Chapter 10

Okita didn't make a move to advance on Chizuru. He just simply stared at her in wonder. Thoughts of teasing things he could do to her crossed his mind, but still he did nothing.

He smiled again and finally decided what he would do. Of course it was risky, but Okita had never feared the risks that he had taken before so why start now. He brought his hand up and slowly moved it towards Chizuru. His fingers reached out seeking to make contact with Chizuru's soft cheek.

Once his fingers touched Chizuru's cheek he could had sworn his heart stopped beating. His actions were feather soft and didn't stir Chizuru out of her peaceful sleep, but they had a tremendous effect on Okita. As his fingers lightly brushed her skin the only thought that went through Okita's head was that her skin was a fragile and soft as it appeared.

'Oh, I hope I don't regret this.'

Okita finally laid his entire hand onto Chizuru's skin. He continued to lightly stroke his thumb over her cheek again and again. Her rythmatic breathing ceased at the samurai's actions. The change was noticed instantly by Okita and his antics stopped. Carefully Okita's dark green eyes observed Chizuru and awaited her reaction.

Once his movements had stopped Chizuru's breathing resumed. Okita waited a few minutes to make sure the coast was clear before continuing his earlier maneuvers. As he started yet again thumbing her soft skin she didn't react at all this time.

This gave Okita the confidence he needed to advance his idea.

The young man brought his other hand up and slowly laced it through Chizuru's dark, loose hair. Her hair was silky just as he thought it would be. While continuing his slow actions he berated himself for never acting on his instincts and impulses beforehand.

Nothing was stopping him now.

The only thing that could stop him would be Chizuru pushing him away. Rejecting him. The thought caused an ache to shock through Okita's chest.

He was almost certain she felt the same way. He was no fool. He had observed and became aware of her affection for him for quite some time now. She was always so caring and willing to do anything for him.

While that courtesy might also be extended to the rest of the Shinsengumi it didn't have the same meaning behind the actions. Chizuru had become apart of the Shinsengumi. She was like family to all the leaders. They held adoration for the young determined woman, but it wasn't what Okita felt for her.

It was clear now he was in love with Chizuru. There was no denying it now.

For several minutes Okita was content with just barley touching her. He was processing the concept that he was in love. The feelings it stirred in him.

A feeling such as love was not something the young man ever thought he was capable of. This was the man who thought his only purpose in life was to kill. And he was damn well good at his job. But that man had fallen in love with Chizuru Yukimura of all people. It was truly baffling.

Okita was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't notice Chizuru stirring awake.

Chizuru's eyes blinked sleepily as she awoke and she slowly began to take in her surroundings. The first thing she acutely became aware of where soft touches over her cheek and gentle strokes through her hair.

For a moment she thought she was being attacked, but the gentleness of the touches told her panic otherwise. The soft touches ensured that they meant her no harm. But once that thought felt her mind she also noticed that the touches were filled with love and affection.

This caused a whole new form of panic within the woman.

He eyes began to focus and adjust to the darkness of the room to found out who exactly was touching her. She couldn't even think who would do anything like this so when her eyes zeroed on the culprit her heart jumped into her throat.

'Okita-san...'

Okita had still yet notice the young woman had awakened. Which meant his guard wasn't up. This was a rare opportunity to see a side of Okita almost never seen before.

Gentleness.

The smile that crossed his face wasn't his usual smile. It was soft and loving. His green eyes were not sharp and cutting as they usually were. No, now they held an emotion that Chizuru had only ever seen Okita express when he talked to Kondou. Adoration and care.

It almost seemed like a shame to ruin the peaceful look on his face, but Chizuru wanted answers.

"Okita-san," Chizuru's voice broke through the silence of the room. Despite the fact that she had barley whispered his name it was like she had just broke a vase loudly onto the floor.

Immediately upon hearing the quiet whisper of his name being spoken his movements froze. His eyes darted to Chizuru's and caught her confused and baffled stare. When their eyes met he had to take a deep breath to steady himself. His previous peaceful look was now replace by a look that was akin to that of a child caught in the act of stealing something.

He blinked owlishly and the suddenly the old Okita was back. He flashed Chizuru his trademark smile and with a playful voice said, "Hey Chizuru-chan. Sleep well?" He asked the question so blatantly it was as if he didn't register that he had sneaked into her room and touched her unabashedly.

Chizuru's honey brown eyes widened in shock at his question, but soon followed in suit with her usual reaction to Okita teasing her. Her face flushed and she broke eye contact with him. It was no surprised what she said to him either. "Okita-san, don't tease me."

