Here we are! Chapter 3! Thank you Asian princess 61, Peacemaker911, Rei-Kuhori, and the mysterious "db"! Your reviews are much appreciated! Thank you Asian princess 61 for your input and cultural notes! I'll accept any info that will make my story better!

The next morning Umeko found herself strolling around the yard. She settled on a step and decided to watch some butterflies flit by. Then she got a few visitors.

"Captain's Harada, Nagakura, and Todou, what a surprise!" Umeko said as she snapped open her mended fan. She demurely hid her face behind it. "I figured that important men such as yourselves would be too busy training all day to bother with saying hi to little old me."

"Well Lady Umeko" said Shmpachi, stretching his arms over head "we need a break too now and then"

"Yeah!" sad Todou stepping in front of his friends. "Of course it was me who suggested we come see you."

"He-ey!" complained Shinpachi.

Harada moved his large frame in front of both of his friends and put his hands on his hips. "And I heartily agreed!" said Harada as he leaned over towards Umeko.

She leaned back a little surprised at Harada's invasion of her space. He smiled widely and then was jerked back into line by the other two jokers. Todou said "Well, Mr. Yamanami was telling us that Mibu village is going to hold a festival to celebrate Tanabata. I'm sure you'd have a lovely time, Lady Umeko."

"Oh I'm sure I would, but…" she said trailing off gaining a forlorn look in her eye.

"But what?" said Shinpachi taking the bate.

"Well," Umeko started. She glanced away from them, still smiling behind her fan. "I don't now who I could go with! My uncle is so busy with his Commander duties that I just don't think I could go. Now if I had someone strong" Harada began to flex biceps "or clever" Shinpachi straightened out the collar on his kimono, "or handsome" Todou touched his cheek and smiled . "Then perhaps I could go. But, oh, what a shame. Oh and how could I forget! I couldn't possibly go with anyone who plays pranks either." 'Uncle will thank me for that one!' Umeko used false melancholy and said "No one like that would ever ask me. Why I'm sure all of you gentleman already have ladies to ask."

"well…" "No…" "Not really" all the men said at once.

Ayu heard the entire exchange, and thought she would wretch. 'Time to put an end to this. This woman sure is a flirt! Whatta slick one, this Umeko is!'

Ayu then announced lunch with a few smacks of her spoon on her board. "Lunch time ev'ry body! Lunch is bein' served!"

The three captains looked around excitedly and nervously. They each saw their chance to ask Umeko if they may escort her to the festival, but Ayu's cooking won out. After the three jokers sped away Ayu said causally "If you keep flirtin' like that you'll find yerself in trouble in no time."

Umeko kept her eyes on the yard in front of her and slowly fanned herself. "If you keep spying on me you might find yourself in trouble" said Umeko casually.

"Hmf" said Ayu as she thought 'Does she know I'm a spy or is she just speakin' of just now? "I'll keep that in mind" said Ayu. Then she continued to call for lunch.

Umeko dropped her fan in her lap and examined the patch up job she did on it. She sighed as she thought 'Well, I must look so worn and sad with a patched up fan. I'll have to find another, but I don't have any money. I guess going without a fan may be better than using a patched up one.'

As she folded it up she felt the eyes on her again. The same pair that she felt on her the other day when she ruined the fan. 'It wasn't Hijikata…I continued to feel this gaze as I spoke to him, but not directly…not Hijikata, then who?'

Souji Okita rounded the corner with his piglet Saizo in his arms. With all the brightness of a spring day he greeted Umeko. "Hello Ms. Umeko, a lovely day isn't it?"

"Captain Okita, it's a pleasure to bump into you" said Umeko.

Saizo woke from his slumber in Souji's arms and squealed and grunted what, Umeko could only guess from the look on his face was, an 'up yours lady!' and then he snuggled back into Souji's arms.

Souji laughed and said "Oh Lady Umeko! Just call me Souji."

She responded with "I will call you Souji, if you call me Umeko."

Souji sat himself down next to her on he steps and said with mock authority "Captain Souji Okita, first unit captain of Shinsengumi!" Then in his usual soft and high pitched voice said "It's alright! Ha ha ha I prefer Souji."

Umeko smiled and said "Oh Mr. O—I mean Souji, you shouldn't joke about such things!" Umeko covered her giggling mouth with her delicate hand. "I hope Mr. Hijikata doesn't scold me for using such casual language with such a high ranking official" she said.

"Hmm" Souji cocked his head said "Mr. Hijikata scolds me for things, but don't worry, I doubt he'll be harsh with you."

