Souji woke cold and alone in the dim light before dawn, and shivered as he coughed his way to wakefulness. He rubbed his arms and wondered how the fight was going. How had Chizuru put up with this for so many years? Nothing to do but sit and wait and worry about the people he cared about, with no way to protect them. No way to protect Hajime from the double edged sword of his Fury powers, no way to save Chizuru from the pain of facing her family. No way to even know if Kondou lived or died, though every day that passed made Souji's hope grow a little smaller.

But Hajime had promised to return to him. Souji decided to trust in that promise. He remembered the strength in Hajime's hands, the taste of his kiss, and he was warmed and reassured.

Chizuru had made no such promise, an oversight on Souji's part. He no more wished to lose her than Hajime. What would she say, if he asked her to promise to stay with them always? She loved Hajime, and Hajime belonged to Souji: was she really going to stay happy with that? What was it Souji even wanted from her, exactly?

And what if he had no chance to find out? What if she died, without Souji there to protect her?

He felt guilty and anxious and uncertain, and had no way to vent his frustrations. Maybe he could find a bug and pull off it's legs, if he was going to return to the sense of helpless uselessness that had plagued his childhood perhaps he should return to his childhood habits.

"Got any bugs over there, Kimigiku?"

There was a pause and then a single "No," from the bushes to his left. He was pretty sure she wanted him to pretend she wasn't there, to better surprise anyone who came by, but he didn't have any bugs so she was going to have to do.

"It's funny," he said, "Even though I know exactly where you are, I can't see you. You'd think magenta would stand out. Are you using demon powers or something?"

"No," she said. "I have no relevant demon powers. I am simply well trained, and chose my clothes with more care than you seem to expect."

"And here I was thinking you-" He had to stop and cough, the strain of clearing his lungs so intense he almost blacked out. He wheezed, out of breath, and rested his head back with his eyes closed, gasping.

"Are you in need of assistance, Okita? Should I boil you some tea?" Chizuru had given Kimigiku a talk about not letting Okita pretend he's fine, much to Souji's annoyance. He only liked being babied with tea and blankets when it was Chizuru doing it.

"What is it with you ninja all being busybodies?" he wheezed. "I have tuberculosis. I cough." He coughed. "You're not here to nursemaid me, you're here to guard the entrance to the village."

"I'm here to guard you and the entrance," she said.

"Yeah, you really got the short end of the straw there. What did you do to piss off Sen?"

"It is the role I am best suited to," she said, refusing to be baited. Souji missed Yamazaki, whose cool ninja persona had been a thin facade over a flailing emotional shambles that had been fun to poke at. "My strengths are in surveillance and covert warfare, not open battle." She paused. "I understand that as a samurai, it must sting to require guarding, and to be unable to participate in the battle yourself."

"I'm not sure if you're pitying me because I'm sick, or because I'm a samurai," said Souji. He'd sometimes envied the simpler lives of ninja, none of this pretence about following the noble path of the warrior, just killing people using whatever tools worked, even if they were 'dishonourable'. That didn't stop him being pissed off any time a ninja acted like their way of doing things was better.

Kimigiku's voice was dry. "Perhaps I pity you because you're human."

Okita laughed, and had to cough again. "Do demons not get tuberculosis?"

"Very rarely," she said. "But we usually recover. And all humans seem fragile and short lived to me." She paused. "I do not pity you for it, however. I am weak compared to most male demons, and have found their condescending attitudes frustrating. It would be hypocritical for me to think any less of you for being weaker than me."

"Yeah, I'm starting to get the impression that all male demons are assholes," said Souji. "Sucks to be a female demon, I guess." He'd just assumed female ninja were unremarkable amongst demons, but perhaps it was as significant achievement for Kimigiku as it would have been for a human woman.

"Not all of them," said Kimigiku. Her tone implied Just most of them. "And one could argue that it is just as difficult to be a human woman. They are also treated as fragile objects to be controlled and protected."

"Yeah," said Souji, with a wry cough. "Sucks to be them."

He'd always thought he'd rather die than be weak. He'd worked for years to become the strongest warrior he could, and had railed in denial when it became clear that illness was going to take all that away. Because it had seemed like being a warrior was the only way to have any control, the only way for his life to have meaning. But he'd never had control of his own life, not really. And maybe even a weak and limited life could have meaning, if you tried hard enough to find it.

Maybe he should want to die. But he didn't.

He sat in silence for a while. A slight drizzle fell, and he sneezed. "Kimigiku," he said, with a sigh. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like some tea."

The bush shook and somehow produced a tall woman dressed in a revealing magenta kimono. How did she do that?

"It would be no trouble," said Kimigiku with a smile.

"Funny how things work out, isn't it?" said Shiranui. "Who'd have thought we'd end up working together like this? I'd kind of looked forward to killing you, too."

"The feeling was mutual," said Saito. Shiranui was a perfect example of someone who used weapons to kill but was not a warrior. Saito still wasn't sure if Shiranui had any principles at all, or if he'd turned against his former allies on a whim.

"Ha!" said Shiranui. "But I mean, look at me. Fighting with a bunch of humans and girls." He laughed. "Still better than Kazama and that old codger Kodo, though!" He turned to Yukimura. "You ready to face your dad, Yukimura? He's a sneaky bastard, you let him get in your head and you're toast."

Yukimura nodded seriously, and put her hand on her sword. "I love my father," she said. "He has suffered a great loss, and I understand his resentment. I want to give him a chance to turn back from this path. But I have not forgotten everything he's done. And it is my responsibility to make sure he is stopped, no matter the cost."

She looked so lonely. "We are here, beside you," said Hajime. He put his hand on hers, to offer what strength he could.

"Then I am not afraid," she said, and smiled.

It ate at Hajime that he could not be Yukimura's protector pure and simple, that like him she walked a path of danger and violence. But for good or ill she was not the helpless girl she had once been, and he still loved the woman she had become. Perhaps when this was all done, she could put down her sword, and once again live a life of peace.

