Using a wash cloth and warm water, Chizuru thoroughly scrubbed her face trying in vain to erase the feminine illusion from yesterday. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, her lips were still darker than their natural hue, and her eyes were still framed with black kohl that absolutely, irrevocably refused to disappear.

If left like this, her real identity was in jeopardy of being exposed.

Fortunately, the flowers had already been combed out of her hair, and the kimono that Senhime had lent her was hanging from the changing screen to be aired out. With it becoming apparent that masquerading in kimono led to sticky situations, Chizuru stepped into her uniform with newfound appreciation. At least this way, she could hide behind the façade of a soldier and deflect any unwanted attention.

The only thing she could not hide; however, were two very rosy cheeks.

Wringing the cloth between her fingers, Chizuru slumped against the mirror.

He had almost kissed her. Almost.

That fact alone was enough to keep her tossing and turning last night, as she ran through the scene in her mind countless times.

If the pivotal moment had not been interrupted...how would the rest of the scene have played out? Would she have given in? Balked? Consumed the both of them in her blue fire? And for that matter, when had Hijikata become so bold? Just a few days ago, he was willing to avoid her at all costs. Now, it was the complete opposite.

Chizuru had racked her mind for the answers, but the only plausible explanation she could think of was overconfidence. Perhaps she was becoming too comfortable in his presence. She had developed a false sense of security and forgotten her place.

Demon Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi was -after all - a title most appropriate for someone as dangerous and unpredictable as he was. To tangle herself with such a man was almost as bad as provoking a wolf.

Unsure of how the day would unfold, Chizuru mentally prepared herself for a long, awkward breakfast. Sliding her shoji screen open, she caught sight of a piece of parchment and pulled it out from between the floorboards.

A quick, feminine scrawl had etched a simple message:

Come to the barracks for breakfast. We'll begin your next lesson. -Senhime

----------

"You're sure nothing happened, then?" Senhime groused.

Realizing that her mentor was unwilling to let the matter go, Chizuru sighed.

"For the fifth and final time, Osen-chan, nothing happened." She emphasized without taking her eyes from the task in front of her. Creating protective barriers out of raw akuma no chikara required her complete attention.

"But you were on fire." Kimigiku pointed out most unhelpfully.

The stone Chizuru had been hovering between her palms in a shimmering crystal sphere trembled before plummeting to the ground. Staring down at the inanimate object, she clenched her hands into fists.

"Yes, which is something I still cannot control." Chizuru reminded the smirking kunoichi.

Since when had this interrogation become two against one?

Senhime swung her legs back and forth at the veranda's edge; her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Regardless if you can control it or not, Chizuru," she mentioned, "a catalyst has to spark the occurrence in the first place. Tell me, what was the nature of your conversation that required such...close proximity?"

"You know...typical household errands. Nothing special." Chizuru hedged.

"So you're telling me that the Demon Vice-Commander was sauntering in for the kill as you stood helpless in your own internal fire because of errands?" Senhime intoned flatly.

Wincing, Chizuru asked, "Was it really that obvious?"

"Chizuru, the man was practically ravenous!" the demoness exclaimed throwing her hands into the air. "What did you do?"

Yielding to their relentless demands, Chizuru abandoned all efforts at discretion.

"I don't know!" She confessed. "One moment, I'm alone and exhausted - the next, I'm standing in front of Hijikata-san saying things I shouldn't be saying, and he-he became so dangerous! Impetuous even. He never acts like that. I panicked from his reaction and poof! Flames."

Overcome with humiliation, Chizuru buried her face into her hands. "I'm such a fool."

She missed the look that passed between oni and kunoichi, as they stared incredulously at each other.

"You were attempting to use Hex Gaze on him?" Senhime deduced.

Chizuru shook her head. And I am never attempting it again, she vowed silently.

Kimigiku whistled. "You're braver than you look."

"Or just really foolish." she denounced.

"Chizuru, come sit." Senhime beckoned as she patted a place beside her on the veranda.

