Disclaimer: Usual...blah, blah...Now on with the fic.

Chapter 24: Too late

"Don't you dare go to sleep," Suzu gasped as Kikujo splashed water from the rain barrel on his face. She was satisfied when his eyes fluttered open. Pushing open the door, she stumbled into the abandoned shack behind Umeya. They were both barely alive. She dragged it until it was open just a crack. She sat Suzu up against a wooden post and pulled open Suzu's yutaka to take a closer look at his wound. Not good. Blood trickled slowly but steadily out.

Thankfully, the kitchen girls had fled. Suzu was stabbed in the stomach by a Miburou sword. Silly lad challenged one while buying them time to escape. Tomiyo escaped with his bodyguards. The rest of his followers were captured or slaughtered as they tried to resist arrest.

"Kiku-nee... you're hurt..." Suzu tried to sit up. It was true. Blood was seeping through her fingers where she clutched a very deep gash on her side. She was feeling dangerously light-headed herself. Careless. She was too caught up helping the others to escape she failed to see the sword until it was too late. At least she managed to dispatch that swordsman with her kunai.

"It's nothing...try not to move too much..." She gasped as the pain settled in. The Miburou will be rounding up any stragglers nearby. They must remain silent until the danger is past before making their escape...if that was possible. Kikujo drew her kunai and crawled painfully over to the door.

Her vision was clouding fast. When she finally collapsed, her last thoughts were of her brother in Edo. Aoshi-otouto, guess you were right after all...

"Tetsu-kun?" Okita-san? Tetsu was very surprised to see Okita bending over him. Tetsu was lying on the veranda. "Want some plum sweets from Umeya? They're the best in Kyoto." He sat up as his mentor offered him a large packet of sweets. Saizou butted his hip.

Okita-san was positively glowing, a far cry from the sickly Okita he last saw. Is this a dream? He wanted to ask but no words came. Okita laughed and cuddled Saizou. "Tetsu-kun, share them with Saya. She's waiting for you. Don't be late now..."

Tetsu tried to chase after the young man as he stepped off the veranda. Okita was gone. Instead, Tetsu found himself at the shrine. It was strangely misty. Someone was standing at the offertory box. He ran towards the figure. Saya? No, it was Suzu. Suzu suddenly drew his sword.

"It's the fifteenth! I told you not to be late!" The white-haired youth shouted angrily and raised his katana. Tetsu found he was rooted to the spot.

Tetsu awoke just as the blade swung down on him. Had he fallen asleep? He had been very busy with his chores and helping Hotaru-san with the injured.... Then he saw the empty futon. "Kondo-san?" Alarmed, Tetsu ran out and bumped into Susumu. "Susumu-kun! Kondo-san's gone!"

"His fever broke while you're asleep. He wanted to see the aftermath of the raid on Umeya..." Susumu explained to Tetsu. Actually, Kondo should have stayed in bed but he was too adamant. He had to take his horse as he could not walk yet. Yamanami had gone with him.

Umeya? Tetsu's heart sank as he recalled Suzu's visit. Saya's at Umeya..."Susumu-kun! Saya may be at Umeya!" Without waiting for a reply, he ran. The shinobi hurried after him as they ran towards the restaurant.

Wasn't Saya the name of Tetsu's girl? There are a few girls about Tetsu's age at Umeya but Susumu had never seen Saya before. It was possible she was there. Anyhow, he often found his attention drawn by the stunning Kikujo as she sidled between the tables.

Well, he did catch a few glimpses of Yoshida's white-haired page...but he couldn't be sure. Kikujo always seemed to be falling into his line of sight. Her cleavage was the biggest distraction on his latest mission. Hopefully, if she's there, Saya will be unhurt...Susumu prayed as Umeya drew into sight.

Trying to stay awake was difficult. Suzu fought to stay conscious through the haze of pain. Dawn. Steel-grey light filtered into the gloom. Slowly, it turned into the golden light of morning. Tsuki-hime? The black tabby stared at him through her odd eyes. Then she purposefully strolled over to Kikujo.

No! Suzu tried to grab the cat but he was too weak to rise. With dread, he watched the cat close in. Bad cat! Voices and footsteps drifted in from outside the shack. The Miburou were still about. Suzu expected Kikujo to go off in one of her sneezing fits. In their current condition, it was impossible to fight back. The cat simply nuzzled the still form.

Dead. She isn't sneezing because she's dead. Kikujo's clothes were caked with congealing blood. Suzu turned his attention to his own wound. It still bled steadily. His own clothes were soaked in blood too. He closed his eyes in resignation. Guess he'll be joining his master real soon...

Failing to elicit any response from the shinobi, the black cat turned her attention to Suzu. He could barely feel her claws as she kneaded his leg. Dumb cat, he reached over to pat her head. She purred contently. Saya. Wonder if she and Umeya are already on the ferry to Nagasaki. Sakamoto did not return to Umeya after escorting the women on their journey to the port.

Even as they were leaving, Saya kept looking at the street corner where Tetsu often passed with his patrol mates. Tetsu-baka, you're too late...

Hijitaka was perturbed to see Kondo on his horse with Yamanami leading the beast through the narrow street. He ought to be resting! He was not surprised when Kondo nearly collapsed on dismounting, having torn open his wound again. He ordered his men to fashion a stretcher and carry their fallen leader off to Dr Takani's two streets away.

Saitou's men took any prisoners they captured off to the goal. Harada and Shinpachi were searching the premises for any leads. Saitou prayed over a fallen comrade before the corpse is carried off to join the others laid out on the side of the street.

Author's notes:

Sob. Poor Suzu...More hints at crossovers coming. Tetsu-baka! How could you forget what Suzu told you? Now have to write a couple more chappies for you to catch up to Saya b4 she sails for Nagasaki.