a/n: Sorry for yet another long wait, been very busy now that I am able to finally leave the house again and feel safe. But I shall try to bring my focus back to writing... Anyway, I hope you continue to enjoy this "Not a Damsel" Rewrite!

Chapter 2-1

July 1864

No news of my father had come forth the other day, causing a somber restlessness to take hold of me.

Not to mention a wrenching irritation flowing through every vein of my body. Why should I suddenly care what happens to him when all the world would probably be better off without him?

I had originally believed that Hijikata had granted me approval to accompany the captains on their rounds through Kyoto to search for my father. But then he called me to his room.

I cleared my throat at the door and requested entry.

Upon sliding the door open I noticed Okita and Heisuke had been summoned along with me. I had to admit I wasn't all that relieved to see Okita there, but knowing that it wouldn't be just me and Hijikata…alone helped me to feel a partial sense of relief.

I glanced at each one and as my eyes slid to meet that of Hijikata's, I notice that he seemed dissatisfied with something which I could only hope didn't turn out to be me.

I was beginning to wonder if I would ever end up on his good side. Perhaps that hope is just as futile as the one of finding your father, I thought to myself miserably.

He appeared to be in one of his foul moods again so I decided it would be best to act with tact in his presence today.

I lowered myself to the floor to take a seat next to Heisuke, and then moved my eyes back to Hijikata's, "Um…you called for me, sir?"

His eyes slid to the floor momentarily but as they veered back up to mine, they narrowed, "I was thinking about the search for Kodo, but maybe it's best to put a halt to it for now."

At first I thought I heard him wrong as I blinked at him completely taken aback, "Say what now?!"

He couldn't be serious! I mean we had just started looking for him! Stopping now would surely cause any of our leads to run dry!

My throat ran dry as I suddenly realized that I had said those last two sentences out loud and quite angrily to be honest.

But I decided to not stand down and held my ground and his gaze.

I just couldn't understand how he could back out on this. Though, however I may have felt about it hijikata also remained deeply composed and unfazed.

His eyes temporarily slid from mine once again, and when they came back to focus on me they still had within them a glint of anger but also something else that I couldn't quite decipher, "We have reports of activity from the Choshu, and they do not bode well for us. It would be highly dangerous for you to be out there right now."

So that's what it was. It hadn't been distrust for me but concern that I had seen in his eyes.

I remembered hearing how the warriors of the Choshu Domain associated with the imperial nationalist party. For some odd reason that I could not fathom, they found foreigners repulsive, using brute force to prevent any foreign presence entering their country.

And that all of their faith was aligned with the emperor.

I had also heard that the Shinsengumi served the shogun, meaning that they were directly opposed.

I felt frustration and anger of my own boil up inside me at the thought of my search being brought to a permanent hiatus. If the Choshu was active, it would mean that my own goal would likely no longer be of concern to the Shinsengumi.

But I would not allow that to cause me to be viewed as a burden to them.

"So let me get this straight, you're asking me to refrain from joining the rounds until things with the Choshu Domain settle?"

Regardless of the poisonous vibe I was certainly giving off, Hijikata simply nodded and turned towards the two men.

Before I could protest he opened his mouth and started to speak forcing anything I might have said back into my throat, "That being said, as of right now, she is not to accompany any rounds with any captains."

What the hell was he thinking?! I wanted to scream at him. At this rate I would never find my old man and who knew how many bodies may end up leading us to him when we finally did find him.

Heisuke's soft voice punctured into my angry thoughts, "Oh, I get it now. That's why you pulled us in here, isn't it?"

It would appear that Heisuke had been two steps behind Hijikata's words, until this very moment where it seemed to click.

He then gave me a sad sideways glance before returning his gaze back to Hijikata, "You know, she never caused any trouble during any rounds she joined us in. I kind of feel like it wouldn't be a problem if she tagged along."

Okita opened his mouth to add something and I wasn't sure I would like what he had to say, "Exactly, even if something were to happen, as long as she didn't get involved, she should be okay."

I gaped at him not having expected him to say that of all things to have agreed to have me along.

But then his next words had me realizing that he hadn't changed at all, "I mean, it's not like she can run away from us if things get sticky, right?"

I squared up and stared him straight in the eyes, "I gave you my word that I would not run back when you all took me in, I know what you would do to me if I tried but I haven't have I?!"

I knew he wasn't being serious, but all the same, I wasn't gonna stand for him treating me like I was still some kind of prisoner.

