Author's Note:

Hello to xMousex and welcome back! And to Anon for the kind review. :)

So far, people seem slightly pleased that Saitō decided to take the opportunity to say something to Chizuru, even if he did almost leave out the most important part. You have to wonder, though, whether he was being unusually demonstrative (oni-strative?) in spite of having gone through immense trauma (giving up his swords! ... and the Oni thing) or because of it?

Anyway, thank you to StariChanx (true, Kaoru is psychopathic, but should you hold that against him? well... probably, yes) , Swanna (see today's chapter), nakigaoyuu (ditto) , AnimeMango (Saitō thinks a date might work out as long as he can avoid well, pretty much everyone else), Ciarei Ceryn (glad you like the extra role for Kimigiku), kathryn1995 (indeed...), AzureArchxngel (looking forward to reading Promise), and AsthaRen (who has now forgiven me ^^ ). To red1Rogue - many thanks for emo-Ibuki.

And perhaps some of blodwite's hopes will come true in the near future for action, danger and people beating on each other with swords. Or whatever. ;)

I do not own Hakuouki or any of its characters. Just saying.

Chapter 27 – An Agreement Between Practical Men (and Oni)

[I]

Meetings in the small hours of the morning were always like this, thought Hijikata. Things got overlooked, assumptions were made, tempers frayed. On the whole, this meeting had gone better than many of its type. He ascribed part of that to having guests present and the rest to the fact that complete exhaustion was safer, in some ways, than regular fatigue.

"The Princess and I should leave now," Kimigiku said after the silence that had followed the Deputy Commander's decision concerning Saitō.

"But – what? I think there's just a bit more to explain don't you, Kimigiku-san?" Nagakura was frankly incredulous. "Your friends just happen to show up at the place we're raiding and now Sōji and Heisuke are out, Saitō's – well, I was going to say out of his mind, but now I don't know – and Chizuru-chan's freaking out. So we're just supposed to say 'goodnight, it's been a blast'?"

Sen placed a hand on Kimigiku's arm and responded to the question.

"I'm afraid that Kazama, Amagiri and Shiranui were in no way acting with us at that time, Nagakura-san. I only came here to assist Saitō-san. Amagiri is only here for that purpose as well. However, it is only fair that we explain things a great deal more, especially because of Harada-san. You have my assurance that I will be happy to come back here – with the permission of your commanders – tomorrow or whenever is convenient. I believe that we will be of more use to you if we get some sleep. And, forgive me, but none of you have had sufficient sleep either."

Her eyes drifted to Hijikata. He managed not to react, but he thought that she had a very stern expression for a girl who struck him as being very young - maybe only Yukimura's age.

"I will need to speak with Saitō-san soon," stated Amagiri. "However, I will stay and answer some of your more pressing questions if you wish, Nagakura-san. Also – Kimigiku-san, we had agreed that some of the more dangerous implications of tonight need to be shared with the commanders as soon as possible."

The purple-eyed Oni nodded in agreement and Sen briefly closed her eyes before she nodded as well. Both women rose and this time the princess' stumble was not feigned. Her shinobi put a protective arm around her. Hijikata's eyes flicked to Nagakura but he and Harada were already on their feet.

"We'll see the ladies out, Vice Commander," said the Second Division Captain. "Unless you need somebody to escort you home?" he added to Kimigiku.

She smiled a little ironically at him.

"First you scold and now you're a gentleman? Thank you, but I believe we'll be fine."

Nagakura slid open the door. Goodnights and bows were exchanged.

"Sano and I will be back in a few minutes, Sannan-san, Hijikata-san."

He got two brief nods, and then he and Harada stepped outside to walk Sen and Kimigiku to the main gate.

Sannan, Hijikata and Amagiri sat in silence for only a few moments.

"If you were us, what would you do with Saitō?" Hijikata asked bluntly.

Amagiri nodded his comprehension.

