Re-edited February 2021
Over the next couple weeks, Kaiya was kept busy. An attack on Kyoto was imminent and she was expected to get as many men back into fighting shape as she could. Unfortunately, Kaiya knew she wouldn't be able to get Souji or Heisuke back into the thick of it, in time. Heisuke was still having dizzy spells and vision problems from the blow he had received to the head. Souji was still having problems breathing and whenever he did something that accelerated his breathing, he'd end up in a coughing fit. Sannan on the other hand, had started healing by leaps and bounds. His coordination with his left hand had almost returned to normal and he was almost back to his old self.
On the day that Kaiya had official cleared Sannan a great burden seemed to lift off both Kondou and Hijikata's shoulders. While Sannan was still capable without his arm of doing most of his duties, he would've no longer been able swing a blade and this would've severely affected his psyche. What kind of samurai couldn't swing a blade?
Hajime's wound was now nothing more than a long scar across his chest. Kaiya teased him one night that it made him look even tougher, should he ever have to bare his chest to the enemy. Whenever they were together, Kaiya felt like they were in a boiling tea pot with her emotions boiling over and wanting to be released. Hajime had remained firm in wanting to take their relationship slow, even though he was struggling to keep his word. Kaiya no longer felt that way anymore, though, she had no doubt in her mind with how she felt about him and for once in her life she wanted to be with a man.
Hajime also didn't want their relationship to be a distraction to them nor to those around them and Kaiya understood that. Unfortunately, it was still a distraction to her, and she imagined that it must affect him too. Like he had said to her when he had first admitted his feelings to her, he was still a man. Now was not the time, though, things were happening at an accelerated rate. Choshu were up to something and the whole compound seemed to be on knifes edge.
111
Finally, one morning, Hijikata had ordered every able body to assemble. They had finally been summoned to protect the city. So, they marched to the main gate of the Imperial castle as instructed but were turned away by some arrogant Aizu bureaucrat. It was infuriating with how they were being treated, thankfully though Kondou was a patient man. Hajime suggested to him that they would get no where's here and Kondou agreed, so they decided to meet up with the main force. By the time they had marched to the gate and waited for Kondou to speak with the man in charge, it was approaching noon and now as they marched again, the heat had become sweltering, causing Kaiya to worry that the men would be burnt out before they even reached a battle.
When they finally reached what they had thought to be the main body, they once again ran into trouble with the commanding officers but this time they managed to sway the man in charge, with a little bit of intimidation. Unfortunately, it seemed that these men were being kept for the reserves. It seemed that the Shinsengumi might not get involved with the conflict after all. So as the afternoon faded to the evening, they waited.
Kaiya, Hajime, Chizuru, Sanosuke and Shinpachi all sat around a fire together as they waited. There was not being a lot said except for the occasional question and answer. Finally, Kaiya couldn't hold herself up any longer, her head bobbing ever so often as she began to doze off, and Sanosuke practically yanked her head into his lap.
"Quit being so stubborn, Kaiya-chan. Get some rest, you're not accustomed to this and you'll be needing the energy in the morning." Kaiya didn't really argue, she was extremely tired although there was another lap, she preferred to rest her head on but Sanosuke would do for now.
"Chizuru-chan you can borrow my thigh!" She heard Shinpachi say.
"Eh?! No, I'm ok thank you." Kaiya opened her eyes in time to see Chizuru blush.
She lifted her head and glared at Shinpachi. "Don't be such a letch, Shinpachi-kun!" She scolded. "I expect that from him," she jabbed her thumb towards Sanosuke "but not from you!"
"I was just being courteous. Are you jealous Kaiya-chan?" Shinpachi asked with a wink.
Kaiya scoffed as she put her head back down. "Hardly Shinpachi-kun. Why would I?"
The others all laughed, even Hajime gave a bit of a chuckle. "Shinpachi-kun, she's WAY out of your league man! Chizuru-chan too." Sanosuke said as he rested an arm on her shoulder.
"Hey woman love me!" Kaiya's eyes were closed again but she could hear the pride there, in Shinpachi's voice.
"Tch, just the loose ones…" Sanosuke had said more but Kaiya was quickly falling asleep and before she knew it, she was being awoken by a loud explosion.