I glanced at Hijikata hoping he knew that he was included in this anger as well, and then, once again, turned my anger back on Okita, "I made a vow to never run from the Shinsengumi for as long as they helped me search for my father. Now, I would think that an organization such as this that is based off of honor and loyalty would not be one to break their promise."

I impressed myself by actually coming up with something intelligent to say for once in my defense. But I was also surprised by how strong my wish to find my father had become, and that it was no longer just for the safety of others. That I had actually grown to miss him.

I then stood and bowed to all three of them, "I intend to keep my promise. Do you intend to keep yours?"

I knew I was probably overstepping my boundaries by demanding this of them but I was desperate and no longer knew what to do. If I couldn't look for my father anymore and found myself trapped inside that blasted room all alone, again…I would go mad.

Then I did something that I never thought I would in 1 million years. I turned to Okita and keeping my eyes on his I bowed, this time to only him.

His smirk, however, shrunk slowly as he gazed towards me, caught in between words to say.

And when he finally did speak his voice was slow and calculated, "If you stay with us, you're putting yourself at risk. If you don't mind that risk, then feel free to join us, anytime."

He then glanced at Hijikata, seeming to be calculating the risk if he continued talking but when Hijikata just shrugged he gave a quiet sigh and turned back to me, "Besides, we have witness reports that fit the profile and description of Kodo."

Hijikata could no longer stay silent and decided to make himself heard, "You may have a point, but are witness reports enough justification to put her in harms way? What if you're wrong? What if she's exposed?"

That was a lot of What Ifs coming from a captain-no-a commander described by his men as a demon. What had him so disturbed and bothered? Why was he suddenly so worried about me and my well-being?

His next words had me suddenly wondering if it was really me he was worried about.

He then glanced at both Heisuke and Okita frustration glowing brightly in his eyes, "Do none of you understand? You're all placing an unnecessary burden on yourselves."

I decided it was my turn to be heard, "I will not be a burden! So please! Every opportunity I lose to search for my father brings the chances of finding him closer to being nothing more than just…a fleeting dream."

I didn't know what to do. I felt like the madness was starting to seep into every corner of my mind with every day that passed with no news of my father's whereabouts.

I forced myself to hold Hijikata's gaze; not allowing myself to blink barely breathing hoping against all the odds that I would finally get through to him. That he would finally see that I'm not just some useless nothing of a child.

But Hijikata simply looked away exhaling a heavy sigh.

However, when he looked back at me his expression was indiscernible which made his next words that much more unexpected, "You'd better follow the orders of every captain you join. No if's, and's, or but's, am I clear?"

I almost didn't know what to say and for a moment just gaped at him not really sure I had heard him correctly. Perhaps he was just messing with me! But then he gave me a look that suggested he was going to change his mind and I quickly opened my mouth to respond with a glee that I hoped didn't come across as too undiluted.

"Of course, sir! I understand. Thank you so much, sir!"

I wasn't quite sure how to show my gratitude since I was fairly certain that hugging him or touching him at all would guarantee having my head lopped off… So, instead I bowed as deeply as I could, nearly smacking my face into the floor.

When I looked back up at him Hijikata's eyes were still unreadable maybe even more so now than they were before. Though, that could be partially due to my current odd behavior, "At any rate, I'm leaving it to your discretion over whether or not you're going to join them. That's on you."

"Very well."

As much as I wanted to go look for my father at that very moment, I couldn't help but wonder if I would feel the same way tomorrow or the next day. Was it really him that I missed or was it the father I knew he could be should only he try to make an effort to be one?

Though it wasn't just that which now had me hesitating. There was something about Hijikata's current demeanor that had me unsure of my desire to leave the compound. I didn't know why I felt so strongly about finding a way to get on his good side. I just wanted him to like me, dammit! But why the hell was it so important that I have that happen?

Sure, if I was with Okita or Heisuke, I'd be safe and well protected; on the other hand, however, I felt the sudden need to stay close by. Something was overpowering my need to locate my father. I just wish I knew what it was. Though I had a strong feeling that by staying here I would find out.

So after much contemplation, I decided not to go after all and remained at the compound. And it wasn't that I was worried I would burden them or some stupid thing like that, I wasn't afraid of death. It wasn't my safety that I worried for at all, I knew it was silly to think this but I couldn't help but worry that if we ended up in a dangerous situation they would end up getting hurt trying to save someone who didn't need saving. However, they didn't know that and I wasn't ready to tell them, just yet.

