A/N: Apologies for the late update. Exams are in a few days, but apparently my procrastination on revision have manifested in me completing yet another chapter even though I've sworn off writing until exams are over. So it's an update for you guys! :) Oh, and Happy -belated- Halloween! Hope that you've enjoyed yourselves! ^^
A few other things to note: I've changed something in the second chapter. An anonymous reviewer going by 'Guest' have kindly pointed out that Saitou wears his katana on his right, not left, and I've rectified it. Thanks a lot! :)
Also I've removed the rhymes in chapter three from the flashback. I debated with myself for a length of time before adding it, but it still sat uneasily with me like it doesn't belong there, so I've taken it down. If any of you have views regarding this, I'd love to hear it!
In response to the reviews: (Normally, I'd reply reviewers via the inbox, but for those going anonymous, I hope you won't mind if I replied here.)
Guest: I'm glad that you have enjoyed the story so far and like the plot and Mio too! :) And thanks for pointing out that error I made. :p Yes, I had great fun writing and thinking up of the rumors, all the more so since it was actually a passing thought and not part of the plan! Hope that you'll enjoy this chapter~! :)
unknown: I'm happy to find someone else who finds Mio and her personality likable, and the plot interesting! The story isn't going to end anytime soon -if all things goes as planned- but here is the next chapter! :)
IT'S ME ANON: Or should I have put 'IT'S YOU ANON' instead? Haha, anyway bad jokes aside, yeah, Saitou is really beautiful. Like, lethally, excruciatingly beautiful, because let's not forget that he hails -together with Souji- as the captains with mosts kills to their name. And his softer side -shy, quiet and stern as you've so aptly phrased- yeah, I love it too. :) Well...I didn't really think in that manner, but Mio does come off as a Tsundere character doesn't she? Don't worry, she'll be softer, sweeter and kinder to Saitou -and everybody perhaps?- as the story goes. :p I'm really flattered that you find this fic interesting, and going so far to even say it's brilliant and beautifully written. I can only hope that this chapter does not disappoint! Thanks for loving the story, and (this is the internet, we love Saitou, so why the hell not?) love you too~! :D
fallingwisteria: I've already replied you through the inbox, but I would like to thank you again for taking time to leave your thoughts and insights. They made me think more in-depth than I usually would and are truly a great help! :)
Last but definitely NOT least, thanks for the reviews, alerts and favorites! You guys are awesome~!
Sunlight filtered through the thin material of the door, bathing the room in the pale glow of the morning sun. The room was just slightly warmer than usual as summer starts to mark her presence but already, Mio found it beyond stifling. The captains have yet to say anything and her nerves were already on the edge. It did not bode well for Mio, since she needed all her wits to ensure her continued residence in the Shinsengumi compound -assuming that she survives.
Mio was kneeling on the tatami floor of the meeting room, fingers on her lap lightly gripping the cloth of the plain brown kimono she was given to wear. She resolutely trained her eyes at a spot on the patterned floor, resisting her fight or flight instincts that were clamoring at her to do something.
Where was a katana when she needed one? In fact, Mio was so desperate she was even willing to make do with a dull kitchen knife instead of the pathetic hairpin holding up her hair. It had been a rather heated debate, with Yataro insisting that she not bring any weapons and her demanding that she had to at least arm herself. He was not the one who had to stay with a group of seasoned warriors he was tasked to spy on and then assassinate when the time was ripe.
And people tend to, you know, react violently to her less than innocent intentions when they find out which end of the sword she intends to stick into them.
In the end they settled it amicably, finally agreeing -rather grudgingly on Mio's part- that she would always use two hairpins; one to actually hold her hair in place, and the other to substitute as an emergency weapon that would hopefully not be required. Right now, Mio viciously wished that Yataro was still nursing that black eye of his.
Just this morning, Chizuru had informed her that there was a meeting being held. It was welcomed news -even with the threat of death hanging over it- what with her being cooped up in the room for an entire week.
Mio had been kindly suggested -demanded- to not leave the room she shared with Chizuru, and she could not risk sneaking out when the more than capable captains were keeping a watch over her the entire time.
It had taken all her self-control over the seven days to not attempt in pitting her skills against theirs, to see if were they more perceptive, or was her stealth too much for them to handle. All it would take is one mistake, one slip, and she was sure that she would leave the place –in pieces. And Mio was not in any rush to find out if the Shinsengumi truly lived up to their blood drenched reputation by making an example out of herself.
Nevertheless, a mission was a mission and she would be unworthy of her position of spymaster if she balked at every small threat. Even though the Shinsengumi was anything but small. Even though she did not have enough time to prepare. Even though-
God, this isn't helping. And neither were the predatory gazes set on her.
