Hakuouki. OkitaXChizuru

A/N: Next installment. :) Still rated a strong T for Okita and his behavior...ha. Enjoy.

Fateful

Chapter 3

Souji Okita learned long ago that life was short.

It was unfortunate, but he learned the hard way. It happened on a random cold snowy night, as was one of the most common settings for an accident, and his parents were no exception. Their older model vehicle couldn't handle the fresh wet snow that covered the road and the turn they took didn't take. The car slid uncontrollably, and should've stopped at the guard rail, but of course—as is also common in most accidents, it didn't.

The vehicle ultimately crashed through the railing on the side of the road and their car tumbled and rolled into a ravine. His parents were killed immediately.

The day the police came by and informed them of what happened was one of the worst moments of his life. But he couldn't even imagine the kind of pain his older sister went through—having to identify the bodies. Even now, she wouldn't tell him, or anyone, the condition of their broken bodies had been. But that didn't stop his nightmares.

After that day, he was left in the care of his two older sisters, and as a whole, were all sent to live with his grandfather. That was the day he learned that life was unpredictable.

He couldn't have predicted that he would have to start anew, didn't think his new parents would be his sisters who were barely much older than he was. And he never thought he'd be leaving the home he'd known for the majority of his young life, and never thought he'd have to endure the loss of his home, memories and friends so soon after his parent's death.

Okita got sick very often when he was young—the start of an illness that not even the doctors at the time could predict would affect him later in his life. It started as a small fever—stress related from all the change he couldn't quite handle properly. Then escalated to migraines and being physically weak all the time that he had to be bed ridden for most of the day. The doctors prescribed him many things, pills for the migraine, a specific diet to help his weak limbs, an off brand medicine syrup for the fever, among others for the extra little things his sickness was giving him.

His grandfather, after watching silently for too long, finally threw out all the prescribed medicine and prescribed him something else.

Exercise.

His older sister was livid when she found out what he had done, but their grandfather was insistent. Told them that Okita was young and needed an outlet for all his pent up frustration and stress. So they enrolled him in a local kendo school run by a friendly and known man—Kondou.

The rest was history.

Okita got better immediately, and he found comfort and a father figure in his teacher—though he never really admitted it. But Kondou wasn't the only person he grew to like and be comfortable around, no, he soon made friends, brothers, brought together in a small after school kendo practice. Sure he but heads with the occasional student or two, but such a thing was common in a room full of hot heads. But he knew that at the end of the day, that particular group of guys always had his back.

He couldn't have silently thanked his grandfather enough, for if it weren't for his suggestion, Okita really felt that his inactive illness would have started at a much earlier time…

Now he was plotting his return…again. He was sure that the guys would want to do something…normal, but he wasn't having it. He said it before and he'd say it again, he was done with taking it easy and normal. Normal was for people who didn't have a fifty-fifty chance of not relapsing into an old illness. And if he had to guilt them into taking him out, he would.

He let his head slide back onto the uncomfortable pillow and tried hard not to let his annoyed behavior ruin his day. He had about another two weeks to go—with daily physical check-ups and making sure he took his medicine until he was deemed not contagious and public worthy. Okita hated the feeling of being some freak…or patient zero, in this case, but he did have to agree that being safe was better than being sorry.

He'd hate for anyone he was constantly around to get what he had. It was a bitch. Not to mention it wasn't exactly a charming opening line or panty dropper by telling them he was contagious. He was sure he didn't even have to tell them of what before the ladies would be running in the opposite direction. Okita didn't need anything to hurt his "game" with female companions—having friends like Hijikata, Sanosuke and the others was bad enough…

Okita let his eyes travel around the boring white colored and typical hospital room. His eyes instantly caught the Get Well balloons and cards—not as many as the first time admitted, in the corner by the window. It was the only color in his otherwise boring room, but it was also a constant reminder that others were worried. All the more reason to prove he was just fine.

He glanced away and to the clock on the wall before he sighed to himself. What the hell? Sanan said he'd be right back that douche. He thought angrily. It was already an hour and half later than when he normally would have his physical done and over with. He didn't have patience, or at least not very much, when he was in the hospital. Much less doctors, who always seemed to give him that certain look.

Okita grimaced and hoped that Sanan would hurry up, he was getting hungry and his show would be on in half an hour.

Chizuru squeezed a decent amount of hand sanitizer in the palm of her hands and thoroughly rubbed it in. The smell made her wince, but in a strangely good way. She smiled at the receptionist on the third floor and handed her the clipboard she held on.