Only one man stood between Yukimura and that chance at peace, between Souji and a chance at relief, between Heisuke and the other Furies and the chance to regain their minds.

Yukimura Kodo smiled smugly when he saw the small group collected to oppose him. "How kind of you all to accompany my daughter," he said. "What a beautiful woman you have grown up into, Chizuru. I am happy to see you so well."

"Hello father," said Yukimura. Hajime and the others stayed silent, letting her have this last chance to speak to the man who had raised her.

"Does this place bring back any memories for you, my child? Do you remember how the humans killed our kin?"

"A little," she said, sadly. I'm sorry, thought Hajime, wishing he could have saved her that pain.

"Do you understand, then," said Kodo. "Why we must make the Yukimura clan strong enough that we will never be threatened that way again?"

"I understand your sadness," said Yukimura. "And your anger. But what you're doing is wrong. What of the innocent men you have corrupted, to form your army? What of the people they have killed? They had families once too, people who loved them. They deserved safety too."

"A pity," said Kodo, barely acknowledging her words. "Do you choose to align with Yase, then? Or Shiranui? Those clans are weak, and did nothing to protect us when the humans turned against us. They will fall as surely as the humans." He sneered. "And as for them...I hope you understand now how useless the Shinsengumi are. Even their Furies are inferior. Do you think you can protect my daughter, any of you?"

"Yes," said Hajime. "I swear to keep her safe. From you, and anyone else who might threaten her."

"With what, your Fury strength? How close are you to it's limit, I wonder? Do you know what happens to a Fury when they use themselves up?" He smiled at Hajime triumphantly, as if he expected his words to hurt.

"They die," said Hajime, coldly. "But I do not fear death. If I survive long enough to protect those I care about, I will have succeeded." Hajime couldn't help but compare himself to Kodo. They both cared about protecting what was precious to them, and were willing to kill to do it. But Kodo had long abandoned whatever righteousness he might once have had, and in doing so had destroyed everything he held dear. Strength was nothing without principle.

"And if he doesn't, I'll kill you!" said Shiranui. "There's five of us and only one of you. The odds aren't in your favour, old man."

"Count again," said Kodo, and he snapped his fingers. A wave of Furies emerged from the darkness, and then another, more Furies than Hajime had ever seen in one place. This was Kodo's army. Some of them carried guns, and Hajime watched them more carefully, on the assumption that their bullets were silver.

Hajime let himself become a Fury, feeling his heart race and his blood quicken. And then he and the others threw themselves at their enemy, swords drawn.

There was the crack of gunfire, and a Fury's head exploded in a shower of gore. Shiranui laughed and managed to bring down several other Furies before they were in reach of any of the swordsmen. Hajime had to admit to himself that having a competent gunman on their side was an asset.

Sen fought with a quiet competence, her eyes cool and determined. Her girlish amiability hid a steadfast strength and drive, he could well believe that she was chief of a demon clan.

Shinpachi was as untamed as ever, hacking at the Furies with a furious intensity, limbs and blood flying in his wake. Hajime sighed to himself with a nostalgic annoyance at Shin's lack of finesse. Especially in a fight like this, it was important to be precise. Hajime watched his opponents carefully, waiting for the inevitable gap in their defence that would allow him to pierce their heart.

And Yukimura stood behind him, watching his back and keeping relatively safe in the chaos of the battlefield. Souji, too, had Hajime's back, guarding the entrance against Kaoru and other external threats.

It was almost as if Hajime stood with the Shinsengumi again. Change was inevitable, but there was new direction to be found, new connections to be forged, and he did not stand alone. And some things in life endured, despite everything. He thought of a small red glass bottle, always snugly wrapped in his pack, and took heart.

Hajime dodged away from swords and between bullets, healing from any injury so quickly he barely had a chance to notice the pain. He hated that he had been forced to take the Water of Life, but there was a satisfaction to be found in the fluidity of his altered body, in the strength that flowed through his tainted veins.

And then there was another crack and he felt a pain in his left leg and it did not stop or heal. Instead he stumbled, and felt weak.

"Saito!" said Yukimura. He saw her struggling to defend herself, as the Furies around them smelled blood and began to descend. She was struck, and cried out, her blood dripping to the ground.

I must protect her he thought, and forced himself to stay on his feet, though his left leg was useless and his right had almost become too weak to hold his weight.

"You bastards!" shouted Shinpachi, attacking the Furies with renewed vigour. Though he was only human, and his own wounds bled freely, he remained undefeated, destroying all that stood in his path.

How could Hajime do any less? He steadied himself and thrust at the Furies around him, shifting his balance carefully to flow with the movement of his sword. But he was growing slower and less precise, his body reaching the limit of how hard it could push against pain and loss of blood without rest.

And then he heard Kodo, behind him. With Yukimura. He wanted to turn, but if he did he would be killed.

"Come with me, Chizuru," said Kodo. "Your friends have done very well, but like all the rest they have no chance against my new children. Leave them, we must abandon such attachments to create our new world. All will burn when the Demon Kingdom..."

There was the sound of metal splitting flesh. Hajime turned, and fell, and barely avoided being skewered by his opponent's blade.

In front of him stood Yukimura, her eyes damp, and her hands shaking around the end of her blade. And facing her stood Kodo, Yukimura's sword thrust deep into his chest.

"Forgive me, my child," said Kodo. "I was not able to protect you..." And then his eyes went glassy and his body slumped to the ground.

"Father," cried Yukimura, her voice cracked with pain. "Father, I'm so sorry." She pulled out her sword and was splashed with her father's blood and she wailed in misery. She was too distraught to pay attention to her surroundings, let alone defend herself, and Hajime pulled himself to one knee so that he might push back any foes that might try to hurt her. He grunted as he slashed at the ankles of an approaching Fury to unbalance it before thrusting his sword upwards into it's heart.

