Shinpachi was now trudging slowly as he moved forward, too tired to walk quickly. It was now so late that very few people were walking about and there was an almost eerie silence in the area. His mind continued to provide all kinds of excuses for him to give up and turn back before the agreed hour had elapsed.

I am tired as hell. My feet ache, I'm sleepy and so, so hungry.

These words became his mantra and he finally decided to give up. What was the rush anyway? One night would not make much of a difference, right?

With this in mind he raised the communicator close to his mouth and decided to speak his mind. Okita-san would just have to accept that they were too tired to continue. But that was when he saw it. He stopped dead in his tracks. No, he couldn't be imagining this, he rubbed his eyes and blinked twice just to be sure. But the sight which had stopped him cold was still there.

That long raven hair, straw hat and black garb could only belong to one person. He watched in dumbfounded shock as Katsura and another man, whom he did not recognise, walked into an alleyway. Rather than finding Elizabeth they had found Katsura-san! Shinpachi was about to run up and catch their attention when he felt arms holding him back and stopping his advance.

'Let go of me!' He yelled, causing the person restraining him to use one of his hands to cover his mouth. Even though the person was only using one arm now to hold him back he still struggled to free himself against the herculean grip. After some more tossing he finally managed to release himself and turned aggressively to face his would-be captor.

His eyes widened as he recognised the person's unique features.

'Elizabeth-san?'

The Amanto nodded and raised up a sign.

NO TIME TO TALK. LET'S FOLLOW THEM.

'Follow them?' Shinpachi was confused at this. Why was Elizabeth trailing Katsura when they were often always side by side? Respecting Elizabeth's request for silence, however, he kept his thoughts to himself and nodded in acquiescence. They then entered the alley they had seen the two men entering previously and followed quietly.

It took about ten minutes of continuous walking before the buildings began to thin out and they approached what looked to be an empty port. Not wanting to get closer, Shinpachi and Elizabeth hid themselves behind some containers and watched as Katsura and Bansai walked up to a ship which had docked there.

'Whose ship is that?' Shinpachi wondered. Elizabeth shook his head, obviously not knowing the answer to his question. They continued to look on as the two figures got onto the ship and met up with what seemed to be another person. Shinpachi squinted, trying to see who they were speaking with, but they were now too far away. He grunted in frustration and knew he would have to find a way to get closer. He looked around for any obstacles that might allow him to do this without getting seen and saw some crates which had been stacked, one on the other.

'Elizabeth-san, I'm going closer to get a better look.' He told the Amanto next to him. Elizabeth raised up a sign almost immediately.

BE CAREFUL, DON'T GET CAUGHT!

Shinpachi smiled and then nodded his head decisively before taking off at a quick pace to where the crates were located. He managed to get behind them without being detected and peeked out to see what was going on. Now that he was closer, he had a better view and could see the three figures more clearly.

His eyes widened when he finally saw who the third person was. The bandages covering his left eye were easily as discernible as his purple yukata.

He remembered the first time he had met that man...Katsura had almost sliced through his stomach. And yet, here they were talking to each other?

Katsura-san...what, what are you doing? He wondered

His shock multiplied even more when another man joined them. His vermilion hair and blue eyes gave him away instantly and Shinpachi felt his a knot forming in his stomach.

Now fully aware of the dangerous company they had stumbled upon, his body was trembling in fear. He knew he had to get away as quickly as possible and inform the others of what he had seen. He wondered if Gintoki would even believe him...

Just as he was thinking this, Kamui made his way off the ship and was heading towards town. He and his men passed not far from where Shinpachi was hiding so he caught a few snippets of their conversation.

'So many samurai to satisfy my hunger tonight. I hope they'll be fun.' Kamui was saying with a disconcerting smile on his face. The tall man next to him...Abuto, Shinpachi remembered him all too well. After all he was the reason Kagura had...

Unaware of the attention he was receiving, Abuto smiled at his captain.

'I believe the infamous 'Bakufu dogs' will try to give us a good fight.' He replied.

Shinpachi couldn't believe his ears. He had to get back NOW!

When they had gone, he rushed back to where Elizabeth was waiting. The white duck-penguin seemed to notice his agitation and looked at him expectantly.

'Let's get back, Elizabeth-san! This place...this place is too dangerous!'

WHAT ABOUT KATSURA-SAN?

The young samurai lowered his head sadly. How to explain this...

'We can't do anything for him now. We need to get Gin-san and Kagura-chan here. Let's get somewhere safe so I can use my communicator-'

'Oi!'

They both turned sharply as two men with lanterns came across them. Both had their swords drawn.

