Hello, guys! It's the new chapter again XD
Well, holiday is officially over T_T So, maybe this story update will become a little longer than usual. But don't worry! I'll try to upload at least 2 chapters in a week! :3
Hahaha, I see you enjoyed the previous chapter! I'm really happy^^ Thanks for all the reviews, and for Yuki-Sama, err... I know what you're talking about, but I don't plan to make it :3 well, at least not in this story.
Alright, let's start reading everybodyyyyy!
THE FROZEN SWORD
CHAPTER 13: WARM
A warmness from someone's body woke Chizuru up in the morning. She was a bit surprised at first before slowly recalling what had happened last night. She also realized that she was still in Saito's embrace, in the same position when they went to sleep. Chizuru touched the sleeping man's forehead and felt relieved because the high fever had gone, although it still felt warm a bit. His breath had become normal, too.
Chizuru felt grateful because Saito was still asleep, that meant she had not to lie and could quietly stepped out of Saito's room. Then, she carefully lifted up Saito's arm that circled around her waist.
But that was a mistake. Saito used to stay aware in every situation, so a sudden slight movement could make him feel that something was wrong. His eyes opened slowly but quickly widened upon seeing Chizuru in his arms. He suddenly stood up and kept his distance away from Chizuru with a surprised and panic face.
"C-Chizuru?! Why are you here?! W-What have I done?!" He looked down at his half-naked sweaty body and carelessly fixed his yukata.
Chizuru nervously started to explain everything in her own version, because Saito really didn't seem to remember anything. She said that she came to Saito's room, and saw Saito was about to collapse, so she treated him. But in the middle of treatment, she felt tired and accidentally fell asleep. Maybe Saito had mistaken her as a pillow and held her then. She knew that it was a lame lie, but she couldn't bring herself to tell the truth.
"Chizuru...did you tell the truth? Are you sure that I didn't do something bad to you?" asked Saito, still with his shocked face, but Chizuru could tell that he tried to keep his cool attitudes.
"Um...Yes, Saito-san...That's alright, you didn't do anything wrong," said Chizuru quietly.
"I see..," Saito tried to stay calm and sat down on the floor, still kept his distance away from Chizuru. And then he bowed deeply, "Chizuru...I'm truly sorry...to do something like that to an unmarried woman...even though I didn't realize it, it doesn't erase the fact that I've touched you."
It was weird to see Saito bowed to a woman, with bed hair and in a sleeping yukata. Chizuru didn't say anything, both of them were feeling guilty now.
Saito closed his eyes and whispered, "Chizuru, if you want to slap or punch me, then do it."
Chizuru gasped, "No, Saito-san! There's no need to! That's alright! You didn't do something as bad as you thought! Besides...that's also my fault...Stop bowing your head down so easily like that..." She helped Saito to sit down from his bowing position. Saito still felt a bit headache from the fever when he lifted his head, and then he saw Chizuru's guilty face was just inches from his.
They glanced at each other before Saito broke the silence, "Chizuru...thank you for treating me...forgive me...Now, could you leave me alone, please? I want to rest."
Chizuru nodded weakly. She didn't want to cause problems anymore. She slid the door open and gasped when she saw Okita passing, with several bowls on his hands. It looked like today was his turn to do cooking. Okita grinned when he saw Chizuru opened Saito's room from inside.
"Well, Chizuru-chan. I'm on my way to the kitchen, hoping to see you, but I really didn't expect that you're having some fun in Hajime-kun's room," said Okita, and he peeked into the room. He saw Saito with his after-bed and messy look. The sick man looked down at the floor, couldn't bring himself to look at his comrade, as if he was caught while committing a crime.
"No, Okita-san! It's not like what you're thinking about!" said Chizuru nervously. She was thinking of another lie, but she couldn't make something up again.
"Then, what is it, Chizuru-chan? Hajime-kun?" Okita's grin widened. He found it interesting to tease them.
Of all the people, why him?
"...I'm not feeling well, Souji," Saito suddenly spoke, much to Chizuru's surprise. "...So, Chizuru came to bring me some medicine and food. She arrived just minutes ago...But now, you could take her with you. You need her to help you preparing breakfast, don't you?"
