All the Hakuouki character don't belong to me, unless it's Shiro and the other mentioned characters like Ami later onin the chapter(s) Enjoy. ^.^
… means next day
.. means later that day
'I am going to find him and KILL him!' It was really the only thing I was thinking about until I bumped in to a tall man with short reddish, brownish hair. I completely forgot that I was walking on the Kyoto streets. "Looks like someone's sleep-walking." Strange demon as I am already I knew who he was, Okita Souji 1st unit captain of the Shinsengumi.
"Maybe it's because of the relaxed atmosphere." I said without thinking, cause everyone around me gave me looks as if I was crazy and like I was a dead person walking the streets.
"Relaxed? You must really be tired." Okita said smirking. 'Okay I don't know why, but he for some reason is getting on my nerves.'
"Well, nice chit-chatting with you, I have to get going." Without hesitating I walked on forward not looking back, but for some odd reason I thought Okita was looking at me for a second before walking on. I was already losing track of him. My uncle I mean, he's farther away now. 'Just great.' I thought to myself, the next time I see Okita and he wastes my time again I'll kill him too.
I was getting closer to my uncle; I seriously wounded him in our last battle, that's why I'm tracking him down. He killed every single person who was very important to me. My only friends were taken away one by one in my past lives. My demon main family members can't be reborn like my brother and I, they're all gone. Although this may be the last time that I'll be reborn. I stopped, in front of me was a giant rock shaped like a coffin. 'This is it. The last moment he will live.' In my palms I generate lightning as I aim and strike the rock. The bright blue light shone, almost blinding, then quickly fading with the sound of a shock.
I waited, nothing. Nothing else happened, this is too easy. A deep troubling feeling slithers in my chest, something seems to be lurking nearby. I can see his ashes in front of me, yet why is he easier to defeat now? A few meters back I hear leaves rustling in an unusual way, confirming my other suspicion.
"What? Missed me?" I said in a mockingly way. Walking out from the bushes Okita askes "Are you after the Shinsengumi captain Kondou-san?" 'Why is he asking me this question?' "No." I said, my amber eyes were showing that I wasn't lying. He relaxed a little bit before saying,
"No one's actually bumped into me especially with that kind of explanation." He stopped talking for a while, "You're different." At that exact point I felt the need of drawing my sword, but then there was a strange howling in a distance. Before I could figure out what is was, Souji was already running. He wasn't running away from the howl, he was running towards the howling. And I had a feeling he knew what it was.
As I followed Souji he led me to the Shinsengumi headquarters, I stopped following him at the entrance and noticed a few more people were there already. Probably just some more unit captains, but that wasn't what really caught my attention. A man with white hair and glowing red eyes appeared out of the house, he looked like he has been awake for months.
"Get ready to attack!" a man with long black hair ordered. Hijikata-san. Just when everyone was about to attack the man he seemed to be looking my way.
Something struck me like I've seen this man somewhere before. It hit me, Kosu! My older brother. He died years ago, but now someone must have raised him from the dead. Kosu then starting moaning my name,
"Hashiro, where's Hashiro?!"
It seemed like his blood-curdling voice was becoming normal, while this was happening I heard gasps. When I peeked over he no longer had white hair or red eyes, he still looked sad but he changed to his former self, short dark brown hair and dark amber eyes. "She's here I know it." His eyes remained sad, but yet calm and searching.
My heart is starting to feel heavy, I not really happy that he is alive. It could still mean he's under someone's control. My legs all by itself starting walking towards Kosu, when he saw me he looked so happy as he tried to hug me; I stepped back. Kosu didn't look mad or upset, he was just calm.
"You what are you doing here?!" Hijikata's voice boomed.
Then Kosu's face became pale he looked like he regretted something. "Hashiro, I'm sorry none of us were there to help you. No, what am I saying? We chose not to help you when you were little. Can you ever forgive us Hashiro?" He said with such a saddened tone.
"It's okay. It all already happened it couldn't be helped." I say, trying to console him.
