Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuouki, only my OC.

Short Prologue/ Bio of OC:

Name- Hibari Yuki

Age-(beginning of anime) 17

Sex- Female

Birthday- January 3

Hair color- Dark brown, almost black/pure white when in oni form

Eye color- Chocolate brown/glowing dark violet in oni form

Species- Full blooded oni

Overall appearance- Has a beautiful face and curvy figure. Grows oni horns like Kazama in his true form when turning to her own true form. When not disguised as a male, she prefers wearing kimonos or kunoichi wear. Always has ninja gear on underneath her male disguise or kimonos.

Background- Was born in the United States present day, but returned to home land of Japan to learn more about her origins and strange abilities.

Personality- A feminist, can be overzealous at times, and has a deep mistrust of humans, men in particular as her worst fear is to be broken in spirit. Does not feel much sympathy or feelings towards anyone, she assumes it's her oni nature at first, but when she does feel it's very powerful and deep. As an effect, if one earns her loyalty and respect, they have it for life, if one earns her affection, she will protect them fiercely, and if one earns her love, she will never leave your side. Is naturally perceptive and can sometimes be brash or frightening with her observations, especially when angered. Difficult to anger and please unless you know what to look for.

Skills- Obsessed with Japanese culture and history and therefore an expert. Oni ability of super strength speed and healing, can also do that vanishing act. Started learning ninjutsu in America and further continued her studies in Japan, also learning the way of the sword. A silver tongue and seductress when necessary, master of disguises, and talented singer(she can hypnotize people with her oni power). Is most well versed with a katana, ninja tools, and tonfa.

Hobbies- Likes to sing, train, do calligraphy, and paint. Enjoys naps, tea, and snacks. Finds peace by meditating or simply staring at beautiful scenery, including just staring at the sky for hours on end. Likes to cuddle(since she's never liked anyone she cuddles with animals, cute animals). When in the modern day she loved watching anime and reading manga(learned and mastered most of her oni skills through studying historical fantasy anime/manga).

Current situation- After finding herself in a fatal accident after saving a puppy from being run over, her oni abilities seemed to do something to save her and took her battered form(from getting hit by a large van) to the past. Yukimura Toudou and his daughter find her and nurse her back to health and when she gets over the shock of seeing the characters from Hakuouki and being in the past, she swears to protect Chizuru with everything she has.

(Story start)

"Run, Chizuru-sama! Don't turn around!" Yuki urged her only precious person in this world, one delicate hand firmly on the hilt of her blade, ready to turn and kill their pursuers if necessary. Yuki turned to once again look at the two men's unmemorable faces, their familiarity bringing home just how momentous the next few days was going to be.

'This is it, it's finally happening. The beginning of the end for so many...I need to change things, make sure they live, but it will be difficult when most of them chose their deaths...' Yuki thought sullenly to herself, having already resolved herself to their eventual deaths and her more than likely inability to save them.

"Turn left, don't stop," Yuki urged as they reached the corner. "Hide behind the barrels!" Yuki instructed, not turning around to make sure as she brushed away their footsteps from the increasing snow and mud on the ground.

"Yuki," Chizuru whispered urgently towards her as their pursuers sounded closer. Yuki silently acknowledged her urging and quickly hid behind the barrels as well, crouching protectively in front of Chizuru in case they were discovered.

"Damn, where did the go?" The younger voice sounded.

"The rats are fast," they heard the older say, irking Yuki a little.

"Stop making excuses, find her!" The first barked. Yuki's eyes steeled when the younger one went in their direction, unsheathing his blade. Yuki's thumb pressed against the guard of her blade, her other hand firmly on the hilt to prepare for a quick draw and death. She would not allow Chizuru to burden her innocent soul with the death of some unworthy cur. Apparently it wasn't necessary as they heard the sound of someone being killed, letting out a guttural cry of death that called the attention of the one nearing them.

"Yoichi! Wh-who are you?!" The man called, obviously intimidated if not afraid of whoever had killed his partner. He didn't last long as he ran towards the assailant and got himself killed. A creepy high pitched, insane laughter followed the slaughter and Yuki easily recognized the approaching two assailants as the abominations they were. Her grip on her blade tightened as Chizuru looked to the scene in horror and shock.

"What?" She breathed in a whisper. Yuki grimaced in disgust as one continued to stab at the man he had slain, grinning maniacally and obviously out of his mind. The one that had gotten close to us managed to land a solid slash on his insane opponent, not that it did much beside make it laugh more in that high pitched horror movie voice.

"Wh-what's with these guys?!" The man exclaimed in fright. Yuki's face tightened as she felt Chizuru shivering in fear behind her, unable to give her comfort while she was on guard. She flinched and blinked when the man was stabbed before watching in wide eyed horror as the abomination continually stabbed and slashed until the man fell right in front of them. Yuki glared fiercely at the creature when it set its sights upon them, her only emotion at the moment anger, anger at how these creatures were conceived, and anger at the threat they now posed to her precious person.

Yuki moved as soon as the creature raised its blade, ignoring Chizuru's shouts of fright and piercing the creature through his vitals with her blade before she had even finished shouting. Yuki had to sidestep as she stabbed through the creature as another blade had come out of it from the other side. Both Yuki and the mysterious swordsman elegantly pulled their blades out of the creature, their backs facing one another as they slashed their swords clean of its blood and resheathed their swords in a smooth, practiced motion.

"Ah~, what a pity," Yuki went to crouch protectively in front of Chizuru again when another man rounded the corner, "I wanted to kill them both myself. You were fast this time, Saitou-kun." Yuki no longer needed confirmation on who these two were, not that she had needed it before, but knowing something was going to happen and seeing it on a small laptop screen was entirely different from experiencing it first hand.

"I only did as my duty required," Saitou replied simply. Yuki glared at Okita when he turned to them with a menacing smirk. She had never liked his horrible sense of humor and flamboyant attitude, even if she did respect his loyalty and chosen death. Yuki didn't even flinch when she remained in front of Chizuru as a third man, the most familiar to her, made himself known and pointed his blade at her throat.

"Listen, don't try to run," he commanded in a gruff, deep voice that Yuki had come to know so well in a different life. The wind had begun to blow, sending the snowflakes into a flurry and making his long silky hair billow like wisteria branches, "if you try to run I'll kill you," he warned. Yuki's breath caught when she took in the image he portrayed, his weaving black hair, and the falling snow illuminated by the moonlight. It truly was like watching an off-seasonal cherry blossom blooming. Yuki was snapped out of her reverie when she turned in time to catch Chizuru after she fainted.

