Hijikata's brow furrowed as he caught the unmistakable sound of laughter.

Soft and subtle, it resonated like a sweet fragrance disrupting the unnatural tranquility that had settled over the compound since dusk. Choosing a path through the courtyard under the cover of darkness, Hijikata followed the sound until he discovered it to be emanating most strongly from the infirmary.

It was a pleasing sound: warm, melodic, and genuine...a woman's laugh.

Ascending the steps swiftly, Hijikata approached the entrance only to find its shoji doors drawn wide open. Light spilled out onto the porch, and it took him a moment to adjust his eyes.

She was laughing.

Swathed in a dull kimono with gauze wrapped around her forearm and wrist, Chizuru was laughing.

"Okita-san, the point of an herbal tonic is to drink it, not spew it everywhere. What will Dr. Matsumoto think?" She admonished with healthy coloring in her cheeks.

"You're one to talk. You haven't even touched yours." The captain prevaricated amusingly.

Chizuru dropped her gaze to the mug clasped in her good hand and bit her lip. Returning her gaze to the captain, she asked, "Is it really that awful?"

"Like drinking brine." The trickster swordsman offered as encouragement.

Flashing him a look of disapproval, Chizuru raised the mug to her lips and swallowed...only to rupture into her own coughing fit.

"Agh! It tastes terrible." She gagged with a grimace.

It was Okita's turn to snicker.

"See?" He prodded stubbornly. "I told you it was awful."

Hijikata watched their comical exchange with a flurry of emotions.

Just hours ago, Chizuru and Okita had returned to headquarters like apparitions: bone white, gaunt, and hollow. The captain had a protective arm wrapped around the girl, but the gesture did little to prevent her unsteady footing as she cradled what was most likely a broken wrist above her heart. A convoy of soldiers followed closely behind them, and as they crossed the courtyard -blood-soaked, exhausted, and with six men carried on stretchers - Hijikata was rendered speechless.

He realized that dispatching Shinpachi's unit for reinforcement had been a fruitless endeavor. The damage had already been done. Not a single soldier managed to escape unscathed, including Chizuru, which indicated that the enemy had a single focus: annihilation.

Such a tactical maneuver was only ever used under extreme duress in the heat of battle, yet it had happened in broad daylight. Hijikata found that most disturbing.

Dr. Mastumoto spent the entire afternoon sterilizing wounds, stitching abrasions, and splinting broken bones. Shinpachi's unit provided aid to the doctor by providing fresh water and disposing stained clothing, but the most they could do was wait in suspense for the doctor's final verdict. Hours passed by in torturous succession, as the eighth and tenth divisions made a sweep of the city in search of the enemy. It wasn't until evening that the severely wounded were finally stabilized, and the Shinsengumi were allowed a sigh of relief.

Seeing the vivacity restored to his young ward, Hijikata's tension relaxed. Slightly.

He noticed that the room was filled with other occupants.

The demoness, kunoichi, and Sanosuke reclined at Chizuru's right, while Kondou, Sannan, Shinpachi, and Inoue sat on Okita's left. There was a casual atmosphere in the room of camaraderie, but it instantly transformed as he entered the room.

"Ah, Hijikata-san you have returned." Kondou greeted. The amusement in his gaze evaporated, as he remembered the sordid task he had given to his subordinate. "I take it you have finished your interrogation."

Hijikata swept the room with his gaze before fixating on Chizuru.

"Hai." He replied.

Unease filtered through her brown eyes, and she was quick to avert her gaze as she murmured something quietly to Sanosuke. The spearmen inclined his head, and a minor jolt of tension ran through the lieutenant at the sight of their familiarity.

"Good, then we can begin" Kondou commenced with an authoritative tone. "Souji, if you would please start by telling us what happened."

The captain sobered as he dropped his gaze on the floor inadvertently casting his brow in deep shadow. His voice was flat as he spoke.

"My patrol was headed toward the half-way point of route D just outside the business sector when we were besieged by thirty ronin wielding common swords. They surrounded us on both flanks of the street and offered us neither terms nor allegiance, just the promise of blood. Their numbers were far too expertly distributed to be a sporadic skirmish." Okita surmised. "They were expecting us."

Kondou rubbed his chin in thought. "Did you recognize any of the men, Souji?"

"They were lowlife, impoverished ronin. Thieves, criminals, beggars..." Okita described bluntly. "What skill they lacked in swordsmanship, they compensated in numbers. My men managed to bring down half their ranks before they called for a retreat."