Mio had played the role of a geiko before, and being scrutinized like a piece of meat that drunk perverted men could not wait to get their hands on was practically a permanent part of the job. But this, this was a whole different game altogether. The Shinsengumi captains were hardly gazing at her with lustful eyes, and while Mio was sure that they wanted to get their hands on her almost as much as the men at Shimabara does, she doubt that she would come out of this alive.
"So, this is the kid?" The captain with brown hair said, and her eyes darted up at the rhetorical question. Playful emerald regarded her and Mio did not like what she saw in the other's eyes –a cunning intelligence that was not hidden by his mischievous demeanor, not to her at least. This guy would be a challenge to deal with.
"Yes," Saito replied, voice level and cool. "She is the one we were discussing before."
Their eyes met for a brief moment, a slight contact, bottomless sapphire depths meeting a light forest green. Both hurriedly looked away at the same time. Heat suffused Mio's cheeks as the previous happening of when they were both alone flashed through her mind. There's nothing like an unintended and highly inappropriate flashing to make people overly self-conscious, apparently.
Well, isn't it hot today, Mio thought, even as a small voice within her devilishly pointed out that it have nothing to do with the temperature, and everything to do with that one man across the room. She stole a look, considering Saitou for a while. It did help that he was easy, more than easy, on the eyes...
As quick as that thought came, Mio shot it down, amidst the protest of the devilish voice within that was always, always, responsible for urging her to tempt fate be it by testing Araki's patience or, as it is doing now, being attracted to one of her targets. Her job was hard enough as is. She definitely did not need to any sort of feelings and emotions thrown into the mix, Mio decided resolutely, stamping out the more irrational side of her thoughts.
The voice of the captain who had first spoken brought her attention back where it mattered most.
"Why don't we just kill her?" He said casually, as if he was discussing the weather and not the death of a girl whose parents they had killed. Mio almost choked on her saliva because, yeah, she knew that it'd be hard to get them to take her in, but she had never thought to be written off so fast.
"Now, now, Souji. Don't scare our guest." The man sitting beside Hijikata said, his voice kind, and smile warm. Then he turned to her. "I'm Kondo Isami, the commander of Shinsengumi. Don't worry about Souji, he means no harm. We are all sorry for what has happened to you."
Mio could tell that he meant it, and that was when she did a double take. This was the man -one who cut a kind fatherly picture in the midst of the captains and seemed really out of place- leading the Shinsengumi? Really? Where was the big-sized, gruff and rough barbarian that must surely be commandeering a notorious group such as this?
Her thoughts of incredulity must have shown on her face, because Kondo was looking at her with concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"
"Y- Yes." Mio replied hurriedly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare, it's just that…you are not what I imagine you to be." And with seven boring days and plenty of townsfolk's rumor to ponder on, she had imagined plenty indeed.
He gave a sheepish laugh. "I hear that a lot."
Kondo had been truthfully in feeling for her plight, she could tell that much, but with some of the guys in the room, she knew they felt anything but sorry. Like that bespectacled man who spoke next.
"I understand your concern, Kondo-san, but this place is not fit for a young woman." Politely said and properly phrased, but the look in his eyes was more calculating than worried about the feasibility of her living in the compound.
Mio jaw clenched. Predictable. They were warriors who worked under the Shogun, stupid, stupid, stupid of her to even expect them to give consideration even to one whose family they'd slain accidentally.
As if hearing her thoughts, Saito spoke up, deftly proving her wrong. "And yet there is nowhere else she can go."
Mio's eyes widened at this display of support, even as Harada nodded his head. "We are responsible for the blame after all." He looked at the other two captains beside him, and Nagakura and the boyish-looking captain voiced their agreed.
The younger man punched Nagakura on the shoulder playfully. "Well, Shinpachi just want another woman to look at!"
"That's not true! It's just that- how could we leave a lady out alone in the streets with no one to support her… Heisuke, you little brat!" And then, a small scuffle promptly broke out right in front of Mio's unbelieving eyes.
She was used to order and rank, where rules are written and set in stone, and no one acted out of line. And here, this, this is the famed and feared Shinsengumi; kind and gullible commander and scuffling captains galore… Mio wondered if she was at the wrong compound or maybe, even the wrong province. Perhaps Shinsengumi was very common a name?
Hijikata scowled, frown deepening as he shouted at them to settle down and shooting them a final glare to nail in the message. "Act your age!" He barked.
