A/N: Kawa's worried over Souji's condition as the plot thickens with the Itou and Kondou faction. but there's a light at the end of the tunnel... enjoy!

disclaimer: i don't own Hakuouki; Kawa belongs to me.


Chapter 09: Hurricane of Blood

He sounded like he was coughing again.

I frowned, putting his tray down on the floor and knocking. "You alright in there?" I wondered.
"Y-yeah," he said around another cough.

I exhaled and slid his door open, picking up his tray and carrying both his tray and my own inside his room before I closed the door.
His green eyes met my gray as he lifted his head from the handkerchief he had in hand. "What's this for?" He wondered, indicating the tray of food I gave him.

I bowed my head slightly in thanks for the food before sipping my soup. "Nii-san asked that I come check on you, so I figured I'd eat with you." I shrugged.

Souji looked down at the food on his tray and his gaze softened; he nodded, huffing slightly and closing his eyes nonchalantly. "That sounds a lot like Hijikata-san; why he sent you is a mystery, though." He mused, eating some of the rice from his bowl.

I rolled my eyes. "Idiot, just eat your food before it gets cold. I don't wanna have to tell Inoue-san that you refused to eat what he and Chizuru prepared," I scolded.

He looked at me with one open green eye and smirked, lifting the bowl of soup to his lips. "Now you really sound like him, Kawa-chan," he mused before sipping his soup.

I blushed slightly and smiled a little, eating at my rice. "The soup should help your coughing; Chizu-chan just made it." I noted, mirroring him and sipping soup from my own bowl.

Souji nodded and we ate in companionable silence.
I stifled a yawn after we finished eating, stretching my arms to the ceiling.

He smirked over at me. "Ya look like a happy cat," he mused lightly.
I blinked and then blushed, huffing. "Shut up, don't tempt me to make you bedridden for the rest of your life," I warned.

Souji chuckled, the smirk forming into a cat-like smile. "I wouldn't mind that kinda sentence," he said thoughtfully, a sly look crossing his face.

I rolled my eyes. "Pervert." I scolded, crossing my arms in the sleeves of my uniform haori.

He blinked as he seemed to notice my robe; a soft smile formed on his lips. "Yer wearing the haori I gave you, again." He mused.

I nodded and smiled a little. "I was cold, and I didn't find my red one, so I used this one." I shrugged.
Souji nodded slightly, looking away as he coughed.

I frowned slightly, moving closer to him to rub his back soothingly as the cough progressed into a small fit.
The tinge of blood on his handkerchief made a tic in my cheek twitch; I lowered my gaze.

"I'm okay," he assured me, trying to sound strong.

I huffed. "Don't give me that excuse," I scolded, continuing to rub his back.

Souji glanced at me, putting the bloodied handkerchief to the side. "Kawa," he began.
I shook my head, resting my cheek on the back of his shoulderblade. "I know you're not okay. I know you, Souji." I reminded quietly.

He lowered his gaze and let his green eyes drop down. "Sometimes I hate it when you're able to see right through me," he muttered.

I smiled softly and buried my cheek into his back. "It's the only way I can ever see right through that front of yours," I remarked softly.

He huffed. "Idiot," he mumbled in defeat.
I laughed quietly, rubbing his arm. "Souji," I said.

"Hm?" He wondered.

I looked down at the empty bowl where his soup used to be. "Are you still mad about what I said about Itou-san?" I wondered.

He quieted and I felt his shoulders stiffen; his voice sounded bitter. "Still think I shoulda killed that bastard when I had the chance." He grumbled.

I looked at him. "Souji," I said quietly.
He reached with his right hand to grasp my left hand, his fingers squeezing mine.

"I knew he was gonna try something; I saw the way he looked at you." He said the last bit in a soft growl, making me shiver.
His grip tightened. "Remind me to owe Hajime-kun whenever he comes back," he mused.

I blushed slightly and smiled, nodding. "I'm sorry you had to hear that." I apologized.

Souji sighed. "It's okay. It just gives me more reason to cut that jackass's head off for trying to hurt you." He said grimly.
I quieted and pressed my cheek to his shoulder. "Easy," I warned.

He laughed a little. "Yer not fair, actin' like Hijikata-san," he pouted.

I smiled and squeezed his hand slightly. "Quit whining so much," I scolded.

Souji chuckled.
I smiled again and closed my eyes.

I loved Souji as my best friend. But did he love me more than that?


Someone knocked on the door of my room.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" I barked, scrubbing annoyedly at a smudge on the sharp end of my katana.

The door slid open. "Is that any way to greet someone you basically pounced on a few months back?" A familiar voice wondered calmly; my eyes widened in surprise.

I looked up to meet the familiar cool blue stare of Saitou Hajime.
"Hajime," I said as I felt a grin split across my face.

He smiled back, entering the room. "What's with that face? You looked really concentrated for a moment, back there," he mused.

I dropped my katana and straightened to throw myself into his arms; he seemed to fumble when I embraced him before a muffled yelp sounded from me as we fell over onto the floor.

"Ow…" He grimaced at the impact the floor had on his back.

