A/N: Sorry for the wait! Even though I have planned out the next few chapters, I'm not really sure their that well written so I've tried to wait a while to collect my thoughts. Thank you to Gianti- Faith and OuttaGalaxy for reviewing the last chapter. From this chapter onward, I'm going to call Mizuki, Mizumi, as it is her real name after all. Once again I'm really sorry for the wait! Hope you enjoy.

The next day, Mizumi had regained her strength and was feeling much better. However, Mizumi noticed that Saitou was watching her as she could feel his presence near her were ever she was and while she was preparing breakfast she was finally fed up with his act.

"Saitou, I know that you're watching me. You can come out now.", Mizumi said clearly indicating that she was pissed.

Saitou appeared without a word and without hesitation, because an angry Mizumi was not good for his health as she could easily beat him without warning. He continued watching her as she and Chizuru finished preparing breakfast, wondering what she was doing last night. When breakfast was done and everyone was awake, everyone but Sannan had gathered to eat. Minutes later Hijikata asked Mizumi a question.

"What were you doing last night?"

"What do you mean?", Mizumi asked feinting innocence.

"You know what I mean. Why were you seen in the commanders quarters last night?", Hijikata asked seriously.

Everyone in the room was suddenly became suspicious of her, but just as Mizumi was going to answer, the door burst open.

"My arm has been healed!", cried Sannan joyfully causing everyone but Mizumi to be struck dumb on the spot.

'Since when did Sannan cry out joyfully and how was his arm healed?'

That thought was replayed in their minds until they figured it out... although some people took more time than others. (A/N: We all know who they are... ;P )

Everyone instantly snapped their heads in Mizumi's direction in disbelief.

"So, you were there last night to heal Sannan's arm? How did you do it?", Kondou asked.

Mizumi lifted both hands up guiltily before putting them back down, "You caught me. I was there last night to heal him arm, but I won't tell you how until the time is right."

"Thank you, Mizumi!", Sannan exclaimed.

"Your welcome. Oh! I almost forgot to give you these.", Mizumi handed out white gems to the men.

The gems glowed different colours before attaching themselves to the hilt of the men's katana's.

"The gems chooses a spirit animal that reflects your personality and spirit. They will heighten your senses and help you in battle. They come out whenever you unsheathe your katana.", Mizumi said seriously.

"What about you, Mizumi?", asked Heisuke.

"I have two familiars, a kitten and a fox pup.", replied Mizumi, as Hijikata shuddered at the word kitten.

With that, breakfast ended, giving Mizumi the time to continue teaching Chizuru how to use her katana. Once Mizumi was satisfied that Chizuru's skills were good enough, they went to find Hijikata, who was in his room.

"Sorry to bother you, but may Chizuru be allowed to look for her father with me or a captain? I have taught her how to use her katana and I'm now confident in her skills.", Mizumi asked.

"Fine.", was Hijikata's reply, "You may go with Saitou and Okita when they go on patrol later."

Chizuru became overjoyed when Hijikata replied and thanked him and Mizumi for letting her go. So, later in the day when it was time for Saitou and Okita's patrol, Mizuki and Chizuru split up to cover more ground. Chizuru went with Okita while Mizuki went with Saitou.

For most of the patrol, Mizumi and Saitou barely spoke to each other and minded their own business when suddenly Mizumi sensed that her cousin was in danger and quickly ran off. Arriving at her destination, Mizumi blocked the attack meant for Chizuru, then left everything else for Okita to decide, as she returned to finish the patrol with Saitou.

"Where were you?", Saitou inquired, looking worried.

"I went to save Chizuru.", was Mizumi's short answer.

"How did you know?", inquired Saitou once more.

"We are family, that's how I know.", Mizumi said with a sigh.

"Oh. Okay.", Saitou resumed his duty and scanned the street for any signs of trouble.

They didn't say another word for the rest of the patrol. When the groups arrived back at headquarters, the captains, Mizumi and Chizuru, along with Yamazaki and Shimida were called for a meeting that involved a lot of scolding from Sannan mostly directed to Chizuru and Okita. The scolding was mostly about them compromising Shimida and Yamazaki's mission. Mizumi and Hijikata, when he came back , also took the blame, but the scolding finally ended when Yamazaki explained the situation.

"The mission wasn't going anywhere, and Okita just sped up the process."

"Fine. Now how was the interrogation?", Sannan asked Hijikata.

"Not good. He won't talk", Hijikata sighed and buried his face in his hands.

"Here. Use this.", Mizumi tossed a small vial of pink liquid to the demon vice-commander.

"What is it?", he asked her.

"Use it on prisoner to find out.", Mizumi answered him.

So Hijikata went to interrogate the prisoner once again, and when he came back, the vial was empty and he looked less tense.

"So?", Mizumi asked with a smile.

"The Choshu are planning to burn down Kyoto on a windy day and kidnap the emperor.", Hijikata said seriously.

Everyone celebrated, glad that the vial worked, but Okita laughed at the idea the Choshu had planned.

"They must be crazy to think that! It must be a joke!" he exclaimed but the others thought otherwise.

The rest of the captains and Kondou were called and a second meeting started.

"They will either go to the Ikeda inn or the Shikoku inn.", explained Sannan.

He further explained, "Although the chances of them going to Ikeda inn is slim, we must not rule out that place because they use it the most. We will have to split up into two groups."

"But others might try to attack headquarters while it's least defended, so I say that there should be three groups.", remarked Hijikata.

Everyone agreed with Hijikata and so the three groups were chosen.

Hijikata went to Shikoku with less captains but more men and Kondou went to Ikeda with more captains but less men. Sadly, Sannan stayed at headquarters with Chizuru and Mizumi, while Yamazaki was the messenger for the groups and with that the men prepared for the night ahead.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I did! We've finally got some progression in this story, yay for me! Please review and tell me what you think about my story or how I could improve it! I don't mind constructive criticism and enjoy receiving feedback from you. The prologue for my other story is almost completed so it will appear soon. Can anyone guess what the pink liquid is? Got to go now, bye!