A/N: Heeeeeeeeeeeey! Hello lovely people! How are you? It feels like it's been too long-that's my fault, this sorry excuse of a writer I am. Sorry lovely people of the internet. Vacation was great but all-time consuming; I had an amazing time though, worth it.
On with the story though; the show must go on. Remember where I left you last time? God I hope you do. (If not, check the end of chap 13)

Historical facts:
1. At the end of August, Saitou's unit made their first arrest, a burglar at the Shijou Horikawa rice shop.
2. On September 16th (lunar calendar, which I'm using, but some say it was on the 18th) Serizawa Kamo was assassinated in the Shinsengumi HQ in Mibu. Theories about his death abound; I go with the one you see written in here. There are many opinions on who did it, too (but I go with the Hijikata-Todo-Saitou-Harada line up).
3. Oume, a woman Kamo was sleeping with that was probably a geisha and his lover, along with Hirayama - do you remember the annoying guy from chapter three? - were also killed that night.
4. On September 18th the Shinto funeral for Serizawa Kamo was held.

A fine lady...

...and unsavoury acts.

It was the 29th of August when half of the fighting force of the Shinsengumi returned to Kyoto. They had left as an exercise, as well as to find a new place to call headquarters. The Yagi residence wasn't too bad, nor the Yagi family unbearable, but they needed something more permanent and more…spacious. After all, they were too many men for a simple home. As such, in an effort to be made known to the surrounding smaller villages and people, as well as to get some training in for different terrains, they began their expedition to find a new base.

And they did.

The Mibu village served just as that, with people surprisingly accepting of their positions and their appointment; maybe it had to do with the fact that village was too close to Kyoto and yet sort of overlooked by all the officials, thus became the perfect ground for equally overlooked samurai men with no master.

Thus, Hijikata and company returned to the capital triumphant: they succeeded in all of their self-appointed tasks, surprising the Bakufu and Matsudaira-sama equally. And they were in the process of relaying those news to their superior in the Matsudaira compound, when Tokio finally caught a glimpse of them!

A smile easily took over her face, her entire body even, as she all but skipped towards the room where they were reporting to the Aizu-han. She refrained from entering as long as Hijikata's voice was being heard; she only did once the lord started congratulating them. She checked herself a final time, to make sure she was presentable to guests – and if she weren't to make a quick run for her room and ask Ochako to stall them – and knocked on the door.

"Come in." She drew the shoji door open slowly. "Ah, Tokio! Come, say hello to the men; the Shinsengumi just came back from their very successful trip and we are here to receive them."

"Matsudaira-sama; gentlemen." She bowed respectfully; some colour rose to her cheeks. She must have been too absent minded lately, today no exception, as she failed to notice Bakufu men in their home. "It is a pleasure to see you all."

To her dismay, it was those Bakufu men that accosted her first, asking all sorts of questions and making small talk; she felt restrained, to be honest. She had this burning desire to go talk to Hajime and the other Shinsengumi, seeing Nagakura-san and Harada-san were among them, but these people would not let her breathe without commenting on it. At first it was the beauty of her kimono, sparkling in its simplicity; then it was the easiness of her kind character, shining with each nod; then it was the delicacy of her hair, grand in their casualness.

She had no idea how these people came up with such ridiculous compliments, but she decided she disliked it.

Due to her arrival though, conversation became easier and formality dwindled; soon enough, separate but equally heated or important conversations took over the entire room, leaving the Aizu-han at a loss of which one to follow first. But that gave Tokio the perfect opportunity to slip past the flattering men unnoticed and finally head to her original destination…Harada and Nagakura got to her first. She was a little disappointed, she wouldn't lie, but she was happy to see them back and well, too.

"Tokio."

There it was! The voice she'd been expecting to hear finally made an appearance. She turned her head only a little, just to make sure it was him; when her peripheral vision caught the height of the man approaching, she smiled modestly. "Hajime. Welcome back."

"It's good to be back…but the trip was good, too."

"Hmm, I wonder…Harada-san spoke of rustic beauties with long silky hair but I suspect you are not referring to that."

"How can you be so sure? We did go everywhere together, as a unit…"

She turned to him slightly alarmed; when she saw his teasing smirk, she blew air out of her nose dejected. "You fiend," she simply stated.

He chuckled. "A fiend yes…but you turned out quite the shrew, too. Who would have thought you would have held a grudge?"

