December 1874
« Surprise ! »
Haruhi raised her gaze from the accounting she was doing while Tama was with the kids, trying to keep Kaede entertained with a wooden horse while Ayame was drawing on paper with black ink, concentrated and silent. In front of her, Heisuke and Shinpachi, along with the latter's son, were standing in the doorway. She smiled at the sight and stood up to greet them.
« Welcome. » she bowed « I'm glad to see you well but you are a bit early, the wedding's in January. »
« We know. » grinned Shinpachi « we wanted to surprise Saito. »
« Your wife's joining later ? » she asked and Shinpachi seemed so embarrassed that she regretted asking the question.
« Shin's wife is staying at her parent's » explained Heisuke « he screwed up. »
« I didn't ! » he protested « That woman's crazy ! »
« Which woman ? » asked Haruhi, confused.
« Some woman came knocking at my door with a small girl, claiming she's mine and asking for money and a concubine status. » explained Shinpachi with a sigh « Never saw her in my life. »
« Maybe you were drunk. » shrugged Heisuke « I mean, that woman knew your adress. »
« She's probably asking at every door ! » denied Shinpachi « I may not be the most faithful person but I'm still cautious. I leave my desires in Yoshiwara, where there is no consequences. »
Probably just like my actual father used to do in Shimabara. No consequences for him but did he once thought about my future ? Probably not. Just like Shin. Can't blame him though, prostitutes exist for a reason.
« Anyway, my wife got mad. She's a sweet woman but having a kid at her door, it shook her a bit. I'm kinda punished, I guess. You have rooms for us ? We're gonna spend New Year's Eve here. »
New year's eve... As it was approaching, Haruhi's stomach was more and more knotted. This year had gone too fast, way too fast, and she was worried it could mean the end of her world. If Souji were to disappear... If she failed in the end... that would drive her crazy and she probably would open her belly out of shame to follow him in the afterlife.
« Yeah, let me check but I think it's fine. » she nodded, opening the book « We have less travelers in the winter. Yeah, great, you want two ? »
« Yes please. » he smiled « where are the guys ? »
« Working on Souji and I's house. » she answered, registering the two men « they shoud already be back but maybe they got delayed. »
As if he had been summoned, her father came in and opened wide eyes when he saw his guests.
« Nagakura, Toudou. » he bowed politely.
« Saito ! » yelled the big man, squeezing him in his arms. « Gods, I'm so glad you survived and followed my advice ! »
« Advice ? » frowned Hajime.
« Find a place where you're valued, where you can pick what's important to you and be with your family. » he winked « uncle Shin always give the best advices. »
Hajime didn't answer but he smiled faintly, remembering Nagakura's words and how they echoed in him at this farewell that wasn't really one since their paths crossed again in Aizu and today.
« Your son ? » asked Hajime, looking at small Sanosuke who was already joining Ayame and Kaede with Tama.
« Yeah, Sano. » nodded Shinpachi « he's a moving kid and quite choleric but he's a good lad. Maybe he can learn a thing or two about patience and calm with yours. »
« Sanosuke ? » asked Hajime with a smile.
« Exactly. » he laughed « He's three. Somehow when he was born, it just popped in my head. Yours ? »
« Ayame's the oldest. » explained Hajime « then Kaede. »
« They're boys, right ? » asked Shinpachi just to be sure.
« Ha. » nodded Hajime.
« They already seem like friends. » said the big guy, proud « Sano's easy to get along with. Anyway, where's Souji ? »
« He's coming. He had something like a job interview, I believe. »
« At the dojo ? » asked Haruhi, curious.
« No. Shirakawa. »
« Oh, okay. » she nodded « I'm gonna make some tea, you want some ? »
« Where's Chizuru ? » asked her father.
« Really, I feel like everyone coming through this door is asking me where is someone. » she muttered « she's in the bathroom, she's probably gonna come afterwards. »
« I'll go get her and tell her about our visitors. » he muttered, heading to the bathroom.
« Yeah sure... » laughed Shinpachi with a wink « go get her, man. »
« So... tea ? » asked Haruhi and everyone nodded « Tama-chan ? You wanna join us too ? »
« O... Okay. » she bowed, giving the toy to Kaede and joining them.
Haruhi made some tea and took the tray back to the common room, placing a cup in front of everyone and adding two extra cups for Hajime and Chizuru.
« It's gonna be cold before he comes back, you know » commented Shinpachi snidely.
