Author's Note:

Two people have asked why Suzuka-hime seemed to favour Saito at one point but Kazama when speaking with his mother, Kazue. Kazue was willing to encourage her daughter Chiharu to go to Kyoto only if there was a good chance for her son Chikage. Therefore, Suzuka-hime just... didn't tell Kazue that Chikage's suit was probably in vain.

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Well, it turns out that I could have posted this chapter several hours ago. But at the time, I didn't think the second half of the chapter would get so out of hand.

Please enjoy...

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Chapter 45 – First Date

Sannan-san was polite but distant when Chizuru brought him breakfast.

"Thank you for the food, Yukimura-san, but I ate very early and I am not hungry."

She gave him a startled look, since in six months she had gotten used to being addressed as a boy or by more familiar terms. Sannan-san's eyebrows rose fractionally.

"It is better to respect the conventions when possible, is it not? None of the soldiers are about."

"But… Sannan-san…"

This time the eyebrows came down and the Deputy Commander's expression became a little forbidding.

"I have had a great deal of time to think in the past two days, Yukimura-san. Also, I am not without my resources. You are an Oni, a full member of a dangerously powerful race. I am not sure whether your advent here has been good for us or bad. You could be useful to us; it is possible that you have even allowed us to strengthen our forces. On the other hand, your presence has changed or unsettled some of our key officers, so that I question where certain loyalties lie.

"Until recently, I thought that you were unusual, but not necessarily exceptional. You are absurdly naïve – but girls are often that way, unless they are from the highest or lowest classes. And you were not raised among your own kind, it appears – although it makes me wonder a great deal about the motives of your guardian, Yukimura Kōdō-sensei."

Chizuru felt the words almost like blows. In fact, she was shrewd enough, especially after spending the last half-year trying to understand the men around her, to realize that the words were intended to drive her away and hold her at a distance. She just didn't know exactly why.

"I do not think that any of the Shinsengumi's loyalties have changed," she replied, trying to speak firmly.

"No?" The retort was acerbic and his tone was arctic. "Not even Saitō-kun's? Would he obediently sacrifice you now, even for the good of the Shinsengumi? For that matter, would you let him? I have my own theories, Yukimura-san, and I suspect that you are able to exert a great deal more influence than anyone – perhaps even you – realizes."

Chizuru, still kneeling by the breakfast tray, felt stunned. Sannan-san, his eyes and expression now as cold as his voice, continued.

"I cannot help the Shinsengumi as a warrior anymore, but I can at least question the path they seem to be set upon now. Hijikata-kun and I have built this group of men around our leader and commander, Kondō Isami-san. At the time that you arrived, we were beginning to truly come into our own as a recognized and honourable group. But I foresee troubles that could tear us apart even before our usefulness to the Shogun and our sponsors, the Aizu han, is fully appreciated.

"For example, I suspect that the Oni do not approve of some of the research we are conducting. And why would they? Who would approve of a potentially rival power? But we have sacrificed a great deal – on the order of the government itself – to develop ways to improve mere humans into strong soldiers. Such valuable research should not be allowed to go to waste just because a supernatural race is offended or threatened by it. What do the Oni offer us in return? Can they provide some other way to allow human soldiers to heal quickly and cleanly and without weakness or lingering debility?"

"No – but – Sannan-san… What are you saying? The Oni haven't attacked us directly or said that they will, have they?"

With extraordinary speed, the hazel-eyed man caught her wrist and pulled her closer.

"Who are you calling 'the Oni', child? You are one yourself. Who are you calling 'us'? You are not a member of the Shinsengumi. I can only hope that, on the whole, you have strengthened us rather than weakened us. And now… please…" He released her and sat back with a slight sigh that sounded far more normal, and rather sad. "Please, Yukimura-san, you must leave me to do the work that I can for the Shinsengumi, so that I can report properly to Kondō-san when he returns."

Chizuru, still shocked from his outburst, bowed and rose to depart. As a gesture of defiance, however, if so small and domestic a thing could be called by so grand a term, she moved the breakfast tray closer to the Deputy Commander's desk.

"Shitsurei itashimasu, Sannan-san."

With a final bow, Chizuru hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her. Then she walked slowly back to her own room, where she washed as well as she could with a cloth, a rough towel, a basin and a pail of cold water. She was feeling very discouraged, and surveying her meager clothing did little to dispel the feeling.

The only thing that buoyed her spirits a little was the fact that when the Deputy Commander had alarmed and upset her, she had apparently been successful in keeping those feelings to herself. At least, Saitō-san hadn't shown up in Sannan-san's room with his sword drawn, which would have definitely made things worse. It was a small victory, but a good one.

Her thoughts – although apparently guarded enough not to bring anyone running – were still in turmoil. What if Sannan-san was right? And who should she tell about their strange conversation? Hijikata-san was the obvious answer, but she knew he was busy. Still… she would feel better once she had told him. Perhaps he wouldn't be with Yamazaki-kun for too much longer.

Chizuru tried to make herself look her best. After all, even if it wasn't exactly the same as when other young women went out with their admirers, Saitō-san was going to escort her to visit Osen-chan and that felt normal in a way that made it special. For some reason, she was quite certain that he was going with her in order to spend time with her, and not just because she had to be escorted, or because he was probably going to train with Amagiri-san.

