AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Almost a week between chapters... well, it's all coming together, I promise.

Thank you to Nya-Powa, nakigaoyuu, and Guest (hello!) for their great reviews. It really helps - thank you for your time and insights.

Thank you also to Neo Rulz, who is currently reading the story and has been kind enough to post reviews for earlier chapters which I really appreciate. :)

As always, thank to you all for reading.

\(^o^)/ \(^o^)/ \(^o^)/ \(^o^)/ \(^o^)/

Chapter 41 – A Quiet Night

[I - Chizuru]

Chizuru closed the door part-way behind her and slowly sat down to wait for Saitō-san to return. She raised her fingers first to her lips and then to her cheeks, and then suddenly blushed much more deeply than she had a few minutes earlier. What had she been thinking? She had sensed his presence and known that he was thinking of her – was that what had driven her to intercept him? Or had it been just the need to see him, to make sure that he had taken no harm that evening? She still wasn't sure what to make of Amagiri-san, although she liked Osen-chan and Kimigiku-san.

Or was it because she had wanted some reassurance that nothing had changed since their brief meeting after dinner? She didn't think it was that; she had felt honestly comforted by what had passed during those few minutes.

The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed and worried she became. It was rather wonderful that Saitō-san would put aside his duty for a few minutes to stop and hold her, but ultimately he might regret that or resent being delayed – however briefly – from his task. She had gone to meet him without with a second thought, as though it was simply something that should be done. Worse, she had persisted in asking him to come back to see her after completing his errand, when he was almost certainly tired and in need of rest. Just earlier that day he had felt compelled to leave in a rush because something had gone wrong; she still wasn't sure exactly what.

She didn't know what to think about what had just happened. It didn't seem entirely real. He had taken her in his arms and kissed her lips and despite all of her confusion and surprise, she had felt warm and happy and… she had wanted it to happen again. She still wanted it to happen again, far more than she could have imagined. But she was afraid that he or Hijikata-san would say that he - Saitou-san - was too distracted from his work and then, who knew? Would she be told to leave? Would Saitō-san refuse to see her? She knew he was capable of putting duty before his own desires.

She had felt so right when he had kissed her, as though something had finally happened that was supposed to happen. It had been unexpected because Saitō-san was difficult to read and usually very correct in his behaviour. For a long moment she could still feel the sensation of his arms wrapped around her waist and shoulders like steel bands, and the imprint of his strong fingers on the back of her head, gently twined in her hair but bringing her mouth firmly against his. She shivered, although her room was too warm, as an echo of the feeling of his kiss spread through her and made her stomach jump a little.

Chizuru gave herself a mental shake. She had promised herself to learn to emulate the calm and control of Saitō-san so that she wouldn't embarrass him or herself. This seemed like a good time to practise.

Hands folded in her lap, she closed her eyes and made her breathing slow and regular. Her mind would not wholly cooperate, however, as a pair of serious, slightly wistful dark blue eyes kept appearing in her thoughts.

[II - Saitō, Hijikata, Sōji]

Saitō's thoughts as he made his way to the Vice Commander's quarters were tangled. For one thing, although he thought he had his face and outward emotions under control, the truth was that he was having a very difficult time repressing a combination of delight, fear and arousal. And yet, there was also a strange sense of calm as though he'd finally done something that he should have done before – although he was quite certain that wasn't true. However, he was appalled that he'd postponed seeing the Vice Commander on a matter of importance because of how he felt about a girl. He'd been told to be discreet and not let his interest interfere with his duties. So far he hadn't managed either.

He didn't really understand how his life had gone from the simple matter of devoting himself to the Shinsengumi and Kondō-san and Hijikata-san, and to following the way of the warrior, to its current state involving mythological creatures, strange powers, new family and Yukimura. He also didn't understand why despite the first three, so many of his thoughts seemed to center around the girl. Other men managed to have women in their lives without having it disrupt the whole balance of their personality. He knew this for a fact, since he had sometimes been assigned to keep an eye on such matters, to avoid difficulties or embarrassment for the Shinsengumi.

