July 19th 1864

Haruka was in her room looking down at an open book on her desk. It was flipped to a page that she had been staring at all morning. "Fate really must be playing a joke on the both of us if that's really how we meet again…"

The pages were written in a western style, it had been divided by descriptions of people, listed leaders and heirs. Their location and possessions written nearby in a code. The pages were a bit worn down and even the book itself was older than her.

"Haru? You in here?" Haruka closed her book and put it away before opening her door to see Harada there.

"Sano? Did you need me for something?"

"Yeah. The Shinsengumi was called by the Aizu for an emergency. Chizuru wants to go too but I know you look out for her. Will you let her?"

"Well, there's an easy way to solve this."

"Oh?"

"I'll just come with you guys."

"Wait, really? I mean..You aren't a part of us."

"Regardless if I am or not, if Chizuru wants to go and help, then I can't stop her."

Harada smiled. "Guess I didn't have to worry about convincing you."

"Convincing me?"

"Yeah. The other day Chizuru said she would like to help us again. So I promised I'd convince you to let her go. But I guess I didn't have to after all."

Shimu came out of the room just as Haruka grabbed her swords and closed the door. "Let's go."

Harada nodded his head and led Haruka to the Yagi entrance with Shimu right behind them. Shota jumped down from the eaves onto the veranda to follow as well. Harada took a glance back. "You're joining us too, Shota?"

"Anywhere Haruka-nee goes, I go."

"Unless I tell him otherwise." Haruka added.

When they arrived at the entrance, Chizuru went up to them. "Ane-san!" Haruka looked at the younger girl. "If you wanted to go with them, you could have just asked."

"Ah..Right..."

Harada crossed his arms and nodded. "She was hard to convince, Chizuru. Took everything I had."

"Ah, yes. Every ounce of charm about you. In the end, it was just easier to tag along."

Chizuru smiled. "Thank you, Harada-san, Ane-san."

"You're joining us?" Hijikata had come over when he saw Haruka and Shota.

"Hope you don't mind." Haruka said. "I would rather go where Chizuru is going."

"You don't think we can protect her?"

"No. I do. She's still my responsibility."

Hijikata sighed. "You really are like an older sister…" He then looked around. "Looks like this is everyone. Let's go!"

The group marched out of Yagi heading towards the Fushimi Magistrate. Kondou led from the front with Shimu alongside him, in the back was Harada, Haruka, Shota, and Chizuru. Arriving there, several men from the Kyoto Judiciary Commissioner were gathered there and scrambling around. Kondou announced himself and the Shinsengumi to the official at the Gate, only for them to look surprised.

"Shinsengumi? I received no orders for you to report here…" His face became more serious. "I have to ask you to leave!"

Chizuru looked surprised. "Wait..that's not right, is it?"

"Could their communications with each other have been interrupted?" Shota asked.

"It's possible." Saito said.

Kondou kept his ground when he spoke. "However, our assistance has been requested. If you would please, go and speak to your-"

"Enough! It won't make a difference who I speak to! You Mibu Wolves would get in the way! Now, go!"

A lot of the men had annoyed or pissed off faces when that was said, but they kept their mouths shut. Chizuru looked over at Haruka. "Ane-san…Can't you do anything?"

"I could. But I won't."

"Huh? Why not?"

Harada put a hand on Chizuru's shoulder to get her attention. "Hey, we can't depend on Haru for everything. Besides, we get this all the time, nothing to make a fuss over."

"But you all do so much to protect Kyoto…Aren't we supposed to be allies with them?"

Harada nodded his head. "We should be, but we can't make a scene or anything. Everyone here knows that if we do, we risk hurting the Aizu's representation. So can I ask you to toughen up a bit for me?"

"Oh..I see.." Chizuru still looked a bit upset but there was nothing to be done. Saito had gone over to Kondou. "There's nothing we can do here. I suggest we go find the Aizu Domain's men ourselves."

Takeda, however, had his own thoughts. "Us? Leave? What's the point of ignoring a military command on the battlefield?" He turned to Kondou. "Messengers often get delayed during war. Leaving now would be foolish, Chief. We should remain here on standby."

"You would have a point if we were in a camp." Saito responded back. "Unfortunately, it is not, and it would be wise for us to act in the best interest of the Shinsengumi."

