Author's Note: This chapter is long overdue, but was planned (and even started) a long time ago. I'd like to thank all of those who took the time to read, re-read, and comment on the story in the meantime; your kind words have been a true gift.

Most recently, I'd like to thank InefficientFinch and ellerby for letting me know that this story is still able to amuse, shock, and entertain.

Welcome back to The Teachings of Demons!

~ Imp

PS For obvious reasons, I reread the complete story while writing and before finalizing Chapter 95. I'm pleased to find that my writing has improved over time, but now I want to go back and edit many of the chapters. I have begun the process on AO3, where editing is much easier, but I'm striving to spend the bulk of my time writing new chapters :)

Chapter 95—Brothers (and Sisters) in Arms

Part I, The Brothers

Shiranui Kyō had been restless all afternoon. As the day drew to a close, and the shadows lengthened, the psychic itch could no longer be ignored, and he slipped away from the Choshu camp heading—well, wherever his feet were taking him. He wasn't usually the most prescient of Oni, especially compared to the likes of Senhime, who had a true Gift, but this was different. He felt like he was being called, and it was aggravating that he hadn't been able to tune it out enough to refuse.

The feeling of urgency only increased as night fell, but nobody had actually tried to contact him. He seemed to be travelling west, but as far as he knew there wasn't anything but hills and scrub forest anywhere in the region. Probably a few human villages, but nothing notable, and no Oni.

By midnight, he'd made substantial progress, and his awareness of something wrong had increased to the point of making him employ his own casual version of Fast Travel. Amagiri might call it sloppy, but it worked for him. The inevitable follow-up observation that he wasn't living up to his potential rarely bothered him either. At least he had an idea of what he wanted for the future, and although he found most humans annoyingly small-minded—and fragile—he wasn't blind to the ones who strove to exceed their limitations.

Just as he was starting to curse himself for chasing Oni phantasms—he should have known any prescience of his would be completely off-base—he heard sound up ahead, and sensed travelers. Two, he thought, and both Oni. Were they in trouble? Being hunted somehow? Did he know them? He wasn't a traditionalist by anyone's standards, but he didn't ignore his own kind when they were in need. On the other hand, it paid to be cautious. He might not be prescient, but he could be extremely stealthy—the Shiranui had once been a shinobi clan, after all. As quiet as he was, the travellers suddenly stopped, and their presences faded to almost nothing. Apparently, he'd been noticed.

"Saitō-sama?"

It had been some time, almost an hour, since they had left the clearing in which Saitō and Kazama Chikage had fought their murderous duel. Saitō had a dull headache at the base of his skull, and oddly fractured memories, but like so many things, it would have to wait. Right now, his priority was to convey Amagiri Kenshin to Kyoto in somewhat less than twelve hours. The problem was, how?

"Yes, Kenshin-kun?"

"Where are we going?"

"We are travelling to Kyoto. Amagiri-san is waiting for you at Sen-hime's residence."

"…Is Amagiri-oji-san really my—my father?"

"Yes. That has been confirmed by everyone who would know."

"But then…" Saitō could hear the thread of panic. "That means that Mother… you know… Mother can't be my mother—because I can't—I can't—"

"Lady Kazue is your foster mother. Your birth mother is Yukishima Kameko." Saitō tightened his grasp on the boy's trembling hand. "Fostering arrangements are very common, Kenshin-kun. It would be best for you to see it that way." Saitō wished he had more skill with words, but that was hardly new.

"But… but why do I have to leave my—my home?" Why do I have to leave my mother?! Why is Onii-sama hurt? Why were you fighting? What is happening?! Saitō could hear it all, and his usual talent for blocking unwanted mental distractions was shockingly absent.

"I am not the best person to explain these things," he temporized. It wasn't entirely an excuse. He hoped that somebody would contact them soon, although he wasn't sure what they could do. Logic and experience told him that he wasn't fit to travel, let alone Fast Travel, but he was doggedly suppressing that knowledge, since it had to be done. Now he had to find some way to provide physical and emotional support to a boy who'd been dragged from his home in the middle of the night under mysterious and bloody circumstances.

"C-can you tell me something, Saitō-sama? …Please?"

Reluctantly, Saitō slowed his pace so that they could talk more easily. He couldn't quite bring himself to stop. Something more than honour, or stoicism, was driving him to push on beyond all reasonable limits. Again, if he thought about it—if he thought about why he knew exactly where he needed to go—he'd fall apart. Falling apart wasn't an option, so he kept moving and tried not to think.

