" Chizuru wait up! You're running too fast! If we get lost your father won't be happy at all!"

Chizuru ran into the surrounding forest with Chiyo fast behind her. They were going to explore the forest. Villagers kept on gossiping on rumors about a snake who would grant your wishes if you touched the tail. Both children were intent on getting a wish granted.

" Chizuru!"

" Fine. Hurry up Chiyo, it's gonna get dark soon!"

The two walked hand in hand into the forest. As light became sparse both started to feel more determination to be the first to find the snake. They lifted rocks and looks under plants. Suddenly they heard a slight rustling. Movement came from under a large leaf and Chizuru lifted it up tentatively. Underneath was a light sandy brown snake with brown diamonds on its scaly skin. Both girls gasped in wonder Suddenly Chiyo felt slightly uneasy. There was a wild look in the snake's eyes.

" Chizuru...step away from the snake. Don't touch it!"

It was too late. Chizuru's had already made contact with the snake's tail. Suddenly the snake pounced at her.

Chiyo woke up with a gasp. There was a sharp pounding in her head and her back felt like it was on fire. The cut she received from the strange creature was very much real. At least she would die before it got infected and she died a painfully long death. She remembered the dream. What had really happened was that Chizuru got bitten by the snake and Chiyo had to run back to Koudo- san to get help. He was frantic and very worried. Both got a good scolding for believing such silly gossip and both moved on without looking back at it. She hadn't dreamt about Chizuru since she left for Britain. Then...why now?

Suddenly the door slid open and she stared at the feet walking towards her. With her arms still tied, she pulled her head upwards to glare at the intruder. It was the man named Saito. He still had the unnerving cold look in his eyes.

He said cooly," Come now, the others have made their decision."

He said nothing more as he pulled her to her feet and ushered her out the door. Strangely after crying she felt at peace. Even if she was going to die, she was still happy knowing that she had a good life. She started to go all over the events that had happened in her life. However, she felt thankful to the man behind her.

" Umm Saito-san...thank you."

" Excuse me, what?"

" I said thank you."

He stopped and gave her the stare that said," What the possible hell are you talking about."

She took this as a sign to explain," Thank you for telling me the truth that I might die. If you had sugar coated your words, I would have false hope. This gave me a chance to go over my life and I am content. I have lived a good life and if this the end...then so be it."

His eyes widened but went back to its usual stern look as he shook his head and moved on. Secretly in his head he thought," I am so confused. Telling her that she may die would be means enough to hate me...but she is thanking me. The people I meet just keep on getting stranger with every person."

They finally stopped in the same room as last night. She gulped silently and prepared herself for the worst. " I hope they make it quick and painless.", she thought. Taking a deep breathe she nodded when he looked towards her. He then slides the door open to reveal what should have been her death. All the men were seated like last night. She kneeled and looked around. Would she die in this room?

Once everyone was settled Kondou cleared his throat and said," Well we have come to this decision.", he paused and looked at her morosely," We have no choice but to execute you. Please understand that it was hard making this decision but we need to consider the amount of lives at stake here. Understand that and know that you carry good karma. It will be painless and quick. I am so sorry."

She started at the ground and her throat constricted. This was it, this was the end. Suddenly she felt a small fire grow in her abdomen and her back still burned with pain.

She mustered enough strength to say," Wait! Listen to me!"

Everyone stopped murmuring to turn to her. Kondou nodded at her.

" I don't want to die like this. If I should die, than...I want to go down by fighting. Please let me fight someone with my sword. Honor my dignity by at least letting me do that much."

Everyone gave her wide eyed stares. She was pretty sure they weren't expecting this. Kondou rubbed his chin thoughtfully and looked at Hijikata whose face was furrowed. Finally after thinking, he said," Alright we shall honor your dignity. I am impressed with your courage. It is such a shame that you couldn't join us instead. Maybe in the next life we might meet again.", looking at the group of men," Alright men! Who would like to have a duel with her?"

Everyone shook their head but only the red haired man stood up. Hmmm his name was Okita-san right? Well, names didn't matter too much right now. She prayed that everything would end up all right.


Once everyone was outside, Okita-san and Chiyo wasted no time before getting into their ready positions. Chiyo's heart beat quickened.

Okita smirked and said arrogantly," Be prepared to die within the first few seconds. You are probably no match for me. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've held a sword longer than you have even lived."

All she could do was reply," Don't count on it. I will die with honor and I will live for as long as I can."