He said it with airs, but she knew he was voicing an honest opinion. So, it was no wonder she was perplexed. She held a grudge? What for? She can't remember anything of the sort. Just as he was prompting her to answer with his raised eyebrows and challenging smirk, and she turned to face him bewildered, a man walked right between them, knocking on her shoulder and sending her two steps behind!

"Ouch!"

"Oh sorry; are you alright? I tripped and fell, forgive me."

The voice was familiar and the clothes spoke of a Shinsengumi man, so she shook her head placatingly. "Yes, quite alright; never mind, it happens."

The man had managed to grab her before she lost her balance anyway. No harm done. She was moving back into her original position, making faces at Saitou who nearly laughed at her, when she saw Hijikata reach his side first. Ah, Hijikata-sama; she hadn't talked to him yet! Maybe she should go greet him, too. Straightening her back, she took the final step.

That's why she heard Hijikata mumble to Saitou "go find your girlfriend while you still can and then we leave."

Saitou stared; Tokio froze; Hijikata was awkward. Then Saitou nudged him with the hilt of his sword, a curt nod towards her. That was when Hijikata finally noticed Tokio was at his side and…he became even more awkward than before. He gave her a forced smile in fact, and a stiff bow.

"Tokio-san, didn't see you there; hi. Hope you are in good health. I have to go talk to someone; see you in a short while, bye for now."

Equally speechless, the two remaining people looked at each other.

"Please ignore him," Saitou started after a while "he is quite the sadist with his men. It wasn't directed at you."

But Tokio was numb for another kind of reason. "A…are you attached to someone, Hajime?"

"Attached? No, why would I be?"

"I mean, it isn't a shame…if you are…it makes sense, too…" Ah damn it, why did t suddenly hurt to breathe? "You are no longer married after all; you are free to do as you please."

"How did you come up with-oh." He motioned where Hijikata had just been, finally understanding, and shook his head. "Oh no, I am not attached, it isn't like that."

"No, really, you can tell me; I would like to know her name actually."

"Tokio I'm not…there's no real girlfriend." The word was spoken quieter than the rest. "Hijikata was being mean, he was only trying to annoy me."

"By calling…someone your girlfriend?" He nodded. "Who? And why?"

An impatient sigh escaped him. "I don't want you to be upset and the only reason I am sharing this is because your mind runs wild and you'd be incessant in your whining to get the name from me thus I'd tell you anyway so here goes: he was referring to you."

She leaned back disbelieving, looking between the commander and him. "He does it because he knows I dislike things like that, yet we always meet inappropriately late," and Hijikata also firmly believed she led him around by the nose, but that one he chose not to share "so he teases."

"Aaaaw…well, that isn't upsetting. I can live with it."

What was upsetting, was how she reacted to the news of him maybe being attached to some woman. She felt like choking on air, it was so…weird! She tried to push it back.

"Right; so, as I was saying," he changed the tone and the mood of the conversation with ease "I hadn't pegged you for one to keep grudges, Tokio."

"I'm not; what gave you that idea?"

"Oh, I don't know; maybe that you haven't talked to me ever since I scolded you for the incident."

She turned scarlet. "Th, that's because you became Shinsengumi…you have many things on your plate."

"And I didn't before?"

"Not as much."

"Aha; and is that why you only sent one little note to congratulate me? And not because, by any chance, you were bitter?"

The way she averted her eyes, red turning to purple on her cheeks, was a sight for sore eyes.

"I…I simply thought it would be better to allow you some space after all that happened and, thinking you were somewhat right about certain things you said…I decided asking you to meet me in the middle of the night was more for my pleasure and accommodation rather than yours. What with you being so busy, I figured you didn't have time to entertain my caprices and get some proper sleep at the same time." She bit the inside of her cheek and chewed for a second. "S, so I didn't…ask you to meet me."

He looked at her for a mere second yet it felt his scrutiny lasted forever; she struggled not to fold under pressure.

"I see," he determined she was being honest, finally looking ahead of him "if that was your reasoning then it is acceptable."

But she didn't miss a beat. "You thought I was pouting." He said nothing. "I guess even you can't be always right, hm." He shook his head. "But I did want to see you, congratulate you in person. I know you worked hard for this."

Shit; she's being cute again. "…we all did," his brain deflected.

"Then, congratulations to all; you deserve them." They shared a small nod. "So, what good things happened on your trip?"