Kosu looked even more depressed. Just then he looked serious at me. "Shiro do you now the man who woke me from the dead?" My mind was starting to go round and round. "Who? You mean uncle? I am sure I just killed him." He looked at me warningly,
"Look out for Keinei he'll be around in replacement of uncle. He definitely has something up his sleeve." Looking even more frustrating Kosu snapped his head down, growling and grabbing the sides of his scalp. A dark blue light surrounded Kosu then he became a monster once more, he charges towards me as I ready my weapon; a katana. Slashing his left shoulder I whispered, "You are a good brother." In shock he froze falling to his knees before looking to Hijikata, "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for the Shinsengumi. Vice-Commander Hijikata. But please, let Hashiro , let her stay with Chizuru. I beg of you." Kosu gasped, his skin becoming paler, with one last glance he smiled "I wish that you'll be blessed with happiness." The sun rose over the horizon, his body the same color as grey and falling apart flew into the wind. No. this isn't what I wanted. To see my only precious brother die such a death.
"Hey, how did you find this place?" Harada asked. "Easy, instincts." I answered absentminded. "So you're Kosu's younger sister?" Souji was asking. I glanced at them and walked away. "You all would do well to stay away from me at this point, you're all my enemies."
"Oh, so you're so afraid of us that you want to run away is that what you're saying?" Souji was as cocky as ever. I didn't stop walking, "To think that a sister of the strong and mighty Kosu would just run away." Now Souji was really getting on my nerves!
I thought for a moment and said back "I am strong. Strong that I can even restrain the largest beast no matter how powerful, I wield the ability to do things you humans can't imagine. But then what is your strength? Just fighting and killing? Easy to believe that it's what some of you enjoy doing. But if you value your comrade's lives, then value an enemy's for it is possible that someone could be protecting their lives as well. You know nothing of me so leave me be and stay away." Everyone, even Souji stood in silence as the wind blew against them.
…
The streets were busy again that morning, I couldn't sense Keinai's aura. 'So he isn't here.' For a while now I've wanted to take a break from searching, but before with my uncle alive he always kept me busy. I decided to sit by the river in the evening when the sun was setting.
"I didn't think a person like you would be here." Souji somehow found me without me realizing it.
"I told you to stay away." I say in a low, threating tone. 'I didn't want to feel that feeling to protect someone again, something always goes wrong. They always end up dead. The curse of my demon clan still weighs on my shoulder alone. That's what makes it hard to keep a friend or to love your family members.' I drew my sword, clashing it against with Souji's.
"Why did you just say that we are your enemies back then?" Souji asked.
"It is none of your business." I stared coldly at Souji. "Calm down, I don't remember doing anything to you that you had to declare me an enemy. What's your problem?" I reply, "Like I said 'it's none of your business!'" pushing away Souji's sword as I make a cut on his left arm, leading to Souji kneeling with a clutch hand over his wound.
Through his seeping blood I can see the bacterial infection, tuberculosis, and that the illness is still eating him from the inside. Out of the little kindness that remained in my heart I stood over Souji using my 'healing hands' to cure Souji of tuberculosis. "What on earth are you ….?" Souji asked wide eyed, but started coughing. Slowly the bacteria disappeared, my hand resting on back. Even I made this decision on my own I still couldn't believe I've just healed him. I even healed the cut on his left arm. A strong urge came into my hands, I wanted to strike his face, I had a strong feeling of something but I can't explain it. Fortunately I stopped myself before doing anything rash.
"Tell your commander and friends to stay away from me. And if you don't mind I'll do the same." I didn't even realize it yet but my voice was little shaky. I started to walk away when … "You shouldn't have turned away from your opponent, Shiro!" Souji exclaimed, piercing something cold and sharp into my back. It didn't really hurt; I've been through more painful things than that.
"Then I was right. You Shinsengumi didn't come here to protect peace did you?" Souji paused for a moment. At that second I lost sense of what I was supposed to concentrate on looking for. And Souji was right I shouldn't have turned away from my enemy, because the man Keinai appeared out of nowhere and with a silver ragged weapon, he cuts my on my right arm. This kind of knife can kill any human within a minute but for my demon clan it can give us severe headaches and sometimes it could kill us. I held on to the place where he cut me, it's already burning. Keinai then for some reason aims for Souji.
