Re-edited February 2021


The next morning, Kaiya woke with a pounding headache and the sun shining in her eyes didn't help. Kaiya groaned and rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to escape the sun. She laid there for a few more minutes, then, with another groan, sat up. As Kaiya got ready for the day, she tried to recall the night before.

She scowled in irritation, as she recalled Souji coaxing her into drinking some sake and of course herself being too stubborn to let someone else finish the cup after she'd tried it. They probably thought she was such a light weight getting drunk after two cups. Hajime had been very sweet to her, trying to defend her from Souji and the other guys.

Kaiya paused…Hajime…Kaiya gasped and put her hand to her mouth and blushed despite being by herself. In her drunken state, she'd kissed him rather...vigorously, before parting. She paused again and frowned while she continued to try and recall last night. He hadn't pulled away, not even gently. It had been her who had ended it. Before that, she had asked him if he liked her. He told her he'd tell her when she was sober.

She was shocked at how desperately she wanted to believe that that meant that he did like her. Until now she hadn't realized how her feelings had developed for him, then she suddenly realized that she has always liked him. Ugh, thought Kaiya as she put down her comb, this is going to make my life awkward. Suddenly a soft knock came at her door.

"Kaiya-chan are you awake?" Hajime's voice came from the other side of the door. Kaiya nearly had a panic attack when she heard his voice.

"Yes, just give me a second!" Kaiya glanced at herself in her tiny mirror, cursed her red eyes and straightened out her clothes and her hair. When she was somewhat satisfied, she called. "Come in Hajime-kun."

He stepped in, closing the door behind him and came and sat down across from her. He looked nice and rested, although somewhat pale due to his body still healing itself.

"How are you feeling today, Hajime-kun?"

Hajime smirked, "I was going to ask you that. I imagine this is the first hang over you've had to live through."

"I'm going to kill Souji." Kaiya said somewhat pouty as she put a hand to her throbbing head.

"It wasn't entirely his fault." He pointed out.

Kaiya rubbed her temples trying to alleviate the pain somewhat. "I know. It's my fault for letting him coerce me. Thank you by the way, for trying to fend them off from me."

His smirk widened somewhat. "In vain, apparently."

Kaiya chuckled then regretted it as the sound of her own laugh made her head hurt. "I'm sorry. I was a bit of a nuisance to you."

"I'm certain I've been more of a nuisance to you over these last two months then you were last night. I have to admit, it was amusing to watch." The expression on his face certainly matched his words.

"Ugh." Kaiya dropped her face into her hands. There was a bit of an awkward silence between them for several minutes before Hajime got the nerve to break the silence.

"You asked me a question last night. Do you remember what it was?" His face was beginning to flush a little as did hers.

She cleared her throat. "You don't have to answer it if you don't want to. I was drunk, I don't want to make things awkward between us."

He smiled at her. "I think you passed that barrier when you kissed me last night." Kaiya face turned beet red as he continued. "I think I know how you feel…unless I'm wrong."

Kaiya shook her head. "No, I think you have it right."

Kaiya was shocked at the brightness of his smile; she had seen a full smile on his face before but this smile blew her a way and it didn't help her already rapidly beating heart. He reached across and grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips then flipped it over and kissed the soft spot on her wrist.

"If you haven't figured it out, I feel the same."

For a blissful moment she was extremely happy but then she suddenly frowned. "…why?" she asked causing Hajime to frown as well. "You know everything I've been through. I'm damaged Hajime-kun. You deserve better than me." Kaiya's voice had lowered to a whisper.

Hajime's expression softened as he realized what she was saying. "You're not perfect but neither am I. Nobody is. You really don't know that much about me; I think we should remedy that but even I fear that you might change your mind about me once you know me better. There are many things that even the Shinsengumi don't know. I'm not coming into this blind, Kaiya-chan. I know what I want, and it's you…if you'll give me the chance to prove it."

