Author's Note:

I hope you won't feel like I'm posting too quickly. I know this isn't usually a problem for readers, but let me know.

In today's forecast we have partial humour clouding over later on with revelations and periods of light angst. Temperatures ranging from the mid-Shinpachis to a low of annoyed-Kimigiku during the day; the overnight low is Saitou. You have been warned.

As always, I'd be interested to know what you think of the evolution of the plot and characters.

StariChanx: Chizuru is ba-ack! Thank you for your reviews - always fun :)

Thank you for very nice reviews go to Speechless Guest and Anon - it's great to have you here and I truly appreciate the comments. I can't write back to you directly without UserIDs, but in the meantime I hope you stay with the story!

Arigatou gozaimasu to the following wonderful readers for their reviews and for sending encouragement and comments: nakigaoyuu , Ciarei Ceryn , Swanna , AsthaRen (I'm still hoping for forgiveness...), Naolysse88 (Duuuude! :) , AzureArchxngel (still in joke recovery I see), Windswept Blossoms , AnimeMango , kathryn1995 (no fear - he has to survive the oni first!), ArchimedesAckermann , red1Rogue (wave)

If I've missed anyone I apologize and hopefully I at least sent you a PM.

Philippines - so cool to see somebody (or a few?) from there in my story statistics; I was born in the Philippines, though we came back to Canada before I can really remember anything. Of course, every time I go across the border into the US or back to Canada I get the same question/comment about my passport: "but you don't look Filipino?" I just smile and agree. I don't tell them I'm a vampire-rasetsu so my hair and skin just kind of lightened up a lot. Border guards generally do not have a sense of humour about these things (although I'm sure they're generally wonderful people and potential Hakuouki fans).

Chapter Quote

"She's got a lot of pretty,
pretty boys she calls friends...

How they fight in the courtyard
sweet summer sweat...
Some fight to remember
some fight to forget..." - Hotel California, The Eagles (with just one little change)

Chapter 23 – The Trial of Body

Harada knew who was outside his room but didn't have the energy to tell him to get lost. Besides, Shinpachi always just walked in no matter what he said. And he never asked for permission either.

Sure enough, the door opened and Shinpachi leaned his head in.

"Sano. Sitting in the dark I see – good thing I brought an extra light."

Shinpachi set one of the lanterns down beside Harada and the other across the room before sliding the door shut and sitting down against the wall kitty-corner to his friend. It was never a good sign when the red-head was still carrying his spear indoors.

"I didn't dare ask Hijikata about sake I'm afraid," the swordsman continued sympathetically. "But what a hellish evening, huh?"

"I wish you'd go away, Shinpachi. I know you won't and it's nice and all. But I don't really want to talk about anything right now."

Even with his eyes closed, Harada could sense Shinpachi stir restlessly. Not just because he knew the man and could hear his movements, but because he could feel his presence, familiar and a bit rough but shrewd and good-natured under it all. He thought how ironic it was that Saitō's company would be the most comfortable because he didn't project himself all the time. He wished for the hundredth time that he hadn't pressed Chizuru to talk about the Ikedaya.

"Well I can't leave even if I wanted to so you're out of luck."

"In more ways than one. Hijikata-san told you to stay?"

"Got it in one. But seriously, Sano, Chizuru-chan? She's sweet and cute and all, but she's a kid."

Harada ignored him.

"What makes you think she likes Saitō more than you anyway? I mean, she just stared at him you know. Like he was freaking her out – hell, he freaked me out. He's a good guy and I'd rather have him at my back than a regiment, but he's like ice."

Amber eyes cracked open and Harada glared at his friend.

"No, he's not. He's just really, really good at being quiet. Which is more than I can say for some people."

"Tch! You're such a jerk when you're feeling guilty, you know that Sano? I mean, I'm older than you –"

"By a year for God's sake!"

"– and you should take my advice on this one."

"What advice?!"

"Find somebody pretty in town to cuddle and stick to sneaking Chizuru out for treats."

"Gah! You don't have the faintest clue what's going on, do you moron?!"

"Better than you think asshole!"

"Hey, at least an asshole is good for something, unlike your stupid advice!"

"No, it's good advice, you're just stuck in your "something went wrong and it's all my fault!" crybaby mood."

"You – you truly suck, you know that? Your advice is like Hijikata's haikus – pretty to look at, impossible to follow!"

"… Uh, Sano?"

Harada shoved both hands into his red hair.

"Fuck. I really hate this."

"But you feel better because you got to shout at me, right?"

"No. And I did see somebody cute in town actually. She reminded me of Chizuru –"

Shinpachi rolled his eyes.