"Not again..."Yuki murmured to herself as she cradled the smaller girl gently and protectively to her.

"My my, did she faint because you scared her, Hijikata-san?" Okita teased the stern man. Yuki stiffened when Okita kneeled in front of them, making her back into the wall to stay as far away from him as possible, only making him smirk in return.

"Ara? Are you her lover or something?" He questioned Yuki, both annoying and relieving her as his question meant that her male disguise was as flawless as ever. She had changed into it as soon as they entered the city, wearing a yukata tucked into hakama that were bandaged around her shins and ankles, going down into tabi-less soundless straw sandals. She also wore a loose scarf around her neck to hide her lack of an Adam's apple and wore her long, soft hair in a male's topknot. It was easier to move around in her male disguise, especially silently and as always her kunoichi clothes were present beneath, her cumbersome breasts bandaged tightly to her chest to make her look flat.

"Do not speak of Chizuru-sama in such a disrespectful manner, cur," Yuki spat, making Okita smirk again.

"Vice-captain, what do we do with the bodies?" Saitou asked.

"Just remove their coats and let the inspectors handle the rest," Hijikata replied.

"What do we do with these two?" Okita asked next, not taking his eyes of of the two, amused by Yuki's fierce glares at his person. She let her glare drop to an emotionless expression when Hijikata looked her way.

"As long as Chizuru-sama is unharmed I swear to follow you voluntarily," Yuki murmured politely, bowing as well as she could from her crouched position as she held Chizuru protectively to her chest.

"We'll take them back to the headquarters with us," Hijikata answered.

"Eh? Is it safe not to kill them?" On instinct at the words, Yuki's hand flew to the hilt of her blade, making all their eyes sharpen at her speed. "They saw what happened," Okita continued, tearing his eyes away from them to look at his superior.

"We'll decide what to do with them after we return," Hijikata stated as he turned and walked away.

Yuki said nothing as Okita tightened the final knot of rope on her to keep her confined, Saitou supervising the whole thing. Yuki sat stiff and cross legged in front of the futon they had bound and gagged the still unconscious Chizuru in, clearly upset at her treatment, but knowing better than to complain. She remained silent as they got up to leave, only speaking up(as they hadn't gagged her) when Okita had finally left, Saitou about to make his exit as well.

"Saitou-san," Yuki called softly, making the man pause at the door. "I realize that it is rather shameless to make a request as your captive, but I must ask," she continued. Saitou made it known that he was listening by staying and inclining his head in her direction. Yuki nodded once, sharply, in Chizuru's direction.

"Would you please cover Chizuru-sama with that blanket? My hands are tied," Yuki said wryly, "and I do not wish for Chizuru-sama to catch a cold," she finished more softly, the affection and concern for the younger girl clear in her tone. At first Yuki thought that he would not accept her request and leave when he didn't move, but she hid her surprise when Saitou silently made his way over to Chizuru and draped the blanket over her before leaving, giving her and Yuki one more glance before shutting the door behind him.

"Do not try to speak or swallow, Chizuru-sama. I don't want you to choke on your gag," Yuki murmured softly to Chizuru when she saw the girl slowly awake to a frenzy. She stopped squirming to look at Yuki's still bound form, sitting in the same place as the night before, never having moved from her constant vigilance of her charge. Her eyes shifted slowly around the room as a single pair of footsteps approached them and entered the room, revealing a kind looking, middle aged man.

"Are you awake?" He commented more than asked as he saw her eyes were open. He only glanced at Yuki, who had her eyes deceptively closed, still sitting ramrod straight and stiff. "I'm sorry you were treated like this," he apologized sincerely with a frown. He seemed ready to approach Yuki when she stopped him.

"Chizuru-sama first," Yuki stated sharply. The man paused and nodded, taking the blanket off the younger girl to reveal the same bindings Yuki had on her.

"I'll untie the ropes. Please wait a moment," he said reassuringly. "Ah, that Souji...being tied so tightly must have been rough," he sympathized as he untied the harsh ropes. "Could you get up?" He asked as he finished, proceeding to untie the cloth around her face. "Also take that from your mouth," he instructed kindly, Yuki's hands clasping tightly into fists when she spit out the cloth-ball they had stuffed in her mouth. It was very difficult for Yuki to allow them to bind her so when she could have escaped with her at any time, but all of this had to happen so she couldn't stop it. She stayed silent as the man untied her next.

"A-ano, where is this place?" She hesitantly asked the man, understandably frightened by the situation but not letting herself panic. "Who are you...?"

"Ah, pardon me. I am Inoue Genzaburo," he answered. "This is the Shinsengumi's headquarters."

"Shinsengumi?!" Chizuru repeated in shock, mildly surprising the man at her outburst before he smiled kindly.

"You don't need to be afraid," he held up the rope that had tied both of them. "Can you two come with me for a bit?" He asked, as if they had a choice. Yuki was only glad that they hadn't done more than take their swords. Yuki had long ago learned the value of hiding weapons on her body. A small blade and some senbon were hidden between the cleavage of her bound breasts and shuriken and kunai were tied securely to her hips and inner thighs. There were even hidden blades tied under the bandages on her shins and fore arms that she could employ at any time. The warm metal on her skin reassured her that she wasn't entirely defenseless.

"Go in," Inoue instructed gently after opening the door for them, their hands tied together.

"Good morning," Okita greeted first, surprising Chizuru and making her look at the assembled group. "Did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Ah," Chizuru breathed in recognition of the man.

"It looks like she did," he said with a smirk. "She has the tatami mat's pattern on her face.

"Eh?" Chizuru said in panic, putting her bound hands to her face in embarrassment.

"Stop it, Souji. She'll think it's true," Saitou scolded coolly, his gaze intent on Chizuru as she looked at him in surprise. "There aren't any tatami mat patterns," he told her.

"You slept on a futon, Chizuru-sama..." Yuki murmured to her, making her flush as it seemed to have slipped her mind.

"That's mean, Hajime-kun. You didn't have to tell her," Okita said with that same infuriating smirk, making Chizuru look at him with disapproval.

"That's enough," Hijikata barked, "cut the idle chatter."

"Ye~s," Okita said with a pout, looking away.

"Are those the witnesses?" A young boy that looked Chizuru's age asked. "You're pretty skinny for a guy," he said to Yuki, "and you're so slim and small, are you still a kid?" He asked Chizuru. Yuki scoffed at Heisuke, amused.

