Disclaimer: I don't own any element of Hakuouki. This story is written for pleasure and not for profit.

A Friend Like You

Chapter 3

"First Impressions"

By Lady Yomi

Summer, September 3, 1863. One month after the Mao Restaurant fire.

"I won't be able to treat you any longer, Sannan-san," muttered the old man, turning away from him as he focused on the countless texts he was studying. "You aren't paying me enough and my services are in high demand by other patients who can afford to do so."

"But... Dr. Morita!" Sannan clenched his fists on his thighs and leaned forward suddenly. "I paid you for each and every visit!"

"Just because it's pay-at-will doesn't mean there aren't people willing to outbid you." He gave him a sidelong glance. "A wealthy merchant's wife sprained her ankle and told me she was interested in starting treatment with me. My patient schedule is full and I need to make room for her."

"A merchant's wife," he repeated the words in disbelief, massaging his temple as he surveyed the doctor's tidy office. Even the silk lining that covered the seats struck him as an expense that was both frivolous and unnecessary. It was clear the guy liked luxury. "Does she have a more important job than I do?" He shook his head in disappointment. "I'm a Roshigumi member, I work to keep Kyoto's peace and-"

"And I don't give a damn about politics or public safety, Mr. Sannan." He shrugged as he went through a notebook that rested in his wrinkled hands. "It took me a lifetime of study and training to pursue this profession and I expect to be compensated accordingly."

Sannan pointed to his right arm, which lay in a humble burlap sling. "I paid you a fortune and yet my arm has been immobile since the accident."

"I told you it would require some time for it to regain its mobility." He squinted and shook his head disapprovingly. "You'd do well to give up such violent habits and return to your homeland. Perhaps you could devote yourself to work in the kendo school of your-"

"It's impossible," he interrupted him with a stone-hard countenance before abruptly rising to his feet. "As the family's third son, the only thing awaiting me is the privilege of picking up the students' sandals before practice. I'm a samurai, as one I'll live and also die."

"Sannan Keisuke..." The doctor looked at him with inquisitive eyes. "Had you been less stubborn, you'd have already recovered under my care."

"Yes, perhaps... but I must protect the wealthy citizens from the wandering ronin who try to mug them as soon as they set foot on the street." He frowned until his eyes disappeared under his bushy eyebrows. "There are jobs where one doesn't get the pleasure of choice."

"This conversation is getting us nowhere." He sighed and held out the light blue haori his patient left hanging on a coat rack, rising slowly as he concluded: "I hope you find a better doctor."

"You know there's no better," he muttered. "You're leaving me to my fate here."

"Money makes the world go round, son." The man pushed the sliding door open and invited him to leave with a shake of his head. "If you get a larger sum, I might change my mind and keep you on my schedule."

Sannan looked at him from the doorway and the midday sunlight shone through his glasses' lenses. "Does that mean... I can still change your mind?"

"Hmm..." The old man nodded with his eyes closed, closing the curtain behind him as he wandered back inside his home. "Sure. Bring the double within two weeks and I'll see what I can do for you."

"The... double?" Sannan put a hand to his forehead. "This has to be some kind of joke." He let his shoulders slump, destroyed by what he'd just heard.

"Sannan-san." Hijikata Toshizo (who had been waiting for his comrade under a loquat tree's shade) approached with suspicion etched on his face. "Why the long face? Did you get bad news?" His eyes went straight to the sling. "Did he extend your convalescence time?"

"No, no, Hijikata-kun. I wish he had." He adjusted the steel bandana that covered his forehead reluctantly. "What was doubled was the payment. Where am I going to get more money?"

"Wait. You're saying he wasn't satisfied with the huge amount your father gave him?"

"No." He threw his shoulders back, watching the wind sway the trees' greenish foliage from side to side. "Someone came along with a better offer and he gave me two weeks to pay him. Otherwise-"

"He'll remove you from his schedule."

"Exactly." He turned to him, quirking his lips as he muttered: "I don't know what else to do Hijikata-kun, if I don't recover they'll force me to leave the Roshigumi."