"… But with these really big dark pink eyes. But she was all dressed up so I don't think she cuddles squad leaders, you know?"

"Pink eyes? Kind of short? Hair tied up in gold tassels?"

Harada eyed his friend uneasily.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because she's here, loser. Think you're brave enough to cuddle a princess?"

"Sure, bring it on."

"Good, good. She's got this gorgeous bodyguard, too."

"That's nice."

"I'm not kidding."

Harada stared at him, eyes more topaz than amber and gleaming in the lantern-light.

"Shit. You're not kidding."

The spearman leaned back against the wall again.

"I hate my life."

"Yeah, for now. But tomorrow, who knows?"

"If Saitō dies I'll really hate myself."

"Won't happen. What would Hijikata do without his faithful shadow saying "Hai, fukuchō!" every twenty minutes? He'll find a way out of it."

"No… actually… I think Saitō's really sick. I don't know how I know, I just do. And Chizuru, she feels awful and I know that too."

"I think that's why the princess is there, Sano. I mean, Hijikata wouldn't let her in to see Saitō unless he was really sure she knows what she's doing."

"Sure. Or he's desperate. Which he is."

"You know how I said you're a jerk when you feel guilty? I was wrong. You're boring."

Entirely against his will, Harada cracked a smile.

"Okay, you win."

"Yeah, because I'm the best."

Amagiri stood on a rooftop overlooking the Shinsengumi compound. Although he didn't quite have Sen‑hime's power for distance-sensing, now that he knew what he was looking for he could find them easily. Saitō-taichō glowed with so much raw power and pain that anyone halfway competent with the Gifts of Soul would find him instantly. That meant the other one was Harada-taichō, who shimmered like a bright yellow flame, contained although imperfectly controlled.

It was a good thing that the latter was not in any danger of his life. Amagiri had spent just under an hour in fast-travel, slipping by will and power from landmark to landmark and covering approximately fifty miles. Although fast-travel was among his own strongest Gifts – a blend of Body, Mind and Soul that few had the balance to attempt – it was still fatiguing. He thought he knew what the princess wanted him to attempt and he was grimly aware that there was a high risk of failure.

As he rested briefly and chose his best route into the compound, he realized that he couldn't sense the unknown Oni girl. However, Sen-hime and Kimigiku-san were formidable at creating combined defensive wards. It was probable that they had shielded her, not knowing whether Kazama would stay with the Satsuma forces south of Kyoto. The ward would be anchored by the shinobi, since Sen-hime was undertaking the more complex work this evening.

He could sense that Sen-hime was tiring. It was time to go. He considered his decision one last time, however. For him, personally, it would be significant and not without cost. But something in the young swordsman had resonated with him, even though he had only seen him the one time – just yesterday, in fact. Satisfied that his choice was correct, regardless of outcome, he made his way across the remaining roofs and into the Shinsengumi headquarters, his ki carefully damped to nothing.

Saitō focussed through the pain and the blue haze and found Hijikata's familiar face and purple eyes. It wasn't the Vice Commander who answered his question, however. With difficulty, he turned his head slightly. The speaker was a girl of about Yukimura's age, but with lighter hair and eyes. She seemed to be holding his hand, but since she was his only firm anchor to the world outside the blue cloud, he accepted the familiarity as a matter of necessity.

"Yukimura-san is not unprotected, Saitō-san. And once Amagiri-san is here she will also have my own bodyguard, Kimigiku with her. I swear that she will be safe. I am Sen; I came here to help you."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Osen-san," murmured Saitō through cracked lips.

Over the course of the past hour, Sen had watched the face grow more gaunt, the cheekbones and the sharp jawline becoming more prominent. Even the collar-bones and ribs seemed more clearly defined, as the lean, muscled body was ravaged by the unnatural fever. She could only hope that Amagiri would come in time and be willing to help.

Kimigiku suddenly rose and went to the door.

"Amagiri is here," she said, a trace of relief in her voice. "Hijikata-san, please tell your medic to allow him to pass."

Hijikata moved quickly to stand beside her. Sure enough, Yamazaki was just taking up a fighting stance on the other side of the door, weapon drawn. A tall, muscular man with red hair and beard stood several feet away from him, arms held away from his sides and hands empty. His black coat blended into the night, the white snakes on the arms standing out starkly in contrast. Hijikata found that he had little difficulty believing that this man was an Oni. At the same time, despite the stranger's sinister appearance, he sensed no malevolence or antagonism.

"Yamazaki, you may allow this man to pass."

"Hai."