Takeda's eyes twitched. "You dare oppose my opinion as the Shinsengumi's war Counselor!?"

"Enough." Kondou said. "Saito-kun has a point. Even if we stay here, we could be here for nothing. Looking for the Aizu camp is a better idea."

Takeda just grit his teeth as Kondou announced that they would look for the camp. They marched to the Aizu Manor. Haruka, however, was not impressed at all by how the magistrate handled the situation. At the Manor, they were directed to Kujo Beach, only for the Aizu soldiers there to have had no orders either, and was about to direct the group back to the manor when Nagakura stepped to the front of the group.

"What the hell!? He was the one who told us to come here!" He was staring at the soldier in front of him, pissed off. "You wanna screw with us, fine, but you're gonna be disobeying a direct order from your superior, pal! You really wanna do that?!"

The soldier flinched. "P-Please calm down, I don't know what you…" He became silent as Kondou gained a wide grin on his face. He asked to be brought to the commanding officer. As night fell, Kondou and the captains were talking with Aizu commanders. Haruka and Chizuru were left behind, sitting against a boulder, with Shimu laying on Chizuru's lap. In front of them was a fire to keep them warm. Shota had gone off to survey the area a bit as they waited.

"I feel like my patience is being tried…" Haruka said.

"Huh?"

"I mean, I'm not impressed at how this is being handled. Did all their messengers get caught or did they think only sending one for everything was enough?"

"Ane-san..You're not happy with this either?"

"Of course not. I was ready to yell at them if Shinpachi didn't step in. Still might if something else happens."

Chizuru gave a nervous laugh as she pet Shimu. "Wouldn't that be bad?"

"The boys won't get in trouble if I do it. It's helping them out a little bit without being in their business."

"Get in whose business?" Harada said as he sat down next to Haruka. Seems the meeting was over and the captains sat around the fire they had.

"It's not important." Haruka said. "So, what happened?"

"It seems the men here are only the reserves and not the main body of their army." Inoue said. "They have been ordered to defend Hamaguri Gate."

"Then the Shinsengumi is being treated like reserves?" Chizuru asked.

Nagakura just sighed and crossed his arms. "Yeah. But then why the hell did they send us a message acting like this was some sort of emergency?"

"We can't predict what might happen. Battle may soon approach us. There is little to do but wait." Saito said.

"I guess that is all we can do." Haruka said. Chizuru yawned as Haruka looked over at her. "Do you want to sleep Chizuru?"

Harada glanced over at her too. "Yeah. Just because we can't doesn't mean you should lose sleep."

Nagakura smirked. "Are you playing Father to Haruka's Mother role, Sano?"

"Shut up, Shinpachi.." Harada knew he was joking, but he was still annoyed.

"I think I'll be fine." Chizuru said.

"No one's gonna think bad of you if you sleep for a bit." Haruka said. "Look, even Shimu is asleep." Chizuru looked down to see that Shiba Inu had fallen asleep on her lap. She smiled a little at him.

"I'll try to stay awake for a bit."

"Alright, it's your choice."

They talked for a good while around the fire until Haruka felt Chizuru fall asleep against her shoulder. Haruka took a glance and had a small smile on her face. The others also had smiles as the girl finally slept. Even Haruka after a while closed her eyes and rested.

BOOM

Chizuru was startled awake and got up holding Shimu in her arms. "Was that a canon?" The rest of the Shinsengumi stood up as they heard the large explosion. In the distance they saw the smoke rising in the direction of the Gate. Screams and sounds of metal could be heard.

"We must go!" Saito said.

As the group tried to move forward, an Aizu Soldier got in the way. "Where do you think you're going!? We were ordered to stay here!"

"Don't listen to him. Go!" Haruka said.

Kondou looked back at Haruka. "Shinomi-kun?"

"What the hell are you saying!" The soldier said. "We don't take orders from you!"

"I'm higher in rank than anyone here. You will not stop them. Not to a group of soldiers that can't even handle their own communications well!" Haruka looked at Hijikata. "Go. I'll handle this. They need your help."

"Thought you weren't going to help us?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just go."