"And you, Toshi, what news were you able to extract from the survivor?" The Head Commander addressed his leading subordinate.

The oni-fukuchou stirred.

"The group of men that ambushed the First Division were hired sell swords commissioned to attack a Shinsengumi patrol and eliminate its captain. The ronin claimed he had no information regarding the exact prerogative of their attack or the identity of their employer, only that they were given precise instructions as to the location and timing of the assault."

"That explains their cowardice." Okita quipped. "No man would trade his life for a few measly coppers."

"Were you able to acquire any names from him?" Kondou resumed.

Hijikata shook his head. "His wounds took him too quickly for me to interrogate much further."

The room fell silent as his words resonated in the air.

"Curious." Sannan shifted his lenses with a slender index finger. "Someone somewhere has taken time to study our every move and has raised enough money to hire unpledged swords."

"Clearly they required quantity over quality though." Shinpachi pointed out. "Criminals and beggars are no match for a Shinsengumi patrol."

"Even so, we've received similar reports from Yamazaki regarding a group of uncouth swordsmen taking up residency in a textile factory not far from where Souji's men were attacked. This would explain why their movements have been nonexistent until now." Hijikata theorized. "They could have informants within the city documenting our routes and planning attacks when we are most vulnerable."

"In that case, we may have just cleared all justifications to rid the business sector of these ronin." Kondou voiced with a grim expression. "Have you received any word from Yamazaki?"

"His last correspondence was over a new trail that would possible lead him to the rebels' headquarters. He spotted some ronin delivering a cart of swords and sought to follow them." Hijikata revealed to the Head Commander. "They might lead him to the person in charge of hiring these sell swords."

"Souji, you said they had twice your number." Sanosuke stated. "If it's true that they were ordered to assassinate you, then why did they retreat?"

The injured captain spared a glance for the slender form beside him.

"Because they had not anticipated the demon in our patrol," Okita revealed with a cunning grin.

"It is to Chizuru that we owe our lives."

The aforementioned demon visibly tensed as all eyes fell on her. Hijikata caught the slight trembling of her hands and frowned.

"Yukimura-kun, perhaps you could explain." Kondou urged her gently.

She spared a hesitant glance for her mentor.

"Speak freely, Chizuru." Senhime bid her." We talk of war tonight."

"Yes, Osen-chan." She intoned. Taking a steady breath, she addressed the room.

"Our defeat was eminent. Okita-san was rushed by three rebels while our defense faction was weakened. The wounded were pressed to the center of our unit, but the ronin were slipping through our defense line in twos and threes. I myself was pulled into the fight and forced to defend a wounded soldier. My opponent overcame me; though, and with my wrist broken I could not hope to last much longer. I acted purely on instinct." She relayed with the calm, collected fluency of a soldier. Hijikata caught conflict marring her features and realized that she was probably reliving her memories of the ambush right then and there.

"I performed the Second Deadly Virtue of the Demon Arts and fashioned my akuma no chikara to act as a force field against the ronin. Any enemy that came into contact with my protective barrier was forced back, unable to inflict anymore harm on the patrol squad. The presence of my power was too much for them to overcome. In the end they had no choice but to retreat."

"It was unlike anything I had ever seen, Kondou-san." Okita confided in the Head Commander. "Thick sheets of cobalt crystal forming in midair."

It was Senhime who stirred next.

"Chizuru that was a dangerous stunt you pulled." The demoness chastised severely. "By shielding the entire squad with your power, you nearly depleted what little you needed in order to survive. No wonder your wounds aren't healing. You're power hasn't returned to you yet."

"Not to mention you compromised your secret identity to human enemies." Kimigiku added. "They will question what they saw, and seek you out for answers."

What little color that returned to Chizuru quickly faded as she realized the error of her actions.

"I admit that I did not consider the consequences. I'm sorry I have disappointed you, Osen-chan."

"Disappointed me?" Senhime scoffed. "Chizuru, you managed to execute the Second Deadly Virtue and encompass an entire squadron within your protection, something that only a Master of the Demon Arts could ever hope to achieve. Your ability continues to surmount my expectations, yet it is your lack of common sense that concerns me."

Hijikata found himself agreeing with the demon princess; although, he would never admit to it.

"Now, now, we mustn't be too harsh, Senhime-san." Kondou pacified the demoness with a soft smile. "Chizuru acted with intense valor and saved the lives of her comrades today. That is certainly worth revering."

"Yes, I agree." Senhime consented. "I just wish to instill my pupil with stronger caution."

Chizuru inclined her head. "I promise to be more careful, Osen-chan."

