Author's Note:

Thank you to all those who took the time to review the last chapter, and also those who have recently added this story to their favourites and follows. It is very encouraging to know that you're out there and that you do want to keep hearing about the adventures of my wild (and rather extensive) crew of Oni, part-Oni, and occasional human.

This chapter was delayed for a few reasons, so I will go ahead and get it posted now without further delay!

In today's episode we have the return to the Shinsengumi, a few critical discussions among the Oni, and (just to keep you all amused) a major reveal!

Also a little fluffy stuff because it was a challenging week and I needed to write something fun and lighthearted.

~ ImpracticalOni

Quote: This time it really is from Semisonic's "Closing Time" quoting the ancient Roman...

Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world
Closing time
Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl

...

So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

...

[Chorus]

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from

...

Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Chapter 77—Family Matters, Part IV

[I] - The End of the Honeymoon

Chizuru woke slowly but feeling clear-headed and refreshed. She was surprised to find Saitō beside her, one hand resting lightly on her waist. He was… asleep. She felt her breath catch in her throat to see him so peaceful; the last time she had seen him unconscious had been after his Trial of Body, and that hadn't been at all the same. Of course, she didn't know if he had chosen to sleep or merely succumbed to it. Either way, she took it as an affirmation of trust.

She watched him for several minutes, drinking in the improbable vision of Saitō at rest, his chest moving with each soft breath. His long, dark lashes formed crescents against his cheeks, and his indigo hair lay in disarray around his shoulders. She wished that she could just let him sleep like this for several more hours, but she knew that they were supposed to return to Shinsengumi headquarters for dinner, and she wasn't sure what time it was now.

The hand on her waist moved down to her hip, and then she was pulled into a tight embrace.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep," Saitō murmured into Chizuru's hair.

"No, I can see that." And she could, quite literally: his wakizashi was on a nearby stand instead of beside him, and his katana was on the floor along with his cleaning supplies, neatly arranged, but still showing that he had anticipated being awake and alert.

"I finished cleaning my sword and then came over to check on you." She sensed his self-directed reproach about the fact that he had not only fallen asleep but left his sword beyond easy arm's reach. "We have to leave later this afternoon."

She nodded, trying not to feel sad that their time together since their wedding had been so crowded with other things. After all, she was incredibly fortunate to be here in his arms at all. Also, even though they were returning to the compound, they would be together, and that cheered her immensely.

Saitō still made no move to get up. He seemed to be holding some internal debate.

"Judging by the light, we have just over an hour," he said at last. "But we also need to speak with people before we go."

"Yes?" Chizuru had some idea where this was going, since his legs were now wound around hers and the thin, summer-weight yukata that they both wore concealed very little from either sight or touch.

"I… am more myself again now…" His words trailed off, and his face was mostly hidden from her, but his mind supplied the rest: I can be more patient and we can take our time… if you are willing?

"My demanding husband…" murmured Chizuru, returning his own past words.

The teasing was offset by such a glowing look that Saitō, finally meeting her eyes, almost wanted to turn away again; he still struggled to imagine what he had to give that could match Chizuru's joyous love.

"I will always ask, Chizuru. One way or another. So that you can always choose." His long fingers pushed her yukata off her pretty shoulders and stroked the soft skin. Promise me that you will always remember that you can refuse.

"I'll try to remember." Chizuru hummed happily, as Saitō's hands trailed down her arms, undressing her without losing contact with her skin. "I don't know why I'd want to though," she added. She pushed Saitō's hair off his face, and her eyes suddenly held an unusual gleam of mischief. "Maybe after the fifth or sixth child, I suppose."

Her husband silenced her with a lingering kiss and then produced a wry smile, but none of the extreme consternation she'd expected. He'd obviously been allowed too much time to get his mind around the idea.

"Only five or six? I think Sen-hime is expecting at least a round dozen. Or do you mean that you will be bored with me by then?"

Chizuru denied this vigorously, and seemed determined to prove that she was at least in no way bored at the present time. Consequently, it was a little later than foreseen when they presented themselves—washed, dressed and carrying those things that actually belonged to them—in Sen-hime's reception room.

It was a quiet gathering: Sen looking rather vulnerable without Kimigiku at her side; Amagiri as impassive as usual, with a wrapped package that was most likely a sword before him; Chiharu kneeling pale but composed beside Sen, blond hair still only loosely tied and falling past her waist at the back; Kichirō appearing nervous but rather proud to be part of the gathering; Saitō and Chizuru clearly ready to depart. The sun was getting lower in the sky, but was not yet touching the horizon.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Sen-hime." Saitō bowed formally.

