Loose stones and dust kicked up a large, thick cloud as Okita's pale mare stamped to a hasty standstill in the road, his frustration clearly written on his face as the riding beast's short breaths attested to its exhaustion.
Okita turned in the saddle, looking behind him as his men came to a halt at his abrupt stop, the first division platoon had travelled swift and roughly, reaching a point beyond normal tiredness. His men huffed and wheezed in a singular sigh, some even falling to the ground in exhaustion. It was dusk, the sun set red and menacingly on the horizon, a bad omen if Okita had ever seen one.
"At this rate they will not be able to fight when we get to Kyoto." he sighed to himself. "We'll have to slow down."
His gaze moved to the horizon ahead, where Kyoto laid and wait, an army of unearthly creatures headed to destroy his home, kill his friends and the woman he loved, his fists clenched around the hardened leather of the reins, worry filling his mind, anger filling his gut.
Susumu had left them hours ago, his annoyance at their slow pace finally reaching a breaking point.
"This is taking too long, I can travel faster on my own."
Okita had nodded in agreement: "Let one of us at least reach Kyoto in time." neither had mentioned Kasumi, but they both knew that worry for the young woman was one of Susumu's main concerns, Okita's own heart clenching for her in silence.
"Right." Susumu huffed as he steered his horse away from the larger group of soldiers. "I'll see you in Kyoto." with those words he galloped off, Okita's envy growing exponentially as he watched the man's figure grow small in the distance, wishing he could be the one riding off to find Kasumi.
He gave his men a few more minutes before calling their attention.
"We will lessen the pace for now, I know you are all concerned and want to get to Kyoto as soon as possible, but I need you all fighting fit when we get there!"
The soldiers nodded and answered in unison: "Yes Taicho!"
Okita smiled at his men, his chest feeling a warmth of companionship that he had forgotten in the last few months, his disease had occupied his mind and he had neglected his troops, he was happy to find that they still respected him as before, he felt honoured by their loyalty.
"Right! Lets move!" he commanded, and his men got ready to take on the next stretch of marching.
Okita turned his gaze back to the setting sun, watching as the reds and pinks swirled like a stormy sea, he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer for his friends and Kasumi, his chest momentarily clenching with his own worry.
The ride had been difficult so far, after receiving her Captain's message, Kasumi had raced towards Kyoto.
I'm at least a couple of hours ahead of everyone else, I need to warn Kondo-dono...
The knowledge weighed heavily on her shoulders as she cut through the trees and grasslands, she was the Shinsengumi's hope, she could make sure they were prepared.
But her injured ribs now screamed at her, throbbing and burning, her wrist hanging limply and achingly at her side. Her body was exhausted and she struggled riding her horse. She knew the countryside well from her travels and used this knowledge to take the less used, shorter routes towards Kyoto, but the pathways we're rough and her skin snagged on hidden thorns and bramble. She had tasted the metallic of blood earlier, when a large branch had hit her on the side of her face and her leggings had torn from a particularly large thorn-bush which had left an ugly gash on her lower thigh. Blood had run from the cut, plastering the torn threads of material to the injury. She knew that she would regret not cleaning the gash later, but she could not afford to waste any time.
She felt an unknown feeling of panic each time she stopped to rest, she suspected what ran through the Mori monsters' veins and it terrified her, her family's blood could make these monsters much stronger, and if they had her healing power. She blanched at the mere thought.
Her mind raced. If the plan was to attack the Shinsengumi base, the previous night's foes would have been the weak and simple-minded, the force heading towards Kyoto would surely be far superior.
That thought urged her to shorten her rests and push forward with little regard for her own well-being, the night had come, the sun peeking bloody red over the horizon in its last throes, time was running out and travelling at night would be far harder.
It was early morning, the sun peeking hazy over the mountains in the distance.
Shinji sat on a rooftop across the dusty road from the Shinsengumi compound, he had made quick time and could afford leisurely sitting on a roof, watching the few people left in the compound go by their daily tasks.
He smirked menacingly. "Soon..."