As difficult as it was to stay cheerful now, I would not let it bring me down.

But I could feel the sadness looming just around the corner ready to rear its final depressing blow.

Throughout the past six months I had finally been allowed to search for my father and join the Shinsengumi on their rounds. Which in turn had lured me into a false sense that I was being accepted by them that they had finally accepted me as one of them.

Granted I was usually occupied with cleaning or cooking. But the point was, I felt like I was doing my part as a member of the Shinsengumi, that I was helping them in some meaningful way.

I had spent most of my time with the captains, but there were many opportunities to chat with the warriors now and I had come to know them as real people.

Perhaps the rank-and-file soldiers were finally starting to think of me as a warrior in training rather than just Hijikata's page.

But the truth was, and this was very hard for me to admit to myself, I didn't honestly believe that they truly trusted me yet nor that they actually thought of me as one of them.

So the fact that I had become so dependent on the Shinsengumi at this moment had me feeling so anxious that I was becoming numb with self loathing.

I knew I should probably just resign myself to the consequences of my decision, but I couldn't stand feeling like I was wasting away the tender moments of my life in these headquarters.

I glanced around the room and even though I knew I wouldn't find any I couldn't help but hope that there would be books that had magically appeared on the wall's shelves. I groaned in disappointment when I realized how ridiculous it was to even contemplate magic at this point.

Determined to not let boredom be the end of me I rose to my feet, opened the door and entered the inner courtyard. Perhaps I could feel a pleasant breeze tingle my face in the shade. The quaintness may even allow me to think more clearly.

However, upon opening the door to my room I was hit by a blast of outdoor heat.

"Damn it!"

Apparently there were no winds blowing through the courtyard today, so I would receive no reprieve from the harsh sun bearing down upon this dry emptiness.

As I glanced up at the harshly bright sky I brought my hand up to my eyes to protect them. And I had a sudden sickening feeling that it was going to be a very bad day.

I quickly took in my surroundings and spotted a tree that was large enough to produce enough shade to cover my whole body should I decide lay on the grass.

I gave a heavy sigh, trudged over to the tree and sat down.

Something then occurred to me as the sun attempted to roast all of Kyoto alive.

"My father has been here before," I mumbled quietly to myself, "Perhaps multiple times."

I remembered them mentioning it, the captains, though they'd never told me why.

I had my strong suspicions about why he had been here. And I was fairly certain it wasn't to educate them on how to avoid illness.

It was very possible that he had intended to stay here long term…

I couldn't recall my father ever mentioning having been with the Shinsengumi while here in Kyoto during his past visits. He'd come here, to the Shinsengumi, only a few times or so I'd been told. If he had truly been their doctor then he would've visited far more often. So then why did he have to come here…at all?

It was very clear to me that the Shinsengumi had plenty of secrets that they wanted to stay secret. But I grew more concerned now that I was fairly certain at my father was directly involved with those secrets as well.

I knew that I needed to dispel all those thoughts of my father but I could no longer deny them as being true.

"And what exactly can you no longer deny?"

I jumped to my feet and had to stop my hand from reaching for my sword.

I couldn't believe how careless I was to have thought any of that out loud! You moron, Chizuru!

I slowly turned only to find Sanan's cold gaze staring me down.

It was unbelievable just how much stealth this man had even in his current condition. I shuttered to think just how easy it would've been for him to sneak up on me were he not injured and kill me in my sleep.

"Hey…Sanan!" I glanced at his arm and of course he noticed and frowned.

"Don't worry I'm not going to tell you to go back to your room and rest, which I'm sure you've heard often enough since you've gotten back. I know how lonely it can get when all you're expected to do is stay in your room."

His eyes became unreadable, but then, "I suppose you would."

There was a hint of coldness to his words.

He then raised his left arm attempting to flex his hand over and over. His frown deepened, "Although my left hand has become something of an invalid."

I couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't cause the situation to become more awkward for both myself and for Sanan. I couldn't bear to look at the sad twisted smile he gave me so instead I looked up at the sky pretending to be enamored with the clouds. His arm hadn't healed, and now it seemed certain that it never would.

Surely the rest of the captains were aware of this as well and that he would never be able to use his arm as he'd done before.

His eyes then flicked to mine suspiciously, "And what are you doing? Are you allowed out of your room? You haven't been given the run of our headquarters, I'm sure."