"You have been very welcome here, Saitō-san," replied Sen, with a gentle smile. There was something about Saitō that tempered her brightness, but not necessarily in a negative way. As aloof as he could be, there had been an unspoken bond between them since the night that she had supported him through his Trial of Body.

Chizuru also bowed to her cousin, and she sensed that Osen-chan was sad to see her go. She wished that she could repay her cousin for her kindness, her affection and for the gift of Saitō's life. Chizuru might not always put things into words, but she had come to love and respect her cousin deeply. Osen-chan acted for others before herself and was the strongest and bravest girl—woman—that Chizuru knew.

"I hope that we will get to speak again, Chizuru-chan," said Chiharu. She sounded a little sad, and Chizuru's heart went out to her.

Chiharu-sama had done a great deal for Osen-chan, and done it with dignity and courage, pushing the boundaries of her own abilities without stinting. It seemed to Chizuru that the older girl was lonely—isolated to a large extent by her elder brother's beliefs and actions, and torn in her loyalties. There was something of the warrior maiden about Haru-chan, thought Chizuru, and she shivered slightly, as though her useless foresight was telling her of danger to come.

"Of course we'll see each other again!" Chizuru said firmly. "I still have far too much to learn from you and Osen-chan, for one thing."

"Haru-chan, they're not going very far, after all," put in Sen. "Yes, I know what you're thinking, and it's true that you may end up travelling south again soon. But now that the three of us have met, we're not going to lose touch. Right?"

"Agreed," said Chiharu, with a slight smile.

"Right!" said Chizuru, nodding.

After a moment, Amagiri turned the conversation to other things.

"I have brought the sword for you, Saitō."

Sen wrinkled her nose. "You seem to have ended up with a lot of swords, Saitō-san!"

Saitō's own swords were with him as usual. Now that they were all family—and he had sworn fealty to Sen-hime, after all, and even fought for her—he had brought his katana with him into the room. It sat on the floor to his left, placed there as a sign of non-hostility, since it would be difficult to draw the long blade from its sheath with any speed on that side. He was carrying the Sakurai swords with him as well, his "bribe" from Sen-hime designed to encourage him to embrace his Oni heritage. If he added the Amagiri sword to his current baggage, it all might become rather unwieldy.

"I was going to ask you to keep that tachi for me, Amagiri," Saitō responded. "I wish to practice with the Sakurai blades, and as Sen-hime implies, it is perhaps a bit much to keep so many blades with me." He glanced at Sen, his face expressionless, but somehow conveying that he did not think one could really have too many swords.

There was only a little further conversation after that. To Saitō's surprise, Kichirō came up to him as he was waiting for Chizuru to finish a final conversation with Sen-hime at the front door.

"Um, Saitō-sama?" Kichirō bowed.

Saitou turned to him.

"I wanted to say that I would appreciate the opportunity to train with you some day. And… and also that I visited the Shinsengumi headquarters today—with Heisuke-san, I mean!"

Saitō studied him, sorting out what he'd said and clearly hadn't said. It seemed unlikely that he had wandered down to headquarters and demanded a tour. He might have, once, but Saitō thought Kichirō had learned better, now. On the other hand, he might very well have gone looking for the compound thinking to ask for Harada, with whom he had become somewhat familiar.

"You met Heisuke by accident?" he hazarded at last.

"Well, yes, more or less."

"Is there anything else I should know, Kichirō-kun?" Saitō asked patiently.

"Er, well… yes. I meant to mention it earlier, but then I wondered if Chizuru-sama might be upset."

Saitō waited for the boy to continue, reminding himself that Chizuru had probably told Kichirō-kun to stop calling her Yukimura-sama, and that there was no harm in it. After all, he called Chiharu-sama by her given name, which was odd and yet also sensible.

"Well, Saitō-sama, I was speaking with Heisuke-san, and, um, Okita-san, when we were sort of attacked by an Oni."

Amagiri had drifted over to them while the women talked, but Saitō could tell that he had heard the tale already. Saitō gestured for Kichirō to continue:

"An Oni?"

Kichirō explained what had happened, although in summary form. Saitō was keenly interested, and would have asked more questions, except that Chizuru came up at that moment, probably to Kichirō's relief. Saitō knew that Amagiri would tell him whatever Kichirō had omitted as soon as time and circumstances permitted. In the meantime, he would speak with Heisuke and Sōji.

Finally, Saitō and Chizuru started off down the path toward the road. They were both silent for a few minutes, and then Saitō said that it would be best to Fast Travel for part of the way.

"Are you nervous—about going back to the compound, I mean," Saitō asked. It worried him, but for once he couldn't tell how she felt.

"A little. I feel like I've been gone much, much longer than a few days. I suppose it's because so much has changed—I don't even know how to feel about my past, now."

