I lowered her on the futon and closed the shoji.
« You can open your eyes, now. » i said.
She did and a warm light invade the room. She still had her golden eyes. I crouched and removed the scarf to free her hair. They weren't floating anymore but they were still as white as snow. And the horns...
I brushed my fingers on them. They were rough and smooth at the same time... Like ivory.
« They're still there, aren't they ? » she asked, lifting her gaze to look at my hand.
« Ha. » i answered.
« What if they never go ? » she asked, panicked.
« There's no reason. » i answered, trying to calm her wih an assured voice « they weren't there before, they should disappear at some point. »
« How can you be so sure ? » she cried.
I'm not... But telling you this wouldn't make you feel any better.
« When you eyes lit golden, they fade away after a while. » i said to reassure her « this shouldn't be any different. »
I took away her obi and her kimono, leaving her with only her nagajuban. I pushed her gently to make her lie down and pulled the sheets on her.
« Try to sleep and we'll figure something out in the morning. If it's still there, i'll send someone get Sen, alright ? »
« Okay... » she said, frightened.
« Now, close your eyes and sleep. » i smiled at her and passed my hand on her cheek « I'll know if you open them so don't cheat. »
She chuckled nervously and nodded and the darkness invade the room. I stayed next to her until she fell asleep. I lit a small candle to have a bit of light then went leaning against a wall to clean and oil my blade after all the blood that had splattered on it. Chizuru's breath became more relax in her sleep and I saw the horns retract to disappear completely and her hair turning back brown. I sighed in relief and went back to the oiling.
« Kumichô. » i heard Tetsuya whisper behind the shoji.
I stood up to meet him. I slid the wood panel and he glanced at Chizuru before stepping backwards to allow me to step out.
« Is Yukimura alright ? » he asked.
« Ha. She's just sleeping. » i answered and he seemed relieved « I thought I told you already not to call me Kumichô. »
« I don't think I'll ever be able to do it... » he confessed. « Miura fled. He's going to Osaka. He says Kyoto's too dangerous for him. My unit is going to get back to the headquarters since our job here is finished. »
« Ha. » i nodded.
« Are you coming too ? » he asked.
« We're going to stay for the night to make sure Chizuru gets enough rest. »
« Alright. » he bowed « by the way, Kumichô, I wanted to say that... all the unit is really happy for you. And not only the unit. It is true that we knew for quite some time that Yukimura was a woman but... We don't think the Code of Conduct applies to her. She may be a woman but she's Shinsengumi. She's our doctor. A lot of warriors owe her their lives. » he paused, uneasy before continuing « I know what you may have heard but these gossips were spread by Ito's followers. Shinsengumi warriors have a lot of respect for Yukimura. So... If you decide to quit to be with her because of the Code of Conduct, just know that we would be honored to keep Yukimura as the Shinsengumi's doctor. »
« The decision will be the one of Kondou-san and Hijikata-san. » i replied « but i appreciate your loyalty towards her. »
« You are a good man, Kumichô. » he bowed again « and you've found yourself a good woman. I hope the both of you will stay in the Shinsengumi. We need you. »
« Thank you, Tetsuya. » i bowed.
He went away with the rest of his unit and I got back in the room to unfold my futon and lie next to Chizuru. She was looking perfectly human now. I watched at her sleeping face for a while before blowing the candle and falling asleep.
The next morning, Chizuru woke up while I was packing up everything. We had no reason to stay in the Inn now that Miura was gone. She put her hand on her forehead and searched for the horns.
« They faded as soon as you fell asleep. » i said calmly.
She looked at the floor and tears started to fill her eyes. I came closer to wipe them off, wondering why she was crying. Would she rather had kept the horns ?
« What's the matter ? » i asked, catching a tear with a finger.
« You're never gonna marry me now that i'm a monster... » she cried.
« I don't see any monster. » i said.
« Hajime... I had horns... Horns ! » she cried some more and I pulled her into my arms.
« So you heal, your eyes lit when you orgasm, which is pretty convenient for me I might add, and you get horns when you're angry. So what ? All this is irrelevant. You could have a tail, a tengu nose or spit fire and I'll still love you. Because I love all of you. »
« But.. What if I hurt someone ? » she cried, returning my embrace.
« just remind me never to piss you off. »
She chuckled and calm down a bit, cuddling me like a scared little girl trying to reassure herself.
« Besides, » i added « I know humans that are monsters far worse than you are. »
« Yeah well, at least they don't have horns... » she muttered.
« I wouldn't have fallen for you if you were an ordinary girl. I think i'll never get bored a single day in this marriage. » i tried to joke and she chuckled again.
« So you still want to marry me ? » she asked.
« Why do you think I'm up so early to pack ? » i smiled gently « I can't wait to be out of here and deposit that damn form. »
I leaned over and kiss her with all the love and tenderness I had for her. She was the love of my life and my bride to be. I couldn't wait for her to be my wife. And if that meant that we'll have some demonic children with horns one day then so be it. I wanted to have her, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of what she was.
She calmed down and helped me finish the packing. When we got down the stairs, two Shinsengumi men were waiting in blue haori.
« We're here to pick your belongings. Everyone is preparing for the party this evening. » they said and i nodded before giving them the bags.
Hands free, i took Chizuru's and we walked together in the streets until we reached the Bakufu administration to deposit our form and register as Saito Hajime and his wife Saito Chizuru. Now it was official that we were married. When we got out though, Chizuru started crying again.
« Why are you crying, Saito-san ? » i asked with a smirk.
« I don't know... » she answered, wiping the tears away « i guess it's because i'm happy... Even if Saito-san sounds so wierd ! »
« You'd better get used to it. » i chuckled « because it's your name now and I'm planning on over using it. »
« Please don't... » she blushed and I helped her get rid of the tears.
« Now, Saito-san » i added « you should maybe stop crying because i think you're awaited for a party and someone is probably going to put a sword through me if I make you cry on the first day of our marriage. »
She chuckled and kissed me. Our first kiss of husband and wife. Never had i felt happier before. All i ever wanted, all i ever needed was here in my arms.
« I love you, Saito Hajime, my husband. » she said with a smile.
« I love you too, Saito Chizuru, my wife. » I answered.
The world could have collapsed around us and we wouldn't have cared.
Author note : The events at Tenmaya are historically accurate. Even Saito cutting down the assaillant while still seated. Just wanted you to know how badass real life Saito was. Lol
By the way, i just released another fanfic called Little Warriors where I will depict childhood memories of Hakuouki characters. First chapter is of course Saito Hajime :) (me obsessed ? Never !) second one will probably be Okita or Kazama, not sure yet. If you step across this fic, tell me what you think !
Next chapter is wedding day ! I'm so excited about writing it ! And I'm also so nervous about your reactions that I feel like I'm the one getting married... Lol
I hope you'll like it !