The group ran past Haruka and the Soldier. "W-Wait!" He tried to go after them but Haruka got in his way. "Listen to me! You do not stop them! This is an order of The Okuzume Shinomi of Ezo! Understand?"

"O-Okuzume? Here?" He looked down and saw the Snowflake crest. "Ah! The Icy Okuzume!"

"I can't say how disappointed I am with the Aizu at the moment. And I'm sure Matsudaria would be as well. His men can't even be competent in a state of Emergency! I'm taking command at this moment! So get off your asses and back up the Shinsengumi! Now!"

"Y-Yes, Ma'am!" He turned to his men and motioned for them to follow him. "Let's go!"

"YEAH!"

The group of soldiers followed the one in command on the way to Hamaguri Gate. Haruka just watched them go as Shota came to her side. "Haven't seen you that mad since Yamao."

"As much as that was due to incompetence, at least the Shinsengumi had their priorities straight. Waiting for orders for something like this could mean more death than necessary."

"That's true. Though…I still don't know why the Choshu chose to attack the emperor's estate."

"Some humans are just irrational. Come on. Let's go catch up." Haruka and Shota started to walk in the direction of the gate. They passed men dead on the ground, blood spilled, bullets in the walls and wood paneling. "Seems they got their hands on guns…"

"Yeah and got a lot of men with them…"

They kept walking past the carnage. "I really don't like that…How the hell did they get them?"

Shota just shrugged. "I think I heard a name being thrown around."

"Really?"

"Um..I think it was Saitani Umetaro?"

Hatuka stopped and looked back at him. "Saitani? Keep tabs on that for me, Shota."

"Sure!"

They continued to walk when they came upon some familiar faces. "Kondou-san. Inoue-san. Why are you two heading back this way?" Haruka asked.

Kondou's face lit up. "Shinomi-kun. We are headed back to the Magistrate to get a punitive expedition on the Choshu."

"You mean some of them escaped?"

Inoue nodded his head. "Some of them retreated towards Ten'nou. Toshi-san went after them with some of the men. Yukimura-kun went with them."

"Ah. I guess I'll go after them." Haruka looked at Shota. "Can you go with Kondou-san? In case something happens?"

"You got it, Haruka-nee."

The three went on their way as Haruka went towards Ten'nou. She wasn't that far behind as she saw the blue haori at the bridge ahead. Did they manage to stop the Choshu or did something happen?

The closer she got, she saw one of the members on the ground, bleeding out, dead. Nagakura and the men were mad, Chizuru was frightened as Shimu stayed in front of her, and Hijikata was an odd calm. And in front of them was a familiar face…

"Hey." Haruka said. "What the hell are you standing there for? Aren't you after the Choshu?"

"We have a bit of a roadblock..." Hijikata said as Haruka made her way to the front next to him. Haruka locked eyes with the man in front of them.

"Hm. I see we meet again." He said.

"And I don't like that, just like much of today."

"Are you still upset about Ikeda?"

"Oh, I'm more than upset. There's a certain friend of mine I'd like to get payback for."

Chizuru looked over at Haruka. "Wait, do you mean he was the one who fought Okita-san?"

"Yeah." Haruka glanced at Hijikata. "Take them and go."

"You sure?"

"Do I need to make that an order?" They locked eyes for a moment before Hijikata nodded his head. "Let's move!" They started to move past the man whose eyes were locked on Haruka with a frightening aura coming from the both of them. Chizuru had stopped to look back at them for a second, Shimu had noticed and started to tug on Chizuru's Hakama to get her to move.

"Go. I'll be just fine." Haruka's reassurance was enough for Chizuru to continue following the group. As soon as they were far away, Haruka's hand rested on her wakizashi. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"The men they are after are trying to die with honor. Why should they disrupt that?"

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "And you, you of all people, decided you'd be the one to give them time to do so?"

Kazama grinned. "I was also interested in this group of yours. At least, the one of our kind among them."

"I have no idea what you're talking about…"

Kazama's eyes sharpened. "Don't take me as a fool!"

Haruka drew her sword. "Unfortunately, that is how I see you. And an annoying child as well."

Kazama grit his teeth. "You think you are well above me then? I guess you are nothing but the Shogun's bitch..."

"Was that an insult about me? I've been called worse."