A smile broke across her face again and Hajime scooted in close and pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply. He tangled his hand in her hair and pressed in even closer as his tongue grazed by her teeth. Kaiya put one hand on his neck and draped the other arm over his shoulder as she returned his kiss until they finally they had to pull away to get some oxygen. Kaiya still had a headache, but it had now taken a back seat to all the other emotions and sensations she was feeling as he caressed her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes.

She could see the passion there that he was containing, he wanted her, badly. In most men that look absolutely terrified her, it generally meant ill things were going to happen to her but in the case of Hajime, he would never force himself on her. Besides, it was daylight out and someone could walk in on them at any moment, people tend to barge into her room when they needed something.

After a moment, he pulled away and put some extra distance between them now that the air between them was absolutely electric. Kaiya chuckled weakly, still a little winded.

"I don't suppose now would be a good time to check on your wound would it?"

Hajime smiled and chuckled as well. "No, that'd be…unwise in my current state. I may have a solid grasp on my emotions but I'm still a man. If a woman of whom I'd just finished kissing rather thoroughly asks me to disrobe, even partially, my instincts will override my better judgement. It is best to let me settle down for…a few hours."

"Hours?" she asked. His smile turned mischievous as he got to his feet and headed to the door.

"Breakfast is in a couple minutes; I shall see you there. I do suspect that the other four will be missing it though. They only returned a few hours ago." He said changing the subject.

"Really? Who's going to lead the patrols this morning?"

Hajime put a hand on her door. "Hijikata-san and Sannan-san. They knew this was going to happen, so they planned a head. A part of the reason why Hijikata-san left early last night. It's not unusual for Kondou-san to leave early but Hijikata-san likes to keep an eye on them. I should go, Kaiya-chan. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Kaiya smiled and nodded as he left. When the door closed, she put a hand to her lips and her smile broadened and a blush came to her cheeks as she remembered the taste and sensation of his kiss. She felt like a woman who'd been starving to death and just received a few crumbs of food but longed desperately for more. She hadn't once yet regretted leaving her village to return here but Hajime gave her another reason to stay…Haru's attempts at affection had nothing on Hajime's. Kaiya generally only thought, oh that's nice, whenever Haru kissed her or caressed her face. Hajime had only kissed her once and she needed more of it and of him, she needed more.

Kaiya took a couple of deep breaths to settle her rapidly beating heart and forced her mind to focus on herbal recipes and what they did to distract her from the memory of Hajime's kiss. Once she had centered herself, she rechecked herself in her small mirror and was glad she had for Hajime had seriously messed up the back of her hair. She quickly sorted herself out then left for the kitchen. Kaiya needed to make herself a tea to help with her hangover. She had a remedy for it but seldom let the knowledge be put into use as she generally thought most people deserved to suffer the hangover. She also needed to make the medicinal tea for Hajime. He hated it, but so did everyone else she'd ever forced to drink it, but it did wonders for one's body.

When Kaiya entered the kitchen, she found Chizuru hurriedly assembling trays, assisted by Inoue. "Good morning, Kaiya-chan. Are you here to make Saitou-san's tea?" She asked.

Kaiya walked over to the tea pot and found that there was already water in it. "Yes. Do you need a hand?" Kaiya put it on the fire so it could heat up.

"No, only Kondou-san is in the meeting room at present. I guess the other four stayed out too late. Will Saitou-san be needing a tray?"

"Yes, and I can make my own tray so don't worry about that. Are you going to be delivering the other trays to those four idiot's rooms?" Kaiya asked trying to look neutral as possible.

"Um yes." Chizuru had a tray in her hand and was about to leave the kitchen.

"Leave Souji's to me. I'll deliver it personally." Kaiya tried to give her a winning smile.

Chizuru looked confused but answered, "…okay." Then turned and went to deliver Kondouk his breakfast. Inoue gave Kaiya a suspicious look.

