Author's note: Hello everyone! This story isn't one that I'll be focusing too much on as far as quality goes. It's more of a way for me to kill sometime, and keep writing while I'm working on my bigger stories. Please feel free to leave any feedback or suggestions though! Thanks for reading ^^
Screams echoed through the tea house as the sound of metal on metal rang through the night.
"Don't let any of them escape!" ordered a man wearing the recognizable blue coat of the feared Shinsengumi. "Hold them off until backup arrives!" He had shoulder length brown hair that he kept in a topknot, letting his bangs hang free. His emerald eyes blazed as he cut down man after man. His sword clashed with the sword of an enemy for only a moment before he gained the upper hand, felling him with a quick swipe. In that moment he failed to notice the man charging at him from behind. By the time he realized his error, and whipped around to face his attacker, it was too late. He took a step back to avoid the first swing, but was unable to rebalance himself as the man's second swing sliced his arm. He let out a hiss, but ignored the pain. He readied himself as the man prepared to bring his sword down, but the attack never came. His eyes rolled back in his head as he fell forward with a thud. Behind where the man had been stood a girl holding up a damaged serving tray. Her wide golden eyes locked with his for a moment, then he finally relaxed. Seeing him lower his blade, the girl also relaxed, letting the serving tray fall to the floor. He turned ready to return to the fight.
"You're hurt," she spoke up, stopping him in his tracks. "Please, let me bandage it at least." He turned back to face her, skeptical. Letting his guard down could be fatal. Examining her features, she showed nothing but the utmost sincerity. Finally he nodded. She gave a small smile. "Follow me, we can stay hidden for a moment while I tend to your wound."
"I won't hesitate to kill you should I sense something is off," he warned.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from a wolf of Mibu," she stated simply, turning and walking quickly down the hallway. The man followed, not once releasing his grip on the his sword's hilt. She turned into a more narrow hallway, then ducked into a room. In there she lit a small lantern, then sat. She motioned to the man to sit beside her. "Take a seat." He did as he was told, sitting cross legged. She began pushing his sleeve up. In the soft light, he could clearly see that the girl was a prostitute, based on her clothing and the style of her black hair. She tore part of her sleeve and began to gently wrap his arm.
"Why help me?" She ignored him and continued working. He just watched her, eyebrow raised. She tied it off tightly to cut off the bleeding.
"This should hold you for the rest of the fight, but be sure to dress it properly when you return to your headquarters," she instructed. He nodded.
"May I ask your name?" She smiled.
"Hasegawa Mikoto."
"Okita Souji," he returned. "Thank you for your help." He stood, letting his sleeve fall back down. "I advise you to stay hidden in here. Our enemies, or even other members of the Shinsengumi, may not be so kind if they were to find you." She nodded in understanding.
"Be careful." After taking one more moment to look her over, Souji turned, running back into the fray.