Chapter 8

A/N: Since the Shinsengumi is technically now disbanded in the manga just consider them former in previous chapters and I'll address this in all future chapters.

That same morning, Okita was traipsing around with the list that Shinpachi and Kondou had agreed upon. The first stop was the host club run by Kyoshirou with Hachirou.

Once he approached the entrance, the person at the door asked for identification.

As he showed his badge, he relayed, "Okita Sougo, former Captain of the First Division of the Shinsengumi."

Aware of his reputation, the man questioned, "What do you need then?"

"I need to talk to Kyoshirou and Hachirou on behalf of the Yorozuya," he said in his usual bored tone.

Upon hearing the owner's name and the Yorozuya, he quickly went to inform Kyoshirou. In a few minutes, the men in question came out.

Surprised to see him, the host replied, "Okita-san. hello. What do you need?"

"Danna and the others need help with Nee-san's birthday party. Kondou-san and Shinpachi-kun asked for me to help by asking a couple people for them," the young officer told them.

"Oh, we'd be happy to help! We can come by the Yorozuya later, Hachirou can watch over the club while I'm gone," Kyoshiro answered as Hachirou nodded.

Okita nodded and said, "Okay, thanks. I have to get back to work since I just have to work with the rest of the guys for Nee-san's birthday otherwise."

After the two men said their goodbyes to the younger man, the young cop headed over out to see his boss. When he came in, the older man exclaimed, "Sougo, there you are! How did things go?"

"They went good, we just need to get everyone together and get it ready," he said to his boss' boss.

Matsudaira smiled and replied, "Good, now get to work! Sasaki is going to go over some things with you for work."

The sadist saluted, albeit a bit lazily, before he went to check up on his comrades.

As soon as Okita arrived, a voice came ringing out, "Taichou!"

He looked and saw Sasaki Tetsunosuke, Hijikata's assistant and Sasaki of the Mimawarigumi's younger brother.

"Ah, right. Okay, let's go over to work. Kondou-san and Hijikata-san will be gone to Bushu to recruit for about two weeks so we need to get organized for the party. Yamazaki-san is going to keep Nee-san busy when we put the final touches on the day of," the junior member recited, which surprised Okita.

He then nodded before replying, "We should go address them now Tetsu."

"Yes sir!" Tetsu said excitedly while they made their way to the meeting room.

When they arrived, the other Shinsengumi members sat awaiting for orders.

Okita cleared his throat before beginning, "Alright, you all know why we're here."

Tetsu added, "Yes, Taichou is in charge until Kondou-san and Hijikata-san come back. In their absence, we need to plan Nee-san's birthday party."

Tetsu motioned for the young sadist to continue as he sat down like the others.

"Like Sasaki here said, Kondou-san and Hijikata-san have left this up to us. If anyone screws up, it's seppuku. We all know who would be saying that, so if you like being alive and not being killed by the mayo addict work your asses off!" the captain ordered plainly to everyone.

They all saluted and went to work like always. Despite their commander and vice-commander's absence, they all enjoyed some nabe and rested after a strenuous day as the Yorozuya did too.

The next two weeks were extremely hectic as everyone all over Kabuki-chou and even Yoshiwara prepared for October 31st. Even is it wasn't meant to be a surprise, Otae was so busy with her work that she didn't even realize that her own birthday was approaching.

When she woke up, the young married woman saw flowers by her bed and petals covering the floor. Otae sat up and covered her mouth with her hands when she saw her husband sitting on the end of their bed.

"Isao-kun! How sweet of you, you're back! I missed you!" she exclaimed happily as she hugged him.

Enjoying his wife's embrace, Kondou sighed blissfully before replying, "Of course, I had to get back in time for today!"

"Today? It's Halloween, why is it so important?" his wife inquired as she tilted her head to the side.

"You don't remember? Your birthday is today," the gorilla man pointed out.

Otae laughed before she answered, "Oh my, I can't believe it! I forgot my own birthday."

"It's okay, here. Eat your breakfast so we can enjoy ourselves for a bit," he told her as he grabbed a tray that was sitting behind him and placed it on her lap.

She smiled sweetly, kissed him in thanks and began to eat. He enjoyed his time with his wife, as they enjoyed each other's company after two weeks apart. Once she finished, her gorilla demanded that he would clean up so she could get dressed so they could head out. Otae complied and, once they were both ready, they spent the morning together. Kondou took her to the park and people watched, took a small walk around before having a small picnic around 11:30AM.

While the couple enjoyed themselves, their many friends were underway in preparing the combined Halloween and birthday party.

At the Yagyuu estate, everyone was working hard on all the preparations.

"Come on you bakas! Faster, we only have until five tonight until Otae and the Gorilla get here!" Gin was shouting from the small pedestal on a small stool.

Hijikata, who'd been there since this morning, shouted angrily, "Who the hell put you in charge? Get your ass working like the rest of us!"

The sweets samurai, eye twitching, shouted back, "Don't tell me what to do, Mayo-"

Just then, a shot from a gun rang out that broke the clamor.

"Get to work, no squabbles!" Matsudaira demanded with steely determination and authority.

They continued in relative silence except for squabbles between Okita and Kagura and silent glares between Gin and Hijikata. Around four-thirty, Yamazaki had to leave to make sure the birthday girl and her hubby get to the birthday party. Around that time, Yamazaki had already changed into his costume so he'd be ready.

A/N: Sorry, the party starts next chapter. Enjoy the wackiness next time!