Searching for Paradise

Act Four

Even though it was a month ago, I still feel kinda bad.

Ah, why did she have to care? It was just three idiots, they deserved it after all! But if she were feeling guilty about anything it would have to be that she wasted good food on those jokesters. Geez, what would Ayumu think of her now? She had to hate her! The older woman had slaved away in countless hours, she assumed, only to have it all wasted on the faces of those three thugs! How was she supposed to redeem herself after that? For the past twenty or so days, she'd been avoiding the young cook at all costs. But they'd have to communicate someday, right?

It was time for her to have a lay down anyway. Maybe if she fell asleep she would escape her world of problems. She drug her feet along as she stepped toward her tiny room. Sure it was a closet but so what? She had to sleep beside the cleaning equipment and tools but it was a room! Thank God Yamanami let her have it after she requested it. It wasn't like he could deny her, she being so cute and all.

Appearing before the closet door, she slid the thin wood to one side and stepped into the darkened area. Ah, home sweet home. She pressed forward until her feet hit to small futon on the floor. Sure it wasn't exactly luxurious but it was a bed…right? Even though she deserved way better.

It's just for a little while, just until I find dad.

Pushing any negative thought out of her mind, she shifted her weight to her legs and knelt down, her knees touching the cold floor. Ah, just a little nap then she'd feel better! Maybe then she'd have the courage to apologize to Ayumu? Gah, it was too much to think of at the moment! She moved forward, extending her palms against the pillow only to find her fingertips of her right hand tap against a cold surface.

What the hell? She squinted her eyes in the dark in effort to adjust to the shadows of the room. Pushing a bit further until her hand could wrap around the object that rested in her bed, she plucked the heavy piece of metal and lifted it to her nose. Her stare still narrowing, she allowed the small item to shift front to back as she examined it. Wait, this was a dart, a kunai.

Who the hell would leave something so sharp and dangerous in her room, let alone her bed? This had to be a joke, a sick joke! What if she had laid down and cut herself? There was no way she could go out to Ayumu now with an injury, not after what happened with the food. It wasn't like she knew how to treat wounds; she'd never been hurt seriously before! Not to mention her terrible tolerance for pain would have her crying in a second. Wait, maybe this wasn't a joke, maybe it was a threat? But who…? Had she made fast enemies with those three idiots all ready? It wasn't like any three of them were smart enough to plan something like this!

A small soft sensation tickled her knee. She glanced down to see that her pillow had been torn to bits, no doubt with the kunai she was holding. Someone had snuck into her room and torn her bed apart? Why? So it was a threat, she was going to have to look into this further.

XoXoX

"It seems that she was right Toshi."

Hijikata felt his body twitch. He sat before Kondo and Yamanami, his body frozen with anger. The thought of Katsuke staying in the dojo, let alone thinking she was right about something? Agh, it was more than irritating. To add salt to his open wound, Yamanami sat with a smile on his face. No doubt he was proud of his precious Page. Even his Page, Tetsunosuke had some kind of sense, this girl, she had nothing to offer anyone. Either way he had to defend himself now that he was seated beside his comrades.

"It was just a coincidence," Hijikata snapped, "That woman had no right to listen to conversation that has nothing to do with her!"

"What are you saying, Toshi?" Kondo raised an eyebrow, "She saved us a lot of time and effort." He explained his voice calm.

"Kondo's right," Yamanami added, "I suppose it was fate that brought her here." His proud smile spread throughout his features. "A hidden talent, maybe?"

Ha! That was laughable, "And what could that possibly be?"

The four-eyed male inhaled before speaking, "I think with a little practice, that she would be a wonderful spy." Hijikata jerked back in disbelief as Yamanami continued, "I bet she'd work nicely along side Susumu."

"Yeah I bet." Hijikata replied shaking his head from side to side, "Susumu hates everyone, how could he possibly work well with her?"

What? No, he had to be joking, he couldn't be serious! This wasn't a damn game; many people's lives were at stake, how dare he suggest such a thing!

"I like the idea of Katsuke becoming a Watcher."

"What!" Hijikata turned to Kondo with his jaw dropped and brows lifted.

"Yes, what a wonderful idea." Yamanami shut his eyes and nodded in agreement.

"You think so?" Hijikata's eyebrow twitched, "And what makes you think she won't get caught spying?"

"Well," Kondo lifted a finger, "She hasn't been discovered yet. It's been a little over a month since she's been here."

Yamanami let out a loud sigh, "Has it really been that long?" He then put his finger to his mouth, "It felt like only yesterday she just arrived here."

"No, its felt more like a year…" Hijikata covered his eyes with his right hand, "I've been getting complaints about her as it is."

"Like what Toshi?" Kondo asked, intrigued by his old friend's words.

"The men are saying that she is moody and rude, which is one hundred percent true." The voice commander explained, his hands still concealing his eyes and face, "And that she threw food at Sanosuke, Heisuke, and Shinpachi."

"That's all?" Yamanami laughed as he fanned himself off with a small paper fan. "But I really feel like you should give her a chance, Hijikata."