"Amagiri Kyūju saved my life. In doing that, he angered Kazama Chikage." Saitō was relieved to hear only a trace of animosity in his tone as he spoke of his recent adversary; his emotions had rarely been so difficult to conceal. "Kazama punished Amagiri-san by"—wait, this child didn't need more gruesome shocks just now—"by injuring him severely and then banishing him from the clans of the West."

Kenshin murmured something between an exclamation and a whimper. However, before Saitō could react to the boy's distress, he felt Kenshin pull himself together. It was an impressive feat of self-discipline, especially for a ten- or eleven-year-old. Saitō wished he could acknowledge it. Unfortunately, tactful reassurance was not his strong point at the best of times.

"Amagiri-san has been staying with Sen-hime in Kyoto. He has chosen to… to enter my service… rather than remain without a clan or lord." Saitō hoped his hesitation hadn't been too obvious; he'd known from the start of this undertaking that he still hadn't accepted certain aspects of his dual life. In this moment, with the pale, proud face of his vassal's child looking to him for guidance, he could feel his identity as a captain of the Shinsengumi slipping inexorably away from him.

"So… um… so Amagiri-oji-san is, is your vassal now, Saitō-sama?" Kenshin went directly to the heart of the matter, but Saitō detected nothing but innocent inquiry. After all, his father's affiliation was of immediate importance.

"Yes." I tried to say no, but I owed a life debt. The pain in his head flared, and with wrenching clarity, Saitō was reminded that the reverse was also true: Amagiri had been paying a life debt to the Sakurai clan. He had the sense that somebody—himself?—had acknowledged the payment of that debt. Chieko, my sister...! With an effort, he pushed back the ghosts of the past.

Unsure how long he'd been focussed inward, Saitō elected to continue as though there had been no lapse. "A few days ago, Amagiri spoke to me about you. Your birth mother's sister, Kimigiku-san, confirmed your parentage. Since it was only a matter of time before Kazama Chikage learned the truth as well—from your foster mother, Lady Kazama Kazue—there was grave concern that you might be used as a hostage against Amagiri-san." Or me.

"Nii-sama would never harm me!" The boy's voice quivered with indignation. But there was a hint of something that might be doubt.

"Perhaps. But the risk was too great, especially since Kazama Chikage bears a significant grudge against me."

They had finally reached Kenshin's greatest source of unease—although, to be fair, the boy had every right to be upset and confused on several counts. From Saitō's perspective, he was an odd combination of adult self-possession and sheltered innocence. Would the twins be like that? Too late, Saitō realized he'd trespassed into dangerous territory. There was an overwhelming rush of emotion, and he suddenly felt the absence of Chizuru like a gaping wound.

"Saitō-sama! What's wrong? Are you injured?" Kenshin was calling out to him, but he couldn't respond.

Saitō sank to his knees, face and body dripping with perspiration. Chizuru! She was too far away, and vulnerable… How could he have left her?

"Chizuru…"

"Saitō-sama?"

"I must… find her…"

His thoughts were fragmenting, and only deeply-ingrained self-preservation kept him from total collapse. Through a haze of pain and loss, he could dimly perceive deep purple eyes staring at him in concern. A child. Eyes like Hijikata-san's, but red hair. A face that reminded him of a tall, red-haired man whose name eluded him. He obviously needed to pull himself together. Ragged breath by ragged breath he dragged himself back to his feet. He was finally able to recall a name—names. Amagiri. Kenshin. Kazama. He forced himself to take in his surroundings, and sanity slowly returned, although the pain in his head remained.

"Kenshin-kun."

"Y-yes?"

"I cannot tell you why… Kazama Chikage wishes me ill." Why your foster mother tried to arrange my murder. "I apologize."

"Oh… oh! There is no need, Saitō-sama. Please…" In the world in which they lived, an adult man—an Oni lord—did not apologize to a child.

After a few more moments to collect himself, Saitō carefully extended his senses. Were they being pursued? There was something… He reached out and pulled Kenshin close to him, mind and body expressing the need for the boy to be still. To his surprise, Kenshin followed his lead without question, and didn't resist the protective embrace. Together, they faded into the stillness of the forest night.

Two minutes passed, and then five. Saitō remained silent and motionless, now certain that somebody—an Oni—was looking for them. His thoughts had cleared abruptly, and even the headache had faded to almost nothing. Was that a good sign? Another minute passed, and then—

"Shit—it's you, isn't it? The one with no sense of humour."

