First Chapter:

The Next day

It was sunny and the air was hot. There were people coming in and out from the building known as the Shinsengumi headquarters. One of those persons was Saitou Hajime, captain of the 3 squadron of the Shinsengumi, who had been called by his superior as well as the other captains of the squadrons for an important meeting.

" I hope this is good, I have better things to do than to listen to a fool," Saitou murmured. He stood tall at 6'0 and had slim built, he was wearing the uniform of the Shinsengumi. He was a cold man of few words and did not socialize with many. Most where happy about that, because his yellow, wolf like eyes mostly scared them. That is where he had gotten his nickname The Mibu Wolf

" Be patient Saitou-sama " said a young boy named Okita Souji. He was captain of the first squadron of the Shinsengumi. He's a happy go lucky guy but very dangerous when he had a sword on his hands. He was the only person Saitou tolerated.

They both stepped in the doors and took their places in between the other captains. Moments later came in Yoshii Takyuki the commander of all the captains. All bowed politely and respectfully.

" Gomen nasai for making you wait. You're all probably wandering why you have been called here. Yesterday night we sent one of our assassins to kill one of the leaders of the Ishinshi. " Yoshii told this and looked at the faces of all the men gathered here and wondered how they would react to the news he was going to give them. " Of course we did not send any person. We sent Hiroshi Yamamoto." At this most of the men were surprised. Hiroshi Yamamoto was the best assassin that you could find. He had been trained since he was very little and had never failed at a mission. It was strange they had sent him for such an easy kill. " We received reports that he is dead. " You could see nothing in the men's faces but Yoshii new that the wheels on their heads where turning. He wondered who would be the first to talk.

" Why did you send Hiroshi in the first place?" Asked in a bored voice Saitou. Ah, yes Saiotu he was the most clever-thought Yoshii

"Well we had been getting reports that the Ishinshi had hired a new hitoriki for protection. It appears that the Battousai is being used for other purposes" started explaining Yoshii.

"What does this have to do with anything?" Asked Manabu Yuki, captain of the second squadron of the Shinsengumi impatiently, to Yoshii.

" I am getting to that." hissed Yoshii

"Gomen nasai Yoshii-sama" said Manabu and bowed in apology

" As I was saying, we have been getting reports about it. Our sources tell us, that that no one has seen the face of this hitoriki and that the kill always last less than a minute. No one can last longer. But the most interesting fact is that when they look at the bodies they appeared to have been killed by their own technique." Yoshii then got quite so the captains could ask questions.

" That's absurd not even the best sword man can kill every time with the other opponents technique." Said Shido Matagu captain of the fourth squadron of the Shinsengumi.

" And no one has seen this hitoriki's face?' asked Okita. Everyone was uneasy about believing this.

" I know is hard to believe, but that is why we sent Hiroshi. And as you can see he has failed and was killed." Yoshii said looking at their faces.

" Does this hitoriki have a name?' Asked Saitou who had been silent trough out the discussion.

" We haven't found one yet. We need to find out who this hitoriki is. And even maybe try to get him on our side. Now I understand you have a brother Okita." Said Yoshii.

" Yes, his name is Hyosuke. He is in Captain Manabu's troop." Replied Okita.

Yoshii clapped his hands and 2 samurai came in. " Yes Yoshii-sama, how can we help you?"

" Please bring Hyosuke Souji here " Yoshii tolled the samurai and then rapidly left. " Now I have devised a plan, but I will need Okita, Hyousuke and Saitou to do it. So if you other gentlemen would leave us"

At this everyone stood up and bowed to Yoshii respectfully and left the room. Only Saitou, Okita and Yoshii where they're all just staying quite. Saitou was with his usual blank stare but his mind was going haywire. What do you have planed Yoshii? Why do you need an amateur and not any amateur but Okita's brother? Why is this hitoriki so important?

They waited for Hyosuke to get there. Soon the door opened and he came in. Hyosuke bowed respectfully and sat down next to his brother.

" Hyosuke I have brought you here for a very important reason. It concern with very privet and important Shinsengumi business." Said Yoshii " And I believe you are very trustworthy and will be able to execute this mission."

Hyousuke bowed respectfully " Arigatou Yoshi-sama, I am honored but I am just another samurai that follows orders and I will try to follow yours the best way I can."

Yoshii smiled at this. " I bet you will. Now let me explain something's to you. There have been reports of a new hitoriki. And the only way to find the information we need about this hitoriki is if someone infiltrates the Ishinshi. And that is where you all come in. You will al be under the disguise of 3 brothers, starting new lives in Osaka. You Hyousuke we will go to the Ishinshi headquarters and request to join. Meanwhile Saitou and Okita you will stay hidden and try to find as much information as you can from the people in the town. You will try to gather all the information possible. Do you have any questions?" The 3 men said no. "Good then you may leave"

They bowed again and stood to leave. As Saitou was standing to leave Yoshii stopped him. " You two go ahead I need to talk to Saitou" They nodded and left and Saitou sat back again.

" I am going to put you in charge of this operation, is very important that we do not fail. I want this hitoriki alive. Do you understand" Yoshii said in a commanding tone that Saitou did not like at all.

" Yes Yoshii-sama I understand" said Saitou - I understand you are ass-kissing fool that only wants power for his own benefit!

" Good, now you will be leaving in four days, everything will be taken care of. The information will be given to you tomorrow. You are dismissed" Said Yoshii while looking at some papers. Saitou stood and did not even bother to bow respectfully.

Kaede: Please read and review!!!!