"Yukimura!" he barked. "Defend yourself!"

"Saito," said Yukimura. "Oh, you're..." She looked down at the sword in her hands. "Yes." She took a deep breath and shifted into the stance he'd taught her, and moved her body the way they'd practiced together. There was a gurgling cry, and an enemy fell to her sword, and then another. She did not fight with grace, or ease, and her hands trembled. But she fought on, regardless. And Hajime fought beside her.

Finally, the waves of Furies slowed, and then scattered, and then stopped. Hajime let himself return to being human, and felt his body weaken even further. Everything became something of a daze. He felt Yukimura grab his shoulders to stop him from falling, and saw the others approach. They were covered in blood, but whole. He smiled. They had survived.

Hajime let himself be helped onto dry ground, and closed his eyes as Yukimura washed and bound his wound. "Thank you," he said. He took her hand, and tried to clear his head enough to offer her the comfort she must sorely need. "I am sorry about your father," he said. "But you did what had to be done. And now you are free."

She smiled at him and wiped her eyes. "Thank you," she said. "Lie here and rest. I will bring Okita to you."

And then they heard a piercing cry of pain, echoing over the fallen bodies from the direction of the village entrance.

There was the sound of squelching footsteps across the muddy ground of the clearing. Souji looked up from where he sat, resting against a tree.

"Okita." Kaoru grinned. "What a pleasant surprise. Your corpse will make a nice welcome home gift for my sister."

Despite wearing his usual smug smile, Kaoru was looking rather the worse for wear. Blood slowly leaked from wounds on his side and leg, and he walked with a slight limp. Were those the same wounds he'd gotten from Kimigiku all those weeks ago? Looked like the Kazama family sword worked as promised.

"You're too late," said Souji, coldly. "Chizuru's dead. Saito got overcome with bloodlust and killed her and it's all your fault."

Kaoru's eyes widened. "You're lying."

Souji laughed. "Yeah. But you were actually sad for a second there! I guess you do love your little sister after all."

Kaoru bared his teeth and drew his sword. "I'm sure a samurai would consider it dishonourable to murder an unarmed invalid, but luckily I'm not a samurai."

"Who says I'm unarmed?" said Souji, slowly drawing his sword.

Kaoru laughed. "Seriously? You can't even stand!"

"I don't need my legs to hold a sword," said Souji. Of course, the same weakness that affected his legs affected his arms just as strongly, and his katana felt like it weighed a ton. But he still held it. There wasn't much he could do for Chizuru and Hajime, but he could do this.

"This almost feels too easy," said Kaoru, with a laugh, and slashed down towards Souji. Souji barely managed to bring up his blade to block the blow, and felt a jarring pain travel up his arms, though Kaoru was far from using his full strength. He hadn't even turned into a Fury.

"Funny that," said Souji, breathing heavily.

Kaoru's eyes widened, and then his hold on his sword grew weak. There was the familiar sound of metal through flesh as the shining metal of Kazama's sword emerged from the front of Kaoru's chest. Warm blood splattered Souji's face and Kaoru fell to his knees.

Kaoru looked at Souji in shock. "You..."

Souji grinned.

Kaoru's face grew pale, and his expression grew desperate as he realised he was going to die. "Tell Chizuru..." he began, but then his skin went pure white, like smoke, and he made an inhuman cry. The area around his wound began to quiver, and then crumble. And then his whole body dissolved into dust, faint motes drifting away in the Spring breeze to reveal Kimigiku standing with Kazama's sword in her hands.

"Well that was weird," said Souji. Was that what happened to all Furies when their life was used up? Would it happen to Hajime? He glared at Kimigiku. "Took you long enough, if he hadn't underestimated me so badly I'd be dead."

"My apologies," said Kimigiku. "It was important I be certain of a killing blow, because I would likely not get a second chance."

"Tell that to my arms," said Souji, putting down his sword and collapsing back against the tree. "But...thanks for killing him, I guess. Give Kazama my thanks, too, when you return his sword. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from me."

Kimigiku shook Kaoru's blood off the sword and considered the reflection of her face in the strange shining metal. Souji got the impression she'd been born pretty low down the demon social hierarchy, especially compared to a lord like Kazama. "I'll try to remember," she said. She smiled and sheathed the sword. "But it may not be for a while."

They found Souji collapsed and covered with blood.

Chizuru's heart broke. She couldn't stand to lose him. Not now, not ever. She ran over to Souji, crying out his name. Finally he woke, groaning and blinking. When he realised why she was crying he laughed affectionately and put his hand on her face. "It's not my blood," he said. "I'm just tired."

She put her arms around him, and he hugged her back. "I'm sorry," he said. "We killed Kaoru."

"Oh," she said. She sniffled into Okita's shoulder and he patted her back. Her heart felt strained to collapse, and she could barely feel the loss. Not yet. "I'm glad he didn't hurt you."

"He wanted me to tell you he was sorry," said Souji. "That was the last thing he said."

Chizuru sighed, and wondered if this was true. She decided to believe it, for the sake of the loving brother she'd once had, all those years ago. The one she would never have the chance to know, now. "Thank you."

"So how did the battle go?" he asked. "Where's Hajime?"

"He was injured, but will be fine," said Chizuru, trying not to be overcome with the memory of how Saito had fought for her, though it must have been excruciatingly painful, and his wound had made it nigh impossible for him to stand. "Come back with me and I'll show you."

Okita let go of her and put his hands out. "Ok then," he said, "Who wants to help me? I'm lighter than I look."

"I am of a more similar height," said Kimigiku. And to Chizuru's surprise, Okita agreed. The three of them walked slowly but surely back to the village as Chizuru described the battle's events to Kimigiku and Okita. She couldn't bring herself to make it clear who had killed her father.

When they arrived back, Sen was waving from the door of a house half hidden amongst the trees. "This house seems to be largely intact," she said, "So we moved Saito inside, then I sent the other two to find the spring."

"Thank you," said Chizuru.