"You can't say 'kid' to anyone, Heisuke!" Shinpachi said boisterously with a grin, ruffling the kid's hair.

"That's right!" Sanosuke agreed with a matching grin. "From all the saints and sages point of view, you're both similar," he teased.

"Shut up!" Heisuke shouted as he slapped away Shinpachi's hand. "The old men should shut up!" Shinpachi only smirked and smacked his hand back down on Heisuke's head.

"What did you say, little kid?" He taunted.

"I don't think I'm old enough to be called old man by you," Sanosuke said, joining in. "I can't speak for Shinpachi, but I'm not!" He declared, pointing his thumb proudly at himself.

"Teme! Are you betraying me, Sano?!" Shinpachi turned to glare at Sanosuke.

"Will the three of you cut it out already!" Kondou barked this time, recapturing everyone's attention. Yuki snickered silently into her scarf at the scene.

"I'm sorry for all the gossip," San'nan apologized to them. "Please don't be afraid," he said with a kind smile. "Well, close that and sit down."

"Yes," Yuki was the one to answer as she motioned for Chizuru to sit while she closed the door and did the same, sitting rigidly beside Chizuru and ready to protect her at a moment's notice.

"I'm the leader of the Shinsengumi, Kondou Isami," Kondou introduced as soon as they were seated. "This is captain San'nan," he looked to his right and Yuki's lips trembled as she had to hold back laughing at the way Hijikata had started frowning at his leader. "And this person is Toshi-" he turned to Hijikata, "I mean, Hijikata Toshizu, the vice-captain-"

"Kondou-san!" Hijikata finally snapped. "Why are you telling them all this?" He questioned in exasperation.

"Nn?" Kondou furrowed his brows comically. "I-is that bad?" he asked, making Yuki bite her lip not to laugh at their leader.

"You don't have to introduce yourself to the person you are going to interrogate," Shinpachi said, raising his hands in a universal 'of course' gesture.

"Well, that over-formality is just like you," Sanosuke dismissed easily. Kondou looked troubled and cleared his throat to try and divert his slip.

"Well, let's discuss the main topic," he stated.

"Very subtle," Yuki commented with a smirk under her breath, making Chizuru elbow her in warning of saying her smartass comments out loud.

"First, let me hear about what happened last night, Saitou-kun," Kondou instructed.

"Last night, failed warriors encountered rebels in the city. It ended in a fight, but we dealt with them," he answered concisely, "these people witnessed that fight," he stated as he turned to them. Yuki put a hand on Chizuru's arm telling her to let the older do the talking.

"We saw nothing," Yuki replied calmly, her eyes closed and her face the picture of serenity.

"Really?" Heisuke asked skeptically.

"We saw nothing," Yuki repeated just as calmly as before, Chizuru looking more frazzled by the second at the suddenly tense atmosphere.

"Hmm, then it's okay," Heisuke said dismissively.

"Eh? But according to what Souji said, you helped the warriors," Shinpachi laid the trap.

"We don't know what you're talking about. We are not affiliated with any group or persons besides ourselves," Yuki sidestepped the trap smoothly.

"That's right! We were running away from the rebels. Then the Shinsengumi came, so we were kind of saved by them," then Chizuru blurt out the truth and jumped right into it. Yuki stared wide eyed at her charge before looking at her reproachfully.

"Chizuru-sama!" But the reprimand came too late.

"Then you saw very well when the warriors killed the rebels, didn't you?" Shinpachi questioned.

Eh?" Yuki sighed, her brows furrowing when Chizuru seemed to just realize she had fallen for their trick.

"Too bad for your friend, you're really honest," Sanosuke commented and Yuki only let out a long suffering sigh of agreement, Chizuru looking at her repentantly. "That isn't bad, but..."

"Come on, let's kill them. It's the best way to silence them," Okita said with a scoff and that smirk. Yuki stiffened at his words, her hands twitching for a weapon.

"But!" Chizuru exclaimed.

"Don't say such outrageous things!" Kondou reprimanded. "The authorities of the country can't kill innocent people like that!"

"Don't make that face," Okita chuckled. "It was just a joke."

"Only say jokes that sound like jokes," Saitou stated blandly.

"Please!" Chizuru pleaded as Yuki sat stiffly beside her, never having begged anything from anyone and not about to start. "We won't say anything to anyone!"

"That's enough, take them away," Hijikata stated with his eyes closed, turning away slightly. Yuki observed him quietly. It seemed he also didn't like the idea of taking innocent lives, though Yuki already knew that. He really was a softie. Saitou stood and grabbed her roughly by the arm, already knowing Yuki would follow without question.

"Eh?!" She turned to Hijikata as she was being dragged away, Yuki looking away in self loathing for allowing the rough treatment. "Please! Forgive us! We won't say anything by any means!" She shouted desperately as she was dragged out of the room. Yuki paused at the door and bowed at the assembled group before following after Saitou and Chizuru.

"Please trust us! Please, I really...!" Yuki flinched when Saitou shoved Chizuru into the room, Yuki quickly rushing to her side.

"Chizuru-sama!" Yuki looked reproachfully up at Saitou and she was glad to see a short lasting glimmer of reproach before he stared down at them icily.

"Prepare for the worst," he warned. "It won't turn out well for you." Yuki closed her eyes before they could darken at just how true his words were, though he didn't know it. Yuki only moved to comfort Chizuru when she was sure that Saitou had left for sure.

"It'll turn out fine, Chizuru-sama, you'll see," Yuki cooed at her comfortingly, only ever acting this tender with her or with animals.

"Chizuru-sama," she didn't look up from where she was staring at the rope that once bound them. "Have you decided?" Yuki prodded the silent girl gently.

"If we stay here, we'll surely be killed. They took our swords...those men will surely prioritize the Shinsengumi's convenience over ours," Chizuru murmured thoughtfully, making Yuki nod in approval. "We have to escape," she stated with conviction. Yuki bowed in her direction with a smile.

"Of course, Chizuru-sama," the two stood together and carefully made their way out. Yuki already knew it was a lost cause, but that didn't stop her senses from sharpening at the situation. Already she could tell Hijikata had caught them. They didn't even round the corner before Hijikata grabbed Chizuru by her collar and Yuki by her wrist, twisting it around behind her back to incapacitate her when she attempted to swat away his hand from grabbing her collar like Chizuru. She didn't need him to get a closer look at the bindings on her chest.

"Idiots, did you think you could run away?" He asked in disbelief.

"Better than waiting to be executed..." Yuki muttered to herself, getting a long glance from Hijikata before Chizuru began to panic.