Saitō knew that there were other issues troubling her, but they were too confused to read easily. For his part, he was anxious about how Chizuru would be received and whether his new—and not yet fully-trained—abilities would cause him to lose the place he had found within the Shinsengumi. It was as if he had lived within a dream—both pleasant and otherwise—for several days, and now he was returning to reality, except that the dream had permanently altered all of his perceptions. What he really needed was a chance to meditate in order to make himself whole again.

"Saitō-san?" Chizuru was looking concerned, and Saitō realized that he'd been abstracted. He smiled when she corrected herself: "I mean, Hajime? I hope that you don't mind that I wanted to come back with you?"

"Īe. I will worry less if you are nearby. Things are still very unsettled among the Oni." Saitō frowned slightly, finding his response lacking. "Also, I am pleased that you will be with me."

Chizuru looked less anxious at that, and he realized that she had wondered how he felt about her intruding on his life with the Shinsengumi. It was a reasonable concern; he wasn't perfectly sure how he felt about it either, except that he would never give up Chizuru now that they were together. It was complicated. For now, they each had to do their best, and that included getting to the compound before dinner began.

"Take my arm. We will Fast Travel." A corner of his lips twitched up. "At least I have gotten a great deal of use from the one skill I have mastered."

Chizuru was more than happy to take his arm—she had been walking a half step behind him to his right as usual. A moment later, the streets of Kyoto became a partly-seen blur around them.

[II] - Of Love, Life and Oni Pedigree, Part I

The four Oni—Sen, Chiharu, Amagiri and Kichirō—went back into the house in silence.

"I would like to speak with you, Sen-hime," Amagiri sad, once they reached the hall.

Sen nodded, saying to Chiharu: "We'll have our meal in about an hour if that is convenient? It has been a very long day."

That decided, she preceded Amagiri into the reception room and reseated herself. Amagiri sat opposite her with a stiff bow.

"How may I be of assistance, Amagiri? I hope you know that you are welcome to stay here indefinitely, and certainly while you are healing."

"Thank you, Sen-hime. Your hospitality has been most appreciated. Once Saitō is more settled, we will discuss future arrangements. Right now, I wish to ask after Kimiko-sama."

Sen's expression changed subtly; without changing position she conveyed that the audience was now on a more formal footing. Not that Amagiri hadn't been formal to begin with.

"Kimigiku was tired, and understandably so, when I left. I will be returning after dinner. She is being most ably aided by her cousin, Akane-san."

"I understand from Saitō that Akane-san was both her uncle's wife and her father's niece?"

"Yes, Amagiri, and your father's niece and therefore your cousin. I think that sets out the various relationships? She is a powerful part-Oni who has already endured, although not passed, the Trial of Body. Both she and her two children, who are twelve-year-old fraternal twins, have been thoroughly trained in the Oni Gifts. Did you really want to ask after Kimigiku, or is this really about her sister?"

Amagiri's lips thinned almost to a line and he didn't look down quickly enough to hide an unusual flash of anger in his sky blue eyes. Sen waited impassively. It was a bizarre role-reversal. Or maybe not, Sen reflected to herself: Amagiri was still in the right, as he often was. He was being polite and she wasn't.

"Sen-hime—"

"Never mind, Amagiri. This morning's events tried me more than I expected. I'm sure it was just as difficult to stay here and wait—no doubt more patiently than I would have! And then Kichirō's antics this afternoon on top of that, and Chiharu being badly injured… We're fortunate that Chizuru-chan is a healer, aren't we?"

"Yes," replied Amagiri, tacitly accepting Sen's quasi-apology. "I wish I'd known her family better; we can't even gauge her strength, having no comparison—and she is untrained. Based on what we now know and suspect, it appears that her uncle is a villain and her brother is—well, alive, but I have no idea what would drive him to such bizarre lengths or whether he is working with the uncle or on behalf of some other unknown faction."

"There is one thing…" Sen said slowly. "And I know that we're digressing. But there is one clan that asked Mother to approve a new Heir several years ago."

"Nagumo. Yes, I've been racking my memories as well. I remember the clan heads being advised of the petition, and it was odd, because we weren't aware there was either a need or a new child."

"But they're virtually unknown, aren't they? They've always been terribly secretive, and I can't think of any formal marriages within the last century. There's been nothing but silence for many years. I think Mother suspected something but she lacked the resources to find out what was wrong. The Heir was never formally confirmed either. What if Mother asked the Yukishima to investigate, which is what she would normally do…"

"… And they gave her false information? In other words, what if Nagumo has also been involved in this resurgence of the False Ones? We have wandered a long way from known fact, Princess. However, I agree that it should be investigated. And Kimigiku—that is, Kimiko-sama—might know some of it."

