Hakuoki : Tale Of Yuki

Chapter 12 : Demon at Ikedaya part.1

"These are the only one combat ready warriors?"

Hijikata asked seeing the numbers of Shinsengumi warrior all assembled and in their blue uniform. The others were either sick or not yet in condition to engage in any battle. Their number wasn't very big...

"My deepest apology," Sannan said, feeling guilty. "If it weren't for my injury, I would've go too."

"No," Koudou immediately assured. "We need you to guard the headquarters, Sannan-kun"

"... It would be good if we can use them now," Sanosuke mumbled. Heard by Chizuru and Souji.

Saito turned to the red head. "They're not yet ready to be use in battlefield"

'They....?' Chizuru thought.

"Is the Aizu clan haven't made their move?" Asked Hijikata to a male subordinate.

"We still haven't got any news from them," he answered.

"Tch! If we don't have a definite evidence, they can't do anything...," Hijikata turned to Koudou. "Koudou-san let's depart."

"They were using the Ikedaya house, frequently... it's hard to think that they would use the same place Furutaka was caught," Sannan said. "We can assume that they would use Shikokuya's"

Koudou thought for a moment. "But we can't completely ignore Ikedaya... since it have come to this, we'll split our men into two group... Toshi, you will take 24 men with you."

"Koudou-san... you wanted to take only ten men with you? That's too reckless!" Hijikata objected.

The captain laughed slightly.

"In exchange, I will take Souji, Nagakura and Heisuke with me," he said. "If there is the right one... we will count on you"

Hijikata nodded.

"Understood"
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The only thing that's light up the darkness is the full moon in the night sky.

Using the moonlight and the lanterns to light up their path the Shinsengumi forces departed silently through the main gate. Only the sounds of their footsteps was heard, as the men dashed towards their assigned place.

The last one to leave is Hijikata. "If I were them, I would attacked the headquarters. While our forces had diminished here," He said to Sannan.

"I agree.... we have a lot of enemies"

"Huh?" Hijikata suddenly turned behind, sensing something.

"What's wrong?" Sannan asked.

"Just now I saw-...no... nevermind, it's nothing," He brushed it off. "We'll be counting on you on everything else," with that said...

Hijikata and the troop left.

*****

Sannan pinched the bridge of his nose with worries weighting his mind, as he had made a terrible, terrible mistake... that could've cost the lives of the Shinsengumi chief and his fellow comrades.

Yamazaki just informed him that the right place is the Ikedaya house.

He had sent Yamazaki and Chizuru inform Vice-captain, Hijikata's group right away. Thinking it's best to send two people to ensure the message was delivered...

"I pray that they will all be safe...," Sannan muttered.

Suddenly, the main door slides open and Yuki figure was easily recognize by the older male especially his yellow orbs that hardly go unnoticed. As usual he's carrying his pet, Kuroiichi.