"Please let me go!" She demanded politely. Yeah, definitely like Chizuru.

"If you run away, I'll kill you. I think I told you two last night," Hijikata reminded. She started to flail her feet in the air.

"If we don't escape, you'll kill us anyway, won't you?" She accused. "We can't die yet!" She shouted as she squirmed in his grasp, reaching back to try to pry his hand off. Hijikata glanced curiously at Yuki when she seemed to be simply standing still, not struggling at all. "There are still things I must...do..." Hijikata returned his stern gaze to Chizuru and put her down slowly, surprising her. He slowly released Yuki as well, wondering at how Yuki simply let her hand drop to her side, not putting up resistance at all.

"If you have reasons strong enough to risk your lives, try speaking about them," Hijikata offered, though his expression was anything but welcoming. Yuki already knew it was almost always like that. Chizuru recovered from her surprise and nodded in determination.

"My name is Yukimura Chizuru," she started, not looking at anyone as she spoke. "It was about six months ago..." she spoke of how he went to the capital for a month. "My father sent me letters as he promised. Even before I replied to them, he sent them almost everyday. But his letters stopped coming after the first month." Yuki closed her eyes as she remembered how worried Chizuru had become after that. "Matsumoto-sensei, who I was depending on, was away as well. I was feeling so uneasy, so we went to the capital, but...I didn't know where my father was. Then in the middle of our trip, we were attacked by those rebels," Chizuru explained.

"I see..." Kondou said with a troubled expression. "You came from the distant Edo to see your father. That must have been tough," he sympathized.

"So, that's why a little girl is wearing men's clothes," Hijikata stated with eyes closed. Kondou nodded before he snapped his eyes open in surprise.

"What?!" He looked to Chizuru. "A girl?!" Shinpachi and Heisuke both seemed shocked at the revelation as well.

"You're a girl?!" Shinpachi exclaimed.

"Is that a joke?!" Heisuke shouted next. Kondou groaned in frustration.

"Really...Kondou, Isami, Souji..." he smacked his forehead. "Don't tell me you didn't know she was a girl!" Okita raised his hands in a nonchalant shrug.

"She's obviously a girl," he said easily.

"Even if you say it...how do you prove it?" Shinpachi asked, making Yuki snap her eyes open and glare at him fiercely.

"Prove?" Chizuru repeated innocently.

"Then how about you take off your clothes," Sanosuke suggested jokingly. Yuki did not take the joke well.

"Care to repeat that, you uncultured swine?!" Yuki growled at Sanosuke, making everyone look at her in surprise as they'd almost forgotten she was there. She had stayed so still and silent so far.

"Ah, that's right. Who are you?" Okita questioned bluntly. Yuki turned her sharp glare to him.

"Hibari Yuki," she spat out at him.

"And what are you doing accompanying a girl dressed as a boy?" Shinpachi asked, leaning away with a nervous grin when she turned her icy glare to him.

"Chizuru-sama and her father nursed be back to health and housed me after finding me injured and abandoned on the street. After recovering I swore to pay off the debt and serve Chizuru-sama faithfully. Even dressed as a boy, it would have been dangerous for her to travel alone. I would not allow that." Chizuru nodded in agreement and spoke in her defense, to verify her story.

"Yuki kind of became my father's apprentice, though she didn't really need to as Yuki is well versed in medical knowledge, and knows even more about medicine, especially western medicine than my father. Yuki has stayed by my side and sworn to protect me," Chizuru said warmly.

"I see you did a wonderful job. Didn't we meet when we saved you from getting killed?" Okita mocked. Yuki growled impressively at him, surprising the others as she partially crouched.

"You didn't do anything, cur! Saitou-san was the one who killed the enemies and even without his help I had the situation well under control!" Yuki snarled at him, angered that he questioned her ability to protect Chizuru. Okita looked ready to retort when Saitou spoke up.

"Yuki-san is correct. Both our blades pierced through their assailant. Both of our attacks were killing blows that could have ended him independently," Saitou stated, making Yuki nod at him in gratitude and settle back down. Okita scowled and looked ready to retort when San'nan spoke up.

"Well, let's calm down a little," he said, looking to Chizuru then. "You said your name is Yukimura Chizuru?" He questioned politely, his expression and tone putting Yuki on edge as she stiffened. "Maybe your father is Yukimura Koudou, the Western medicine doctor?" San'nan prodded. Chizuru's eyes widened at the name and she leaned forward quickly.

"Do you know my father?" She asked eagerly while Yuki looked more on guard, knowing what the shift in atmosphere and heightened hostility at the mention of the name meant.

"So, she's Koudou-san's daughter?" Kondou asked.

"Hey, how much do you know?" Hijikata questioned Chizuru rudely.

"How much?" Chizuru asked curiously.

"Don't play dumb," he bit out. "I'm talking about Koudou-san."

"What do you mean?" She fully turned to Hijikata now. "Has something happened to my father?" She asked in alarm.

"It happened a month ago," Saitou answered instead. "There was a fire in the clinic your father was working in. Since then, he's been missing," he explained as Chizuru turned to him.

"Eh?!" She exclaimed in shock and devastation.

"It's mysterious, his body hasn't been found among the rubble," San'nan said. "There's a possibility that he's involved in some case."

"We are also looking for him," Hijikata finished. "If you say that you will forget everything about last night, we can protect you until we find Koudou-san." Hijikata stated seriously.

"Eh?" Chizuru was confused at the offer.

"Don't worry, we'll surely find your father!" Kondou said with a grin.

"Thank you very much!" Chizuru said sincerely.

"It's great you weren't killed," Okita commented, giving Chizuru a too happy smile, "at least for now."

"Y-yes," Chizuru nodded and replied hesitantly.

"Well, if she's a girl, we have to treat her better," Shinpachi stated with his own easy going smile.

"You have a soft spot for girls, Shinpachi-san, but it's too early to revert the situation," Heisuke grumbled.

"It's okay if you consider our quarters will be more cheerful, not only Shinpachi is happy!" He stated.

"But if we can't treat her as a warrior, we will have to think about how we will be treating her," San'nan observed.

"Then all we have to do is put her under someone's charge, like Kondou-san or San'nan-san," Hijikata suggested in exasperation.

"I'm sorry Hijikata-san. I say the one who proposed it is to assume responsibility," Okita stated slyly. Yuki hid her smile of amusement at Hijikata's shocked expression behind her scarf.

"Yeah, if she's with Toshi, she'll be safe," Kondou stated with confidence, making him look to him in surprise.