They sat in silence for some time, contemplating the possibility that Yukimura Kaoru had become Nagumo Kaoru and was somehow embroiled in whatever plan had provided the knowledge of and required ingredients for rasetsu to such disparate groups as the Yukishima and the Shinsengumi.

"The Shinsengumi almost certainly received their information and direction from the government," Amagiri finally said, aloud. "I cannot imagine any other possibility, and it would match what I sensed while I spoke with Hijikata-san." He didn't mention what he'd learned wholesale from Saitō's mind; it wasn't necessary, since the conclusions were there even without Saitō's information.

"Chikage would not be involved in such a thing," stated Sen. "I can't imagine it."

"Neither can I," Amagiri responded. "I doubt that the Kazama were involved at all, at least not yet. But a link between Nagumo and Yukimura Kōdō-sama is not difficult to believe. You may not remember, but the former Lady of the Yukishima wished Kimiko-sama to marry Yukimura Kōdō-sama. Based on what I heard at the time from Kimiko-sama's sister, Kōdō-sama was involved in some strange experiments even then; it is quite possible that he decided to find out what the Nagumo were involved in and then it went from there."

"Yes. And then the Yukishima became involved because the clan head hoped that her daughter would marry Kōdō-sama. Hmmm. No real facts, but possible. Meanwhile, however…"

Amagiri sighed. "We have come back to the Yukishima."

"Yes."

"How is Kimiko-sama's sister?"

"She was waking when I left. I would have stayed, but it was important to see to things here as well. But you will not even say her name?"

"… We parted on the poorest possible terms."

"I've often wondered what could cause such a total breach."

"I have spoken of it to Kimiko-sama, now. She may be the best judge of where the true fault lies. In retrospect, the blame is perhaps more equally distributed than I realized until recently—or would have believed until the events of this morning."

Sen was thoughtful. He wasn't going to tell her what had happened unless she ordered it, and she was reluctant to do such a thing. She and Amagiri were still sorting out their relationship in this strange new world where Sen had to regard Kazama Chikage more as a threat than as an obnoxious cousin, and a member of the Shinsengumi had become an Oni and a potential ally.

"You would prefer to manage whatever lies between you and Chikame-san yourself? Or rather, with only Kimiko's oversight? What of Saitō-san?"

"Saitō has… asked… me to resolve the matter with Kimiko-sama."

"Do you wish to accompany me this evening? Are you well enough?" Sen wanted to take back the last question immediately—men were impossibly stubborn over their health—but Amagiri responded without hesitation in any event.

"I would like to speak with Kimiko-san, if possible. Yes, I believe I am well enough to travel to Yase. Yukimura-sama has helped me a great deal."

Sen kept a straight face, since Amagiri said nothing else, but she then spoiled the effect by adding:

"Yes, I believe that married life suits her."

Amagiri met her eyes, his expression scrupulously neutral.

"You appear to be contemplating some kind of arrangement yourself, Princess."

Despite herself, Sen blushed, and then smiled ruefully.

"You do have a way of finding out about things, Amagiri. Unless you mean in general?"

Amagiri shook his head at her.

"If I did, then I know better now. But I was thinking more that you looked exceptionally cheerful when you returned from the Yukishima estate this afternoon—it wasn't what I expected, in the circumstances."

Sen looked contrite. "No, I suppose not. And there is still so much to do. I didn't know how bad it was, Amagiri. Although at least it emphasizes that I was correct to go."

"You did the right thing," Amagiri said quietly, his expression guarded once more. "I wish you had not had to rely on the Shinsengumi, however.

"There were advantages and disadvantages to that," Sen told him, her eyes regaining a little of their sparkle. "I know that you mean Hijikata-san and Nagakura-san, especially. And none of us know quite what to make of Harada-san"—her eyes dared him to comment—"although he's the most unusual part-Oni we've seen yet."

"I agree with you," Amagiri said calmly. "Besides, Hijikata-san is an exceptional man despite being a human. That being said, he is also a strongly practical man who uses all tools at his disposal to attain his ends. We don't yet know how he will choose to use his Oni heritage, however, and I admit that it concerns me that we are somewhat indebted to him for allowing his men to rescue you and Chiharu-sama. I do not mean to belittle your own efforts, nor those of Saitō; it is possible that you might have extricated yourselves intact. Nevertheless, there is no question that Harada-san and Nagakura-san saved you grave injuries at the very least. Moreover, I believe that Hijikata-san saved Kichirō's life himself, and that will not sit well with Kazama Chikage-sama if he hears of it."