But it was hardly the same was it? To establish a mistress was one thing and to seriously court a woman was another. He hadn't actually intended to do either until very recently, of course, and it wasn't entirely clear to him anymore how to court Yukimura given everything that had happened. He preferred things to be… orderly. So far that wasn't working out.

And what had possessed him to kiss her like that? He had successfully managed for quite some time now to avoid doing something so improper, even in the past two days when the temptation had been nearly overwhelming.

As he stood staring almost unseeingly at the Vice Commander's door, he felt simultaneously elated and crushed. On the one hand, once again, reality had far outshone theoretical knowledge. On the other hand, nothing had gone the way that he had planned with Yukimura, and she might even have a completely false impression of him now.

She didn't mind, some aberrant part of his mind thought smugly. In fact, she liked it.

A familiar voice yanked him out of his slight fugue state with all the efficiency of a bucket of icy water.

"Exactly how long do you plan to stand outside my door thinking about Yukimura before you decide to give me your report and let me get to bed?"

"Ah… gomenasai, Vice Commander." Saitō blushed deeply, bowed and walked in through the door being pointedly held open for him.

"Oi, Hajime-kun! Can anybody join this party?" Okita was strolling around the corner, a jar of sake in one hand.

Hijikata pointed to a spot on the floor for his irritatingly lovelorn (and distressingly inexperienced) Third Division Captain and stepped out to speak to Okita. Okita would likely just be annoying in a normal way.

"You should be in bed," he said, reopening an argument they had been having on and off all day. "At least Heisuke's not with you this time."

"I'm fine. I spent a quiet evening having a few drinks with Sannan-san. I was trying to do my duty and report to the Oni no Fukuchō before going off to bed like a good boy. Or are you now the Demon Vice Commander of Demons? I got a little out of Sannan-san, but not much, and I figure you owe Heisuke and me some information." Okita paused for a moment thoughtfully. "And probably Shinpachi-san, although I gather he's out on rounds again since Sano-san and Hajime-kun were out visiting this evening."

Hijikata sighed and gestured for Souji to come in as well. Right after this, he promised himself.

"It's really too bad you didn't ask Chizuru-chan to bring tea, Hajime-kun" commented Okita, whose innocent expression was a perfect balance for the wicked gleam in his emerald eyes. "I figured she'd be asleep given the time, but I thought I heard her, ah, talking with you when I was out just now."

Saitō didn't say anything; he was pleased to discover that he was so inured to Sōji's constant teasing – and his ability to be in just the place you didn't want him to be – that he felt no particular reaction to the comment. Besides, he deserved it for having been such a fool as to lose track of his surroundings. As long as Sōji didn't trouble Yukimura it would be fine. He closed his eyes and tried to relax.

"What did you want to tell me, Sōji?" growled Hijikata. "Saitō will return to regular shifts tomorrow. He also has extra training to do on top of that. He can do whatever he wants in what's left of his time unless it interferes with his duties or breaks the rules. Do you have any specific complaints? By the way, I'll have Yamazaki look you over tomorrow, if you want. If he says you've recovered enough to go out I'll take his word for it."

"I'll see Yamazaki first thing tomorrow," replied Sōji, looking a little happier than he had a minute before. He glanced sideways at Saitō. "I've got no complaints, I guess. Yet. Though I'm a little unclear on a few things. Like how we keep Chizuru-chan out of Shinsengumi business now."

"What's the issue, Sōji?" Hijikata knew the answer, but he wanted it on the table.

"I don't think Hajime-kun's going to be too interested in taking the girl down if she learns things she shouldn't, do you?" Sōji said bluntly. He kept a wary eye on Saitō, but although the other captain opened his eyes, he didn't move and his face remained calm.

"Could be a problem," Hijikata agreed. "But you don't have all the information right now, Sōji. Neither does Saitō, for that matter."

Okita looked dissatisfied, but he didn't pursue the issue of what to do about Chizuru. Instead he asked: "Kondō-san is back tomorrow?"

"I hope so," replied Hijikata, sounding like he meant it.

"And you'll give him a full report?"

"Yes."

"And then maybe you'll give me and Heisuke some information?"

Hijikata frowned a little.