"Can you hold this for me?" she asked softly, "Doing a patient check-up and can't bring in someone else's papers in." Chizuru held up the folder she needed before pushing the clipboard forward.

The older receptionist gave a small smile back and took the clipboard, "No problem, Miss. Yukimura." She shifted and tucked it away. "Oh, and Miss Sen is on line one for you."

Chizuru felt her eyes widen and she shifted her attention to the clock on the wall. She was suppose to be on her lunch break eight minutes ago…she nodded and walked over to the phone and picked up.

"Hello…?"

"Oh, great you are there, Chizuru! I was worried you went off to lunch alone!" she laughed and Chizuru have a weak one back. Sen knew she wouldn't do that to her.

"Um, yeah. Listen," Chizuru shifted her weight awkwardly, turning away from the receptionist who occasionally glanced her way. "I may have to skip my break today, Sen. I'm so sorry, but Dr. Sanan needed me to take one of his patients right now." At the mention of skipping lunch, Chizuru's stomach dropped and then grumbled softly in protest.

She knew it was a mistake to skip break feast, but she figured the granola bar she had would hold her over until her lunch…and it would have, had she not had to do what Sanan asked. Thus was the life of an intern.

"Hmm, you sure skipping would be a good idea? You usually work until very late…" Sen trailed off and the worry she had for Chizuru made her smile.

"Thanks for the concern, Sen. But I'll be fine. I'll just take a quick thirty minute today when I find the time and snack on something."

"Do you want me to wait too?" she asked.

"No! You don't have to wait for me, Sen. You must be very hungry and I couldn't ask that of you! Especially since I won't even take a full hour!" Chizuru heard Sen laugh softly on the other line and she could already imagine the smile she wore.

"Okay, thanks for your concern, Chizuru. Just make sure you eat, ok? You're a doctor in training and should set standards!"

This time Chizuru couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, okay. Bye."

"Later, Chizuru!"

Chizuru smiled at the phone and put the phone down. Tucking the folder under her arm, she squeezed more hand sanitizer onto her hands and proceeded down the hall to room 304. Her mind began to do the usual race it did before encountering a patient, the introductions, the instructions and the questions.

She mentally went through the scenario a few times, trying to keep an open mind when Sanan had mentioned he was "troubled" patient. She could easily understand why, having tuberculosis at age 23, or any age really, must be difficult. But in her field, there were stories that were bound to be more serious and saddening…but a tuberculosis case was so…rare nowadays.

Chizuru paused briefly outside the door and noted all the sanitizer, face masks, extra gloves and acohol wipes—for guests and doctors. She reached for a face mask, but stopped herself and instead took a pair of gloves. She already had a pair, but felt slightly perplexed that she had subconsciously reached for the face mask.

She knew that TB could only be spread through cough droplets and such, not through air. She shook off the nerves and pushed forward again. Giving the typical and solid one tap knock on the door before she opened the door, she felt the nervousness lift from her shoulders and that medical confidence set in.

Chizuru poked her head into the room and smiled, "Hello, Mr. Okita?" Slowly she opened the door, entered and softly closed the door. She faintly heard the television on before it clicked off followed by a grunt of acknowledgement.

Chizuru walked into the fairly open room, boring—as most rooms were, but newly remodeled with a few typical photos on the walls. But her eyes landed on the bright colored balloons and small cards on the corner table. She smiled, glad to know that the troubled patient at least had friends, which meant he couldn't be too bad…right?

A male with light brown and messy hair and intense green eyes stepped in front of her view. Chizuru stumbled back, blinking several times to compose herself. But she couldn't seem to calm down her now racing heart…for the life of her she hadn't heard him make his way towards her.

"Uh—hello!" she nervously brushed her bangs and smiled, "I'm Chi-"

The male sighed loudly, crossing his arms in front of him. "You're not Sanan." He mumbled matter-of-factly and turned away from her and walking back to his bed. Chizuru gaped after him, utterly confused. She glanced down at her scrubs, was her outfit not a tall tell sign that she worked there? Did he not care?

"Um, no." she followed him, feeling rather bold and bit dejected at the brush off. Sure she wasn't a doctor yet…but that didn't mean that she shouldn't be taken seriously! Chizuru tried again. "But I'm—"

He cut her off again, "Where the hell is he? That bastard." He glanced back at her, as if just noticing her. His green eyes took her in—all of her. They roamed slowly up her body and she could feel the heat from his eyes and Chizuru immediately blushed. She had never been on the receiving end of a look like that before. "I don't know you. Do you work here? Or…"

The green eyes got darker suddenly, his stare shifting to another sinister but blush inducing look. He walked back to her, a small smirk on his face—his very handsome face, Chizuru noted. He stopped a few feet away from her and stared down at her, a gleam in his eyes. "Or do we know each other?" he asked.

