Breakfast was painfully quiet. The silence was unbearable, but nothing could break it. I placed a glass of water and a small packet of powdered medicine in front of both Sannan and Heisuke.
Amongst our group, only Souji was missing. Hijikata looked up at me curiously.
"Where's Souji?"
I refused to look him in the eye.
"I told him to stay in bed...I'll personally bring him his medicine tonight."
I couldn't bear to inform them of what I'd discovered when visiting his room this morning to wake him for breakfast. The scent was impure and caused me great anguish.
Souji was slowly developing tuberculosis.
It had been my own fault for not arriving on time, especially since I hadn't been able to avenge him.
The crescent moon would widen, preparing for it's next stage tonight.
And no one was to disturb us.
I ate in silence, watching Sannan wrinkle his nose at the medicine.
"My arm is all better...this is really unnecessary."
I sipped my tea and closed my eyes.
"Hijikata told me to give it to you. Are you sure you won't take it?"
A single look from Toshi caused him to down the whole packet at once. His lips curled in disgust. Heisuke had the same reaction.
I lowered my eyes. I'd spent most of the early morning removing shards of metal from Heisuke's forehead. Thankfully, the injury would heal just fine without any help. He'd merely been careless, though I gritted my teeth, wishing I knew who'd attacked him.
As I took out the dishes to be cleaned, Hijikata appeared behind me.
"Could you go with Harada on his rounds today?"
I lowered my eyes, which made him raise an eyebrow in question.
"No, I'm afraid I can't. Besides, I wasn't supposed to go on rounds today."
We stood in silence as he assessed me. Finally, he sighed and turned to go to his room, his eyes hinting regret and disappointment.
"It's fine. Next time, no excuses though."
I nodded and returned to my duties.
Of course, Harada and Shinpachi whined so much that I was forced to go. I decided to speed back the first chance I got.
They took me to view the opening for the upcoming festival. Bright lights and music filled the air.
I spent a part of the evening just enjoying my time before feigning a cough. This caused Harada alarm.
"Do you want us to bring you back?"
"Nah, I'll be fine on my own. Please, enjoy yourselves twice as much for me, ok?"
He seemed uncertain, but Shinpachi, the convincing drunk he was, brought him around.
I fled, my pace matching that of the wind in the still, cold night. We would be leaving tomorrow to aid the Aizu clan in their fight against the Choushuu. I was to accompany them.
I jumped onto the main wall, keeping a light, slow pace until I was near Souji's room. A couple of men passed by his room, but continued on their way. I jumped down, landing soft and soundless onto the grass.
I opened his door slowly, trying not to wake him. His breathing was heavy, and there was blood covering the side of his bed. Clearly, he'd been coughing. I closed the door and shifted near him.
I lifted his head carefully and laid it onto my lap. The leverage would help. Thankfully, he stayed asleep. His face, however, did not hold the regularly peaceful features of one resting, but more the ragged features of one going through deep pain.
I conjured a small bottle of water and allowed a small stream to enter his mouth. He was unable to swallow it, and he ended up coughing harshly. I lowered my eyes, putting aside the bottle.
"Souji...I'm so sorry."
I elongated my canine teeth.
"This is to repay my debt to you."
I bit into my palm, letting my teeth rest deep within the skin to keep it from healing too fast. I leaned back my head and closed my eyes, allowing my blood to flow into my mouth.
Once I was satisfied with the amount, I retracted my hand and closed my mouth. I kept my eyes closed, knowing they glowed red and frightened that he would awaken and witness such fearful eyes.
The wound closed, and I could feel a small amount of blood trickle down the side of my mouth.
Very attractive.
I repositioned Souji's head before leaning down and pressing my lips to his. Small rivulets of blood coursed through my mouth into his. I couldn't help but note the heat rising from his mouth; he had a fever.
A small amount of blood streamed out the side of his mouth, but he was able to swallow the rest.
By the time his eyes had burst open, however, both that small trace of blood and I had gone, leaving him with the taste of copper on his lips and no knowledge of what had just happened.
Just the way I wanted it.