Yamazaki sheathed his sword and stepped away from the door. Amagiri glanced briefly at the medic as he approached and then inclined his head to Kimigiku. He studied Hijikata for a moment before bowing politely. He wondered if Sen-hime had also noticed how much her bodyguard and the Vice Commander resembled each other.

"Konbanwa, Hijikata-fukuchō. I am Amagiri Kyūjyu. May I enter?"

Hijikata, resigned but still wary, bowed in return. There was something about the Oni that made the formality seem appropriate. On the other hand, this was most likely the man who had nearly killed Heisuke.

"Konbanwa, Amagiri-san. Please come in."

"Amagiri! Thank goodness." Sen was clearly pleased and relieved to see the red-haired Oni. "Arigatou gozaimasu. Kimigiku, will you please arrange with Hijikata-san to stay with our… relative?"

Kimigiku bowed, her face expressionless but her movements conveying disapproval at being asked to leave the princess while she was vulnerable to potential enemies.

"Hijikata-san, would you or one of your subordinates please escort me to the girl's room? It is imperative that I be there before Sen-hime and Amagiri-san begin the Ritual."

The Vice Commander noted that the women seemed careful not to mention Yukimura's name to the new arrival, so he merely nodded.

"It isn't far, Kimigiku-san; Yamazaki will escort you."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, fukuchō."

Hijikata watched them walk off toward Chizuru's room, knowing that his superiors might question some of the decisions he was making tonight.

After Hijikata-san left with Saitō-san, Chizuru had let the tears spill down her cheeks under her hands. She had tried very hard to be brave, but clearly her panic had brought Saitō-san back from his patrol and he had attacked Harada-san, who was just trying to help.

She wished – as if that would help! – that Harada-san hadn't mentioned Okita-san almost getting killed. It reminded her too vividly of the awful feeling of being controlled by whatever strange force the blond man had used against her. What would happen to Saitō-san now? Surely they wouldn't punish him when he was already so desperately ill?

Unbidden, the familiar face hovered in her mind, blue eyes clear but sad, lips curving very slightly into a rarely-seen smile. She thought that she could still feel his finger-tips on her cheek and somehow that made the tears slow and then stop. He had always made her feel safe, while at the same time implicitly supporting her own quiet belief that she could and should do things for herself. She wasn't sure that anyone – especially any man – had ever accorded her such respect.

Mechanically, she bathed her face in cool water and remade her pony-tail, rewinding the white cord that held it tightly in place and retying the pale blue ribbon she had been allowed to buy to match her newly-made hakamashita. She was exhausted, but she felt more secure being tidy and dressed. She did unroll her futon, but that was more out of a sense of duty than anything, as if it were a way of complying with the order to rest.

From time to time she felt tendrils of apprehension or premonition cross her tired mind, but she pushed them relentlessly away. There had been one moment where she had staggered, overcome by weariness and a feverish pain, but after leaning against the wall for several minutes it had suddenly dimmed to the point that she could ignore it. She didn't realize that it was Saitō's collapse that she had experienced, not her own, and that she had Sen and Kimigiku to thank for the protective ward that now surrounded her, dulling her senses and shielding her from prying eyes.

Eventually she had recovered enough courage to retrieve Harada-san's katana. Her own kodachi was on the stand she had been given, although it looked a little strange sitting on its own. Most of the Shinsengumi, and all of the captains and commanders other than Harada-san, carried the daisho, the sword-pair consisting of both katana and wakizashi. In fact, she knew that the Tenth Division Captain did own a short sword – it sat on the stand in his room – but he never wore it that she knew of.

Holding the katana reminded her too much of the worst of the recent disaster, so she wrapped the blade in one of the scraps of cloth she kept on hand and set it carefully by the door. Then her energy and legs gave out and she sank down beside the sword, leaning back against the wall with her eyes closed in unconscious imitation of Harada's position several rooms away.

She wasn't sure how much time passed before she heard Yamazaki's voice outside her room. It seemed slightly louder than usual, and she understood that he was trying to give her a few seconds' warning that he was bringing a guest with him.

"We are here, Kimigiku-san."

Chizuru got to her feet. She hoped that she could cope appropriately with the stranger after such a long day.

"Shitsurei shimasu, Yukimura-kun."

"Please come in, Yamazaki-san."

When the door opened, her attention was immediately drawn to a tall woman dressed in close-fitting clothes. The long black hair and lovely purple eyes reminded her irresistibly of Hijikata-san. At the same time, something in her stance and movements suggested more of the dancer than the warrior, and she did not carry any swords, of course.

