*NEW Into the Future ~ The Red Strings of Fate ~ Hakuoki Fanfic

Chapter 6: Meeting the Boss

"Hate to tell you guys, but...I don't see them anywhere," Shiranui said,

"You're right, wonder where they are....?" Amagiri thought,

However, the man above the walls shouted!
"Hey! There are some people outside already engaged with the Monsters!"

"What...!?"

The guards looked over the wall, and they see a group fighting against the Monsters. There were only a few of them, and yet they are able to handle the monsters by themselves with ease.

"Who are they....?"

"I can't say...they're all wearing black uniforms,"

A small gap from the gate was opened for the others inside to look at the fight. Hijikata and the others were able to see the fighting take place, and they didn't need to think as they already know who the group is really are...

They can see a male figure wielding two guns, that's probably Koga.
A woman figure also wielding a gun and a dagger, that must be Satsuki judging from her short hair as well.

A male figure wielding a spear....! From the looks of it, it appears to be Sagara Takehiko.
Meanwhile, the woman whom he is keeping away from the Monsters, is probably Sen Chihiro, she appears to be firing multiple light orbs at the Monsters.

While the other pair is plain as day to be Ren and Asuka. Ren wields his sword skillfully as he cuts down the Monsters. Meanwhile, Asuka wields two swords....

Not long after....

The Monsters were all eliminated, but before the people at the walls could react....Asuka and the others disappear from where they stand!

"They're....gone...,"

Hijikata and the others seeing that the youngsters have left went back into the city to find them.

Once they reach the inn, they went toward the private room they have used before....but they're surprised to find an unfamiliar man.
"Who are you?" Shiranui asked,

"Hm?" The man turns around to face them, and when Hijikata sees the man's face....!

"Y-You....!" Hijikata was shocked, "S-Seri...zawa......!?"

The man before him looks very much alike to Serizawa Kamo, the former head of the Roshigumi!

"Hm? How do you know my name...?" The man asked with a suspicious look, "Hold on...,"

The man called 'Serizawa' looks over the group...and a sigh escapes his mouth...
"Haa...so you guys are the folks that the kid mentioned. Feel free to relax, they'll be here in a minute,"

"So you're name is really...Serizawa?" Hijikata asked,
"Hijikata, is he someone you know...?" Chizuru whispered,

"Yeah, my name is Serizawa Senju. The youngsters must've told you folks about me, huh?" Serizawa said as he lights a cigarette,

"Serizawa...Senju...?" Hijikata mumbled the name quietly,

'So he's not the Serizawa I know....? He's a different person...?'

"We're back," Koga then opens the door to the room, "Huh? You guys are already here, huh? And—Ugh! O-old man Senju!"

When Koga sees Serizawa he was a little.....terrified?
"What's with that kind of greeting?" Serizawa asked with a frown,

"Oh? Old man Senju! You're here? Have you finished your errand?" Satsuki then enters the room,
"Yeah,"

"Thought you might've returned to the base," Sagara then came in along with Chihiro,

"I was nearby so I decided to take a little detour before going back, beside....Shoko and Kazumi are there so I don't have to worry,"

"You should've just went back ahead, we're returning soon," Ren then pops inside,
"Whatever I do is up to me boy," Serizawa said to Ren,

"Don't call me 'boy'," Ren frowned,

"You are still a boy to me," Serizawa pointed his cigarette at him,

"Come on, stop with this little banter you two! And uncle— I thought I told you to quit with the smoking!" Asuka said as she takes the cigarette away from his hands,

"Tch! Why do I have to listen to a kid?" Serizawa said,
"Who knows~!" Koga said smilingly,

"Here, just make do with this candy," Asuka hands him a candy,

In the end, he obediently ate the candy he's given...

The others were quite taken aback from the way such a strong looking man is acting docile in front of Asuka, but the one with the most impact is Hijikata!

He couldn't believe that he's looking at a man that looks like Serizawa, but acts totally different from the one he knows...!