"That is true, but-"

While it was true that I was allowed to walk around as I pleased, so long as I didn't go into anyone's room, I also knew, technically, I was confined to my room.

So any freedom I had was a courtesy it wasn't really real.

And the fact that Sanan was right, had me feeling more like a prisoner than before. For if he decided to chastise me for being in the courtyard, I would have no way to reasonably defend myself against such accusations.

There was only one thing to say in my defense and that was the truth no more lying especially not to someone who's already been so deeply wounded, "I was feeling a little closed in in my room and was having trouble thinking so I wanted to come outside to see if that would help."

He arched his left brow and glanced at me quizzically causing me to feel that my explanation was more of a childish excuse than anything else.

He unfolded his arms and also raised his eyes to the clouds in the sky. But as his eyes slid back to mine they appeared empty, "When you sneak about without permission, it makes it seem as though you have something to hide."

Not really wanting to get into it with him I just nodded and apologized.

It didn't seem normal to me, but, I was beginning to grow accustomed to the subtle cruelty that seemed to accompany each word from Sanan's mouth.

And yet, if there had been someway to comfort him I would've probably done it, but I knew there wouldn't be one. So, instead I turned to leave and said over my shoulder, "I'll be heading back to my room, then."

As I left Sanan to his own thoughts, I found myself missing the man he used to be before the injury he had received during his trip to Osaka.

Nowadays, he spent most of his time locked in his room and he was quick to lash out at others in response. I knew the loss of his arm hurt him deeply, I completely understood, not personally, but on a different level. I had seen similar personality changes in patients my father had failed to help recover. And as much as I wished he could go back to being the warm, kind man he was originally… I knew in my gut that he probably never would.

I hesitated a moment and glanced over my shoulder to find Sanan still standing there.

I may not have been a doctor myself but having been raised by one I felt like I should say some thing, "It's scorching out today, Sanan. So please take care of yourself and try to stay cool."

At first I wasn't sure he appreciated my statement of concern but then his lips slowly curled up into a kind smile that I hadn't seen for a long time.

And as he spoke the kind tone of his voice was finally genuine, "Thank you. You take care of yourself as well."

I nodded and smiled promising I would, feeling overjoyed to finally see a glimpse of the old Sanan return.

Thank goodness he's still in there, I thought to myself.

It was later that evening that the compound exploded with activity.

I was meandering down the hall when I heard footsteps and turned to see Nagakura rushing toward me.

I spoke to him as he was rushing past me, "Where are you off to in such a hurry with a candle and an exceptionally long needle?"

Though, I was fairly certain I already knew what it was for. No doubt he was off the torture some poor guy.

"One of the Choshu guys we picked up isn't talking'. Hijikata is going to talk to him personally, but he said he didn't have the right, uh, tools and sent me to get these."

"Okay… Forget I asked…" I mumbled as he gave another bark of laughter, turned his back on me, and ran off.

As the sun began to set, the activity in the compound reached a fever pitch. It was so busy, in fact, that I didn't see how I could even help with making dinner! It's not that it was overwhelming, everyone just seem to be in such a foul mood I didn't want to get on anyone's bad side today.
I heard sudden fast approaching footsteps and glanced towards the open doorway to see who it was, "Heisuke!"

As he shot past my door he wheeled back around at the sound of my alarmed voice.

"So what's going on? Did something happen? Have they succeeded in getting the Choshu prisoner to talk?"

At first he seemed unsure about how to answer but then a grin pulled at his lips, "Yeah, the guy finally broke!" Heisuke then lowered his voice, "It looks like they're having a meeting right now. We're getting ready for a raid."

"Oh…" That sinking feeling that I had had previously that today was going to be a bad day started haunting my thoughts again.

Heisuke then went on to explain that the Shinsengumi would be splitting into two groups and searching locations at opposite ends of the city.

Kondo would take ten men to the Ikeda Inn, and Hijikata would take twenty-four to the Shikoku Inn.

Heisuke gave a heavy sigh and narrowed his eyes at the ground, "I heard they might be at Shikoku. Got to say I'm kind of pissed the Chiefs sending me to the Ikeda."

I could understand how he felt. It was hard knowing that your friends your family your brethren, would be out there risking their lives and you would be left behind to tie up loose ends and cover all the bases.

But what surprised me wasn't that, it was something else entirely, " Wait so you mean there aren't even forty men ready?!"

