Chapter 9
Soon after the discussion of Chizuru's disappearance it was decided by Hijikata that she would go unpunished. Well mostly unpunished.
The vice commander did request her presence to avoid and lecture her. Of course, for Chizuru it had the same effect as if he had physical punished her. With her head bowed low to the floor she pleaded for his forgiveness.
After Hijikata was satisfied with his verbal punishment he dismissed Chizuru to her daily chores.
Chizuru worked vigorously to try and make up for the inconvenience she had caused the previous day. She refused to take any breaks and tried to avoid any of the captains. She was afraid that they would scold her just as Hijikata did.
She knew all the men were truly good hearted, but she couldn't stand the idea that they might resent her for her actions. She even avoided Okita who had vouched to Hijikata on her behalf. Despite the fact Okita had reasurred her that everything was alright she just couldn't shake her self loathing attitude of being a nuisance to him.
She managed to distance herself from all the captains that day. Even when it was time for dinner she denied the need to eat. Just to avoid everyone. While most of the captains were concerned about Chizuru's repression and previous actions of the other day they respected her wishes and left her to her own dealings. Perhaps she just wanted some space. That was a common thing among women.
Except, Okita wasn't swayed by that notion. After all this time Okita knew Chizuru well enough to know this wasn't a normal occurrence. She hadn't been confronted all day. And she denied dinner. He knew something was up. And he intended to find out what.
As night came and the captains retired to their rooms Okita was plotting. When he was sure everyone else was asleep the young man departed from his room. As he crept down the hallway his footsteps were silent. No one was aware of what was happening.
Soon he reached his destination and stopped to listen in on the resident of the room. Chizuru.
Once he heard nothing he knew the coast was clear. He knew this was his opportunity so he quickly and silently slide the door open to step inside. The moonlight slipped through the open door and Okita could make out Chizuru's sleeping form. With a smirk Okita quietly slid the door shut behind him and looked down at the young woman.
"Avoiding me wasn't a wise idea, Chizuru-chan."
Even though now the room was enveloped in darkness it did not hinder Okita. His eyes adapted quickly to the darkness. He continued to stare down at the sleeping Chizuru. He wasn't happy at all. This was the same woman who had avoided him all day long. Even after their morning conversation.
He thought they understood each other better than that. Better than to block each other out. And that was coming from the man who had some of the most trust issues possible.
Okita contemplated how he should handle the situation now that he had come this far. He took a step closer to Chizuru and his smirk slipped to a gentle smile as he observed her peaceful sleeping face. She always seemed to bring a genuine smile out of him. The only other person to be successful in that was Kondou.
Okita mentally chided himself, 'Damn woman. Making me soft.'
But he couldn't really complain. He had always found her interesting and captivating; even in the earliest days of her appearance. He'd never admit it, but he greatly enjoyed Chizuru's presence. She seemed to give him more purpose than just killing.
She showed him there was more to life. That he could actually enjoy it and take pride in more than just his ability to kill.
The samurai lowered himself to a sitting position in front of Chizuru. Every idea he had had to tease her vanished as he intently looked at Chizuru's sleeping face. On several occasions he had seen her sleep, but now he took the time to fully observe her.
He noticed how her breath was even. Her eyelashes were long and delicate. Her skin was softly pale, hair dark and silky, and... lips full and soft looking.
'No, Souji! Snap out of it. Remember you don't care... you don't care. You don't.'
It was easy to tell himself that, but he knew it wasn't true. Okita was no fool. He was aware that he held deep feelings for Chizuru, but of course he buried those emotions deep and refused to acknowledge them. At least that's what he tried to do.
He couldn't offer her anything. If only she'd made it easier and take his harsh remarks to heart and leave him be. Neither of them would be where they were now if it had played out that way.
Okita smiled softly at Chizuru. "Chizuru... what have you done to me?"
He couldn't deny the answer. He already knew it. He had fallen. Fallen for the naive and yet steadfast Chizuru. Despite his efforts he couldn't stop his feelings. Truly he had fallen.
With a shake of his head Okita smiled to himself and thought, 'If I've fallen I might as well be caught.'
A/N: So how many of your cringed through this chapter? Just so you all know that last sentence has haunted me for years. And now it's finally here. Thank goodness.
I had to revise this chapter a good bit because it was super short. I hope what I added was an improvement to the earlier version I had on paper.
I really hoped you all enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you thought!
Until next time...
~Wolfy Out~