Shinji was not a stupid man and unlike his employers, he knew that the Shinsengumi would catch on to the ruse that had been set up. He also knew that Yamazaki Susumu was heading back to Kyoto by now. His smile grew even broader...today would be his day for revenge, if he was lucky Kasumi would be with her brother, he would take her with him afterwards, even by force, he would make her fall in love with him again.
He smiled broadly as he marvelled at how everything was falling into place for him, his past would be settled that day with the death of Yamazaki Susumu, and his future would be set with Yamazaki Kasumi. He chuckled, happier than he had been in years, his future seemed bright, his wishes would soon come true.
He watched idly as a two petite women carried a heavy load of washing across the small courtyard, their simple kimonos fluttering in the slight breeze.
"I guess even wolves need maids." he mused, his surprise at the appearance of such fragile creatures in a soldier's compound only lasting for a moment.
He watched as Chizuru and Asuka talked and laughed, their smiles clear even from far away.
"Tomorrow those smiles will be gone, maybe for good, my dears." he said to no-one in particular, "You have no idea what is coming for you, I hope for your sakes these wolves set you free before you die"
Shinji turned his gaze to the east, the horizon was still, not a single thing out-of-place. He sighed a long drawn out breath. "Guess I can take a nap, it's going to be a while before anything exciting happens." He sat back, making himself comfortable as he laid and wait.
As his eyes grew heavy and his body relaxed, a loud ruckus at the gate of the Shinsengumi compound drew him from his comfort. First he heard the loud thump of a heavy body hitting the ground, followed by alert voices from the guards. His curiosity made him raise himself and peek over the ledge of the rooftop to see the cause of the disturbance.
A rider had arrived at the compound gate, clearly beyond exhaustion, the horse had collapsed throwing its passenger to the ground in a sad heap, the thrown rider lay in the road as the dust clouds settled softly, sifting to the ground at a snail's pace. The guards had approached the human on the ground cautiously, not sure if they were friend or foe.
"Hey! You! What is your business?" a guard commanded as he stopped by the fallen, spear pointed directly at the sad heap in the dust.
A hand reached from the broken form on the ground, exposing a bruised and bloody arm, it grabbed at the guard's leg and clutched there, surprising the guard with it's strength.
"I...need...an audience...with... Kondo-taicho." a ragged female voice came.
"Why?" the guard asked feeling uncomfortable with the crowd that this woman's presence had drawn.
"Attack...coming, I need to see him NOW!" the woman had stirred and grabbed at the guard with her both her hands, her riding cloak fell away from her face in her desperate movement.
"Sumi..." Shinji breathed as he stared wide-eyed at the pleading form, he could recognise her anywhere. He heard her voice clearly even from a distance as she now ordered the guard.
"Tell Kondo-taicho that Yamazaki Kasumi is here to see him."
The guard kicked at her confused, his instincts telling him to follow her commanding voice, but his head screaming that she could be an enemy. He turned to his fellow guard.
"Go find Kondo-dono, tell him what is happening." the younger man nodded and turned to find their commander.
"That won't be necessary Yamoto-san." Kondo's voice boomed behind him. "I came to look for myself...you were causing such a ruckus."
He stepped past his guards and saw the woman laying on the ground, he crouched down slowly to get a better look at her.
"Sumi-chan? Is that really you?" He brushed her hair from her face to get a better look at her eyes. Two mismatched orbs, bloodshot and exhausted, stared back at him.
"Shit...Chizuru!"
The small woman came scrambling to the front of the group of spectators at the gate.
"Get ready to treat her wounds." he commanded before sliding his arm around Kasumi and effortlessly picking her up.
As he carried her towards the common room he bent his head closer to her ear and whispered.
"I've not seen you in years...but I feel that seeing you now is a bad omen Kasumi-chan."
With the little strength she had left, Kasumi nodded to Kondo, her head dropping slightly.
"Unfortunately...you are correct Kondo-taicho."
Yamazaki Kasumi.
Kondo mused at the now grown woman sat before him.
She was irritably swatting Chizuru away as the small girl tried to treat her wounds, annoyance clear on her face. After quenching her first and hunger, she had quickly regained strength and deviantly sat before him, dirty and injured, her eyes carrying a haze of concern and urgency.
"Not now..." Kasumi's husky voice spat.
