Disclaimer: Not mine.
Warnings: Contains spoilers for character death.
Regret
Ayumu walked the relatively empty corridors of the Shinsengumi barracks. Her steps were silent, her approach only made obvious by the swish of the long formal kimono she had donned that evening. She stopped in front of a wooden door and waited.
The door slid open a fraction of an inch at almost at once. Wary violet eyes peered out of the crack.
"Ayu-nee." It was not a statement, it was more of a question.
"Yes", Ayumu answered, "May I come in?"
The door slid open slightly more to admit the unexpected visitor. As Ayumu went into the room, she noticed the opened book on the bed. Apparently, Souji had seen fit to "borrow" the Fukuchou's haiku book tonight.
"Okita-san, you shouldn't stay up too late", Ayumu reprimanded, smiling.
"Ah, there's no need to worry, Ayu-nee." Souji asked. Bright, curious violet eyes glinted in the candlelight, waiting for an answer to the unspoken question.
Why are you here, at this time of the night?
"I came to ask you for a favor", the older woman said,"I need you to tell him that it is not his fault if my mission goes well."
"Ah. I see. Then, you have decided." This time, it was a statement. It was a fact after all. She had gone to him for this.
Ayumu lowered her eyes onto the tatami mat as she bowed gracefully down to the floor. After sometime, she rosed up again.
"Thank you."
Both sat in silence for a while, listening to the frogs' croaking in the night. She left.
--
Shinsengumi lost a valued and esteemed member three days later. It was acknowledged that she had died in the line of duty but many felt her loss. As the whole group sat in the incense-filled funeral hall and remembered her loss, the Fukuchou stomped angrily out. Souji had followed.
--
She had known that the he would regret his decision to send her on the mission. But he had to know it was not his fault – it was for their victory.
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