As they entered, Chizuru felt her heart ache: there was no doubting that this had been her father's house. There were his books, there was his medical equipment, all so reminiscent of her childhood and yet here they had been used for a much darker purpose. Much of the original building had survived the fire, but she could see where her father had used his basic carpentry skills to make simple repairs. She remembered watching him try and fix their roof, when it had leaked in the rain, reassuring Chizuru that he wouldn't fall. Had he thought of her, when he lived here? Or had he only thought of his plans for conquest?

What of the men of his army? Had there been anything left of them to wonder what their future might hold? Had they mourned the lives they might have lead as they fell to Chizuru's blade?

But what mattered was that there was wood for a fire, and a dry room in which to sleep. Okita gave a loud groan as he sat down on the futon next to Saito. "If you don't mind," he said, "I think I'm going to lie here for the next month." His tone was light, but his voice was strained, and his breaths were light and shallow and interspersed with a great deal of coughing.

"Are you well?" asked Saito.

"As well as ever," said Okita. "What about you?"

"I will recover." They gave each other happy, relieved smiles, and Chizuru smiled to see them.

There was a thumping noise, and Nagakura and Shiranui walked in with a large jar on each shoulder. "Who's thirsty?" said Nagakura with a big smile. Chizuru laughed, but then noticed that his muddy footprints were mixed with blood.

"Nagakura!" she said Chizuru, "You're injured!"

"Pfft!" he said. "This is nothing!" But he let her bind his wounds. Honestly, how did any of these men survive without her? "Now that you're done fussing over me," he said. "Didn't we all come a long way for this water? It was pretty heavy, I hope I didn't carry it for nothing."

"Yes, thank you!" said Chizuru. She looked at the large jars and then at Saito and Okita, both too weak to lift anything so heavy. "Wait just a second!"

She ran through her father's house, looking for something to drink from. The first clean seeming thing she saw was a beaker, but knowing her father's research she wasn't willing to test it. Then she found a number of bottles of sake, and a single cup beside them. Had her father turned to drink, in his final days? Had he been pained by doubt or guilt? She shook her head to clear her eyes of tears. She didn't have time to think about her father now.

She washed the glass with sake and then water before bringing it to the others. Okita and Saito had a brief argument about who should drink the water first, which was settled when Okita became so overcome with coughing that he could barely breathe.

"What does it taste like?" asked Chizuru.

"Water," said Okita, flatly. "With a hint of...sake? Are you sure this was a spring, Shinpachi, and not a bar?"

"As if I would steer you wrong!" said Shinpachi. "There was a shrine and everything!"

"Sorry," said Chizuru. "I mustn't have cleaned the cup well enough. But how do you feel?"

Okita frowned thoughtfully. "Hmmmm," he said. "I feel...terrible. But maybe a little less terrible than before? It's hard to tell. Anyway, give Hajime some."

Saito also frowned seriously after he drank. "I do not feel any different," he said. "But being a Fury does not feel any different from being a human, on the whole. So that is to be expected."

"Well that's not very helpful," said Shiranui. "But I guess it'll have to do. So, Shinpachi, want to start carrying this stuff back to our friends down south? It's not like we've got any better options."

"I'm sure Sakamoto will be fine," said Chizuru. "He's got you to look after him."

"Yeah, yeah," said Shiranui, looking a little embarrassed. Nagakura snickered and Shiranui punched him lightly.

"Please tell Hijikata that I will return when I am able," said Saito.

"Will do!" said Nagakura. Chizuru would miss him, but was glad that he wasn't going to be alone. "But first we're going to clear up some of these dead bodies. Can't have your home town left all messy, can we Chizuru?"

"Thank you," she said, eyes shining with unshed tears. The thought of facing all those corpses, of seeing her father's dead body...it was more than she could bear.

"Kimigiku and I will be returning to our village soon, as well," said Sen. "I do not like to leave for too long during such dangerous times. But we will come and visit you when we can."

"That would be wonderful," said Chizuru. "Especially when Saito..."

She looked over at him and realised his face had gone very pale. There had been so much blood...was he about to experience bloodlust? He would hate to be be seen in such a vulnerable state by all these people.

"Um," said Chizuru. "Saito and Okita are very ill. Can I be alone with them to care for them?"

"Of course," said Kimigiku. "We will see you again another time."

"Bring your sword," said Okita, who was laying down with eyes closed. "Chizuru can use it to chop vegetables."

Kimigiku smiled, and she and Sen made their goodbyes.

And then it was just Chizuru, Okita, and Saito.

"Saito," said Chizuru. "Do you need blood?"

He shook his head. "No," he said. "I...I am in pain, but only from my leg, at present. I am sorry if I worried you."

"To be honest, I need some time alone," she said. "I will let you two rest."

She managed to make it to the door before letting out a sob, and did her best to muffle it.

"Yukimura?" Saito sounded so worried for her, as if her suffering meant anything next to his.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm fine."

"Chizuru," said Okita. "You're a terrible liar. Do you need me to...roll under a table or something, so you can be alone with Hajime?"

She shook her head. "I like you being here Okita," she said. "You are both..." She hiccuped. "You're both so kind to me and I'm a monster."

"You being a demon is the only reason either of us is alive," said Okita.

She just shook her head. That was part of it, but...

"You did the right thing," said Saito. "I am sorry you were forced to kill your father, but by doing so you have saved countless lives. I think even he realised that, in the end."

"Wait," said Souji. "You killed Kodo?" He looked horrified. Even Okita thought it was terrible. But then he looked at her with sympathy and affection. "Oh Chizuru," he said. "You're the bravest person I ever met. But it's ok to cry."

Their kindness undid her, and her eyes filled with tears. Though it was weakness, she stumbled to them, and let them wrap her up in their arms. She wasn't sure whose shoulder it was she sobbed into, and whose gentle fingers wiped her eyes, but they both said kind things to her in calming tones, and the pain in her heart began to ease.