"I'm not sure what you know or don't know. You've heard that the strangers who gave you, Heisuke and Harada so much trouble claimed to be Oni?"

"Yes." Okita's response was flat, but Hijikata and Saitō could hear the resolve to get his own back against the blond man with the red eyes.

"Well, they also claim that some of us are distantly related to them. According to them, the blond one that you faced used some kind of magic that affected Saitō, because he's part-Oni."

Okita stared first at Hijikata and then at Saitō.

"Okay… I wasn't expecting that one. I wasn't even sure whether I should take Sano-san and Shinpachi-san seriously about those guys being Oni until Hajime-kun said he believed it."

He stared at Saitō some more.

"And you knew this… when we talked this morning? That these Oni claim that you're related to them?"

"Yes. The reason Amagiri-san and Sen-hime were here last night was to prevent me from burning up. I accidentally used Oni power – according to them – and that caused the fever."

"But…" Okita stopped, clearly trying to sort through the information. Finally he turned back to Hijikata. "Who else? No wait – Harada of course. Damn it! The Shinsengumi doesn't need split loyalties!"

Hijikata watched him imperturbably; Saitō closed his eyes again. In all honesty, the Vice Commander had a great deal of sympathy for Sōji's concern for once. He had been thinking along the same lines himself all day.

"There hasn't been much time to sort things out, Sōji. One thing we learned from the Ikedaya fight is that whatever these people are, we need to be able to counter them. Two of them claim to be working with Satsuma, but one's with Chōshu and who knows if there are others?"

"Hnh." Okita didn't look convinced, but he was clearly considering Hijikata's point. "So your extra training has to do with this Oni stuff Hajime-kun?"

"Yes."

"So they could totally be teaching you the wrong thing?"

"It is unlikely. This evening was sparring – no weapons."

"They could be learning your style and angling for information on the Shinsengumi."

"Oh give it a rest, Sōji! People have been spying on us all week, in case you hadn't noticed. And how hard is it to find a chance to see Saitō fight, for the gods' sake? Just watch the Third Division while they're out on patrol for a few days… The truth is that Amagiri – the big one – took out Heisuke with one punch, you couldn't touch the blond guy, and Sano thinks the other one with the pistol – Shiranui – was playing him."

"At the Ikedaya, I could not hit Amagiri-san," stated Saitō. "And he was fighting without a weapon. However, I have a better chance now."

"Why?" demanded Okita.

"Because I am stronger and faster now. If I can control it."

"So what, you're not even human now? Seriously?!"

"Part-Oni."

"Gahhh." Okita put his head between his hands. "And Chizuru-chan doesn't have a problem with this? Or does she even know?"

There was a short silence. Since Hijikata-san said nothing, Saitō finally answered: "She knows. She doesn't have a problem with it."

"And that's it for tonight, Sōji," announced Hijikata with finality. "We have a lot to discuss. Tomorrow. After I talk to Kondō-san."

Okita stood up, half-scowling, half-shaking his head in disbelief.

"You should have told us some of this, Hijikata-san!"

"I only found out this afternoon." Hijikata was stretching a point, but in terms of the actual known relationships, they had only found out that afternoon. He was so tired…

"Oh."

"Good night Okita."

"Got stuff to discuss in private with Hajime-kun?" Okita looked slightly annoyed – or possibly just suspicious.

"Yes. Something else you wanted to mention?" Hijikata could feel himself starting to glare.

"Yeah. Sannan's seriously considering taking the Ochimizu. Thought you should know since you're in charge and all."

"Nice of you to notice. Anyway, are you sure?"

"Completely. He agreed that the sake was probably better for him though – for now. What does he know about what happened last night?"

"He was there for pretty much all of it. Naturally I asked him to be there."

"Naturally." Sōji shook his head. "Well, can't wait to hear tomorrow's stories…"

Hijikata turned the glare on Saitō the moment the door slid shut and he thought Okita was out of earshot.

"I said discreet. Are you trying to get yourself thrown out?! Next time you have something to tell me you come straight here – you don't stop off to see… Yukimura." He could not quite bring himself to figure out an appropriate term to use just now. "I thought you could handle this, but so far you're proving me wrong. Seriously, what is the problem with you?"