"Hmm. You are concerned about his loyalties, especially as he may be exceptionally strong. On the other hand, there are storms coming that will require the Shinsengumi to be at their strongest. Do you believe that changing his physical form is likely to have changed his view of where his duty lies?"

"It's more than his physical form," murmured Sannan.

Amagiri shrugged, keeping his eyes on Hijikata.

"You are correct. Nevertheless, my opinion stands. You need him and he needs you. And frankly, he has always been part-Oni – as strong as or stronger than any I have seen raised within the demon clans, although untrained."

"So you would trust him? After all of… this?" Hijikata pressed him.

"Yes. But I have seen him as he really is. So have you, Hijikata-san, but after the last two days you are questioning your perceptions. He is an honourable man. I would have refused Sen-hime's request, otherwise – or rather, she wouldn't have asked. The fact that you have used him, and likely will continued to use him, for your more questionable tasks is between the two of you, and between him and the Shinsengumi."

Stung, Hijikata scowled at the calm, red-haired Oni.

"What of the girl?" asked Sannan-san, ignoring the implied criticism altogether. "I don't understand what her part is in this. It is very unfortunate that she has caused a problem between Saitō and Harada, but apart from that – what is the connection?"

"That is a more difficult question. Do you think we should discuss this with your subordinates? They are almost here."

Sannan looked at the Oni through narrowed eyes. It was difficult to tell whether he was recommending bringing the captains into it or the exact opposite. Hijikata was even more puzzled. He thought the man might be stalling.

"It might be better to discuss it privately," Sannan decided. "I gather that you will be here tomorrow?"

"Yes, with your leave, of course."

There was a polite "shitsurei shimasu" and Harada entered along with Nagakura. They took places between the commanders and the remaining Oni. Harada looked and seemed calmer. Hijikata suspected the men had managed a quick chat of their own on the way back – or maybe not. Sometimes just getting out for a little helped.

In fact, it was Harada who began, although he waited briefly to make sure he wasn't interrupting a previous conversation. His tone was neutral, but polite.

"Amagiri-san, you said that you were Oni. Sen-hime implied that this has something to do with Saitō, and Kimigiku suggested that I could be in a similar situation. Could you please explain?"

Amagiri considered him – or perhaps his question – for some time. His eyes were the colour of a summer sky, but mild, as if to make up for his bright red hair and intimidating size.

"On what basis do you wish your question answered?" he asked at last. "Can you start from the concept that we are Oni?"

"Hai. I met your friend with the long hair the same colour as Saitō's. Shiranui Kyo. He didn't really seem human, to be honest."

"Very well. So, there are Oni, although not many of us compared to humans. Usually, we know and keep track of all Oni children, including part-bloods. But sometimes, people leave. Over hundreds of years that adds up, I suppose, though less than you would think. Unlike full-blood Oni, part-bloods must be taught to use the majority of their powers. So a part-blood who is born outside the clans usually has quite limited powers – perhaps greater health or strength or speed, perhaps a slightly longer life. And as the blood is diluted, each generation becomes more and more human."

"But Saitō is very strong and fast for a human – exceptionally so. We almost all are, really."

Amagiri and the two commanders watched the two captains and saw them exchange incredulous glances after just a few moments. Nagakura rubbed at the back of his neck; Harada just looked startled.

"You think we all have this… Oni ancestry?" asked Nagakura, looking both distrustful and uncomfortable.

"Yes, although likely to differing degrees. I note that having so many strong latent part-bloods in one place is unique, in my experience. And at least some of you have more than one ancestor with Oni or part-Oni blood – given the strength of the latent abilities. Given how few of us there are, relatively, that requires a substantial… coincidence."

Neither Nagakura nor Harada looked especially happy with these revelations.

"You're seriously saying that we're not human?" Harada demanded.

"It would be more accurate to say that many of you are only part human. On the other hand, until very recently you were effectively human by the definition of most Oni. "

His words made everyone present uncomfortable.

"What do you mean by 'until very recently'?" asked Sannan.