In a matter of seconds I swiftly kick the knife out of his hands, reaching the knife without hesitation. Slicing him back with the knife Keinai steps back his body instantly turning into stone than dust.
"What just happened Shiro? Who was that man that tried to kill us a second ago?" Souji asked in confusion. My head felt dizzy; losing my sense of standing I feel the world violently shaking, waiting for the impact of hitting the ground I instead feel strong arms catch me and feeling my forehead. Looking surprisingly shocked Souji muttered, "You have a bad fever." Souji then turns around and carries me on his back to where the inns are. The steady movement of his paced walking lulls me to sleep.
…
The feeling of light onto my lids, I open them quickly blinking to adjust form the immense light. I find myself in a room with a towel on my head, I touch it. My fever probably came down because I started to feel better. I walked out of the room wondering who brought me here. Before I could remember my answer Souji shows up in the hallway with the other unit captains. "Someone's awake. So how was your nap?" Souji hadn't sounded so kind to me before. Instead of enjoying it I feel worried. When I am healing from a wound like last night I become weak like a human. The headache pain was coming back to me, but this time I hear screaming like someone's in pain. It makes my head hurt more as I fall to my knees. 'Guess that the headache isn't over yet.' "Shiro!" I only heard them saying my name before I see the shadows close in.
..
I woke up in the room again, this time everyone was there even the vice-commander and the commander himself. "Feeling better?" It was Harada asking. I sat up observing the room, "Just a little. Why all of you guys here are anyways this isn't the Shinsengumi headquarters?" Hijikata cleared his throat, "Souji told us what happened so we came to check on you." Somewhat ignoring the answer I started to stand up a bit.
"Wait what are you doing you haven't fully recovered?!" Heisuke questioned.
"I obviously can't stay here forever, besides I already told you guys are my enemies now. There's no use staying anymore." I start walking outside of the inn, the sun was brighter than ever either that or I was in the dim lighted places too long. Finally the headache went away for a while I started running far from the hotel, the Shinsengumi, but mostly from Souji Okita. I couldn't stand the idea of staying with them. All I can do now is run from them.
I ran to the forests once more. Tired from running for what seemed like hours I rested against a tree in the shadows. Gasping uncontrollably my lungs ache, like all my organs will liquefy and burn me. My eyelids became heavy; eventually I close them fall asleep once more.
..
(In Shimabara)The town was full of geisha houses when I walked down the road. Something stopped me though, the Shinsengumi. I sensed their presence near from where I was standing. A man said aloud "Hey I think it's the girl the Shinsengumi are looking for. Shinsengumi I found her, the girl!" I was still too tired from all the running even now, within a minute the Shinsengumi surrounded me I couldn't escape this time.
They took me to the forest area again and stopped when we were out of sight from others. "We're sorry Shiro." Surprised by the apology I just nodded showing that I was listening. I started regaining strength as soon as the apology ended. I dropped the bomb "I still hate all of you!" I yelled, it was the only thing I could think of that would probably start to make the Shinsengumi hate me, of course it was mostly lame. "How could you use my brother like that?! Even I'm sure that he wouldn't want to become a monster since we already are ourselves." This for me was good I didn't want them to know what kind of life my demon clan has put me through, that nice part of me will always be torn apart from me. As a full blooded demon female I couldn't really experience love, and happiness. Even if it were to happen it will once again be torn away from me, like my 'old' friends. They all died a painful death that not only scars their memories, it tears me apart piece from piece. "But...but why do you hate us Shiro? We didn't know what happened to him until he ran out of the house." Heisuke probably looked even more shocked than me.
"Why is my brother so loyal to you jerks?! After what I've seen you expect me to just ignore that he died a pitiful death and live on as normal? You're all cruel, that's all you are. I was told that you were supposed to protect the peace yet you don't you all just lie!"
Fed up with their persistence I push through the captains, trying to keep running far. Honestly it's tiring and pathetic. How long have I been running?
"What's your true reason for saying those things to us?" Panting in pain I lean against a nearby tree, not caring anymore that Souji managed to catch up to me. Echoing screaming of people continue to replay in my head.