"Then it's decided, Hijikata-kun," San'nan added with that too nice smile. "We are counting on you to watch over her." Yuki couldn't hold back the silent snickers at his consternation.

"As expected from our vice-captain, we can rely on him!" Shinpachi boasted teasingly. Hijikata's eyes shifted to the trio in the back.

"That's good!" Sanosuke agreed just as tauntingly.

"Y-you guys," Hijikata ground out in irritation. Shinpachi only laughed.

"Did I say something bad?" he questioned innocently.

"You wished to speak with me without Chizuru-sama being present?" Yuki questioned the suddenly serious group quietly. Chizuru had been escorted back after being reassured by Yuki that she would soon join her.

"She said that you were Koudou-san's apprentice?" San'nan asked curiously, obviously more than just curious.

"How much do you know?" Hijikata repeated his previous question.

"Of what specifically are you asking about?" Yuki asked in return, sounding detached and only mildly interested.

"Don't play dumb! You don't appear nearly as innocent as your charge," Hijikata ground out, making Yuki huff in amusement and smirk. This seemed to only annoy him.

"Why should I tell you anything?" Yuki questioned in amusement. "I'm not exactly getting much in return now am I? After all I'm technically your captive. Does this mean you're going to really start and interrogate me?" Yuki looked around blandly. "I don't see any torture devices here. Are they perhaps in a separate room?" Yuki goaded.

"Enough! Do you know something or not?!" Hijikata snapped, making Yuki frown petulantly before she took on a serious, blank expression eerily similar to Saitou's, making them all straighten at her sudden change in aura.

"Fine," Yuki said softly. "I suppose I owe you some form of debt for not immediately going after Chizuru-sama's life and deciding not to kill her," Yuki stated. She closed her eyes as she sat in perfect posture. "I have not been with Chizuru-sama and her father long, only a few years at most and she used the term of 'apprentice' very loosely," Yuki informed.

"What do you mean?" Heisuke questioned curiously. Yuki opened one eye to glance at him before closing it again.

"I never officially became his apprentice, nor did I wish to, the most I helped him was being his assistant during more difficult treatments or surgeries. In fact I hardly hold any loyalty towards him as it was Chizuru-sama who nursed me back to health and hardly ever left my side when I was injured. I trust no one, not even Chizuru-sama, though I do care for her and protect her," they narrowed their eyes at her admission but seemed to understand, "so of course I did not trust her father. My mistrust of people breeds paranoia. I employ it in order to learn many things that would otherwise be kept hidden from me," Yuki answered simply, making the others look interested.

"And what was it that you learned?" San'nan asked. Yuki opened her eyes and stared at the group unblinkingly, the same blank expression on her face.

"Seeing as I do not know how much you know, and as this information can be dangerous in the wrong hands, I will keep things simple," some bristled at this but otherwise stayed quiet. "What I will say is that I learned all about the experimentation and research Koudou was ordered to do though he certainly tried very hard to hide it from me as well as his daughter," Yuki said the last with a chuckle, ignoring how they all stiffened at the first part of what she said.

"So you know," Hijikata said more than asked. Yuki only tilted her head to the side curiously, looking more than a little amused.

"Know what?" Hijikata glared, making Yuki raise her hands in mock surrender. "Never ask for more information than you are willing to give, Hijikata-san," Yuki stated seriously. "The information I have is dangerous and no doubt most of it matches your own knowledge, the rest will be revealed in time, when it is supposed to. Despite what I know I have yet to share this knowledge, or even the fact I have it to anyone but you people now," this seemed to surprise them, making Yuki smile at them in amusement.

"Did you think I would sell my information out to anyone willing to listen. I can hardly tolerate people as it is. I don't need them coming to me for dangerous information and trying to back stab me every chance they get," Yuki drawled, making some flinch. "But I'll make you guys the exception, if only because you 'spared' Chizuru and are willing to protect her. Consider this...a sign of trust and peace," Yuki suggested. "I swear upon my blade and honor that I will do nothing to harm or betray the group present." Some eyes narrowed at the phrasing of the promise, but were otherwise surprised and satisfied.

"Why should we trust you when you trust no one?" Hijikata questioned suspiciously. Yuki's cool gaze softened when she looked to him, surprising them all at how much emotion, how much calm she was showing.

"Chizuru-sama trusts me with her life despite knowing that I do not fully trust her," he said softly, again surprising them as they assumed Yuki hadn't told the younger of her mistrust. "I have yet to betray her trust in me. I ask that you extend me this same courtesy, or at least attempt to in order for me to prove my sincerity," Yuki stated, bowing lightly at them. They seemed to accept this. "I must say I'm rather impressed though," Yuki said after straightening again, looking at them with a smirk.

"What exactly is it your impressed with?" Kondou asked curiously.

"I am...a rather good judge of character and it helps me to know who I can at least trust enough not to attempt to kill me in my sleep," they looked intrigued.

"Are you are saying we all garner at least that small amount of trust?" San'nan questioned. Yuki chuckled.

"Oh, it is well beyond that, San'nan-san. My instincts are telling me that most of those in this room are those I can implicitly trust with my life, and if not with my life I can come to care for you as much as I do Chizuru-sama." Yuki continued to chuckle at their shocked expressions. "This is the first time I have met anyone besides Chizuru-sama that has given me this feeling. It is incredible, then, that I meet so many of them in the same room," Yuki explained, her gaze wandering over all of the and lingering the most on Saitou and Hijikata, remaining on Hijikata and staring at him unblinkingly. Her actions did not go unnoticed. It was silent and awkward and tense for a moment before Yuki smirked and stood, speaking at the same time, but never taking her eyes off of Hijikata.

"Well, this has been pleasant, but I feel I must get back to Chizuru-sama, she must be worried by now and it brings me unease to be away from her so long. She tends to attract danger without meaning to," Yuki commented sincerely. She turned and opened the door to leave, but not before turning to smile warmly at Hijikata, making his and everyone else's eyes widen at how beautiful she looked when she smiled like that. "Hijikata-san, I will give you the honor of being the first person, man or woman, that I trust implicitly. I trust that you will not betray my expectations," she said warmly, smile still in place before closing the door and leaving, but not before hearing some amusing things.

"H-he's a pretty boy!" Heisuke shouted.

"Guys aren't supposed to be that attractive!" Shinpachi yelled next.

"I swore I saw a woman in his place for a moment," Sanosuke muttered. I snickered at how close to the truth he was.