Sen was frowning by the time he was done, but she didn't respond to the implied reproof. Instead, she shrugged and said: "I don't know whether you're trying to discuss the Shinsengumi with me or change the subject. You may come with me this evening, and I'm sure that Kimigiku will make time for you. And you can meet your cousin and her children and see what you think."

Amagiri bowed. "Thank you, Sen-hime."

"You know, Saitō will suit you quite well, won't he?"

Her guest didn't pretend to misunderstand. "Yes, I believe he will. I had meant to swear my oath of fealty to him before he left, but there wasn't time."

"You have declared yourself already, suffered for him and shed blood for him. Even by more modern standards that's probably sufficient. Still, there is something to be said for ceremony."

[III] - Welcoming the Newly-Weds

Somebody had been watching for them, Saitō thought, surveying the entrance to the compound. Of course, he should have expected that. Sōji, Heisuke, Harada, Nagakura… even Yamazaki, who he could sense but not see. They had obviously told the on-duty guards to take a break.

"Hajime-kun! Good to see you back alive! Think you're still up to sparring after so many days of living the good life? Or are you feeling all worn out?" Green eyes glinted at him, and slanted eyebrows quirked up into an expressive smirk. Prepared though he had been, Saitō felt his cheeks redden.

"Sōji." Saitō reflected on the morning's pitched battle, the duel with Hideaki-san, the brief contact with Kazama Chikage's intense anger, the mental and physical wounds sustained from the Trial of Mind… "I would be happy to spar with you if I am not on duty this evening."

"Ah no, Sōji, come on—we need to celebrate! Assuming we're allowed to. Might have to wait though, I guess." Heisuke leaned in, almost put an arm around Saitō's shoulders, decided against it, and just grinned. "I seriously can't believe you're married. Geez Saitō! Hey! Congratulations, Chizuru-chan! I'm glad you're okay!"

Heisuke was obviously trying to stay quiet, but he wasn't very successful at it. He managed to restrain himself from hugging Chizuru or slapping her on the shoulder, somewhat to the others' disappointment.

"Congratulations, Saitō—and welcome back, Chizuru-chan." Harada grinned at Chizuru, who smiled happily back. Unlike Saitō, she found the welcome reassuring.

"Been a busy few days, I expect Saitō," said Nagakura. "Course, I assume it wasn't all like this morning, right? Not with a pretty wife around to keep you company?"

Chizuru blushed. It was strange to be described as Saitō's pretty wife—and being back in her boys' clothing didn't help—but she was also now realizing that everyone would be teasing Saitō about that for a few days to come. It was embarrassing to think of others thinking of her in that way.

"It hasn't all been like this morning," Saitō confirmed coolly. "But Chizuru's services as a medic and healer have been more needed than we had hoped. Thank you all for your good wishes. However—"

"Saitō-kun!" Inoue Gen-san was hurrying toward them. "I see that these rogues found you first. Yukimura-kun, I am pleased to see you."

"Good afternoon, Inoue-san." Chizuru was very happy to see the older man, who was unlikely to make insinuating comments.

"I will show you to your quarters. You can let me know if you're missing anything."

"Thank you," responded Saitō, just as relieved as Chizuru, although less obviously so.

"Rescued!" laughed Sōji, reading Chizuru's mind. She smiled a little shyly at him, and he grinned. "Oh, we're not done with Saitō yet, Chizuru-chan. But we'll try not to make you blush more than once or twice a day—I mean, you did that anyway!" Sōji paused for a moment, suddenly taking in Saitō's bundles. "New swords, Saitō?"

"Aa. Well… old swords, really. I want to practice with them."

Chizuru saw keen interest replace the amusement on Okita-san's face. Nagakura-san laughed.

"Swords as a wedding present, Saitō? Sounds about right for you, but what about Chizuru-chan?"

"Oh, um, my cousin was very kind you know… and she gave me extra clothes to bring back with me…"

Chizuru's ears caught a quiet snicker from somebody as Okita-san murmured that presumably Chizuru-chan knew quite a bit more about swords now. Her blush deepened.

Inoue-san cleared his throat. "Nagakura-kun, Harada-kun, I believe that you should begin dinner now. Also… Heisuke-kun, I understood that you were supposed to be cleaning the meeting hall?"

Heisuke sighed and gave Chizuru a much put-upon look.

"You probably haven't heard, but Sōji an' I ran into Kichirō while we were on patrol this afternoon. I let him come back here with me, since the kid was so keen, and when I explained it all to Hijikata-san he put me on cleaning detail for a week. Geez! It's not like it was that big a deal…"

"You brought a… stranger… back to headquarters and gave him a tour!" Nagakura smacked Heisuke on the shoulder. "You're lucky that all Hijikata-san did was put you on cleaning duty."

