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Suggested Listening: Youth by Daughter
Of Pride and Honor
Chapter Twenty Seven: Reunion
Hayato paused. The tip of his blade pressed firmly against Hideyoshi's throat. The older man grinned down at him.
"You've gotten better." He shifted back, sheathing his katana as he did so. Hayato followed his lead. He gave a slight inclination of his head in gratitude of the compliment.
Their usual duties hadn't changed much in the months they'd spent under Okita's command. Every day it was training, then patrols and finally chores. Each man was expected to earn his keep, both on the streets and in the compound. No one was meant to have idle hands. Hayato could respect the diligence the Shinsengumi was attempting to drill into its men. It was a worthwhile endeavor that bred loyalty amongst the troops. Okita's Division in particular were not keen on 'sitting around'. The man had established himself as a fierce instructor and an even more intense disciplinarian when it came to his recruits.
"Ah, here they come." Hideyoshi grinned a little. His eyes focused on a trio wandering down the open engawa of the Yagi House that faced them. Hayato tilted his head to get a good look.
Kagome was at the front. She wore a gentle smile as a teen followed after her, hot on the woman's heels as if afraid of being left behind. The man let a breath through his nose. Was that the new page everyone was talking about? He seemed a bit fragile. His eyes darted towards the looming shadow of the tenth division's captain trailing behind them. Harada's expression was calm and a slight edging of a smile upon his lips. He spoke something to the pair but he couldn't quite grasp what it was. Kagome shook her head with a smile as the page quickened his pace to keep up.
It'd been several months and he still wasn't any closer to finding his sister. His brows furrowed as his fists tightened at his side. In her last correspondence she'd mentioned a brief, albeit positive, meeting with Harada. He never had the chance to speak with him privately though. He neither had the time nor the opportunity to make it happen.
He was getting impatient.
The man paused as he noticed Maeda watching them intently.
"What's wrong?" He tried to breach the subject. Maeda was an intense boy. He knew little of relaxation or peace. One thing he did learn about him was that he was intense about everything regarding his duties to the Shinsengumi. Training was especially on the top of the boy's list. Both Okita and his wife had taken to him for his diligence.
The teen turned to him partially, his eyes still upon the small group, "Kagome-san hasn't been in the training sessions as much." There was an edge of concern in his tone.
Hayato cast a wry smile at him, "Well from what I hear they've put her in charge of the new page's training." All three looked back at the trio. "He seems kinda skittish but the Commander probably has her giving him one-on-one lessons at the moment. He probably didn't want to throw the new kid to the wolves."
Maeda's gaze involuntarily shifted to the Tanaka brothers. They were just a short distance away, jostling with a few of the other men in Okita's Division. They had fallen into their own crowd away from them but Daichi became frequently known for fighting just about anyone he could. His ego had been culled somewhat by their Captain's harsh teaching methods but he was just as rough and tumble as he had always been. A man like him wouldn't hesitate at the chance to challenge the page of the commander himself. The teen ceased speaking for a moment.
Hayato did feel a small twinge if pity for the kid. He had a healthy respect for their Captain's wife. He sparred with her and heeded her lessons more easily than he did anyone else's. Not being able to train with her as frequently was starting to weigh down on the boy. Her guidance seemed to have a positive effect on him. He felt his lips quirk upwards at the thought. Perhaps that influence was what had drawn in Okita as well.
Hideyoshi clapped a heavy hand on Maeda's shoulder, "The little lady is doin' her part here. Don't go wastin' her efforts." His meaning rang clear to Hayato. They couldn't idle themselves by wishing for the past. Kagome was trying her best for Okita and the Shinsengumi. Hijikata had chosen her as his page's day-to-day instructor for a reason. She was undeniably strong and kind; a perfect blend of traits for a new recruit to be introduced to. Plus Hayato had a sneaky suspicion that the Commander was purposefully keeping her as far removed from the joint training sessions as he could for the time being. There'd been a few unsavory rumors of one of the men challenging her to a fight. Whether it was true or not, he had no idea but he could only surmise that Hijikata wasn't willing to risk any bad blood between his men at this point.
For now, Maeda would better serve his own interests by training with others. He needed more work on his defensive techniques and Kagome's style wouldn't help in that regard. The older man blinked as the trio made their way across the Inner Courtyard towards them suddenly. Now what was this about? His eyes fell onto Kagome's form instinctively.
She would never be his. The kamon of her husband's family was displayed brightly against the sleeves and collar of her homoungi. She was far out of his reach. A wry smile touched his lips. Well at least he could still admire from afar as Hideyoshi suggested. But very, very far if he were honest with himself. He had his own goals he needed to focus on.
"Maeda-kun!" Kagome waved her hand enthusiastically. The teen approached them, his eyes darting between her and the new charge shadowing her footsteps. "Do you have a bit of time tomorrow?" The young woman clapped her hands in front of her in a pleading manner. "Chizuru-chan asked me to help train him but I think it'd be best if we made this a dual session. You up for it?"