"You'll hear from Matsudaira-sama, no need for me to tell you; besides, it's too noisy in here."

"Oh! Why don't you come to the infirmary room for a check-up? We can talk there."

"Just me, out of so many men?" He was teasing again. "Hijikata will talk."

She was deep purple again. "A-anyone who might need it, too, of course…"

Despite his teasing, he knew this was a good idea; if he was being entirely honest, he felt like talking to her, too. Sharing his adventures with someone who wouldn't try to compete and compare – like most, if not all, his comrades did – was a welcome change of pace. "Then go ask him. Hijikata I mean, go ask him permission; I have a feeling that if you were to make such a request of him at the moment, he wouldn't say no."

Hijikata would say anything she wanted just to get her away from him and the topic of "girlfriend". Obviously on the same page, Tokio giggled in her hand and left immediately. He watched her go; he became annoyed. Even her walk was cute! That wasn't fair. Especially since he was usually impervious to such things, having grown up with a sister who always got her way by deploying cuteness as tactics. Why was this not the case?

All line of that thought stopped though, when he saw she was already returning, a winner's smile on her lips. Before she even reached his side, Hijikata walked to the middle of the room and cleared his throat, attracting everyone's attention. "Any man who feels unwell or has some sort of injury they would like to have looked at, can head to the infirmary room of the Matsudaira compound right now; Tokio-san has volunteered—"

The room nearly emptied. "–as a doctor." They heard Matsudaira-sama's laughter somewhere at the back.

Wide eyed, Tokio turned to a surprised but smirking Saitou. He offered her a wise look. "Men will be men…and like I'd once told you, we are simple ones; simple dress will do."

Fragments of their first "sanctioned" conversation came to her and she blushed. "I better get going, then…you better follow along, too. But come at the very end, so we can speak properly, otherwise I fear they'll listen."

Oh no; she knew that look. He was about to decline. "Given how many people have just left, I think it would be best-"

Clenching her jaw, she spoke through gritted teeth: "I am about to spend the next two hours elbow deep in blood and herbs, all because I wanted to talk with you; you are coming, or else."

Saitou felt like a deer caught in lamplight; slowly, he raised his hands in surrender and didn't break eye contact with her—she broke eye contact with him, after glaring at him to her heart's content. Then, superior and satisfied, she put her nose up and turned away to leave. "Ah, Hijikata-sama," she ran into him on her exit "you should come, too; I thought I saw you favouring your right side."

And she was out the door.

"Our Tokio is very thorough," the Aizu-han boasted! Apparently, he had missed the murderous tone and the no nonsense attitude. "And so observant—I hadn't noticed anything of the sort; you should go see her later."

"Right…" He turned to look at Saitou, who was still a little shook. Without hesitation, he went to his side and asked him what happened.

"…no person had ever looked at me like that before; it was slightly unnerving."

"What do you mean?"

"I felt like if I didn't do as she asked something really bad would happen to me."

Oh good; he wasn't the only one. A sigh of relief escaped him.

"At least we now know she will make an excellent wife to some man someday." Saitou gave him the most incredulous stare he could muster. "If the wife isn't at least a little bit scary, she can't be a proper one." Hijikata felt Saitou was doubting him with every fibre of his being. "You are young. You can't understand yet." A smirk then. "But you'll learn…" A chuckle. "Come with us, Saitou; Matsudaira-sama asked me to go have a drink with him until Tokio took care of the patients."

"I have to go, too."

Rolling his eyes, he stopped them in Saitou's direction. "As if she didn't ask you to go at the very end." The way he was taken aback only confirmed it for the commander, who clicked his tongue. "And then you complain I call her your girlfriend. Anyway, till then, come drink with us. Matsudaira-sama likes you; can't hurt to have him on your side."

"For what?"

"Anything that might come up and you need his good opinion…"

Saitou was not amused; true to his sadist name, Hijikata was enjoying it all the more. This was going to be a long day.

.

"You are late."

Those were the first words that came out of her mouth, from her spot on the floor, the moment he entered the room. "But at least you made it," she added as an afterthought and finally cracked a smile.

His eyebrow was raised at alarming heights. "I was not aware I had a choice."

"Of course, you had…but like any other choice, it would come with consequences."