"The Shogun's Demon. The Icy Okuzume. They're fitting for you. Still, how can you stand to be around humans that much?"

Haruka grinned a bit. "They aren't too bad. Besides, you still have to be ordered around by Satsuma to repay that debt don't you? You're welcome by the way."

Kazama drew his sword. "I never asked for your help!"

"No. But your father did. And who else is there to solve conflicts between Demons and Humans but me!' Haruka ran towards Kazama before shifting to the railing, using it to jump into the air, and striking down with her sword at him. Kazama blocked it before pushing her away and swinging at her. Haruka dodged and struck again as their swords grinded against each other.

"You are pressing your luck, Haruka."

"Mine?" Haruka kicked at him as he backed away. "What makes you say that, Chikage?"

"The Shinsengumi are going to bring you down with them." He smirked. "They think they can really be samurai and have honor, but they are nothing more than countrymen pretending to be one. Doesn't that bother you? Our families have seen countless warriors much more braver than them. They don't compare at all."

Haruka showed no emotion to him. "Oh, you may see them as just pretending, but I can see more to them than even the soldiers of the Aizu, Satsuma, or Choshu. They're truly ready to give their lives to a worthy cause while they sit there. Granted, the Choshu are also being brave illogical bastards but it all comes from the same place anyway."

Kazama chuckled. "Giving praise to a bunch like them? Though…You're right it does come from the same idiotic feelings humans have. But still, Humans and Demons shouldn't get along." His face fell. "We can't stop that from happening again. You understand that, right?"

"I know we can't but someone has to try!" Haruka sprinted towards him and attacked him. The exchanging of blows happened over and over, the sound of metal echoing, until Kazama knocked her into the railing of the bridge. His sword pointed at her throat when she stood up. They stared at each other.

"You're not worth killing. We both know that." Kazama said. "But I'll be satisfied doing this." Kazama pushed Haruka off the bridge. She held onto her sword tightly as she hit the water below. Kazama smirked as he walked away. The river below wasn't rushing as she popped her head above the water. She made her way to the shore of the river before collapsing on it, her sword clattering to the ground.

"Damn it…" She tried to catch her breath as she laid there, the sun setting down. She closed her eyes, her clothes heavy from being soaked. "If I see you again, you're getting your ass kicked…"

Shimada, Shimu, and Chizuru were waiting at the bottom of the hill. The others had gone up there to follow the Choshu men that would be taking their lives. Chizuru looked worried as she kept looking back in the direction they had come from. Shimada noticed how she was acting and spoke.

"Worried about Shinomi-san?"

"I am.."

Shimada smiled. "I'm sure she is fine. I heard stories about her being as strong as many of the captains, so that man wouldn't have been a problem."

Chizuru looked at him. "I just have a bad feeling. Shouldn't Ane-san caught up with us by now?"

Shimada looked worried. "You're right...Shinomi-san should have. We'll look for her when the others get back."

Chizuru nodded her head as Shimu barked in the direction of the hill Hijikata and the others were returning from. They're faces showed disappointment. Shimada and Chizuru went up to the group. "What happened?" Chizuru asked.

Nagakura stopped and crossed his arms. "We got to the top, but those bastards cut themselves wide open already." Chizuru's face fell to disappointment, the Shinsengumi's arrest had failed, the Choshu had killed themselves, but that didn't upset her the most. The fact more lives were lost bothered her.

Hijikata placed his hand on his hip. "At least it was an honorable death for them."

Chizuru looked up at him, confusion on her face. "You're not upset?"

"...You don't get it." He said. "Sure, they completed their mission and we failed ours, but a man who dies with honor, friend or foe, deserves respect. Got it?"

She took a minute to take what Hijikata had said before tilting her head a little with confusion still on her face. "I..sort of get it…but I also don't." Hijikata's face just softened a bit.

"I figured. I'm sure you'll get it the longer you stay with us." He then took a look around before looking at Shimada. "Where's Shinomi?"

"She hasn't appeared." Shimada said. "We were just talking about if she was alright."

"Really?" Before Shimada could answer he heard some of the men gasp. They turned to see what they were gasping at when they saw smoke coming from Kyoto itself in the distance. Chizuru's eyes widened as Hijikata's hardened. "They did it…"

"T-They set it on fire…" Chizuru covered her mouth in disbelief.