"Gomenasai." Saitō had opened his eyes, but kept them lowered.

"Apologies won't do either of us much good right now, you know that. Tell me what's wrong and tell me that you're going to fix it."

"Being an Oni is… more difficult… than I had expected. More power, less control. I am improving. Nobody is teaching Yukimura."

Hijikata took a deep breath. He was irritated with Saitō because Saitō usually helped him keep things running smoothly and this time the man was actually causing some of the problems. It had been an unbelievable two days. Just two days for the gods' sake!

"Okay, I get it. It has been a hellish time for everyone and you maybe more than most. Did you really have to start something with Yukimura now though?"

Saitō recognized the question as rhetorical and said nothing. He could not entirely repress a fleeting moment of doubt and frustration, however. The circumstances were so exactly opposite to everything that he had hoped for.

Hijikata's glare softened noticeably a moment later.

"Ah, warui, Saitō. Just… try to keep things private between the two of you, okay? And maybe remind Yukimura that she's going to have to keep her feelings to herself better?" A thought struck him and for a moment he looked amused. "Well, at least you know that she likes you, right? Lots of guys would pay good money for that."

Saitō felt his cheeks redden again but took the opportunity to move on to related matters.

"Vice Commander. Sen-hime asked if she could visit Yukimura. It seems advisable, as Yukimura needs training that none of us can give her. Also, I would like to return to Amagiri-san tomorrow as he recommends. Either before or after my patrol."

"Think you can do morning rounds after breakfast? Take your guys and Heisuke's. I want him in bed a couple more days if possible – unless he heals as well tonight as he did last night."

Hijikata frowned a little, considering his options. He would prefer not to have any of the Oni within the compound, especially with Kondō-san due to return. Saitō waited patiently.

"Harada can go out tomorrow night and if Sōji can take the afternoon route – which is what he'll want – then we'll get by. Actually, I'll send Nagakura with Soji and they can both do separate patrol routes but check in on each other. When you're back from patrol, you can take Yukimura over to Sen-hime's home."

Hijikata felt a slight smile hovering on his lips and quickly banished it. For some reason he found the idea of Saitō walking Yukimura to their 'Oni lessons' funny. Maybe it was because it sounded terribly innocuous compared to what it really was.

Saitō nodded his assent to the plan. It did raise an important issue though.

"Could somebody let Sen-hime know that I will bring Yukimura to her after lunch?"

"I'll send Yamazaki or Harada to tell her. Which reminds me, I've got to talk to Yamazaki as well as Heisuke and Sōji."

Saitō hesitated. He had to tell Hijikata-san about Yamazaki. He hadn't wanted to mention it while Sōji was there and already (understandably) worked up.

Hijikata noticed the hesitation immediately and closed his eyes.

"We have another problem?"

"Hai. Shiranui-san was upset about this morning's revelations."

"Yeah, no kidding."

"So he got very drunk and decided to go find more, ah, brothers."

"He did WHAT?!"

"He determined that Yamazaki-kun was the next best possibility."

"What did he do to Yamazaki?! Dammit Saitō why aren't we – why didn't you – okay, tell me the rest." Hijikata rubbed at crease between his eyes.

"Shiranui managed to catch Yamazaki-kun with some kind of spell." Saitō eyed the Vice Commander carefully, as the other man's hands were clenched into fists.

"Being very drunk, however, he simply took Yamazaki-kun to Sen-hime's home to verify his suspicions. I did not know why Shiranui-san was carrying Yamazaki-kun, of course, so when I saw him in the garden I ensured Yamazaki's safety and then tried to apprehend Shiranui.

"You got into a fight with Shiranui again?"

Saitō looked at the Vice Commander. He wasn't sure what to respond.

"Sen-hime and Harada-san looked after Yamazaki-kun; he was only knocked out, not injured. Harada-san will escort Yamazaki-kun back here soon, I believe."

"And that snaky Chōshu bastard?"

Again, Saitō paused; he decided to leave the Vice Commander's phrasing strictly alone.

"Sen-hime said that there was no reason for you to trouble yourself with something so late at night that will be better off dealt with in the morning."