A shadow darkened and then solidified into the lean, lazily graceful form of Shiranui Kyō. He was dressed as he had been before, in something that resembled sleeveless, tight-fitting shinobi garb. What little light there was glimmered on the silvery barrel and fittings of his pistol. Saitō's right arm tightened around Kenshin, and his left hand found the hilt of his katana.

"Oi! Saitō! I know you're there—even if you are damn good at staying quiet. What the hell are you doing in these parts?"

Saitō was still debating his response when Kenshin made the decision for him.

"Kyō-san? Is that you?" The boy's voice was laced with relief, and Saitō realized that he might as well give in to the inevitable.

Shiranui's eyes widened perceptibly when Kenshin called out. He'd obviously missed the boy's presence, and it came as a shock to him. Well, that was probably good news, unless Shiranui was an exceptional actor. He didn't seem to know about the fight with Kazama, or Kenshin's… removal… from the Kazama clan. Saitō shifted his stance, although he didn't let go of Kenshin.

"Shiranui-san."

"Kenshin?! What the hell are you doing here?" Shiranui's eyes narrowed abruptly, and he drew his pistol from his belt. "Did this guy do something to you?"

"Oh—um—I'm not hurt, Kyō-san." Kenshin detached himself from Saitō's shadow, but submitted without protest to the hand on his shoulder. "I think… I think it's complicated?" The boy's voice wavered on the last word, and Saitō felt an unexpected pang of concern and protectiveness. He'd never had Sōji's natural way with children; equally, he didn't grow personally attached the way that Sōji did. Amagiri's son was different, apparently.

"Why are you following us, Shiranui-san?"

"Following you? Oh… yeah." Shiranui kept the pistol in his hand as he sauntered closer, taking in Saitō's bloodied clothing and Kenshin's uncertain expression. "Well, I just… went for a walk… you know?"

Unbidden, Saitō's mind conjured up Hijikata-san telling him not to get himself killed while he was out on his 'walk'. He found himself silently explaining to the Vice Commander that he was doing his best, but coming across Shiranui wasn't going to make it any easier. Although… A strange thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Kyō-san?" Kenshin spoke again, and Saitō had to wonder if the boy had somehow read his mind. Or maybe it had been the other way around. "Is Saitō-sama really your brother?"

"Huh?" Shiranui froze, and his eyes met Saitō's. Saitō saw, or felt, a myriad of emotions from the other man, including a sudden flash of understanding. They broke eye contact almost immediately, but Saitō couldn't miss that Shiranui's posture had subtly changed to something less aggressive.

"Well… Kichirō and Haru-nee-san said that—" All at once, Kenshin seemed to perceive that his question was neither appropriate, nor tactful. He hesitated, and both adults could see good manners war with his need to confirm something about the evening's strange events. In fact, Saitō had to concede that it was a reasonable question, under the circumstances.

"Yeah, I get it." Shiranui abruptly holstered his weapon. He looked a little as though he'd bitten into something sour. "…And a promise is a promise, right?" Saitō had no idea what he was talking about, but it seemed to be self-directed.

"A promise?" Kenshin echoed, confused.

Shiranui closed the last of the distance between them, and Saitō's hand dropped to the hilt of his katana. The other man ignored the movement. In something very like defiance of Saitō's not-so-subtle threat, he reached out and lightly tapped the top of Kenshin's head.

…And Saitō didn't stop him.

It was hard to say who was more surprised, Shiranui or Saitō. This time, when their eyes met, Saitō felt only resignation from the other man, along with a thread of humour.

Guess Amagiri got to both of us, huh? The image of the big red-haired Oni was clear in Shiranui's mind.

…That seems to be the case. Amagiri had insisted that they were brothers, and given the relationship weight.

Looks like you ran into Kazama? Shiranui didn't need to say which one.

Yes.

You're still breathing, I see.

So is he. There was no humour at all in Saitō's reply.

…I take it that Kazama Kenshin is really Amagiri Kenshin? Shiranui elected to change the subject. Besides, it was more important to get the gist of the current situation than to dwell on the improbable idea that Saitō of the Shinsengumi could have defeated Kazama Chikage in battle.

Yes. Kenshin is Amagiri Kyūju's son. Saitō saw no reason to evade.

Poor kid. You tried to kidnap him?

No. I tried to speak with his… foster mother.

Shiranui registered surprise. His quick mind had provided several scenarios, but that possibility hadn't occurred to him. It made it more difficult to see Saitō as the aggressor, although he still didn't necessarily like the man, or trust him. With the force of long habit, he ignored the vision of Amagiri rolling his eyes at his—Shiranui's—so-called stubbornness. Shiranui had considerable reason to find the Shogunate's policies and propaganda offensive; Saitō might be—was—his blood relative, but he was also an officer dedicated to the cause of that abysmal cess-pool of bad government.