"Give her a chance?" He bit his lip, holding back whatever curse words that tickled the back of his throat. "Give her a chance to ruin the Shinsengumi? I won't let that happen."

"Toshi," Kondo cut in between the men, "Think about it. If Katsuke is suitable for this spying profession then she'll be excused from being a Shinsengumi member." He then crossed his arms over his chest, "And, if she's caught spying or gets in serious trouble…then she knows the price." His shoulders shrugged a single time.

Hijikata looked toward the ground. Kondo held a valid point. If Katsuke became a fitting spy then should no longer hold the title of a Shinsengumi associate. But he couldn't help but snarl, would agreeing be some kind of form of weakness? Something telling the other two men that he was ready to back down from a fight? Ugh, he was too tired to fight with anyone, if that's what they wanted to do with the stupid woman, so be it.

"Fine," Hijikata waved his hands in the air, "Do what you want."

"So," Yamanami cleared his throat before continuing, "It's settled, she will get her first Watching job then?"

"Yes," Kondo nodded, "Just give me awhile to figure out what part of the village I want her to watch over, after that I'll tell you what that job is and she'll be off!" He replied obviously feeling optimistic about his plans.

"Kondo," Yamanami's narrowed his eyes, throwing a smirk in the older man's direction. "Was this your plan from the start?"

Kondo let out a loud laugh, "No, no!" He then lifted his hands in the air, "I wanted Katsuke here so she could become a Page to Ayumu and learn to house the Shinsengumi." His voice then darkened, "Ayumu won't always be here, Sannan, and we are in desperate need of another housekeeper."

That much was true, Hijikata had to agree with the head commander one that subject. If they had a second hand helping with the housework, it would leave Ayumu with more time to take care of her Watcher business. That meant that real Watcher of the home would be working more often, leaving the annoying sixteen year old at home, doing the cooking and cleaning. Not a bad idea in all.

"But," Yamanami broke his silence, "What about Susumu? How will he take this news of a new spy?"

"I'll talk to him." Kondo nodded, "Just give me sometime; but don't worry I would let him know about Katsuke's situation, I'll just inform him that there will be a new Watcher out; I'm sure he'll be fine with it."

He snorted, his laughter almost getting the better of him this time around. There was no way that Susumu would be all right with this choice. If he knew the young man, he knew that he would kick and fight with the idea of a new recruit all the way. Hell, he didn't even like his sister stepping on his toes, so how would he take the news about Katsuke?

A small creak broke Hijikata out of his thoughts. The three men threw their heads up and looked to the ceiling. He stared at the ceiling in the small hopes that the sound would again come. Seconds passed without another sound.

Kondo cocked a brow, "What was that?"

"You see?" Hijikata lifted his hand and pointed his index finger toward the sky. "The gods are disagreeing with you."

Ignoring his comment entirely, the man with glasses shrugged off the sound. "Oh, I bet it was nothing."

Kondo then shook his head, "Anyway, you should go and inform our Katsuke of her new job opportunity."

Yamanami nodded as he rose to his feet and walked out the door. Oh this was going to be interesting no doubt. Even if Katsuke failed them and came back with her tail tucked between her legs, at least he his word would mean more around the HQ. Whatever she ruined, he would pick up the pieces, it wouldn't be hard with an idiot female like her. But if by any means, she exceeded his expectations then they wouldn't have lost anything. For her sake, she'd better be good at spying.

XoXoX

"Oh Katsuke! I need to talk to you."

Ah, it was music to her ears. He, the great Yamanami, wanted to speak to her? Her and her alone? She knew he had a thing for her! Oh and he had to be so coy about the whole thing, it was downright adorable. The sound of his voice, the way he touched on the shoulder when they spoke, it had to be love right? Of course this would be her first love but what was there to know? Love was love! Ack, there was no sense in moving very fast anyway, they had their whole lives to think about their blossoming romance!

But she had to business to attend to. If he wanted to act shy and take his time, she'd let him dangle on her hook for a while. She pressed through the halls with her chest pushed out like a quail; she had a lot to be thankful for! She had him after all! What else could go wrong?

"Being a girl after all."

And then there was that. Gah, why did those three have to live here? Things would be perfect, just perfect, without them around! Yamanami, Souji, Ayumu, Tetsunosuke and hell, even Hijikata was tolerable! But them? She could have gone her entire life without knowing they existed and been fine. She was going to have to ignore them; no one said she had to interact with them ever. That sounded like a good plan, she would just have to ignore them!

Katsuke turned a sharp corner only to find her master waiting for her outside his bedroom. Her heart slammed in her chest while a light glow of pink lifted to her cheeks. So now he was going to make her heart race? Geez, she didn't need that!

"Come on in, Katsuke." He said as his eyes landed on her.

She nodded and without a word stepped in his room. She watched as he took a seat in the center of the nearly bare room, God did he have to look good just doing the simplest of tasks? Only if he would request that she sit beside him, then he would wrap his manly arms around her and pull her into his broad chest. She would be able to smell his scent and feel his warmth and they-

"How have you been?"

She flinched. "F-fine!"

"Good." He nodded. "I've noticed that you've been keeping up with that little secret of yours." A pleasant smile spread over his lips.