"Way to go, Hijikata-kun, it seems you have a love interest-" Okita started before Hijikata cut him off.

"Shut up! That wasn't what he meant!" Hijikata defended both Yuki and himself, making Yuki snicker to herself as she made her way back to Chizuru's side.

Yuki sighed as she quickly stripped out of her gear to put on more comfortable sleepwear. Chizuru already knew that she was a woman, but she didn't feel comfortable changing in front of anyone, including her so here she was changing in the bathroom. She knew the loose sleeping yukata would hide her noticeable bust well enough at night until she could come to the bathroom to change early in the morning so she decided to unwrap her breasts, uncomfortable sleeping with them on. She had already let her hair loose to cascade down her smooth back. It was when the bindings were sliding off soundlessly, loose from her unwrapping a few rolls, that someone unceremoniously slid open the door.

Yuki stared wide eyed at the one standing at the door, frozen in shock as more of the cloth slid off her ample breasts to reveal more creamy flesh. Standing in the doorway...was a frozen Hijikata equally as shocked as Yuki. The two only snapped out of it when the cloth slid low enough that it was starting to show her nipples. Yuki gasped and immediately crossed her arms over her breasts, turning away from him and hissing at him over her shoulder.

"Shut the door, you idiot!" Yuki snapped quietly at him, making him jump and do so, slamming the door shut in his own face. Yuki hurriedly took off her bindings and slid on the yukata top, rolling up the bandages and tucking it in her now properly worn yukata.

"Yuki-san..." Hijikata murmured from behind the closed door.

"Yes, Hijikata-san?" Yuki murmured sullenly back as she made her way over to the door after checking her clothes once more.

"...You're a woman?" He questioned hesitantly. For some reason his tone irritated her and she slid open the door harshly, startling him as she glared up at him, her arms crossed and accentuating her ample bust.

"Are you saying that I'm not attractive enough to be a woman? Am I not beautiful enough for you?" She questioned sharply.

"What? No! You make a very...beautiful woman. Very attractive!" He defended. "It's just-" his eyes began to wander down as if to verify that what he almost saw wasn't a hallucination.

"Hey!" Yuki snapped harshly, making Hijikata stiffen and look at her in surprise. "My eyes are up here! If you want to keep yours, I suggest they don't go any further than my neck anymore, got it?!" She threatened darkly. He snapped to attention and nodded once, urgently.

"I was just...rather surprised that you are a woman as well. Why not tell us when Chizuru's gender was revealed?" Hijikata questioned, getting to the point. Yuki sighed in frustration and looked away uncertainly, the look of hesitance making Hijikata regain the last of his composure.

"...it is a sad truth that men are better respected than woman. It is a harsh one when they are also much safer than women are. My true appearance is not as...innocent as Chizuru-sama's is and therefore I gain much more attention than her...much more unwanted attention," Yuki frowned as she remembered all the men, drunken or not, that had approached her and treated her as they would a whore from the red light district just because she had such showy curves in kimonos.

She hugged her body uncertainly, self conscious of the kind of image her body gave to others and making them think the worst of her just because she had the body for it. Yuki hadn't even held hands with a man before, she was as pure as Chizuru, she just didn't look it. Hijikata immediately realized what she meant, his eyes sharpening and narrowing in anger and disapproval at whoever had tried to take advantage of Yuki in the past.

"So you decided it'd be best for you to disguise yourself as a boy," Hijikata stated. Yuki nodded, still not looking to him.

"For my sake as well as Chizuru-sama's. I would not be the cause of her being put in unnecessary danger. I did not...did not want to be attacked by a group and unable to stop them from...from harming her if they had already found a way to...subdued me..." Yuki whispered softly, the pain in her voice at revealing her deepest fear to him evident and Hijikata was starting to understand her mistrust of people, especially men.

He knew that if such a horrible thing happened to her, women would condemn her because they would think she had asked for it, gotten paid for it even because she had the looks of a professional, and men would continue to take her against her will. She would be alone and it would only be worse if men went after Chizuru simply for being associated with her. He doubted someone that seemed as loyal as Yuki would be able to take that.

"I see..." Hijikata responded quietly, closing his eyes. Yuki stayed silent for a moment longer before speaking again.

"Hijikata-san," Hijikata snapped his eyes open at her serious tone, now softer and more melodic, more feminine. "If you tell anyone in any way that I am a woman, I swear on the gods that I will castrate you in your sleep, do you understand?" Yuki threatened, her voice low and menacing, her look even more so. Hijikata, despite himself, found that he was stiff, a shiver going down his spin as a cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck, his hair standing on end.

"Perfectly," Hijikata replied with almost no volume. Suddenly Yuki's face shifted from evil and menacing to a cheerful smile.

"Well, if that's all, I'll be returning to Chizuru-sama," she stated as she shuffled off, her walk, Hijikata noticed, holding a certain hypnotic rhythm that captured his attention. "Oh, and Hijikata-san," Hijikata stiffened and looked to her eyes, stunned when he realized that his eyes had unconsciously been lingering on her body, his eyes widened when he saw the warm, soft look on her face, her overall beauty suddenly taking on a loving, celestial look as she smiled warmly at him. "Sweet dreams," she murmured gently, once again taking Hijikata by surprise. He felt his cheeks heat slightly without his wanting to.

"A-ah," Hijikata managed to respond before Yuki finally turned and disappeared around the corner. The poor man was left standing there wondering what had just occurred while Yuki practically skipped to her room, in a much better mood after threatening someone.

(January of 1864, 4th year of the Bunkyuu Era)

Yuki watched silently as Chizuru slid open the circular window of their room, wondering if she would notice Okita standing guard. She stiffened and hugged herself when the chill hit her.

"Cold!" She murmured. Yuki stood and draped a coat over her shoulders.

"If you're going to stand by an open window during winter, at least wear a coat so you won't catch cold, Chizuru-sama," Yuki reprimanded softly. The girl looked up at her protector gratefully.

"Thank you, Yuki-kun," Chizuru said sincerely before turning her attention to the blade that once again rested at her hip. Yuki, as well, closed her eyes and placed her hand on the two blades resting against her hip once more, enjoying the sense of security she felt from their presence. Yuki quietly remembered the scene of Hijikata returning their weapons and prompting Chizuru to continue dressing as a boy, giving Yuki a discreet look that obviously meant for her to do the same. Yuki had only rolled her eyes at him, but gratefully accepted her swords back, smiling at him and surprising Okita and San'nan with how open and warm she was with him. They expected it towards Chizuru, but thought she would stay as cold and biting towards the others as usual. They didn't think Yuki would actually go through with her word of trusting Hijikata implicitly, but it was obvious she did, even if Hijikata didn't extend the same courtesy, especially considering he'd confined them to this room.

