Shieikan Memories

Challenge

The beginning was Heisuke's idea. A rainy day with no students or chores made for five very bored samurai, so Heisuke suggested they hold their own fencing tournament. Unfortunately, with one of their participants being Souji, the winner was clear before they even began.

Then Souji proposed the penalty game. And suddenly, things got a little…energetic.

When Hijikata and Kondou found them, Saitou had cat whiskers, Sano had thick eyebrows and a beard, and Heisuke was lying on top of Shinpachi, cheerfully painting on his face with an ink brush.

Kondou found the whole thing hilarious. Hijikata just walked away.

Hello my Sister

In hindsight, Hijikata decided that accompanying Souji to the Sato house was not one of his brighter ideas. As happy as he was to visit his favorite sister, nothing could have prepared him for the way she cooed over her husband's pint-sized fencing instructor. It didn't help that Souji had decided to finally act like that innocent little brother Kondou was convinced he was. It was driving Hijikata insane.

"Now Toshi, why are you getting so worked up over this?" Nobu scolded, "Souji-kun, would you like some dango?"

"Thank you, Onee-san."

It took all of Hijikata's willpower not to scream.

Sword

The first time Saitou laid eyes on Kondou's Kotetsu, he was absolutely ecstatic, though he still appeared composed. It took him several weeks to gather the courage to ask for a closer look; a request Kondou was more than happy to grant. He even let him hold it!

It was Saitou's first time holding the famed sword. However, being a sword enthusiast meant that Saitou knew the sword inside and out before he ever saw it. And what he was seeing…

"How is it?" Kondou's smile was too bright.

"…A genuine beauty."

Saitou didn't have the heart to tell him.

Hostage

Hijikata had no one to blame but himself for what happened. That was Souji's explanation anyway; an explanation that had no business being accepted so easily, as far as Hijikata was concerned.

It happened because Hijikata skipped practice. It was annoying enough for Souji to teach him without him only showing up when he felt like it, so Souji went looking. He started in Hijikata's room.

It was sitting there conspicuously. Souji initially planned to just hold it hostage until Hijikata showed up, but then he got innocently curious.

And thus, Souji was introduced to the wonderful world of Hogyoku.

Strength of Character

Sannan had heard of Shieikan long before he ever set foot in it. Slander mostly, ranging from it having no roof to a child being the head instructor.

…Well, that last one turned out to be true. But overconfidence was a fatal flaw, and none looked more shaken than the child when Sannan won their match. Still, the boy's form was impressive and made Sannan eager to face his mentor.

His mentor won the match. In more ways than one. Sannan realized then that what the dojo lacked in prominence, it made up for in Kondou Isami's strength of character.

Names

Todou Heisuke was so used to being called "Heisuke"; he sometimes didn't even realize that someone calling "Todou" was calling him. Aside from recognition though, Heisuke considered it a right of friendship. He just couldn't feel close to someone addressing him formally.

"Is something wrong, Todou?" Saitou asked.

"Yeah, Saitou, can you just call me "Heisuke"? Besides being the same age, we're also friends, right?"

"…Yes…Heisuke," he had a warm smile, "…You may call me "Hajime", if you wish."

Shortly after, Saitou started calling the others by their given names. But for a good while, only Heisuke called him "Hajime-kun."

Hello my Sister II

When Kondou told Hijikata that Okita Mitsu was coming by the dojo, Hijikata saw it as an opportunity to cozy up to someone he figured had some control over the increasingly bratty Souji. Unfortunately, Hijikata realized a little too late that there were several things about Mitsu that Kondou had neglected to mention.

One: She was happily married. And Hijikata was (apparently!) a natural flirt.

Two: She loved her little brother. And was just as delusional as Kondou on that matter.

Three: Okita Mitsu was terrifying when angry. And very skilled with a wooden sword.

…Even Souji pitied him afterwards.

Budget

It made no sense. Even with the current inflation, the dojo's maintenance costs shouldn't have been that high. As Sannan poured over the numbers, his frown increasing, Hijikata silently seethed beside him, eye twitching dangerously.

"Perhaps it is the equipment," Sannan suggested, "Worn-out things must be replaced with new expensive ones."

"No. That's not it," Hijikata muttered murderously. Before Sannan could ask, Kondou suddenly appeared with a young man at his side.

"There you are, Sannan-kun. This is Harada Sanosuke-kun. He'll be staying with us from now on."

Sannan looked at Hijikata and then at the numbers. He understood immediately.

Nice Guy

Shieikan really was wonderful. Sano had been wandering as a ronin for so long that it still felt weird to conistently have a meal to look forward to and a roof to sleep under. And between the sincere Kondou, the passionate Shinpachi and the energetic Heisuke, he was always in good company. Sano loved it.

Sano always thought himself a nice guy, and was very willing to help out around the dojo, so he often volunteered to do various menial tasks the other freeloaders complained about.

Somehow, before long, he found himself to be the only one doing any chores.

Opening Up

Souji was too serious a child. Though he had opened his heart to Kondou significantly, it remained that Souji rarely smiled or engaged in anything other than sword practice. Sure, it was impressive for a young boy to be so focused, but Kondou couldn't help but worry.

Then Toshi showed up. Suddenly, Souji was playing around more. Though he still practiced hard in the dojo; once outside, he became just like any other child, full of questions and mischievousness. Kondou didn't fully understand it, but he was happy.

It warmed his heart to see Souji grow so attached to Toshi.

Ladies' Man

Shinpachi always fancied himself a ladies' man. He loved women, and was always a respectful patron of the local shops and tea houses. But upon settling in Shieikan, Shinpachi discovered some fierce competition.

First was Sano. Women flocked to that guy in hordes. It certainly wasn't his looks, but Shinpachi supposed that Sano did have a certain "nice-guy" charm.

The main problem though, was Hijikata. He had absolutely no charm or personality, so Shinpachi was nothing short of horrified to discover that Hijikata Toshizou had an entire legion of female admirers in the area.

He didn't get it at all.

Hanami

Shinpachi and Sano secured the spot. It took days of camping out, but they did it.

Heisuke bought the ingredients. His energetic running easily netted them the freshest pick of the crop.

Gen-san and Saitou made the lunches. The resulting meal was unanimously declared perfection.

Hijikata and Souji cleaned the dojo. In a rare moment of truce, they agreed that nothing could pose any threat to the plan.

Sannan taught them songs. The event wouldn't be complete without traditional music.

On the fated day, the members of Shieikan gathered for the refreshing Hanami that Kondou brought them all together for.

*Hanami=Cherry Blossom Viewing

Thanks for Reading :)

These are 12 100-word short stories set during the Shinsengumi's Shieikan days. These are not in chronological order (or even writing order), but rather a somewhat random order that wouldn't make my bias towards certain characters too obvious. I imagine Souji to be a kid for the two Sister stories and "Opening Up" so let's say those are the earliest ones. These are fun (and sorta quick) to write, so if I ever come up with any more ideas, I'll definitely collect a few more and make another chapter, but for now this story is complete.

I think my favorites out of all of these is "Hostage" and "Hanami", though I love them all.