She was amiable but her words were threatening again; he shook his head amused this once. Maybe getting some drink into him had changed his outlook, or maybe Matsudaira's information, remarking on how surprisingly invested Tokio has been in the success of the Shinsengumi and the return of its men, or how seriously she had taken her role as a caregiver and a doctor, did. It didn't hurt he found out Hachiro had made a reputation for himself as the most fearless guard – and a chastity belt – thus she actually listened to him and started going places with her dog.

So, instead of commenting on her words, he simply sat down opposite her, baring his chest and side, where most of the problem areas were. "I received no new wounds; these were all pre-existing, mainly looked at by our good doctor. That is why I want you to look over them…"

"Why didn't you come to me before you left?"

"I thought we had already established I was under the impression you didn't want to talk to me."

She jabbed him at one of the few unexposed areas. "Even if I didn't, which I did, there's difference between silly pouts and one's health."

"I can't accept help from someone who doesn't otherwise want to talk to me."

"…you are very proud, Hajime."

He tried not to smile. "It's one of my many flaws."

She giggled. "Indeed; we can add proud to the list of antisocial, taciturn and rude."

"We can't all be perfect, hime-sama."

"No one is."

"Those men you were talking with earlier think they are; they probably think you're perfect, too."

She actually laughed. "Me, perfect? Oh, how hopeful of them." She had already gone to work, taking salves out of the little chest she had next to her after inspecting his wounds. "So, how was your trip?"

"It was very satisfying; we found ourselves a base of operations, just like we wanted. It is a place not far from Kyoto but effectively outside the city itself; it's very close but not too close. And the people inhabiting the village are quite sympathetic to our cause."

"Hmm, a change of pace for you then; you always had to fight for your acceptance."

He nodded solemn. "The most important thing is, we made our faces known to the people but not just those in Mibu. We visited six different villages and despite their attitude, now they know who we are and what we represent."

"For misconceptions lead to misunderstandings, yes?"

That was what her mother used to say every single time Tokio felt like not explaining herself properly when someone scolded her, how much more when those scolding her did it for the wrong reasons. She didn't want to be bothered correcting them, Tokio would say, and receiving the lecture was less annoying, but her mother insisted, saying it set an unpleasant precedent.

As she grew older, she realised what her mother meant: if people blamed her for something she didn't do and she never corrected them, then next time something similar happens, they shall accuse her again; and then maybe they will do it for something that isn't her fault and soon enough she will be the scapegoat.

She had the idea and was a moment later certain Saitou was referring to something similar when he nodded. "At least now they cannot blame us for anything we didn't do or say."

"…your uniform is quite striking." What an odd change of topic; he didn't comment though. "It wouldn't be too hard for someone to commit atrocities while wearing it; then the whole unit would take a blow."

Ah, that was where she was going with it. "We didn't find out who the traitors are, yet, and yes, it is quite dangerous, but if someone does do that, they will be immediately revealed and ousted and probably killed or at least apprehended. Hijikata is a smart man after all."

"So are they, if they still are unidentified; they could do it at times when no one is supposed to be out on patrol so there will be no actual record of them. Even if Hijikata-sama personally oversees everything, he can't do something for what's not there; besides if he personally oversees everything, one or two small things are bound to slip by unnoticed."

He gave her a look. Not that she could see it, seeing she was working hard on his healing wounds and injuries. "What are you, Kamo?"

She giggled, never looking up. "I think I'm nearly as hairy to be called that." He struggled to stifle the snort of laughter but was unable; she felt a little proud. "But what pray tell leads you to make such a question?"

"He's been making the same sort of criticisms as you." She was genuinely surprised at that. "Claims we are being way too formal and pedantic."

"But it's Hijikata-sama." The term was coined just so he could one day wear it proudly, as a title of prestige, that's what Tokio thought. "What did Serizawa-sama expect?"

Saitou was of the same opinion, as demonstrated by his effortless, deep rumble at her words; that was the cutest non-cute thing she had ever witnessed and fought to keep her face neutral because what she was going to say next did not warrant smiles.

"Then again, Serizawa-sama doesn't think before acting in general…if you will allow me."

She briefly looked up to make sure he didn't mind her giving an honest but scathing opinion of his officer. That was when she noticed he had his eyes closed, in a dignified way. She didn't know why, but that captured her interest enough to remain looking at him, studying his expression. It was relaxed but there was an air about him. His face was unhurt; he was young and had no lines or wrinkles; he still looked like a veteran though. If one looked only at his body, it wouldn't sound too strange, but he was indeed only nineteen, barely twenty…it was so odd, yet compelling.

She felt like touching him.

