Kinai Hijikata

In his youth, Toshizo had been staunchly honorable, loyal and strong. Never had he thought that he would come to need someone, or to become so dependent on his desire for someone that it impaired his duty as a samurai. But he did not know what he did now back then. He had been so focused on achieving his dream, and pushing Kondou even further, that he had never contemplated his needs as a man. His regard for tradition and duty had outweighed his regard for her at first, but after a time there was no denying it: Toshizo had loved her the moment they met.

The first time he saw Kinai was the first time he had ever been moved by a mere girl's tears. She had come to the dojo, begging an audience with Kondou, himself, and her brother, who was one of Toshizo's students. Kondou had brought her to the dojo after practice, and they had received her there.

"Hatsu," she began, addressing her brother with remorse, "Mother and Father passed away just last week."

Hatsu, being a boy of only thirteen, had run to his sister and collapsed into her waiting arms and howled in grief. Toshizo shifted uncomfortably; Kinai was doing her best not to shed a tear, he could tell, and it made him grieve for her. Hatsu had often told him of his sister, saying that she, being the older of the two, was the best sister he could have asked for. Hatsu had declared that he wanted to learn swordsmanship in order to protect his sister when they grew older in return for all the things she had done for him. Already, Kinai had Toshizo's respect.

When Hatsu had calmed down considerably, though he kept his head tucked into his sister's long hair, she bravely addressed Kondou and Toshizo. Her azure eyes swam with tears as she did so.

"Please Kondou-san, Hijikata-san, I beg you to board him here for a little longer, just until I can find work to pay you for your kindness!" she begged. Toshizo felt something tug at his heart as she stared him straight in the eye. He knew not then what it meant.

"Of course," Kondou replied immediately. The neither of them had the heart to deny her. "But you must think of your wellbeing too, Kinai-san."

Suddenly, Kinai looked away, her gaze forlorn. Toshizo could guess why, and he assumed, by Kondou's words, that his colleague thought the same. There was only one path of work that offered immediate untrained employment for women in these more rural parts of Japan.

"I…it is my duty to look after Hatsu," she answered simply. Toshizo gritted his teeth at her easy dismissal of care for herself. He knew too what it was to put the wellbeing of others before himself, especially for Kondou, but never had he known anger at it like this before.

"Whilst it is your duty to care for Hatsu-san, think of the future. A career like that never lasts long," Toshizo warned firmly. He pressed on, disregarding Kondou's tentative gaze. "You will stay here. We will board the both of you, and in return, you will work for us."

Toshizo remembered the look on her face when he had said that; it was forever etched in his mind. She had stared at him, eyes wide and shimmering with gratitude. Slowly, she mounted a low bow, concealing her face in her outstretched arms as she whimpered 'thank you'. Toshizo glanced at Kondou and caught his gaze, a knowing look bestowed upon his expression. The latter nodded, a sign of approval and respect for Toshizo's initiative.

"It's settled then. You can share a room with Hatsu, if you wish."

Spring soon gave way to summer, and Toshizo found himself growing fond of Kinai's presence, though they had little chance to talk. She worked for them, as she had agreed to do; she cleaned the dojo and its grounds with the help of their trainees, as they were also required to do. She made them tea and was often seen at the well, collecting water and soaking the sullied clothes. But with the added expense of another mouth to feed and board, Toshizo and Kondou felt the pressure of finance weighing ever more heavily down upon them.

"We cannot just send her away," Toshizo had argued vigorously when Kondou had brought the matter to discussion.

"I am not proposing that," Kondou replied calmly, his expression solemn. "But we must find an alternative if we are not to fall into debt, Toshi."

Toshizo sighed, both frustrated and tired of the constant shadow of finance burdening them. He stood slowly, gracefully and nodded once to Kondou.

"I will think of something."

Toshizo opened the door, and was surprised to see Kinai standing before him, staring sadly at him. He made to reassure her, but she spoke before him, her voice strained and remorseful.

"I had no idea, Hijikata-san, that I was placing such strain on you. Please, let me be of use now and go find work," she said quickly, balling her fists together at her chest. Toshizo could see the grief in her eyes as she pleaded with him. He did not understand why she was so upset; they face a problem that her contribution alone could not resolve. It was his responsibility; she was his responsibility.

"No," Toshizo replied, and he took her arm, leading her away from the ears of Kondou. They sat by the well, and he spoke firmly to her. "We need you here. You have been of great help to us these past few months. I don't know how we could have fared before without you."

Toshizo could not help but think that he spoke only for himself now. In truth, it was he that had come to rely upon her presence; her constant assistance was a comfort to him.

"But you need the money. I could help-"

He cut her off impatiently, hooking his fingers beneath her chin and pulling upwards so that she looked him straight in the eye.

"What will it take for you to realize that I need you here?"

And there it was; the realization that Toshizo had come to need her. She gazed up at him, uncertainty etched into her expression. Was it a confession? Toshizo did not know himself.

"What are you saying, Hijikata-san?" she ventured quietly. He frowned impatiently; was she really going to force it out of him? Abruptly, he bowed his neck and brought his lips to hers. She was frozen, completely taken aback by his forwardness. Until he pulled back, she did not moved but to smile a little. Toshizo smiled to, his eyes tender yet still strangely commanding.

"I'm saying…marry me."


Toshizo Hijikata, ladies and gentlemen. It took me a while to come up with this one...so I hope you like it :) By request, one I'm finished these, I will write one for Yamazaki and one for Inoue featuring his daughter. Btw thank you so much La Bella Figura! She's cool guys!