Wow, that last chapter was long so I am going to try to keep it simple this chapter so I don't overwhelm anyone and myself included. I read through the first several chapters and I now just realized how horrible my revision skills are, so again, I apologize for that. Anyway, I at least hope everyone is enjoying the story's content. Please comment or review what you guys thinking, I'd really appreciate that. As always, enjoy!
Chapter 8: A Long Day
Once everyone returned from their patrols, Kondo gave out the good news that the Shinsengumi were supposed to guard the Shogun while he visited Kyoto and passed through to Nijou Castle. Finally, the higher ups were starting to respect the Shinsengumi's abilities. Despite the good news, Hijikata ordered Souji to remain at headquarters because he suspected that Souji was getting a cold. Now matter how many times Souji told him he was overreacting, Hijikata would have none of it.
So there he was, all alone in headquarters. Except for Heisuke, who apparently was not feeling well either. After everyone else left headquartes, Heisuke retreated to his room while Souji decided to go make some tea for himself. Right when he was about to turn a corner in the hallway, he heard light footsteps coming from around the corner. Almost automatically, he leaned against the edge of the wall to hide himself and waited for the perfect time to attack the stranger. He knew it had to be an intruder, there was no one else here besides him and Heisuke. When a foot appeared out of the corner, Souji launched himself at the figure and pushed it against the wall. Meanwhile, his body pressed firmly against the figure so it would not be able to escape.
"O-Okita-san?!", a familiar voice gasped out in shock.
"Chizuru-chan? What the hell are you doing here?", Souji asked her, obviously not expecting her to be here. A blush stained her cheeks by the sudden closeness to Souji. He let out a small giggle in amusement before backing up from her. She turned around awkwardly, not knowing how to respond.
"Well?", Souji pushed lightly. Just as her face was returning back to normal, it immediately fired up again of embarrassment for being reminded of his earlier question.
"I-I decided to stay here", she choked out. Souji lifted his brow.
"Why?", was all he said in a casual tone, but his green eyes pierced hers.
"I didn't want to get in anyone's way, so I thought it'd be better if I stayed here...", she then trained her eyes on the floor.
"I also wanted to make sure you and Heisuke-kun were okay", her voice grew softer as she spoke. Souji smiled at her shyness.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, we're both fine. After all, two grown men should know how to take care of themselves", Souji stated warmly, while her eyes finally met his.
"Actually while you're here, you can make yourself useful. Why don't you go and make some tea for everyone?", he suggested. Her face lit up and she gladly nodded and darted off towards the kitchen.
At noon, Souji decided that if he wanted to fight again, his illness would have to get better. He grabbed a small cushion and decided to rest on the porch to let the sun's warmth lull him to sleep. After a few minutes of dozing off, he heard those same light and recognizable footsteps approach him. He opened an eye and caught Chizuru trying to sneak past him without disturbing his sleep.
"Chizuru-chan, are you trying to sneak up on me?", he teased her while his voice was still deep and gruff from his short slumber.
"N-No I was just trying to pass through quietly so I wouldn't wake you up", she replied as a small blush appeared on her face, but she managed to compose herself shortly after.
"What are you doing sleeping outside?", she asked him softly after a moment of relaxed silence.
"I'd thought I could take a nap out here, but this pillow is so uncomfortable", Souji patted the cushion under him roughly to demonstrate its distressing form. Then a funny idea popped into his head.
"Although...if you insist on staying here to take care of me, you might as well just let me sleep on your lap, I'd bet it be much more relaxing than this stupid padding", Souji said while a mischievous grin formed on his face. Her eyes widened at the remark and her face turned into a deeper shade of red.
"W-What do you mean?", she stuttered.
"Eh? Do you really intend on letting a man, with a cold, nap uncomfortably?", he replied back by almost pouting, while purposely softening his gaze. After a moment, Chizuru slowly brought up her eyes.
"Alright...I'll do it", she mumbled out shyly. It was Souji's turn to widen his eyes in shock. He had expected her to run away from him, but instead she sat right beside him.
"Don't get cheeky with me or I'll kill you", he said lightly as he snuggled his head on her lap. Her heavy blush still remained, and Souji grinned, content by the fact that he could easily make her so flustered. He finally let his eyes close gently, and began to drift off. After several quiet minutes, he could feel Chizuru brushing away his reddish-brown locks that hung over his face. He smiled to himself without letting her know he was awake. 'I'll be sure to tease her later', Souji thought to himself, before surrendering to sleep.
