Author's Note:

I've have wanted to write this particular Kazama and Chizuru story for some time, even though I write very little KazaChi in general. For that reason (as well as my usual inability to keep things simple), this story is longer than I had originally planned for KazaChi Week 2017. Part I is the introduction, and best viewed as my melding of Kazama's Route (from Hakuouki: Stories of the Shinsengumi) with the second Hakuouki movie. I have clipped and posted the key scene from the movie on my tumblr blog (impracticaldemon) for those who would like to see it.

I hope that you enjoy this story!

~ImpracticalOni

I Will Find You - Part I
Prompt: Reunion

The trip to Ezo on the ship had been surprisingly free of acrimony, Chizuru thought. The edges had already begun to soften during the frustrating wait for transportation in Sendai, but living under the same roof had generated its own prickles of anxiety and irritation. It had seemed as though every time she had let her guard down a little, Kazama-san had been all too quick to comment that she was behaving more like his bride-to-be. Aboard ship, Kazama-san had been unusually silent, and Chizuru had seen an occasional thoughtful frown that she couldn't place, except to know that it wasn't directed at her.

Naturally, he had reminded her that whatever they found, it wouldn't be good news for the Shinsengumi. The odds were stacked so far against the former Bakufu army that it was no longer remotely possible for them to win; the best they could hope for was something short of a complete slaughter, and that was unlikely. Hijikata-san was now effectively leading that doomed army, although technically under the command of Otori Keisuke-san.

Chizuru felt a knot form in her stomach as she climbed into the small boat that would carry them - along with a contingent of soldiers - to the beaches of Ezo. She was resolved to see her journey through, to be there for Hijikata-san and whatever remained of the Shinsengumi. It was something that she had to do. And yet, she had known for some time now that while she still loved Hijikata-san, the nature of the love had changed, at first so subtly that she hadn't noticed, and then too obviously to ignore.

Naturally, she had felt guilty about the way that her heart had not been as constant as she had imagined. She hadn't expected that her profound devotion - which had easily outlasted her first, starry-eyed admiration - would change from that of a lover to something else, just as deep but more like kinship or comradeship. Guilt was not a useful emotion, however. (That had reminded her of Saitō-san, at first bringing a smile and then hot tears: the grief that she felt for all of the fallen captains, and for Kondou-san, was still very raw. She worked hard to ignore it except when she knew that she could weep in private.)

"We're here." Kazama's soft rumble interrupted Chizuru's jumbled thoughts.

She watched him alight gracefully from the dingy, weather-beaten felt the same tiny catch at her heart that she had once felt when admiring a different man's strong, easy movements. Kazama-san extended his hand to help her down to the wet sand, his ruby-coloured eyes and all of his attention fixed on her, effortlessly ignoring the running, shouting men all around them. And that was it, right there: she had his undivided attention at moments like this, something that she had never had with the overworked and dedicated Vice Commander.

Hijikata-san had given his heart and soul to his dream. It gave him his fire, his brilliance, his phenomenal charisma. Chizuru had thought that she would be perfectly content to come second to that dream, until such time as it was fulfilled, or over forever; she had truly never found fault with her role, as long as she could stay near Hijikata-san. Kazama-san, with his manifest arrogance and total disregard for the needs and desires of others - especially, but not only humans! - had frightened her and also made her angry.

But somehow, Hijikata-san had left Chizuru behind, and whether it was by mischance or for her own good, it had been against her wishes. Kazama-san had been the one to rescue her from danger, and the one to bring her many, many miles here to Ezo - and that after having given up his plan to make Chizuru his wife against her will. He was still infuriating and condescending at times, but he seemed to see her as a person now, rather than as no more than a female demon of the appropriate lineage. And as careless of her well-being as he might seem, his actions spoke loudly to the contrary.

They faced each other silently on the beach after Chizuru was safely off the boat, Kazama-san's face as difficult to read as always. Within a minute or two, the soldiers who had been with them had gone - off to some rendez-vous point, presumably. Chizuru had the impression - but it could be imagination - that Kazama was far more unsure of himself than usual. When he spoke, though, it was only to say what she had expected to hear:

"Hijikata may already be dead. Even if he is not, he is a fury. If he does not die in the coming conflict - which seems unlikely, but" - Kazama's lips twitched into an unusual, dry smile - "is less improbable than for any other human I've known - then I will have to kill him. I will not allow any furies to survive this war. They are an abomination that cannot be allowed to continue to exist."

"I understand, Kazama-san. Nevertheless, I must go. Thank you for bringing me here. Arigatou gozaimashita."

Chizuru bowed deeply, ignoring the ache in her heart that protested against leaving this man. When she lifted her head, still firmly set on her chosen path, she thought she saw something like pain cross Kazama-san's unusually pensive face. Once again, she sensed uncertainty, instead of the usual teasing mockery. Then the strange, deep red eyes flicked away from her to look further inland, toward the sounds of battle, and she was left to wonder if she had mistaken the expression.