Saitō quietly took Chizuru's arm and nodded to Inoue-san. Chizuru bowed hurriedly to the four captains as best she could while walking away.

"See you at dinner!" called Harada.

"Yeah, assuming they don't get distracted," muttered somebody, probably Okita.

There was some kind of reply, and then laughter, but Chizuru was too far away to make it out and didn't want to. She noticed that even Saitō's cheeks were a little red. Inoue-san just looked amused.

"Did you know that Kichirō-kun visited here, Hajime?" Chizuru asked Saitō once they had crossed the courtyard.

"Yes, but only because he mentioned it before we left Sen's. It was foolish of Heisuke to bring him here without asking the Vice Commander first."

"Oh, I-I see."

Inoue-san glanced over his shoulder at them.

"Hijikata-san was a little annoyed but said it was inevitable. He was far calmer about it than we expected. I gather that he knows the boy?"

"A little," said Saitō. "The boy and his sister were guests of Chizuru's cousin, Osen-sama. Being relatives of both Osen-sama and Chizuru, they were also at the wedding."

"I hope that you can have a proper wedding celebration soon, Saitō-kun."

"I believe that Kondō-san would prefer that as well," Saitō agreed.

Chizuru was relieved to discover that they were to have Saitō's old room, except that now several panels of wall had been removed so that it opened into Chizuru's former room, which had always been small.

"We do not need two rooms, Gen-san," said Saitō, looking around. He sounded slightly discomposed.

"This is very nice!" exclaimed Chizuru, at the same time. She could see that some attempt had been made to arrange her things neatly—her mirror from Saitō, for instance, was sitting on a rather worn, but serviceable wardrobe, along with a couple of other bits and pieces.

"The second room provides Yukimura-san with space for her herbs and dried flowers and so on," explained Inoue. "I managed to fit it with shelves for your existing mixtures and ointments, Yukimura-san. It may be useful when the weather eventually turns, as well—some of your plants may be brought in that way."

Chizuru put down her small bundle of clothes and the bag in which she carried spare bandages, and crossed the short distance to the other room. She looked so happy with everything that Saitō didn't have the heart to protest further, although he knew that crowding was already as issue and would become more of an issue if they ever did more recruiting.

"It might also be useful to have more space if you have children, Saitō-kun," murmured Inoue.

Saitō almost managed not to flinch. "I suppose… there is that."

The other captain chuckled, clapped him on the shoulder and left.

Although slightly distracted by Inoue's comments, and by watching Chizuru unpack and organize their limited possessions, Saitō did take special care with the Sakurai swords. It troubled him a little that the swords would be unprotected whenever he was out of his room, but such was life. He would have to hope that very few people would know the swords were there or be foolhardy enough to risk their lives trying to take them.

A familiar voice asking him to come in made him jump up and slide open the door.

"Vice Commander."

Chizuru had looked around quickly from whatever she was doing. "Hijikata-san!"

Hijikata remained in the doorway surveying them.

"This is disturbingly domestic," he muttered, eyeing the black kimono in Chizuru's hands. "You've only been gone a few days, after all."

There didn't seem to be much to say to this, so Saitō let it go. Privately, he had to agree. Sharing his space with Chizuru was going to be an adjustment. Fortunately, she was extremely neat and usually quiet. His mind suddenly leapt to an image of the afternoon's other activities, and he had to wrench his mind away with an effort.

"I gather that the others already met you at the gate?" asked Hijikata, eyeing the tinge of red on Saitō's cheeks with something like resignation. "Hopefully that means there will be fewer idiocies at dinner. I just stopped by to say welcome back and congratulations and all that. Tonight's going to be a planning session. You may have already heard this, but there seems to be unusual activity around and to the south of the Imperial Palace. After our success at the Ikedaya, we may be asked to join the Aizu forces guarding the palace if there's a crisis."

"Understood."

Since most of Hijikata-san's comments had been directed at Saitō, Chizuru had merely listened. After the Vice Commander had left, however, she had hesitantly raised her most pressing question.

"Will I be going with you?"

She had brought over a basin of water and a cloth, intending to let Saitō wash his hands and face before they went to dinner. He looked at her blankly for a moment before taking the cloth from her.

"You are waiting on me?"

"Y-yes? Would you rather that I didn't?"

Saitō was taken aback. It was a perfectly normal thing for her to do. They were married; she was his wife. In their home, of course she would wait on him. At the same time, here in his own environment, where the men of the Shinsengumi did everything for themselves, it felt very strange. Moreover, the situation was just as problematic as it had ever been—he would be the only man in the compound with a woman there to look after him. As he had once said to Chizuru, he had never even imagined himself in this situation.