"And Kyō-kun no doubt said that he'd be long gone even I did show up with enough people to arrest him," muttered Hijikata.

"Yes, Vice Commander."

"Do you have other news to pass along? Any other kidnappings, mystical Oni ceremonies, a few more long-lost relatives?"

"No, Vice Commander."

"Then we're done for now. If you see Harada and Yamazaki on your way to your quarters let them know that I don't need a report immediately unless it's absolutely urgent."

"Hai."

Saitō waited to see if there was anything else, half-expecting another warning or mild dig about Yukimura. When the Vice Commander didn't add anything, however, he stood up and bowed.

"Goodnight, Vice Commander."

"Goodnight, Saitō."

Once Saitō had closed the door behind him, Hijikata smiled slightly; he was glad that he had resisted the temptation to tease the young captain just a little more about Yukimura. The man was very difficult to read a lot of the time, but he was pretty sure that Saitō had been expecting yet another snarky comment at his expense. It had been worth biting his tongue just to see a little bit of tension go out of those straight shoulders. He had never known Saitō to be so on edge. Not even the night of Serizawa's death. Hijikata's mind automatically moved onto other things; there was nothing useful in contemplating that particular episode.

Sōji had raised some valid points, and he was damned if he knew exactly what to do about them. Assuming that Kondō-san did return tomorrow, the Commander, the Deputy Commander and the Vice Commander were going to have to make some decisions. But it was virtually inconceivable that Kondō-san would want to give up one of his strongest captains on the off chance that Saitō planned to go over to the enemy – and especially considering that Harada could find himself in similar circumstances.

And what about you? The mocking thought echoed in his mind. Well, for that matter, Hijikata mused, what about Sōji and Heisuke and Nagakura and Yamazaki? And what about Sannan-san? Amagiri had made it very plain what he – what the Oni – thought of the rasetsu. Could a part-Oni become a fury?

It was only as he was changing for bed that it occurred to him that in order for the Oni to loathe the furies, they had to know about them from before Kōdō's experiments. And that raised some very different questions. Such as, was Yukimura's father – or whatever he was, given Saitō's information earlier – an Oni? If so, then perhaps he knew more about the furies than he had told them. And if that were the case, who was he really working for?

Hijikata spent a long time trying to still his thoughts before he was able to fall asleep. Curiously, however, he slept well, except for a very strange dream, or nightmare, about a rocky shore where the surf was edged in blood and lapped at twisted bodies, many with white hair and horns, some just young children. Fortunately, that dream passed quickly.

[III - The Captains]

Saitō walked slowly away from Hijikata's quarters. He had wondered if Sōji would be lying in wait for him, but the wooden walkway was empty until he approached Yukimura's room. At that point he could hear voices, not from any of the rooms, but from beyond the entrance to the inner courtyard. He paused to listen, and Yukimura came out of her room to stand beside him. She seemed calm, although a little shy. He could understand that.

She moved quietly and did not say anything, although she stood a little closer to him than she might have before. The voices quickly resolved themselves into Harada and Sōji, and Saito thought that he sensed Yamazaki – which was interesting because he had never been able to pinpoint people so clearly before.

Saitō gently brushed Yukimura's cheek with his fingers before making his way toward the voices. He felt a light touch on his hand in return, and even without seeing her face he knew that she was smiling at him as he walked away, although she didn't follow. He still found it strange that physical contact had suddenly become so important to him. Was it because he had changed or because he was closer to being Oni? Was there even a difference in those things?

Sure enough, Harada, Sōji and Yamizaki were standing close together just a little ways into the main courtyard, talking in soft voices that Saitō could still hear perfectly now that he was concentrating.

"And you really believe all this stuff?"

"It's as good an explanation as anything," Harada replied with a shrug.

"But is it really a good idea to be spending so much time with them? We have no idea what their motives are."

All three men glanced at Saitō as he approached. Yamazaki was as expressionless as usual, his purple eyes watchful; Saitō could sense the busy mind beneath the surface, however. Harada looked serious and a little strained; possibly he had found it difficult to have to explain things to Yamazaki. Sōji was very much his old, energetic self, green eyes bright and currently intent on Harada.