Heisuke frowned, clearly frustrated by this fact, "Yeah, it kind of sucks because there's so many men who get sick when we need them the most."

I knew heat stroke and heat exhaustion was a problem for people who lived in close quarters, but this was ridiculous!

Heisuke gave another heavy sigh of defeat before adding, "We sent word to the Aizu and the Judiciary Commissioner, but it would appear that they don't even care."

I suddenly felt very conflicted. I wanted nothing more than to help them by lending them my sword arm but if they knew how well I could fight they might view me as an enemy instead of an ally. And if I were to get injured and they found out my secret they might be too afraid of me to let me stay or worse, they might have me destroyed.

So apart from sympathy there wasn't much I could offer him, and I felt like I was betraying them by continuing to hide my own secrets.

I had a feeling this was going to be a very difficult night to forget once it was over.

After all the men capable of fighting had left for their respective assignments, Sanan called for me.

The look of hurt and disdain was back in his eyes, "I'm sure it was only out of courtesy, but the chief has asked me to protect the compound."

Ah, there's that passive aggressive attitude rearing it's head again.

"It's mostly empty, of course, but someone may try to attack us for that very reason."

It seemed to me that he was struggling to convince himself that the Chief's decision to have him stay behind was justified.

I suddenly sensed something and turned toward the doorway and he must've thought I was going to leave because his next words were, "I must ask you to stay where I can see you. Since I may need to give you orders should the worst occur."

The worst, I thought miserably, and my sick feeling grew stronger.

But I turned back to him a gave one quick nod, "Okay."

I hesitated, calculating what my next words should be if any. I mean he was a man and he was a man who just had his pride injured not too long ago. But even I didn't like the idea of needing to be protected since technically it wouldn't be necessary. But I could also understand the feeling of being useless and needing some sort of purpose in life and I knew it wouldn't help the situation if I ended up needing to protect him.

so I squared up and looked him in the eye trying to appear as much a damsel as possible, "So does that mean you'll protect me…?"

Good Lord even I wasn't convinced. But to my pleasant surprise he laughed, and it was a genuine sound, "Well, I should hope I'll be more use than the men who've been confined to their beds, at least."

I was glad to see that his night had not been completely ruined by the current events and the situation that was at hand.

But his smile was so sad that I wasn't sure how to respond.

I understood how he felt, though. The hurt of when those you care about are out fighting, and all you can do is wait as you get left behind. It doesn't even matter what reason you're given there's nothing that hurts more than feeling like you no longer have a purpose...that you're no longer needed.

The silence between us had stretched out long enough and I was becoming uncomfortable. I could tell he was as well and I was about to say, I don't know what, when I was saved from, no doubt, making a complete fool of myself, by the door to our room suddenly opening without a sound.

"Colonel Sanan. We've confirmed that the Choshu are meeting at Ikeda."

I'm fairly certain that I wasn't meant to, but I recognize the man who entered and spoke to Sanan as the man who had spoken to Hijikata outside the tea shop last month.

I glanced urgently between the two and Sanan seemed to understand my concern. He glanced down at his swords, clearly wishing that they could still be of use, and frowned.

"Oh dear… That's less than desirable." He sighed heavily the urgency of the situation clearly weighing on him, "The Shinsengumi has never been good with chance."

I wanted to say something anything to reassure him that everything would be fine but that would be a lie. We all knew that so for a moment silence blanketed the entire room.

They had been certain Shikoku was the correct location and had sent only half as many men to Ikeda.

Sanan glanced at me momentarily and then veered back to the mystery messenger, "Yamazaki, can you do me a favor?"

Yamazaki gave him a curt nod, anticipating the order he was about to be given.

This man is a Shinsengumi officer and spy, as well as a member of the watch. Despite not living in the Yagi Residence, he was aware of my situation.

"First, go tell Hijikata that the enemy is meeting at Ikeda. He should still be on his way to Shikoku." His eyes slid to mine for a moment before flicking back to Yamazaki, "And I'm sorry to burden you with it, but I need you to take this 'child' with you as well."

I quickly squelched the delight I felt at the chance to finally be of use when I saw that Yamazaki clearly disapproved of this decision.

I glanced at Sanan carefully, not wanting him to see my joy and have him change his mind, "Are you sure? You didn't want me to leave this room, much less the compound…"

"It's true that you may end up being a burden, however, I am hoping that by the end of the night you will have saved many lives if you're lucky."