Chizuru felt really guilty. For someone like Saito, for admitting that he was sick, was a great embarrassment. In addition, he had lied to save Chizuru's face. It was not like Saito at all.
Okita looked at the tray on the floor, that Chizuru brought to Saito last night, "Alright, Hajime-kun...but I really didn't expect that you could be sick...Hmm, I guess I will bring your breakfast here later, because I think the porridge is too small for a breakfast portion."
"...You don't need to, I'll eat just that," Saito stared at the tray, and then turned his glance to Okita and Chizuru. "Could you leave me alone, please? I need to rest for a while. But if there's an urgent matter, don't hesitate to call me immediately."
"Um...Saito-san? Are you sure that you'll be okay by just eating that?" Chizuru asked with concerned eyes. The medicine and porridge had been left for a night. It was already cold and no doubt, it also had terrible taste already.
Saito glared at Chizuru, "You've made it for me, so I'll eat it. You got any problems with that?" There was steel in his tone this time.
"...No, Saito-san, forgive me...Rest well, okay?" Chizuru hesitantly bowed to Saito and stepped out of his room.
But before she closed the door, she heard Saito whispered, "Thank you..."
Chizuru turned her gaze to him. She swore that there was pink blush on Saito's cheeks, and it was not because of the fever, before he quietly ate the cold and terrible-tasted porridge. Chizuru slid the door shut with a red face and heard Okita chuckled behind her.
"I didn't know that I would live to see the day when Hajime-kun blushed," said Okita, looking at the also blushing and nervous Chizuru. When they reached the kitchen, Okita suddenly asked her with a satisfied grin, "So, did you enjoy your night with Hajime-kun?"
Chizuru was surprised, but Okita whispered to her, "...Even I could tell that the porridge has been cold already, and your clothes is slightly wet, which means that he has held you with that sweating body for quite some time. There's no way that you just arrived. Hajime-kun is a bad liar, you know."
"...Okita-san, but we didn't do anything...like, um,..you-know-what," murmured Chizuru. She felt ashamed now.
Okita smiled to her and patted her head, "Alright, alright, I won't ask anything more. That's your business with him. After all, you're a good girl. But...don't you think you're quite lucky, Chizuru-chan? Hajime-kun was willing to eat your cold porridge. Usually, he would refuse any kind of presents from girls, including their warm and tasty homemade food."
Chizuru said nothing. She kept telling herself not to fly high by Okita's words, although she couldn't hide her smile. She also knew that she was the only girl who ever successfully forced Saito to take a present, although she didn't want hoping too much with that achievement.
But now, Saito-san...may I hope for a bit more?
Okita didn't tell anyone about it in the breakfast, which Chizuru felt surprised and grateful of. He just told the rest of Shinsengumi that Saito was not feeling well. Their reactions were the same as Okita's, nobody expected that Saito could be sick.
After breakfast, Nagakura's and Harada's divisions, who were in the charge that day prepared for the morning patrol.
"Good luck for your work today," Chizuru bowed to the two captains at the gate.
Harada smiled, "Thank you, Chizuru-chan. Well, make sure to cook a delicious lunch for Saito today, okay?"
Chizuru nodded. Usually, the Shinsengumi never having their lunch at the headquarters, since they worked at that hour and preferred to have lunch in the town's stores.
"By the way, Chizuru-chan," Nagakura rubbed his chin, "It looks like the third division is on the night patrol tonight. I'm sure Kondou-san and Hijikata-san wouldn't mind to give Saito a day off, but knowing him, I'm quite sure that he will force himself to work. Keep an eye on him, okay?"
Chizuru smiled, "Of course I will." After all, she felt obligated to take care of Saito, since his health was still low on his priority list, if it was really on his list at all.
After seeing Nagakura and Harada off, Chizuru went to the training hall and opened the door a bit. She could see that Heisuke and Okita was training their squads. She made sure that Saito wasn't there before quietly closed the door.