Souji walks up to me with a smile. While I stare into his emerald green eyes he swiftly pulls my bangs away from my face.
Never have I felt the need so strong to push someone away from me. Before I could act Souji pulls me close to him, embracing me so kindly I thought I was dreaming. "Souji, ugh let me go." I tried pushing away from his arms but he held on to me tightly his strong arms bound me to his chest. Then he said into my right ear "What are you embarrassed because I'm holding you? Or is it that you've gone mad and fallen deeply in love with me just by hugging you?" 'Okaaay, holding me for the moment is strange but hearing those words out of his mouth is starting to scare me!'
After a moment of thinking hard I thought of something to say, "Souji, are you in love with me?" He paused for a while,
"Maybe I do maybe I don't, what's you answer for me?"
I paused for a while myself, I couldn't think of the answer. In my mind the screams still remain which interferes with my thinking of the answer. I try to hide the pain I'm feeling from the headache, instead Souji gently peck me on the forehead with his lips and let me go. "It's alright you don't have to tell me yet." Okita thought for a moment adding, "I'll only give you two days to think about my question. Okay?"
"Alright but Souji what would you do if I didn't have an answer?" Souji's smirk became wider. "Well then I'll just have to steal you away from where ever you are and make you my servant." Souji was teasing me I know it. Souji was starting to laugh at this point, I tried to make an angry face but I somehow found myself laughing along with him.
My heart felt something familiar, love and happiness once more broke through the cold invisible walls I created to keep them out. I didn't want to have any sort of relationship with Okita or the Shinsengumi, none. Quickly I pulled out my sword and aimed for Souji's torso. Before contact Souji pulled out his own katana and easily blocked my attack. "What are you doing Shiro?"
The screaming and pain in my head only increased leading to me fainting and falling again. "Ch!" Souji had to think fast which kind of made me feel a little guilty, he caught me again before I made contact the ground. "Just what were you thinking?" My eyes hardly open I say "Souji just leave me here." But Souji wouldn't hear of it "Are you insane? Even a person like you could die out here." Souji says his face now somewhat serious but worried.
I reach for his face and stroke his cheeks gently; Souji grabs my hand and puts it against his chest. "Shiro, why did you attack me?" I look at his solemn face and answer "I can't tell you all of it yet. But know that I have my reason for each action I make." Souji scowled, "Why? Shiro tell me." I could only smile my strength was that curse getting weaker again. "Can you guess?" I whisper before closing my eyes, exhausted from pain.
Souji still looked confused. "Guess?" Slowly Souji carried Shiro to a house that was abandoned not too far from headquarters.
…
When I woke up I was pretty surprised he didn't take me back to the Shinsengumi headquarters or to that same hotel. "Why here?" I moaned slightly.
"It was the only place closest to Shinsengumi headquarters." Souji gives me a look. "But man Shiro, you're really keeping me busy getting a fever and fainting like that. Do you hve an illness?" I blush a little
"Sorry I couldn't really help it."
"Yare, yare Shiro, You just don't have luck do you?" Souji asked with a face told me that clearly spoke he is still worried for me.
The urge to close my eyes came again and it was getting harder to keep them open. Souji leaned past my face.
"No, you need to rest. Just relax," he paused for what seemed like hours and finally continued in a whisper, "I'll protect you Shiro I promise." Unable to resist sleep I choose to let the darkness take over.
…
For what was probably hours or even a day I felt a hand running across my forehead, slowly I open my eye lids. "Oh, you're finally awake Shi-ro-chan." Souji gave his smirk again with such a familiar touch of concern. I giggled at how he said my name in such a way. "Hmm, what is it?" Souji asked raising a brow looking confused this time.
"Have you gotten an answer yet?" Souji looked more confused again and replied "I still don't understand what you're telling me. Were you saying you're not after Kondou?" Letting Souji's question echo in my head I realized that it was night time. Bursting up to sitting I panic, "Souji what about the Shinsengumi?! Wouldn't they be looking for you by now?" I started panicking wondering if Souji would get in trouble since the Shinsengumi meant the world to him. At least that was what I could tell from his thoughts of the Shinsengumi.