"Yeah…" Besides the whole 'three jokers' incident, that would be true.

"And we've also noticed that the piece for information that you gave us a while back did come in quite handy." He mentioned with what seemed like pride.

"Did it? Listening in on other conversation that isn't mine is a girl's best quality!" She joked as she moved her arm around in the air.

"And," Yamanami then gave a great smile, "It's been decided that you will be given some Watcher work! Congratulations!" He then opened his arms wide.

"Watcher work?" Katsuke blinked in confusion, "You mean being a spy?" She asked as he nodded, "Really? Wow, I'd be great at that!"

"Wonderful." Yamanami replied by reaching forward and placing a single hand on her shoulder, "Kondo is trying to find the best job for you now."

She paused for a moment, "Do I have to work with anyone?"

"Uh…" Yamanami also pulled the brakes on his cheering and tightened his grip on her shoulder. "Not yet."

"O…kay…"

"Now," He retracted his arm and cleared his throat. "I have three young men standing outside that want to speak with you."

What? Three. Young. Men? No, he couldn't be referring to them, could he? No! Her master couldn't betray her like this! Not after mentally announcing to herself that he was her first love! She had to get out of this by any means possible! Maybe if she presented her best pout, her superior would release her of this terrible news.

"Do I have to speak to them?" Her lip stuck out like the sorest of thumbs.

"It is expected of you, Katsuke." Yamanami replied in a serious tone, "They want to apologize and invite you to go somewhere with us."

"All right." Damn, her world famous, according to her father, pout was denied! Ah well, they were going to have to speak eventually, right? Best to get it out of the way now.

After watching her master lift himself from his seat, she repeated his action. He led the way, as the prefect gentlemen, and opened the sliding door for her. She stepped outside only to see the three young men as described, waiting for them. As she approached they bowed in respect. She stood in silence when an elbow to her side forced her to flinch. She glanced to the right to see her senior giving her a narrowed stare. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes she preceded to bow in return.

"Katsuke," Sanosuke lifted his hand to his head and began to scratch at his scalp.

"We need to tell you," Heisuke sighed as he lowered his head, waiting for Shinpachi to finish his sentence.

"That we apologize." Shinpachi nodded cutely, trying to win over Katsuke's affections.

"That was the crappiest apology I've ever gotten." Katsuke narrowed her eyes at the boys, unimpressed with their display.

"Katsuke." Yamanami hissed down at his Page. Great, she was going to be forced to accept their failure of an apology?

"Yeah well, when Yamanami told us to say 'we're sorry', he really didn't give us a written speech ready." Sanosuke removed his hand from his head and grunted.

"SHH!" Shinpachi and Heisuke both shot glares at the larger male.

"Okay…" Shinpachi rose an eyebrow, "Well, anyway we wanted to invite you to Shimabara."

"Yeah," Heisuke added, "Since Yamanami was all ready going, and asked us to join him, he…I mean we wanted to know if you could come with us."

"Because you've all ready had your experience in that field, it should be a piece of cake to just come with us." Sanosuke gave Katsuke a devilish grin before wrapping his arm around her.

Katsuke was quick to pull away from Sanosuke, "I don't want to go down there." She then threw her nose into the air.

"Why? Is there an ex-girlfriend down there or something?" Shinpachi grinned along side of Sanosuke, who was now giggling like crazy.

"No!" Katsuke exclaimed as a light blush ran across her face.

"So then you'll come?" Heisuke smile widely as he too raised his brow.

"No! I won't come!" Katsuke growled, looking over her shoulder at the three.

"But this is the perfect time to prove your manliness." Sanosuke dropped his voice into a whisper and lowered himself toward Katsuke's ear.

Ugh, why did someone so stupid have to have such a good idea? It wasn't like they were leaving her much choice! If she were to back out now, it would only make her look even more suspicious. Might as well go and get it done and over with.

"Fine."

"Then it's all set!" Shinpachi gripped his fists.

"Is everyone set then?" Yamanami asked with a rather pleased smile on his face.

"Sure." Her lip pouted.

"Then let's get going." Yamanami replied in a rather unusually excited tone, "Can't keep her waiting."

Wait a minute; did he just say 'her'? What was that all about, and why was he smiling? Nah, no way could he have a mistress, right? Not someone as dignified as Yamanami! Besides she had all ready called him for her own! He was her first love, he belonged to her and she belonged to him. No way would any other woman come in the way of that!

But why else would he say something like that? Surely he was trying to make her jealous or something. No, she wouldn't accept it, not when their romance had just begun. They had just started a wonderful relationship that would last until they had grown old! There hadn't been a woman behind him all along, it was just wrong!

It was enough to make her…cry.

"What's the matter Katsuke?"

She stiffened. He was speaking to her. She turned up to see her master staring down at her with a look of concern. Why did he have to look at her like that, like he really cared? Why did he have to show any kind of affection for her? It would only make things harder if he did have another woman. No one cared for her the way he did, not since her father and she couldn't, wouldn't let it go. If there was only a single woman standing in the way of her becoming Yamanami's number one, then so be it. She could try, right?

Act End.