She cleaned the manor and washed the clothes while waiting for the lunch time. When it was already almost time, she went to the kitchen and cooked the meals. She had lunch by herself before carrying a tray to Saito's room.
Chizuru was surprised when she saw Saito was sitting in front of his room, while gazing at the cherry blossoms with peaceful look. The usual cold warrior looked like a warm young male now. She also saw a tray with empty bowl and cup there, which meant Saito had really finished those cold porridge and bitter medicine. He was still in his sleeping clothes with his hair down, too. The spring wind played with his long deep purple hair before he noticed Chizuru's presence and turned his deep blue eyes at her.
"Um...Saito-san..," Chizuru's hands was shaking. After spending a night with Saito, and now seeing such rare scenery, she couldn't help but feel nervous.
"...Don't scold me, I've slept since this morning and I woke up just now...I'm here because I think I need some fresh air," said Saito quietly.
Chizuru sat next to him, and put down the tray she brought, "Saito-san...I bring your lunch...Please, eat it. You need to care more about your health...I'll come back to collect the dishes after you finish it."
She was about to go when suddenly Saito called her, "Wait, Chizuru...keep me company here."
Chizuru's eyes widened, but Saito just smiled weakly, " What? You acted like I said something offensive...I've also accompanied you once to eat dango, remember? Besides, what kind of medic are you, leaving a sick person to eat alone?"
Chizuru gave Saito a wide smile, "Yes! Saito-san! It's my pleasure to be here with you!" But then she realized her bold words, "Um...I mean..."
"That's fine..," said Saito, and he ate his lunch in silence before he whispered, "...Chizuru, about last night..."
Chizuru felt her heart jump, but said nothing.
"When I recalled just now, I'm sure I said something strange, didn't I? I couldn't remember all of them, though...Well...I thought that was a dream...but...," Saito paused for a moment before continued, "Anyway, don't take it too serious, okay? I was not myself that time...Please...Could you forgive me and forget everything that I said? To say something like that...and touched a girl...I'm truly sorry..."
...How could I forget your gentle words and your warm touch, Saito-san? Why did you apologize? I don't mind it at all...
"Alright..," said Chizuru. She felt sad now she knew that they would go back to the usual daily life, where Saito was a cold and ignorant man, and Chizuru could only see him from a far.
"By the way, Saito-san..," Chizuru tried to change the topic. "Nagakura-san told me that you actually are in charge for tonight's patrol, right? But now you're not feeling well...so I think Kondou-san wouldn't mind giving you a day off..."
Saito's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean, Chizuru? Of course I will go tonight, it was my duty to protect people," But he quickly added when Chizuru gave him a death glare, "...Chizuru, please...The fever had gone...I'm healthy as always now."
Chizuru touched Saito's forehead. True, the temperature had been normal already, but it didn't erase the fact that he was burning the night before. However, at this time when oni launched more attacks than usual, or when talking about his duty, she knew that Saito was unstoppable.
"...Then take me with you," said Chizuru. She couldn't let this person to go alone with his squad with such condition.
"Chizuru, the patrol is dangerous...I can't guarantee your safety..," said Saito desperately.
"I won't get in the way," said Chizuru, her eyes looked serious. "Did you forget? I'm an oni. Even if I was hurt, my wound would heal immediately, as long as it's not a vital attack. Besides, if I don't go with you, I'm sure you will overwork yourself again."
Saito let out a long sigh, before he answered weakly, "Alright...just stay near me and obey everything that I'm going to say, okay?"
Chizuru grinned, now she knew that she had won, although she actually preferred Saito to stay in the manor and rest for a little longer. She watched Saito as he finished his lunch. Even his slight movement was graceful in Chizuru's eyes.
Everything is gonna be alright tonight...
When the night came, Chizuru went out of the Shinsengumi Headquarters with Saito and his squad. Okita's division was also on the night patrol, but they went to another direction. After quite some time, they didn't encounter any demon, which was quite strange. But Chizuru was grateful because of it, at least she wouldn't be a burden.