Later that evening after dinner, Heiske was fast asleep, Chizuru was washing the dishes, and Souji went inside the dojo room and practiced swinging his sword. There was no way he was going to lose his form, even if he had been stuck in headquarters. After an hour or so, sweat glistened off his body and his muscles slightly ached. All of the sudden, he was immediately overcome with a sense of dread. He could not explain why he felt that way, but Souji was the kind of person who always followed his instincts. He stepped outside and was embraced by a surprisingly cool breeze that blew through the night. He started to wander around aimlessly for any sign of anything that could throw him of edge. When he reached the courtyard, his eyes immediately locked into those crimson-red eyes he hated the most. Kazama was not facing Souji. He stood at the top of one of the walls surrounding the perimeter. Kazama's presence had also been noticed by Chizuru, who was standing right across from the wall at the ground, looking at the man's eyes with fright. It had seemed that the two of them were conversing about something, while Chizuru tried to act bravely by reaching her hand to her own sword. There was also something else written across her face. Was it bewilderment? Shock? Souji just figured it was part of her nerves. Soon two other figures appeared out of nowhere beside Kazama. One of them Souji recognized as Amagiri, while the other one was a dark-skinned man with long blackish-blue hair who wore a wicked smile. Souji almost jumped in when both men said something to Chizuru that he could not quite hear, but the dark-skinned man pointed a handgun directly at her.
"There's no need for that, Shiranui", Kazama interjected calmly then turned his attention back to Chizuru, while Souji silently approached them to better hear what they were saying.
"Whether you admit the truth or not, it doesn't change our purpose here. Honestly, we don't need your permission to kidnap you", Kazama stated then flew of the wall and landed gracefully in front Chizuru.
"Women are very valuable", Kazama started to step closer towards Chizuru. She tried to step back but her back eventually reached the outside of a building.
"Now come with me", Kazama's voice lowered dangerously into a command and extended a slender hand to her. Of course, Chizuru did not even budge. The look of greed in Kazama's eyes strengthened into pure lust. Realizing that Chizuru would not be so reluctant to him, he reached out his hand to grab her. Just as his touch was an inch away from her, Souji popped out of his hiding spot and slashed his sword at Kazama. Being the mysteriously good swordsman that he was, Kazama dodged Souji's attack effortlessly and backed up a few yards away from him.
"Okita-san!", Chizuru exhaled in relief as Souji stepped in front of her.
"You again? I see, a country dog like you has a sharp tongue", Kazama mused while giving Souji a flagitious smile. Souji ignored him and bantered back.
"Gotta say, it looks bad when you try to take away small children in the dark. What the hell do you want with her?", Souji lifted his sword while sneering lightly. Kazama's smile faded and looked at Souji with incurious eyes.
"This is a problem between us Oni, an insect such as yourself has no reason to get involved", Kazama glared at Souji. 'Oni?', Souji wondered, but he did not give much thought to it as he prepared himself into a fighting stance. He glanced back at Chizuru.
"What're you still doing here? Didn't you get the hint to run away?", Souji questioned Chizuru.
"But-", she started to protest, but Kazama cut her off.
"You're not going anywhere", he stated coldly.
"It's not a good idea to get distracted in the midst of battle", Souji said as he swung again at Kazama, who was still able to move away from the blow. Kazama's evil smiled returned.
"What, you think you can still fight against me?", Kazama laughed at his own words.
"Oh, this is wonderful", Kazama chuckled, and put a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"You'll have plenty of time to regret lifting your sword against an Oni after I've sent you to hell. Fight me if you wish, but you'll certainly die. At least you would provide me with some entertainment", Kazama smiled cruelly, but Souji returned the same look. Kazama began to draw his sword out until Amagiri placed a hand in front of him, to which surprised everyone.
"Amagiri? Are you trying to spoil my fun?", Kazama gave him an annoyed look.
"C'mon Amigiri! Let him have his fun", Shiranui boasted.
"We have no reason to start trouble with the Shinsengumi yet", Amagiri stated plainly. Kazama snarled and slammed the remaining part of his sword into its scabbard.
"Well that's too bad, I guess I'll just find other targets to shoot at. Not like we were going to see much here anyway", Shiranui almost whined. With that, Shiranui and Amagiri faded into the night. Kazama regarded Souji once more.
"It looks like you got lucky tonight, human. I'll leave her to your...incapable hands for now. Do try and keep her alive.", Kazama started to turn away, but he darted his bloody eyes towards Chizuru.
"I'll be back for you some day soon. I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am", Kazama stated with a glint of lust in his crimson eyes, before disappearing within the moon's casting glow. Souji wanted to run after him, but he knew there was not much he could do in his current condition. Chizuru looked at him worryingly before losing herself in her own thoughts. Souji had been curious about what the strange men had wanted from her, but he knew it did not concern him; and frankly, a part of him did not care. Once again, Souji had stepped in front Chizuru only to fulfill Kondo's wishes.
I am glad this chapter was shorter (last one really was overwhelming). Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter, I am glad I finally addressed Chizuru's upcoming conflict with Kazama. SPOILER: Next chapter will be one of the first turning points for Souji! So stay tuned! And as always, have an awesome day!