Hijikata frowned, shooing the idea away with a graceful wave of his right hand. "Don't say such things. Kondou-san cares for you and would never cast you aside for something like that." He passed a hand over his shoulder, encouraging him to move away from the place. "There's so much paperwork to deal with, and there's also the accounting. From what I understand, your education under Chiba Shusaku-san's tutelage was quite useful."

"You can't compare the warrior's path with accounting, Hijikata-kun," he muttered, shuffling down the cobblestone alley. "I don't want to spend my life counting other people's money." He gave a long sigh as he shook his head. "I must prove myself worthy of owning a two-sword carrying license, and I won't be able to do it sitting behind a desk."

"The wound that stupid beam inflicted on your shoulder when it went through it was too bad, you're lucky you didn't lose your whole arm."

"You call this luck?" He clicked his tongue. "I'd have been lucky if the fire had taken me with it."

"Sannan." He gave him a look as sharp as the blade of his sword. "I don't want to hear you talking like that."

"It's the truth, Hijikata-kun." He straightened and lifted his chin to glare back at his best friend. He wasn't much taller than him and yet he still felt intimidated by his stern expression. "At least I would've gone out a hero."

"Heroes are overrated." An imperceptible smile took over Hijikata's lips as he pointed to a battered house on the opposite sidewalk. "The owner of the Mao Restaurant wouldn't be working so hard to rebuild his store had his daughter not been with him. You kept him from losing the reason for all of his efforts and, if that's not heroic, then I don't know what could possibly be."

"Wow." Sannan raised his eyebrows, surprised by the rate at which the repairs progressed. "They sure worked hard to make such a big improvement in such a short time."

"You see?" Hijikata gave him an encouraging pat on the back before walking off toward the store. "My brother-in-law likes to say that every decision we make impacts other people's lives. Even when they seem imperceptible to us, the resulting shift is immeasurable."

"Hi... Hijikata-kun!" He paused, hesitating. "What are you going to do there?"

"See how they're doing, what else would I want to do?"

"It's just that..." He scratched his cheek, uncomfortable at the sudden visit. "It'll be a bit embarrassing to have all those people watching me stroll around with my arm in this terrible state."

"What's so embarrassing about getting hurt while on duty?" He parted the curtain at the front door and gave a brief nod to one employee. "Anyone would welcome the limelight."

"Well, I don't." He huffed as his companion disappeared inside the restaurant. He reluctantly followed him and, just as he entered, bumped into one of the waitresses who worked for Izanagi. He hurried to politely address her: "Good afternoon, Ume-san."

The young waitress blushed violently at the sound of Sannan Keisuke's voice. "Oh!" She smiled from ear to ear while bowing excessively. "What a pleasure to see you again, Sannan-san! Chie, my dear! Come and see who came to visit!"

Furukawa Chie peeked out from the kitchen with her face flushed from the heat and a red headscarf covering most of her head. She gaped in shock when she saw the man who saved her life a month ago standing in front of her. "I'll be right with you!" She wiped her hands on her apron and approached him with a forced smile. To tell the truth, she still felt embarrassed to face the person who saw her crying and trembling from an irrational nervous breakdown. "Sannan-san, how nice to see you back."

"The joy is mutual," Sannan replied kindly. "We see your father spared no effort in getting this place back on its feet."

"He doesn't give up easily. My father is a hardworking man who makes friends everywhere, so people came from far and wide to lend a hand. To be honest, we couldn't be more grateful for that."

"I would've liked to help." Sannan sighed. "I know only one of my arms is available, but that doesn't stop me from tagging along with the Roshigumi troops during the patrols. Had I been informed, I could've helped with the less demanding tasks."

"Don't be foolish, Sannan-san." Hijikata folded his arms, stopping beside them. "The last thing you need is to prove anything to these people, you've done enough for them."

"Huh..." Chie went speechless, surprised by the interruption of Sannan's companion. His presence towered overwhelmingly over the place, reminding her of the great lords of the epic legends she was so fond of reading about. She gaped without being able to control it and hurriedly snapped her mouth shut, trying to conceal her astonishment.