Hijikata looked at Shimada. "Shimada, take the men and see what we can do to help."

"Right."

"Shinpachi, Yukimura, we're looking for Shinomi." Shimu barked at Hijikata to gain his attention. "Hm..Shimu. Can you lead us to her?" Shimu barked again and started to run in a direction.

"Hey! Shimu! Hold on!" Nagakura yelled as they started to follow him. He led them away from the bridge they had used to get there and down to the river bank. They saw Haruka lying there on as Shimu stopped at her and barked. She started to wake up and tried to get up.

"Shinomi!" Hijikata called out as she sat up. "What the hell happened?"

Haruka stared at him in annoyance. "Taking a nap…What the hell did you think happened?"

"Are you okay Ane-san?" Chizuru asked as she crouched down to look at her. Haruka just put her hand up to stop her. "I'm fine, Chizuru. I'm not hurt, just..fatigued."

"And the other guy?" Nagakura asked.

"Pushed me off and left."

Hijikata sighed. "That doesn't matter, at least you aren't dead."

"Thanks for worrying about me, Hijikata-san…" She said slightly annoyed as she tried to stand up. Hijikata helped her by supporting her with her arm over her shoulder.

"Don't strain yourself. We'll head back slowly."

Nagakura looked back at the bridge. "We'll have to take it slow anyway." They all looked at the bridge as people had started to gather on it, trying to get away from the fire and the city. Haruka was concerned as people fled away. She looked at Hijikata who had no words to say about this at the moment. Her attention focused back on the bridge, she looked beyond it and saw the smoke cloud. Kyoto had been set on fire and it's only getting worse as the winds blow south.

Three days have passed since the incident occurred as Haruka shifted through reports from both Shota and Yamazaki. Her father's book was open to some pages as she crossed names together. "Amagiri Kyuju and Shiranui Kyo…What the hell…Now I have three of them."

She sighed and put the reports down before reaching down for paper and ink. "How exactly am I supposed to write this…No…more like how much.." She set the paper in front of her and stared at it. Minutes passed by as she got nowhere on how to write her own report to send back to Edo.

"Ka-san." Haruka looked up at the window that was open partially above her desk. Heisuke was leaning against it. "You okay? You look frustrated."

"Ah, Heisuke…Just trying to write a report back to Edo. It's just..a lot to write about."

"Oh yeah. I guess it is. Especially with those three guys right?"

"Don't bring them up."

Heisuke smiled a bit. "Sorry, forgot what happened to you." He crossed his arms. "I'm off today though, do you wanna go on a walk with Shimu or something? Might help you clear your head a bit."

Shimu got up when he heard the word walk and went over to Haruka with his tail wagging. "See? Shimu's up for it." Shimu then jumped up onto Haruka's desk and hopped out the window landing next to Heisuke. "Shimu!" Haruka picked up the paper he scattered before looking out the window down at him. He just looked at her with an excited face. She sighed and looked at Heisuke. "Alright. Give me a second." She closed the window before quickly exiting her room, following Heisuke to the Yagi entrance.

As soon as they made their exit though, Haruka stopped in her tracks. "Ah, I forgot something. Wait for me there with Shimu." She then walked back to her room.

Meanwhile, Hijikata was making his way to Haruka's room. "Shinomi?" He called out but had no answer. He didn't hear any movement at all, not even Shimu. He sighed and decided to at least see if she was alright as he slid the door open a bit.

The inside of the room was empty. Opening the door further, he stepped inside. "Guess she stepped out." He turned to leave but his eye caught something on the floor near her desk. Some paper was on the ground on the side. He went over and picked them up. As he put them on the desk he noticed paw prints on some of the papers.

"Seems Shimu got excited about something." He then saw the open book on her desk. "Hm?" He'd never seen that book in her possession, so he took a glance at it. The way it was written was odd and he stared at it before he recognized something. "Wait..that name..isn't that..?" He attempted to pick it up when he heard a metallic noise.

"Out."

He turned around and saw Haruka, her hand tightly around the hilt of her sword ready to draw, and her eyes glaring at him. Hijikata froze for a second.

"Shinomi..."

"I left this door closed."

"I only opened it due to how quiet it was."