Souji just looked to a corner of the room and smiled "Yeah Hijikata-san or Kondou-san has probably already asked Saito-san or someone to look for me. He might have already set out a search party."
I straighten up "Oh, Souji you really don't have to look after me anymore, you should just go back to the Shinsengumi and forget about me," I paused, even thinking about the word it still pained me "forever." "Ya know I was really just kidding? Hijikata-san and Kondou-san probably is still worried that I've gone for two days or so but I'm sure they'll figure that I'll still come back." I slowly try to stand up, but it turned out that I haven't completely healed yet so I stumbled a bit then falling. Quickly reacting to me about to fall again Souji stood up and supported me by putting my arm over his neck and holding my waist. Souji sighed with his eyes closed "Shiro you exert yourself too much no wonder you have a headache." Souji teased.
Then Souji went back to his question. "Shiro you still haven't answered my question yet." It was Souji's turn to remind me. I look down trying to think of an answer to dodge his question, but Souji was back to that serious look that wanted an answer truthfully. I sighed this time, "I call it a curse because Kosu and I have been reborn a few times already, our purpose is to kill our uncle. I'm sure he's dead along with his servant but since Kosu died as well I don't know what to do anymore. I'm not even sure if our uncle is dead." Souji's look softened. I scrutinized at Souji, "Don't tell anyone about what I've just told you unless I say so, or if it the circumstances change you can at least tell the other Shinsengumi captains."
"Hmm, now I know why you seemed so smart. You can live for more than 1 life time huh?" I made a deeper sigh, 'It's bad enough that he knows my name and all but now I just explained to him my family curse.' "Yes." I mumbled. Souji leans toward my way again but this time he gently puts his lips on mine. My eyes open wide for seconds as I tried to push Souji away. Souji stopped, his smirk became wider taking firm hold of my right wrist. "So I take it that you like it when I kiss you huh?" Souji half teasingly said. I realized that I was blushing even more, I turned away quick. Souji smirked wider "Embarrassed?" I scowl then slyly smile
"Hmm, you might want to think carefully Souji, we demons can read human minds if we try." Very surprisingly Souji just replied,
"Really? That means I can put you to good use then demon girl."
"Okita!"
"I was just kidding Shiro no need to get worked up." Souji looks straight at me with his emerald eyes. He pushes me down on the futon remaining on top of me. "S-Souji?! What are you doing?" Souji answers by gently kissing my neck, his warm breath so close my body starts to get a little hot.
"Souji stop this." I demand.
I start pushing him back. "I really mean it Souji stop it!"
Souji smiles and gazes me in the eye again "You have to tell me how you feel about me first." My face feels like its burning. I think I'm blushing even harder. "I don't, you also said I didn't have to tell you yet." Unsatisfied Souji lightly kisses my neck then paused and whispered into my left ear "I won't stop until you admit it Shiro. You know I was just lying about that?" He makes lip contact again. I shut my eyes and mustered all my strength to push Souji away which didn't work since Souji's probably 3 times stronger than me in this state. I've never felt so weak before.
Souji continues to kiss my neck, slipping his fingers into my hand that tries to push him away, pinning my hand down making it even more impossible for me to escape. Souji stops and whispers into my ear again "Do you have an answer yet Shiro?" he sounded so demanding. "I…I… don't know." I've never felt so embarrassed in my life either. Souji evilly smirks "I need to hear a confession Shiro. Or do you want me to take away your innocence tonight?" As shock as I am I've seen or heard about this side of Souji. "You're only a friend." I answered quietly. "I didn't hear you Shiro say it louder." Souji commanded. I didn't dare repeat what I just said, so I stayed silent.
'Why? What's going on in his head!?' Souji didn't look convinced but lies beside me.
"Geez Shiro you're no fun at all." Souji complained.
I am beyond furious, "Souji that was cruel! You dummy, you meanie, you stupid pervert!" I blurt.
Souji looked calmly at me, "You said a while ago that you could read minds if you try, do you remember that?" I paused; I didn't think he would bring that up. I stare into his eyes and read what he thought the moment he started hostile act. My eyes widened my eyes a fraction as I found my answer.