As Sanan spoke he fixed me with an icy stare.

"There may be ronin out to intercept you. And besides, there is a chance that Choshu has reinforcements. If your message were to be intercepted, then you will surely not reach Hijikata in time."

Sanan finished with the soft smile that I had not seen for weeks, "Do you now see what I am trying to say…?"

I gave a quick nod to show that I did, "Yes, sir. If the worst should happen, Yamazaki will hold off any Choshu ronin and give me the message."

And then my heart felt as though it were lodged in my throat, as it dawned on me what this would mean for him. If things went south, Yamazaki was to sacrifice himself to ensure the message got to Hijikata in time.

Sanan had apparently sensed my distress, "Of course, I doubt it will come to that." He then returned his attention to Yamazaki, "We are short on men right now, which means there's more I need you to do. You'll need to notify the Aizu and Judiciary Commissioner as well."

Good Lord! That would have Yamazaki running all across Kyoto. This truly drove home just how thin the Shinsengumi was stretched.

Yamazaki's eyes fixed on mine blankly, "You're Yukimura, right? I heard you know a little about how to protect yourself."

I stifled a bitter laugh and nodded, "That is correct."

His eyes grew serious, "Unfortunately, I can not guarantee your safety. But if you can manage, then you are welcome to join me."

I allowed myself a mere two seconds of hesitation, "All right, then. Let's go."

I paused at the door and turned back around to face him, "And you do not need to worry about me. I can and will take care of myself."

I glanced at Sanan to find him smiling, seeming relieved by my show of confidence.

I knew that he wanted to join the battle more than anyone, but we both knew that just wasn't possible. So the least I could do for him was make sure that the message got to its target in time.

I then opened the door and walked out into the crisp night air. I watched as Yamazaki bowed to Sanan and left the room to join me. Once he slid the door shut, he turned to me, "Run with all your might."

I took off after him, my legs moving as fast as they could. I was impressed by his speed. I had thought for sure that it would be me leaving him in the dust.

We ran like the wind into the dark street.

I blamed the six months I had been forced to stay indoors for my now being out of shape.

I mean, it's not like I was gasping for air, but still.

Yamazaki who had been running ahead of me, suddenly stopped, and looked sharply behind us.

"No matter what happens, follow this street. And don't look back, no matter what you may hear."

I didn't need to look to know that someone was definitely approaching us from behind.

It would seem that Yamazaki's hunch had been right. I looked up at the moon suddenly wishing that I had been wrong. Well, hell! This is going to be a shitty night after all.

I then slid my eyes back to his and smiled, "I'll stay behind. Please, just go!"

Yamazaki narrowed his eyes in disbelief, "Don't be a fool! What could you possibly hope to achieve by staying behind?!"

"More than you know…" I mumbled just under a whisper.

I then turned around to face our ambushers. When I didn't hear Yamazaki protest I thought for a moment that he had stealth bombed himself out of there. But just as I was about to unsheathe my katana, I heard him unsheathe his own, "No," he shot back, "If we need a lure, then it's going to be me. Now GO!"

He clearly was not going to take no for an answer, and I could not afford to waste any more time. So I ran of in the direction he had indicated earlier and prayed to whatever god or goddess that would listen that he would survive.

As I stepped into the next intersection I could sense another potential ambush. As I unsheathed my Katana I simultaneously swung it up to intercept a flash of metal that came baring down on me. I managed to fend off the few ronin that tried to thwart me and then I pushed on.

Several times I had to stop myself from turning back to fight alongside Yamazaki.

No, I scolded myself, You must trust that he will survive!

So I kept running. I forced myself to ignore the sounds of swords ringing all around me and ran.

Once again I was painfully reminded of just how out of shape I had become. My knees felt weak, and my joints were sore, but I couldn't let that stop me. I just had to get the message to him in time.

Even so, I felt so damn slow. I cried out in frustration as I almost stumbled and then nearly fell. I came to an abrupt halt when a bright light suddenly cut through the darkness. I put up my hand to protect my eyes from the glare.

"Who's there?!" I shouted.

Was it the Choshu soldiers.

When they didn't answer I decided that I had had enough this crap, "I don't have time for this…" I mumbled as I unsheathed my sword but then I froze as a familiar irritated voice spoke to me.

"What the HELL are you doing?"

I very nearly cried out in relief.

It was Hijikata and the other men he had taken with him. I noticed that they were not dressed in the usual light blue jackets, but rather bright white uniforms to be seen in dimly lit places.

