki was waiting. "Please Yamazaki-kun, you can call me Kaiya. Now what's the problem?"

Yamazaki gently grabbed her arm and guided towards the medical room. "One of our patrols was ambushed by a group of Ronin. One was injured, he has a deep laceration to the abdomen. It's beyond my capabilities and I need your assistance."

He pulled the door open to reveal a man on his back with another man pressing fabric to the others stomach. Kaiya entered the room and knelt beside him then had the man remove the fabric. As Yamazaki had claimed, the wound was quite deep. Kaiya looked over her shoulder and indicated a small cabinet in the corner.

"Yamazaki-kun could you grab my surgical kit from in there." She looked at the man a cross from her. "I need you to make it as bright as possible in here so I can see what I'm doing." He nodded started opening the windows and doors then went to fetch some lamps.

"Here you go Kaiya-chan." Yamazaki said as he put the surgical kit down beside Kaiya.

"Thank you Yamazaki-kun. If you could get me a bucket of water and some bandages, then could you monitor his breathing so I can focus on sewing him up?"

"Of course."

As Yamazaki stood up to fetch the water, the other man entered the room holding three lamps. He lit one as set it directly besides her and put another on the other side of the injured man then hung the third above her head.

An hour later Kaiya sat back and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her bloodied hand. The sun was now up and shining into the room while she examined the bandages. Yamazaki offered her a wet towel to wipe the blood from her arms.

"Thank you Yamazaki-kun."

"Is he going survive?"

Kaiya wiped off her arms then stood and stretched. Yamazaki stood up as well as and helped her clean up. "Well, I believe I got to him quick enough. He didn't seem to have lost too much blood. I think he'll be ok after a couple weeks of recovery."

"That's a relief to hear, we are so few as it is. I think that maybe you should go and report to Kondou-san. This is our first major injury like this. They should all be eating breakfast together by now."

Kaiya nodded and headed for the door. "Thank you for your assistance Yamazaki-kun. I'll be back in a short while."

"Of course, make sure you eat something too."

Kaiya gave him a smile as she left. Walking down the hall, she walked up to the meeting room door and pause, it was almost completely silent. She thought how strange it was with no sound coming from within. Usually you could hear Heisuke, Harada and Nagakura arguing like a couple of five year old's from the other side of the compound. But now all she could hear was a little bit of murmuring within. When she opened the door, she stopped halfway over the threshold. Beside Kondou sat a man she had never seen before.

"Ah Ishikawa-sensei! I'm glad you're here, please take a seat." Said Kondou as he indicated her spot between Saitou and Souji. "This man here, is Serizawa Kamo he is the reason we are able to patrol Kyoto and the man at the end there is Ibuki Ryunosuke. Serizawa-san this is Ishikawa Kaiya. She's Souji-kun's cousin and we asked for her help doctoring our men and after today, from what I hear she's proven her talents. How is that young man doing?"

Kaiya sat down as Heisuke put a tray down in front of her. She nodded her thanks and turned back to Kondou. "I think he'll survive. He had a very deep laceration to the abdomen, and I had to repair several organs, but he should be on his feet in a couple of weeks."

"So, Ishikawa-chan. Where did you acquire this apparent knowledge of medicine? Okita-san doesn't seem to come from a family with that sort of intelligence, much less the income to send someone off for education." Said Serizawa.

From the moment she first saw him, she disliked and distrusted the man. Opening his mouth only made her like him less. Beside her she saw Souji tense but he said nothing, which surprised her. Keeping her face as neutral as she could and her voice as patient as she could she said.

"As a samurai, you should know to never underestimate somebody. I would think it particularly dangerous for you in your profession. It's true enough the Souji's father was only a low-class samurai but his mother is of noble birth. His mother is my father's younger sister, and my father was the second born son of a Daimyo in the north. So instead of doing what most second born noble son's do, my father decided to dedicate his life to medicine. He even went to England for a short time to expand his education." Everybody looked at her in surprise. "As I was his only child, he taught me everything he could. I helped him with his practice from the time I was old enough to assist him, to his death and then have carried on his practices ever since."

He glared at her, "for such a beautiful face you've got an awfully loose tongue! Apparently, your father forgot to teach you some respect, maybe I should teach you!" He leaned forward like he was going to get up but stopped when Souji jumped to his feet and put himself between Kaiya and Serizawa. He looked up at Souji's furious expression and let a cold smile cross his lips.

"Souji! Sit down!" shouted Kondou.

Souji stood his ground a moment longer, then reluctantly returned to his seat.

Kondou turned Serizawa, "I'm certain Ishikawa-sensei didn't mean any disrespect, did you?" He gave her a hard look.

Kaiya forced an apologetic smile on her face and gave a small bow. "Please forgive my imprudence I meant no disrespect."

Serizawa broke out into a laugh than stood up. Souji scooched closer to her and glared up at Serizawa as he stood, all around her Kaiya saw everyone tense but instead of walking over to Kaiya, he strode out of the room calling over his shoulder. "Dog! Bring me some sake!" With a sigh the other newcomer which Kondou had introduced as Ryunosuke, got to his feet and exited through a different door.

Everyone remained silent as Ryunosuke's steps faded away. After the moment passed Kaiya huffed and bowed again to Kondou. "I really must apologize again. Souji warned me about him but I ignored it."

Kondou also let out a sigh, "It's alright Ishikawa-chan, and I know you meant no harm. But I strongly advise to steer clear of him."

"I agree" said Hijikata "Serizawa-san has a very foul temper and is unforgiving. He has created almost as many problems as he has solved. It would be wise to avoid him, if you have to be in his presence, say as little as possible and try to avoid his notice. He might've done something to you if Souji hadn't stepped in. It wouldn't be the first time."

Souji patted her head and gave her a smile, "Hey don't be so depressed Kai! He was being a prick, but I don't need you speaking out for me, I can look out for myself."

"And we've gotten used to him insulting us and looking down on us. We just ignore it." Added in Heisuke from the other side of the room.

Kaiya looked down at her hands. She understood why they tolerated Serizawa the way they did, but it just didn't seem right. It was men like him that made her dislike samurai so much; that was what she was afraid Souji might be like when she found him. Lucky for her, he was not, as much as he tried to be in front of the others.

111

Later that day Souji stopped by her clinic as she was looking in on her new patient, wearing the blue and white haori of the Roshigumi. Souji sat down beside her as she was bandaging up her patient. He sat there silently as she worked on him and when she was finished, he finally spoke up.

"I just wanted to check on you to make sure you are alright. I haven't seen you since breakfast." He said, studying her carefully.

Kaiya chuckled as she stood up with the tray of dirty bandages and walked over to her table and set it down beside it as she sat down again at her table. She would wash the bandages later.

"I'm fine Souji. Did you just come back from patrol?"

Souji scoffed, "don't deflect my question."

"I didn't. I answered it and then moved on. What else do you want me to say?"

"You just reacted a little funny to him, I want to know why."

Kaiya sighed and rubbed her head. "You don't know me that well Souji. It's only been a week."

Souji remained silent for moment as he tried to study her face but when she noticed his scrutiny, she glared at him. "Why so defensive Kai? I'm surprisingly good at reading people you know."

"Just mind your own business, Souji, it has no relevance to you." Kaiya turned back to the table and slid the mortar and pestle towards herself and grabbed some herbs and dumped them into the bowl.

He stared at her a moment longer than got to his feet. "Fine. You don't want to talk, then I won't bother about it anymore. I'm just concerned about is all." He walked up to her and bent over to kiss her on top of her head then said, "If you change your mind, come find me."


Peace out peeps!

Shockra