The night weather was cold, and Chizuru's breath made a small cloud in the air. She held herself to keep her body warm. She cursed herself for not bringing a coat with her, at least she could expect the freezing weather at a spring night. But the excitement of going with Saito had made her forget everything.
"Are you cold?" asked Saito.
"A little...How about you, Saito-san? Are you alright?" asked Chizuru while staring at Saito's azure eyes, who was walking beside her.
"I'm fine...I'm used to this, but you're not..," Saito lifted Chizuru's hands, making her blushed, "Look, your hands are freezing."
Suddenly, Saito took his haori off and covered Chizuru's body with it. He also wrapped Chizuru's neck with his white scarf. Chizuru gave him a questioning glance with blushing face, but Saito didn't say anything or wear any expression. He just kept walking after doing that.
"...Um, thank you..," murmured Chizuru. Now she felt a warmness with Saito's scent all over her body. Some soldiers whispered to her from behind, "You're lucky, we've never seen Captain did that before..," But they kept silent immediately after Saito turned his glaring eyes to them.
Chizuru was still smiling when suddenly she saw a white shadow in front of them. Saito drew his katana, and so did his soldiers. Chizuru stayed behind Saito's back, but she could tell that Saito's eyes widened when the shadow revealed itself.
"It's been a while, Hajime..," Suzuka giggled before staring at Chizuru. "So, what is that girl doing here? Wearing your clothes all along? I'm jealous now..."
"Stop saying nonsense!" Saito shouted and dashed towards Suzuka with lightning speed. He slashed his sword across Suzuka's slender body. The demon lady gasped, but the wound healed immediately.
"So...you're really serious..," whispered Suzuka. She disappeared right before Saito launched his next attack. Just a second after that, Saito heard Chizuru's scream from behind. When he turned around, he saw Suzuka was holding the unconscious Chizuru.
Suzuka drew her katana and pointed it towards Saito and his soldiers, "If you want her to live, just don't move from your place. Any slight movement, and I'll cut her neck." She looked down at her bloodstained kimono and smiled bitterly to Saito, "But really...you've really forgotten about all our memories...Is this girl worthy enough to replace me in your heart?"
"Let her go, Suzuka," Saito growled.
Suzuka laughed, "Just if you didn't meet this girl, we could still be together now! It's because she brainwashed you, and now you've become a dog for Shinsengumi!"
"I'd rather be a Shinsengumi's dog than become your husband's dog," said Saito. There was no hesitation in his voice.
Suzuka's eyes narrowed, "I see...my husband, you said? I've never loved that man in my life. Even in my hibernation, the only man I dreamt of was you, Hajime...I know that we're on different sides now. But in my deepest heart, I actually still don't want to kill you...I hope you'll switch back to our side, but seeing you like this...I have no other choices..."
They stared at each other. When Suzuka said that, her eyes softened. Saito felt that Suzuka he used to know was somewhat still there.
"So...Hajime," Suzuka pointed her white katana to him, "If you want to save this ugly woman, come to our place of memories...we'll settle things there, just two of us...maybe three, with her..." With that, she disappeared while holding Chizuru.
There was silence after Suzuka left. The soldiers waited for their captain's order. But Saito just stared at the direction where Suzuka had gone. He knew the place she meant, it was Kazama's former hideout, when he had spent one year of misery, but also the first place when he found someone who treated him kindly. Suzuka's kind smile and her soft voice were still fresh in his mind. But now, after the hibernation, she had changed into a complete stranger.
Saito closed his eyes and finally spoke without looking back at his men, "...Go back to headquarters, I'm going there myself. We can't let her kill Chizuru...If I don't come back in the morning, call the reinforcement to the north forest. Hijikata-san and the others already knew the exact location."
"Captain...are you gonna be alright by yourself?" asked a soldier.
Saito glared at him and shouted, "Who do you think I am?! Don't call me your captain if I couldn't save a woman and kill a mere oni! Now, go back!" With those words, he ran to the north without looking back again.
The time has come, Suzuka...I'll definitely save Chizuru and end our memories there!
What will happen to them? :O Find out later in the next chapter!
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Thanks for reading!