« Shin... » complained Heisuke « mind your own business. »
« What ? » he shrugged « man has two son, probably sleeping with them at night, if he went to that bathroom, it's not for the soap... »
« What's the problem with soap ? » asked Chizuru, joining them at the table, her hair still wet.
« And now, I'm disappointed. » sighed Shinpachi « Even after all this time, Saito still doesn't have any manly attributes. »
« I think our two sons are proof enough... » chuckled Chizuru « but I'm enchanted to see you both ! »
« At least Saito doesn't get women bringing children to his house ! » chuckled Heisuke.
« What's that story ? » asked Chizuru with a smile.
« Some damn crazy woman claiming it was my kid. » explained Shinpachi again.
« Maybe you were drunk... » objected Chizuru.
« Can everyone stop repeating this ? » he complained « I know what I'm doing ! »
Everyone laughed at Shinpachi's expenses, the latter looking quite vexed. By the time they calmed themselves, Hajime was back from the bathroom with a clean kimono.
« So Heisuke, you're cured ? » asked Chizuru with interest.
« Yeah. » he smiled widely « I can live again. Only problem is my face and missing fingers... People are usually staring but it doesn't last long. At least, I can go out in the day. »
« Not everyone's disgusted... » smiled Shinpachi « there's this girl at the candy shop... »
« Shin ! » yelled Heisuke, completely red.
« What girl ?! » asked Haruhi and Chizuru as one.
« Not far from our place, there's a candy shop where they make candy into animals or dragons, you know. Well the girl always give some free to Heisuke. As if it wasn't clear enough... That coward won't even ask her out ! »
« It can be just neighbor courtesy... » he muttered, flushed.
« I'm her neighbor and I'm never getting candy. » stated Shinpachi.
« Who's getting candy ? »
« Souji ! » smiled Haruhi « welcome home ! »
« I'm back ! » he smiled widely « now is there any Shinsengumi captains in this room ? You're all under arrest ! »
Souji pointed a gun at each of them and made it turn into his fingers playfully.
« What the fuck you're doing with a firearm ? » asked Heisuke.
« My job. » smirked Souji « I am the law now. »
« You're a policeman, Souji ? » asked Haruhi with wide eyes.
« Yeah. » he answered, getting closer and dominating her with his height, his face inches from her « does it excite you ? You'd better obey my commands, Haru-chan. Otherwise, I have the authority to tie you up... »
« Souji. » said Hajime.
« Ara, sorry Hajime-kun ! » he smiled genuinely « I forgot, wedding first ! »
« But Souji... » continued Haruhi, anxious « Isn't that super risky ? »
« Nothing is safer than hiding under their nose. » he shrugged, sitting at the table with the rest of them « and I always dreamt of wearing a western uniform like the others. You were all dashing, gentlemen ! »
Haruhi shook her head with a sigh and a smile. She could smell trouble already but maybe Souji was right and they wouldn't expect him to hide in the police of the new government.
« So, what have you been up to ? » he asked the visitors.
« Shinpachi had to flee home because a child appeared at his doorstep. » chuckled Heisuke, happy not to be the center of the attention anymore.
« You were drunk ? »
« Fuck, I hate you all. » grumbled Shinpachi.
« Ne... So-ojisan... Can I see your gun ? »
Ayame was at the table. Visibly, his interest for the gun was enough to fight his shyness. He was still not getting close to Shinpachi and Heisuke though.
« Sure ! » said Souji with a smile, handing him the gun « careful. »
Ayame took it in his little hands and was surprised with it's weight. He made the barrel roll, giggling.
« Souji. » said Hajime calmly « Don't give firearms to my sons. Take it back. »
« Don't worry, Hajime-kun. » shrugged Souji « there's no bullet. »
« Souji. » he ordered.
Ayame was putting his finger on the trigger and he aimed at Kaede, pulling the trigger while mouthing a sonor « Bang ! ».
« No ! » yelled Chizuru and she moved faster than anyone could see, placing herself on the trajectory of the bullet. Fortunately, like Souji said, there weren't any. Her hair were white and her eyes golden and they came floating around her horns when she unleashed her wrath.
« Ayame ! » she scolded « put that gun down and go to your room ! »
« But... Okaasan... I was just playing... » he explained.
« Now ! »
Authority was leaking from her voice, like a princess born to command and both Ayame and Kaede shifted forms in response, reacting to their queen bee's command. The older one, terrified, ran upstairs in his room as instructed and Hajime went to take Kaede in his arms. The baby was looking all around him in panic and crying, Sano staring in fear at his horns and white hair.