Chizuru opened her mouth to speak but all that confidence, all that air and familiarity of medical business seemed to have flown right out the window. She shifted her eyes away from him and focused on the wall. Her mind was racing for what to say, because lord knew she couldn't just keep standing like an idiot. She was a doctor in training and he was one patient out of many more to come.

With calming breath, she spoke, "No. We don't." She fiddled with the folder and turned away from him, placing it down on the nearest table. Now that she wasn't looking at him, she felt the confidence, and sanity, come back. "Dr. Sanan had a priority one, so I'll be doing your check-up today, Mr. Okita."

She heard him grunt from behind her, "Uh, just Okita please." He sighed dramatically, "So the douche had another patient, what about Matsumoto? He's usually the back up or whatever."

Chizuru glanced at him quickly over her shoulder and gave him a small smile; he stood staring back at her inquisitively. Before she could get lost in his stare again, she turned back to the folder. She already knew just about everything she needed to, but it gave her comfort. "Dr. Matsumoto is out, so Dr. Sanan had to take over his patients for the day."

Digging out her gloves, Chizuru put them on carefully and then sterilized her stethoscope before turning towards him. "Like I mentioned, I'll be taking care of you today." She smiled.

He raised an eyebrow at her, "Hm. Alright then." He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, waiting. "Whatever gets this check-up over with, right?"

Chizuru gave a brief nod, hurried over to him and instantly started what she'd been trained to do. "I'm Yukimura." She greeted before beginning. She noticed that he raised his eyebrows again, this time questioning.

"Yukimura, uh?" he asked, laying his arm out as she placed the blood pressure cuff around his arm. "How old are you?"

Chizuru blinked at him, rather shocked at his bold question. "Er—ah, 21." She turned away from him and placed the ear pieces in of her stethoscope.

Okita hummed, smirking. "Pretty young then, and already quite accomplished. Hospital and all. Didn't think I'd have the Dr. Yukimura actually be my doctor for the afternoon. I figured you types would be stuck in some lavish office while everyone else did the bitch work."

Chizuru pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling a rather unpleasant emotion surface when someone reminded her of the chip on her shoulders. It wasn't the first time someone confused her father's success for hers, but like all the other times, she didn't take it. "Actually, that Yukimura is my father. I'm his daughter, Chizuru." She concentrated on the numbers in front of her, waiting for the moment when she would hear Okita's heartbeat.

Thump-Thump. There it was. "80 over 120. Normal." With a soft hiss, the cuff deflated around Okitas arm and Chizuru routinely took off her stethoscope and placed it back around her neck. Okita was smirking at her and she shifted uncomfortably.

"You're rather honest, Chizuru." He stated.

Chizuru shrugged, "I suppose so. I don't like lying." She walked over to the table and scribbled down his vitals before walking back and taking his hand for his next vitals. She flipped it so his palm was facing up ward and she placed two fingers at veins by his wrist.

Okita chuckled softly, "You know, if you want to hold my hand Chizuru, all you have to do is ask." Chizuru felt herself blush again and he shook his head. "You make it too easy, Chizuru…"

She mumbled the reading to him and went back to the papers. Chizuru mentally tried to compose herself, but it was so hard when he kept teasing her. She wasn't even sure why he was doing it. Is this what Sanan had meant? Was he a flirt with all girls? Somehow the thought made her feel rather upset.

"So I suppose you'll be doing my check-ups from now on?" he asked.

Chizuru glanced over at him and stared. She wasn't sure, nor was she sure if she wanted to anymore. She wasn't sure what it was about him, but something made her feel…odd. She couldn't place it, but she could say it felt weird to have such a constant male attention. She just wasn't used to it.

"I'm not sure, Okita. Perhaps. It all depends on Dr. Sanan and Dr. Matsumoto."

He sighed, "You mean you don't get a say in it?" he asked, "Didn't you say you worked here?"

Chizuru straightened, "I didn't. But I do." She pointed at her nametag, "I'm just interning. I'm still going to medical school."

She watched as his eyes widened slightly and he nodded, "Now the pieces fall into place. Got it." He stood and stretched his arms high over his head, the shirt he was wearing rose up slightly and Chizuru turned away. Once again her face was ablaze because what she glimpsed beneath his shirt was rather nice.