"Oh, Hajime-kun – all done with Hijikata-san?" Souji's gaze raked over Saitō.

"Yes." Saitō turned slightly. He examined the shinobi critically.

"Yamazaki-kun, how are you?" The shinobi looked startled for a moment. It occurred to Saitō that maybe he didn't usually ask such questions. After all, he probably knew the answer without asking most of the time.

"I am well, Saitō-san."

Beneath the solemn expression, Saitō could sense the tension as Yamazaki tried to process the events of the evening along with whatever Harada had explained to him. Harada gave Yamazaki a sympathetic look before turning to Saitō.

"There's one piece of news we'd like to report to Hijikata-san. Do you know if he is still up?"

"He's always up," quipped Sōji. "Man doesn't sleep."

"He asked me to tell you to report in the morning unless it was very urgent," Saitō told Harada.

"Yamazaki said there was a spy watching the back of the compound again – somebody he's seen before. Unfortunately, Shiranui came up to him – Yamazaki – just as he was getting into position and he's pretty sure the spy saw both of them."

"We seem to be popular lately," drawled Sōji. "Anyway, from Yamazaki's description it sounds like a kid I noticed myself the other day. I'm pretty sure he was watching Chizuru-chan."

Saitō tensed but otherwise managed not to react to the statement. Although some part of him wanted to immediately hunt down whoever might threaten Yukimura, on the whole he knew that his actions were circumscribed and it probably wasn't the most sensible choice at this time.

Unfortunately, Sōji was as quick and observant as ever.

"Gods, Saitō, your eyes…"

Too late, Saitō remembered what had happened earlier with Harada.

"Yeah, that happened before, too," Harada commented calmly, when Saitō didn't respond. "Seems to be part of the whole Oni thing."

Saitō – and Harada, he was sure – could tell that Sōji and Yamazaki were both uncomfortable with the sudden change in eye colour, almost certainly because it reminded them on some level of the furies. He wasn't sure what would happen if he accidentally changed completely, and it gave him a sense of why Amagiri-san had told him to be careful. Careful of humans, he had meant, because humans don't like those that are different. But Saitō had known that reality for most of his life; he just needed to get used to the feeling again. The Shinsengumi - specifically the leaders and the other captains - had accepted him as he was from the first, and over the years he had forgotten some of the bleak loneliness of his previous life.

"I am told that I will get better at not doing that," Saitō made himself say. His voice was as expressionless as usual, which was a relief.

Sōji looked thoughtful, but his discomfort had passed almost immediately. Yamazaki just nodded and dropped the matter; he trusted Saitō-san to deal with it appropriately and it didn't bother him unduly, now.

"I could look around again for the spy," Yamazaki suggested. "I would normally go out at this time anyway. And I am not tired."

The three captains looked at each other, for once unanimous.

"No, just get some rest, okay Yamazaki-kun?" Sōji was being unusually kind, and Yamazaki looked at him suspiciously. They had never really gotten along.

"It would be best," agreed Saitō.

"Why don't we all get some sleep," said Harada, voicing everyone's thought.

"We have regular patrol duty tomorrow," added Saitō. The other captains looked at him with interest. "I have the morning patrol, Soji has the afternoon shift with Nagakura, and Harada is assigned to the evening shift."

Yamazaki frowned.

"Sōji will only go if you agree that he is fit," noted Saitō.

"You can give me a once-over before lunch, okay?" put in Sōji.

Harada was disappointed by the schedule.

"Shinpachi's been wanting to go out drinking…" the tall red-head muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You wouldn't go tomorrow night anyway," Sōji said with a grin. "Kondō-san'll be back and he'll want everyone to be around."

Harada nodded.

"Yeah, good point. He'll probably spend most of the evening talking to Hijikata-san and Sannan-san, but he'll want to know where people are. We should have a nice dinner though. I wonder if Chizuru-chan would cook?"

Almost involuntarily – well, not in Sōji's case – three sets of eyes fixed on Saitō. Saitō returned the inquiring looks stolidly, refusing to react. Yamazaki and Harada immediately looked away, but Sōji smirked.