"Even so..." Yuki opened her eyes when Chizuru spoke, "when will I be able to go find my father?" She questioned softly to herself, closing her eyes and lowering her head, "maybe , we'll be confined here forever."

"I think that's just up to you," Okita said, making Chizuru's head snap up in surprise, her eyes opening as well. She recoiled when she saw Okita practically underneath the window of their room.

"Wh-why are you there, Okita-san?" Chizuru stuttered in alarm.

"What, you didn't notice me?" Okita questioned, making Yuki snicker. "I'll be watching over you during this hour."

"You forgot we are being watched, Chizuru-sama," Yuki murmured to her in quiet amusement, making Chizuru flush a little in embarrassment.

"Did you hear everything I said?" Chizuru asked him hesitantly.

"Un~" Okita replied with a happy smile, obviously enjoying her discomfort. Chizuru smiled helplessly and leaned against the window for support.

"The dinner is ready, shall we eat already?" Saitou questioned from where he stood in the hall, very close to where Okita was sitting...in other words, he was in hearing range.

"Saitou-san!" Chizuru exclaimed as she turned to the man holding the food trays. "Um, Saitou-san, were you there the entire time?" She asked nervously. The stoic man only nodded once in reply, making Chizuru sigh in despair, her cheeks reddening, much to Yuki's surprise. Was she embarrassed at being caught talking to herself by Saitou? Yuki didn't remember her reacting this strongly to Saitou in the anime.

"Hey," the approaching Heisuke caught Chizuru's attention. "It's time to eat," he announced, hand on his hip.

"I'll finish my job," Saitou stated seriously, looking at his younger companion. "You can eat before me."

"I see, Hijikata-san told you not to miss a movement of theirs," Okita observed as he stood.

"Then why don't you let them eat with us?" Heisuke suggested, pointing to them rudely.

"Eh?" Chizuru murmured, surprised at the boy's suggestion.

"Because I was told not to let her out of that room," Saitou replied just as seriously as he always did.

"It's okay! Hijikata-san is out to Osaka on a business trip," Heisuke stated easily. Okita raised a hand to his chin in thought before lowering it again.

"You're right, I get bored just watching them eat," Okita commented before taking a few steps, taking the trays from Saitou and handing them to Heisuke.

"Eh, why did you give them to me?" He asked.

"You were the one who proposed it," Okita replied with that easy smile of his.

"Well, let's go," he said as he walked off.

"E-eto," Chizuru stammered out uncertainly.

"You're late!" Shinpachi announced as soon as Okita slid the door open. "What are you going to do about my stomach grumbling?" he complained, his stomach actually grumbling to prove his words.

"I'm sorry, it's our fault," Chizuru apologized as she and Yuki walked in with Saitou and Heisuke behind them.

"Why are they here?" Sanosuke asked curiously.

"What? Is that bad?" Heisuke questioned as he walked in.

"No, it's not that." Shinpachi answered with a grin. "Food tastes better with company."

"Come on, don't be standing there and sit here," Sanosuke invited as he scoot over to free up two spaces. Heisuke walked up and set our trays down as Yuki and Chizuru bowed politely.

"Excuse me," the two said in unison.

"Here you go," Heisuke said as he set down the food.

"Thank you, Toudou-san," Chizuru said sincerely.

"Ah, would you stop calling me Toudou-san?" He asked as he turned to her. "Everybody calls me Heisuke, just call me that." She looked away shyly.

"But..."

"Furthermore, it looks like we're about the same age so it's odd," Heisuke continued. "I'll call you Chizuru."

"Okay, Heisuke-kun," replied softly, embarrassed at using a close honorific.

"Yeah, that's better. Then," he turned to Yuki then. "You can do the same also. Is it alright if I call you Yuki-san instead of Hibari-san?" He questioned. Yuki stared at him silently until he actually began to look unnerved, the others watching in interest.

"The others may call me that if they wish," Yuki replied. Heisuke's brows furrowed as he frowned.

"Then what do you want me to call you?" Yuki put on the best superior face she could muster and answered him in a serious tone.

"You may call me Hibari-sama," Yuki replied in a regal tone, her hands in her sleeves as she looked down her nose at him in a superior fashion, her whole image speaking arrogance. There was silence before Shinpachi and Sanosuke broke out into laughter, making Heisuke snap out of his dazed surprise flushing and glaring at the duo.

"Shut up!" He snapped his head to Yuki when he heard her chuckle but no one managed to see her do so or even smile.

"Yuki-san is fine, Heisuke-kun," Yuki replied, seriously this time. He smiled and nodded.

"Then, Chizuru, Yuki-san, let's get along," he said earnestly.

"Hai," she said with a subdued smile. Yuki only nodded in acknowledgment.

"Itadakimasu," Yuki and Saitou said in perfect unison after Chizuru and Yuki sat down to enjoy their meals, earning a few glances, but nothing more. Yuki and Saitou didn't even look at each other.

"Even so, tonight we have a stingy dinner..." Shinpachi said from his seat beside Yuki, Chizuru seated between her and Sanosuke. "So I will," he trailed off when he snatched some fish meat from Heisuke's plate, everyone's eyes widening when Yuki used the opportunity to discreetly do the same to Shinpachi's fish with her ninja speed and skill. She managed to eat half of the first side before Heisuke looked over.

"AH! Hey! Shinpachi-san, why do you always take my food?" Heisuke grumbled. Shinpachi laughed at the question.

"It's because of my body size," he answered, the others holding back snickers as Yuki continued to steal his fish from underneath his nose. "The bigger one needs more food."

"Then I need to eat more because I'm still growing!" Heisuke shot back, reaching for Shinpachi's fish before he really looked at it and stopping midway, making Shinpachi look at him in confusion. "Shinpachi-san, you weren't really kidding when you said that your dinner tonight was stingy," Heisuke said in disbelief, making Shinpachi look down at his plate in confusion.

"AH! My fish!" Shinpachi shouted when he finally realized that his fish was mostly bone by now. Sanosuke burst out laughing when he finally realized, even Okita was chuckling a little while Saitou just closed his eyes obviously thinking that Shinpachi should have been more careful. "Who-" his head snapped to Yuki, the only other person near him who was eating her fish elegantly, eerily looking like Saitou as she quietly ate her dinner, the absolute picture of innocence and serenity.