"Stop staring; and stop that; speak already."

Her finger paused mid-air just as she was just about to poke his nose; she reddened furiously and retracted her hand but not without wondering how in earth he saw her when both of his eyes were firmly closed and he was almost looking away.

She cleared her throat and the question lurking in it; resuming taking care of him was deemed the best option. "He may not be the traitor but he's doing his best to give the unit a bad name. Ever since you received authorisation on city patrol he's…been a little wild. I do trust and respect him, make no mistake; but it may very well be his golden days have long passed. He was once hailed as a wonderful man, a man of the sword, too. Well, I see the sword now, but not the man."

"You don't eat your words, do you?" He couldn't hide the amusement.

"I don't need to, right now." A secret smile was shared. "I feel Serizawa-sama will eventually do something incredibly near-sighted and will invoke Matsudaira-sama's wrath. He is already disappointed in him and how he handles himself in crowds; it won't be too long."

"That sounds ominous…" She shrugged. "Though I did hear some things myself; never actually witnessed it, as Serizawa doesn't go patrolling with me, obviously." There was a moment of silence. "What has Matsudaira told you about it?"

"Nothing. But I can read his moods…and his facial expressions. Lately, whenever there's trouble with the Shinsengumi, the only name spoken is his and that makes it all the worse."

"I will keep it in mind."

There was an odd mood all around them suddenly and she decided it was time to expel the surprising tension. "…so, what else happened on your trip? Anything exciting?"

"We saw a bear; too bad Okita missed it."

She threw her head back as she laughed at the unexpected news.

"We even used it to chase away some bandits; very effective strategy, Nagakura's idea."

"N, naturally," she wiped tears from her eyes, hiccupping with laughter "did you arrest them?"

"…some were arrested; some were killed by the bear…"

Her eyes became wide. "Really?"

"Regretfully; but they did try to murder us repeatedly."

"Oh, well then, everything is justified." She wasn't sure how much of that wasn't sarcastic so she looked down to her task at hand, only to find out it was finished.

Oh.

That felt a little too soon. "Do you have anything else you need me to check?"

"No, I am otherwise healthy." A pause; his eyes scanned her downcast face while he was putting on his clothes. "Don't look too happy about it."

She coloured faster than if she'd been dipped in dye. "I—it isn't like that…!" She put her face in her hands. "It's great you aren't hurt, it's just a little disappointing I have nothing else to take care of."

"I enjoy being fondled, too but a line has to be drawn somewhere."

He nearly didn't finish his sentence because she slapped his chest before he could properly put on his hitatare; the sudden force of the back of her palm on his bare chest, almost knocked the wind out of his lungs. But he couldn't help himself, really. She was just too fun – and easy – to tease.

"You boor! I only meant it's a shame you can't stay a little longer not that I enjoy fondling you…!"

"Then you should have just said that."

Both people's heads snapped to the door that had just opened, revealing Hijikata; wearing one of his kinder smirks, he was standing at the door, quipping and giving heart attacks. She almost glared at him for scaring and worrying her so much but then she realised exactly what he heard come out of her mouth and her shame could not be contained.

"H-H-H-H-Hijikata-sama; you came for your check-up," she opted to say instead, eyes lowered to the ground.

"I did. I am not sure if I should have, though, for I do not know what I am interrupting."

Saitou felt like torturing her a little; if she was brave enough to threaten him into coming here, she should be brave enough to face one of Hijikata's sadistic moods, especially since she bullied them both into coming here. So, no quarter for her. Let her handle it.

"You are not interrupting anything; I just finished tending to Haji-…Saitou-san's injuries."

Hijikata snorted. "Oh yes, please, don't forget to be formal now." He watched her become deep purple, but she did look at him indignant this once. "But if you're done, I'd like my turn."

"Of course; please exit the room, Hajime."

"That didn't mean you should just abandon all-…" Saitou just gave up; there was not a single bone of real shame in her body. "I'm going now; you want me to wait for you?"

"I'm a big boy, I can handle myself; so can you."

"…I see;" he didn't like these two alone in the same room "goodbye Tokio; Hijikata."

"Goodbye," they chorused together.

Don't be a stranger, her eyes supplemented, looking at him intensely. He tried to pretend he never saw it…otherwise, something told him she'd be waiting for him in a night or two from now. He didn't really mind, but he really needed the rest. Sighing, he left them alone, despite his better judgement.