She wished she had a mirror, though. Proper mirrors were expensive, of course, but she'd always had one growing up, as the daughter of a moderately affluent doctor. She realized that this was one of the first times she'd really missed having one. Resolutely, she reminded herself that she was still trying to look like a boy, but as she hesitated between the much-worn pink and the newer light blue, she had to stifle a small sigh. Being boys' hakamashitas, they were both quite plain with barely-seen patterns. In the end, she chose the blue, put her neatly combed hair up into a high ponytail tied with white cord and matching blue ribbon, and slid her kodachi into the waist of her pale cream hakama.

Chizuru truly had no idea how much like a girl she looked. Merely wearing hakama and carrying a sword was enough to stop most people from looking further – that and her boyish hair-style – but when she spoke, she spoke like a girl, and when she was thinking of Saitō, which had become something of a habit lately, she had an expression that most boys would have been ashamed to call their own (not to say that it didn't happen).

Well over an hour had passed since breakfast, so she walked quickly to Hijikata-san's door, sniffing appreciatively at the flowery green smell of summer. There was a hint of rain in the air, but the humidity was not oppressive for once, and the heat didn't seem so bad.

Yamazaki-san had gone – she couldn't sense his presence or hear his voice – and the Vice Commander appeared to be alone. Kneeling, she asked politely if she could come in.

"If it's urgent," was the less than encouraging reply, but she went in anyway and bowed.

"It's about Sannan-san," she said simply, when Hijikata-san looked up at her from whatever he was writing.

"Oh?" The purple eyes sharpened abruptly.

"He seems – I am not sure exactly – very angry about the Oni for some reason."

"Go on."

"Also, he believes that the Oni are upset about some kind of research?" Chizuru eyed Hijikata-san doubtfully when she saw him stiffen slightly. "He said that it helped humans to heal faster and that the Oni should not be surprised that humans wanted to be like them? I… really didn't understand that part, Hijikata-san!"

The Vice Commander had a hard look about his eyes and mouth that suggested that she had said something unpleasant and problematic. She cringed a little. After all, it was not very difficult to wonder about a connection between research and the strange creatures she had seen when she had first arrived in Kyoto – blood-thirsty creatures wearing Shinsengumi uniforms… Chizuru was starting to become really afraid when Hijikata-san seemed to reach an internal decision; but all he did was to gesture slightly for her to continue.

"Um… that's about all, really. Sannan-san doesn't seem entirely like himself, Hijikata-san. I'm worried about him." She tried, but couldn't bring herself to mention that Sannan-san was worried about Saitō-san's loyalties being divided because of her. "And you said that I should tell you how things went."

"Hmm."

There was another long pause and Chizuru tried not to show how much she wanted to leave.

"You're heading out with Saitō soon?"

"Yes, Hijikata-san."

"Well, have a good day, then. Be back at least an hour before dinner."

"Hai! Thank you very much, Hijikata-san!"

Very much relieved, Chizuru bowed and hurried away. She was so preoccupied that she almost ran right into Saitō-san, who was walking rapidly down the hallway towards her. He appeared not to be overly concerned when she all but pitched into his arms. It occurred to her that he probably could have side-stepped easily. In any event, he righted her gently, brushed her cheek with his fingers and then stepped back a little. His face was as serious as usual, but his eyes seemed to smile at her. It made her giddy, which was absurd.

"Gomenasai, Saitō-san!" She ducked her head a little, but looked up again quickly. "I didn't want to be late."

"There is no need to apologize, Yukimura. It is fine. Are you ready to go? Are you… well?"

From the hesitation in his last words, Chizuru knew that he had caught a little bit of her anxiety just now and maybe earlier too.

"Oh, I'm fine, and I can't wait to go! I just found that Sannan-san was a little, well, concerned about the Oni and everything that's going on, and Hijikata-san had said I should tell him how things went…"

"Then you did the right thing by reporting to the Vice Commander. Does he need to see me?"

"Well… he didn't say anything."

"Then we should go. I believe he has a great deal that he wishes to do today."

"Right!"

For just a moment, Chizuru had the impression that Saitō-san didn't want to see Hijikata-san any more than she wanted him to, for fear of being delayed. She eyed him covertly as they walked back along the corridor, but neither his face nor his mind gave anything away, so she let it go.

After they had passed through the outer door of the house – the main door, not the side door that led to the captains' rooms and the inner courtyard – Saitō-san stopped and looked gravely at her. It occurred to her that he must have washed up after drilling with his men this morning; his clothes, like hers, were clean, and now that she was looking at him properly she saw that his hair was damp. It would dry very quickly in the sun, of course, but a sudden recollection of Hijikata-san at the well early that morning made her blush and lower her eyes, as her mind had an alarming tendency to imagine Saitō-san in a similar state of undress.

"Yukimura…" Saitō began, before abruptly trailing off. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "This is not quite what I had hoped for when I said I'd like us to go out for a walk together, but I suspect we must make the most of it."