"Sorry to burst your bubble Souji, but he's already felt the need to explain to me, in none too subtle language, that I am on thin ice."

"Really?" said Souji, with full knowledge of Hijikata's opinion's of her.

Souji put Saizo on the ground and Umeko watched the piglet dance around trying to get Souji to pick him up again. "MmHm" she said.

"What did he say? What happened?" Umeko sensed through her intuition that Souji was some how being false with her. After growing up in court she had developed a keen sense o f falsehood. 'This young man spends a lot of time with Hijikata. A lot of time…after the sun goes down.' Before Umeko pondered on about Souji's and Hijikata's relationship she figured she'd answer his question. She did so truthfully.

"Well, a few of the captains were picking on a little page boy" she said.

"Oh! You met Tetsu? Isn't he adorable?" asked Souji excited.

"Yes, he most certainly is. I stepped in to prevent any violence I could and used a little trick my…" Umeko's eyes became sad "husband taught me." Umeko came back to herself and said "So now Mr. Hijikata is suspicious of me."

Souji's voice became harder and he his eyes were humorless. He said "Does he have reason to be?"

"Hardly. I may know some tricks, but they're not to be used for any malicious reasons. Just self defense." Souji's frankness was refreshing to Umeko, but his strange friendship with Hijikata was distracting to her and Umeko had some unfounded suspicions that they maybe weremore than just friends. This did not strike her as unusual because men in court often took young and beautiful boys as their lovers. 'Souji certainly is beautiful' she thought. Souji was a beautiful man. Not in a rugged and handsome way, but his features were soft and graceful.

Souji asked "Who would you need to defend yourself from?"

"My husband was a powerful lord. He became vocal in the support of the Shogunate. When unrest began to unsettle his lands I supported him and requested that my ladies spread his word to others. He was assassinated by a loyalist group who support the emperor. I suspect that I too am on their list."

"So that's why you came here?" he asked.

Umeko nodded. She said "Yes, but I have to be careful, Souji. I don't like it to spread around that I am…I don't want to cause trouble. I told my uncle, who already knew my story, but I'm not sure that even he believes me. The fact that a mere woman such as myself has survived often raises suspicion. I don't know who I should trust anymore."

Souji, with his soft comforting voice said "You can trust me."

Umeko turned and thanked him. Saizo grunted and Souji said "Oh! And don't forget Saizo! You can trust him too!"

A dark youth with bold white hair woke up and stood straightening his clothing and hair. He walked outside and greeted his master. "Good morning master Yoshida. You're looking well this morning" said the bright young man.

His handsome master brushed his long back hair side and greeted his youngest recruit. "Good morning Suzu, I see you are well rested yourself" said his master with a smooth controlled voice.

Suzu replied "It is not easy to rest knowing we have plans ready to set into motion master!"

"Be patient, Suzu. The Tanabata festival is only a few days away. We will start the cycle of destruction then. Soon the whole of Japan will be under the power of the emperor again, thanks to our efforts and devotion."

"Yes master!" said Suzu. Yoshida's page looked up to his master and idolized him, even though at times Suzu was unsure of his master's contradictory behavior.

"Suzu?" asked Yoshida. "What is the matter? You looked troubled."

"It's nothing master" replied Suzu.

Yoshida knew what it was. He had to execute a few followers the other day and his decision to do so had disturbed Suzu. 'He still has a lot to learn about controlling his emotions, and understanding the contradictory nature of life.' "Suzu. I had to sever the rotten parts of our group in order for the mission to survive. They were not dedicated enough and would have poisoned our purpose. The emperor deserves nothing less than total devotion. Do you understand?"

Suzu lowered his gaze. "Yes master. I just…" he looked up at his handsome master, and his long locks of flowing black hair. "Couldn't they have been reformed?"

"No, Suzu. They are not like you. They could not be helped."

After Tetsunoske finished his page duties for the morning he ran and found Umeko. He enjoyed talking with her and telling Tatsu about how he was spending time with her. Tatsu would get flustered and embarrassed, and try to deny he was romantically interested in Umeko. Tetsu would laugh, knowing the truth, and off he went. 'But seriously, Tatsu should watch himself. Even though he's still just a bookkeeper he must live by the rules of the Shinsengumi as well. That means no wives or serious girlfriends!'

Tetsu found Umeko and they spoke on about things unrelated to battle then Tetsu asked "So, Umeko, I've been thinking. If you had to run from all those men who killed your husband, how did you defeat them all?"

