Chapter two is finally done!

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Chapter 2

The clang of metal echoed down the hall and all the Shinsengumi perked up and rushed to the room where Kaoru and Chizuru were staying. They flung open the door and stared in shock at the sparring match taking place in front of them. The twins were moving so fast that you could only catch a flash of color here and there. Hijikata leaped forward and grabbed Chizuru by the scruff.

"If you wanted to have separate rooms you should have told us. There is no reason to fight each other," Hijikata said sternly. To everyone's utter shock (except for Kaoru) Chizuru laughed and said, "It was just a sparring match to entertain ourselves. We're not really fighting each other."

"That looked pretty real to me," Heisuke said.

"Please, if we wanted to kill each other we would be fighting at full strength. This was only about half our full power," Kaoru said with a snort. Kondo and Hijikata exchanged glances before Hijikata grabbed Chizuru by the arm and started to drag her outside.

"What the hell are you doing with my sister?" Kaoru asked and took a step forward, only to be stopped by an eager Soji.

"Don't worry, I'm only testing her," Hijikata said. He pushed her gently to the other side of the small courtyard outside the twin's room and unsheathed his sword.

"Come at me at full power," he commanded. Chizuru's brow furrowed and she said, "But I would hurt you."

Shinpachi snorted and said, "I bet you couldn't even leave a scratch on our Oni leader."

Chizuru sighed, but unsheathed her sword and said, "I guess I at least tried to warn you. If he gets hurt, don't blame me."

There was a moment of silence, and then Chizuru seemed to disappear from sight. Kaoru leaned against the door frame and said, "It'll be over in 3… 2… 1…"

There was a loud clang and Kaoru's jaw dropped in shock as he realized that Hijikata had actually blocked Chizuru's attack. Chizuru looked just as shocked, then pouted and yelled, "No helping Kaoru."

Chizuru's brother rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and Chizuru vanished from sight again. There were several clangs and Hijikata looked as if he were fighting an invisible enemy off. Chizuru suddenly tripped and landed head first into the pond next to the courtyard. Hijikata was about to jump in to help her, but Chizuru burst out of the water, landed gracefully back on dry land, and then shook out her hair like a wet dog. Hijikata lurched back as he got hit from the spray and growled warningly. Chizuru held out her sword again, but she was soaking wet and shivering.

"We will postpone this battle for another time," Hijikata said. Chizuru frowned and shook her head.

"No, I'm fine, let's continue… ACHOO," Chizuru said, but sneezed loudly and rubbed her arms to try to get some warmth back in her body. Kaoru sighed and said, "Chizuru, you didn't lose so let's get you and your clothes dried off."

Chizuru pouted, but went back into the room with her brother, excused herself politely, and shut the door behind her. The Shinsengumi stared at the door for a while before Hijikata broke the silence.

"They would be powerful new recruits if they can both fight as well as she did," he said, narrowing his eyes.

"Was she really that strong?" Okita asked.

"I hate to say this, but if the fight would've continued, I would have lost," Hijikata said, shaking his head in amazement. Heisuke and Shinpachi blanched in shock. Their fearless Oni leader had almost been beaten by a girl who was three heads shorter. The door slid open again and Chizuru came back out with her brother and bowed.

"Thank you for that match, it was really fun," Chizuru said.

"Whose better, you or Kaoru?" Okita asked excitedly.

"Soji! Please forgive his rudeness," Kondo said with a bow. Chizuru laughed and looked at her brother.

"Hmm, I don't know. I won the last match, but Chizuru won the one before that," Kaoru said thoughtfully, then snapped his fingures and said, "Okay, let's decide this here and now."

Chizuru grinned, then paused and turned to Hijikata.

"With your permission, of course," she said with a bow.

"Just don't kill each other," Hijikata sighed. Everyone took a seat on the grass as the twins took their position opposite one another.

"Ready… Start!" Kondo shouted. The twins disappeared and the sound of metal meeting metal echoed once again around the court yard.

"Can you see them?" Heisuke asked as he tried to make out the flashes of movement.

"Only when their swords meet. They pause for a second before disappearing again," Hijikata said. Everyone focused and eventually could see what Hijikata was talking about.

"By the Gods they're fast," Kondo said.

"And I have a feeling that their still holding back," Hijikata said.

"WHAT?" Shinpachi shouted. Hijikata narrowed his eyes and said, "During my sparing match with Chizuru, I could almost feel her holding her full power back. I haven't the slightest idea why, but it's safe to say that we can't just let these two slip though our fingures."

Suddenly there was a loud thud and they turned and found Chizuru sitting on her rear end. A large, red welt began forming on her arm and Kaoru said, "I win."

Chizuru sighed and stood up. She bowed respectfully to her brother before poking at the large red line on her arm.

"How badly are you hurt?"Sannan-san asked as he eyed Chizuru's arm.

"Oh, this little thing? It barely stings at all. Kaoru was very careful and hit me with the side of his blade. Don't worry, it's already healing," Chizuru said and pointed down at her arm. The large red welt began to fade quickly until no traces of it were left.

"But…how?"Harada asked.

"Err, I'm a quick healer?" Chizuru said, but it sounded a lot like a question. She yawned and Kaoru helped her back into the room.

"Please excuse us, it has been a long day and we need rest," Kaoru said drowsily.

"Of course," Kondo said. The twins bowed and the door closed.

"Now, what are we going to do? Recruit them… or kill them," Okita said.

"Recruit, defiantly recruit," Hijikata said firmly and Okita sighed and sheathed his sword.

Chapter 3 will be out shortly (if my school work doesn't get any crazier).

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