That was when Hijikata started removing layers quietly. Tokio couldn't even begin to count the women who wanted to see him in this state of undress, and yet it was her, maybe the sole disinterested woman in the entire capital, who got to see him half-naked. How amusing.

Even Teruhime-sama would be jealous.

Of his state of undress at least, not his attitude: he was silent and unaccommodating, driving her to move around him to clean and then inspect his wound satisfactorily. Proper patients raised their hands or stood in a way that helped the doctor, but he was unmoving like a mountain.

"Hijikata-sama, you're making this very difficult for me."

"Do I? Forgive me…I only wanted to show you how it feels like for me." Uh huh…here it comes. She was going to hear it. "I mean, you too are making it difficult for me to keep looking the other way when you say things like that."

"I-,"

"I am not finished." She fell silent. "Imagine if someone other than me had walked in and heard you, what they could have thought."

He stopped so she figured it was time for her to speak. "I am so sorry; you are most right. It won't happen again."

"It better not; I'm sticking my neck out for you—Saitou much more than me. Don't make either of us regret this decision."

"N-no, Hijikata-sama! It won't happen again, I promise. I shall never talk to him so casually somewhere where people can overhear, ever again."

He was tempted to put his face in his hand and shake it disappointed. "Don't do it again in general."

"But why? He doesn't mind; neither do I. Well, when I do mind, I let him know. It's alright, really."

"Bringing that up, may I ask…how come this odd status quo has come to be between you?"

Lines of concentration creased her forehead, brows furrowing. "Pardon?"

"You are quite informal with one another, the entire matter with the informant notwithstanding" she blushed and he felt accomplished "so I am curious. What was it that caused you to be this close?"

Her eyes darted one way and the other, as if the answer would magically appear out of thin air in front of her. "He was…rude to me? And so was I?"

"Are you asking or telling me?"

"I honestly think it was due to the fact our first meetings were so informal that we have come to this point."

"Your first meeting was one of the most formal events I had ever been a part—"

Her wide eyes, the regret written on her face, as well as the immediate aversion of her eyes, led him to think that wasn't right. His eyebrows shot high, lips coming together; the fact she froze under the short-lived scrutiny was also telling. "So how did you first meet then?"

"I-it's not important. It was informal; take my word for it."

"…alright. I do believe you, I was simply curious." He was being too curious if anyone asked her. "And how did the matter with his wife come up? Did he outright ask you to help him divorce her?"

"No, he shared the details of the matter with me and I decided to help him, on a whim."

"A whim?" She nodded. "No other motives?"

"Well, I wanted him to be happy; everyone deserves to be happy, right?"

He smirked. "Are you asking or telling me?"

She chuckled at the repetition. "I'm telling you."

"I see; so, no silly infatuations then, yes? No wishful thinking?"

"Wh-what? Me? O-o-o-of course not! I simply wanted him to divorce his wife."

Ah shit; that came out too wrong. She shut her eyes tight, not to see Hijikata's scandalised expression and maybe prevent the storm that was undoubtedly coming.

"Tokio, do you realise how this sounds t—?"

"That is not what I meant, oh dear buddha, it isn't what I meant at all! I only wanted him to divorce his wife because it would make him happy! I swear, I'm not-KYAH!"

Like a bolt of lightning, something black literally broke through the shoji door and landed on Hijikata, who had already drawn his sword and was about to cut the assailant into ribbons, when he heard Tokio's desperate cries!

"Hachiro, no! Stand down, stand down now! Sit!"

It was…a black, big dog that had attacked him. He was bare-chested so the beast's nails dug into his skin and hurt him, but was otherwise unharmed. His owner's orders seemed to do the trick and calm the dog down, too who settled for a low growl instead of the bite he was about to perform. "Sit I said! Oh, Hijikata-sama, I am so sorry!" She rushed to physically remove the dog from his person, grabbing him by the ear. "Hachiro, I told you to sit, why didn't you do it? Sit; sit!"

The dog didn't listen to her again, just glared and growled at the half-dressed man who was now back to his old calm self, ignoring the snarling animal. "I said SIT!"

Finally, his offensive stance mellowed out and slowly, he sat on his hind legs; he never stopped glaring at the man though. "I am so sorry Hijikata-sama; he couldn't see me for so many hours today and I suppose now that they let him come to me, he heard you or smelt something and thought you were about to hurt me and he reacted. I am truly sorry."