"Kimigiku-san, may I present Yukimura-kun. Yukimura-kun, Hijikata-san instructed me to bring Kimigiku-san to you. You are to stay with her in your room for the present."

Having delivered both the woman and the Vice Commander's message, Yamazaki inclined his head to both the woman and Chizuru and departed in some haste. Chizuru was left to step back and usher the woman into her room.

"Dōzo, ohairi kudasai, Kimigiku-san," the girl murmured softly, the polite phrase coming as naturally as it once had when she welcomed guests to her father's home.

The other woman had an extraordinary expression on her face, as if she were both sad and happy at the same time.

"Ojama shimasu, Yukimura-sama."

Chizuru indicated a kneeling cushion and took the other, puzzled by Kimigiku-san's overly formal honorific. There was no indication that she meant to be sarcastic; she had accorded Chizuru the noble title as if it were a matter of course.

"Kimigiku-san, I assure you that there is no need to address me that way," she said earnestly.

"Ah, of course, Yukimura… -san," the woman murmured. "This is a very unexpected meeting indeed. But now is not the time."

Utterly at a loss, Chizuru could only wait politely.

"We do not have much time for me to tell you what you need to know," Kimigiku said, frowning. "Sen-hime – ah, the princess I serve – is better at this, but she must be there to help your … friend. Saitō-taichō."

"Is Saitō-san going to be alright?" Chizuru demanded immediately. There were obviously too many riddles here to unravel quickly, but she hoped that maybe this confusing woman could at least reassure her about the indigo-haired captain.

"No, Yukimura-san, he will not be alright unless he has a great deal more than human strength in him and Amagiri-san and Sen-hime can work a small miracle. And maybe not so small at that."

Horrified, Chizuru raised her hands to her mouth, but the thought of a steady pair of dark blue eyes forced her to lower them to her lap. He would not want me to be frightened, she thought. He would want me to find out what I could do and then do it.

"Tell me," she finally said, with a reasonable attempt at self-possession.

Kimigiku's admiration for the girl rose.

"Very well. The Oni have lived in secret beside humans for millennia." She ignored Chizuru's small gasp and continued. "We are not evil spirits; in fact, as a rule, we prefer peace to war and negotiation to strife. For hundreds of years, the Oni were unified under the Princess – or occasionally the Prince – of the Oni. The Princess was not a ruler, exactly, but neither was she a figurehead. Hers was the deciding vote in case of dispute and her final decisions were law. Her domain was Kyoto and its surrounding lands and her clan controlled the hidden Oni village of Yāsē. There were three nobles below her in rank, the Lords of the Western, Eastern and Northern Clans. Or Ladies, as the case might be, although that was unusual."

Chizuru raised her hand between them, palm outward.

"Chotto matte, Kimigiku-san. I follow you, and I assume that this is relevant to Saitō-san's illness, but you must be plain with me. Are you and Sen-hime, and those two men I saw at the Ikedaya, all Oni?"

"Yes, Yukimura-san."

"And you are telling me this because… I am too? Is that what the blond man meant?"

I am amazingly calm, Chizuru thought to herself. Why is that? Have I always known? But why didn't my father tell me?

"The blond man is Kazama Chikage, Lord of the Western Clans. Yes, that is likely what he meant, although of course I was not present for his words."

"So the healing… and knowing how people feel… and the premonitions – it's all part of it?"

"Yes."

But I don't want to be a monster. I don't want to be cruel like that man with his magic and his horns and his ghostly hair. And what if Oni drink blood like those other creatures with the white hair? Chizuru couldn't think of any way to ask this politely, so she it kept firmly to herself. Kimigiku sensed her distress but couldn't be surprised, under the circumstances. When Chizuru stayed silent, however, she had to continue with the important facts.

"There are just a few more things and then we must prepare ourselves. Alright?"

"Hai."

"We – Sen-hime, Amagiri-san and I – have come to believe that Saitō-san and Harada-san have significant Oni ancestry. It appears that by spending time with you, by becoming close to you, that Oni ancestry has begun to manifest. We have only one precedent for this, and it is considered a matter of legend rather than recorded fact except by Sen-hime and her clan, the Okikurune."

Kimigiku decided not to add that very few of the Okikurune believed the story either. Yukimura-sama – for so she must be, as impossible as it seemed after all this time – would need to believe that the upcoming Ritual could work. The girl was very silent. Kimigiku didn't need Sen-hime's abilities to know that she probably felt guilty about her influence on the men.

"From what I understand, Kazama-sama used what we call Soul magic on you in order to show you your true Oni form."

"Yes."