"But..." Chizuru started to protest, only to stop her words as Kasumi gave her a look that made it clear she was not interested in her treatment.
"Kasumi-chan, you just collapsed at my front door, give the girl a chance to look at you, she's a skilled healer."
Chizuru coloured multiple hues of red at Kondo's praise and approached Kasumi carefully once again.
"Fine." Kasumi sighed. "Is it safe for her to hear?"
"I trust Chizuru-chan, speak as you will." Chizuru once again coloured at Kondo's words, a small smile gracing her lips.
"You have to prepare for attack...today, maybe tomorrow."
"What!" Kondo sat up, his spine rigid. "Who?"
Chizuru stopped her administrations as she heard Kasumi's words, eyes wide in fear as she looked at the woman in front of her.
"The Mori, although it's more complicated, they have...beasts." Kasumi said with a frown.
Kondo looked at her for a moment, calculating, considering her words.
"Yes...your brother told me about the incident at the Mori Clan base." Kondo said, worry spreading from his face to his chest and heart.
"So you know." Kasumi nodded.
Chizuru had stopped listening after Kondo had mentioned the woman's brother, it was easier dealing with a small mystery than the conversation the two people before her were having.
Yamazaki Kasumi.
Chizuru played with the family name in her head, until it snapped and the truth came to her.
"You're Susumu-dono's sister?" Chizuru blurted in surprise interrupting their conversation.
The woman looked down at her and smiled, her full lips curving beautifully, only then was Chizuru struck by the beauty that was hidden under layers of dust and dry blood, two mismatched eyes sparkled back at her.
"I am." she nodded. "His younger sister."
"But..." Chizuru was suddenly burning with a multitude of questions.
Kasumi laid a warm hand on her arm. "Later, when this mess is done with, I will tell you." She smiled a reassuring smile that both stilled and strangely reassured Chizuru. A strength laid in this woman's eyes, they stared at Chizuru with a reassurance that she would not let the base be attacked and destroyed, not without giving her life to defend them. Chizuru nodded and continued cleaning her wounds.
Kasumi looked back at Kondo.
"We should fortify the entrances and prepare the guards for what's to come. My brother is on his way back and has alerted all his operatives, they should start arriving soon."
"And the rest if the captains?" Kondo asked.
"I'm not sure, I had left the forces before the news broke, I am sure they are heading back by now, but I fear they won't make it in time."
"Right." Kondo nodded somberly.
"These Mori monsters are tough to beat, they're strong and fight without any value for their own lives, they're fuelled by bloodlust."
Kasumi dropped her gaze to the floor, trying not to show her guilt as she added. "I suspect they have some increased healing abilities."
Kondo looked at her enquiringly. "Similar to your own Kasumi-chan?"
"Perhaps." she uttered before changing the course of the conversation.
"I'll brief your men, these things have claws and fangs that seem to carry poison."
"I don't have the men to fight this Kasumi-chan, I was foolish." Kondo shook his head in disappointment."I shouldn't have sent all my captain's to the border, my pride tricked me. My only thought was to show our strength to those that oppose us, I didn't consider it could be a way to fool me." his voice cracked, his shoulders slumping in dismay.
"We all make mistakes Kondo-dono." her sigh was heavy with her own regrets. "Even if we just hole up here and stay alive until your captains arrive...we should be fine."
"Agreed Kasumi-chan." Kondo once again looked at her closely. "I am impressed with your logic, the Kasumi I remember would have run out there with only a single tanto, ready to slay them all."
Kasumi smiled at his remark.
"We all have to do a bit of growing up in our lives."
Kondo laughed heartily at her clear sarcasm before focusing on Chizuru.
"Chizuru-chan, get Yamoto-san for me, I have orders for you both."
"Y...yes Kondo-dono." she let out nervously before scurrying away to find the guard captain.
Kondo watched Chizuru leave before focusing on Kasumi again, his expression quickly changed to that of a man scrutinising what is in front of him.
"What are you hiding Kasumi-chan?" his eyes squinting at the young woman now.
"What do you mean Kondo-dono." she feigned innocence, her mind flustered that he could still see right through her.
"You might have become a woman since I last saw you, but you still can't hide that guilty look on your face my dear." Kasumi blanched at his words.