When Hachiro watched Tokio bow so deeply that her forehead touched the tatami, he whined; then, he tried to stop her with its front leg, still in his seated position.

Hijikata tried not to laugh.

"No harm done; from what I hear you train it to be a guard dog, so it is to be expected. But he certainly lives up to the reputation: Cerberus indeed."

"He isn't bad," she murmured put out, glancing at her three feet tall puppy "he's just protective. Now Hachiro: up; good boy; go there." She pointed at the far end of the room. The dog whined again but after a strict look from Tokio, he moved. "Allow me to finish, Hijikata-sama; he won't bother you again."

He said nothing else; all he could think of was: how convenient. The dog came at the best moment to dig her out of the hole she herself had made. Dogs were indeed loyal creatures. No matter what, he decided his small interrogation was fruitful. He took the info that he wanted: she wasn't in love with Saitou…but she wasn't indifferent either. Something burned at the pit of her stomach, causing her to say all the wrong things, even if it wasn't what she meant. He had half a mind to tell her to stop, leave him alone, but he refrained. Her feelings for him weren't shallow; they weren't deep, too. So, if he tried to cut her off, maybe feelings that would blossom into something different overtime, they would be made to overgrow earlier, and come out twisted and wrong.

No. This had to run its course, no more rushing than necessary. Besides, he distantly realised, this wasn't half a bad situation to watch. Smirking one last time before the treatment started – and his smarmy expression was replaced with one of mild agony -, he stood straight and waited to receive her ministrations.

He had made up his mind thus he was pleased.

And when the next half month passed very quietly, Hijikata was satisfied. It almost felt like it skipped forward in fact; the patrols Saitou was assigned were all, each and every one of them, night duty, thus had no chance to meet with Tokio at their usual place or their usual time. Of course, Saitou felt a little better knowing she was aware he was out at night and would never risk sneaking out at that hour. And given he was preoccupied, she'd have no reason to venture outside the walls of the mansion at all, so consequently, she was much safer. On the other hand, he didn't see her at all and even if he didn't mind per se, he just knew her complaining would be impossible.

The only two times they met was when she had ventured out in the city, in the market, to buy some ingredients for her salves and when he happened to come by the Matsudaira compound, to receive a formal commendation from the Aizu-han for exceptional services to the populace.

Their absence came to an end in a very unpleasant way though. It was disconcerting at some level also, for their last conversation served like the perfect foreshadowing, too. In less than three weeks that Tokio had warned about how Serizawa Kamo had gotten on the lord's bad side, the Shinsengumi captain and vice-captain receive the order: Serizawa Kamo has got to go. And of course, by go, no one meant leave.

It was the first time Saitou felt he had to stain his hands for the unit.

.

"You didn't have to kill the woman, too."

Those were the first words out of Tokio's mouth after such a long time. The moonlight was too bright, giving him ample time to inspect her features and make him feel all the worse for his actions: her lips were drawn downwards, her brow set in a scowl. Despite her usual delicacy, there was something incredibly harsh about her face. and the way she was decidedly looking away from him, only drove further shame into his heart.

What he hated most though, was how her words were not any different from his own, once he saw how Hijikata had driven his sword through that poor geisha's heart, not one day ago – because naturally, such a high-profile target required more than just, say, Harada – and he no longer bore to look at her. He put his hands in his sleeves and nearly turned his back on her.

"…what do you want me to do about it now?"

That was the wrong thing to say apparently, for her lips pursed, after the very short-lived but more than damning glare she sent his way, not that he got to see any of it. It was obvious she was very opposed to the idea of an assassination, especially of the innocent bystanders, as well as how absolutely revolted she had been at the news. Yet here she was. Why?

"Did you-?" She stopped. That wasn't the right way to go about it. "The woman, was she supposed to be there?"

"Yes and no; she was his lover. She wasn't supposed to be there that night, Hijikata forbade it, but he snuck her in anyway. Couldn't live without her, it seems."

"And now she doesn't live because of it; because of many things."

He started losing his patience. He had promised himself damn it, but now he again did or witnessed something that brought shame to him; even after he'd promised. What did she think, he liked it? He was a man of honour damn it!

"Orders are orders, what would you have me do?"

"You didn't have to kill her!"

"I didn't even do it, stop," the guilt was overwhelming even without her pointing it out all the time "I can't bring her back, can I? Whatever happened, no matter how shameful or unjust, already did, I can't turn back time. So I don't know what else do you want me to say?"

