(a/n I apologize for yet another long wait. Things have been hectic, I imagine, for all of us. I have to admit that this chapter may not be up to par with the preceding chapters but at least Chizuru continues to be a non-doormat badass! So without further ado I give you part 3 of Chapter 1 of the Hakuouki I'm not a damsel Rewrite)

March 1864

Chapter 1-3

A quick month had passed since I had taken up residence within the Shinsengumi headquarters.

I had many sleepless nights during the wait for the return of Hijikata and Sanan from Osaka. However, even though they had come back safely, the morale of the captains and the rank and file soldiers and severely lowered.

There had been several unforeseen consequences due to Sanan's injury for everyone in the organization. Day-to-day operations would become hectic for a time. His wounds had been severe, and they destroyed whatever goodness in his nature he had hoped to maintain.

I felt utterly useless in helping him. For several days, Sanan holed himself up in his room, protected by a barrier of impenetrable silence.

However, on the rare occasion that he would leave his room, he more often than not was short tempered and would swiftly retreat back to his sleeping quarters.

I wished I could understand how to help him to see the light again. On the one hand I could relate to his sudden need for a life of solitude. But on the other hand, I just wish I could lighten his burden, if not for himself than at least to reduce the tremendous guilt Hijikata was no doubt feeling for, at least in his mind, allowing this to happen.

Sanan was clearly trapped within the painful memory of his loss, each day bringing him closer to a gloomy twilight.

In that moment I made the decision to not just sit there and do nothing. If they continued to refuse to allow me to search for my worthless – to me anyway – father, then there just had to be something – no matter how small – that I could do to help the Shinsengumi…

After all, even if by some miracle they did let me leave, there was nothing left for me to go back to in Edo but an empty house…

I was fairly certain that Hijikata was overwhelmed with whatever business he was currently dealing with, though at the moment I really didn't care. I needed to talk to him. If he was going to be stubborn about not letting me look for my old man, then I would be equally insistent that he let me help them in anyway possible. I realized that with the tensions so high, that it was probably better to have Hijikata on my side rather that against me.

So, with renewed resolve, I left my room and wandered the hall in search of the commander. However, it would seem that my luck would continue to come up short of good. For Hijikata was absolutely nowhere to be found.

This left only one room left unsearched…his room. As I contemplated the rudeness and risk of just barging into the room of one referred to as a demon, an unknown warrior appeared before me. I glanced up at his face as I tried to recall if I had remembered to tape my chest. When I caught sight of his eyes, I couldn't help but notice they were narrowed in anger at me.

Now, I had been living in the Yagi residence for a month, but for the life of me I could not recall ever seeing him in the compound. This had me wondering if perhaps he was here to see Hijikata. So maybe if I just casually approached him – of course my mouth was several steps ahead of my brain.

"You wouldn't happened to have seen Hijikata wandering around out there, have you?"

The man turned as though to leave but then stopped and veered back around to face me.

I took a moment to glance him over and when he spoke there was no hint of the gentle kindness that has been presented to me thus far by the captains.

"And who might you be…? What exactly are you doing here?"

His voice was cold and smooth like ice. Had I been patient enough to think straight I would have known what to say to get out of this mess. But of course, I just smirked back at him trying my best to appear unintimidated, "Well, you see, that is – it's a really long story…how long do you have…-?"

However, this striking man was apparently even more impatient than I was. His eyes narrowed to slits, a slight growl in his voice, "Do not make me repeat myself! I want an answer. NOW!"

"My name is Chizuru Yukimura! Are you satisfied?!"

For a short moment that seemed far too long he just stared at me, seeming to be considering what I had just said. His eyes then softened but only slightly, "Ah…I recall hearing the Commander recruited a young apprentice as his new page." He then gave a heavy sigh clearly no longer caring, "Must be you."

"Yeah…and what's it to you?"

It then occurred to me that the captains were telling people that I was an apprentice warrior at the headquarters…

However, not wanting to ruin my already fairly poor rep with the rank and file soldiers, I decided to leave it at that.

Though, I must admit, I was finding it hard to tolerate the harsh scrutiny this man seemed to impose, scanning me from head to toe.

"I'll be the one asking the questions here."

"Right, my apologies." I mumbled under my breath.

He narrowed his eyes again, clearly unimpressed by my current attitude toward him, "Hmm, why don't you start by telling me how you know the chief and commander?"

I opened my mouth to respond but thought better of it when it occurred to me that any answer I could give would probably incriminate not just me but the entirety of the Shinsengumi.

"I hear you're from Edo, but what kind of tricks did you have up your sleeve to slide in here?"

I had just about had it with this crude treatment I was being presented with by yet another person I did not know.

So, knowing full well, that this would probably get my head lopped off, I glared at him, my eyes narrowing to slits, "Me? Slide?! I did no such thing!"

Unexpectedly, the cranky man did not reach for his swords. So, clearly, he was not as arrogant as I had first assumed.

Instead he appeared very much like a long haired Okita sporting a very amused wolfish grin, "Ah, but judging by how defensive you just became, it sounds like I'm right on target."

The wolfish grin was then replaced by a look of pure arrogance, "Look, this isn't the place where someone without any worth on the battlefield or in the strategy room can just waltz in without earning it."

I gaped at him as I felt my self-control start to waver. I didn't know how much more of this I could take before I pulled an Okita and threatened to murder him.

The guy appeared enraged now. His voice took on a near growl as he said, "I'm going to ask you one last time… How did you get in with the Chief and Commander?"

Well hell, was I actually going to have to fight this jerk?!