When Chizuru joined them on the ledge, still unwilling to make eye contact, Senhime shifted a porcelain dish filled with lightly seasoned rice balls. Taking one dusted with green tea flakes, Chizuru began to nibble on it meagerly.

"From what I saw, it looked like you succeeded in hexing Hijikata." The oni revealed as she took her own rice ball before offering the platter to the kunoichi.

Chizuru frowned. "No, that's not possible. I didn't even use my chikara."

Senhime hummed over the girl's naivety.

"In certain circumstances, oni don't need to employ hex gaze to influence others. We emanate power that humans are naturally drawn to, especially those who carry strong emotional ties to us." Senhime explained with a gentle smile. "Dressed the way you were, I don't think Hijikata could not have responded. That man tries to convey he's as emotionless as a post, but in reality he's every bit as much a hot-blooded male as the rest of them."

If Chizuru hadn't blushed enough in the past twenty-four hours, her face was like an open fireplace now.

"You're a beautiful girl, Chizuru. That physical attractiveness - coupled with the power of being an oni - means that your light-hearted flirtations carry a little extra weight now. From one woman to another, I advise a sense of caution in these matters." Senhime instructed. "And when you do fall in love, Chizuru, be prepared for a passionate response."

"The reaction is always equal to the action." Kimigiku agreed in earnest.

Chizuru glanced at the both of them appreciatively. After several months of being a solitary female amongst a compound of men, she quickly realized how refreshing it was to be able to confide in Senhime and Kimigiku. Born an only child, raised by a father, and taken in by the Shinsengumi, Chizuru had little experience outside of a man's perspective. To bring up things like 'flirting' and 'love' was unheard of among the captains.

That's not to say Chizuru held Senhime and Kimigiku in higher regard. It was just that they were both incredibly strong, independent women filled with personal ambition, yet they indulged a side of Chizuru she never knew she possessed: femininity, resilience... sensuality.

She found their council highly reassuring.

Their conversation came to an abrupt end; however, as an uncharacteristically urgent Okita sprinted around the corner sliding to a dramatic halt in front them. Bracing hands against knees, he panted from what could only be the result of racing across headquarters.

"Chizuru," He wheezed, "thank god, I found you."

The dreamy look on Chizuru's face vanished.

"Okita-san!"

Concerned for his wellbeing, Chizuru rushed to his side. Such excursion threatened to send the man into a violent coughing fit, and she would not have him suffer at her expense.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she asked, "Are you alright?"

Okita caught her wrist, pinning her with his burning emerald gaze.

"My division has afternoon patrol, and you are to come with me." He explained. "But it is imperative that we leave now."

Realizing that Okita was indeed dressed in his Shinsengumi colors, Chizuru immediately feared the worst.

"Has something happened?" She asked.

"Hijikata - he's livid, and he's looking for you." He revealed. "Kondou-san ordered me to evacuate you from headquarters until he calms down."

Remembering the cool look the lieutenant had given her that morning; Chizuru's heart lurched painfully up her throat as she registered the captain's urgent news.

"Hijikata-san is mad at me?" She shrieked. "Oh no."

"Senhime-san, Kimigiku-san, I would advise you to stay indoors until the storm passes. You're in danger too." Okita warned them chivalrously.

A look of challenge crossed the oni's face followed by a small tsk.

"Oh let him come." She sneered with a dark smile. "I've wanted to give that man a piece of my mind ever since I stepped foot in this compound."

"But, Osen-chan-"

"Have fun on patrol, Chizuru." She interrupted with a curt wave. "We'll resume your training later."

Chizuru lingered a split second longer to flash her mentor an apologetic look before Okita practically whisked her away. Racing to the entrance furthest from the officers' barracks in a blur of pink and blue silk, Okita wouldn't allow them to slow down until headquarters was far behind them, and even then Chizuru didn't stop.

If her predicament was every bit as severe as the repertoire of emotions bubbling in her chest, then she could understand one thing.

She was in deep trouble.....