"Um… Sumimasen, Saitō-sama? Kyō-san?" Kenshin's interruption of the rapid mental conversation was polite, but edged with frustration.

"Sorry, kid. I really wasn't expecting to see you—or Saitō—here." With a final sigh for the vagaries of fate, Shiranui focussed on Kenshin. "Yes. Saitō is my brother. Half-brother, because my dad's a jerk, but that's how it is."

Saitō found it hard not to react to Shiranui's blunt acknowledgement, although he couldn't have said if he was pleased or annoyed. It made him realize that his emotions were still riding too close to the surface for comfort. He could feel Kenshin's stress through the hand he'd kept on the boy's shoulder, and wasn't surprised when Shiranui's bitter words startled him—Kenshin—considerably. Shiranui's irreverence—not to say outright disgust—where his father was concerned was hardly reassuring to a boy brought up to believe that the head of a family, and especially the lord of a clan, was entitled to absolute respect and obedience.

To Saitō's surprise, Kenshin pursued the matter despite his evident discomfort. Then again, maybe it made sense for the boy to look for other unusual family situations now that he knew his own.

"So Saitō-sama is the son of Shiranui-sama and, um, another lady?"

Shiranui Kyō looked amused, rather than offended—which was a relief, considering his original reaction to Saitō's parentage—but his long, slanted eyebrows rose almost to his hairline.

"Amagiri-san wouldn't be happy with your manners, Kenshin. First of all, it's not polite to ask about things like that, especially since I'm hardly going to be happy about it. Secondly, why are you asking me? I'm not your guardian or, ah, whatever the hell Saitō is to you."

"Moshiwake arimasen, Kyō-san."(1) Kenshin bowed apologetically, or at least as much as he could while in Saitō's grip. He was embarrassed, and genuinely sorry for any offense, but Saitō could sense that he remained troubled by exactly who Saitō was. Or maybe it was a way of trying to understand his own situation. He'd grown up never questioning his lineage or his place, and secure in both, and now everything had changed—for the worse, most would say.

"Oh well, whatever. So… Saitō." Shiranui hesitated. He wasn't sure how to offer his help, although he'd finally, reluctantly concluded that for some reason he was there for exactly that reason.

Saitō waited patiently for him to continue, but Shiranui could tell that the man was exhausted, unwell, and in a desperate hurry. He wasn't sure how he knew the last part, although maybe it was just a logical assumption. Where the hell were Amagiri and Sen? Or the officious-but-competent shinobi, Kimigiku? There was something strange going on—apart from the obvious, of course.

"Where are you headed?" he asked at last.

"Kyoto."

Well, obviously. "To Osen-chan's place? To Yase?" Shiranui tilted his head appraisingly, his eyes narrowing. "You're not taking Kenshin to the Shinsengumi."

"To Sen-hime. Specifically, to wherever Chiharu-sama is located when I arrive."

"So everyone is in on this, but nobody's here to help you get back? What the hell? I mean, from what I heard, you just got married—is that true?"

Saitō managed not to flinch, but even Kenshin turned to look at him with concern as he struggled to overcome a wave of acute dizziness. He set his teeth against the pain and disorientation that followed, and reminded himself again that Chizuru wasn't gone, or lost—she was perfectly safe and waiting for him in Kyoto with Amagiri. And Amagiri would guard her with his life, both literally and figuratively.

For once, the frustrating, confusing not-quite-memories in his head came to his assistance: you can feel the oath-bond, they insisted; your wife is safe with the man is who both kin and vassal. And so, again, the false grief was mastered and set aside. It had gone much faster this time, he thought. Moreover, he was now consciously aware of Amagiri's tie to him, and it steadied him even as it made him uneasy.

Shiranui was staring at him, frowning. Saitō was grateful that he'd neither stepped in, nor offered unwanted assistance. It was bad enough that he'd shown such weakness in front of the man.

"…Yes, I am married." Saitō answered Shiranui's last question as though nothing had happened. He could tell that Kenshin was intrigued by the news, though he kept his questions to himself this time; curiously, the boy seemed to take comfort from the idea. He relaxed under Saitō's hand, and didn't resist when Saitō gently pulled him closer again. Not surprisingly, he was starting to feel the effects of a full day, several shocks, and an hour of Fast Travel. Saitō quickly changed the subject by moving on to Shiranui's more relevant questions.