Kaiya immediately sat upright and noticed that early morning had just begun to dawn. Everyone was already on their feet looking towards the city and when Kaiya got to hers, she could see a huge cloud of smoke billowing from the gate they were supposed to be protecting. Hijikata, Kondou and Sannan came bursting out of a partitioned area where all the officers were meeting.
All the Shinsengumi quickly gathered into their units without being ordered to do so. It had already been pre-determined that Kaiya would be joining Hijikata as she had no unit, so stopped next to him. As they started to move out, the Aizu commanding officer protested them leaving without orders. It was all Kaiya could do to not smirk as Hijikata turned told them off, even challenging their samurai pride, and called them "pricks" as everyone continued to rush towards the battle.
By the time they reached the gate it was once again approaching noon and evidence of battle was evident. Kondou turned to Hijikata and let him take control of the situation which Kaiya thought a little odd, but she guessed that it was Hijikata, who was the best strategist between the two. Hijikata gave Kaiya a nod, and she dashed off to start helping those she could while other members of Hajime's unit either assisted her or questioned the surviving members. After talking to a solider, Hajime rushed back to Hijikata's side and spoke to him. While they spoke both Sanosuke and Yamazaki also approached and waited their turns. Kaiya was too far away to hear what was happening but when she heard her name hollered, so she got up and rushed to Hijikata's side.
Hijikata quickly gave out the orders splitting them up into several different directions. Sannan went with Sanosuke to the other gate, which was currently still under attack, Kondou was sent off on some political errand that Kaiya didn't quite understand, and Hajime and Yamazaki were ordered to handle the original mission. Everyone else was to accompany Hijikata to Mount Tennozan to pursue the men who had attacked the Imperial palace, and that included both Chizuru and Kaiya.
Kaiya was in the middle of the pack as they came up to a bridge. The men in front of her came to a sudden stop when they heard one their men cry out in pain. They let Kaiya work her way to the front but Hijikata put his hand out to stop but she had made far enough to the front to see Shinpachi and Chizuru kneeling next to one of their fellow Shinsengumi. Across from them and in front of Kaiya, stood a blonde-haired man, dressed in fine clothes that you would only see on someone of noble birth.
"Those coats mean you're the Shinsengumi, yes?" He asked as he turned to address the rest of them.
Chizuru gasped suddenly and looked over to Hijikata. "That man was at the Ikedaya that night."
"What?" Hijikata looked back at the other man.
"I was surprised to see you at the Ikedaya Inn that night." The other man answered. "But to see you here again in search of more glory, looks like you country samurai haven't had enough yet. No. I can't even call you dog 'samurai'." The man gave them a cruel smile as some of the men glared at him in hate.
"So, you're one of the skilled foes that was there at the Ikedaya Inn?" Hijikata asked somewhat matter of fact like. "Your attempts at provoking are rather sophomoric." Hijikata said with a bit of a chuckle.
The man made a sound of contempt, "I'd heard you were a band of skilled, rogue samurai. Seeing you like this, though, that would seem like a lie. His name was 'Okita', right? His skill was so meager that he couldn't be called a 'swordsman.'"
Kaiya lurched forward but Hijikata caught her arm, the man smiled at her. Shinpachi slowly got to his feet and glared at the man before him. "If you want to speak ill of Souji, by all means do so. But before you do, tell why you attacked this man. If I don't accept your reason, I will kill you here and now!" He said angrily.
This man looked down on them, and it infuriated Kaiya to no end. Every time he opened his mouth, she wanted to punch him.
"You bastards know nothing of samurai pride." Said the man. "All you think of is gaining notoriety. You're dogs of the Bakufu. For what reason are you pursuing the defeated, those who've already fled the battlefield. Why can you not understand the pride of the Choshu samurai, who seek Tennozan Hill to cut their stomachs?"
Chizuru looked up angrily. "So, it's alright to take a person's life in the name of someone else's pride? I think being protected by someone in name alone renders pride to shreds." Chizuru looked away in frustration.
"Well, if the Shinsengumi exists to achieve great deeds, how can it defile the pride of another?" the man asked.
"That's…" Chizuru had begun to talk but Hijikata interrupted.
"You had me curious, talking like a big shot…don't dare insult the battlefield!"
"What?" the man asked irritated.
