Author's Note:
Looks like things are starting to get interesting! And what's this feeling Chizuru's experiencing? And again if I like your comment, it might be the influence of the next chapter!
- Zee
It had almost been two months without a single word from either the Shinsengumi or the mysterious woman about her father's whereabouts and Chizuru was beginning to give up hope that she would ever see him again. She looked solemnly at the dead and wilted camellia that sat on desk. She had tried to keep the flower alive for as long as possible by placing it in a shallow dish of water as soon as she could, but there was no way a cut flower could last for two months.
The petals had long been browned, but still no sign of the mysterious woman. Did the woman forget about her or had something happened as she attempted to find any information about her father? Whatever the reason, Chizuru had been feeling lonely without the woman's regular nightly visits. Even though they had only met three times before, she still felt strangely attached to the woman's kindness. Perhaps it was because she was to only other female Chizuru had any sort of contact with ever since she came to Kyoto, but regardless of the reason, she missed seeing the woman.
Chizuru had finally built up the courage to talk to Hijikata to consider allowing her to go out into Kyoto to search for her father, however, the Shinsengumi's Vice-Commander still did not trust her enough and she returned to her room with a heavy heart. So much so that she didn't even notice the wilted flower had been replaced with a fresh red camellia and a dark figure creeping up behind her.
"You look so sad." Chizuru nearly screamed if not for the hand clamping over her mouth and the familiar stranger moving into her field of vision.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"You came back!" Chizuru couldn't help herself as she spun around and threw her arms around the woman in an embrace. The woman was startled for only a moment before she returned the hug and gently pat the girl on the head.
"I must apologize. I had found information about your father, but I did not expect my duties to take this long." Chizuru couldn't believe what she was hearing. She didn't even care it had taken this long, all she cared was that she finally had some sort of information about her father.
"You found something about my father?! Please tell me!" She clutched the woman's arms and stared intently into violet irises, silently begging her for any kind of information.
"All I could find was that he is safe. I'm sorry I couldn't find out more."
"No, it's more than enough knowing he's safe. Thank you…thank you so much." Chizuru was on the verge of tears. Her father was safe. She was so relieved from hearing this information she dropped to her knees and smiled. She could never thank the woman enough for helping her. If only there was something she could do for her to return the favor.
"More importantly, how have you been? I hope you haven't been too lonely with only male company." The woman sat down next to her and gently rubbed the girl's hair, making the girl look up at her in surprise, the tears having magically disappeared and replaced by a cute little blush.
"N-no! The captains have been very kind to me and I don't want to be a bother to them since they're all so busy. And I'm…I'm-" Chizuru's expression fell and pulled her knees to her chest. It was true. Ever since she came to the Shinsengumi headquarters, she had been nothing but a burden to the captains who had to keep an eye on her and keep her gender a secret.
"Useless to them? I can assure you, they do not see you in that light."
"But I-" She wanted to deny the woman's words, but she was cut off when a slender finger pressed against her lips, effectively silencing her.
"You sell yourself short. There are some things you provide to the captains that only you can do." The woman removed her finger and pat the Chizuru's hair again. She would have to prove the girl's usefulness to herself one day. She needed to understand that even if she didn't recognize her usefulness, it was still there.
"I don't understand." Chizuru couldn't think of a single thing she had done in the past two months that had been any help to the captains.
"You don't have to. Just know that you are not useless." The woman's hand suddenly disappeared and Chizuru's eyes followed her dark silhouette to her desk. The room was dimly illuminated when the wick was lit, but it was plenty enough light for Chizuru to finally take a good look at the woman who had been visiting her.
She was so beautiful.
"Here. I brought you something as well." Chizuru snapped out of her stupor when the woman reappeared sitting next to her. She had placed a familiar package wrapped in bamboo leaves in her hands and Chizuru carefully undid the string tying it together, revealing a beautiful treat inside.
"Dango?"
"They're for you. Help yourself."
"P-please, you too! I can't eat this all by myself." Chizuru held out the package with shaky hands and she could see the corners of the woman's eyes crinkle as she smiled behind the rich purple fabric.
"If you insist." The woman pulled her cowl down and Chizuru nearly dropped the entire package of sweets. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful. So much so that Chizuru could not tear her gaze away even as the woman took a stick of dango from her hands. Her skin was pale and flawless like the light of the moon with lips that reminded Chizuru of the delicate red camellias that bloomed outside her room and stunning violet eyes with luscious flowing raven locks that rivaled even Hijikata's. This woman was an absolute goddess.
"Aren't you going to eat too?" Chizuru was speechless and even more so when the woman pushed the dessert past her parted lips. The woman just laughed at Chizuru's muffled noise and surprised expression as she grabbed another one for herself. The girl had to duck her head to hide the crimson blush that stained her cheeks as she took hold of the bamboo skewer and shyly munched on the sweet mochi. Her heart was racing in her chest as the image of the woman laughing replayed in her mind, making the blush even more vibrant. Chizuru wanted to say something, anything, but she just couldn't get her voice to work. Thankfully, the woman spoke up instead, filling the comfortable silence with her soothing voice.
"I must admit, I am happy to see you again after so long."
"Huh?!" Chizuru snapped her head up when she heard the words of affection and her heart nearly burst when she saw the woman smiling oh so sweetly at her.
"I was worried. You were waiting for me, but I never showed. So I wanted to stay a little longer today as an apology." Chizuru practically stopped breathing this time when the woman pat her head and leaned over to look into her eyes.
"T-thank you, I-I…" What was she supposed to say to that? Chizuru just snapped her mouth shut and continued to timidly eat her dango as the woman went back into a sitting position, but she couldn't stop her eyes from wandering to catch a glimpse of the ethereal woman.
What was wrong with her? Why was her heart beating so quickly? Why couldn't she speak properly? Why did her body become warm every time she looked at the woman? So many questions, but no answers for any of them.
"Sadly, this is as long as I can stay." Chizuru was broken out of her thoughts when the woman spoke up and announced her departure. She didn't want her to leave yet! There was still so much she wanted to know!
"W-wait! I still don't know you name!" Chizuru scrambled to her feet and grabbed the woman's hand just as she walked back to the small desk in the corner of the room. The woman just smiled and cupped the girl's face with her free hand, leaning in whisper into her ear.
"My name is…" Chizuru's grip loosened when she heard the woman's silky voice so close to her and shuddered when the room suddenly when dark. She needed to know. She needed to know who this person was.
"Kikuzuki."
Notes: Thanks for reading! If you liked it, leave ideas of what should happen next in the route in the comments! Cause who knows, maybe your comment will be the influence of Chizuru's next encounter!