« You ! » she shouted, grabbing Souji by his collar « You never put a weapon in my children's hands again or I swear to the gods I'll kill you ! »
That was not playful friendly threat and anyone could see it. Souji took the gun on the table and put it back in its holster without detaching his eyes from Chizuru. Hajime was still trying to calm Kaede's powerful cries when she turned to her husband.
« Kaede, shut up ! » she ordered.
That voice again, commanding and sharp as the crack of a whip. Immediately, Kaede stopped sobbing and closed his mouth.
« Damn, Chizuru... » commented Shinpachi.
« I think it's an Oni thing. » said an unfazed Hajime, getting back to the table with his younger son « they can't disobey a pure blood. She's going to calm down and both are going to turn back. »
« That must feel so strange for you... » muttered Shinpachi « your wife is even scarier than mine. »
Chizuru came back to the table and took Kaede from her husband's arms, cradling him in her arms, eyes throwing daggers to Souji.
« Chizuru-neechan » tried Haruhi « I'm sure Souji didn't want anyone to get hurt... There was no bullet and Kaede's all right... »
« I don't care. » she replied harshly « Guns have nothing to do in children's hands. »
« I'm sorry, Chizuru-chan.» muttered Souji, visibly embarrassed « won't happen again. »
« I hope so. » she said.
« Next time I see a weapon in my son's hands » added Hajime « I end you myself. »
« Noted. » smiled Souji faintly.
« Okay, can we go back to a cheerful atmosphere or what ? » asked Shinpachi, uncomfortable.
« Can I do something to help you, Chizuru-chan ? » asked Heisuke.
« It's fine. » answered Hajime in her place « she just needs to cool down. »
« I'm gonna see Ayame. » she stated, getting up the stairs to go to his room, Kaede still in her arms.
There was an awkward silence after her departure and Haruhi escaped to make some more tea for everyone. When she came back, human Chizuru was getting down the stairs with human Kaede and human Ayame holding her hand. The latter came closer to his father and sobbed, his fists on his eyes.
« I'm sorry I shot Kaede, Otousan... » he said faintly « I was just playing... I will not touch a gun again. »
« Good. » nodded Hajime, looking at his wife who nodded too « What you did could have had dire consequences. I expect you to understand that and learn a lesson out of it. »
« Yes... Sorry, Otousan, Okaasan... » he continued to sob.
« Go back upstairs. » said Chizuru « We'll call you for dinner. »
« Am I punished ? » asked Ayame.
« Not after dinner. » stated Chizuru « In the meantime, you stay in your room and think about your actions. »
« Okay... » nodded Ayame, getting back up the stairs.
« Ara... » said Souji to lighten the atmosphere « you both are natural parents. »
« Haruhi » asked Chizuru casually as if nothing happened « I'm free tomorrow. Do you want to come with me to Shirakawa to find a fabric for your wedding attire ? »
« I... I'm fine... » replied Haruhi, flushed « I have one I like already so, I'm probably gonna wear this one... »
« Which one ? » asked Souji, curious.
« You don't want one specially for your wedding ? » asked Chizuru, eyes wides.
« Is... Is it the yellow one, Haru-chan ? » asked Tama with a smile.
« No it's the blue I wore on your wedding... » muttered Haruhi, uncomfortable.
« Ara, this kimono is lovely. » smiled Souji « it'll be perfect. »
« Blue isn't a wedding color. » stated Hajime « yellow or red would be more fitted. »
« You married in blue. » objected Souji.
« I'm a man. » stated Hajime again.
« Well nevermind, I'm planning to marry in white anyway. » smiled Souji to Haruhi.
« In white ? » asked Chizuru « but... That's for funerals ! »
« And new beginnings. » he pouted.
« For a bride, why not. The end of her life as a girl... but for a groom... » muttered Chizuru.
« I'm supposed to be dead. » said Souji with a smile « My life with Haruhi is a new beginning for me. I like the idea of the death of my previous one and the birth of my new one, still unwritten. What do you think, Haruhi ? »
« I think it's perfect Souji. » she smiled.
« Then it's settled. » he smiled « white and blue. »
« Fine. » said Hajime with a nod « it's your wedding. Do whatever you like. »
Souji smiled to Haruhi again and she could see how happy he was. The house was nearly finished, he had a job, new year's eve was approaching and after that... They would have their happily ever after. Or at least, she hoped so. Souji was unpredictable.