I blushed heavily when I saw that I'd landed with my face in his chest, scrambling back to sit on my knees. "Sorry! Are you okay?" I asked worriedly, looking down at him.

Hajime rubbed his head gingerly, nodding. "It's alright. And yes, I'm okay. Except for the bump on my head." He muttered the last bit, looking at me with one open blue eye.

I blushed again and shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry," I replied.

He smiled slightly for me, sitting up a little to lift a hand to run it through my hair. "I've hardly ever seen you with your hair down; you look really beautiful." He commented quietly.

My cheeks burned shyly and I lowered my gaze. "Honestly, you've only been back for a few minutes and already yer charming me." I grumbled.

He chuckled softly, a smirk making his lips twitch. "Is it working?" He wondered.

I blushed again and met his blue eyes before I leaned forward to kiss him slowly.
Hajime groaned aloud at the kiss, curling his fingers in my hair and kissing back.

I gently pushed on his chest, forcing him away; I smirked gently. "You tell me." I replied in a sultry tone.

He made a face at my interruption of the kiss, his hand in my hair inclining my head towards his as his lips captured mine in a passionate kiss.
I moaned softly, leaning onto his chest and knotting my fingers in his raven-black hair.

I couldn't love Souji like I loved Hajime. Souji was my best friend, and Hajime was the man I loved.

It was as simple as that.

His blue eyes were gentle when we pulled apart, a slight flush staining his pale face as his gaze burned past the locks of raven-black hair that got in his way.
I shivered, smiling happily despite feeling like I should've been blushing furiously at still sitting in his lap.

Hajime's fingers traced the bandage on my left cheek gingerly, stirring me from my thoughts; I met his blue eyes to see they looked like they wanted to scold me.

I lowered my gaze humbly, hearing him sigh quietly. "You're just about the most reckless, beautiful woman I've ever met," he mused, perking my ears.

Blush warmed my cheeks at his words; I smiled shyly and shrugged. "If it lightens things, I missed you." I said lightly.

He rolled his eyes and smiled knowingly, pushing hair out of my face. "I missed you too." He replied.

I smiled again and blushed slightly when he tipped my chin upward and kissed me in that same loving manner he'd first kissed me with, his hands encircling my waist and squeezing.

A soft groan escaped him. "It's been a long time," he murmured, kissing me harder, his arms folding on my hips in a protective way, as if he never wanted me to leave him.

As if he wanted me to be in his arms forever.
That was something I didn't mind in the slightest.


"Saitou…!" Sano exclaimed in surprise at seeing him sitting next to Toshi.

"What's he doin' here?" Shinpachi demanded.

"From today onward, Saitou is once again with the Shinsengumi." Kondou-san explained.

Hajime glanced at me and a small grin flashed on his face; I blushed slightly and covered my mouth to hide a giggle.

Earlier was… Wow. I'd never been with a man, not even when I was younger. So being with Hajime was… wonderful.
The blush returned to my cheeks as I thought about it.

Were we really lovers, now?

"…Saitou-kun, acting under Toshi's orders, was trying to infiltrate the Itou faction." Kondou-san's voice stirred me from my lewd thoughts; I shook my head, running a hand through my hair.

"That's not fair, Hajime-kun; you actually had so much fun behind my back." Souji commented next to me.

We both seemed to blush at that; he coughed and cut his gaze to the side for a moment as I lifted a hand to scritch the back of my head before slipping both arms into the sleeves of my gray haori.

"Kondou-san, yer pretty mean, too…" Shinpachi griped as he rubbed his neck.

"Well, it was top secret after all… I apologize for keeping everyone in the dark!" Kondou-san laughed sheepishly.

I looked over at Hajime and smiled softly.
He was back, and I was happy for it. Not only because I loved him, but because we were friends and he was important to the Shinsengumi.


I trotted forward to come to his side, seeing Chizuru speaking with Heisuke.

He looked at me. "How did it go?" He asked quietly.
I nodded. "Mission accomplished." I replied.

His stoic façade melted and he smiled softly at me. "Did you run all the way here?" He wondered.

I huffed and crossed my arms at my chest. "Not really, I just made sure I wasn't seen." I sniffed.

Hajime smiled knowingly and shook his head. "If you didn't act like your brother, you'd probably make a good ninja." He mused.

I blushed and cuffed him gently, pouting. "Shut up; don't be jealous because I'm pretty." I huffed.

He rubbed his head gingerly and made a face before his eyes softened. "On the contrary, the moonlight makes you look twice as beautiful as you did that night." He replied, his eyes wistful.

My cheeks burned again and I spluttered a huff, looking away.
"Now now, don't be so lewd. Yer starting to act like Souji." I scolded.
He smirked. "I'd think a hundred things have to go wrong before that ever happens." He mused.

I couldn't help but giggle.

"Hajime-kun, what's going on here?" Heisuke asked, interrupting our conversation, as he looked at him confusedly.
I looked at him and lowered my gaze, rubbing my arm gingerly.

"Itou-san had planned to assassinate Commander Kondou. I've already informed the Shinsengumi." Hajime explained quietly.