"Sen-hime and Chiharu-sama will get in touch with me as soon as they can. A great deal has been happening in Kyoto—and in Yase. Kichirō travelled with me to the Kazama home, but has remained there with his elder brother."

"Kichirō travelled with you? And what the hell do you mean 'in Yase'? There's not much there except Sen's own family, and the Yukishima."

"…With respect, Shiranui-san, I must be going."

Shiranui seemed to be considering the implications of his own words, especially with respect to Yase. Saitō guessed that he was evaluating the scope of the disaster, in Yase and otherwise, required for Saitō to have to deal with Kenshin's situation so poorly supported by adult allies. At the very least, Kimigiku-san should have been with him for this part of the venture.

"With respect, Saitō—brother—I don't think you're going to make it to Kyoto like that. Not with the kid." Shiranui's words were aggressive, as usual, but Saitō didn't sense any malicious intent, nor did the man—Oni—move in any way that suggested he planned to remove Kenshin from Saitō by force.

"I must."

"Yeah, how? Kenshin will be dead weight within an hour, tops—sorry kid, but facts are facts—and you aren't well. I'm not Amagiri, but even I can tell that your aura is seriously screwed up right now, now that I'm looking for it. I don't know for sure what's wrong, and I'm not asking, but you need help, not several more hours of burning power."

"Sen-hime will—"

"Then where the hell is Her Highness? Anyway, before you hurt yourself trying to prove you're—" Shiranui somehow managed to bite back the words 'some kind of perfect warrior hero,' because his annoying younger brother the Shinsengumi captain might just take them seriously. "Look, just listen to my suggestion, okay? And stop reaching for the damn sword."

Saitō said nothing, but after a brief internal struggle he nodded. He was embarrassed to notice that he did, in fact, have one hand on the hilt of his katana again. It helped his decision to realize that Kenshin was leaning against him, now, wariness finally giving way to exhaustion.

"Okay, so here's the plan. I'll help you with Kenshin until we get to the village about thirty miles on from here. Then I'll find you a decent horse, which will let you focus on magic instead of carrying Kenshin and supporting your own weight. It's usually more convenient not to bother with a horse, to be honest, but it can really help if you're tired and just need to keep going."

"A horse will be exhausted before I am—"

"Trust me, you're wrong."

"Why—" Saitō hesitated. Shiranui, for whatever reason, maybe even kinship, was offering to help him. If he could trust the man to carry Kenshin, then he'd gain thirty more miles of un-burdened Fast Travel. He could decide about a horse then, and maybe even hope for assistance from Sen-hime or one of the others. He was trying very hard not to think about why nobody had contacted him in over an hour.

"Saitō." Shiranui looked completely serious, for once. "We're not friends, and we may be enemies next week. But right now, let me help you and Kenshin—for Amagiri's sake, if nothing else. He's irritating as hell, and I'm kind of pissed at him for deciding to help you Shinsengumi guys, but I owe him." Shiranui crossed his bare arms over his chest, the black tattoo on the left bicep just visible in the gloom. When Saitō still hesitated, he grinned, showing sharply pointed canines that were definitely not human. "Plus, you know… we're brothers. And I kind of promised Amagiri that I'd remember that if you ever passed your Trials."

"I have your word not to leave my sight or try to take Kenshin from my care?" Saitō didn't like his choices, but they couldn't be helped.

"You have my word. So what are you going to do?"

Saitō looked down at the boy beside him, who was clearly asleep on his feet. Apparently Shiranui's guess of an hour had been generous. Moonlight gleamed on the bright strands of Kenshin's hair, and picked out the planes and hollows of his face.

"Your assistance would be… appreciated… Shiranui-san." Saitō inclined his head, though as briefly as courtesy would allow.

"That's settled then." Without fuss, Shiranui carefully picked up Kenshin, his gentle movements in stark contrast to his wild looks.

Saitō took a moment to remind himself that this was necessary. Then he nodded to Shiranui. "Ikuzo."(2)

A moment later, all three Oni were gone.

Part II, Disaster

Kichirō watched Saitō-sama and Kenshin until they were out of sight, and then turned anxious eyes back to the wound in his brother's chest. The bleeding had stopped, but the skin wasn't whole, a clear indication of the severity of the damage within. Until just recently, Kichirō had never seen an injury of this magnitude. Moreover, Chikage-sama had always seemed—had always been-untouchable. Kichirō had never seen him untidy, let alone hurt.

With an effort, the young Heir to the Duchy of the West pushed all of his fear and grief into one corner of his mind, and did his best to cope with what lay in front of him. He answered his sister's questions mechanically, and obeyed her instructions with respect to folding his brother's clothing away from the injury. He noted that Haru-chan was much less composed than she'd been when she'd taken her own ugly wound.