"Yes." Chizuru nodded firmly, although she still couldn't raise her eyes off the ground of the main courtyard.

"That being said… you are dressed as a boy and it would attract attention if we were to appear to be a… a couple." The last few words were barely audible, whether from uncertainty or discomfort or fear of being overheard was unclear.

"I understand, Saitō-san." And she did, although she felt an unusual flicker of resentment at her male clothing.

"I just wanted to mention it, so that you know that… it's not by choice… Also, you look very nice."

The compliment out of nowhere made Chizuru look up. Saitō-san appeared to be the same as ever, although perhaps a little flushed.

"Thank you, Saitō-san."

"Well… let's go then…"

They left the Shinsengumi Headquarters, but instead of taking the fastest route to Sen-hime's home, Saitō led Chizuru down along the water. It was rather busy, but very pretty, and Chizuru enjoyed seeing the city, and the trees, and the people and the water… In fact, although she didn't realize it, Saitō was trying to make up for some of the time that she had spent in captivity. She had actually seen very little of Kyoto. He relaxed beside her – as much as he ever relaxed, anyway – listening to her observations and trying to answer her questions. Quite a few people knew who he was, even without the blue haori, and those who didn't eyed the swords and steered clear.

Unfortunately, the peace didn't last as long as he would have liked. He couldn't be completely surprised, since he had deliberately avoided Harada's and Nagakura's patrol routes… And he had heard that the city was still harbouring more than a few anti-Bakufu rebels. More than that, they were quite active again and spoiling for a fight after the Shinsengumi's success at the Ikedaya.

"We are about to be attacked," he told Yukimura calmly. "They are coming from that alley we just passed. Draw your sword, but stay well behind me. I will try not to kill them."

"O-okay," she replied in a small voice.

She wasn't frightened, he thought, just uncertain. It was her basic problem, he mused: she wanted to help, but she didn't like violence. Maybe Sen-hime would have a suggestion for her.

A moment later, although it seemed almost in slow motion to Saitō, the three – no, four – men were on him. They more or less disregarded his companion, because they had heard of the Third Division Captain and they wanted him completely surrounded. Unfortunately for them, they weren't remotely fast enough.

There was a flicker of silver as Saitō finally drew his blade, reversed it to give them some chance of survival, and then took the first three in turn, his blade hitting them each of them across the right leg and arm. The sound of cracking bones was quite audible to the onlookers, of whom there were many. Saitō wasn't going to kill them if he could help it, but he wasn't going to let them leave as useful soldiers for the sonnō jōi either. The fourth man crumpled to the ground, unharmed but unconscious. Not quite sure what had happened to him, Saitō calmly broke his sword arm as well.

Instinctively, he checked that Yukimura was untouched – she was – and scanned for other threats. There were none. In fact, in a minute or two there would be few people of any kind, as the crowd started to scatter once they realized that the Shinsengumi captain wasn't going to be the victim.

Saitō sheathed his sword. He was pleased that so little blood had been shed, but disappointed that his quiet morning walk with Yukimura had been interrupted. Also…

"Oi! Saitō!"

A man with green headband wearing the Shinsegumi blues jogged into sight just as Saitō put his arm around Yukimura's shoulders. He waved to Nagakura but his attention was on the girl beside him.

"Yukimura? I am sorry this happened. I just wanted… to go for a walk."

Chizuru managed a smile and looked up at him.

"I'm fine. You don't need to apologize. Thank you…"

Thank you for not killing them. That's what she meant. But he knew he would kill again. If the ronin today had been a serious threat of any kind he would have killed them without hesitation. And then what would she do?

"Saitō-san?"

"Yes?"

He felt her square her thin shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the pretty blue ribbon that she had bought because it matched the Shinsengumi blues.

"I think Nagakura-san can handle it from here."

He smiled slightly and tightened his arm once before letting go so that she could sheathe her sword.

"I am still learning that you are you," he told her softly. More loudly, face and voice perfectly expressionless, he called to the Second Division Captain: "We are late for an appointment, Nagakura. Please excuse us."

He saw Nagakura's face take on a sardonic look.

"Sure, sure, Saitō, Yukimura. Have all the fun and leave me to clean up…"

Yukimura bowed.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Nagakura-san!"

Saitō just nodded to the other captain, steadfastly ignoring his comrade's expression as the bigger man took in the fact that none of the ronin were dead but three out of four had broken legs. The Second Division stood waiting for orders.

As he and Yukimura hurried off, Saitō heard the expected snarl:

"Three of them can't walk, you purple-haired bastard! Do you know what a pain that is?!"

Fortunately, they were able to turn a corner and get out of sight at that point.

Yukimura looked worried – about causing trouble for Nagakura, no doubt – but her frown disappeared when Saitō gave her stern look and said simply: "He deserves the extra work. My hair is not purple, it is indigo."

She gave a gurgle of laughter and for a moment it was an immense effort not to kiss her there in the middle of the street. But he was pleased with his joke all the same.

And he bought her dango to eat on the last part of the walk to Sen-hime's home.

A/Note: Don't worry, next chapter to be posted very shortly!

And Welcome to PrussianBluePuppy from Tumblr: please also see her writing blog at comereadawhile...