Hayato arched his brows. Chizuru-chan? His eyes landed on the new page. The boy's facial features were even softer than Maeda's. He bit into his lips nervously as his fingers curled tightly over the sleeves of Kagome's homoungi. He reminded him of a terrified child; not a warrior.
"I'll have to speak with Captain Okita for permission but I do not think it'll be an issue." The teen conveniently left off the reason why. If she was the one asking then there'd be no way their Captain could say no. Whether she realized it or not, she had him completely wrapped around her finger.
Maeda offered an introductory bow to Hijkata's page, "It's a pleasure to officially meet you."
Chizuru peered out from behind Kagome just long enough to return the favor, "Oh, the pleasure is all mine. I'm Yukimura Chizuru."
Hayato raised his brow even further. His voice was oddly high for a boy. Could it be…?
"Well, now that that's settled." Harada stretched his arms high in the air. "How about we get started on dinner? Souji's gonna be finishing up with Hijikata-san and Kondou-san soon." The Captain offered the pair a playful wink. "We can't keep them waiting."
Kagome smiled brightly, "Of course! Chizuru-chan, we should go." She glanced back the teen. "I appreciate your help with this, Maeda-kun. We'll see you in the morning!"
With that the two were led back to the Yagi House by Harada. Hayato stared after them for a long moment. How was he supposed to get close? The man clenched his fists at his side.
He needed a chance. Just one opportunity to verify what he needed to know.
Hideyoshi's hand landed on his head heavily. The action knocked him back to reality. Hayato blinked.
"Come on, we should head back too." The older man looped arm around his neck and leaned close. His voice dropped into a low warning, "Don't go getting too hot headed. Bide your time and wait. We can't do anything until we know for certain." With that his arm fell away as he strolled towards the Maekawa House.
Hayato shot one last look at Harada's retreating back. One day he'd get his chance to ask. For now, he'd just do what he could. The man made his way back towards his shared living space. He only hoped that the news they'd receive would be good.
Okita sighed, "You made the kid your page, you should at least take him out on patrol once in a while." His lips dipped into a small scowl. "If you keep her hidden then the guys are gonna start talking." He knew their Commander could be stubborn but this was becoming a real pain in his ass. They couldn't keep running damage control because Hijikata was too damn bullheaded to let the kid go out with them from time to time. Honestly he didn't see what was so difficult about it.
"Look you put the kid out there, let her ask around about her dad and then everybody is happy." His tone grew more frustrated. "The guys stop blowing their shit, the girl gets to keep looking and your ass is covered from any false rumors getting spread around."
Hijikata glared at him through thin-slits, "What happens if there's a ronin starting trouble? She can't defend herself. You saying we should just throw her out there and consequences be damned?"
Okita knew that he had a temper. Most times he'd managed to cover his subtle jabs with sardonic wit and sarcasm. Today was not that day. He couldn't bring himself to jest with the Commander for his fear of allowing Chizuru on their patrols. The only thing he could bring himself to do was argue back as hotly as his leader. He wasn't gonna sit back idly and let his home go to shit because of Hijikata's stubbornness. He had his own priorities that needed protecting.
"Oh I don't know, there's only so many captains around to keep an eye on her." So perhaps his sarcasm had managed to make its return.
"Now, now Souji does have a point." Kondou interjected in their conversation. A nervous laugh left the Chief's lips as he tried to calm the tension between them. "Toshi, maybe just letting her on a few morning patrols would help?" Kondou turned to look at his friend imploringly. "The men we have are more than capable of protecting her during their usual routes."
The door slid back as Sanan entered into the conversation, "I must concur." A smile played upon his lips as he took a seat beside him. Okita cast his colleague a short glance before glaring back at Hijikata.
Okita pushed forward, "Don't be so damn stubborn." His voice had more of a biting edge to it than he'd intended. "You keep that girl hidden and the guys are going to start getting pissy. They're already talking right now." He'd caught wind of a few of the rumors spreading like wildfire. Things like Hijikata had only taken Chizuru on because they were both from Edo, and that the new page was getting special treatment. It was insane how quickly dissatisfaction was beginning to breed amongst his troops. He wouldn't have them mutiny because of Hijikata's idiocy.
"Watch your mouth." The Commander growled. Violet eyes narrowed at him in fury. Okita didn't back down. His shoulders squared as he met his glare, unfazed by the show of intimidation.
"Then start acting like the Demon Commander we know you really are." The ronin pushed at him verbally. "It's not like you to hold back so don't give me that shit about it being too dangerous now. I've already started Kagome on giving her some training. It won't be long before the kid will be able to hold her own so long as she keeps diligent." He had the upmost faith in his wife's teaching capabilities. Time and again he'd seen it in action. People were naturally drawn to her maternal personality and gentle disposition.
Where he was harsh and brutal, she was kind and patient. Their methods of teaching were vastly different from one another. People like Chizuru would do best with an understanding instructor such as his wife. She would also feel much more comfortable around her.