She gently rubbed the silver cross hanging at her neck. The metal was cool and smooth. Her cousin had given it to her before she left England. The memory gave her strength. She knew that her family would want her to live as long as possible and she would try her best to. Suddenly, she realized that her family would never know that she was dead. Chiyo didn't get time to dwell on the idea because Kondou one of the men had started counting down from five.

Five : get in your ready stance

Four : pull the blade inside the scabbard

Three : Close your eyes and take a deep breathe

Two: Focus on your opponent

One: Live as long as you can and be grateful for your life.

None of the two moved. Both were waiting for the other to make a move. However, there was just an uncanny way that the boy held his sword.

Heisuke whispered to Shinpachi," Ey. Isn't that the way that Saito-kun hold his sword? It seems to be the same style."

Shinpachi replied," I noticed that too. It seems as Saito has seen that too."

He pointed to Saito who started intently at the boy's sword who was stuck into its scabbard. His stare smoldered and he wanted to know what the boy would do next.

" How is it that he holds the sword the same way as me?" he thought

" I wonder if Okita-san really does have the upper hand in this."

It seems as if Souji lost his patience and he rushed at the Chiyo. She waited and counted.

"Chiyo! Concentrate! "

" Sensei, I am so confused. How long am I supposed to wait to pull out my sword?"

Her kendo teacher sat down next to her and motioned for her to sit as well. Chiyo's face was full of frustration and disappointment as she couldn't get timing right.

He smiled gently and said," Don't worry my child. This was difficult for me too. You are not gifted and I wasn't either. The only reason why I agreed to teach you more than the other students is that I see endurance in you. You work hard and I see the grit inside of you. Here this is how you measure the timing. Imagine clicks inside your head. Hear the click inside on your head every time your opponent puts his foot on the ground. When he is three clicks away from you, you pull!"

Her Kendo instructor's voice seemed to echo in her head as she remembered the clicks.

1 click

2 click

3 click

4 click

The clicks went on as she counted. Finally, Okita was three clicks in front of her and tried to stab her. Immediately she pulled her sword out and countered the attack with a deafening ear piercing ring that made all onlookers fall silent and stare. A random frail looking boy...was able to stand his ground against him.

Okita grunted and tried to overpower her by applying pressure with his sword. Chiyo knew she wasn't strong enough to endure this so she quickly pulled out. She spun around and was ready to face him again. Her hand guided her sword back into its home and was ready to attack this time. She rushed at him.

Harada sighed," Lunging at Okita wouldn't work. He would surely kill him this time. Perhaps she was just lucky the last time."

Heisuke saw that as well and shook his head sadly and continued to watch.

Okita grinned with malice as he saw her form of attack. Only amateurs would make this type of move. He could easily stab his side when he got close enough. This would end the whole match for good.

While running towards him Chiyo could see a flash of recognition in his eyes. He probably thought that she would do the stupid trick of slashing towards of his chest. However, she still had a few tricks in her sleeve. When she was in striking zone she slashed downwards and saw that Okita was already moving his sword towards her side. She immediately stopped her sword mid-air and moved it sideways to counter his attack. In her aunt's science lab, she learned that certain vibrations could cause the human arm to go numb. However she had to cause the vibrations. Every time a their swords hit, there were vibrations going down each person's arm. However they were slight and untickable. The goal was to create a good amount of shock. When Okita helt his sword sideways, he was twisting the arm in an unnatural awardway. This made his arm vulnerable to impact shock.

Chiyo suddenly swung with all her might. This had better work or she was done for it. Another sharp sounds struck followed by a grunt of pain. She had aimed for the shock to travel to his silly bone so he would lose feeling of his arm and drop the sword. She opened her eyes and saw with shock that it actually worked! His sword lay on the ground and his face was contorted with pain. Shock was not a thing to play with since it could be fatal if too much is applied.

Her world came to a complete standstill. No one moved. No one said a thing. Not a thing moved…

" I won! I actually won!"


Chizuru heard noise from inside her room. Confusion spurred inside of her as she went to check out the chaos outside. Nothing was out of the usual until she heard Okita-san shout in pain.

" I wonder if he's okay. Maybe he's hurt!"

Her socks glided around the wooden floor boards and she hurried to the main courtyard. There was no injured Okita but rather a special person she had yearned to see for many years.

" Chiyo. Oh Chiyo. You are finally back!"