Amagiri turned his blue eyes on the Deputy Commander. The Oni's manner seemed to become colder.

"I can only judge by what I have seen, Deputy Commander. I have not been in Kyoto for some time. Let us say… within the last year."

Sannan was clearly dissatisfied with the answer. It seemed very vague.

Hijikata frowned. Amagiri or Sen-hime – one of them had told him that things had accelerated because of Yukimura. Why was Amagiri purposely omitting that information now? He had a very bad feeling about that. Yet something kept him from speaking.

"What happened with Saitō? Is that what's in store for me? For all of us?" Harada had returned to his most pressing point.

"Saitō has become more Oni than human in more than a physical sense; he may eventually become an Oni just as much as any full-blood. He needed to follow this path because he was trying to use Oni power beyond a human's body to contain. I hope that nobody else will need to undertake a similar process."

"Why not pursue a full change?" Sannan immediately asked.

"Because Saitō-san is the first part-Oni that I have ever seen survive such a drastic change. I would not have attempted it unless it was the final recourse. Remaining a strong part-Oni with access to your abilities would be a much better outcome than death." He looked directly at Sannan for a moment. "It is certainly a better option than others."

Sannan looked thoughtful.

"I must check on Saitō-san before I go," said Amagiri, turning to Hijikata. "But there is one other thing that I will pass along tonight. Your group here will now likely draw Kazama Chikage-sama's attention."

"That would be the blond one, I believe?"

"Yes. He is very powerful and he has clear priorities, specifically to protect our people. While Sen-hime's rank traditionally commands obedience from all Oni, Kazama-sama nevertheless commands the greater part of our immediate resources."

"The Emperor and the Shogun?" suggested Nagakura, his brooding momentarily giving way to his interest in politics.

"Not quite, but there are similarities. Also… Please remember, Commanders and Captains, that you are bound to secrecy with respect to the Oni. There are protections in place against that rule being broken."

"Um – I hadn't heard of that one," said Nagakura.

"I apologize if I neglected to mention it to you; your Commanders already know. In any event, please take it seriously. Harada-san, you are in some ways more adaptable than Saitō-san. His path does not have to be yours. Or yours, Nagakura-san."

He rose to his feet. "I must go now. Hijikata-san, you will escort me I assume?"

Hijikata stood up and put his swords back into his belt. Something was going on and once again he had the uneasy feeling that he knew what was behind it.

Sannan, Nagakura and Harada also rose and picked up their weapons.

"Please arrange tomorrow's visit with our guest, Hijikata-kun," said the Deputy Commander, unsmiling.

"I will."

There were murmured goodnights and polite bows. Hijikata reflected that Amagiri-san seemed to be having an effect on the two captains, despite their confusion and discomfort. Yet the Oni warrior – or whatever he was – had seemed deliberately distant with the very correct Deputy Commander. Had that been true from the beginning? Hijikata couldn't remember.

Parting from the other three, Hijikata escorted Amagiri along the engawa toward Saitō's room.

"Hijikata-san."

"Yes?"

"Oni do not tolerate rasetsu."

Even though he had almost been expecting it, Hijikata drew in a sharp breath and his hand went to his weapon. Amagiri merely stopped and faced him. They were standing just outside Yukimura's empty room, the nearby sakura tree now outlined against the first grey light of dawn.

For a very long moment, the Vice Commander's hard purple eyes met sky-blue eyes that were just as unyielding. But his sword remained sheathed and eventually his hand dropped to his side.

"Please remember, Hijikata-san, that I stood in your place for Saitō's Trial. There was no possible way for him to distinguish between us – Oni magic does not work that way. You gave your specific permission for him to treat me as if I were you; only that gave me enough access to his thoughts to guide the change."

"That's… a problem."

"It certainly puts us both in a difficult position. However, I likely have other matters to deal with in the immediate future."

Hijikata just stared at him.

"Seriously? Like I can just ignore that comment? And why are you even telling me this anyway?"