She regarded him for a lengthy, silent moment; there were wrinkles on his face that hadn't been there before; it was twisted in a decided glower, hands gripping one another in his sleeves. She could see it by the twitching underneath the fabrics and how he was gritting his teeth, too. She released a breath she was not aware that she was holding. She lowered her eyes.

"…that is enough." Her words did the trick and he finally turned to her. "That is what I wanted to hear."

The tension left his body rapidly and he sagged so much, he felt he needed to support himself with his hand to keep upright. "Are you an idiot?" He let it sink in for a moment. "Of course, I didn't want to do it—any of it. I was ordered to."

"I know."

"And I still don't like it."

"That's good."

He about had it with her sudden mood changes! He turned around sharply and stared. "How's that good? I feel like dirt! I did something I never thought I had to, even if it was for a good cause and our cause—the Shinsengumi's, it still feels like an excuse! And after all I told you that day at the—…"

He stopped talking and looked away; he was so upset his eyes were shades darker. Why? Why did she have to be so…understanding? He had expected her to be mad and stay mad; not give away with one measly line! He wanted her to, he didn't deserve this; she should be affronted, screaming she wouldn't talk to him again! That's what he'd do—what he did, to himself, every second of every hour afterwards. Because Oume wasn't evil; Kamo might have been, abusing his authority and threatening people, but not her.

And he stood there and watched her getting murdered by his superior. He had warned Serizawa not to bring her, but it was Hijikata's choice to kill her after all; and his not to stop him. Alright, it sort of happened at the same time, but still. He could have prevented it. If only he had spoken up about it the moment they walked in…

And after all he told her that day at the hot springs, he still did something so abhorrent.

He hated how his shame was inseparable from that fact. Maybe that was why he feared their meeting so much; when he saw her note, tucked in Matsudaira's congratulatory letter to Hijikata, he literally flinched. He wouldn't call her a moral compass, but their morals were very much in synch. That's why he was reluctant. Because he blamed and hated himself and after all the grand statements he made, how could he face her?

"It is, because it burns, it tortures you. You know she didn't deserve it; if the choice rested in your hand, you'd have prevented it. So, work hard to make sure that next time the decision does lie with you. Become indispensable and force your own brand of justice. Which isn't that different, I don't think you mind you had to kill him all that much," she criticised hastily, but only as an afterthought "but you wouldn't have hurt her. You are a little kinder. But even that much is a big difference, yes?"

"…yes."

Shit, he was being comforted; the one thing he didn't want to be, as a punishment to himself. "So, it's a good thing you don't like it. Remember that feeling; let it grow. And let it guide you to a better choice, in the future."

"Shut up, you're pissing me off. You're supposed to be telling me off."

"If this annoys you, too doesn't it have the same effect in the end?"

He couldn't help a snort of laughter. "You are really convoluted…idiot." Silence. "So how's your dog?"

The mood shifted in a heartbeat!

"Hachiro is growing, eating everything in sight; tried to attack Hijikata once, fun times." She smiled at his incredulous expression. "No really; but I held him back. Know what? Ask him to share the story, it will piss him off."

They shared a moment of mirth. But then he grew serious and looked out at the road. "Tokio."

She turned the same direction as him and was now standing on his right. "Yes?"

"I am not a bad person." He felt her head touch his right arm.

"I know."

He was tempted to look, but decided not to, fearing it would ruin the moment. "Tokio..."

"Yes?"

"...thank you."

She took the loose part of his hitatare at his back between her fingers; her right hand found its way to his and held it tight. She stood still and they both stayed like that for a long time-how long they didn't know, only that when they parted, it was time to go. And no words were exchanged, even as they went on their own ways; mainly because he couldn't wrap his head around how he was more reluctant to leave now than when he was to come when he saw her note, despite all his shame. How it was almost painful to extract himself from her grip and he didn't know why. Maybe, because all he could think of was how she was standing next to him in support...with both of her hands wrapped around him in some sort of way. And the way her small hand found his, felt electrifying; the thought of it, made his feet fly; the feeling of holding it though...kept him awake longer than anything ever had.

A/N: They are stupidly adorable, says the author /meanwhile, assassinations are happening/ Sorry, I ain't clueless, just...I love this pairing. Burn my lovelies, muahahaha! Love you darlings, hope you had fun. Leave a review on your way out~~!

Kisses, FAI