'What are you doing here?' One of them asked. The other pointed at Shinpachi in recognition.

'This kid was part of those who came on to the ship and ruined our Benizakura plans! Come to try and stop us again, have you?!'

'We've been caught!'

Shinpachi took out his sword and readied his stance. He may not be a demon or a monster like Gin-san or Kagura-chan, but he could hold his own.

'Get out of our way.' He warned.

They only laughed at his response and attacked head on. In a second, Shinpachi had cut them down. The noise seemed to attract more of the patrol, however, and they came rushing in to apprehend them.

'Dammit.' Shinpachi swore uncharacteristically. He needed to inform the others of what was going to happen as quickly as possible!

Suddenly, what looked like a cannon came out of Elizabeth's mouth and fired at the approaching men, creating an opening. The Amanto raised a sign.

GET GOING. I WON'T LEAVE WITHOUT KATSURA-SAN

'But Eliza-'

Hearing more noises to his side, he was horrified to see more men approaching.

'Get them!'

Elizabeth fired a few more shots and raised another sign.

QUICKLY! I'LL COVER YOUR ESCAPE

'But...' He was cut off by another sign.

NOW!

Realising he couldn't change the Amanto's mind, he reluctantly nodded his head and took off.

'I'll be back with help!' He promised, taking off with as much speed as he could muster. Three men suddenly attempted to stop him and came in his way.

'Where do you think you're-'

BLAST!

More blasts came in quick succession, giving Shinpachi the chance to escape. He was tired, but that was the last thing on his mind as he raced to get back to the others. As he left the port, the sounds of cannon fire suddenly died down, letting him know that his friend had been caught. He felt his arms clenching at his sides.

Elizabeth-san, I'll make this up to you I promise!

When he got to a safe enough distance he grabbed his communicator and pressed the button.

Sougo had been waiting in the patrol car when Kagura came up on Sadaharu. He smirked slightly at them and placed his elbow on the car window.

'You're the first to return, why am I not surprised? You ARE aware the hour we agreed on hasn't elapsed yet?' He wondered, as she got off the giant dog's back. She only crossed her arms in response and came closer.

'We need to talk, Sadist.' She said.

'Oh? Are you finally tired of this life and want me to help you along to the other world?' The officer asked, through bored eyes. She ignored his comment and decided to continue with what she wanted to say.

'You seem to have more of an interest in this than I thought with the way you want us to continue searching so badly.' She remarked.

'I've already told you that I have business with your friend.'

'And why can't it wait? You've been very impatient, as if you feel you don't have much time.'

'Well, technically I am AWOL right now.'

She shook her head.

'As if that's ever stopped you before.'

Sougo's eyes narrowed slightly. Was she reading him now? For some reason that really irritated him and he attempted to brush her off.

'It's none of your concern China.' He almost spat. 'Why don't you mind your own business?'

'Pfft! Says the guy who was eavesdropping on our private conversation.' She sneered. She leaned in closer until they were only inches apart.

'Tell me what's going on! I don't like being in the dark, especially when I'm being used.'

He crossed his arms, letting her know that he wasn't intimidated and she harrumphed before kicking the car door, causing a dent.

'Hey, don't let me arrest you for damaging public property, little girl!'

'Just try!'

'KAGURA-CHAN, OKITA-SAN!' Came Shinpachi's anxious voice, diverting their attention.

'Shinpachi?' Kagura's responded, worried at his tone.

'THE SHINSENGUMI ARE GOING TO BE ATTACKED! YOUR-!' He suddenly broke off.

'The Shinsengumi is WHAT?!' Okita was now as alert as a cat. They heard him stop to take a breath with impatient breaths of their own. He continued momentarily.

'KAMUI IS LEADING A UNIT OF YATO TO TAKE THEM DOWN!'

Kamui...

Kagura didn't hear anything else after that, and neither did Sougo. Without a word, he started the engine and drove off at full speed.

'Wait! Sadist!' Kagura shouted as he sped off, but her words fell on deaf ears.

'Kagura-chan?!' Shinpachi asked.

'Dammit he took off!'

'We have to help them! Gin-san is there, what if your brother finds him?!'

She didn't even want to think about that. If that idiot of a brother hurt anyone...

'Shinpachi, hurry up and meet us there, ok? Sadaharu, let's go!' She said, turning to her pet.

'ARF!'

'Got it! Be careful, don't face him by yourself.'

'Gotcha.'

Sensing the urgency, Sadaharu took off at his greatest speed. Kagura felt a frantic anxiety overwhelming her as Sougo's car moved farther and farther out of sight.

Damn you, sadist...don't do anything stupid!'