Ume had to nudge her lightly in the ribs to get her to carry on with the conversation. "You should... ask my father, Sannan-san." She shrugged as she clenched the tray in her hands. "I bet we could still use your help with some of the things that were unfinished after the repa... repairs."

"Oh yes, that's true." Sannan smiled, both curious and amused by the girl's reaction. "I hope I can be of some help to you, there's no doubt you're diligent and honorable tradesmen."

"Cut it out, Sannan." Hijikata cleared his throat, bothered by his companion's helpful attitude. Sannan was a kind person, yes, but they were men-at-arms now and such courtesies were frowned upon within the new ruling class they belonged to. Solidarity was for farmers, not warriors. "Are you going to feed us or what?"

"Oh." Chie frowned. "Sure, you can sit over here." She led them to the table, struggling to break the tension Hijikata's attitude brought to the conversation. "Are you on duty? I see you're wearing your uniforms."

Sannan concealed his embarrassment at his companion's behavior. Knowing Hijikata was among the most polite members of the ronin group to which they belonged, he didn't even want to guess how the others might behave. He was beginning to understand why Kyoto's citizens called them "The Wolves of Mibu."

But he couldn't really blame his comrade, Hijikata wasn't accustomed to expressing his feelings in a fancy way, let alone to strangers. Mistrust would leave him sooner or later, he supposed, probably once the restaurant's inhabitants became part of his everyday acquaintances.

"That's right, Hijikata-kun took a few hours off to escort me to the doctor's office. It's pretty close from here so we decided to stop by for a quick hello."

"Oh!" Chie blinked several times. "That's right, you still haven't recovered from the injuries you sustained in the accident. How's everything going, Sannan-san?"

"Well..." Sannan sighed and shrugged, pointing to the sling with his healthy arm. "It seems my treatment ended... prematurely."

"Prematurely?"

"Waitress." Hijikata interrupted the exchange, addressing Ume with a frown. "Get Sannan some sake, this might take a while and his throat will dry up if he keeps talking so willingly."

"Of course, Hijikata-san!" Ume rushed into the kitchen to bring him a cup of the best sake they managed to save from the flames. She'd do anything to please Sannan-san.

"Well..." Sannan heaved his chest full of air and blew it out through his nose all at once. "Where do I start?"

"Maybe at the part where your treatment suddenly ended."

"Good idea, Chie-san." He pursed his lips into a line. "The beam severed a few tendons, and... the healing is quite convoluted. I'm being treated by one of the best doctors in town, a man named Morita."

"Morita... yes, I've heard of him."

"Then you'll know he loves luxury more than performing bloodletting." Chie nodded and Sannan appreciated the girl being aware of the doctor's greedy character, so he continued speaking with renewed confidence: "My family sent me money to pay him for his services, but today he told me he'll give my place to some wealthy Kyoto woman if I don't deliver twice the payment in less than two weeks."

"And will it be long before your arm is back to how it used to be?"

Sannan gritted his teeth and his eyebrows flattened over his eyelids. Time... that was what he needed the most.

"The prognosis isn't good unless..." he rested his chin on his folded hands, "...I rest and follow those excessive rules doctors like to recommend. I suppose he'll come up with a miracle cure if I pay him enough, and I'll be able to get back to work without further trouble. In fact, rumor has it he treated several patients with the renowned Ishida medicine Hijikata-kun used to hand out. It's hard to find nowadays, but I'm hoping Dr. Morita has a couple of doses stashed away," he said the latter with a determined smile, but Chie's face had hardened until she looked like a statue. "Chie-san? Did I say something wrong?"

The girl shook her head softly, smoothing the fabric of her apron with her fingertips. "I wondered what would happen if that cure you rely on so heavily never shows up."

"Well..." He adjusted his glasses, eager to resolve the hypothetical situation. "I guess then I'd have to-"

"There's no need to talk about it," Hijikata cut them off, his gaze fixed on the sake he was holding. "He'll recover."

They lapsed into an awkward silence that was quickly broken by Chie, who pointed to her throat as she blurted out: "By the way! Did you see how my voice improved?"

"Oh, yes!" Sannan laughed. "It's true, your voice sounds much clearer than before, Chie-san."