In that instant all the adrenalin that had allowed me to reach them, faded and I dropped my katana to the ground. As my knees gave way I felt strong arms reach out to grab me. I glanced up to find Harada looking down at me in concern.

"Hey, you okay?" His eyes shot to Hijikata's before returning to mine, "If you left the headquarters without permission, Hijikata's going to kill you."

I was still far too winded to say anything in my defense. I wasn't even sure I could stand yet, but I've never been helpless, and I didn't plan to start now. I grabbed hold of Harada's hand and forced my body to its feet.

I breathed in a shuddering breath and turned to Hijikata, "They're… They're meeting at Ikeda…"

Hijikata's expression suddenly hardened, "So they are at Ikeda!"

I nodded rapidly and then winced as my head began to throb in pain.

Saito stepped out from behind Hijikata, "Are you sure?"

I was about to respond when Hijikata stopped me, "Sanan lost the use of his arm, not his brain. She didn't run away. The colonel sent us this message."

Harada, who was still steadying me, looked at me in stunned disbelief, "I'm impressed that you were able to find us. I didn't think that you knew Kyoto all that well, kid."

Well, hell. That's twice I have been called a kid tonight…

I glanced at Hijikata, wondering if he viewed me as nothing more than a child as well.

But the I suddenly remembered why I had been running around in the night; fending for my life, "Ya-Yamazaki…!"

My breathing finally began to re-regulate and I told them all that had happened.

But Hijikata did not seem all that concerned for Yamazaki, instead he asked, "What about the Aizu and Commissioner's men? Are they on their way to Ikeda?"

I slowly shook my head, "I-I don't know. We were forced to part ways before I could find out."

Hijikata hesitated as he closed his eyes for a moment in thought. When he reopened them, he turned to the two captains that had accompanied him, "Saito, Harada, you take our men to Ikeda. I need to go deal with something."

The two captains nodded curtly, then turned to their business.

But as they moved out, Saito paused and turned back to me, "Kyoto will be dangerous for you alone. Stay with us or go with Hijikata."

The prospect of being alone with him was rather unsettling, but for reasons I couldn't fathom, I decided to go with Hijikata.

For a long moment we walked in silence. I wanted to say something, but there was nothing intelligent to be found in the mess of thoughts now fogging my mind.

"…"

So to avoid sounding like a moron or worse, an ass, I kept silent. Though, after a moment, he glanced down at me.

"Great job with bringing us that message. You may very well have given us the advantage we need."

When I veered my eyes upward to meet his, he is smiling down at me. A smile more genuine than any I'd seen him use before. I was so incredibly moved by the beauty of his elegant features, that I found myself thankful for the near utter lack of lighting. Since I was fairly certain that my face now resembled that of a giant ripe tomato.

I just couldn't believe it! Hijikata, of all people, was praising me! I felt my heart skip a beat – Wait! When the hell did I start acting like such a…well…girl?!

More importantly, what did he mean by advantage? If the battle at the Ikeda Inn had already begun, then it honestly did not seem that we would have any advantage at all.

After walking for a while, I noticed we had left the alley and had entered the central avenue.

I stopped, "Hijikata, sir? Why are we out here on the street in the open?"

He just rolled his eyes and continued walking, "What kind of man tries to hide all the time?"

It was then that Yamazaki seemed to materialize beside us without a sound. I was not convinced that this man was the most Silent of all the stealth bombs in the Shinsengumi and that I should never underestimate him again.

I nodded at him to show I was relieved to see him safe and in one piece.

Yamazaki's eyes slid to mine for a moment, then back to Hijikata, "You're aware of the situation at Ikeda, I assume?"

"Colonel Sanan ordered me to notify the Aizu and the Judiciary Commissioner, but…"

Hijikata seemed troubled by this, "Yeah. I will have new orders for you in a few minutes. So stick close for now."

Yamazaki simply nodded.

Hijikata then turned to face us both, "Your commander needs to go have a word with a bunch of useless bastards."

His eyes flared with tangible rage.

They appeared as soon as the word left his lips: Lines of government soldiers, marching toward us. There were easily hundreds of them marching across the entire width of the street several rows deep.

Personally I found an entire army in this case was far too excessive.

But I now understood why Hijikata had taken us out into the street; we never would have spotted the government forces as we shimmied through the back alleys.