She cursed the man in front of her, since childhood he had been one of the few that saw through her masks, she should have known that he would notice something was wrong.
"I..it has nothing to do with this." she stuttered, he childhood fear and respect for Kondo flooding back to her. Her possible involvement with creating the Mori creatures and her hopeless infatuation with a man who Kondo could call his own son played vividly in her mind.
He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at her response.
"I guess you wouldn't be a spy if you didn't have secrets..." he shrugged. "But be wise in what you keep from me Kasumi-chan."
Kondo closely at the young woman before him. She had become a truly beautiful woman, tall and strong, her currently tangled, dirty hair would be spectacular when clean, falling down to her hips, her eyes have become even more piercing and entrancing than they had been as a child. He smiled.
His memories of a small, energetic child ordering around her older brother and playing tricks on servants brought a pleasant warmth to his chest, but he could not ignore the shadow that now laid in her mismatched orbs. He knew the life she must lead is not an easy one, he had heard Susumu's worries plenty of times and was sure she had seen more than most at her young age, she hid the scars well, under layers of pretence and a quick tongue. Kondo sighed inwardly at the fate of the woman in front of him, if she had been anyone else she would have been the subject of many a man's broken heart, possibly even happily married, but life dealt its hand in its own way.
"Kondo-dono?" Kasumi's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Sorry Sumi-chan, this old man was just reminiscing." Kondo smiled.
She let out a giggle and Kondo saw a moment of blinding brightness and beauty come from her.
"Old man." she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
"I'll take my leave then, I need see what we can do in preparation." she raised herself from her seat, leaving Kondo to his own thoughts as he watched her leave, noticing the slight limp and wince that flashed across her face.
"I'll have to keep an eye on her." he muttered under his breath.
Exhausted.
Kasumi slumped against the wall, slowly sliding down to her seat, body yearning for some shade and rest. Her ribs ached, the gash on her leg kept on opening and bleeding, her head hurt. She sighed. "Brother, where are you?"
For the first time in her life she felt true fear shivering down her spine. She had a bad feeling about the next few days and as a spy, she had learnt to trust her gut. Something was about to happen, something that spread fear through her chest and made her pulse race. She could not place it and her fear grew as she realised that she was blind to whatever was about to happen.
"Okita-dono..." the name fell from her lips in worry. Could he be the source of this fear? Was he in trouble? Kasumi looked up to the sky, hoping by some miracle that the answer would be in the clouds. No answer came.
The sun was already high and stung her eyes, once again she sighed as she moved her gaze to watch Kondo's men inconspicuously reinforce the walls and entrances to the compound. She had warned them that they we're most probably being watched and the Shinsengumi had followed her request to hide as much of their preparations as possible.
Kondo-dono had fortunately ordered all the non-military persons off the compound and she had watched the panicked Chizuru and Asuka leave in an apprehensive flurry a few hours before.
She smiled as she thought about the two sets of innocent eyes that stared at her in awe as she ordered men ten years her senior around, sure that she posed an intimidating figure for the two young girls, it was only later would she realise that she was only older by a few years.
Asuka had turned out to be a beautiful, sweet girl with bright eyes and a shy smile, she understood why Okita-dono would find her alluring and happy that she could at least save the woman who held Okita-dono's heart.
"Stupid woman." she berated herself. "As if you could ever be any of the things that pretty girl is...you fooled yourself." she chuckled before heaving herself up to stand as she noticed some of her brother's agents walking towards her.
Finally... the fear that clutched at her loosened its hold slightly at the sight of the seasoned fighters. Her smile was quickly doused though as she saw Kanzaki Shinji trailing a few feet behind the group of agents.
"Shinji!" her voice carried angrily across the courtyard. "Where have you been, you were missing when I last heard."
Shinji looked at her sheepishly.
"I...had a bit of a mishap on the way to the border." he said apologetically as he raised a bloodied, bandaged arm at her.
"Oh...I see." Kasumi said slightly flustered, her suspicions that Shinji had betrayed them clearly disproved by his injury, a traitor wouldn't just walk into the dragon's den, no-one was that brave or stupid.