Hijikata glared at him as he continued. "Pissants who start fights for their own selfish reasons and then, lacking the resolve to die in battle, turn tail and run don't deserve the glorious death of a warrior! Beheading is enough for a criminal! The honor of cutting one's own stomach is wasted on traitors who would attack the Imperial Palace, is it not?!"
"Are you saying instigating battle to equate a readiness to be killed?" asked the man.
Hijikata placed a hand on his sword preparing himself for a fight. "If you instigate a battle, without the readiness for death, you are not worthy to be called a warrior." Hijikata drew his sword, "If they have a warrior's pride, then our holding nothing back would be parting gift, yes?"
The other members of the Shinsengumi moved around to surround the man. "Imbeciles! Have you forgotten your own rolls?" Hijikata stared at Shinpachi meaningfully.
After a moment Shinpachi smiled, "Hijikata-san, I'll be borrowin' your command of this unit for now." He turned to the unit, "Let's go!"
Hijikata glanced over his shoulder at Kaiya, "Go with them!" He ordered her.
Kaiya ran by the man keeping a close eye on him as she passed. Shinpachi was the last to leave hollering over his shoulder. "Chizuru-chan look after him!"
As she ran along at the back of the unit, Shinpachi ran past her, to the front to take point, as they ran to top of the hill. When they finally found the enemies, they found them all lying in a circle with each of them having cut their stomachs open. Kaiya ran forward and checked each one of them to make sure they were dead. After checking the last one she looked up at Shinpachi and shook her head.
"Alright, there's nothing we can do. Let run back down and make sure Hijikata-san is alright." Kaiya got to her feet and ran after the men as they ran back down the hill. Halfway down, they met Hijikata and Chizuru walking up with the injured man.
"Hijikata-san!" Yelled Shinpachi as they got closer. "We went up there, but those Choshu guys…they committed Seppuku, ever last one of them." Kaiya and another man stepped forward to take the burden of the injured man off Chizuru. Kaiya frown when she saw the bandaging on Chizuru's arm. When she saw Kaiya staring, she gave her a bit of an awkward smile and shook her head.
"Suicide, eh?" said Hijikata with a faint smile. "They may be the enemy, but that's splendid way to die."
Chizuru looked up at Hijikata, confused. "Is that all right?" She asked.
He looked down at her. "As a Shinsengumi, no it ain't right. They did our work for us. However, when it comes to giving credit when credit is due, 'enemy' and 'foe' doesn't matter. Do you understand?"
Chizuru looked down and contemplated for a moment then looked up again. "Yes. I feel like I do, and also like I don't." Hijikata smiled down at her.
"Hey! Look! The city is on fire." Everybody turned around to look and was shocked to see flames spurting from a large section of the city.
111
It was well into the evening before Kaiya had gotten a chance to rest. Although very few of the Shinsengumi had been hurt, every able body was put to the task of putting out the fires so that the whole city wouldn't burn. When the fires were under control and the Shinsengumi no longer needed, the group that had remained in the city travelled back to the compound together. Kaiya felt bad returning to her room with so much to do but it'd take months before Kyoto was back too normal…if ever again.
A few days later, Kaiya walked to her door and opened it just as Hajime had raised his hand to knock. They both smiled at each other, then he gently pushed his way inside and closed the door behind him. He was wearing the blue Haori obviously about to go on his rounds. He walked further into room and approached her closet and opened it, then pulled out her own blue haori and held it out to her.
"Put this on, you'll be accompanying me today." He said with a pleased smile.
She grabbed it from him and put it on. "I don't normally go on rounds. Even when I do, it's to do some shopping for the Shinsengumi and they don't normally require me to wear this."
"That was before. Now Kondou-san and Hijikata-san want to make it clear to everyone where you stand in this organization. You're still mostly just our doctor but a full member none the less. Also, the last two conflicts you have been using a borrowed sword. I am to help you find your own, as I am your teacher and the one who truly enjoys such things."
Kaiya made a bit of a pained face, "I'm not sure if I have enough to pay for a decent sword and I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to buy your own sword."
Hajime approached her and touched her cheek. "Don't worry about that. I'll buy it for you."
Kaiya stepped back and waved her hands in front of her face. "I can't let you do that! That's way too much, Hajime-kun."
Hajime grabbed her wrists and shook his head like she was a foolish child. "Think of it as a thank you gift for saving my life. Twice."