"T-this can't… you're lying! Why would Itou-san wanna kill Kondou-san!?" He exclaimed.

"Heisuke, he's telling the truth. We all know it. Please, don't fight the truth. Everyone in the Shinsengumi, we all miss you! Sano and Shinpachi most…" I pleaded.

"Itou-san is in league with the Satsuma Clan, now." Hajime stated darkly.

"Heisuke-kun, please… there's still time!" Chizuru pleaded.

The sound of rushing footsteps perked my ears; we looked up to see two ronin looking at Heisuke. "Todou, come quickly!" One of the men barked.

"Did something happen?" He asked alertly.
"Itou-sensei has been assassinated by the Shinsengumi in the Abura alley!" The second man declared gravely.

His teal-colored eyes widened; he looked at Chizuru before he clenched his teeth and sprinted for the bridge, leaping over the railing and hurrying into the dark.
"Heisuke-kun; don't go!" Chizuru exclaimed.

"Idiot!" I barked.

"Oi, you." One of the men declared, perking my ears; the men rounded on her, the first one drawing his katana and pointing the blade at her face. "I've seen you before. You're with the Shinsengumi, aren't you?" He demanded.

"What?" The second man balked as two more men circled Chizuru and myself.

I drew my katana and glowered from one man to the other. "It only makes sense that a Choshuu dog like you would be afraid of a wolf of Mibu." I spat coldly, baring my katana defensively.

One of the other men huffed. "What was that, bitch?" He snapped, aiming the point of his katana at my face.

I clenched my teeth and glared coldly from one man to the other, feeling the girl come near my back. "Chizuru, when I give the signal, run." I whispered softly.

"B-but," she began worriedly.

"Do as I say." I ordered in a hiss.

She quieted and nodded. "Hai," she replied.

Someone stepped forward at my right, surprising me. I glanced to meet the familiar blue eyes of Hajime; a grin threatened to take over my lips.

Now things were really going to get interesting.

"Saitou..?!" One of the men balked as he came to stand infront of the girl.

"Yukimura, go." He ordered.

"H-hai!" She started to sprint away to the bridge.

"Wait!" One of the ronin rushed at her from behind, katana in hand.
My wakizashi stabbed into his head from behind; he spluttered and fell forward as I kicked his back from behind.

"Kawa…" She began.

"Run!" I barked.

She turned away to sprint into the darkness.

"Slut!" One of the other men snarled as he lunged at me; I whirled around, katana stabbing into his chest.
A look of shock crossed his face; I twisted the blade through his back, yanking it out and shoving his body backward as blood spurted out from the wound.

I flicked my wrist, blood flying from the blade; I glowered at the remaining men. "By the way, I am the She-Wolf of Mibu, Hijikata Yasakawa." I spat coldly.

Two men clenched the hilts of their blades before rushing me.

A flash of moonlight out of the corner of my eye appeared before one of the men was cut down, blood flying from the wound to his neck.
Hajime nodded to me; I smiled, perking up as the second man lunged at me when he thought I wasn't looking.

I brought my katana up to block him, grunting and shoving his weight off; blood flew in the air when my blade sliced his throat open, before the man fell.

We looked about to see that we'd cut down all of the men; I huffed and wiped a smudge of blood from my cheek, sheathing my katana.

"'She-wolf of Mibu', huh?" Hajime wondered near me, perking my ears.
I blushed slightly and smiled at him. "Yeah, I guess I got in over my head…" I laughed weakly.

He handed me a handkerchief, a smirk on his face. "I like it." He replied as he sheathed his katana.
I felt my cheeks warm up; I used his handkerchief to wipe the blood off my face, lowering my gaze humbly.
"You alright?" I wondered, looking at him as I handed him the handkerchief back.

He nodded, lifting a hand to cup my cheek, making the blush on my cheeks redden a little; he smiled thoughtfully. "Never better." He kissed me lightly, his blue eyes gentle.

I blushed again and kissed back, letting him pull away reluctantly.

"Come on, she-wolf, the others are most likely in over their heads again." Hajime declared quietly, taking my hand in his and turning to lead the way over the bridge at a sprint.

I smiled and ran at his heels, feeling his fingers squeeze mine in their grip.

:::::::::::::::oOo::::::::::::::

Blood flew in the air.

"Saitou..!" Sano declared in relief as he walked forward to stand with them.

"Sorry for being late." He replied, lifting his katana. "Leave this to me." He requested stiffly.

A flash of silver appeared before another of the men fell; I flicked my wrist, blood flying off the blade of my katana.
"Kawa-chan!" Shinpachi beamed.

I walked forward to stand next to Sano, huffing. "Leave it to you two to get yourselves in over your heads. Especially with these Satcho shitheads." I mused with a smirk, my fingers gripping the katana tightly.

Sano huffed. "I see you're back to normal." He mused lightly; I laughed softly.

"Kawa, stay at my back." Hajime ordered, perking my ears.

I nodded. "You got it." I smirked at him.


A/N: YES, KAWA AND HAJIME DID IT. just wanted to get that out in the open~. :'D
also, the drama heats up so stay tuned for the next chapter!

you lot know the drill, yeah? review please; thanks~