"Let me see." she ordered as he walked up to her with an outstretched arm, he winced as she took hold of his limb and as she gingerly removed the bandaged a new flood of crimson poured from the wound. It was a deep cut running along the side of his arm, miraculously missing all his arteries, it was stitched hurriedly and badly, possibly by himself. It looked painful and Shinji's face spoke the pain that his mouth didn't utter.
Kasumi sighed to herself.
"Well, can you fight?" she asked harshly, trying to hide her surprise at his presence and his injury.
Shinji looked at her for a moment before answering. "Sure..." he shrugged.
"Ok then." She looked at the other agents and beckoned them closer. "Let me fill you in on what has been prepared, then we can decide where will be best for our own part to play." She walked off, leading the agents to where she knew Kondo-dono would be.
Okita tossed and turned once more as he tried to find sleep.
The first division of the Shinsengumi had stopped to rest, his men exhausted and sleep derived, with a heavy heart he ordered them to get some decent rest for an hour or two, most fell asleep within minutes, while their captain struggled to tame his racing thoughts and heart.
Okita was exhausted but found his thoughts occupied the moment he closed his eyes.
His mind had reordered the pieces that he knew about the Yamazaki clan numerous times, desperate to figure out the mystery that was Yamazaki Kasumi.
After Susumu's confession and the knowledge that his and Kasumi's mother has passed away in similar circumstances to his own, Okita had come to the conclusion that Kasumi's help had come from pity. His heart had rebelled at the thought, the hope that there was more than her sympathy burning bright and fierce like the feelings he had for her, he couldn't deny what he felt anymore, the sight of her had confirmed what he had known for weeks, no...months.
He played through their interactions, how his heart had raced and yet calmed at her voice, how she came from the dark, her beauty ethereal, how she had ignored him when they first met but still managed to slip him his life-saving vials, her laugh the next morning in the doctor's tent, her child-like banter. Her smile...
He smiled at his own naivety. The unconquerable Okita Souji fell for a woman he had never met.
He shook his head as his own silliness, but her mismatched eyes came to mind again and he was lost in an instant, his breath coming short at just the glimpse he had seen of her.
Is there a thing like instant love? He wondered as he tossed once again.
Sleep!
He berated himself, forcing his eyes to close, but his mind swirled and battled with the questions he asked himself:
Should he tell her his feelings when he saw her again?
How could he tell her his feelings?
Did she feel anything for him?
Could he even offer her a future?
The last thought came with a fear unknown to him, he had accepted his fate months ago, he was ready to die until he met her.
She had awoken his will to live and fight, he wanted to know her, learn her secrets, he wanted to hold her close. He didn't want to die if he could be with her, no matter how small the possibility.
If I don't make to Kyoto it in time, there's no use in asking these questions.
The realisation struck him again and his heart clenched. He had to make it to her in time, he had to save her like she saved him so many times.
She watched as the sun set on the horizon, it was an unassuming sunset with not even a hint of the danger to come.
She found it unsettling that everything seemed normal and the sky was not painted in red and pink like dread in her chest. Her heart beat in her throat and her hand clutched her tanto too tight, her knuckles white and throbbing.
She had done what she could, the entrances and walls of the compound enforced, her brother's agents laying in wait for the enemy in strategic positions.
Susumu had arrived earlier, as the main entrance to the compound was being secured, he had ridden in a flurry and stopped in a huge cloud of dust. His panicked face was a rare sight as his eyes darted frantically, searching, when he finally found her he had run to her, embracing her as he whispered.
"I was afraid that I was too late." exhaustion crackled his voice and made him sound fragile and scared.
"Onii-san." she sighed as Susumu breathed heavily. "You should rest, I will tell you about the preparations in the common room." she led him through the compound to the warmly lit space and forced him to sit down and breathe.
"Kondo-taicho should be here soon." She smiled as she gave him a cup filled with water.
He was tired and his eyes spoke of the worry he had felt coming here, worry for her.
As he sat and gulped down her offered water, she looked at him and realised that he needed to get out of that state, they needed him to be a captain, not a brother. That in mind, she straightened her back and played the subordinate, lowering her gaze as she spoke.