"You should heed his words, Hijikata-san." Sanan spoke calmly. His cool demeanor served as the break in the tension that they desperately needed at this point. "It would do no good to show perceived favoritism in this critical period of transition." His full moon spectacles glinted from the lit hearth fire. "Perhaps we should simply allow her to join Okita's Division on their rounds in the morning as a trial period? It would not seem unusual for his wife to join in their training if the men believe that Okita has taken Yukimura-kun under his guidance."
Kondou's lips split into a wide grin, "That's perfect! What do you think Toshi?"
All eyes swiveled towards their Commander. Hijikata's scowl darkened. However after a moment his shoulders slumped and a heavy sigh of defeat escaped him.
"Fine but if anything goes wrong then it's on you to deal with it." The man gave him a final parting shot.
Okita waved his hands, "As if it wouldn't be already." The ronin stood up. "Now if you don't mind I've got a few things to check on." Namely his wife. He still needed to talk to her about Shippou. His lips dipped downwards at the thought. He hated having to drudge up those memories but this was important. He needed to verify the fox's claims. If they really were on friendly terms then it'd be cruel to keep them separated.
He stepped out onto the engawa, ignoring the odd stares that followed after him. He slid the shoji screen shut with a flick of his wrist. Okita made his way down the corridor. Dinner would be ready soon, so afterwards he pull Kagome aside to their quarters to speak with her. They needed this conversation to happen, one way or the other.
Their evening meal had gone much the same as it usually did. The trio of idiots were up to their normal antics while Kagome kept to his side, offering him subtle touches upon his arm, wrist and elbow. It was a show of reassurance. Likely in part of his sour mood. The man sighed through his nose, wrapping an arm around her shoulders suddenly and pulling her flush against his side. He felt the warmth of her blush against his neck where she'd buried her face.
Okita dipped his lips towards her ear to avoid being heard, "I'm fine, so don't worry yourself too much." He kept his tone soft, trailing his fingertips along the length of her arm soothingly. Her body visibly relaxed. He wouldn't let her become concerned over him. She had a habit of driving herself to illness whenever she did. Unlike her era, his time was ill equipped to handle sicknesses. He couldn't allow the chance for her to fall ill. Especially not like how he did before he'd met her.
His wife nodded, leaning into his side more heavily as their meal finished. Chizuru had remained for the most part silent this evening. The girl twisted her hands nervously over her lap as she chewed her bottom lip. He supposed that he could inform her now that she'd be joining his patrols tomorrow afternoon but he had little urge to follow through on that thought.
"Chizuru-chan," Kagome garnered the teen's attention. "Don't fret so much. You'll do just fine."
Okita quirked his brow, "You two make plans?" He hadn't heard anything about this.
The young woman nodded beneath his arm, "I'd asked Maeda-kun to help me with Chizuru-chan's training." She met his eyes with a bright grin playing upon her lips. "He's great with speed attacks so I figured he'd be good at helping her with her defenses."
Okita felt his heart warm at the sight of that wide smile. His expression thawed. He always wanted her like this. Every time he saw that grin it made him realize just how much he truly cherished it. He didn't want to risk it. Not for Shippou, Inuyasha or anyone else. He'd promised her mother that he would make her happy. He wouldn't fall back on that now.
The ronin closed his eyes, "Then you guys might as well meet up with us in the Training Room tomorrow morning. The kid will be tagging along on our patrols after that anyways so it'd be a good meet and greet for everyone."
The others turned to him in stunned surprise.
"So I'll get to look for my father?" The girl's voice was light with her hope.
He threw a wry smile at her, "Something like that. You can't be screwing around though." His eyes hardened as he directed his next comment at her. "You follow us where we go and you don't ignore any orders I give you, we clear?"
Chizuru nodded vigorously, "Yes, thank you!" She gave a low bow of gratitude but he merely waved it off.
Kagome looked back at him. Her eyes flickered with the raw affection she felt. The ronin pressed his cheek against the crown of her head. He loved this too much to ever risk it.
Okita pressed his lips to her ear once more, "Shall we retire for the night?" The heat in his words cause her flush to return with twice the effect. His lips quirked upwards at the sight. The promise of sex was always enough to get her to blush. No matter how many times they did it, she was always so shy. At least until he got her into their futon. Then all bets were off.
Saito coughed into his hand as he turned his head away from them. Okita blinked. What was his problem? For just a moment he thought he spied his colleague's ears turning red. He shook the thought away. Not like it mattered anyways.
Okita stood first. He offered his palm to his wife and gently helped her to her feet. The man cocked his head over his shoulder to shoot the others a sharp grin, "We're turning in for the night. Don't go busting down our door unless somebody's dyin'."
"Souji!" Kagome whispered harshly, "Don't go making comments like that!" He looked down to see that her face had become enflamed with her embarrassment. It was cute.
He wrapped his arm around her waist. A coy grin pulled at his lips, "Why not? It's better to warn them anyways." His tone purposefully grew louder so that the others could hear him. "Better that then risk another walk in. Don't you think so?"