"I don't need payment for that, and the Shinsengumi already pays me for that." She said, still shaking her head.
He grabbed her face and brought his face close to hers. "It's a personal thank you." His breath tickled her face and made it hard to think. "Besides, it's your birthday tomorrow isn't it? What kind of lover would I be if I didn't buy you a birthday present?"
He then kissed her deeply but pulled back quickly so they didn't get lost in it. Kaiya wasn't sure what made her blush more; his kiss or him calling her his lover…both definitely made her extremely happy. He took a step back and walked over to the outer door and opened it.
"Come, we're going to be late." He said as he indicated for her to exit. She smiled coyly and ran a hand over his stomach as she passed him, which caused him to make a quiet moan and look away from her as he worked to keep the smile from his lips.
Kaiya walked next to him throughout the rounds, staying quiet and trying to not distract him. Hajime showed little notice of her as they walk through the street as his eyes were constantly roaming as they walked. They had stopped a couple times to stop some criminals who were taking advantage of people who had been the hardest hit by the fires but otherwise, their patrol was largely uneventful. When the patrol was complete, he ordered the rest of the unit to return while he and Kaiya remained in town.
Once they were out of sight, Hajime turned to her. "You must be hungry by now. Would you like to eat something before we find you a sword?" He removed his haori and threw it over his arm, then took hers as well when she had removed it.
"Is that ok? I'm sure you have a lot to do as it is!" In truth it would be nice to have some private time with him, like a normal couple would.
He kept his face neutral but there was a definite smile in his eyes. "Yes, I'm off duty right now. I won't have duties to perform until after lunch, so we have time."
She just nodded happily, and he turned and guided her to a small restaurant. When they had taken a seat and ordered their food, Hajime started asking her questions.
"I'm kind of curious about your family story. From what I gather from what Souji has said, both sides of your family are of nobility. Yet your father was a doctor of a small farming community…"
"And you want to know why we ended up there?" She interrupted with a smile.
"Yes. Most people try to get themselves further up in the social ladder, yet your family appears to have gone down. Was it by choice?" Hajime seemed genuinely interested in the subject of her family.
"Kind of." She said with a smile still on her face. "My father is the second son of a fairly minor noble lord, which would also be Souji's grandfather. It's generally well looked upon for men to learn a few scholarly things, especially if you're a second son who's only chance at ruling anything is through marriage. My father had always been interested in furthering his knowledge; when he came across medicine, it lit a fire in him…or at least that's how he's explained it to me. He eventually went under the tutelage of some well-known doctor of the time. When he'd learned all he could from the man, he went out to seek more knowledge."
"Your father already sounds like a rather ambitious man." He said as the server set down their food in front of them.
"He was. On his travels he accidently met my mother who had gone to visit a dear childhood friend. They very quickly fell in love and when she returned to her home, he followed. He asked her father, who is a daimyo still, for her hand in marriage as he had a son and another daughter and my father's breeding was satisfactory; he said yes. Somehow while they were still betrothed, it slipped that my father was wishing to sail to England to further his education and this was not acceptable to my mother's father. They were halfway to my father's home to get married when the news had reached my mother's father, that my father plans had been made known and father said that if his father too found out he would be disowned. Mother could have gone back home and continued to live the only way she'd known but she loved him too much. So, instead, they found someone to marry them, then managed to smuggle themselves to the main land and then onward to England. Which is where I was conceived and born."
Hajime had to swallow before he could ask his next question. "Why did he come back? Did something happen to your mother?"
Kaiya looked down a little sad. "When I was three, my mother was murdered by some purse snatcher. My father was devastated at losing her…he never did remarry. So, my father found a way to smuggle us back here. When my father had asked for my mother's hand in marriage, my grandfather had given him half of my mother's dowry and was supposed to receive the second half when they were married. The sum was rather large, so they'd used it to leave here and father used the rest of it to return home and to support us until we found ourselves a home. I suppose father was sick of wealthy people and thought it was more satisfactory helping those more needy."
"Your courage seems to come from both sides of your family." He said smiling slightly.
"Most people don't find running away, courageous."
"Think about it, Kaiya-chan. Both your parents came from pampered upbrings, just washing their own clothes and making their own food was beneath them. To willing live in squalor and to move to a country in which you don't know their language or customs. That's quite courageous in my eyes."