Okita chuckled but refused to put any further distance between them. He had come this far and he was going to see his mission through to the end. He was a master at teasing Chizuru and just generally pushing other's buttons so he would put those skills to good use.

The hand that had stroked Chizuru's hair was shifted to slid to the back of her head in a swift motion. The other hand left her cheek to cup her chin and lightly pull her head up to look Okita in the eye yet again.

"Hey, come on now. No need to act like that." Okita's wolfish grin was replaced with a smaller grin that held more tenderness. But this nothing to stop Chizuru's embarrassment.

The crimson only deepened on her pale skin. Her eyes were wide and clear. She couldn't pull her eyes from the young man's forest green eyes. And she couldn't escape either. Her reaction system had thoroughly shut down.

She was at his essence.

Chizuru couldn't even process what was happening. Okita was flooding far too many of her senses for her to think clearly. It was all too much. He had never taken his teasing to this extent.

Only one thing was clear. The small distance between he and Okita was bothersome. If only she could close the distance between them.

It seemed the close proximity had a similar effect on Okita as well because his green eyes had glazed over. He didn't even register that he was slowly closing the distance between them until only a few centimeters separated them. His mind processed what it was he was going to do and for once in his life he was uncertain.

"Is this alright?"

Chizuru didn't want to think about why he was here. What had made him invade her person space. She just wanted him now.

She was well aware of the feeling she had developed for Okita and how they had varied from those she had for the other men. She saw them as family. Brothers. Guardians. But Okita was different. He always was. And now, she had the opportunity to explore those feelings she had for him.

Without speaking she nodded her head. That was all Okita needed before taking her lips.

The kiss between the two of them lasted for several moments before Okita pulled away. Opening his eyes he instantly noticed his partner had yet to open hers. She just made it too easy for him. "You look like you're waiting for more," he said with a smirk on his lips.

That was all it took for Chizuru to snap out of her daze. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth moved silently trying to voice her thoughts, but like usual, failed. Okita shoulders shook with silent laughter. The samurai leaned back onto his hands to watch Chizuru as she continue to fumble for the right words.

A devilish smile adorned his face as he watched the poor flustered girl. He couldn't stop the pride that swelled in him for the advances he had taken. They had payed off.

Eventually Chizuru stopped stumbling over non-spoken words and tried her best to mustered a glare at the young man seated across from her.

"Okita-san please stop teasing me! It's not fair! What are you even doing here?!"

Of course now she asked why Okita had come to her in the middle of the night. Not why he had kissed her. Okita didn't seemed fazed in the slightest though. His grin only widened and he took the opportunity to further his advances on the poor girl.

He crept closer to her and maintained his teasing tone as he spoke. "Are you saying you didn't enjoy that Chi-zu-ru-chan?" He spoke every syllable of Chizuru's name in a singsong voice.

Now Chizuru's defense systems came back to her tenfold. She leaned away from the close man and tried her best to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Uh, w-well no. I-I mean uh yes. No," Chizuru stumbled over her words as she tried to keep from further embarrassing herself. It was clear though that she was extremely shy at the question. Of course she enjoyed the kiss, but it wasn't like she could confess that to Okita. He would only tease her more.

Okita wasn't having her escape attempt though. He wanted a straight answer. He reached out and took of her to prevent her from getting away. He came closer again and asked once more, "Chizuru, did you like the kiss?" Now wasn't the time to tease her. He wanted to know the truth. He needed it.

Chizuru bowed her head and gave a sheepish nod. It was clear Okita was being serious right now. She needed to be honest as well. The kiss was soft, gentle, caring, and full of unspoken emotion.

Okita reached out and cupped her cheek. "Can I do it again?" His question was completely innocent, but demanded to be answered. Chizuru was stunned at his unhidden emotions and conviction. Without much thought she nodded her head again.

He lifted her face up towards his and placed his lips firmly over hers for the second time that night. Chizuru's arms snaked around his neck and held him close and Okita's hands held Chizuru close to him.

It seemed he had succeeded in his plans for the night. Even if the course had changed slightly. This was a much better alternative than teasing Chizuru.

A/N: ...So um...fluff uh? I feel sick to my stomach writing this. I like ships, but I must say... I really suck at writing them.

Also I believe this is how I will end this story. With fluff.

I'm not quite sure where I was going with this story when I first wrote it, but I guess my goal to finish it has been achieved. There's not much more I can add here. Not without complicating it. So I think that's all.

I hope you all enjoyed my story.

Fell free to share your comments.

Until next time...

~Wolfy Out~