"Chizuru-chan doesn't know you too well. Especially the relationship between you and Souji, but I do. What are you up too, Ishikawa-chan?" He too had a tray in his hand and a foot out of the door.

Kaiya gave an innocent smile as she shrugged. "Whatever could you be talking about Inoue-san? I love my cousin!"

"That's what I'm worried about…" He gave her one last suspicious glance and walked out.

Kaiya waited long enough for the water to boil, mixed the tea then set it aside to let it steep. She then grabbed Souji's tray and headed to his room. She slid the door open with a loud bang but got no response as he was passed out on his futon…he hadn't even bothered to change.

Kaiya put the tray down safely to the side then approached him and stomped on his side…not so hard as to break anything of course. Souji let out a Huhf sound and sat up suddenly and turned around furiously. When he saw it was her, he settled down to just being irritated.

"What gives Kai?" He whined.

"Your breakfast is ready!" She said loudly causing him to cover his ears and squinting in pain. He put a finger to his lips and went sshh. "Don't shush me! I told you I'd make you miserable and I won't be called a liar." She continued in a loud voice.

From behind Kaiya came a loud laugh, when Kaiya turned around Kondou and Hajime were standing in the doorway she had left open. Kondou slapped his thigh in laughter keeling over as he did, while Hajime merely smirked. Kaiya put her hands to her hips.

"Inoue-san tattled on me didn't he!" Continuing to talk loudly hoping to annoy maybe one of the other three.

Souji flopped over and pulled the pillow over his head and groaned in pain. "Yes, he did." Hajime answered as Kondou was still too busy laughing, ultimately helping Kaiya make Souji's headache hurt worse. "Remind me to never annoy you." Hajime added as he turned and headed back in the direction of the meeting room.

Kondou finally straightened up and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Oh boy." He cleared his throat and smiled broadly at Kaiya. "I think that's enough Kaiya-chan, I'm sure he gets whatever point you are trying to make. Now why don't you come and join us for breakfast?" He stepped aside and motioned her to leave. Humour still lit his eyes, but it was clear that she was not to argue. So, she stepped out of Souji's room and Kondou closed the door.

"I'll be right there Kondou-san I just have fetch Hajime-kun's tea."

Kondou nodded with a smile still on his face and headed back in the direction of the meeting room. Kaiya went to the kitchen, quickly drank her tea then picked up Hajime's and headed to the meeting room. Kondou sat in his typical spot eating and smiled broadly as she entered. Chizuru sat near Inoue, when they saw her enter Chizuru gave her a bright smile and Inoue gave her a bit of a guilty look.

"Sorry Ishikawa-chan but I couldn't hold my tongue."

Kaiya smiled. "That's ok Inoue-san."

She took her typical seat beside Hajime and set the tea down on his tray. He made a disgusted look, then picked it up and drank it as quickly as possible. Unlike most people he didn't make a face after, just washed the flavour away with a different tea.

"Are you feeling ok today, Hajime-kun?" She asked him once he was done his tea.

His face remained his typical stoic expression, but she could see the humour lighting his eyes. "I'm a little sore from the extra walking but it's nothing I can't handle."

"Kaiya-chan? Is it possible for Saitou-kun to return to his less physically intensive jobs?" asked Kondou suddenly.

"That depends on what you mean. I have allowed him to do some minimal physical activity already, certain amount of activity actually aides in recovery but there's a fine line. Anything stressful can be detrimental to anybody's health, let alone somebody who nearly had their intestines spilled on to the ground." She looked over at Kondou curiously.

"Well, was I thinking of maybe getting him back into training our recruits and some other small duties. Saitou-kun seems like he's becoming very bored being so idle. Quite frankly, I don't blame him. I'd be going crazy by now!" Kondou laughed.

Kaiya looked over at Hajime and thought about the last couple days. He had become more and more mobile over the last week. He still got up slowly and tired quickly but once on his feet, he didn't seem to feel much pain otherwise and considering his flirting with her this morning, he definitely was feeling fine.