"Gn," he gave Yuki a stern glare, "oi oi, don't tell me you ate my fish, Yuki-san." Yuki didn't open her eyes or pause in her eating as she replied.

"You shouldn't accuse others without proof, Shinpachi-san," Yuki replied calmly. Shinpachi clicked his tongue and grit his teeth at me, sending a short glare at Heisuke when he snickered before returning to glower at Yuki. Then he suddenly grinned and raised his chopsticks.

"Well, I guess you wouldn't mind if I helped myself to your fish!" He exclaimed, shooting for Yuki's half finished fish, only for Yuki to sharply and expertly catch his chopsticks with her own. Yuki opened half lidded eyes and glared at Shinpachi from the corner of her eyes.

"Try it and you'll be swallowing your own detached fingers," Yuki threatened calmly, her cold gaze and soft tone bringing the threat home as Shinpachi gulped and laughed nervously.

"Ahaha, I guess you would mind," he replied as he intelligently withdrew his chopsticks.

"Oh~, looks like that big body size isn't gonna get a proper meal today huh?" Heisuke taunted, laughing and making Shinpachi turn to tussle with him.

"Shut up, you brat! You're one hundred years too early to start taunting your superior!" Shinpachi shouted.

"Who's my superior?!" Heisuke shouted back.

"It's always like this," Sanosuke said to Chizuru with a smile, Yuki's attention on them now rather than the other two's shouting match. "I'm sorry if it's noisy," he apologized.

"No, it's fun to eat like this," Chizuru responded honestly with a sincere smile.

"You finally smiled," Sanosuke commented.

"Eh?" She looked over to him.

"You can always smile," Sanosuke replied simply. "We won't do anything bad to you."

"Yes," she replied with a nod, smiling, reassured, as she looked down to her food.

"Listen a moment, everybody," a subdued Inoue entered with a letter in his hand. "I have news from Osaka, from Hijikata-san. It looks like San'nan-san got a serious wound," he said, delivering the bad news. The light hearted atmosphere immediately evaporated.

"What happened to San'nan-san?" Shinpachi asked urgently.

"It's a very severe wound. It's in the right arm. It will be difficult for him to wield a sword, but there's no threat to his life." Yuki stiffened at this, knowing well that it was basically a death sentence for a swordsman.

"Thank goodness," Chizuru, of course, said thoughtlessly.

"It's not good!" Heisuke snapped.

"The sword isn't something you can manipulate with your other hand. maybe he won't be able to use a sword again." Chizuru looked properly shocked at the news Saitou delivered.

"To those who use it properly, the sword is a way of life," Yuki stated with her eyes closed, "to lose ones ability to use it is to lose your purpose," she finished solemnly, resting a hand on her hilt as she couldn't imagine never being able to use her own blade again. Chizuru looked down sadly, guilty as she fully understood her mistake.

"That's all. I have to go talk with Kondou-san," Inoue said, dismissing himself and sliding the door shut.

"If it's necessary, we'll have to use medicine on him," Okita stated, a sake glass raised in his hand. Yuki's eyes sharpened at the mention of it.

"Don't say nonsense," Shinpachi said seriously. "We can't let a leader into the Shinsengumi." Yuki sighed at their slip as Chizuru caught it.

"Eh? Isn't San'nan-san the captain of the Shinsengumi?" She asked.

"W-well, no," Shinpachi stumbled, making Yuki frown as he realized his mistake.

"No, no, 'Shinsengumi' is written with the characters 'newly selected group'," Heisuke explained. "he group we are referring to now is the-"

"Chizuru-sama!" Yuki suddenly snapped in a stern voice, shocking the others at her slightly raised voice as she stopped Heisuke from making a grave error. Chizuru seemed startled as well, jumping and looking at Yuki wide eyed.

"Y-Yuki-kun?" Chizuru asked a little hesitantly. The others looked at the two wide eyed when Yuki actually gave her a rather stern look. Usually Yuki only looked at her charge with a warm, soft expression.

"Do not pry into their affairs," she scolded the girl fiercely for her own good. "They have already graciously allowed us to eat away from our confinement. We do not need to impose on their conversations simply to satisfy a passing curiosity!" She snapped. Chizuru flinched at the harsh tone as it had been a while since Yuki had ever been so irritated at her. The only time she ever got that way was if Chizuru did something to endanger herself somehow. She looked down at her lap sadly, slouching at the public scolding.

"Oi oi, you don't need to be so harsh towards her, Yuki-san, it's fine if she joins the conversation, she was just-" Sanosuke was cut off by the absolutely cold zero glare that Yuki sent him. He was starting to get an idea of why her name was 'snow.'

"While I appreciate your concern and your hospitality towards your captives by allowing us to dine with you, I would ask that you at least be capable of holding your tongues from information that could frighten Chizuru-sama or endanger her further in our situation. It is already precarious as it is, I do not want her put in harm's way simply because some," she glared harshly at Heisuke who had the decency to flinch and look guilty, "have a loose tongue," Yuki finished spitefully. Everyone was silent at Yuki's sudden and fierce animosity, amazed at how quickly she became hostile when it involved her charge's safety. Yuki took a visible deep breath to calm herself and let her expression become calm again, closing her eyes. "Now, we will forget whatever story he was about to spout and never ask of it again. You also, will take responsibility, and not mention this to your superiors. I trust that the tongue lashing and impending punishment that they can mete out is enough incentive for you to actually be able to keep your mouths shut," her words impassive but aggressive, again making them flinch. Okita looked ready to speak but a harsh glare from Yuki shut his mouth. "ESPECIALLY you Okita-san," she finished icily.

"Yes, yes," Okita waved dismissively after giving a long sigh. "We understand already, so why don't you take your hand off your sword already?" Okita replied easily, lifting the tension that had built from the start of Yuki's lecture. Yuki grudgingly complied, allowing her form to at least look relaxed and calm.

"S-sorry, Yuki-san," Sanosuke apologized, one hand raised.

"M-me too!" Heisuke stuttered out, holding up both his hands. Yuki allowed herself to truly let the tension slip, sliding her mask of serenity back on and nodding at the two stiffly.

"I trust this will not happen again," she murmured softly. They all made varying noises or actions of agreement, not wanting to incur Yuki's cold wrath again.

"Yuki-san's as scary as Hijikata is when he's angry," Heisuke whispered to Shinpachi, making the larger man cross his arms and nod in full agreement.

AN: The length of the chapters will depend on the changes I make to the episodes with the addition of my OC. Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated.