I've been with the Shinsengumi ever since they were formed, well I say that.

You see I am Ryunosuke Ibuki's little sister, y/n Ibuki .

I know for a fact that Ryu is still alive we exchange letters frequently.

Living with the Shinsengumi has taught me many lessons including how to wield a sword. I get on great with Harada and Heisuke, I still have training every few days with Souji.

Everyday I wake up hoping it's the day I get to train with him.

I guess it's fair to say I like training with Souji.So I guess in some way you could say I like Souji, more than I should.

As Toshizo has made clear so many times 'The Shinsengumi is no place for a woman', however they had made an exception for me and allowed me to train here however, now that Ryos gone I get the feeling from some of the men that I am no longer welcome.

I was training in the front yard with Souji when this thought came across my mind, so I decide to ask him about it;

"Souji, what would you do if I told you I was going to leave here?"

He looked at me and sheathed his sword, and walked over to me.

Now a few people would find that quite concerning however I trusted Souji with my life.

"And what makes you ask that? Are you going to leave?"

"Don't answer a question with a question....Souji"

"hahaha, I have told you that many times haven't I...well I wouldn't let you leave, I'd kill you if you decided to leave"

"Right"

And we left it at that, but after that talk I had the rest of the afternoon still to train with Souji there was something in his eyes...

Concern?

No...not Souji...concern?

Yeah right.

Later when we were all sitting down to dinner, things were going on as usual everyone having a laugh ,Sanosuke teasing Heisuke...

We were all laughing and then Souji said something I really wish he hadn't;

"Oh by the way y/n when were you planning on leaving?"

Everyone went silent and looked at Souji, why the hell had he said this!?!

"y/n what is Souji talking about?" Heisuke looked at me with worried eyes.

"y/n?" Sanosuke was also looking at me frantically for answers

"It's not like that! honestly! It's just-"

"Just what? were you going to leave without telling us?!?" Shinpachi said he seemed angry now.

"y/n why would you do that?" Heisuke asked he looked sad

I looked over to Souji who was just...sitting there smirking to himself, that did it...

That broke me.

I ran out of the room in tears and I heard Heisuke shout out my name but I didn't look back.

I ran out to the town and just kept running until I couldn't anymore.

I can't believe Souji would do that, why would he?!?

What has he got to gain!

I have always helped him hide his tuberculosis from the others, I've stood by him through everything!

So ,why?!?

I stayed crying for about an hour by now it was dark, I looked around to see where I was.

I think I just need to go back over the two bridges and I should be back at headquarters.I started to walk but then I came across a few rouge ninja, they seemed to be beating around a merchant.

I can't stand for this.

So without thinking I intervened;

"Hey you shouldn't be pushing around the people of this town!" I shouted at them

"Oh yeah and what are you gonna do about it missy! You wanna take his place?"

I went to draw my sword and then I realised....I didn't have it...I was helpless against these thugs.One of them grabbed me and I started kicking and screaming but everyone just stood by watching not even the men were making a move to help.

I see now...this town is ruled by the fear of other people, one dominant group that's all it takes...

Even the smallest little rebellion can make out to be a huge life changing thing for innocent people...

They continued to grab at me and then one of them held a knife to me...

I was scared just like before.....

Just like that time....

flashback

"No leave me alone! Get away!"

But they didn't they continued to punch me I couldn't stop them...

It hurt...

It hurts...

"You know I never thought people would sink as low as beating a women! that's something only dogs would do"

I turned to look at who it was that was relieving me from this torcher, for the moment.

"Who the hell are yo-arghhhh!"

The next thing I knew the people who were hurting me were choking on their own blood.

"Are you alright? Come with me and I'll get your wounds treated"I looked up and he was there...

Souji he was a part of the Shinsengumi, he was smiling at me and holding his hand out to me.

"y/n? can you stand?"

"huh? y-yeah"But no sooner had I stood up I fell over again but this time someone was there to catch me....

"woah, come on now..."

Then he did something I really didn't expect...he picked me up bridal style...

"Souji what are you-"

"relax y/n, you can rest easy now..."

"Souji thank you..."

"It's fine, but if you tell anyone else about this, I really will have to kill you..."

"Heh, sure"

"You still have a sense of humour I see"

"hmm"

"sleep now, y/n. Your safe."

But it wasn't the same now, it must have been about half and hour now...

They were beating me....

Slashing me with the knife.....

And then they left me there on the street...

Souji why didn't you help me...why?

Am I just dead weight to you like my brother was?

"Are you alright?!? Those men just didn't know when to quit!"I lifted my head a little to see a woman.

"Here let me help you-"

"No, I-I think I've broken a-a few b-bones..."

"Oh!...what can I do to help you!"

"S-Souji..."

"Huh?"

"Souji...o-of the Shinseng-gumi...and H-Heisuke..and S-Sano....."

"S-Shinsengumi? Alright just hold on I'm going to go and find them!"

And then I was alone again a few people just going about their business ignoring me...

About 20 minutes later I heard my name being called...

"y/n! where are you!!!"

"There is that her?"

"Y/n!"

The next thing I knew I had a warm hand on my tear stained face, this was....

"y/n I'm so sorry..."I opened my eyes to see Souji....

"S-Souji...?"

"Yeah, yeah y/n it's me calm down, your gonna be fine I'm going to look after you...I promise..."

"heh....let me g-guess or you'll kill me right?"

"Heh, you know I'd normally make some sly comment but right now...you are our priority!"

"y/n ,come on let's get you up!" Heisuke...

"Be careful , she might have broken some bones...." Sanosuke...

I felt them trying to move me but I flinched in pain...

"Shhhhh,shhh it's alright...here we go..."

 I felt Souji whisper in my ear...I

 felt him move me into the bridal style... Just like before...

And I let out cries of pain as I was moved, I heard my bones move inside my skin...

"Your late...." I whispered

"I know I am but I'm here now...I won't leave you again...."

"Souji..."I felt him begin to walk and I looked up at his face...

In his eyes...there was a whole new range of emotions I had never seen....including...

Worry.

"Souji w-why did you say that back at headquarters..."

"I'm sorry it was selfish of me, I wanted to make sure that no one else was after you...."

"You idiot, messing with my emotions"

"Heh, never again..."

"hm"

"y/n, you have stayed by my side through everything and I have always felt the need to protect you and right now I want to hunt down the bastards who did this to you and make them beg before killing them-"

 I could tell his eyes where becoming cold without even having to look at him.

"Souji that's enough..."

"Y/n..I love you..."

"heh, well t-that's good because I feel the same..."

He then did something I didn't expect...he kissed me and with a small amount of strength I managed to kiss back...

And I forgot we were in company...

"Woah! Souji!"

"Well where's that 500 yen Heisuke? We're sticking to that bet!"

"s-shut up!"

"Well then, I guess I can't threaten to kill you anymore then." He whispered to me

"Heh, I guess not..."

"I'll Take Care Of You ,y/n"