After a time, Osen-chan interrupted his sister in order to ask her own questions. Kichirō's normally vivacious cousin looked pale and drawn, but her mind still conveyed nothing but warmth and reassurance. She seemed less tired now that Harada-san was nearby.

"The good news is that Chizuru-chan is doing a little better for having been in contact with Saitō-san, if only briefly," Sen told him. "And remember—you too, Haru-chan!—Chikage is alive and getting stronger every minute. Now, Kichirō, can you tell me again how things went with your mother? I'm trying to get a clearer picture of what happened before Chikage comes to. We were a bit worried when we weren't able to keep an eye on you."

"I'm not really sure how things went," Kichirō replied slowly. "Mother didn't let us stay for her conversation with Saitō-sama. It was obvious that she already knew who he was, and that made me think that she'd spoken with Chikage-sama about things before we got there. She seemed… friendly? Or at least, that's what I thought at first, but now I'm not so sure. Saitō-sama was very polite, and Mother welcomed him…" Kichirō trailed off, obviously struggling to accept that his mother had probably been involved in the decision to attack Saitō when he was at least nominally their guest, and at a terrible disadvantage due to fatigue and the Kazama wards in place.

Sen nodded encouragingly at him, pretending not to understand his abstraction. "So Kazue-sama welcomed Saitō-san, and then what happened? I'm sorry for asking you questions that you've more or less answered already, but things have been a bit challenging here, too."

Kichirō went over it again: how he'd been reluctant to leave his mother with Saitō-sama—well, of course he would be!—but she'd ordered him and Kenshin out of the room; how Saitō-sama had contacted him in that confusing way, telling him to take Kenshin and get as far away from the house as he needed in order to contact Chiharu; how he'd coaxed and coerced Kenshin out of the house and into a high speed game of tag. He repeated the gist of his mental exchange with Saitō, including Saitō's promise that it was Lady Kazue who had wanted Kichirō to get Kenshin out of the house.

"I'm… I'm worried about Mother, Osen-chan," he confessed, stopping his narrative just short of when he'd heard the furious crash of blades and come running to find Saitō-sama and Chikage-sama. He'd never forget either the consummate skill of the Sakurai swordsman, or the sickening sight of several inches of bloodied steel protruding from Nii-sama's back.

"I understand, Kichirō." Sen gazed at him sympathetically, and forbore to comment that whatever happened next, Lady Kazue had shared in its making. "Unfortunately, Haru-chan and I are still a bit… occupied… with things here, and—"

"I can't get the barriers down, Kichirō," put in Chiharu. "It's strange—I can recognize Nii-sama's magic, but also… not."

"I'm guessing it's old magic," Sen told her. "Most places—including Yase—have passive wards designed to be activated by the clan head or his designate in times of trouble. I'm guessing that Chikage would have discussed them with Kichirō-kun once he passed the Trial of Mind."

There was a flash of bitterness from Chiharu—skilful though she was, her elder brother had never even mentioned such wards to her. She sensed wry acknowledgement from Sen, and puzzled concern from Kichirō, who hadn't followed her train of thought.

"It doesn't matter, Kirō—it's just been a long day." Chiharu managed an unconvincing smile. Unaware that she was echoing Satoshi's thought from earlier, she added: "I'm afraid that Hijikata-san is going to run out of swear words when he realizes how much time his officers have spent on Oni matters again today."

It was a testimony to how concerned Sen was for her cousins that she forbore to comment about Chiharu's thoughts turning to Vice Commander Hijikata. In any event, there was still too much to do, both in Kyoto and elsewhere, for Sen to have much heart for teasing. She'd hoped that Amagiri—and Hijikata-san, damn it—would prove to be mistaken in thinking that Saitō-san and Chikage would come into immediate, lethal conflict. But they'd been right, and now Chikage was half-dead and so was Amagiri, and who knew what might have happened with Chizuru's pregnancy. And then there was the matter of Saitō Hajime. Sen had never heard of anything like what Kichirō had described to her.

"Chizuru is finally asleep," said Satoshi softly, from somewhere behind Sen. "Now I'll try to take a closer look at Kyūju-san. And, er, Yamazaki-kun."

Somewhere southwest of Kyoto, Kichirō heard Osen-chan utter a very unladylike oath. She abruptly faded from the mental conversation, although he could still sense that she was supporting Chiharu's link to him. Other than the oath, the only clue to her sudden distress was a here-and-then-gone image of Yamazaki-san collapsed on the floor, hands clutched to his chest and eyes glazed in pain.