By this time Kagome was beginning to resemble an apple. She buried her face in her hands as he pulled her along the corridor. Okita couldn't hear many of the muffled complaints but at that moment it didn't matter. Sure he was keen on sex however he was also interested in having an undisturbed conversation with her. The less that heard them, the better.
The ronin led her inside their quarters. He shut the door behind them carefully as he flashed her a warm grin. Kagome's brows pinched together at the look. She could always see right through him. Okita circled his arms around her waist, pulling her gently into his chest. He felt her palms splay over his shoulders, her ear resting at the space above his heart.
"There's something I need to ask you." He lowered his voice. Her fingers flexed against the cloth of his haori. Her body stiffened at the tone he'd used. So she likely already had a suspicion of where this conversation was going. "Do you know someone named Shippou?" He chose to dive right into the topic at hand.
Kagome stepped back. Her azure eyes were wide and mouth opened in shock. She shook her head before answering, "Yes! Did you see him? Is he alright? Where is he now?" The genuine curiosity in her behavior gave Okita all the answers he needed to know.
A small smile touched his lips, "He's fine. I just met him the other day." His smile turned teasing. "You never told me that I was a stepfather to a fox."
She shook her head in exasperation, "That boy, I swear." His wife's shoulders slumped. There was a familial affection in the way she referred to the fox. Shippou hadn't been lying about the bond they'd shared. His smile warmed at the thought. At the very least he was grateful that a few good memories had come from her previous travels.
Okita trailed his fingers through her hair affectionately. He chose to start on an easier subject, "So tell me, how did you end up adopting a kitsune?" The ronin pulled her back into his embrace. He didn't need her feeling any sort of distance between them, real or imagined.
Kagome sighed, "It's a long story."
His grin widened, "I've got time." Even if he didn't he would've made time. She was his top priority. Nothing would ever change that. Okita listened intently as she delved into a small portion of her history beyond the well. She spoke of youkai, victorious battles and the story of a fox-child orphaned by the war surrounding the Shikon.
"So afterwards I sort of decided to keep an eye out on him. He didn't have anywhere else to go." His wife's face was flushed. Her fingers curled into the cloth of his haori with her nervousness. He kept his expression gentle; hoping that it'd serve as a silent encouragement for her to continue.
His lips quirked upwards, "No wonder you wanted to wait. You've already raised one kid to adulthood." The ronin laughed at her flaming cheeks.
"No!" She shook her head. "I didn't technically raise him to adulthood. It was only for two years and…" He slanted his lips over hers. He already knew what she was getting at. Her desire for children would come in due time. For now they both simply wanted to enjoy the bit of peace and freedom that came with being childless.
The man pulled back, "It's fine." He pressed his forehead to hers in a show of affection. "I was just curious is all." Okita watched as his wife peer up at him with a shyness he found endearing. She was a headstrong woman who was keen on following her own principles and guided by her kindness towards others. She flustered quite easily when she was taken out of her comfort zone. So he remained patient, enjoying the side of her that he knew she tried to hide the most.
He lowered his face towards her neck. His arms wrapped all the tighter around her form. This next part wouldn't be as pleasant to discuss.
"About him," He weaved one hand through her hair, threading his fingers through the thick strands. "He mentioned something about these." His other hand shifted to brush against the trailing scars upon her back. His brows furrowed. He hated the history they represented for her. He hated that he hadn't been given the chance to protect her, but he was here now and he had his duty as her husband to fulfill.
"Shippou mentioned that they were his fault." His wife went rigid in his grasp. A quick breath was sucked between her lips as she froze.
"He doesn't really…" She shook her head. "It wasn't!" The shock had shaken her to the core. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to push her. So he pulled her closer to him. Allowing her the chance to calm herself first.
"Kagome," He spoke her name. "What happened?" It was the first time he outright asked her. Namely he wanted to see if she was willing to discuss it yet. If not then he'd wait until she was ready, however he first had to ask before he could know with any certainty what her feelings were.
His wife trembled. She shook her head, "It wasn't Shippou's fault." Kagome's voice was weak—as if still struggling to grasp the notion. Okita waited as she slowly gathered her bearings. He brushed his palms up and down her arms in a soothing motion. She took another shuttering breath. "It wasn't his fault." She repeated those words again.
He sighed, "I believe you." Kagome pressed herself into him. "Take your time." The man offered what little reassurance he could. This wasn't much in the grand scheme of things. It'd take a great deal of more effort to finally be able to crack through the final barrier that separated them. He couldn't swing at it wildly and hope for the best. All he could do was take one brick down at a time; painstakingly easing her to do the same.
Kagome took another breath. Her hands shook violently against his clothing. He hated feeling so helpless.
"Don't force yourself." Okita reminded her. "I'll listen whenever you're ready."
She shook her head again, "No, I want to." His wife breathed deeply once more. "That night," Kagome started. "I left that era for good." Her voice was low—an ominous tremble shaking it. He remained silent as she pressed forward. "By that time I knew I only had one chance to leave. I didn't know how long the well was going to be stable, so when I sensed it's fluctuation in power, I decided to take my chance."