"This does add a further dimension of complexity to our escaped sell swords." Sannan pointed out. "Suppose they inform their employer of Chizuru's powers?"

"We have no choice but to weed them out." Hijikata concluded. "Every moment they remain in the textile factory is another moment dedicated to their strategizing for another attack. They must be eliminated."

"Assuming they are the same ronin that fought in the street today." Sannan jested.

"There are too many coincidences for it not to be so."

"I agree with Toshi. The ronin must be dealt with." Kondou voiced as he took back control of the room. "They impose a far greater threat than what we had originally assumed. If Yamazaki's mission proves successful, we will be able to eliminate the problem at its source and remove this mysterious benefactor. But before we can devise plans, we are in desperate need of more men. A whole unit has been placed out of commission today."

"I could plead our case to the shogunate for reinforcements." Hijikata offered.

The Head Commander shook his head. "That won't be necessary, Toshi. Arrangements have already been made for my visit with Kazuhiro Shin at Akahori castle. He is a fierce supporter of the Tokugawa Regime and is willing to send a portion of his guard to serve as new recruits. Our correspondence has been delayed due to a few conflicts on his estate, but I have just been summoned this morning."

"Akahori castle...that will be a far journey from the capitol." Okita revealed. "At least a week on horseback."

"Not to mention you'll have to travel through hostile Satsuma territory." Hijikata added uneasily. "The risk is too great for the Head Commander. Why not send me instead?"

"Nonsense, I have endured worse journeys that this." Kondou disagreed with a hearty laugh. "Kazuhiro is an old friend. He will meet my convoy on the edge of Satsuma land and escort us back to the castle. If I leave in the morning, it would save us time."

"I do not like this, Kondou-san." Hijikata confessed with a sigh.

Kondou fixed him with a determined look.

"I am the Head Commander of the Shinsengumi and I know where my men's strengths are best suited. Your place is here leading in my absence alongside Sannan-san. I will be counting on you to reinforce the compound's defenses and awaiting word from Yamazaki." He reassured. "Today's events have set in motion what we can no longer ignore. It is time that I do something about it."

"Take Hajime's old patrol unit with you at the very least." Hijikata encouraged.

"I shall leave with them in the morning." Kondou affirmed. "Souji, Yukimura-kun, get some rest tonight. You have both fought bravely. We shall reconvene upon my return from Akahori castle."

All officers stirred to depart for the evening, the impromptu council at an end.

"Senhime-san, if I could have a word with you." Hijikata overheard Kondou ask the demoness as he followed her out of the infirmary.

"Of course, Commander." She replied as they disappeared into the night.

The lieutenant lingered by the doorway as he watched his officers exchange words of endearment to his young ward.

"You did well today, Chizuru-chan."

"What a fierce little demon you are."

"Try to get some rest. We'll have a big breakfast for you in the morning."

"Thank you, everyone." She murmured with a smile that never quite touched her eyes. "I will do as you say."

They shuffled out one-by-one into the darkness to return to their own apartments. Only Hijikata remained.

Chizuru stayed seated on the tatami mat, but all cheerful pretenses escaped her the moment they were alone. She let her shoulders droop as she grasped the silk of her kimono in the palm of her good hand. Only then did she peer at him with those dark eyes of hers.

"Hijikata-san," she murmured shakily, "I...I can still smell their hatred. Does that not sound strange to you? It smells like scalded metal and fresh blood. I can't get rid of it."

The oni-fukuchou kept his expression neutral as he approached her slowly, never breaking eye contact. He let his legs fold neatly underneath him as he took a seat in front of her. At this range, he could see her hands were still trembling in her lap, and without thinking he gently pulled her injured hand into his for inspection. The bandages were expertly wrapped around her wrist so as to allow proper blood circulation, but he noticed that her fingers were cold.

"You are safe now. No one will hurt you." He promised softly.

A dark fear took hold of Chizuru as she shook her head.

"There was a man...a pair of black eyes watching me from outside the fight. I could smell his hatred long before he approached me with his katana." Chizuru confessed. "I fought him. I fought him as hard as I could, but he was much faster. I thought he was going to kill me. When my vices sprang up, I remained defenseless, yet he just stood there watching me with those black eyes of his. All I could think was that he knows. He knows what I am. I was so terrified."

"This man, did he escape the fight?" He asked.

Chizuru nodded. "I think he was the leader. He called the order for retreat after I procured the barrier."

Hijikata catalogued that information in the hopes that fate would land this black-eyed ronin at the end of his katana.