"Then why are you inside my room?"

"I saw papers on the floor and picked them up. And then…"

"And then.."

Her glare was sharp and he could feel it. He glanced back at the book on her desk, then back at her. "I-"

"OUT!"

Hijikata flinched. She didn't look like she would care if she did cut his head off. Slowly, he made his way out of her room. He tried to say something but Haruka just slid the door shut in his face, sighed, and left her alone.

In her room, Haruka's fist slammed against the wall. "Damn it! He saw it.." She walked over to her desk, picked up the book and placed it in its hiding spot. "I don't know what he saw..or if he understood it…" She sighed. "…I really need that walk now.."

August 1864

As weeks passed, Haruka and Hijikata have been keeping away from each other and only speaking when necessary. Well, at least Haruka had been keeping her distance with occasional sharp glances his way. The captains had noticed this going on for a while and they were trying to figure out what happened.

One evening in the courtyard was a gathering with Okita, Saito, Heisuke, Harada, and Nagakura. "So, what do you guys think happened?" Heisuke asked.

Okita put a hand on his hip. "Whatever it is, it definitely pissed Ka-san off."

"Yeah, no kidding." Nagakura said, scratching the back of his head. "The glares she gives him are deadly."

"You don't think he tried to make a move on her, do you?" Harada said.

Saito shook his head. "I don't think he'd do something like that."

Okita shrugged. "I wouldn't put it past him."

"Souji.."

"It was a joke! Besides, I can't see Ka-san being that mad over that."

"Maybe he said something bad?" Heisuke brought up.

"...That might be possible." Saito said. "But..I still don't see Shinomi being upset over it."

"Haruka-chan would probably just call him an idiot and walk away." Nagakura pointed out. They all crossed their arms as they tried to think of the reason for their awkward situation that was brewing.

"My, you all seem to be deep in thought." The group turned to see Inoue had caught them in their little meeting. "What are you all worried about?"

"Gen-san, you wouldn't happen to know why Haru is upset at Hijikata-san do you?" Harada asked.

"Ah.." Gen nodded his head. "That's what you all were thinking about. Shinomi-kun has been distant hasn't she?"

Heisuke tilted his head to the side. "Do you know Gen-san?"

"Well, as it turns out, Toshi-san had stepped into her room without permission."

…

"WHAT!?"

"He went into her room!?" Nagakura yelled.

Okita whistled. "Okay..Didn't see that one coming."

Saito looked stunned. "But why would he…"

Harada just sighed. "Seriously? He went into a woman's room?"

"Yeah…I see why Ka-san would be mad.." Heisuke shifted his weight to his other foot.

"Which reminds me," Inoue looked over at Heisuke. "Toudou-kun, Toshi-san was looking for you. He would like to talk about something."

Heisuke blinked. "Oh yeah sure, I'll go right now." Heisuke ran off making his way to find Hijikata. He was in the common room with Kondou, Sanan and Haruka. "Hijikata-san, you needed me for something?"

"Yeah, close the door and sit down." Heisuke shut the door and sat down next to Haruka.

"So what did you need me for?"

"We want you to go to Edo and recruit men for the Shinsengumi." Kondou said.

Heisuke's eyes grew wide. "Me!?"

Sanan nodded. "With more responsibility given to us, we are running ourselves thin. We need more men to cover what we currently can't."

Heisuke nodded his head slowly. "Okay..Yeah I can do that."

"Oh, and one more thing, Heisuke." Kondou got the attention back on him. "We'd also like it if you could talk to Itou-san and see if he will join us."

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Itou…Itou Kashitaro?"

"You run into him before?" Hijikata asked.

"A handful of times. Can't say I like him much…"

"But still…I think he can be of help to us." Kondou said. "Even if he is an imperialist, I don't think he's as low as the Choshu."

"I'm assuming you think his way with strategy will help out, along with more men he could bring along with him. It's..not bad of an idea."

"You agree then?" Sanan asked.

She looked over at him. "It's not that I agree. I can see how he'd be of help but…He would be hard to convince I feel."

"That's why we're sending Heisuke." Haruka looked over at Hijikata as he spoke. "They share the same schooling. Hopefully, him seeing someone of the same style in the Shinsengumi might convince him to join us."