I swear I only hesitated for a mere second when the freak was suddenly in my face, his eyes now narrowed with undiluted rage, "I Kanryusai Takeda, am asking you a question! What makes you think you can just ignore me?!"

Oh. My. God! What is wrong with this guy?! He is acting like a giant arrogant spoiled child, and all just because I have no answer for him, so I did not give him one!

He was so lucky that I was being forced to pretend I was an apprentice because I was becoming convinced that I could totally take him. What with how arrogant he was it would probably be easier than child's play!

Out of my peripheral vision I saw him reach his massive hand toward me as if to grab my arm, and just as I jumped out of range and reached for my sword, a voice stopped us both.

"Ey, Takeda! What the hell are you doing here?"

When he recognized Hijikata's voice, he snapped his hand back to his side. I, however, left my hand at my sword. I knew nothing about this crazy man, so who's to say he wouldn't still attack even with Hijikata watching.

Crazy Takeda took several slow steps back and turned to face Hijikata, arrogance still present within his eyes, "Well well, Commander Hijikata… I'm here on business with Chief Kondou."

The demon Commander's eyes narrowed, unconvinced, "If that is so, then why do you feel the need to harass one of my apprentice soldiers?"

He glanced at me for a fraction of a moment, his eyes seeming to ask if I was okay, although is was clear that he also annoyed that by me leaving my room he was forced to yet again come to my rescue.

His eyes then snapped back to Takeda's and appeared eerily calm.

"Harass? Really?" Takeda gave a heavy sigh, "Anyway, Chief Kondou called me on special orders to assist him while Colonel Sanan is out of commission. However, it would appear that he is nowhere to be seen, so I will be on my way now."

Takeda turned to take his leave, when he slowed his step, leaving us with a few words. And as he spoke, his eyes lingered hungrily on mine.

"As a sidenote, Commander Hijikata… Are the rumors true, that you've welcomed this young blood as your page?"

"Yes, but it is none of your concern to know more."

Hijikata did not quite meet the other man's gaze as he spoke, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was embarrassed by this which only caused me to feel worse about my current situation.

"Ah, forgive me. I shall refrain from pressing for details, as it seems to be out of my jurisdiction." Takeda closed his eyes and gave another heavy sigh, "I do, however, question your predisposition toward keeping those from your birthplace close to you." His eyes then flew open his lips curled into an arrogant smirk, "It seems I tend to…forget myself. Please excuse me."

It was only after Takeda had left the hall that Hijikata mentioned that I should probably let go of the hilt of my Katana.

But then, completely catching me off guard, Hijikata suddenly turned on me in annoyance, "Ey, Yukimura. You really can't be wandering the headquarters without permission!"

I felt myself shrink under his angry stare, and suddenly found myself struggling not to stammer, "Yes, sir! I never meant to cause any trou-"

He put his hand up to silence me, and shrugged, "It's alright. No harm done." Though I could not help noticing that he did not seem entirely convinced about this fact.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression softening slightly, "You must understand that your presence here is not common knowledge, and only those staying at the Yagi residence know." His eyes staid on mine as they narrowed again, yet they still appeared less severe than usual, "Please be mindful of anyone who visits from the Maekawa residence, is that clear?"

"Absolutely! Crystal! I will be far more cautious moving forward." I cleared my throat glancing at the doorway through which Takeda the king of arrogance had exited, "So, who was that guy anyway?"

Hijikata also glanced at the doorway, seeming troubled by something, "That man…is the captain of the 5th Division. His name is Kanryusai Takeda. His swordsmanship is decent, but he is well read and possesses a cunning mind for military science."

His eyes then slid back to mine and within them was a look I had not seen from anyone for a very long time or possibly ever, "He's a tricky one, do be careful when he's around."

"Yes, sir."

His eyes suddenly shifted form kind to angry again as though he had just recalled something unpleasant.

Well hell. I just can't seem to get on this guy's good side…!

"Furthermore, if you have no business being out, then I expect you to stay put in your room."

It then occurred to me that he was attempting to dismiss me, having said was he felt was appropriate as a stern commander.

However, I was rarely presented with any chances to see Hijikata, so I took this opportunity to offer my aid to their cause.

"I actually have a favor to ask of you, Hijikata, I mean, Sir."

His brow started to twitch, and I wondered if I should stop while I still had my head, but I refused to remain a nothing of a Page! So I trudged on, "You see, all this staying in my room for long periods-alone-it's sort of making me feel a tad-no-very useless."

I had really expected him to yell at me or at least reprimand me for being so blunt but all he did was give me his full attention. So, praying this was the right course, I continued, "I guess what I am trying to say is, there's gotta be something that I can do around here! Anything! Cleaning, laundry, cooking!"

Hijikata seemed to sense the sincerity of my plea, and it appeared as though he was actually considering it. As his eyes slid back open, he appeared oddly concerned, "Do you really find yourself incapable of occupying your time in your room productively?"

"Well, let's see… No books, nothing with which to write – um yeah, a little…"

I gave him a kind smile just to let on that I was not actually trying to be a snide little shit.

But he just rolled his eyes and gave a weak smile of his own. "Fine, I shall discuss this with Gen, so until further notice, stand by for your orders."

Having not expected him to give in so quickly I gaped at him in stunned silence, and then, "Wait-really?!"

Clearly not wanting this to go to my head, he gave me a quick stern look, "This is under the condition that you are to keep from interacting with any and all outsiders, understand?"

"Absolutely! I understand, sir!"

The next day, Inoue informed me that I was to be given more freedom within the headquarters which allowed me to exit my room freely. And my duties, as they were, included cleaning, laundry and cooking. Not the most glamorous of chores, but still better than death by boredom.