"Well…" said Chiharu.

"So…" said Kichirō at the same moment.

A look of profound understanding passed between the siblings. It seemed to Chiharu that Kichirō had grown up a great deal in just the past few hours.

"How could Mother be a party to this?" Kichirō's question echoed all the raw disbelief and pain—and anger—that Chiharu had felt upon learning the truth of Kenshin's birth and Amagiri's punishment.

"Which part?" asked Chiharu, with grim humour. "The part where she let Amagiri and Chikame-sama live without their son for ten years—even after our father's death—or the part where she conspired to"—Chiharu found it difficult to continue, but overrode her discomfort—"to murder her own nephew in order to provide a suitable bride for her son?"

"Chiharu…" Kichirō was shocked by her blunt phrasing, but he didn't refute her conclusions. The more he'd thought about it, the more the whole attack on Saitō-sama had felt wrong. He stubbornly believed that Onii-sama wouldn't feel the need to give himself so many cruel advantages, whereas he could see his anxious parent doing everything possible to tip the odds in his brother's favour. Using the old wards, for example—he could easily imagine her insisting on that for her protection, and his brother giving way on that basis. And yet… Saitō-sama still figured in his mind as an alien creature, and Mother was Mother.

"I know, Kichirō, I know… But it's not right. As much as we love Mother, it's important to see things as they are, not as we wish them to be."

"But Haru-chan…" Kichirō trailed off, unable to find the words to express the depth of his conflicted emotions. Chiharu hadn't seen what Saitō-sama—what Sakurai-sama—was capable of. Not that he wanted her to. Better that she be in Kyoto, for example, than kneeling beside a body lying in a pool of congealing blood. The distinctive sweet-metallic scent permeated the air and added to the horror of the scene.

Chiharu was frowning at him. "Kichirō… I know that my own opinion of Saitō-sama is complicated, but he saved my life, and probably Osen-chan's. What would have happened if he hadn't been fully prepared to kill? You weren't there, but I don't think anything but his very best—or rather, his most ruthless—would have allowed him to survive even the first few moments against Yukishima-sama and her brother. They were, without a doubt, the most twisted people I've ever met, and far better trained than he was."

"I know," Kichirō said miserably, still feeling the sting of his failure to protect his sister on that occasion. But just because Saitō-sama's bloodthirsty skills had been needed didn't make them right—that was a human way of thinking, wasn't it? That was just setting one monster to kill a different monster—it didn't make Saitō-sama any less monstrous.

"Kichirō, I don't understand." Chiharu's eyes had narrowed, and Kichirō suddenly felt the full weight of her regard. I thought you respected Saitō-sama—as an Oni and as a warrior? What reason do you have to think of him as bloodthirsty? He's a killer, and that's troubling, but I've never sensed any desire to kill for the sake of killing. And… I can't imagine Amagiri countenancing such a thing, can you?"

Kichirō twisted uncomfortably under her clear gaze. Something… was wrong. Chiharu was right, Saitō-sama had scared him, had disciplined him more than once now, and clearly had no compunction about killing when necessary, but he had treated Kichirō with meticulous fairness, within the bounds of reason. He forced me to bow my head to him in apology, said a rebellious part of his mind. And threatened to kill me if I got in his way.

"Haru-chan…" This isn't me! There's something wrong! Saitō-sama is not a bad man, and he chose to trust me when he could have just… left me behind, or worse. "Chiharu, please—you have to help me before Onii-san wakes up…" It hurt his pride, but he laid his mind bare to his sister, showing her the unvarnished truth of the incident in the forest, and Saitō-sama's speculation about the rogue Oni. He was suddenly very worried that any delay could make things worse. After all, he'd obviously managed to 'forget' that there might be a problem in the first place.

"Oh, Kichirō, how terrible for you!" Chiharu's immediate comprehension, and her absolute faith in Kichirō's personal integrity, were very soothing to her beleaguered younger brother. For her part, she was rather relieved to have a problem before her that she was absolutely qualified to address.

A quick scan of Kichirō's mind showed the coercive magic in place, especially since Chiharu knew exactly what to look for. It was as neatly laid as ever, but she was too angry with the perpetrator to even acknowledge his skill. It was insulting that the rogue had tried to undermine the honour of a Kazama by coercive means—the Kazama were the foremost practitioners of the Gifts of Mind and had been for centuries.