"The smoke damaged my vocal cords, but Dr. Mantaro-san came all the way from Edo to see me and everything got better in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

"In two shakes of a lamb's tail?" Hijikata frowned, not knowing whether to feel curious or uneasy at the reveal. "And who's that guy?"

"The family doctor!" Chie nodded. "He's been taking care of my and Dad's health since he inherited the family business. He's a great doctor who's done a lot for us and..." She pressed a fist to her chin to restrain her enthusiasm. The possibility of returning the favor to Sannan-san excited her, but she didn't want her gratitude to be blatant. "I think it might be a good idea for him to help you with your recovery."

"Oh, I see." Sannan moved to avoid some rude customers who purposely pushed him after spotting his Roshigumi haori. The people of Kyoto disliked them greatly and didn't miss a chance to show it whenever they could. "Chie-san, I have the feeling I'm taking advantage of your kindness. I wouldn't want to force him to treat me just because you owe me... well... what happened in the fire."

"No!" She shook her head quickly. "He wouldn't feel under any obligation! I've known him since I was a child and I can assure you Mantaro-san is a kind and charitable person." She brushed a lock of hair away from her face, struggling to conceal the melancholy that came over her when she offered her final reason: "Besides, he has relatives in the Roshigumi, he's a strong supporter of your cause."

"Relatives?" Hijikata's disinterested tone of voice contradicted the urgency of his words. "Who's he related to? Do we know him?"

"I... I don't really know. It's been years since I left Edo and I no longer remember his family composition, but I've heard rumors and..." She forced a smile. "Anyway! You should ask him when you see him, bet you'll be pleasantly surprised!"

Hijikata said nothing, but the intensity of his gaze was enough to make her hair stand on end. It was obvious she wouldn't fool him with such a lame excuse. How could she forget which of Mantaro's brothers was in the Roshigumi ranks? She felt like slapping herself for talking too much.

"And that's what we'll do." Sannan gave her a friendly smile, disregarding the suspicion that spoiled his comrade's appetite. "If this turns out well I'll be indebted to you, Chie-san."

"Not at all, not at all." The girl dismissed the idea with a slight wave of her hand. "It's my duty to pay you for your assistance."

"That's fine." He nodded, crossing his healthy arm over the sling. "Hopefully, this will all be for the best."

"I hope so, I'd hate to see you harmed because of me."

"Because of you?"

"Had I not gone up to the house, I wouldn't have been enclosed by the fire, and... you wouldn't have been hurt like that."

"Bah." Hijikata huffed after taking another sip of sake. "Had nothing happened to him on that occasion, I bet some unhinged ronin was bound to cut him down later on."

"Are you questioning my swordsmanship, Hijikata-kun?" He elbowed him teasingly and Hijikata replied with a low chuckle he tried hard to hide. Sannan turned to the waitress, squinting his eyes into one of his characteristic calm smiles. "My job is complicated. It wasn't your fault, Chie-san."

"Thank you, Sannan-san." She bowed, overcome with gratitude. It was impossible for her not to feel responsible about her savior being incapacitated because of her recklessness, but his explanation lightened the burden.

"We'll be back tomorrow for Mantaro-san's contact information. Is he still in town?"

"Yes, he'll be staying for a season."

"Excellent. I'm looking forward to learning more about him."

Chie meant to reply, but the scolding look her best friend shot her from across the room made her snap her mouth shut. Ume had been infatuated with the handsome glasses-wearing samurai from the first moment she saw him, and it was clear the lack of attention he paid to her was affecting her severely.

Ume fell in love too easily, but Chie resolved to end the conversation to free her from the angst of not being involved in it. She exited the place after bowing briefly when Hijikata Toshizo's voice reached her ears: "You see, Sannan? I told you it was a good idea to come here."

She didn't quite understand his statement but she figured it was due to Sannan's future medical visit, which filled her chest with joy. For years now, Chie's happiness consisted of enjoying what she could give to others, although that joy tasted like a secret bitterness on the rare occasions when she remembered why she stopped pursuing her own.

Summer, September 12, 1863. One week later.