"Um, yeah." She muttered lamely. Slowly she got up to continue the check-up.

Okita wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he really didn't expect a girl—a rather petite girl, to walk in.

Not that he was complaining, this was his second time being admitted to the hospital and only the first eye candy to show up, other than the receptionist on the first floor. But he'd read plenty of stories about hot nurses and yet, squat at this hospital.

How in the hell was he going to fulfill one of his sexy nurse fantasies otherwise?

The dark haired, brown doe eyed girl was cute. Really cute, actually, despite the horrible colored scrubs she wore and the near to no make-up. Okita usually liked his girls all done up, wearing tight fitted outfits and, usually, high heels. But this girl? She made the natural look work, probably the only girl who could.

He could easily imagine her dressed up for a night out. And the best part about her? Her expressive eyes told him everything. She was much too easy to tease and that had him scheming almost instantly. He had two weeks to kill and she had unknowingly volunteered.

If he wasn't so angry at Sanan, he would probably thank him. But no, the douche left him high and dry and Okita couldn't just trust anyone so easily—doctor or not. Had anyone else but Chizuru walked him, he would have put up hell until he got his ass to his room. Sanan knew that, as did Matsumoto.

Hell, if he was perfectly honest with himself, he was about ready to send Chizuru packing too hadn't it been for her blushing face and startled expression. He watched her silently as she scribbled madly away at a piece of paper—his file undoubtedly. Okita also noticed how she instantly relaxed when she turned away from him, and how in control she seemed otherwise, but the moment she turned back to him she tensed and looked away from him.

He made her nervous and he was enjoying it.

"So you following father's footsteps, huh Chizuru?" he asked, tilting his head as he watched her. She glanced at him, brown eyes widening and then blinked at him. Confused? Nervous?

She turned away from him and nodded, "Yeah. I'm good at this, so naturally it makes sense to follow my father's footsteps."

Okita nodded, "Of course, but do you like it?"

Chizuru turned towards him and furrowed her brows, her lips pressed into a thin line again. Pensive. "What?" she asked.

Okita smirked and leaned forward, "I asked if you like it."

Chizuru smiled and nodded, for a moment she relaxed and she didn't even need to turn away. "Yes, I do." Her eyes sparkled then, making Okita silent for a moment. "Being able to do something, being able to help is such a great feeling. It's been hard work, but it's worth it." She shifted her eyes to the ground and then turned back to the papers and Okita turned his attention away.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Okita shook his head, clearing his thoughts. This was nothing. This was mindless banter to kill time, because as soon as he was released, he'd be out of there. And a girl like her was definitely too career orientated to live his kind of lifestyle much less understand it.

This was just like those nights out. All for fun.

He smirked again, "At least you have passion." He watched as Chizuru blushed once again and mumbled a soft thank you before she inevitably turned away from him. Okita glanced away from her to the clock on the wall and groaned loudly.

Immediately, Chizuru whirled around to face him; eyes wide as she took him in. She rushed over to him, her hands outstretched and ready to help him. "Okita! Are you alright? What hurts?"

Okita stared at her, noticing that for the first time since entering the room she was actually looking right into his eyes without hesistation. He smiled before bursting into laughter and Chizuru grimaced, stepping back and dropping her hands. Okita slapped his thigh and wiped away imaginary tears, though he felt close to it if he continued to laugh the way he was.

"Ohh, Chizuru, you really do have the passion!" Chizuru continued to stare at him and her face turned the brightest shade of red yet. "Sorry for laughing, but that I was too funny. I didn't mean to trick you or anything…I was just groaning because, well, I'm starving!" He placed his hand over his stomach and Chizuru simply stared, baffled.

"We're almost done, Okita." She sighed and a very low growl made her blush as she placed her own hand on her stomach. Okita chuckled, throwing his head back. It had been a while since he had been this entertained at someone else's expense. It was nice to laugh.

"I'm guessing you're hungry too then?" he smirked, "Have you taken your lunch yet? Why don't you eat here, with me?"

Chizuru gave him a small polite smile and shook her head, "Thanks, but I don't think that would be a good idea…"

Okita raised his eyebrow and lowered his voice, "Because I'm contagious?" he asked, "Or because I'm sick?"

Chizuru flinched, "Neither. I'm in the wrong field if either of those things would scare me." She straightened, "It's because I'm your doctor and you're a patient."