It was definitely Okita who started snoring, his head resting against her own. He didn't even wake when she made a muffled laugh and had Saito help her move him down onto the futon and under the blankets.

And then to her surprise, Saito stood up, leaning against the wall and slowly dragging himself to his feet. "What are you doing?" she whispered.

"I need..." He winced, and made a muffled groan. Oh.

She helped him limp into the next room. He shouldn't be walking, but she understood why he didn't want to wake Okita. He closed his eyes against the pain and she drew her sword.

"You don't have to..." he began, then winced and groaned, and his body changed. There was a beauty to the stark white of his hair, the strange red light in his eyes, but she hoped that he would soon be free of this curse, that the sacrifice he had made for her could be undone. Until then, it was her responsibility to help him survive it.

"Please, Saito," she said. "You're in pain."

Saito's touch was gentle, and his mouth soft, and she shivered in his strong arms and wished he would hold her forever.

"Thank you," he said, as his breathing steadied. "I am sorry to burden you further when you are already suffering."

"Saito," she said. "You are not a burden. It truly makes me happy to be of use to you. For as long as you need it, my blood is yours to drink."

"Yukimura," he said. "You give of yourself too easily."

She shook her head.

They sat quietly for a while.

"What do you intend to do now?" he asked. "You are free, at last, of your obligations. You may go where you wish."

"I...would it be too much to ask to stay with you, and Okita? At least while you are here?" Okita had said to Chizuru You'd make Hajime happy. He'd said to Saito I don't mind sharing you with Chizuru. Had he meant it? Was it possible for the three of them to all find some way to live together without tension or guilt? She wasn't sure, but she also wasn't willing to let them leave her life without at least trying to hold on.

"Yukimura, this is your village," he said, smiling. It was, wasn't it? She was the head of a clan with one member, and one house, and a village green filled with corpses. Not much of a birthright, all told. "Who are we to tell you whether you may stay? It is your decision whether or not we may trespass on your generosity."

"Of course you can stay!" she said. "If I could, I'd have both of with me forever." Her heat beat faster with anxiety, worried about the consequences of expressing her desires so openly. She looked away. "Um. I mean, I realise you have to go back to the Shinsengumi. And Okita should probably stay with a real doctor. But please, stay as long as you want."

"You do not owe us such generosity," said Saito.

"It's not generosity," she said. "I want you with me." Because she did, more than anything. Would he accept her wishes and stay?

Saito looked at her thoughtfully. "You will let Souji stay when I am gone?"

"Yes," she said, trying not to feel disappointed. "For as long as he wants."

"I am glad," said Saito, with a grateful smile. "He cares for you, and I know you find his presence a comfort. I will be happier knowing you are with each other."

"I care for him too," she said. And I care for you. Saito seemed unable or unwilling to accept her feelings. Did he see her as a duty he was finally free to escape? Eventually, the spring would prove itself useless, or Saito and Okita would heal. Either way, they would leave her behind, and go on with their lives without her.

"Yukimura?"

She realised that she was crying again. "I'm sorry," she said. He looked confused, but concerned, and put his hand on her shoulder.

"I am not very good at being comforting," he said. "But if your father..."

She shook her head. "It's not that," she said. "I only..." She sniffed. "I don't want to be alone."

"You will never be alone," he said. "You are welcome everywhere, and loved by everyone."

"I don't want everyone," she said. She looked at him, and he flushed and looked away. "I know that you and Okita are pledged to each other. But if there is room in your life for me as well, even for a little while...that is all I want. Not because I am grateful, or feel obligated. But because I want it. I want you."

There. She'd said it.

He raised his head, and looked into her eyes. "Do you truly?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

He moved closer, and she moved to meet him. He watched her carefully, as his hands reached slowly to touch her, and she looked back into his eyes. "I am Souji's," he said. "But I am also yours. If that is what you want."

"Yes," she said. And she leaned up to receive his kiss.

Souji emerged from unconsciousness into a gentle doze, too tired to think clearly but not actually in need of any more sleep. He was slowly roused from this state by the complaints of his stomach, which had noticed a pleasant scent on the air, something sweet and meaty. It was dark: had he slept for an entire day?

He managed to untangle himself from his blankets, then stumbled towards the smell of food, leaning against the wall for support. He passed through a room filled with weapons and armour, and another full of damp and weeds, before finding himself in, of all things, a kitchen. And there, in the centre of it, was Chizuru, standing over a number of bubbling pots. It was like he was back in Kyoto again, a warrior with purpose who was feared by all, with a cute girl willing to make him porridge. Well, at least one of those things was still true. Not seeing any chairs or cushions nearby he sat down heavily on the floor and rested against the wall, panting for breath. Maybe walking had been a bad idea. But the food smelled so good.

"Chizuru," he said. "I'm hungry."

"Okita," she said with surprise, and then she pouted at him. "What are you doing out of bed? You should..." And then her eyes widened, and he grinned at her as her mind caught up. "Did you say you're hungry?"

"Starving," he said. "So where's dinner?"

"Oh! It's not ready yet! But, um..." She shook her hands in nervousness, head turning quickly as she tried to figure out what to do, and then she clapped her hands together with a determined expression. "I can't give you everything, but some of the rabbit pieces are cooked, and I think some of the smaller sweet potatoes should be ready..."

"How on earth did you get all this in a burned out village?" he asked.

"Saito helped with the rabbits," said Chizuru, smiling, as she started filling a plate with food. "And there were some remains of old gardens, and some rice...it's really not very much." She knelt down in front of Souji. "I hope you like it."

"If it's from you, I'll love it," he said. And he did, it was the most delicious thing he'd eaten in months. Maybe years. After a few mouthfuls his extreme hunger wore off and he could feel nausea edging in again, but it still tasted like food.

"So how do you feel?" she asked. "Is the water working?"