There was a little more finger-pointing (and Mio had the vague feeling that she was watching two kids fight) before they quieted down, and Saitou spoke. "It would not be in our favor if word gets out that the Shinsengumi kill civilians without cause."
Hijikata looked towards the bespectacled man sitting across the room. "Sannan, I have my thoughts, but I want to hear what you think of this."
Sannan's eyebrows creased, fingers rubbing his chin in thoughtful consideration. "Yes, what Hajime-kun said is true. It would be counter-productive if we lose the good graces of the Aizu clan now, especially after all that we have done to secure the credit of the Ikedaya Inn incident…"
Hijikata sighed. "And if Satsuma and Choshu get wind of this, they would blow things up, and our reputation with the townspeople is standing in the mud already. I can see where this is going…"
"You." Mio's spine stiffened as the piercing violet gaze of the vice-commander turned on her. "You will be kept under watch and will remain in your room at all times."
"But- " Mio started to say, yet Hijikata appeared to have no qualms on interrupting her. And as both Mio and Hijikata continued, the rest of the occupants in the room followed the back and forth conversation, although Mio seemed to hardly get anything in at all.
"-your meals will be brought to you and-"
"Wait a minute-"
"-you will not wander around the compound-"
"Hold on a sec-"
"-and you will listen to all orders given to you." Hijikata finished, folding his arms across his chest. "Is that clear?"
And wow, Mio had this sudden urge to slice that infuriating look off his face (if she ever gets hold of a knife). She never really liked bossy characters and as a warrior, her pride did not allow her to bow easily. And this Hijikata Toshizo was the epitome of bossy, discounting Araki because in his own right, Araki was on a level of his own.
"Prisoner." Mio said flatly.
"What?" Hijikata asked, irritation evident on his face at not receiving the hearty "Yes, Sir!" he must surely be expecting, and Mio relished in the frustration, however slight, she was able to cause. That'll teach him.
"After killing my parents, you are asking me to remain here as a prisoner in every manner but the literal sense of the word. And the Shinsengumi is supposed to maintain peace and protect the civilians. Is it me or am I missing something here?" The none-too-discreet jab at their mistake and responsibilities was not lost on Hijikata. His eyes narrowed on Mio, mild anger simmering beneath the violet surface.
"The compound is not for you, a female, to roam freely. There are rules to be followed." And tempers to watch, apparently, Mio thought drily.
"Umm…" Chizuru started, and all eyes turned to her. Her voice wavered, eyes averting to the ground, but still, she pushed on resolutely. "Hijikata-san, would it be asking for too much from you to allow Hayashi-san to help with the work around here like I do? And to let her accompany me when I search for my father? After all, her situation isn't like how mine initially was."
Hijikata looked at Chizuru and, to Mio's astonishment, his features gentled the merest fraction, a minute upturn of his lips gracing his features. The changes were slight but noticeable only to those looking closely, and who knew the demon vice-commander was even capable of such an expression. "Well, that is true. You came in with a worse predicament than hers, and you've turned out good. I suppose the restrictions could be relaxed a little."
Chizuru looked up at the compliment, her chestnut-brown eyes wide with surprise, before ducking her head again as her face flushed a rosy pink. Hijikata turned back to Mio -and ah, there was that demon she knew- lips a thin hard line, the barely there softness gone from his face.
So, Hijikata and Chizuru, perhaps…? Interesting. Mio filed this little biscuit of information away in her mind.
"We'll see how things go then," Hijikata told Mio. "Chizuru will show you the ropes, but don't think it will be an easy task staying here."
"Does that mean that we can take her on our patrol rounds too?" Nagakura said eyes glittering, a spreading grin on his face at the prospective increase in female accompaniment, no doubt.
Harada smacked him on the head. "Hey, don't even think of taking advantage of the lady, Shinpachi."
The captain who seemed the youngest -and whom she only know as Heisuke, from what the others call him- grinned cheekily at Harada. "Well, that's what you say, Sano, but you are probably thinking the same things too!"
Leaning against the wall, the one Kondo had called Souji was shaking his head, a small smirk on his lips. "I think Chizuru has made us soft." But his tone was lightly mischievous, obviously teasing the now flustered Chizuru.
"Well," Harada said, winking at Chizuru and Mio. "That might not be a bad thing."
Sannan sighed. "I guess that waits to be seen."
And that was it. It had been nerve-wrecking and might have shaved a few years off her life just sitting in the same room with them while they contemplate on her fate, but…
Amid all this laughter, all the acceptance -some grudging, some welcoming- in giving her the opportunity to try and find her place among the Shinsengumi, Mio could not help the idiotic smile breaking on her face.
She'd passed the first hurdle. Alive.