CHAPTER FOUR

The sound of gunshot rippled through the air, sending the Shinsengumi into a frenzy. I stood up immediately, wobbling at bit the blood pressure change before steadying myself. "It's time we left." The other captains nodded in agreement and began barking orders at their separate units. "Stop!" An Aizu soldier ran over to us, "What are you doing? We were ordered to stay here!"

"I'm sorry," The anger evident behind Hijikata's apology, "I assumed you were here for a reason, would you rather sit around and wait? We're here to help if those Choshu assholes attack! What's happening right now?! If you have any ounce of pride left in you, you'll screw your goddamn orders and move!"

We all ran after him in formation. I didn't look back to see if the Aizu soldiers were following our example, only avoided running alongside Chizuru and Saito. It was a short run for the Shinsengumi, who made it to the gate in not time. Although a battle had been expected with guns and swords and cannons, there was nothing left. Dead Aizu littered the ground, a couple with their own swords run through their backs, some without. The battle had ended long before anyone had arrived. As morbid as it was, the only think I could think about was how we were going to bury so many men. "Kurosawa-san," Harada walked in front of me, seemingly after giving orders to his unit, "Are you okay?"

I realized I had started to cry, and used my sleeve to wipe my eyes but they just kept coming. Harada led me away from the scene and behind a large tree where he wrapped his arms tight around me and allowed me to cry. I'd only seen death so personally twice in my life and even then it was only one person at a time, not an entire army of men. "Better now?" I nodded and pulled away. "It must be rough as a woman to see war all of a sudden," He scratched the back of his head, "If you ever need to talk about it, just come to me, okay?"

I widened my eyes; Saito had said the same a few days ago. If I was ever going to continue with them and be helpful, I needed to toughen up significantly. Nothing like this had ever happened back home, but this wasn't home anymore. When Harada and I reappeared into the group, Saito had returned from gathering information about what had happened. He glanced in my direction before turning to Kondou as I felt a sense of déjà vu. "The Choshu attacked early this morning, but were fended off by Aizu and Satsuma forces."

Hijikata grinned, "Satsuma and Aizu working together; Times sure are changing."

It was a little shocking, considering the two clans had been rivals or whatever for generations. Then again, clans tended to fight each other anyways so no part of it was really shocking. There were still Choshu at Hage Gate. Yamazaki returned with more news, "Commander, we believe the men who led this raid are going to Mount Ten'nou."

It didn't take him long to begin giving orders to the captains, "Sanosuke, head to Kuge Gate and deal with the rest of those Choshu bastards. Saito and Yamazaki, stay here to further asses Hamaguri Gate. Be aware that the Choshu could return. Chief, I have a tough one for you. Go talk to the Aizu bigwigs. The Choshu's men are scattered, so it would be best to find a way to deal with the remainders. If we're going to leave Kyoto to go after them, you're the one to get the papers. Gen, go with him and keep a close eye."

Everyone accepted their orders without hesitation, "As for you two," His gaze shifted between Chizuru and I as I moved almost behind Harada. I wasn't sure what he would do with me, but Chizuru would choose to go with Hijikata, that much was obvious. But me… I looked over to Saito who was facing Hijikata, but staring at me from the corner of his eyes. "Neither of you can go with Kondou, but other than that I'll leave it up to you as individuals."

I looked over at Saito once more, then back at Hijikata, "Kuge, then." Harada laid a hand on my head, ruffling my hair a bit and loosening my hair.

The fight at Hamaguri hadn't been quite so easily decided. There were still a number of fights going on with Choshu soldiers who didn't seem ready to lose anytime soon. Harada turned to look at me as his men moved out, "You should stay here, Kurosawa-san," Harada spoke as though I were a child, "It's going to get pretty dangerous." He ran off before I could even respond to him, and it left me feeling a bit of resentment as I watched him from afar. "If you want to go any further, you'll have to get past us first!"

I moved forward more until I was in at least the second row, and pulled my sword out of its sheath, gaining a defensive position like the rest of the men. Harada taunted the Choshu men mercilessly. The two forces converged in battle, I realized I could probably defeat at least one Choshu, if I timed my attacks right. Bringing fort the memories of my training with Saito, I charged a Choshu who had his back turned, and cringed as my sword cut through his flesh and all the way down his back. The noise was slick and made me cringe as he fell. "Kurosawa!"

I turned around just in time to duck and nearly sever the Achilles tendons of the Choshu who'd attempted to kill me. "What are you doing?!" Harada called out to me in between stabs of his spear. "Being useful!" I shouted out angrily in between ducking blows of swords and spears. Honestly, after the first two it was the other Shinsengumi who were onto the Choshu soldiers like the hungry wolves they were known as, Wolves of Mibu. They had the upper hand in no time and the battle ceased, some of the Choshu commanders shouting nonsense at their soldiers. As they began to retreat, the Aizu ran after them. They were stopped by a single man who carried a gun, aiming and getting a perfect shot on the Aizu who'd given the order to follow the Choshu. "Looks like I'll be playing you guys for a while!" The Aizu and even some of the Shinsengumi froze with fear. In the end, guns and pistols were a more efficient weapon in battle. But this time, it may have been the gunman who frightened them the most. Shiranui Kyo had never been one of my favorite Oni. "Well, it's nice of you to play," Harada fronted the group of us, "But don't you think wielding a gun against a group of swordsmen is a little unfair?"

Shiranui feigned boredom but his smirked betrayed his excitement at finding an opponent who didn't fear a gun, "Nah, seems fair to me. Besides, you have that big ole pig-sticker!"

Harada took it as a challenge and came at the man directly, spear pointed towards Shiranui. His movement was quick but Shiranui was able to dodge all too close. They exchanged insults with a surprisingly cordial tone. "I am Shiranui Kyo, Shiranui-san."

"Sanosuke Harada, captain of the Shinsengumi's 10th Division."

The air was tense for a moment at they stood in defensive positions, never breaking eye contact with each other. I felt inadequate just standing there, but I knew I couldn't really get in between a duel. At this point, Chizuru would have chosen to either ask Shiranui to leave or cheer for Harada. The first option worked, but it was embarrassing and more her style. The second… well, that wasn't going to happen. After a few more seconds of waiting, Shiranui lowered his gun, and Harada lowered his spear in response. A sort of mutual agreement seemed to have passed between them. "Well, the Choshu have escaped, that was my only job here." A grin worked its way back on his face, "But don't think I'll go so easy on you next time."

His face scanned the crowd before I locked eyes with him. Something flashed across his face for a moment, before he raised his gun again quicker than Harada could perceive, and shot multiple times before running off. I fell to the ground beneath me, hearing static underneath all the shouting as I fought to keep my eyes open. "Kurosawa-san!" Harada called from no more than a foot above my face. I moaned loudly, feeling an intense pain flower out to cover my entire body. So, this is what a gunshot felt like. Maybe I would finally get what I wanted this time.