"Kondou-san will leave in the morning to gather reinforcements. Once we've recovered our ranks, he will give the order for us to infiltrate the ronin's headquarters." He calmly explained. "What you witnessed today was heinous, I know. But you fought bravely. You have a samurai's courage."

"And a girl's stupidity." She countered. "I blew my cover and risked my life in a single moment. What if Kimigiku is right? We already have Kazama to worry about, but these mercenaries...what if they come after me too?"

Hijikata considered her for a moment.

"We will fight them." He responded. "We will fight them like we have been all along."

Chizuru stared at him helplessly. He could see her poise beginning to falter as the corner of her eyes began to collect with moisture. The threat of her tears made Hijikata instantly uncomfortable as he wracked his mind for the right words to mitigate her frenzy. The Vice Commander was no stranger to grief, but there was something wholly unsettling about Chizuru's tangible distress. In a mild attempt to soothe her, he touched her shoulder reassuringly.

It was just enough to make her break.

Catching the Vice Commander completely off guard, she lurched forward and burrowed her face deep into the folds of his silk haori. The motion was swift and desperate. Pressed against his body, Chizuru's sobriety shattered at last, as the despair that loomed in the room finally found expression in the fresh flow of tears.

He froze.

Moments like this in which words failed the otherwise skilled war orator; Hijikata had no choice but to relinquish all formality and simply hold her. The comfort she needed couldn't be derived from speech alone, he realized. She was not a soldier to be consoled by occupational affirmations. She was a young woman unaccustomed to the brutality of warfare. And yet...

Hijikata grew morose.

Chizuru had played her part of a soldier in the Shinsengumi so convincingly; her disguise was beginning to manifest itself into reality. Even he began to believe the deception. How many times had she witnessed bloodshed and come to terms with her own trauma? How many times had she participated in assignments, jeopardizing her safety while following his orders explicitly? How many times did she hide her true feelings underneath that damnably quiet stoicism? This phenomenon was so much larger than adopting a few of his bad habits, Hijikata realized. Unintentionally, the Mibu Wolves had been grooming her into a soldier all along.

How could he have been so blind?

"I- I'm sorry," she flushed in shame.

Witnessing Chizuru's tears for the first time, Hijikata grasped the true extent of her charisma. Not only had she made a place for herself among the Shinsengumi, falling effortlessly into their daily routine, but she had also succeeded in winning everyone's trust through her steadfast devotion. The girl never once complained about her tasks, but performed them with great purpose. She was not known to be preoccupied by material things, nor was she scatterbrained.

On the contrary, Chizuru possessed a sharp intellect for military decorum and excelled well in the subtle art of diplomacy. Her intelligence was further accentuated by her ability to maintain a level head during the heat of battle. Coupled with her talent to ascertain the severity of the situation and act immediately laid the ground work for an exceptional officer. Chizuru had been shattering societal conventions right in front him. Only now, after all this time, did she finally succumb to her feelings of fear.

To forget the person underneath the disguise, well...Hijikata began to understand the error of his ways.

Closing his eyes with a soft sigh, he endeavored to see her, for the first time, not as a prisoner, or a soldier, or a helpless child, but the young woman who defended the First Division Patrol Unit against rebel forces and delivered everyone home safe and sound, captain included.

An intense feeling of ardor overcame the oni-fukuchou in his moment of silent deliberation.

This...beautiful, complex creature was his to protect, and what she needed in this precise moment was peace and compassion. Rest would provide the first, but it was left to Hijikata to provide the second. Cradling her back with one hand, he gingerly combed his fingers through her hair with the other hoping the gentle ministrations would help sooth her trembling. The strands were soft and smooth under his palm, just as he suspected. Falling victim to her sweet floral scent, Hijikata placed his mouth to the shell of her ear and whispered, "I am proud of you, Chizuru."

Her body grew deathly still. Pulling back just enough to peer into his eyes, Chizuru's expression was one of sheer openness.

"You are?"

Could a voice ever sound so heartbreaking and optimistic at once?

"Yes," he assured with an agitated expression. "There is no doubt that you are brave, but even a warrior is allowed to shed tears. Do not be ashamed of your emotions...not in front of me."

Gazing into her copper eyes brimming with tears, Hijikata studied the girl underneath the disguise. He took in the passionate intelligence, the selfless conviction, and the enigmatic power radiating from the depths of her soul. Committing this young woman to memory, the Great Oni-Fukuchou of the Shinsengumi leaned forward, and without a single ounce of reservation, pressed his lips to her forehead............