"I had them reinforce the perimeter, and I told the guards as much as I know about the Mori's, they are as ready as they can be." her voice was official and she spoke to her captain, not her sibling.
Susumu understood in an instant what his sister meant with her formal tone and looked at her slightly dumbstruck before nodding his approval.
My little sister is showing me how this should be done, pull yourself together Yamazaki!
"And the agents?" he asked in a now firmer, commanding tone.
"I have issued orders, but it would be wise for you to also have a look...I was not sure and you know the terrain better than I do."
Susumu gave her a brief smile. "I am sure you made the right decisions, but if you want my opinion I'll certainly give it."
"Good." she muttered as Kondo came into the room, armoured and ready, his katana hanging loosely at his side.
"Susumu, I am glad you are here!" he smiled an uncharacteristic nerve-laced smile.
"I'm happy I made it in time Kondo-dono." Susumu bowed from his seat. "Okita, Harada and Nagakura-dono are on their way as well, I am sure they are only a few hours behind me."
"I don't know if we have a few hours Susumu...we are...ill prepared." Kondo sighed. "We have taken precautions where we could, but I fear it's not enough...if Kasumi-chan had not arrived when she did, we would truly have been done for..."
Kondo turned to look at Kasumi and then continued with a slightly lighter tone "Your sister has become quite the capable agent, you should be proud Susumu-san, the Yamazaki family always seem to save me."
"Thank you Kondo-dono." Susumu bowed again. "The Yamazaki clan is always loyal to the Kondo clan, it is an honour to be praised, my sister is indeed a great agent...she has proven herself...on more than one occasion."
Kasumi looked at the two men and let out a laugh. "You do know I'm still here?" her smile lightened the mood and the room in a single moment.
Kondo gave her a cheeky grin. "Take the compliment Sumi-chan."
"Fine!" she grinned back at him.
Susumu cleared his throat and his stern voice brought them back to the moment and what they faced.
"Kondo-dono, can you run me through your plans before Kasumi-chan takes me through her own?"
"Sure Susumu-san...we..."
"One thing before we continue." Kasumi interrupted Kondo and turned to her brother. "Kanzaki Shinji."
The name made Susumu turn rigid in surprise.
"He's here, he came with the agents from the west. He had joined them just outside Kyoto."
"What?" Susumu was clearly flustered as he stared at his sister.
"His arm is injured quite badly, he says he never made it to the border because of it." Kasumi paused for a few moments allowing her brother to process her words. "He says he came straight here after your orders."
A deep frown creased Susumu's brow before he asked Kasumi: "Do you believe him?"
"I..." she sighed. "I don't know, I checked the wound and it's definitely real and badly patched up, he must have done it himself." her eyes dropped to her hands clutched in her lap. "Taicho." she formally referred to her brother. "We can't afford not trusting him, he's one of our best."
Susumu knew his sister spoke the truth and her addressing him so formal was her way to tell him that it was not the time for old emotions to influence their decisions.
"Right..." he agreed begrudgingly. "Keep your eye on him Kasumi-chan, I still think something isn't right."
"Yes Taicho." Kasumi bowed.
Kondo had watched the siblings as they spoke and noticed the many words that weren't said during their conversation, their silent signals were nearly unnoticeable but spoke of a past and distrust of this Kanzaki Shinji.
"Should I concern myself with this person?" Kondo asked.
"No." Susumu said adamantly. "We will deal with it if the need arises Kondo-dono." he nodded at his sister and she silently agreed.
Kasumi raised herself heavily from her seat and dusted her torn breeches as she spoke.
"I will meet you at the gate once Kondo-dono has taken you through the defences Taicho, I have a few things to finalise."
Susumu nodded. "I will meet..."
Before Susumu could finish his sentence, Yamato-san came crashing through the door in a frenzy, his eyes large in what could only be terror.
"K...k...Kondo-dono..." the man heaved through heavy breaths. Everyone in the room was on their feet in seconds, clutching their weapons, spines rigid.
Yamato-san nearly collapsed as he spoke the words. "There are monsters in the streets." his voice crumbling and breaking with tension.
Kasumi's large eyes met her brother's. "I'll go ahead" was all she said before she disappeared in an instant.