But there was something about their march, so slow and unconcerned, that lit the fires of rage in my own eyes. I positioned myself so I was standing in front of Hijikata and fixed his eyes with my own, "The rest of the men are still fighting at the inn."

The Shinsengumi may have had only a few men able to fight, but they were risking their lives this ungrateful city.

Hijikata gave a bitter laugh and then smiled down at me, "Don't you worry. I won't allow them to screw us over."

He then stepped forward into the middle of the street, directly in the path of the advancing army.

I stared at him in awe. I mean, all he did was move a few feet and turn to face them, but he held such authority in his movements. He could have easily been at the head of the army.

He then fixed them with an angry glare, "The Shinsengumi are currently conducting an official investigation of the Ikeda Inn! You will NOT interfere. You will not enter the battle."

I could see that the government men were going to protest Hijikata's proclamation and was just about to try to stop them when Yamazaki leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"If we let these men into the inn, then they'll take credit for subduing the Choshu threat."

"Well that can not happen…!" I turned to glare at the government cowards that I had sensed watching us, "After all, it's not them risking their live in there…!"

Yamazaki nodded, "Exactly. So, then you see how little respect they have for the Shinsengumi." He then turned back to watch what may or may not unfold, "The Commander is singlehandedly protecting the Shinsengumi right now." His eyes narrowed and I heard a shift in his tone, "If we allow them to step into the Ikeda Inn, they will spread tales of their false heroism. All that we would accomplish here would be in vain if we allowed them to front the raid."

I now understood why the entirety of the Shinsengumi held their demon Commander in such high regard. He would literally stop at nothing to bring honor back to his men and comrades.

A government official finally opened his arrogant mouth to protest, "B-But we must…"

To be honest I never thought much of the government. In fact, I had always thought them to be arrogant fools, but to see just how far they've fallen. This was too much and could not be allowed to continue. It was time to implement one of my own tricks.

I stepped forward and positioned myself slightly ahead of Hijikata. And as I spoke I let my eyes flash just enough so only the Gov. Official could see it, "Do you honestly believe that you can fit all of these me inside there? I mean, come on! There must be hundreds of you. The best you'll be able to do is surround it."

The government official, not to mention Hijikata and Yamazaki, all stared at me as though I had just threatened to murder their mothers.

The Gov. Official snarled, "Why you impudent little child!"

I let out a bitter laugh and strengthened the glow of my eyes just slightly, "You must really want to send them in there to die. Do you not understand? The Shinsengumi is trying to protect the city of Kyoto and that includes your sorry asses. There's a battle being fought. So if you at all value the lives of your men, I suggest...You. Stay. Put."

The Gov. Official flinched, "Rrrgh…!" But said nothing more.

My tone, with a little help from my glowing eye trick, left no room for argument.

But then my resolve faltered as I felt a pair of angry eyes glaring daggers into my back. I slowly turned to find Yamazaki's eyes darting between the two of us and Hijikata was staring at me as though his mind were trying to comprehend something he knew could not be true.

Well hell! You don't suppose he noticed…my eyes?!

I swallowed and then forced myself to turn back to the unwanted army.

For the remainder of the battle, Hijikata and I stood our ground, and not a single man challenged us.

Finally, the sun rose from the black sky, declaring that a new day had come.

While the raid had lasted only two hours…For me, at least, it had felt far longer.

There had been twenty Imperial Nationalists at the Ikeda Inn.

The Shinsengumi soldiers had killed seven ronin and injured four more. I had learned later that, with the help of the Aizu Domain and the Kyoto Judiciary Commissioner, they arrested twenty-three people. Also, the owner of the Ikeda Inn had be arrested, for trying to help the Choshu rebels escape.

The members of the Shinsengumi had won an incredible victory, having fought against superior numbers in enemy territory, but they had paid dearly for it.

Okita had taken a blow to the chest and was currently unconscious.

Heisuke had been cut on the forehead, and the bleeding was refusing to cease.

Nagakura had injured his left hand.

And worst of all, one of the Shinsengumi's soldiers lost his life at the inn's rear entrance, and two others were severely injured and were not expected to survive their wounds.

The Kyoto Military and Judiciary Commissioners also fought the Choshu ronin. But with their successful resolution of the Battle of Ikeda Inn, the Shinsengumi, at last, made a name for themselves.

It looked as though the peace in Kyoto had been protected. But, never could I have imagined what the ultimate result of their victory would mean…for us all.