He thought about Chizuru's question—her second question—while he cleaned his hands, face and neck. Then he finally said:

"I think that you would prefer to do the tasks that you feel are yours, correct?"

"Yes, Hajime," Chizuru said immediately.

"Then you should do them. I would be pleased if you would."

She beamed at him, and he once again had the disquieting realization of how much she cared about him. He took her hand.

"However, I think that you—that we—will have to be more careful when others are around. You are the only woman here, and jealousies could arise that would not be helpful to the Shinsengumi."

"Oh. Then what should I do?"

"I'm not sure yet, but we'll to sort it out. It may be that it is simply a matter of going on as you have before." One corner of Saitō's mouth quirked up into an almost-smile. "Except, of course, that you will sit with me and not between Nagakura and Harada."

Chizuru nodded dutifully. Then she looked at Saitō in some surprise.

"You have been jealous, before?"

"Yes. They both like to… touch you too much."

Chizuru blushed and ducked her head. "They were just being kind, Hajime."

"I know. But now you have me."

"Yes. And I would rather sit beside you of course."

That seemed to deal with that (in Saitō's mind, at least), so he returned to Chizuru's original question.

"I expect that you will be allowed to come with us."

Privately, Saitō thought that he would rather lock her in a vault while he was in battle. It seemed unlikely that this would be an option, however.

"You would rather I stayed a long way from any battles," Chizuru guessed.

"Of course. Now, we must go to dinner."

[IV] - Of Love, Life and Oni Pedigree, Part II

Sen and Amagiri made the trip to Yase quickly and in silence. Chiharu had decided not to go, saying that she was tired and needed some time to think. Kichirō stayed with his sister. As she left to get a few last things, Sen heard him say quietly to Amagiri: "It's what my brother—or you, or Saitō-sama, or Hijikata-san, or Harada-san—would expect of me."

While she deplored the inherent implication that somehow men always had to protect women, Sen had to concede that Kichirō was perfectly correct, both in terms of what he should do and what any of the men named would tell him. She had a feeling, though, that Chiharu-chan had dreams of one day reclaiming something of Suzuka Gozen's glory. Something had changed in her gentle cousin after meeting the ancient demoness—or maybe it had always been there, and had merely needed affirmation. Either way, Sen couldn't foresee which path her cousin would choose now.

At Sen's Yase estate, Kimigiku was sitting at a low table with Sen's uncle Satoshi, a tall man with hair the colour of Sen's and eyes that were probably grey but appeared to vary between blue and green. Sen always described him as a fussy old man, but he was neither very old nor especially conservative in his outlook. To be fair, the man who had been Sen's official guardian from the time of her mother's death until she had passed her Trials, had been justifiably concerned for the safety of the fourteen-year-old princess when she had insisted on living in Kyoto. He had no interest in being the Prince of the Oni or the head of the Okikurune clan (such as it was). He wanted Sen to come of age, marry suitably as soon as possible, and produce heirs.

Ironically, the other matter on which he and Sen (on behalf of her mother) had disagreed was his refusal to marry any of his human lovers—and there had been several, according to both Sen's mother and Kimigiku. According to Kimigiku, there had been one fairly serious affair many years before Sen's birth, but the woman had already been married. As he had explained to his sister and then later to his niece, he had no desire to rule anyone or fight anyone—or marry anyone. He wanted to drink his sake and bed his lovers when he chose: as one of three children and a mere boy, why shouldn't he live as he pleased?

Oddly enough, despite his apparently less-than-dutiful outlook, he was an excellent manager and very efficient. In summary, he was a hedonist on the one hand and a born steward on the other. It was his work that had preserved much of the former Oni lands from falling into complete ruin or human hands. At fourteen, Sen had seen him as a rather dissolute, petty man. At sixteen, in the aftermath of the Yukishima disaster, she was learning that he was tremendously astute.

"We think we've managed to sort out the issue of the burials," said Kimigiku, without looking up immediately from a list she held. When she did look up, she immediately bowed. "My apologies, Sen-hime, Amagiri-san. I thought that you were Akane-san returning with tea."

In fact, the part-Oni woman did come in at that moment from the back of the large house, however, Sen and her uncle exchanged meaningful looks: if Kimigiku couldn't distinguish between Sen and Akane instantly and without looking up, or notice from which direction a person had entered, then she needed a break. Satoshi rose to his feet, stretching a little.

"Konbanwa, Osen-chan, Amagiri-san. I must say, Osen-chan, that you might have at least brought Chiharu-sama and Kichirō-kun here for lunch before starting a small war. I hope I get to see them before they go."

"Yes, uncle. You mentioned the same thing to me when I was here earlier."