The ronin could only hold her as she recounted that painful memory. Even now she shivered within his grasp. Was this truly all he was capable of offering her?
"Shippou was just a boy back then. Inuyasha had hit him frequently so I grabbed him, what supplies I could and then made a break for it." Her brows furrowed and her tone darkened with a deep sense of fury. "Inuyasha was supposed to have been away. He wasn't supposed to be back." He felt her nails dig into his shoulders. They bit at his flesh but he did not utter a single grunt of discomfort. This wasn't about him.
"He knew." Kagome's gaze focused on a spot by his collarbone, completely lost in the retelling. "I don't know how but he knew. Inuyasha tracked us to the well. A lot of that night is still a blur to me but I remember Shippou jumping out of my arms." Her expression pinched as she delved into the memory. "I think he was trying to hold him off with some fox fire, but Inuyasha…"
She froze.
"He went after him?" Okita asked once a few seconds of silence passed.
His wife nodded once, "Yeah. Inuyasha didn't look like himself that night. He was different, more feral." He felt her arms wrap around his middle as she buried herself in his chest. "I knew he was going to kill him." Kagome's voice grew quiet. "I didn't think at that point. My body just moved forward and before I knew it, I'd grabbed Shippou and tried to shield him as much as I could."
The ronin felt his fingers flex. Somehow, that image just infuriated him even more. She hadn't been running. She'd been protecting an innocent child. A boy who'd done nothing but protect the woman he'd viewed as a mother. His rage swelled within his chest.
"I don't remember a lot after that. But I think one of my friend's companions carried me back to the well. By the time I woke up, both she and Shippou were gone and I was lying on my stomach in my room." Her arms loosened as she grew silent. "Kaa-chan was next to me bawling her eyes out. I don't think I'd ever seen her cry like that."
His heart wrenched in his chest. Yet he'd still stolen her daughter from her all the same. Okita brushed his thumbs beneath his wife's eyes, wiping away the stray tears she fought to hold back.
"I'm here." They were the only words he could form at the moment. They were the only thing he could accurately convey to her. Kagome tipped her chin towards him. He returned the favor, pressing his lips to hers in a gentle, salt-tinged kiss.
A tiny smile quirked his lips as they drew back, "Need some sugar with that salt?" It was meant to steer her away from dwelling on the pain for too long. If he could just add a little cheer to brighten her mood, then that was all he needed.
It worked.
A tiny laugh escaped Kagome's lips. She sniffed, leaning into his hands as her tears dissipated.
"You're too good at that." His wife met his gaze.
His lips turned upwards a tiny bit further, "Too good at what?"
She laughed a little louder, "That! You make me forget, well, everything." He nuzzled the side of her face with his cheek. The scent of cherry blossoms and fresh rainwater filled his nose. Despite the jump in time it never changed—neither did she.
"I think we've had this conversation before." Okita pressed his lips to her temple in an affection gesture. "Besides, what kind of man would I be if I just left you crying your eyes out." She'd given him more than enough. He didn't want her throwing herself into a pit of despair just to satisfy him. His curiosity was less important than her health. The man lowered his voice, "Thank you." It was the most sincere form of gratitude that he could give words to.
Kagome closed her eyes. Her smile warmed as she tucked her head under his chin.
The pair jumped at the soft scratching of claws upon their door. It wasn't enough to tear the paper of their shoji screen but still garnered their attention all the same.
Okita lowered his arms, "An animal?" What was it doing this close? Also what in the hell was it?
Kagome's brows shot up into her hairline, "Shippou!" She rushed to the door before he could stop her, throwing it back and revealing a tiny red fox.
The creature lifted its head. His eyes grew wide with shock, then just as quickly it'd wandered into their quarters as if it'd owned it. His wife shut the screen behind the little animal. Okita could only stare at the odd scene. What just happened?
The man blinked the second a familiar blue flame engulfed the fox's body. Kagome rushed to the male's side before he'd even had a chance to finish his transformation.
"Shippou!" The young woman threw her arms around his neck. "I'm so glad!"
The auburn-haired man stared at him wide-eyed. He glanced between her and his relaxed form, uncertain of what'd just occurred.
"Are you alright? Are you eating enough?" Her hands gripped his cheeks, turning his head from one side to the other, checking him over for any obvious signs of distress. "You're so thin! You look like you need more food!"
Okita covered his laughter with a cough. He casually approached his wife. With gentle movements, he'd circled his arms about her waist and tugged her back into his chest.
"Love, let the man breathe." The ronin watched as she flushed a bright red in embarrassment. Shippou scrambled to regain his composure. The fox readjusted the collar of his haori and gave a hearty laugh.
"Missed you too." He settled into a cross-legged sitting position upon their floor. Kagome would've immediately sank to her knees beside him if he hadn't been holding onto her. Okita loosened his grip as they both sat down before their unexpected guest.
"I hadn't meant to drop in like this but I overheard some of the conversation." Shippou shot them a tiny grin.