"So, Hajime-kun? Is it okay if we ask her to cook?"

"Of course," said Saitō evenly. "Yukimura is often willing to do such things. There is no need to ask me, unless you would like me to pass along a message for some reason."

Harada stirred uncomfortably. He could tell that Yamazaki was losing patience with Sōji even faster than usual. Fortunately, Saitō seemed to be completely calm. At the same time, he felt a prickle of unease, but not from Saitō. He tried his best to sense outward, but although he thought he'd found something – an aura of malice, for lack of better words – the sensation faded immediately. He decided to shelve it to think about tomorrow. There had been too many people watching the Shinsengumi lately, in his opinion.

"Well, guess I should get to bed if I want a clean bill of health tomorrow," Sōji said abruptly. He gave his head a quick shake, as if to clear it, but otherwise seemed himself. Harada thought the gesture reminded him of something, but he wasn't sure what.

Goodnights were exchanged, and Yamazaki and Harada went off in a different direction from Saitō and Sōji to their rooms. Saitō knew that Yamazaki likely still had many questions – and with good reason – but they would have to wait. He hoped that Harada had told the shinobi as much as he could that was relevant.

"Don't worry, Hajime-kun," said Sōji, as they crossed back into the inner courtyard. "I'll go straight to bed, I promise. So you can go say goodnight to Yukimura in peace."

Saitō said nothing. He was wary of Sōji's comments about Yukimura. An unpleasant thought had been making its way through his mind all day. He considered just asking outright, but decided that it was late and Sōji needed to rest. And Yukimura was waiting for him.

He nodded goodnight to the other captain, and Sōji gave him a casual wave as he closed his door.

[IV - Negotiations]

Leaving Harada-san, Sen-hime and Kimigiku-san to wait for Yamazaki-san, Amagiri went swiftly out into the dark garden. The lack of light didn't bother him much. As he had expected, Shiranui was only a short distance away.

"Thank you for waiting, Kyō-kun."

The lean man shifted restlessly and grinned, his sharp canines visible in the moonlight.

"Couldn't head back to Kazama without talking to you, right? But I'd had enough of that crowd in there. So... you think somebody's running loose doing some mind-tampering, huh?"

"Yes. You?"

"Reluctantly. But I suppose it makes me look better with Osen-chan. Just as well not to have her on my case."

"Mmm. You can tell Kazama-sama that I'll keep an eye out for whoever it is."

The men studied each other.

"I'm going to tell Kazama what's going on,"said Shiranui eventually. "They're a stiff-necked bunch, they'll just have to cope."

"How long will it take you to find him?" inquired Amagiri, in a polite tone.

"I'm thinking about three days. I figure I might take this trip a little easier than the last one. Trying to travel like you do takes too much energy..."

"That seems reasonable. Of course, if there's something interesting to do along the way then it might take four days instead."

"Could happen. We'll see."

"Please give Kazama-sama my regards." Amagiri bowed.

So, Shiranui was going to give him some time before talking to Kazama but not as much time as he would have liked. Whether this was because he was still unsettled over his (probable) half-siblings or because he seemed to have a personal interest in the anti-Bakufu movement wasn't clear. In any event, Amagiri would have to choose between two less-than-perfect options: leave early and risk Saitō's (and possibly Harada's) training, or leave when he had planned and allow Shiranui to be the one to break the bad news to the Lord of the Western Clans without Amagiri there to channel some of Kazama-sama's anger. He would have to decide soon.

"Goodnight, Amagiri," said Shiranui. "Personally I'd go for option one, but that's just me. Besides, Saitō-san doesn't strike me as needing your babying."

Amagiri held Shiranui's violet eyes with his sky blue ones.

"He is your brother. And you can accept his possible - maybe probable - death so easily." The statement was a rebuke and understood as one.

"Show me that he can pass all the Trials and I'll call him my brother," Shiranui replied, lips pressed together. He knew that he was being unreasonable, but he needed some time alone to think and the desire to pit Kazama against the Shinsengumi was strong.

"That is my intention," responded Amagiri patiently.

