A/N: Sorry for the long delay! I have a lot on my plate now and I also have exams coming up. However, I'm so happy that this fan fiction has finally reached the double digits! So on with the chapter!
"Sakura, Rin, Kazumi, Kira, Aria, Yukino, Ren, Ryo, Natsume, Tsubaki, Kaname, Ichijo, Tsubasa, reporting for duty!", they shouted in unison.
The room fell silent... The Shinsengumi and Chizuru were shocked, they couldn't wrap their heads around the situation, 'Mizuki was their leader?!'. Hijikata cleared his throat capturing everyones atention.
"Mizuki can you explain this situation?"
"Of course, these people are actually the children of my parents guards, so they felt the need to follow in their father's footsteps and the result was they sort of became my guards... Sorry for with holding this information!", Mizuki exclaimed a regretful look on her face.
Mizuki thought that the Shinsengumi was going to be angry at her, after all she was entrusted with their trust and yet she hadn't been completely truthful to them.
"It's okay, Mizuki! We don't blame you, after all you must have a reason to with hold this from us. We won't push you to tell us, you can tell us when you feel like it.", Kondou said.
"Yeah!", the everyone exclaimed while Saitou gave a nod, they all agreed with Kondou.
Mizuki took a deep breath, pondering over whether she should tell them who she really was. Looking over to Tsubasa, he gave a slight nod, the secret was going to have to come out sooner or later.
"I will tell you our secret. I won't blame any of you for hating us... We, including Chizuru, are oni.", Mizuki closed her eyes, her face solemn.
The room once again fell silent, the Shinsengumi felt different emotions and were deep in thought. Saitou had already made up his mind, he didn't hate Mizuki, in fact he likes her more than he admits and the others could also be trusted because he trusts Mizuki. Soon the others felt the same way, accepting what Mizuki and the others were. Minutes past and no one said anything, so Tsubasa spoke up remembering something important.
"Mizuki-sama, now that Seiji has found you, we suggest that you and Chizuru go to the hideout to keep everyone safe."
"Thanks for your suggestion, but I refuse, Seiji knows about them. Chizuru?", Mizuki looked at Chizuru for her opinion.
"Um... I want to stay, too.", Chizuru said with a determined look on her face.
"Wait, the them your referring to doesn't means us... right?", Heisuke asked out loud.
"Unfortunately, he threatened to kill you guys, too. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you. If I had left earlier...", Mizuki frowned saying the last part in a whisper, only Saitou could make out what she said.
"Nonsense! You have helped us a lot... and I happen to enjoy your company...", Saitou turned away as a his cheeks burned red and pulled up his scarf in a *cough cough* rather poor attempt to hide his face from the others.
Everyone was in shock. Saitou the most calm and composed captain of them all now looked like he was having a major meltdown. Mizuki's heart sped up and flustered, she ran out the door to calm herself down, her guards quickly followed. Yamazaki left too, glaring at Saitou, no one had even suspected that Saitou and Mizuki were falling for each other!
"Wha...", was all that everyone could muster, their minds were spinning.
They turned in unison to face Saitou expectantly, looking for answers.
"Shut up.", Saitou cheeks held a faint rosy colour. (A/N: Poor guy he just can't get a break can he. It's just one problem after another. *sigh*)
No one said another word. Suddenly one of the soldiers arrived with a message for Kondou. The message contained a claim from the Aizo clan, for the Shinsengumi to join the front to help suppress the Choshu. Everyone snapped back into reality and Kondou quickly took charge, arranging a meeting and sending Inoue to find Mizuki and the rest.
When Mizuki, Yamazaki and her guards entered the meeting room, hushed whispers erupted from the soldiers as to who the 13 mysterious people were, they had once again covered their faces from sight.
"Ahem... I would like to introduce Mizuki's troop. Mizuki is a captain from now on.", Kondou explained to the soldiers, shortly after the meeting started.
Everyone was excited to be going be fighting in the front, but others, namely Heisuke and Souji were staying behind, because of their injuries. Sannan was also staying but he didn't mind much because he was almost back at his peak performance, and would be joining the next battle, thanks to Mizuki. Mizuki had also made three people stay behind as well.
"Chizuru do you want to go with us?" Hijikata asked out of the blue.
"Me?", Chizuru looked confused.
"You might be useful to help pass messages and to tend to the injured.", Hijikata explained.
"...Okay!", Chizuru said after she thought about it for a while.
"Do your best for us!", Heisuke said.
"Yes!", Chizuru exclaimed with determination.
"Remember that you aren't there to play.", Sannan warned, Chizuru nodded her head.
"Let's do our best!", exclaimed Shinpachi.
"Yeah!", the soldiers were pumped up and ready.
With that, they got ready to leave.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, I ran into a couple writers block when writing this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm also writing a new story called, The Curse. I hope you read it!
*Important Note: I won't be updating any more stories until Februrary, except the first chapter of The Curse and maybe The Savior as well. I'm sorry for not updating The Savior for a long time, I'll make sure that my sister finishes editing the chapter soon!