Kagome's back straightened, "Speaking of young man," The ronin had a feeling that he knew where this was going. He'd heard that tone the few times he'd managed to accidentally anger Higurashi Momo. It was a mighty terrifying prospect to hear his wife adopt a very similar mannerism.
"Don't you dare keep blaming yourself for that night!" Her hands shook his shoulders roughly with each word she spoke. "That was not your fault! Do you understand me?"
Shippou raised his hands, "I get it, I get it!" His laughter grew a little louder. "Nice to see you too." His lips dipped downwards a bit as he met his gaze. "Although I came here for a reason."
Okita had a feeling he knew what this was about. His shoulders stiffened as he nodded for him to continue. It wouldn't do to hide this from her. She was just as much a part of this now. Kagome sat back. Her eyes sharpened as she pinned her friend with a piercing stare.
The fox took a deep breath through his nose, "You're already aware of the existence of youkai." He started off. Okita simply nodded once. Of course he did. He'd been aware of it for some time now. "There are some that consider themselves oni. Most times they're just like normal humans but they have a much faster rate of healing."
Kagome's gaze widened, "So that's what I was sensing." Okita shot her a curious glance. She continued, "Chizuru-chan has an odd vibe to her. She felt human but not." The young woman tapped her index finger on her chin thoughtfully. He raised his brow at that. The kid wasn't human? Now that was news to him.
Shippou cast them a wry smile, "You're always too sharp." He allowed his blue flames to curl around his hand. They flickered and expanded until the vague image of a village imprinted within its flames. Kagome sat entranced by the ethereal show. "Many years ago there were four oni families that ruled Japan. The Ono to the North, Kazama to the West, Yukimura to the East and finally, Gozen to the South."
Okita remained silent. The flames shifted to a new scene, this village much smaller by comparison and a pair of young twins playing about the fields of grass.
"Many oni were subjugated during human wars. The Yukimura of the East were no exception. The village burned to the ground and the sole heirs separated. One was adopted by the clan's aging doctor and the other sent to the Tosa Domain." Shippou curled the flames around his hand, reflected the image of the girl they'd just taken on and that of a young boy who's appearance was remarkably similar.
"So you're saying Chizuru-chan is that heir?" Kagome cocked her head to the side curiously.
The fox nodded, "Correct. However the doctor went on to integrate in human society. It is unlikely that she even has knowledge of her own lineage at this point." The face shifted into a male he did not recognize. This one was older, the sharpness in his gaze caused a faint twist of caution in his stomach. "The heir of the Kazama clan has decided to try to reunite the oni under his leadership. He intends to overthrow the human governing bodies."
Okita grew stiff, "You're talking about war." Political turmoil wasn't something new to Japan. It was an undercurrent that cut beneath the culture of their very city. People calling themselves patriots roamed the streets. Ronin fought amongst themselves and discourse stemmed from the Shogun's inaction. If what Shippou was saying was true, then this Kazama person would be stoking the fires of civil unrest to spark a war to overthrow the Shogunate.
His eyes reactively shifted to Kagome's form. He didn't want her to have any part in that. War was hell. Death, despair and nothing but loss. There were no happy endings after the fires of battle were doused. His wife slipped her fingers through his. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before looking back to their guest.
"So you're saying that Kazama will want to use Chizuru-chan to make that a reality?" Her voice was firm with the caution she felt.
The auburn haired male gave a small shake of his head, "Close but not quite. He's kidnapped the Ono heiress and is attempting to force her into marriage." His eyes narrowed sharply. "So far he's been unsuccessful but we'll need the aid of her brother to negotiate her release."
Okita sighed, "You're talking about Hayato." The man was trustworthy. He worked hard, never deviated from his tasks but he always seemed to have an alternative reason for joining his ranks. At first he hadn't felt like prying as the man had proved his dedication but perhaps that'd been the wrong choice to make.
Shippou sighed, "Right again. Kazama might listen if he's faced with direct opposition. Above all else oni are driven by their sense of loyalty to their brand of honor." The flames died away, leaving only the scent of burned pine behind. "I needn't say how difficult this will be if he discovers the Shikon's existence." His eyes closed as if he did not wish to broach the subject.
"I'll do what I can to keep Kazama occupied but you must understand the dangers." Shippou shifted to look at him directly. "I came here tonight to make two requests of you."
Okita narrowed his eyes. He had a feeling that he wouldn't like where this was going to go.
"First, please grant Ono Hayato the chance to negotiate his sister's release. He is the only one Kazama will be forced to listen to." There was a brief pause before his voice dropped. "The second was to request custody of the Yukimura heiress. Should Kazama be forced to hand Ono over, he would immediately seek a replacement. She needs to be safe guarded from him at all times."
Just as he thought. He opened his mouth to speak but Kagome beat him to the punch.
"Unfortunately that's not something neither I or Souji can grant you." She shot the young man a sympathetic look. "I truly wish we could help you but Chizuru-chan is here due to outside circumstances. We do not have the power to override that decision."