Satoshi's eyes widened in completely false surprise. "Did I? Well, it just goes to show how much it bothered me." For a fleeting instant, Sen could feel Soul magic wash the room and then disappear without a trace. Neither Kimigiku nor Amagiri appeared to notice, and Sen's appraisal of her uncle rose—reluctantly—once again. Everyone was now less on edge, possibly even herself.

Shizuka-hime, in one of her long conversations with her daughter in the year before her death had said: "No matter how maddening Satoshi is, never forget that he is extremely competent. He is a powerful Oni, with all the abilities that you would expect of our bloodline. You shouldn't always take his advice, because it will tend to be self-centred, but don't underestimate it either. Also, he may be—he is—a selfish man, but he is loyal. When you are in a tight corner, you can trust him."

Sen had found her mother's comments confusing at the time; she was starting to understand them better now. Still, she wished her uncle were a less complicated man.

"Are you here to see me, Amagiri?" asked Kimigiku. She had dropped the honorific again, Sen noticed hopefully.

"Yes, Kimiko-sama. When you have a moment. Konbanwa, Okikurune-sama, Akane-san. Please excuse the intrusion."

"It might as well be now," Kimigiku told Amagiri. "Please excuse us, Satoshi-sama, Sen-hime, Akane-san."

Once they had left the room, Satoshi smiled at Akane. "Would you mind leaving the tea here with us, my dear? I expect that Amagiri-san's visit may take some time and this will give you a chance to see Michi and Miki."

"As you wish, Okikurune-sama." Akane bowed deeply. She turned to Sen and bowed again. "Sen-hime, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course," responded Sen, curious.

"Is that Amagiri Kyūju-san?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Chikame-sama mentioned his name to me."

"Akane-san. I promise you that we are aware that the situation is complicated. We will do our best to help Chikame-sama."

"Thank you, Sen-hime. She has suffered a great deal already, you see."

"I do see."

Akane bowed again to the Okikurune prince and princess and left silently.

"A very interesting woman. Quite lovely in many ways. Strong, too, for a part-Oni. If Masaru hadn't been an insufferable prick she might have passed her Trial of Body."

"Uncle!"

Satoshi gave her a wicked look. "Oh? I thought you were all grown up and independent now? Shall I call him an insufferable, evil, rasetsu-raising prick?"

"Fine. I don't disagree. But what is it that you wanted to tell me? Please don't say that you've decided to pursue Akane-san. That's a little too close to home. Unless you were considering marriage?"

The gleam faded from Satoshi's eyes, and he looked down at the low table for some time before he answered.

"I am pleased, Osen-chan, that we had the chance to—shall we say—each readjust our opinions of each other this afternoon. It makes the current confession easier for me."

Sen was about to retort that everything he did resulted in something being easier for him, but something in his expression stopped her. She bit back her words, and gestured for him to continue.

"You see… it does have to do with today's events. And even Akane-san, maybe." Satoshi paused to clear his throat. "You told me earlier that the two Shinsengumi who came tearing through Yase earlier—which did surprise me, I'll admit—were Harada Sanosuke and Nagakura Shinpachi?"

"Yes."

"And you are head-over-heels in love with the tall red-head?"

"I didn't tell you that." Sen was proud that there wasn't a single tremor in her voice. "Get on with it."

"Ah. Perhaps I misunderstood. Well, being somewhat preoccupied with affairs of the heart, you also mentioned that young Nagakura seemed attracted to Akane-san?"

"I don't know about the first part, but I might have mentioned the second. I do know that I told you far too much; it has been a trying time to put it mildly. Honestly, though, I've never seen you dodge a point like this before—not a point that you wanted to make, that is."

"Well, I don't really want to—"

"Uncle!"

"You're going to be annoyed, I'm afraid. But the Nagakura boy is my son."

Sen stared at him, opened her mouth, closed it again, and then banged her fist on the table with enough force to rattle the teacups.

"You—you—you—"

"Womanizing bastard? Philandering asshole? Your mother could be surprisingly unladylike at times, you know."

"Shut up!" Sen jumped to her feet, surprisingly nimble despite her delicate kimono. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is?!"

Her infuriating uncle watched her stalk across the room and back. He sighed.

"There, you see? I knew you'd be annoyed."

[END]

A/Note: Yes, there are all sorts of interesting things to know about Sen-hime's infuriating uncle! But he's such a great character. Thank you for indulging me. Hopefully, you were entertained and are now waiting with bated breath for the whole thing to come crashing down when the Shinsengumi show up at the Hamaguri Gate to find Kazama ready to take them apart and spit out the pieces. Or then again, maybe not.

But next up for sure... Amagiri and Chikame/Kameko. And have you all forgotten poor Kenshin?