"That should be ok." She answered finally. "But only a couple days a week for the first week or so and if I think he's handling it fine then I'll let him do more."

"How long before you think he can return to full duty?" Kondou finished off the last of his breakfast.

"If he listens to me?" She asked and thought a moment. "A month if he behaves himself."

Kondou laughed out loud. "Poor Hajime-kun, left at Kaiya-chan's mercy."

Hajime smirked, "It's not so bad...most days."

Kondou laughed again and looked between the two of them a little strangely, then got to his feet smiling. "Come find me shortly after lunch, Saitou-kun, and we'll talk more about your duties."

111

A few hours after breakfast, Hajime and Kaiya sat in the clinic while Kaiya inspected his wound. They had both decided it was best considering today's development and the strong attraction that was not going away, if anything it was intensifying. In some ways she was almost afraid to be alone with him but for a completely different then she had been afraid with being alone with men in the past. Kaiya wanted to be with him, and he wanted to be with her, but they were both more interested in an actual relationship, so they had opted to take things slowly.

Kaiya inspected the wound and decided that it was time. She looked up at Hajime who was staring straight ahead trying to focus on anything but her touching his bare chest. She smiled at him. His eyes flicked down at her when she looked up, but he turned away when she smiled at him and took a deep breath.

"Well, I got some minor good news for you." She said as she got up and walked over to the cabinet of medicinal supplies, they had brought over from their previous headquarters. "Looks like I should be able to remove your stitches. Should help with minimizing the pulling you feel when you move your upper body."

He smiled at her. "Good that means I'm progressing."

"Yes, but you should still be mindful with how you move still. At least the stitches reminded you of the wound. Now you might not notice it until you feel something tear, which is a step backwards." Kaiya sat down beside him again and bent over to look closer at the stitches.

About ten minutes later she had removed the stitches and slathered on the ointment. She picked up the jar and gave it to him and was rewarded with a confused look.

Kaiya laughed and explained. "Now that I've removed the stitches, I don't think you need bandaging anymore and I think you're capable of applying the ointment yourself. Your wound is getting to the point where I don't need to check on it every day...unless you want me to." Kaiya gave a bit of a shy smile in which he returned with a blushing smirk.

After a moment he cleared his throat and answered. "I think I can manage." He pulled his clothes closed. "It seems like I'll have less reason to spend time with you though."

Smiling Kaiya responded. "Not necessarily. You still have to teach me self-defence. That will involve a lot less removal of clothing and make it a little more comfortable between us without you constantly baring your chest to me."

Hajime chuckled. "True."

"I will need to look at the wound once a week though for the next couple weeks, just to make sure no infections return, and you don't do something foolish that causes a tear. Anyways you haven't taught me anything today, are you going to?"

Hajime got up slowly and offered his hand to her. She grabbed it but used her own strength to get to her feet. "We can but I was thinking only doing a bit of practice swings with the Bokken. Hijikata-san told me that's what you worked on in my absence before."

"Yes, it was. It's probably a good idea to teach me more about swinging a sword so that I can get involved in the battles like Kondou-san and Hijikata-kun had originally planned." Kaiya gave him a hopeful look.

Hajime nodded and studied her solemnly. "I'm sure you already know this but using a blade usually ends in another's death. Are you certain you can kill someone if need be?"

Kaiya looked him straight in the eye. "If it's to defend myself or others, then yes." She looked down. "I won't deny that I might be upset the first time I have to do it, but I'll deal with it."

Hajime grabbed her chin and angled it up so he could look into her eyes and stared for several long minutes, then surprised her with a small light kiss and smiled as he let go of her chin. "You'll do fine. You're feisty, intelligent and incredibly adaptable."

Hajime motioned for the door, "How about we do a bit of practice now. I have nothing to do for the moment and I believe you do not right now either." Kaiya smiled and brushed his hand as she passed him and headed for the door.


-Shockra