"Looksh like," said Souji, with his mouth full. He swallowed and took a breath. "I mean, I still feel like shit. And I think that's about all the food I can manage, no offence to your cooking but my stomach is still a whiny bitch. Don't get your hopes up too high, I have a funny feeling even magic demon water can't cure tuberculosis, especially when it's this far gone." The look on her face made him feel bad for being such a grump. "But...I do feel better than I did before. I guess you're going to be stuck with me a little bit longer."

"Souji!" Chizuru's eyes sparkled with tears and she put aside his food and pulled him into a hug. Seeing her so happy did more to warm his heart than the thought of being well, and he put his arms around her and thought about how strange life could be.

"So I'm Souji now, huh, Chizuru?" He felt her stiffen in embarrassment.

"Oh no, I'm sorry," she said, hiding her head against his shoulder, "That just came out."

He laughed and ruffled her hair, pulling her closer with his other hand. "I like it," he said. "Say it again."

"...Souji," she said, voice a little tremulous. Hearing her say his name like that sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.

"Yes Chizuru?" he said, brushing his thumb against her jaw. She made a small laugh that may have been hiding a gasp and he wondered where exactly things were going to go between them. Looked like he was going to have time to find out.

"I'm glad you're with us," she said, moving her head up to look him in the eye.

"Me too," he said. "I used to think I'd rather die in battle than be sick in bed, but turns out I'd rather stick around for a while, even if it's like this. Hell, even when I was healthy I never really cared about dying. It's only now I really want to live." She smiled, and he squeezed her as tight as his weak bony arms could manage. "And that's because of you, Chizuru. Hajime and I...we probably would have gone on as we were until we died, nothing more than weapons to be wielded by the Shinsengumi. You're the one who made us people."

"You were always people."

"Then you're the one who made us realise it." She blushed and put her head down on his shoulder again. How was she so adorable? They stayed there for a while, finding peace in each other's arms.

"I believe something is burning." Souji looked up and saw Hajime standing in the doorway.

"Oh no!" cried Chizuru, and she jumped up to deal with her cooking. She skittered between pots, stirring and removing things from the heat and then ladling out a plate of food. "Sit down," she said, gesturing towards the table and sounding a little flustered. "I don't think anything should taste too bad, but I'm sorry I got distracted." But then she smiled. "Okita was hungry! I think the water really helped!"

Hajime looked to him, then, and smiled, relief making his face look young and happy in a way it hadn't for too long. Hajime tried so hard to be a sensible old man it was easy to forget that he was younger than Souji, and not that much older than Chizuru.

"Thank you, I will eat in a moment," Hajime said to Chizuru. "Put down the plate." She did, and he stepped closer to her and slowly leaned in to give her a kiss, his expression cool and curious. Chizuru seemed slightly surprised, and she blushed, but kissed him back. There was an ease between them that suggested they had kissed before. Souji felt a little jealous despite himself. It was strange, too, to see Hajime so comfortable expressing affection in front of someone else. Strange, but not bad. Not when that person was Souji.

Hajime and Chizuru looked to Souji, both a little pink, Hajime biting his lip and Chizuru's eyes soft with concern. Souji smiled. "About time," he said. Chizuru laughed and Hajime smiled.

Then Hajime stepped towards Souji, kneeling down so that they were face to face. "Souji," he said. "Are you well?"

"Not well," said Souji, "But not quite as sick, either."

"I am glad." Hajime's hands wavered, as if he wanted to touch him but was unsure. So Souji reached for him, and pulled him down into a kiss. Hajime was cautious at first but responded with increasing passion, until Souji had to pull away to catch his breath.

"Still don't mind, Chizuru?" asked Souji.

"No," she said, "Though Saito's dinner is going cold." She looked a little self conscious, standing by herself by the stove with Souji and Hajime entangled on the floor.

"It can wait," sad Souji. "Come down here."

She gave one last look at Hajime's dinner and then came down beside them, still a little distance away, as if she didn't want to interfere. Souji held out his hand. "Closer," he said. She blushed and let herself be pulled into his arms, her side brushing against Hajime's. She slowly held out her other hand towards Hajime, and he took it, intertwining their fingers. Souji felt a warmth he had no name for. "Now what's with you calling me Okita again?" he said. "Am I so quickly discarded once your lover comes into the room?"

Hajime and Chizuru both flinched and coloured at being called lovers. "No," said Chizuru. "I just forgot. Sorry, Souji."

"You call him Souji?" said Hajime, with the slightest hint of petulance. You don't get to win at everything, Hajime, thought Souji.

"Do you mind?" asked Chizuru.

"No," said Hajime, definitely not pouting. "Not if you, um..."

Chizuru giggled. "Sorry, Hajime," she said, looking away and blushing. "I didn't mean to make you jealous."

"That's quite all right," he said. "Um..." He stared at her with his lips pressed together, unable to quite say her name.

"Chizuru," said Souji.

"Chizuru," said Hajime, putting so much longing into the name that it made even Souji shiver.

Souji laughed. "Where would you two be without me?"

"Lost," said Chizuru, softly. She smiled at him, her eyes full of affection, and he felt hot and cold all at once. He didn't know what to do with her, how to understand how she fit into his heart, and it made him afraid. But since when did Okita Souji back away from something because it made him scared?

"Then how about you keep me around," he said, trying to keep his tone light. "To stop you getting lost."

"Wherever you go, Souji, that's where I'll follow," said Chizuru. "You have always been there for me, just like you have for Hajime. And I will always be there for you." It was so much more than he'd hoped for that he didn't know how to feel.

She reached for him, her hand soft against his chest, and he skimmed his fingers against her soft cheek. He leaned forward and smelled the smoke in Chizuru's hair, felt Hajime's warm breath against his skin. "Ok," he said, voice soft. "I don't understand either of you. You could be happy together without me. I'm just going to bring you trouble."

"There is no us without you," said Chizuru.

"Souji," said Hajime. "I promised myself to you. I have no intention on going back on my word. I have also sworn myself to... to Chizuru, but there is no conflict, because we will stand together."

