Aye started getting ready to leave to the red-light district.

"Are you really okay with this?" as she looked up, Harada-san was leaning against her door.

"Yes. All I've ever been was a burden to you and the Shinsengumi. This is the least I can do," Aye said as she packed her things and stood up. "Besides, this isn't just about me repaying your kindness. It's for Chizuru as well. For her safety,"

"Okay, I get that Chizuru part, but that's not true! You were a huge help to us. You helped us with the Ochimizu, you even helped us on our patrols." Harada exclaimed as he reached for Aye's head. He kept his hand on her head for a while.

"It's okay, Harada-san. Anyways, I can fight. I have my fans, dagger and katana," she said as she gestured to her sack, which carried her stuff, and her hips. "Say goodbye to everyone else for me, please. I really must leave now. Osen-chan and Chizuru are probably waiting for me."

Chizuru was a very precious person. She was one of the only pureblood Oni's in this world, and of course, Kazama Chikage. He was the reason Aye was leaving to Shimabara. Kazama would always be a danger to Chizuru, and Aye's duty was to protect her. She was to find out about Kazama's weakness, and get rid of him if she could. And she would.

His blood-red eyes glinted in the moonlight. As he glided towards Chizuru, he reached his hand out to touch her face. There soon was Aye standing between them, with her two fans catching his hand. He frowned, as the metal part of the fan had squeezed his hand hard. It would leave a bruise if he were a normal human. Except he wasn't. He was a pureblood Oni from the West.

"Don't you dare touch her," she said through clenched teeth. Kazama Chikage just stood there, and huffed. He was too furious to even laugh. It would be easier for him if he got rid of this fake Oni.

"You're one of them…" Kazama said, but before he could finish his sentence, Aye had one of her daggers at his neck. There was a line of blood that trickled down his neck. He was furious. He reached down for his katana, and pulled it out of its sheath.

The two of them were standing, waiting for one of them to attack. Aye attacked first. Now with her katana raised, she clashed it down at Kazama, but of course, he was faster. He blocked her attack, and brought his sword down on her side, and his katana hit her. She backed away, and she could feel the pain, throbbing. But she pushed it aside, and attacked once more. But he was an Oni, and she was a mere human. She could never win. She only had one choice. Aye changed to her Rasetsu form.

Her hair turned from copper to snow white, and her eyes crimson red. She could feel her body becoming lighter. This time, Kazama lunged for her, his katana rising like a snake. But she was different now. She was stronger. She dodged his attack, and cut his cheek. She could clearly see the rage in his burning eyes.

Then there was a gunshot. A jolt of pain came from Aye's leg, and her knees gave out. She slumped down on the ground, and Chizuru ran towards her.

"Are you alright?" Chizuru touched her side, and she grimaced in pain.

"What are you doing, Shiranui?" Kazama hissed at the man with a long ponytail.

"Amagiri sent me to bring you back to the Satsuma's headquarters. Man, he really is a lazy old guy." He said, eyes only half open. He looked relaxed, like Kazama. Was that a trait that all Oni's had?

Aye couldn't let Kazama get away. Fighting the pain that was spreading, she quickly got her dagger out, and threw it towards Kazama. But he caught it with his fingers with ease. This enraged her. She growled at him, but she felt her human-self taking over her. When she turned back, her eyes felt droopy, and the injury hurt more than it had before. She grimaced, and touched the wound on her leg. The bullet was still in her thigh. She had to get it out. Fighting the pain, she got her dagger and dug it in her wound, and took the bullet out. Aye screamed in pain. Chizuru's grip on Aye tightened as she screamed.

Kazama was staring at Aye, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. She glared at him, and although she wanted to kill him right at this moment, she didn't even have the energy to stand. She would save her strength for later, when she was stronger. She would protect Chizuru, because that was her duty. She would kill Kazama.

Aye slowly walked towards the front gate of the Shinsengumi's headquarters. When she stepped out, she was greeted by Osen-chan and a worried Chizuru. Chizuru was dressed in her men's clothes, and as she walked towards Aye, tears started to well in her eyes. Aye pulled Chizuru into a tight hug.

"Don't cry. This isn't the last time we'll see each other," Aye said, failing to leave out the sadness in her voice.

"But… You're leaving because of me…" Chizuru said, sniffing and wiping away her tears.

"Yes, Chizuru. Which is why I need you to be a strong girl, and not cry," Aye said, as she press one of her seven daggers into the palms of Chizuru.

"But this is your dagger, don't you need it?" Chizuru said, holding her tears in.

"Chizuru, listen carefully. Right now, you are my top priority. And I need to go to Shimabara to help you be safe. I'll only be gone for a few days, a few weeks tops. If anyone, and I mean if anyone tries to harm you, do not hesitate to use this dagger. Alright?" Aye asked, holding Chizuru's shoulders. "You are a powerful and valuable Oni. You never know what's going to happen to you."

Chizuru nodded eagerly. "Okay,"

"Good," with one last hug, Aye and Osen-chan were on their way to the red-light district.