He smiled and crossed his arms, "Wrong. I'm a patient and you're the intern…not yet doctor. And it's just lunch not a date. Do they really care what you do on your break?" he asked and then waved his hand in the air dismissively, "Besides, Sanan usually has lunch with me."

She was quiet for a minute; her lips pursed this time and obviously trying to find some sort of excuse out. He wasn't even offended by it, it seemed more like a natural reaction and she just continued to amuse the hell out of him. Okita shrugged nonchalantly, "Besides, if you're going to be doing this check-up thing more often, it shouldn't be that big a deal, right?"

Chizuru gave him a patronizing look that had Okita smirking again. "…I said I wasn't sure if I would be doing this again or not."

"You obviously don't know me yet." She gave him a curious look and he continued, "I have trust issues." He added, purposely being vague. Chizuru shook her head softly, but he could see a ghost of a smile on her face. He was cracking her, that or she was getting comfortable…more confident.

"I still don't think—"

"I won't take my medicine." He narrowed his eyes at her and she stared at him, shocked.

"W-what?"

Okita shrugged again, smiling like an idiot on the inside. "My medicine. I won't take it." He sighed dramatically and turned towards his bed. "You've probably read my file…so you know how stubborn I am." Okita glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

He watched as she gaped at him, staring blankly and very much confused on what he was saying. He doubted she'd had much trouble so far with any patients or even co-workers in general. Chizuru shifted her footing awkwardly, her eyes everywhere but on him.

"It's just lunch, Chizuru. Lunch for my medicine, easy." He smirked at her and he could swear he saw anger and frustration flit through her wide brown eyes.

Chizuru finally sighed and turned away from him, "Okay. But then you have to take your medicine!" she shook her head as she walked over to the file. "And I can only be on break for 30 minutes…"

Okita laid down on the bed and raised a thumbs up in the air, "Perfect."

Chizuru held back the urge to call her father, or at the very least Sanan.

She wasn't even sure what really happened in the room. Quietly, she removed he gloves, tossed them into the trash and thoughtfully rubbed the hand sanitizer before going to bathroom and washing her hands again.

It was more so precaution than anything, he hadn't even once showed an ounce of being sick…or being hindered by his sickness. But she knew how deceiving that could really be. Her mind was racing, as was her heart and it unnerved her to no end. She stared at her reflection and was surprised to see her face still slightly flushed from her encounter. She pressed her lips together annoyingly and patted her face to rid herself of the blush. It was embarrassing to blush so easily.

And Okita seemed to catch on to it. Especially when she had to ask him to remove his shirt to check his breathing, god he wouldn't stop teasing. She'd seem a lot of naked bodies, dead and alive—but one so up close, sculpted perfectly with a few perfectly imperfect scars, and purely handsome was something entirely new.

And just as equally embarrassing. Chizuru had never frozen or felt so lost for words and actions in her entire life.

Chizuru once again debated to call her father again, but she knew that this wouldn't be her first troubled patient to endure and he would be quick to remind her too. So far she hadn't had to call him for anything problematic other than to update him on how things were going. Heck, she didn't want to start now and have to explain to him, nor Sanan, at how she'd gotten 99% of the check-up done but couldn't get him to take his medicine at the end.

She was still an intern and even with the Yukimura name tied to her, she still had a lot to prove. There were more patients like him going to come around and she couldn't let her first one hinder the rest or her growing reputation. Besides it was like he said, the solution was easy.

Chizuru could have easily called his bluff, he didn't seem like the type to want to be stuck in the hospital more than he should, but she had read his file. And he had much bigger problems the first time admitted. He had denied any medicine when he arrived and was treated for his TB. He even made a big statement on how he didn't trust medicine—or Doctors. Chizuru sighed, immediately thinking back on how he had mentioned having trust issues.

But he had to stay an extra couple of weeks because his TB wasn't being treated and he was assigned a Doctor to be by his side nearly 24-7. Sanan had been that doctor, and he had gotten him to take the medicine in the end.

Chizuru did not want that to happen again. He was already two weeks into his medicine routine, anything missed would completely erase the last two weeks...and he was showing such improvement in his vitals already. For some reason, the thought of him coughing up blood made her shiver unpleasantly, she just couldn't imagine him now laughing or joking constantly and she had just met him.

Casting a quick glance at the clock on the wall again, Chizuru picked up her pace and hurried to the elevator. Her lunch was, of course, located on the first floor with the rest of her items. Sen usually tucked their lunches away in the back room mini fridge so it was kept cool.

"I'll be right back," Chizuru announced to the receptionist, "I just need to pick something up from the first floor." She handed Okita's file to her, waved and hurried on.