"Know yet?" Souji asked while gracefully stroking my cheeks.
'Souji , of course you are in love with me.' "I wanted to protect you, and see you no matter who you were. When you healed me of the illness so that I could fight with the Shinsengumi again. I felt indebted yet intoxicated by you acting strong and prideful as a samurai would, no, not a samurai but a lady of noble birth."
Souji stopped his face made an expression of sincerity and love; it was something I've never seen in a man like him. I started to cry a little. The hot tears of joy flowing as Souji held me closer to him. "I said this to you before and I'll repeat it again..." Souji leans toward my ear once more, "I'll protect you Shiro." Arm in arms we held each other for the night. Then we both fall asleep, embracing each other.
…
It was dawn; the sun was still rising from the eastern horizon. I looked at the entrance of the empty house; Souji was standing to a side of the entrance while tilting his head up looking at the dark blue sky. I get up and walk to him. "Ah! You're awake." I look at him, the one who said that he'd protect me. I stare deep into his eyes. "Did you mean what you said last night?" Souji smiled at me answering "I wouldn't say things like that if I don't mean it. And if you tell anyone what I said to you last night I'll kill you." He finished with a somewhat of a scowl just not exactly. An expression telling me 'be careful what you say' knowing that I figured what it meant. If I ever told anyone it may not only embarrass him but me as well.
I sigh lightly. "Souji you're just one of those men who can't really be understood right away," I look at Souji again. Gracefully I step closer to his side leaning on his shoulders and whisper to his ear "but I understand you better now, don't think that it'll be easy hiding things from me at this point." Leaning forward off the wall Souji stands there looking at me while giving me a look that indicates that he couldn't possibly care if he can't hide his feelings, his lips curving into a gentle smile then slowly disappearing. "It's about time I go back to the Shinsengumi, Shiro you're coming as well." I stare bizarrely at him, "What?! Why?" My point in the beginning was to leave the Shinsengumi. Not go back!
"What do you mean 'why'? You have to come because we need an explanation of you saying those things to us yesterday." Without another word Souji grabs my wrist and pulls me to the Shinsengumi headquarters where all of the captains came to greet us. Hijikata was surprisingly the first to speak to us, "Souji! Where in the world did you disappear to?! And why is Shiro with you?" Kondou was the second, "Ah Souji you're back. I was getting worried since you were gone for nearly two days." Smiling in a relieved way he patted Souji on the shoulder. "Geez, Souji you've never really left us for that long before. Were you sick or something?" Heisuke asked. With all the questions and statements my head begins to hurt again.
Hijikata then said that there would be a meeting about me now, wanting to move on from the greetings I blurt out.
"Finally!"
Dead silence followed for a few long minutes. "Eh?" was the only thing I heard from Heisuke before we all assembled into the meeting room. "So Souji why did you bring Shiro here to headquarters? She already confirmed us enemies." Souji smirks and looks at me while seeming like he was holding back a laugh, "Well Shiro said that she was sorry for her rudeness before and said that she wanted to politely apologize to all of us with a proper explanation."
Instantly everyone was looking straight at me with piercing questioning eyes. Even they knew not to completely trust Souji with things like this. A sudden burst of anger, confusion and embarrassment came out of me. "That's a lie, Souji's lying! He forced me to come with him he dragged me the whole way here!" I guess I sounded really mad because everyone including Hijikata backed off a bit. I didn't want to stay here a minute longer there was one thing I could only think of saying.
"I'm sorry." Now I wish I actually would have said something else. "Uh, did she mean it?" Sanosuke questioned cautiously.
"See, didn't I tell you she came to apologize?" Okita said teasingly.
I couldn't stand it anymore. I stand up, open the door and walk out. Who did they think they were? I thought as I walk the floorboards to the exit. "Wait Shiro! Agh, wait!" I stop and look back. "Heisuke, what do you want?" I could hear him panting as he came closer. "Shiro I'm really sorry if we made you mad, but" Heisuke stopped halfway due to his panting earlier. I guess I walk really fast.
"But Shiro please stay. We all really want you to stay here."