Chizuru's tone was clipped, and Kimigiku thought that Kazama was going to regret his rash action. It would take a long time to undo the damage that he had done and establish some form of trust between them. It would have to happen, though, if Yukimura-sama was to take up her role as Lady of the Eastern Clans. Well… such as they were.

"Amagiri tells us that Saitō-san was close by when this happened, and his body tried to change as well because he was already so close to fully realizing his powers as a part Oni. Fortunately, the effect lasted only a very short time. Unfortunately, that accelerated his… transformation? Awakening? We have no word for it, at least, not anymore."

Chizuru stirred restlessly. It was unlike her, and Kimigiku knew that it was attributable to Sen-hime and Amagiri's preparations for the Ritual, together with the power bleeding off Saitō-san. The ward could only do so much, especially as Sen-hime's attention was diverted elsewhere.

"What are you going to do to Saitō-san?" Chizuru asked bluntly. "Are you trying to turn him into a… an Oni?"

"No. He's trying to turn himself into an Oni. This evening he used power that should only have been used by a full-blood Oni. But since he isn't, he is burning up with it. He has the power but not the body to contain it. Would it really be so bad to be faster and stronger in almost every way?"

Kimigiku realized that she was herself feeling the strain of anchoring the ward, worrying about the princess, and now talking to a long lost Yukimura noble who seemed to think that Oni were nothing but monsters out of children's tales. Fortunately or unfortunately, she didn't know what Chizuru had seen her first night in Kyōtō. If she had, she would have understood the girl's fear better, but she likely would have refused to assist any member of the Shinsengumi. The rasetsu were anathema to all Oni.

"I… think it might not be good, if a person changes so much that they're not a person," Chizuru answered as bravely as she could.

Kimigiku stared at her and decided that Kazama must have been more heavy-handed than usual to evoke such a negative reaction. Well, they were almost out of time.

"The Trial of Body will not turn your friend into an Oni, although it is the first step. But you need to understand this, really and truly: if he cannot pass the Trial then he will die. Do you care about him?"

"Yes of course! They have all been so kind to me, especially Saitō-san and Harada-san. And Heisuke-kun has cheered me up a thousand times –"

"No! You can only think of this one. Saitō Hajime-taichō. If you are going to help him now you must care deeply – as a lover, a brother, a friend… For this Trial, any of those will do but you must be focussed. Do you understand? Can you do this for him or not?"

Chizuru closed her eyes. Could she? Yes. He had helped her from the beginning, from the very first moment. Saved her life more than once. Sat with her all night, every night for over a week and never made her feel unsafe. Friend or brother or lover… She wasn't ready to answer that question yet. But she could love him.

"Hai. Tell me what to do please, Kimigiku-san. I am in your hands."

"Very well. First we complete your own Trial of Body. It is the only way. I am sorry – it should not be like this."

"It's fine." Now that her mind was made up, Chizuru felt more settled.

"Then take my hand. Sen-hime or Amagiri would be better, and you should have at least a clan-member here but…"

Chizuru took the other woman's hand and closed her eyes.

Slowly, she felt the same tendrils of magic steal across her, just as it had with Kazama – and entirely different. This time the magic was less powerful and more… tender? She sat passively as Kimigiku built up an image for her – with her. White hair, soft and silky. White skin, like fresh milk. A little more height, more muscle. Short claws – that surprised her, but the nails were pretty and silvery. Eyes, big and bright gold. Horns… Her resolve faltered for an instant but Kimigiku held the image steady for her. You are so beautiful, she seemed to be saying. Remember that. Horns then… just two, small and sharp and silvery white like her nails.

Her head ached and she felt so tired… And then the pain was just – gone. She felt incredible. Strong and powerful and so alive. Her eyes flew open.

Across from her sat Kimigiku-san, still cross-legged; her long black hair now cascaded in a white wave down her back and over her shoulders and her eyes were golden instead of purple. She was smiling, and there was the sheen of tears in her eyes.

"We welcome you, Yukimura Chizuru, Lady of the Eastern Clans. Good health and long life to you. May you choose your mate wisely, bear your children easily and bring prosperity to the clans."

The words were clearly ritual – and yet, not. Chizuru wanted to laugh and dance and cry at the same time.

Then the screaming started.

A/Note: Next time... Crime and Punishment, Part 2. Probably. Also, there will be more on all the Shinsengumi soon. I mean, what's Sannan-san got to be thinking? And Souji's always good at hearing what's going on. Will Hijikata EVER get any sleep? Inquiring minds apparently want to know.

Thank you to everyone who is reading. I appreciate the Favourites and Follows - it means more people are finding this story :)