"Well, when you put it that way." She said with a smile.
They passed the rest of their breakfast with idle chatter, talking about their friends and sharing stories about the previous day's events. When they were finished, Hajime escorted her to a shop with swords prominently on display in the front window. When inside, it had an even more impressive display of swords. Most were daisho, katana paired with a wakizashi, the traditional way a samurai wore their swords but a long one wall it was just katanas by themselves. Hajime walked immediately over to this wall and Kaiya followed. The shop owner smiled and walked over to them.
"Good morning Saitou-san. You haven't been in here for some time!"
Kaiya raised an eyebrow as Hajime turned to acknowledge the man. "Good morning Ginjiro-san. I have been rather busy as of late."
"I can't even imagine with those Choshu bastards setting the city on fire!" The shop owner shook his head. "Anyways, I take it since you are looking at katana's and not daisho that you're not looking for yourself."
Hajime was now studying the blades closely as he conversed with the man. "No, I am not. It will be for her." He pointed in her general direction then picked up and blade, drew it out part of the way and studied it.
"For a woman?" He asked in a shock tone.
"For this woman. She is quite skilled and a full member of the Shinsengumi and therefore requires a blade. A cast offs will not due, she needs a quality blade."
Hajime slid the blade back in to place and returned it to the wall. The shop owner didn't seem too pleased to be selling a blade to a woman, but he wisely said no more. After carefully studying several more blades, he finally pulled another one off the wall, pulled it out a couple inches, studied it more and then finally pulled it out all of the way. He gave the sword a quick solid swing with one hand, formally placed it on both his hands and offered it to her, hilt first.
"Try it Kaiya-chan, you should be able to tell immediately if you find it comfortable."
Kaiya respectfully picked it up, then properly gripped the sword and studied it. It was certainly a beautiful blade he had chosen, almost delicate but dangerous looking at the same time. It felt nice in her hands.
"Give it a swing, you have the room." Hajime said. Kaiya did as she was instructed and swung the blade. Kaiya smiled, it felt wonderfully comfortable in her hands. "I think that's the one." He said as a small smile broke through.
Hajime approached the shop owner with it and the haggled for several minutes before they agreed on a price. Kaiya couldn't believe how much this man was willing to spend on her. He had already given her an expensive looking dagger and now was buying her a high-end katana. As they walked back to the headquarters, she gave Hajime a bit of a guilty look.
"I feel like I'm taking advantage of you Hajime-kun. This is so expensive!" She shook her head disbelieving.
Hajime suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down a side street, then put her back against a wall before pressing himself against her and kissing her. Despite both their swords pushing uncomfortably into their sides, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. His hand travelled down her back, on to her buttocks and proceeded to grope her. Moans of pleasure escaped both their mouths, this time instead of stopping when they ran out of breath, he continued to kiss her neck then moved some fabric out of his way and continued on to her shoulder.
Even though he was no longer kissing her on her lips her breathing became more and more laboured. He suddenly straightened up and stepped back several steps and put a hand to his face while he panted, his other hand tightly grasping the hilt of his sword.
"I'm sorry, I hadn't intended on going that far…I went too far."
Kaiya shook her head, "No, Hajime-kun not too far…not you." She reached out her arms inviting him back.
"I didn't buy you a sword, so I might have sex with you. That's not what I was trying to say." He said still panting, looking like he very much wanted to return to her.
"I know, Hajime-kun. You're much too noble for that. And most men buy women clothing or flowers or other much more girly things." A huge smile was on her face.
"Dammit." He cursed to himself as he rubbed his head. "It just goes to show how much you've gotten to me. I've never been so…like this before. I love you Kaiya-chan, I just want to protect you or at least make it so you can protect yourself when I'm not there."
Kaiya, who had been leaning heavily against the wall, finally stood up and crossed over to Hajime and smiled at him as she gently touched his face. "I love you too, Saitou Hajime." This time she poured as much love as she could into her kiss, much more tender then the last. When they parted again, she whispered in his ear. "Make love to me Hajime-kun, please. We both want it; it may prove to be more therapeutic than you realize…for the both us. I want to know what it feels like to be with a man that I want to be with…please." She pleaded.
He put his forehead to hers. "Alright Kaiya-chan. Tonight, we will be together." Then kissed her softly on the lips again.