Chizuru impatiently tapped her foot as she rode the elevator down to the first floor; she wasn't sure why she was so nervous. But she couldn't stop her mind from filling with the worst case scenario, such as Okita relapsing during the time she was picking up her lunch…it was irrational, but she couldn't help it.

The sooner he took his medicine, the sooner she would feel calm. This whole thing was on her after all. It didn't take long for Chizuru to quick grab her lunch and head back up to the third floor again, Sen was still on her lunch when she went down. And thankfully, she didn't run into Sanan, she didn't think she could lie to his face about what she was doing.

Once on the third floor again, Chizuru greeted the receptionist once again and took back Okita's folder. "I'll be on break for the next thirty minutes and I'll be back for my clipboard then." Before the receptionist could answer she walked away, already sanitizing her hands again as she headed back to Okita's room.

With an afterthought, Chizuru paused and quickly made a detour before heading to Okita's. She smiled softly to herself, but stopped suddenly, shook her head to clear her thoughts and spun back around. She didn't have time to stop by the food room, she wasn't even sure what he liked…and this wasn't a formality. This was business. Medical business.

Chizuru sighed heavily and hurried back towards Okita's room. The faster she got there, the faster he took his meds and the faster she got this situation behind her...

Oh, how she really hoped he would.

"So, Chizuru…" Okita wiped his mouth with the back of hand before continuing, "Are you like, the only female intern-doctor here?"

Chizuru furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side, "Mm, no. Why?" she poked at her chicken salad with her fork, purposely avoiding eye contact—as she had for most of their lunch so far.

Okita smirked, "Well 'cause you're really the only girl I've seen so far, other than the receptionist…and I've been here twice!"

He watched as Chizuru gave a sudden nod of understanding and pushed her salad around a bit before answering. "There are a few female doctors…more nurses than anything. I'm the only one my age though…as for interns there's maybe…four of us here?" She raised her hands and mentally ticked them off before nodding again. "Yeah, four. Most of the interns stuck with the default hospital that's closer to the school. There's less hours, but busier work." Chizuru shrugged indifferently.

Okita smiled, shifting his weight on the bed and making Chizuru scoot closer to the edge of the bed. He could tell how the prospect of simply sitting on the same bed with a guy was unnerving. She tried to argue sitting in the chair, but he wouldn't have it—not when this option was more fun.

Finally Chizuru gave up on her salad, tossing her plastic fork into her dish before placing the lid onto it. She shifted, glanced at the clock and then pointedly back to him. "Alright, I have to get going now. It was a great lunch, now…"

Okita placed his own dish onto the table next to his bed and shifted back towards Chizuru. He gave a nod and then closed the gap between them, opening his mouth. "I'm ready."

Chizuru leaned her head back, blushing once again. Would she stop doing that soon? He wasn't sure, but he really hoped not. With the sobering thought, he laughed at her expression and turned away from her. "Just kidding. I'll be good now, Chizuru. I'll take my medicine."

He could hear Chizuru shift, and he turned to glance at her and see the skeptical expression in her eyes. He sighed dramatically but couldn't help but laugh. He raised his tiny white cup that held his pills, popped them into his mouth and chased it with water. When he was finished, Chizuru relaxed and gave him a smile.

"See? That wasn't so hard." She turned away and placed her lunch into her lunch bag.

Okita shrugged, "Yeah, I know. But it's more fun this way."

Chizuru shook her head and gave a wry laugh. She was obviously pleased that he had done what he needed to, he almost felt guilty for putting her through that...almost. Chizuru mumbled a few things as she gathered her things before she started to make her way to the door.

"Thanks for today, Chizuru. See you tomorrow!" He waved at her, grinning at her perplexed and exasperated look.

She shifted uncomfortably once again and shrugged, "Yeah…" she finally called back, "We'll see."

Okita laughed again, shaking his head. She really couldn't have gotten out of his room fast enough, but he was impressed that she had come back—without help like Sanan. It's not like he was exactly serious about his medicine, not that he would ever tell her, because he knew the consequences of not taking them. And no one was going to hold him back, two weeks from now he was out.

No matter what.

But he liked making Chizuru sweat a little. If anything, she'll thank him later for the experience when she dealt with real troublemakers and assholes. He smirked, his mind already thinking of ways she could return the favor...

A/N: So Okita is getting under Chizuru's shy exterior...which only means character development! Yay! :) Haha, well, I hope you enjoyed. R&R please!

Thanks for reading! Until the next chapter. :)