"I didn't. That's why I'm making you run so much. Thank you for running into town and getting the candy for me. It was delicious."

"Sure was. Thank you for sharing it with me." Tetsu dangled his legs off the landing and asked "So you just ran away from all of them?"

"No, Tetsu I ran to a place where I could fight them fairly. Actually when a group of men is running they all run at different paces. There are the fastest in the front, the middle runners, then those who lag behind. Even when you pick off the fastest runners the middle often breaks up into fastest, middle, and slowest."

"I don't get it" said Tetsu eager to know what she was saying.

"If you can run faster than any of them you can force this separation. Then you can turn and fight the fastest. Then keep running. Then you fell the next fastest and so on until you get to the slowest pursuer. They are often in the worst shape and are the easiest to beat."

"Wow, but how do you kill them fast enough so the next pursuers don't catch up?"

"That's where skill comes into play. You must be the best there is. You must fight quickly and efficiently. I'm sure you are learning this from sparring with captains here. They are teaching you important skills. I can teach you strategy."

"Wow. I can see Mr. Okita doing something like that. He's really fast."

"Yes he is." Umeko unfolded her fan and began to use it. The summer was in high gear and the heat was beginning to rise.

"But that still leaves me at a disadvantage. I'm not like Mr. Okita" said Tetsu watching his short legs dangle over the side of the walkway.

"This is true, but you can help your own odds, even if your skill is lacking."

"This second idea also has to do with running. You must still be the fastest. I will keep sending you to town for things to help you with your running and stamina."

Tetsu groaned. "Ugh. In this heat?"

"The enemy may strike during the heat, no?"

"Yeah…I guess" said Tetsu, unwilling to admit that anyone would want to run during this type of heat. He wiped some sweat from his brow.

"Just make sure to drink water. I have this for you." Umeko handed him a water bladder that Tetsu could wear on his run. "I know it's hot, but you shouldn't push yourself too hard. I want you to get faster, not dead."

"Hey thanks! So tell me Ms. Umkeo, about this second strategy." Tetsu then realized he forgot his manners "Please."

Umeko smiled and said "Of course. If you can out run your enemy you can lead them to a spot where your size is an advantage."

"Huh? When would my size ever be an advantage?"

"In a small spot."

"Oooooh! I get it! If I can out run them I can lure them to a place where it's too small for them to maneuver, but just the right size for me to move freely!"

"Exactly. Being as slight as I am has helped me on many occasions."

Tetsunoske nodded. Captain Harada walked confidently across the yard. Umeko nodded towards the strutting captain and said "Take him for example. Fighting him in open spaces would be suicidal. Can you imagine the disadvantage if he had to stoop? He couldn't wield his spear and he'd be dead meat against a sword."

Tetsu imagined the large captain in a cramped space and the look of surprise when a small Tetsunoske felled him in battle. He pictured himself standing on Harada's broad chest triumphantly waving his sword as the captain's eyes rolled in his head.

Tetsu and Umeko were having similar images run through their minds and laughed. After Harada passed Tetsu said "Those guys have been pretty quiet lately. I wonder what's up with that?"

Umeko smirked and said "I told the Captains Nagakura, Todou, and Harada that I didn't favor men who pulled pranks."

"So they just stopped? I don't get it. Why would they stop for you but not your uncle? He's the commander!"

"That is the power of a woman, Tetsu, and I think someday soon you will understand."

"Yeah? Well…okay" said Tetsu not quite sure what he was missing or what kind of magical powers Umeko had. Then an idea hit him. "Uh…Ms. Umeko?"

"Yes Tetsu?"

"I need some advice" he said shyly.

"Yes of course Tetsu. Anything for the best page the Shinsengumi has ever seen!"

Tetsu blushed and Umeko ruffled his spiky hair. He said "There's the Tanabata festival coming up really soon and I know someone I want to go with. Her name is Saya."

"Oh what a pretty name. Do you…uh…like Saya, Tetsunoske?"

"Um. Well, yeah, kinda. I just…well I need to know what to say to her."

"Tell her the truth Tetsu. As gently as possible."

"Right. But I'm can't figure out what that is."

"I see today's lesson will take up more time than expected. Umeko spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Tetsu and helping him settle his mind about Saya. This is also when she learned about the No Woman rule that Hijikata implemented. Her heart sunk.

Author's Note: The tips that Umeko gave Tetsu were not my tactical genious . They were something I learned from Rurouni Kenshin Wandering Samurai (first season). Kenshin is a good anime! Watch it!