Kazama-san had once been an enemy, but he had cared for her scrupulously for months now, and taken her to visit her family's home, and stayed with her - comforted her, in fact - in the face of her foster father's betrayal. It had been impossible not to feel drawn to the one person who had been there for her during some of her darkest days, and who knew who she was without any need to explain Koudou-san, or the Shisengumi, or the Oni. Of course, she wouldn't have felt this way if he hadn't given her that glimpse of unexpected empathy and eventually even a grudging, unspoken, but increasing respect.

Chizuru hesitated, then turned abruptly to leave. The canon-fire in the distance made the matter urgent - she was determined to find Hijikata-san and help him and the others in any way she could. She was a member of the Shinsengumi, at least in her own mind and heart. And an Oni, a deep voice behind her seemed to say, although that was just her imagination.

One step, two, her balance shifting to the balls of her feet as she started to run - and then strong, elegant hands caught her upper arms and she was pulled back into a tight embrace, Kazama-san's arms wrapping themselves about her so that she was held fast to his chest. She could smell the faint dampness of his fine wool coat, and feel his warm breath against her hair from behind her. Chizuru made no effort to struggle, or resist.

"You don't have to go." The deep, now-familiar voice, was urgent in her ear. "Please… don't go."

Unthinkable that Kazama-san would speak such words, and Chizuru's heart contracted tightly in her chest. She felt the start of tears in her eyes and blinked them away. She had to find Hijikata-san before it was too late.

"Chizuru…" Kazama spoke again, still holding her in a grip that would be frightening except that the emotion in his voice was as plain as it was shocking to hear. "I don't want you to die."

When Chizuru still said nothing, forcing herself to remain still and silent with near-desperate determination, Kazama-san's arms slowly unlocked from around her, and she felt his hands slide slowly away. She couldn't see his expression but she was certain that he felt… hurt. Not anger, or contempt, or even frustration, but wounded. He had laid himself open, had asked - begged even - and she had still chosen to go, away from him, back to the Shinsengumi Vice Commander who had abandoned her.

Chizuru walked away several paces, unable to speak while standing so close to him. Then she stopped and turned and bowed again. She needed to go, but she couldn't bring herself to leave without giving something back to the proud Oni behind her.

"Kazama-san…" She had to clear her throat before she could continue. "I am going to find Hijikata-san, and do everything in my power to help him. I owe him that and more, I care about him deeply - as I have cared about each one of the Shinsengumi who cared for me and are now d-dead." She still couldn't manage that word without great effort. "If I can save just one of them…" Another pause and swallow. Kazama-san's eyes had narrowed now, not in irritation, but in concentration. "I will try my best to stay alive, Kazama-san. And if I am alive at the end of this, then I will come find you."

An expression of extreme surprise crossed the blond Oni's face.

"You - will come find me?" he repeated. "Even though you are rushing into battle to try to save a doomed man - a fury - that I have said that I will kill?" Kazama's steeply slanted eyebrows had risen high under his long bangs, but now they lowered again, forming a vee that rendered his expression not unlike many that Chizuru had seen on Hijikata-san's face.

"I will come to find you," Chizuru repeated. She could feel herself blushing, and tried to keep her voice steady. "Or you will find me. In either case" - she drew a quick breath - "I won't leave you again, if that is what you want."

"But - you aren't asking me to spare Hijikata's life?" demanded Kazama incredulously.

"I don't want you to kill him, and I will try to stop you from killing him, but that is… that is not the point. I am not trying to bargain with you, Kazama-san."

Kazama-san's sharp, handsome features were now quite unreadable. Chizuru felt her heart sink; had she made a complete fool of herself? The instinct to leave - in order to find Hijikata-san and in order to flee the man in front of her - caused her to turn sharply once again.

"Chotto matte kudasai! Chizuru!"

Chizuru heard the command - the request - to wait, but she didn't stop. She kept running, letting her feelings guide her, hoping to find somebody who could direct her to Hijikata-san. Kazama-san could have caught up to her easily, but this time he didn't pull her back. He did call after her again, however:

"If it's not a bargain, then it's a promise, Chizuru! Remember that!"

And an Oni always keeps her promises. Chizuru knew what he was telling her. If she survived the battle, then whether or not she could save Hijikata-san, she would return to Kazama-san for good. Of course, Kazama-san's plan to kill the purple-eyed warrior posed something of a problem. But first, Chizuru had to save him from his fellow humans.

[END OF PART I]

A/Note: All reviews and comments are much appreciated! This is something of an experiment for me, so I'd like to hear your thoughts. Also, if you are a KazaChi fan, or would like to see more KazaChi fanworks, hakuoukishippingweek on tumblr is hosting KazaChi Week 2017.