"And why exactly!?" I retort.
I mean I guess some of them still want be friends regarding what I said to them earlier. The footsteps thudded through the hallway. "Shiro can't you stay? I think you'd actually fit in." Heisuke begged. "Is that all? Anything else? Why are all of you still clinging to me? Was it because of Kosu?" My eyes narrowed at them.
"Well, there's that Shiro but it seems that you want to," Kondou trailed off. I think I've been too kind already, I finish what Kondou was about to say.
"To what?" Iask. Hijikata gave me a long glare.
"If Shiro doesn't want to stay then let her go. We don't have any business with a person like her anymore." "Hijikata-san that's a little mean." Heisuke mumbled under his breath. I think deeper, I don't know if I should stay. "C'mon Shiro. Your skills would be an asset to the Shinsengumi." Souji says. I glare at him, "How would you know anything about my skills of fighting?" I hissed.
"Is it really that hard to guess? Aren't you Kosu's little sister? You know he's an excellent swordsman. I can only guess that you might have inherited his power of fighting is all." I look at everyone. I sigh deeply. "I guess I can stay for a while." "Awesome! Shiro's staying with us!" Heisuke exclaimed in excitement. "Good of you to join Shiro." Harada then rustles my hair. "I said for a while." I repeat. "At least you'd be staying here. I think you'd be a great ally." Kondou stated.
"Hey why not let Shiro spar against someone to determine her strength and if she should really stay here?" Nagakura you can be a pain in the neck.
"Sure that's a great idea but who should Shiro spar against? Hmmm, what about Saito-san? How about it Saito?" Souji you're an even more pain in the neck.
"Alright." Saito replied calmly but sighed to himself.
"C'mon right now I wanna see Shiro fight." Hearing Heisuke saying this makes me worry. "Do any of you know my level of fighting skills?" "There's no need to hold back Shiro, just spar." I don't remember asking Nagakura though.
"I will not hold back on you Shiro." Saito walks onto the stone dirt ground on one side of the courtyard. 'Better get this over with.' I walk onto the opposite side and get into my position. Saito on the other hand is just standing there. Right, he probably fights in a different technique than others. His swords are worn on the right meaning he's left-handed. No problem, my ninja skills along with swords are nearly impossible to beat. I trained years like swordsmen to perfect my skills.
I ready my sword into position; I was the first to attack. But the ninja skills I learned were to fight quietly and quickly making this a deadly fight even for Saito. In surprise Saito was able to block my first attack which is mostly the strongest. He stepped back a few paces before charging towards me. I parry his attack on my torso and aimed for his shoulders. Quickly he parries that as well. The both of us were moving swiftly and fast through air. His dark, calm, blue eyes looking into my dark brown eyes not missing a moment to try to cut each other down.
Knowing if I keep on clanging against his sword we'd probably get to nowhere. I jump back a few spaces and disappear. Saito didn't look as shocked as I thought he would be when I appeared behind him and stop at his neck. He just gave me a slight smile and said "Well done. You were stronger than I expected." I smile at him "Never underestimate your enemy."
"Whoah Shiro I can't believe you beat Saito-san. You're amazing!" Heisuke complimented. "Thanks." "You were great Shiro I've never seen anyone beat Saito-san before."
"Well, yeah I was training really hard when I was 4 years old." Instead of everyone saying 'Wow you actually started training that early?!' everyone just looked at me blankly. "I didn't know Shiro, how was the experience?" Harada asked. Just realizing what I said I froze in terror once more. The memories came back, flooding like a raging, violent river. My eyes wide open for the split second.
"Oi(hey), Shiro you okay?" Heisuke asked in concern. My senses came back; I gently shake my head and nod. "I'm fine" I pause, "why are all of you so nice to an outsider all of a sudden?" I questioned seriously.
"Well, you're siblings with Kosu one of our greatest warriors. You're not really an outsider." Kondou reassured me. "When you say 'not really' I take it that I am still considered an outsider no matter what huh?" I say with no emotion. Figuring what he said,
"Ahh, well, I didn't mean it that way Shiro. It's just…ah" he stopped. "Let me guess you all think I'm still nothing but a person who knows none of the warrior way am I correct?" I look at each of the Shinsengumi captains, my eyes searching their soul. "Gah?! Stop that Shiro you're freaking us out!" Shinpachi yelled.