Kichirō focussed his attention on maintaining an open mind for his sister, which was easier said than done given the nature of the problem. As before, the magic was equipped with a sophisticated twist that discouraged the victim from seeking help from others; Kichirō had to fight down increasing paranoia in order to give his sister the full access she needed in order to safely remove the multi-layered intrusive magic. It didn't help that she was so far away, and reliant on Sen's farsensing ability.

There were no problems until the very moment of success. But even as Chiharu removed the last strand of coercion, and Kichirō felt his mental discomfort fade to nothing, Sen cried out in dismay, and both Kazama siblings recognized the trap. Too late, Chiharu tried to hold onto her link with her younger brother, while Kichirō fought to stay conscious.

The very last of Chiharu's cleansing magic was amplified ten-fold, and Kichirō was freed from compulsion at the cost of his link through Sen to his sister. Then an oh-so-carefully hidden bit of complex magic—Soul and Body, thought Sen automatically, even as her connection to Kichirō was wiped from his mind—created a backlash effect, similar to a magic overload, and Kichirō crumpled to the ground beside his brother.

"Godsdammit!" Sen could have wept in frustration, and the mixed rage and fear on Chiharu's face echoed the same sentiment.

"If Chikage wakes up to this—"

"I know, I know! Uncle, you're on your own until I can find Chikage and Kichirō again—and I'll need tools."

To Sen's momentary surprise, and considerable relief, Satoshi simply nodded from his place between Chizuru, Amagiri, and now Yamazaki.

"I'll be fine, Sen-chan, and so will you. Chizuru-chan won't wake, we've stabilized Amagiri, and I'm sure I can help our young ninja—ah, medic. I wouldn't dare return Hijikata-san's brother to him in damaged condition, I assure you." If Satoshi was fatigued from his efforts—which he had to be—Sen couldn't sense it. Instead, she found herself calmer and less drained than she had been for several hours.

"Uncle?"

"Send Harada-san for what you need while you work out with Haru-chan exactly what to do next. It may take some time to find Kichirō, and your cousin is correct—things will likely be difficult with Kazama Chikage if he regains consciousness before you can rouse his younger brother."

"What do you need, and where can I find it, hime-chan?" Harada's voice was as calm and reassuring as Satoshi's. Grateful beyond words that he—that both of them—were proving to be so reliable, Sen provided him with directions and then turned to Chiharu, determined to be as positive as possible under the circumstances.

Chiharu gave her a faint smile. "It's a good thing that Saitō-san is a frighteningly competent man, isn't it? He's going to have to manage on his own for a while longer." She closed her eyes wearily, but Sen could feel her centering herself and focussing her energy for the task ahead.

By the time Harada returned, just a few minutes later, the two Oni princesses were seated across from each other, hands lightly clasped between them. For some reason, he found it a profoundly moving sight. Across the room, Satoshi-sama appeared to be idly tracing signs in the air above Yamazaki, who was feverish, but no longer writhing in pain. It occurred to Harada to wonder what colour eyes he'd see behind the man's closed lids, although his hair remained the same unremarkable brown as ever.

Sen-hime's uncle gave him a lazy smile when their eyes met, but Harada wasn't deceived. The Oni of Yase were now stretched to their breaking point, and the chances of things going well with Kazama Chikage were microscopically small. He couldn't help but wonder what that would mean for any of those present, or for Saitō—wherever he was. With Yamazaki out of commission, Harada was going to have to report to Hijikata-san sooner rather than later. Since that wasn't likely to go any better than Sen-hime's probable conversation with Kazama Chikage, Harada elected to wait a little longer.

"Harada-san."

"Hm?"

"Don't fret over the Vice Commander. He will either show up here, if he is needed, or send an emissary for information. The best thing you can do right now is be there for Sen-hime. She's going to need all the allies she has in the next few hours, you most of all. Can you do that? You have the capacity to aid her greatly, if you turn your mind to it."

Harada sat down against the wall nearest the young women. He turned unsmiling amber eyes on Satoshi, but nodded his understanding.

"I can do that. Let's just hope that Hijikata-san doesn't order me to cut myself open for disobeying a direct order to report to him by midnight, shall we."

The Oni prince just shrugged. "Look at it this way, Harada-san—if he does, it probably won't go any better, or worse, than the last time. I have a feeling that you're a very difficult man to kill."

[END]

Notes:

(1) moshiwake arimasen = I apologize (polite)

(2) ikuzo = let's go

A/Notes:

The next chapter will be the fourth and final part of The Breach. It will bring this arc of the story to a close, and lead into the next. I don't anticipate a long wait, but any encouragement in the meantime is appreciated. Thank you for returning with me to the world of The Teachings of Demons.