Souji closed his eyes and put his arms around them both. He could feel his energy waning, but could not bring himself to let them go. "Then the two of you have everything of mine there is to give," he said. "I know that isn't much. But it's all you're getting, and it's too late to ask me to let either of you go." He kissed the tops of their heads, and felt their warm arms encircle him, felt their hot breath against his skin.

But he could only put off the inevitable for so long. Eventually he felt his breath catch, and had to turn his head and cough.

"Oki...Souji," said Chizuru. "Are you ok?"

"In general...very much so," said Souji. He rested his head back against the wall. "But Hajime should probably go eat his dinner." They didn't move, instead Chizuru rubbed his shoulders and Hajime held his hand and Souji closed his eyes and just breathed for a while. He felt safe and loved, as he had not for as long as he could remember. Then he opened his eyes with a start. "Wait...what about your dinner, Chizuru?"

"We'll get you into bed, then we'll both eat," she said, with an affectionate smile. Since arguing would have been a waste of breath, Souji let himself be carried back to the futon, and tried not to feel too sorry for himself when they left.

But then they returned a few moments later, carrying their food, as well as an extra plate. "In case you get hungry again," said Chizuru, clearly not over the novelty of him having an appetite. The three of them sat together and talked and ate, and Souji even managed to eat a little more, partly because he was hungry and partly because of how happy it made Chizuru.

Afterwards Souji dozed some more, while all the boring business of cleaning and dealing with food was dealt with by the other two. He wondered if they might do other things too, without him, but found he didn't mind the idea, as long as he was still in their hearts. His chest still ached, his breath was short, his body so weak he had no choice but to lie in bed...but he was, somehow, content.

Soon, Hajime would rejoin the Shinsengumi and Shinpachi and the other Shogunate troops in Aizu, and they would make what could be their final stand. Would Chizuru join him? Would Souji, somehow? Would any of them survive long enough to even know if Hajime and the other Furies could be cured? Would Souji's condition improve, or was the way he felt now as much as the spring's water could offer him?

The one thing he knew for sure was that they didn't have forever. But they had this moment.

As Souji lay on the futon, Chizuru and Hajime sat by the fire. It was a nice, large hearth, and Souji wondered if this had once been a family room. But any family that might have shared it was long gone now, leaving only Chizuru to carry on their memory, and define her own meaning for this place.

Hajime watched the flying sparks, eyes a thousand miles away, while Chizuru watched him, and Souji watched them both. Chizuru turned to Souji and smiled affectionately. "Are you warm enough, Souji?" she asked.

Souji smiled back. "Yes," he said, opening his arms wide. "But I could stand to be warmer."

"Um," said Chizuru. She looked to Hajime, who blinked at her unhelpfully. "H-Hajime, Souji says he's cold, so I was...going to lie next to him, if that's ok?"

"Chizuru," he said, with a small smile. "You don't need to ask my permission. Souji and you and I...we are all bound together equally, but also free within that binding to act as we see fit." He paused. "At least, that is how I am inclined to see it. Otherwise I would not have kissed you without asking Souji." He frowned, and looked at Souji with a expression of sudden concern. "Was that right?"

"I am not sure how much clearer I could have been about being ok with you kissing Chizuru," said Souji. "But yeah, that sounds good to me. I certainly don't see how I have any right to tell you guys what you can and can't do with each other...just each other though. If you sleep with, like, Sakamoto, I'll kill you."

"Sakamoto?!" said Chizuru. "Why would I...wait, were you jealous even back then?"

"Maybe," said Souji. "Anyway, are we agreed?"

"Yes," said Chizuru. "Anything that happens between you and Hajime is fine. Um." She stood up self consciously. "So I guess I'm going to lie down."

"That was a lot of talking just to get you into bed," said Souji as she snuggled up next to him, "Considering how often I've done it before."

"Yes, but...it's different now," she said.

"True," said Souji. "We're lovers now. You should take off your clothes." He tried to keep the nervousness from his voice. They could always pretend it was a joke, if he'd misread her and this wasn't what she wanted.

"Souji!" She slapped him lightly and moved a little away from him. But she sounded secretly pleased, and hadn't moved far enough that he couldn't reach out and touch her. So he did so, pulling gently at her kimono with a pretend look of confusion on his face. She pushed his hand away. "We're not...we haven't even..."

He pulled her to him. She was stronger than him, and they both knew it, but she pretended not to have any choice in the matter and made a sound of protest as he held her over him by the wrists. He would have much rather have held himself over her but he wouldn't have been able to maintain it for very long and he had no interest in rushing things. Souji looked up and locked eyes with Hajime, who looked a little embarrassed to have been caught watching. Souji winked. As if Hajime being there wasn't half the fun.

"Haven't kissed?" he whispered into her ear. "Do you want me to fix that?"

"...mmm," she said, so he did. Her lips were soft, and she smelled smokey and sweet. She let him take the lead at first, but then overcame him with her energetic enthusiasm, sucking at his tongue and pushing down on his hands. Eventually he had to let go and pull away to catch his breath and cough. She looked at him with a mixture of self consciousness and concern, her lips gone a captivating red. He moved back towards her and brushed his fingers against her face, put his hand against her back and felt her warmth against him. He pulled her down to him again, kissing along her jaw and sucking on her ear before biting gently on her neck.

"Ahhh?" She sounded confused and breathless.

"Hajime made it look like fun," he said. "I wanted to try it."

"Souji," said Hajime, sounding a little distressed. "Don't."

"Did you hate that?" he asked Chizuru.

"...no," she said, blushing. "I. Um. Don't hate that sort of thing."

"Me either," he said, with a smile.

"Oh!" she said. "Um. Would you like me to, uh..."

That hadn't been what he'd intended, and he laughed. She looked embarrassed, and he felt bad. "You can do whatever you like to me," he said, attempting a half lidded stare. From the look on her face, it seemed to work.