At that Shippou's brows furrowed she pressed forward, "However I can give you something in return. While she is under the Shinsengumi's jurisdiction I will personally see to her protection from Kazama." Both men stared at her in shock. She what? "Shippou, you know as well as I do that I'm more than capable of keeping a single youkai away. Kazama will be no different. I'll leave the decision about Ono-san's involve at my husband's discretion." His wife shot him a quick look. "But for now that should satisfy you, right?"
The fox scowled for a long moment. Then he sighed heavily, clapping his palms over his knees.
"You drive a hard bargain." A sideways smile slanted across his lips. "Fine but if my wife starts tearing my hide out then I'll send her your way to deal with."
Kagome leaned forward, "Wife? You got married?! Who? What's she like? Wait, don't tell me I'm a grandmother already! You've got to give me something here, young man!"
Okita covered his laugh with a cough. He turned his head away when she cast him a suspicious glance.
Shippou raised his hands, "One at a time! Yes, I'm married. No you're not a grandmother… yet." He flashed her a wide grin at that. "And for the record, when should I be expecting a sibling? I'm kinda bored of the whole single child thing, you know." The fox burst into a fit of laughter at her heated expression.
Okita sat back and watched their playful banter. It was nice to see her enjoying herself. His hand subconsciously trailed along the scars of her back. There was still one thing he needed to know but now was not that time.
"Shippou," The ronin cut in. "I'll bring Hayato to you tomorrow after patrols. You two can sort out the details then." He wouldn't get in the way of a family. If his subordinate had gone this far to find his sibling then the least he could do was point him in the right direction. He wasn't completely heartless.
Kagome stood when the fox did. Okita followed suit, wrapping his arm around her waist as he pulled her close.
The man offered them a grateful smile, "I appreciate it. Also," His eyes landed on Kagome's form. "Don't take on more than you can handle. You've always had that bad habit." His brows furrowed somewhat at that comment.
The ronin tugged his wife closer to himself. She leaned into his warmth while curling her arm around the small of his back.
"Of course I won't. Besides, Souji's quite capable himself." She grinned up at him. "I don't think I'll have to worry too much so long as I've got him here." He fully understood the meaning of her words. It wasn't that she was referring to only his physical strength in this matter. She was confident, strong and most of all trusting. She'd placed her faith in him as her support system. She was trusting him to help her protect their new charge. More than that, she was trusting him to support her in that effort.
His lips quirked upwards at the thought. Slowly but surely she was beginning to open herself up to him in a way she'd never done before. His efforts were not in vain.
Shippou sighed, "Alright, I'll be getting out of your hair." The young man jutted a clawed finger in his direction. "Just make sure she doesn't make herself sick. She's got that nasty habit."
Okita offered a sly grin, "Don't I know it."
If Kagome thought to argue then she hadn't had a chance. The second they'd blinked, Shippou had vanished. Where the fox once stood was a burned tree leaf.
She stared at it for a long moment. Her eyes glazed and mouth set into a thin line.
"Hey Souji," His wife's voice was soft. Okita remained silent to encourage her to continue the thought. "Do you think Kazama will set the other girl free? He can't be that easy to deal with if he's set on dominating Japan."
His eyes narrowed. Now that was the question, wasn't it? War was bound to break out sooner or later. Certain oni were hell bent on taking advantage of the chaos for their own gain. Plus an innocent girl taken hostage against her will. None of it looked good. Not in the least.
"No." Okita chose to be truthful. "I don't think so."
His wife sighed after a long moment. Her fists curled at her sides.
"I thought so." There was an edge to her voice—a tone he'd never heard her use before. It was dark and full of the foreboding they both felt. She turned to face him, "I'll finish destroying the Shikon starting tomorrow." Kagome reached into the collar of her haori, exposing the coral colored gem. "I was holding off on it so we could get through the well to here. Now that things are settled I want to finish what I started."
Her tone grew sharper, "I won't let anyone use it for selfish reasons anymore. Kazama won't be the last to seek its power if he discovers it." She tucked it back beneath her clothing. His eyes remained upon her. His silence was the only answer she needed.
"No more Shikon. No more youkai wars. Right now," The young woman interlaced their fingers together. "All I want is our future without either of those things."
He drew her to him. A faint smile upon his lips, "Same for me." The ronin tucked her into his chest as he held her close to his heart. "We'll take care of things as they come. For now, let's get to bed." He dipped his mouth to the lobe of her ear between his teeth. "I think there's still something I need to give you."
Kagome laughed as she felt the meaning of his words. Her arms held him even tighter as he began to lead her back to their bed.
"You're insatiable." His wife smiled as he set to work on removing their clothing.
He leaned over her body sensually, "So are you." For as much as she'd teased him for his sex drive, she was just as eager in their bed as he was. A few times he'd had difficulty keeping up with her. Not that he'd ever tell her that.
Kagome's answer came in the soft grunt of pleasure as he closed the gap between them. Okita closed his eyes and buried his face into the crook of her neck. He didn't give a damn about any jewel, youkai or potential wars. All he wanted was this moment. This singular second in time in which all was as it should be.