"Good afternoon!" Tani Mantaro greeted his visitor. It was enough for him to know he was little Chie's savior to accept him as a patient, but learning he belonged to the same squad his brother would join delighted him. He'd do anything to support Kyoto's champions!

"Good evening," Sannan returned the greeting with the same friendliness as his host. Mantaro seemed considerably humbler than his former doctor. He rented a small house by the river and his smile was refreshingly genuine. He decided he liked him right away. "I'm Sannan Keisuke, from the Roshigumi. We agreed to meet here some time ago."

"Of course, I remember." He welcomed him in with a wave of his hand and they both stepped into the comfortable little room that preceded the house. "Chie-san told me you'd be coming. It's quite an honor to take one of the lofty keepers of order under my care."

"Keepers of order?" He felt his cheeks redden at the term. He pursed his lips in an insecure smile as he slipped off his sandals. "We're nothing like that, sir. We're just trying to make things right, that's all."

"Well, doing things right is precisely something a keeper of order would do, my friend." He took his instruments and rolled up his sleeves as Sannan stripped off the upper part of his clothing. "How long ago was the accident?"

"A month and a few days." He showed him the scar that ran across his shoulder. "It left a peculiar mark."

"Quite peculiar, actually. That could've healed better. I don't like to speak ill of my colleagues, but this Dr. Morita fellow is a bit careless."

"Really?" Sannan looked over his shoulder and stifled a hiss as he felt the icy steel of the instrument Mantaro examined him with. "And to think I gave everything I had to that old man."

"You aren't the only one. Kyoto doctors tend to get greedy."

"Chie-san told me you came from Edo."

"That's right, so did my older brother." He smiled proudly. "He'll be joining the Roshigumi next week. He's an impetuous boy, but fiercely dedicated to his tasks."

"What's his name?"

Mantaro was about to answer when a red-haired, grim-faced man burst into the room. He looked them up and down before huffing, annoyed with his brother for conducting a medical consultation in the dining room. "Mantaro-san, isn't this a bit unhealthy for a doctor?" he said after noticing Sannan's battered arm. "I know they pay you a pittance, but these beggars deserve a futon at the very least."

"Beggars?" Sannan quirked his lips into a bitter grimace. "This must be your brother."

"Yes!" Mantaro stood up and pulled the newcomer with him, puffing out his chest with pride as he proclaimed: "I present you my brother, Sannan-san! This is Tani Sanjuro, future captain of the Roshigumi's 7th Division!"

"Sannan... Keisuke?" Sanjuro smirked cockily and tossed him a lazy nod. "The Roshi's Advisor, right?"

"That's right." He tried to forget the lousy first impression his future companion made on him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sanjuro-san."

"I prefer Tani-san, thank you." His eyes got smaller in a feline gesture that aimed to be cordial, but had the opposite effect. "I'll be your superior after all, Secretary."

His glasses fell down on his nose upon hearing the smugness with which Tani addressed him. Kondou-san labeled him as a man of patience who didn't react without provocation, but this individual seemed to be begging for a sandal to be slammed in his face.

"Sanjuro-kun." Mantaro patted his older brother's shoulder to compel him to behave. It wasn't the first time he'd insulted one of his patients in the short time he'd been living with him in Kyoto. "Would you like to tell Sannan-san how you decided to join his cause?"

"Hmm..." Sanjuro plopped lazily into a corner as his eyes scanned every nook and cranny of the patient's body. The grimace sharpening on his lips became even keener as he met Sannan's eyes, which silently confronted him as they demanded him to respect his privacy.

This only added to the amusement the cripple bred in him.

"I'd rather hear how he got that ugly scar," he stated in a mock concerned tone of voice. "They say back injuries occur when a warrior runs away from combat. In former times you'd have been forced to commit honorable suicide for that, you know... Sannan-kun?"

Sannan settled his glasses on his nose bridge as his only answer, suppressing a string of curses that would make Dr. Mantaro's face blush until he looked like a Yasha out of hell itself.

He'd just decided he didn't like Tani Sanjuro one bit.

See you soon, many thanks for following this story!