"Ah," she said, going pink. She stared at him and her lips went thin as she tried to overcome her self consciousness. "Um. Sorry. It's not that you're not..." She burst into giggles and rolled off him. "Ahhhhh!" She put her hands over her face. "Sorry!"

He rolled onto his side and put his hand on her shoulder. "It's ok," he said. "That was super cute. And it's my own fault for teasing you." He'd meant every word, but could tell she was at about her limit. That and she was very invested in being the sort of good girl who didn't express an unseemly amount of interest in anything sexual. He was going to have to work on that.

"Yes it is," said Chizuru. "I need to...wait!" She looked up ."Hajime! You can come defend me from Souji!"

There was a pause, as Hajime considered this. "What would you like me to do to him," he asked.

"AHHHHH," said Chizuru. "Noooo, Hajime."

Hajime laughed and walked towards them, kneeling down next to Chizuru. "You seem distressed," he said. She pouted up at him. He carefully reached down and put his hand on her face, and her expression became gentler. "Would you like me to join you?" he asked.

"Oh," said Chizuru.

"I would," said Souji. "If Chizuru's sick of us she can go sit by the fire."

"I didn't say that," said Chizuru. "I just want..." She sighed. "I don't know exactly. But it definitely involves the two of you, whatever it is."

Hajime smiled and slipped under the covers beside her, sitting up on one elbow to smile at Chizuru and Souji. "Then here we are," he said.

"We could try all kissing at once," said Souji. "Sounds messy though."

"I would rather not," said Hajime.

"Then. Um. What do you want, Hajime?" asked Chizuru. She slowly reached over and touched a lock of his hair, gently rubbing it between her fingers. When he didn't answer, she moved her hand to his neck. They stared at each other, faces flushed. She must have found the answer in his eyes, because she rolled over and kissed him.

Souji found himself facing Chizuru's back, watching Hajime's hand twitch against Chizuru's kimono as Hajime tried to decide how hard it would be ok to clutch at her. It was a very nice back, and Souji ran his hand down it, then pulled himself closer, letting his arm cross Chizuru to rest on Hajime's side, feeling the back of Hajime's hand against his belly. Hajime had tilted himself so that only his face and arms were touching Chizuru, because the man had no idea how to have fun.

Souji put his lips to the back of Chizuru's neck, feeling her soft hair against his face. He kissed down her shoulder and pulled at Hajime's hips so that the three of them were pushed up against each other and and was rewarded by hearing the other two gasp. They broke their kiss to breathe and Hajime looked attractively overwhelmed as he blinked at Souji over Chizuru's shoulder.

Souji ran his hand down Chizuru's side, and felt her shiver. Her hips were wider than Hajime's, and softer, and he gave them an experimental squeeze. "Your body feels very nice," he said.

She gave a small self conscious laugh. "Thank you. Your, um. Hand feels nice."

"Would you mind if I stole Hajime for a little while?"

She shook her head, and rolled back onto her back to give Hajime room to move, looking attractively disheveled. Hajime looked at her, laid out in front of him across the most efficient path to Souji, and had a visible moment of panic.

Souji snickered, and then had to cough, sitting up to wheeze and hack and catch his breath. He heard Chizuru make a small sound of concern and felt her lean across and rub her hand against his back.

"It's fine," he said. "I'm just dying of tuberculosis." He looked over at Hajime. "Feel free to take your time getting over here."

Hajime gave Souji a wry look then moved past Chizuru with his usual grace. Hajime and Chizuru shared an affectionate glance as their bodies brushed against each other. How strange it was, to see the two people he loved in love with each other and feel only joy.

Hajime kneeled in front of him. "I await your command," he said, looking at Souji through his eyelashes, and, well. That was certainly something. Souji felt his cheeks burn and his mind go blank.

"What do you think, Chizuru?" he said, putting one hand delicately on Hajime's chest. He ran his fingers down the tight fabric of Hajime's coat and Hajime closed his eyes. "Hmm. I might need a little help with these buttons."

He looked over at Chizuru, who was clearly struggling with the competing thoughts I should be helpful and TAKING HAJIME'S CLOTHES OFF? "Um," she said.

Silently, Hajime reached up and undid the buttons on his jacket. Considering how often Souji had seen Hajime naked it really shouldn't be this sexy to see a little more of his still-clothed body but it was sexy as hell.

"Oh," he said. He put his hand to Hajime's chest and felt himself shake. Hajime opened his eyes and then very slowly put his hand on Souji's face. Souji grabbed onto Hajime and pulled him close. He could feel Hajime's heart beating fast inside his chest. "Don't hold back," he whispered, and kissed him.

Souji bit at Hajime's lower lip and Hajime groaned and they fell down onto the bed, legs tangling, teeth jarring as they continued to kiss. Souji grasped Hajime as hard as his weak hands would let him, while Hajime held himself up over Souji with one hand and pulled at his clothes with the other.

Chizuru made a small noise, apparently enjoying this as much as Souji was. Hajime stiffened and looked over at her in alarm, having apparently forgotten she was there. Souji took the opportunity to try and catch his breath. Maybe he needed Hajime to hold back a little.

"I'm sorry," said Chizuru. Hajime reached over and patted her hair reassuringly, then leaned down to give her a her small kiss, much more gentle than the one he'd just been sharing with Souji. But Souji had no complaints about that.

"We should sleep," said Hajime. "It has been a taxing day for all of us."

"Spoilsport," said Souji, though he was feeling pretty exhausted.

"There's always tomorrow," said Chizuru. "And every day after that."

Souji rolled over to hold onto her. "That's a promise?"

"Yes," said Chizuru, putting her hand on his. "Every day until forever."

"Yes," said Hajime, smiling. And somehow Souji believed them both.

"Then it's a promise," said Souji. "I'll give all that I am to keep it, too."

They curled up in each other's arm, warm and safe, and Souji drifted off into a deep and happy sleep.