"... Yes, I suppose it is. I just hadn't fully taken it in. Well, good luck then, Amagiri. You've chosen an awfully complicated path. Anyway - later!"

There was a rustle of leaves, a sigh of wind, and Shiranui was gone.

Amagiri reluctantly went back to the house. He wanted to see Harada-san and Yamazaki-san well on their way back to their compound. Then he would think about what to do next.

[V - A Soft Goodnight]

Chizuru opened her door as soon as she heard Saitō-san approach. For a moment they looked at each other, and then Chizuru stepped to one side and bowed slightly.

"Please come in Saitō-san."

The indigo-haired man took a few steps inside and then stopped, turning to face Chizuru.

She realized that she was staring at him, blushed, and slid the door closed. The room was dark but for the rather feeble moonlight coming through the open slats of the window shutter.

"Um, I know I asked you to come back..." she found herself saying rather timidly.

"It was the right thing to do," Saitō answered stiffly.

Chizuru's head drooped a little. He sounded cold, which was confusing.

"Well... thank you for coming," Chizuru responded. She could tell how unnatural it sounded.

There was a short silence. Chizuru tried to sense how Saitō-san was feeling. All she could read right now was something that could be frustration, although it wasn't directed at her. She had already made up her mind not to let things go badly tonight, no matter what, so she took a step toward him, extending her hand.

Gratefully, Saitō crossed the short distance to take the small hand, his long, callused fingers folding gently around her softer ones. Chizuru found his closeness distracting. She wanted to be closer, as she had been earlier.

"I did not ask properly earlier," Saitō told her seriously. He sounded slightly breathless, and she noticed that she could hear his heartbeat and feel the careful breaths that he was taking. "Would you mind..." He trailed off, unable to ask the question that he wanted to ask.

"Yes - I mean no - I wouldn't mind."

Saitō smiled at that. It was his barely-there smile, the one that was mostly a softer look in his eyes and maybe a slight quirk on one side of his mouth. Chizuru thought that it would be rather nice to kiss that smile.

"Yukimura, you should not agree so readily when you don't know what I am asking..." His thin brows had lowered a little, but at the same time she thought he seemed pleased.

She smiled up at him.

"I know that it doesn't matter. You wouldn't ask me if you thought that I would mind or if it would hurt me in any way."

Saitō flinched. He couldn't help it. He wasn't sure that he was prepared to be trusted like that. Meanwhile, his heart was beating even faster and the longing to be close was overwhelming.

"I... think you should be more careful."

"Okay."

Chizuru let her free hand run over the old scars on the back of the hand that held her own, which Saitō now held against his chest. She found his hands fascinating. A moment later Saitō had let go of her hand altogether and she was almost breathless as he pulled her tightly against him and tipped up her chin so that he could kiss her lips. She kissed him back without reserve and felt his hand move from her chin to caress the side of her face and then to the back of her head. This time, he didn't let go a few minutes later. Instead, he stopped kissing her long enough to bite her gently along her lower lip before running his tongue over her mouth and between her lips, causing a strange and shivery sensation along her skin and a warm flush across her body. Then he kissed her again, bruised lips against bruised lips, and she realized that they were both trembling slightly.

Sometime later, he turned his face away from hers and pressed her closely into his chest and shoulder. She could hear both of their hearts racing.

"I... have to... move," murmured Saitō in her ear. "Really. I need to go."

Chizuru heard the layers of his statement in her mind. He was losing control to a point with which he wasn't comfortable. She could understand and respect that. Some part of her mind even agreed. Looking up, she saw that his eyes were golden and his hair had a frosting of white. She wondered whether she was the same way but didn't want to ask.

"Okay."

Bit by bit they put a little space between them.

"Good night." Saitō kissed her cheek and then, unable to resist, her lips. Then he slowly let go of her completely. "You are... very beautiful," he said quietly.

Chizuru just stared at him, still half-drunk on sensation, but he seemed to understand that it was too complicated for easy words, especially right now.

"Goodnight, Saitō-san."

He paused in the doorway and gave her an odd, unreadable look. Then he disappeared into the night.

A/Note: Hope you enjoyed today's chapter!

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