He felt her hands massage his scalp affectionately. A shiver ran down his spine. Tomorrow, they'd deal with the rest. For now this was only about them. He sank himself within her once more—losing himself in the warmth of her acceptance.
Chizuru woke before the sun had a chance to rise. She rolled to her side, pillowing her head into the palm of her hand. It'd been some weeks since she'd first arrived. Okita hadn't been too welcoming of her presence at first but his wife soothed the tension just as easily.
The teen closed her eyes. Images of her father's kindred smile flashed in the forefront of her mind. Was he truly gone? Did he perish in that fire or had he found a way to escape that horrible fate? They had told her that they never recovered his body, so perhaps there was still a chance to hope.
She fought back the tears that burned in her eyes. She used the back of her free hand to wipe them away angrily. She would not mope. Okita had generously offered her a chance to start her search while on patrol. She couldn't let herself give up before she'd even tried.
A soft rapping at her door drew her attention.
"Chizuru-chan, are you awake?" It was Kagome. The teen's body relaxed at that realization. She sat up and called out to the other woman.
"I'm up, you can come in." She watched as the door slid back. The older woman threw an empathetic smile her way.
"I hope I didn't disturb you." Kagome took a spot beside her. Chizuru shook her head, returning the smile with a small one of her own.
"It's fine. But," The teen pause, her mind working to decide how best to word her question. "Ah, what can I help you with?" It came out much meeker than intended. A flush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks.
Her guest laughed, "No need to be so nervous. I just came to check in on you." She placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "How've you been holding up? I know it must be incredibly stressful for you right now."
There was an honesty in Kagome's words that gave her pause. Chizuru tried to smile but her eyes continued to burn with unshed tears. Why was this so hard? Why couldn't she keep herself from falling apart in front of her? The teen bit into her bottom lip. Ever since she'd arrived she'd only felt afraid—terrified of what fate might befall if her she took one step out of line. For the first time in her life Chizuru felt uncertain.
The dark haired woman opened her arms wordlessly. A flicker of understanding in that azure gaze caused her to lean forward. She buried herself in Kagome's shoulder, no longer fighting back the tears she'd locked away for so long. In that moment she felt safe. It was a strange prospect. The only person she felt any connection with was the one married to the man she feared the most.
Kagome held her, rubbing her hands over her back soothingly much like the way a mother would console her crying child. It made Chizuru feel both small yet shielded. As if the horrors couldn't touch her.
"Let it out." The woman soothed. "You having nothing to fear here." The teen knew what she'd meant. Within the walls of this room she'd be safe. The same could not be said once she left the confines for their training session and patrol later that day.
Chizuru squeezed her eyes shut. She stifled her cries into the cloth of Kagome's haori. Just this once she'd allow herself to mourn. Just this once she'd stop fighting against the pain and fear.
There was something about the woman that felt welcoming. She did not feel judged or as if she were walking on pins and needles around her. There was an air of acceptance that surrounded Kagome. It made her feel safe.
Chizuru pulled back, rubbing the stray tears out of her eyes.
"I'm sorry," The teen apologized. "I didn't mean…"
The older woman cut her off with a warm smile, "Oh it's fine. You have every right to be upset. Don't ever let anyone say otherwise." Her lips dipped downwards. "I came today because I wanted to make sure that you were comfortable with this."
Chizuru paused. 'This' referenced more than just her current living situation. It referenced the training and patrol set to occur later that day. The teen collected herself. She shook her head and offered a polite smile.
"It's fine," She tried to convince her. "I want to go, it just that I got a little overwhelmed." Which was true. She hadn't lied about that fact. She wanted to start searching for her father. She wanted the chance to get out of the compound. She just was still under a lot of stress due to everything that'd happened. Even now nightmares of those white-haired creatures haunted her dreams.
Kagome smiled, "Alright but don't force yourself." The older woman stood. She offered her a palm to take. Chizuru gratefully accepted, coming to stand beside her. "Now come on. What do you say about helping me with breakfast?" She winked at her.
Chizuru's smile warmed, "I'd love to." At the very least it'd give her the chance to escape this dreadful room for a short period of time. It seemed that she wasn't entirely alone in this terrifying compound. At the very least she had one person looking out for her.
Kagome's fingers curled around her hand securely. They were warm and comforting; a sharp contrast against the terror the men here inspired in her. Chizuru gripped her hand a little more tightly. She was glad to have this much.
A/n: Blah, sorry it took so long to get this one out. The words were being much slower for me this time around. In any case I do want to wind up a few more plot points before moving onto the next segment. At the very least we ended up getting Kagome and Shippou's reunion this chapter so now that, that's happened we can push forward on the Hayato and Chizuru development! =D
Plus I do want to press further into a Kagome's psyche and more of her actual history soon. We've gotten the first break which will lead into necessary development for her character, especially when it comes to her tackling the trauma those memories present. This was just scratching at the surface so don't worry, we'll be diving into all of that soon enough lol.
Anyways thanks so much guys! I really appreciate all of your support during this! XD