"It is your decision, of course; I judge you to be a practical man. But if we find rasetsu here when we return for the girl then we will kill them. I am warning you because you are the man that Saitō has chosen to follow and he is now my kin."

The Vice Commander shook his head, too tired to utter the string of vehement oaths that came to mind. He would hit something tomorrow – or later today. Right now he was going to be "practical".

"Once I've had some sleep I'm going to think very hard about what you just said. I think you just told me about three different things at once. Is there anything else I should forget that I know for a while?"

Hijikata thought he saw a glimmer of a smile on the Oni's face.

"Yes. Yukimura-sama is the long-lost heiress to what was once the most powerful Oni territory. Kazama will likely do whatever he can to convince her to marry him. If he considers you or your men to be an obstacle it could be very dangerous for you."

"Fucking hell. I do not need this." Apparently he wasn't too tired to swear.

The impression of a smile became more pronounced.

"I am Kazama-sama's bodyguard and liegeman. You will be neither alone nor first in his displeasure."

"Well, for your sake I hope you're really valuable to him then, because I'd probably have you killed."

"Indeed," murmured Amagiri.

Hijikata took a deep breath.

"Well, let's go see what the lovebirds are up to, ne? I assume Saitō's awake and that's why you broke up the party."

"Hnh." It was almost – almost – a chuckle.

"Tomorrow after lunch?"

"I will come then if I can."

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

[II]

Saitō was surprisingly happy considering that he had no idea how to regain his human shape or whether his swords would be returned to him. He decided that it must be an after-effect of physical and mental stress. And at least the Vice Commander would look after his swords.

For quite a long time following those first few minutes of rather terrifying self-revelation they had just sat opposite each other holding hands. At some point Yukimura had lifted one of her hands out of his and tucked a few long white strands back behind one ear. Her fingers had lingered rather endearingly on his cheek and in his hair. He had discovered that there was a wide difference between a general understanding based on observation and listening to the endless boasting (or complaining) of others and actual physical sensation. One part of his mind worried that such memories could be distracting in the future. It was surprisingly easy to ignore that part of his mind just now.

Oddly, he found that instead of getting more fatigued and sore, he was feeling better. The burn was still rather painful but everything else was obviously healing rapidly. Yukimura seemed very tired though. The most obvious solution he dismissed immediately as practical but inappropriate, so with heightened colour he opted instead for moving both of them to where he could lean against the wall and she could lean against his shoulder. She blinked sleepily at him as he settled her as best he could, and something of his haziness dissipated when he noticed that her eyes were golden instead of brown.

He was momentarily alarmed that he'd done something really wrong, but she seemed to be content rather than frightened, so he tried to relax. He was becoming more and more aware that he wasn't going to have very long to enjoy this space of calm and he found that he wanted to hold onto whatever he could.

After ten minutes or so, the girl half turned, curled herself more tightly against his side and fell asleep completely. He found himself holding his breath, afraid to move but also increasingly concerned that whenever somebody arrived to tell him… whatever they were going to tell him… it was going to embarrass Yukimura a great deal. As the room slowly became more dim than dark, he watched in growing consternation as her hair became white, her skin grew a little paler and two silvery white horns appeared between her long bangs. She looked very… pretty. She sighed a little in her sleep and one hand tangled itself in a fold of his kimono.

I… don't know what to do...

A moment later his ears caught the sound of footsteps and he identified the Vice Commander and Amagiri-san. He wondered if the Vice Commander would consider this being discreet. He was very grateful that nobody else was with the two approaching men. Then he focussed, restored some portion of his usual calm, schooled his features, and waited.

A/Note:

Sometimes, you need a little fluffy stuff to counteract the Ochimizu drama. Which could happen soon. People need to get some sleep, figure out how they feel about things and try to decide if it was just all a bad dream...

Thank you to all who are still reading, reviewing and commenting. Also, thank you to those who have recently added the story to Favourites and Follows!