"Hmm? So I can leave? I think I want to change my mind." I simply thought. "Wait Shiro you still haven't told us your apology yet." Souji teased. I give him a rotten cold stare. "Oh, so you still hate us? You're a hard woman to figure out Shiro." Souji said. I could have sworn he sounded like he was pitying me, in his own stupid worthless way. I am fed up with how Souji keeps on teasing me. Strolling up to Souji with a cold look I quickly swipe both of his swords away and ran off onto the courtyard.
"Ah? Hey Shiro give them back!" Souji shouted.
"You gotta catch me first if you wanna get them back!" I shout in response.
Already Souji was on the courtyard running my direction. Now I'm not a fool, I can tell Souji probably runs from Hijikata every once in a while (or maybe even every other day) because he might have just stolen a certain poem book or replaced it with a fake. So Souji may be good at retrieving his katanas. Reaching for my arms which hold his beloved tools for killing I dodged his attack to claim back his katanas and ran fast behind him. "You really gotta run a lot faster than that to get me slow poke!" I teased back at him. He glared at me coldly, attempting to try again. "Missed me you missed me." I mock making Souji even more irritated.
"Aright already just give back my katanas Shiro!" I stop in my tracks and give him a quirky smile.
"Then hurry up and get me already! You're too slow for your own good!" I called back.
Souji finally approaches me still glaring but down with a little embarrassment. I hold out the swords as he took them back. I fake an innocent smile, "You're so slow. I actually thought you would have caught me a long time ago, well it's seems that I was wrong." I say while shrugging my shoulders giving him the oh well look with my eyes closed.
"I had no idea you could run that fast I almost couldn't see ya there Shiro." Shinpatchi complimented. Although it was a compliment it really didn't feel like he said anything important. The sun has already passed over our heads to late noon.
"Time passes by." I mumbled. "What did you say Shiro?" I look at Saito in the eye "I said 'time passes by.'"
"What makes you think about time right now?" Souji asked. I look at the deep light-blue sky as it becomes darker smiling somewhat peacefully.
"Time is everywhere, whatever is going to happen each second in the future is unknown able to change with just a slight action yet the few seconds that past cannot be changed becoming permanent." I say to Souji's question. "Is that so? I can't imagine you to think about something as dense as time." Souji joshed. "Stop teasing me Souji! You're so annoying." I partly say under my breath.
Howling comes from a distance, everyone looks tense and runs out to the entrance. "Shiro you stay here!" Kondou commanded.
"But I can-" Hijikata interrupted me,
"It doesn't matter if you can protect yourself this doesn't have anything to do with you just stay here in headquarters, don't go into anyone's room that's an order you got that!?"
"Yes sir." I muttered.
Soon I was alone in the quiet headquarters. I stretched my arms and legs. "Ahhh, stretching in a long while has never felt so good. Now what should I do to occupy time?" I ask myself. Putting my two fingers up to my chin. I wander around HQ exploring each corner carefully since I was kinda set up to stay here thanks to Souji and Nagakura for the idea of sparring Saito. Around half an hour later they all came back but there was a girl with them dressed as a man. "She saw too much already don't you think we should just kill her?" Souji asked in an eager way.
"We'll discuss what to do with her tomorrow morning so quit you're complaining Souji!" Hijikata scolded. I trotted over to them "What did she see too much?" I curiously ask. Kondou stopped in his tracks along with Nagakura and Heisuke, all three of them saying
"He's a girl?!" Their eyes looking like they'll pop out any second. "Of course she's a girl." Souji commented. He's the one carrying her.
"Ahem! You guys still haven't answered me yet. Since you guys turned my big brother Kosu into a monster I deserve an explanation! And I want one right now!" I held my ground I just had to know what the Shinsengumi captains were hiding. Hijikata deeply sighed in frustration. "Alright we'll tell you once this girl's tied up in the vacant room." I nodded and everyone headed straight to the meeting room, everyone but Souji.