Haruka looked over at Heisuke. "You use that style?"

"Yeah! Sanan-san too!"

Haruka blinked. "Huh…Interesting." Haruka then cleared her throat. "But you won't be going alone, Heisuke."

"I'm not?"

"I was actually summoned back to Edo."

Kondou looked surprised. "Have you been called off the search for Kodo?"

"No. I was the closest Okuzume when Kyo burned. They want me to basically repeat myself in person even though I sent my report."

Heisuke tilted his head. "That's not really fair. It's not like you have any more information than we do."

Haruka sighed. "It's just normal official business. They like to be sure about these things and sometimes they have to make sure the report wasn't tampered with. I'm usually a little more difficult to contact about these things but if I stay in a place long enough I'm usually sent back."

Hijikata smiled a bit. "Sounds like a headache."

"A room of at least 20 people and the shogun himself…"

Heisuke grinned. "Well, at least you aren't going by yourself, Ka-san!"

Haruka smiled back. "Right. At least I won't be alone." She looked over at the three in front of her. "I'll try to help with Itou-san as well and maybe gather a few men as well before I come back."

Kondou's eyes lit up. "That would be helpful, Shinomi-kun! I'll be joining Heisuke in Edo in a month and see what men you've gathered." As Kondou went on about the plans, both Sanan and Hijikata looked at each other. Neither of them were 100% on board with this plan with Itou but nothing is set in stone until it happens.

After the meeting, Haruka found Shota and Chizuru playing with Shimu. "Shota."

Shota stopped in his tracks and looked up. "Oh, Haruka-nee. What's up?"

"I've been summoned to Edo for a couple weeks. I need you to stay here and look over Chizuru and Shimu."

Chizuru looked a bit sad. "You've been summoned?"

"Don't worry. It's just about the fire that happened." Haruka then thought for a second. "Though…I'm sure you won't be lonely without me."

Chizuru nodded her head. "Right. With everyone here, I'm sure I won't."

Shota smiled at Chizuru. "And if they give you trouble, call for me!" Shimu barked in response as if to say, "Me too!". Chizuru laughed at them both as Haruka watched them continuing to play with Shimu as she sat down. The sun had begun to set as she wondered what they would ask her when she returned to Edo. And how far has the story about Kyoto burning spread and whose ears had it already reached.

"Kyoto what!?" Iba shouted in the room he was eating with Motoyama, Hitomi and Nakano.

"Iba-san, do you have to be so loud?" Nakano said.

"Ah..I'm sorry, Nakano-san.."

Hitomi drank his sake in one big gulp. "Kyoto burned a couple weeks ago after an attack at Hamaguri by the Choshu." He set his cup down. "The southern half was burned down. Apparently, they got their hands on guns, which made them harder to fight back. At least that was what Shinomi-san wrote back."

Motoyama sighed. "She was involved in all that, huh?"

"I'm sure she's alright. Haruka is super strong!" Nakano smiled at Motoyama, leaning a bit close to him. "Right, Kotaro? You've seen it right? Haruka-san being all cool and brave!"

Motoyama just leaned back away from her. "Are you drunk already?"

Nakano gave him a stare. "You have no right to judge me on if I'm drunk or not, I-Kissed-Haruka-Pissed-Drunk-Saaaan~."

"Hey! Don't bring that up!"

"Why not? I mean you did that, didn't you!"

"I don't want to remember that night!"

Nakano smirked. "Embarrassed, huh? Was that the first time you kissed someone?"

"Gah! I regret bringing you along!"

Hitomi and Iba watched as the two bickered. Iba then cleared his throat to catch Hitomi's attention. "Hitomi-san…Would it be possible for me to go to Kyoto? For a week or so?"

"Hm? Worried about your Shinsengumi friends?"

"Well, Yes..actually."

"You sure about that? Shinomi-san will be coming back here soon."

That got Motoyama and Nakano to stop fighting. "Haruka-san is coming back!?"

Hitomi nodded his head. "I don't know why they don't just take her word with her report but orders are orders."

"Still…I would like to check on them personally." Iba said. Hitomi looked at him before taking another drink. "You don't really have anything assigned to you right now. Sure. Just make it a quick trip."

Iba's face lit up. "Thank you. I won't take long."