The morning came far too quickly for Mikoto's liking. After the events of the previous night, her mind was foggy and her body fatigued. When the sunlight streaming into the room brought her to stir, she let out a groan. Her eyes slowly blinked open, and her heart fell. The doors to the room were slid open and, though her vision was still slightly blurry, she could make out Souji sitting outside, ready for the day. She had foolishly hoped that she would awaken to find that the previous night had all just been a bad dream, but there she was, lying in Souji's quarters in the Shinsengumi compound. He had heard her waking up, and looked back, no sign of welcoming in his eyes. He got to his feet and wordlessly motioned for her to follow him. She did so with her head hanging. He led her to the common room where they would be joining the other captains for breakfast. As they approached, they could make out the loud voices of at least two men, and Mikoto's nerves began to set in. She cast a glance at Souji, who still hadn't said a word to her, not that she had expected him to. She still found it disheartening. Without even giving her a moment to steel her nerves, he slid the door open. In that instant, everything went silent and all eyes fell on her. She felt frozen in place by the curious eyes that were focused on her, though, for the most part, they weren't unwelcoming. Mikoto shook off her paralysis and gave a small bow in greeting. She then realized that Souji had left her side and taken a seat at one of the breakfast trays. She quickly followed suit, taking a seat across from him. Souji was the only one not looking at her, not even the quickest glance. Her feeling of discomfort grew, and she began to fidget. At last, the nerve wracking silence was broken by one of the larger men snickering.
"Hey, Heisukue," he started, addressing the youngest looking man there. "Looks like there's finally someone here that's smaller than you!" The man who had spoken and the redhead beside him erupted into raucous laughter, while the smaller man glared daggers at the both of them.
"Shut up, Shin!" A devious look appeared on his boyish features. "At least I don't look like an old man." His retort quieted the laughter of the man named Shinpachi, who then returned Heisuke's glare.
"Care to repeat that?" his tone was menacing, but Mikoto could tell that it was simply the bickering of close friends, rather than a true threat.
"That's enough you two," Kondou finally interrupted, unable to hide the amusement in his voice. This shut the men up quickly, though they still maintained their steady stare down. "Alright everyone, I'd like you all to meet Hasegawa Mikoto. As of last night, she entered a bit of a probationary period with our first division, but for the time being I would like her to be treated as a full member of the Shinsengumi."
"Nice to meet you all, I'll do my best," she promised, doing her best to keep her voice from trembling. The reactions to Kondou's announcement had varied greatly. The first to speak was the redhead who had been seated beside Shinpachi. His amber eyes were kind, and a wide, smile brightened his handsome face.
"Harada Sanosuke," he introduced himself. "It'll be a welcome change to have a feminine touch around here!" She returned his smile, some relief setting in thanks to his warm reception. The next man to speak had been sitting quietly beside Souji all morning, his indigo hair hanging over his eyes as he focused on his food.
"I'm Saito Hajime," he greeted softly. Though he didn't bother to look up at her, the taciturn man still seemed very polite. Yet another man to accept her without question. Slowly her nervousness was dissipating, until she looked at Souji. He was still refusing to acknowledge her.
""I think having you around should make things quite interesting." Another man's rather reserved voice pulled her focus away from Souji. It belonged to one of the men sitting on either side of Kondou. His brown hair fell to a point just before his shoulders, and bright hazel eyes looked at her from behind a pair of glasses. "I'm the colonel of the Shinsengumi, Sanan Keisuke." He gave her a gracious smile. She returned his greeting with an appreciative nod. She took a quick sweep of the room. Both Heisuke and Shinpachi were gawking openly at her, while the other man that sat beside Kondou, with silky black hair and intense violet eyes, wore a scowl as his gaze flicked between her and Kondou.
"Kondou-san, what the hell is the meaning of this?" he questioned incredulously, his tone gruff. Mikoto had to assume that this was Toshizo Hijikata, the one referred to as the demon vice commander. Souji had told her many stories of him, often the ways he liked to provoke the man. She could certainly see why he had earned that title, the man simply oozed intimidation. "We don't have the accommodations for a woman. This is no place for her!" Though he had managed to tear down every bit of comfort she had been starting to feel with just those few words, she understood his protest and didn't find it unwarranted.
"According to Souji, she was able to keep up with him fairly well, so he vouched for her. Woman or not, Toshi, I believe a skilled swordsman should always have a place in the Shinsengumi." Hijikata looked at her in disbelief, and she shrunk under that stare. In defeat, he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, irritation coming off of him in waves.
"Very well, so long as she isn't holding us back, or causing distractions." He looked pointedly at Shinpachi and Sanosuke with his last words, both of whom feigned innocence. "I'm the vice commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizo," he finally introduced, resigning himself to accept Kondou's decision. Shinpachi's face split with a huge grin, his shock seeming to have finally worn off.
"I'm Nagakura Shinpachi!" he stated eagerly. "I can't wait to get to know you, Hasegawa-chan. It's about time we have someone good looking around here!" Hijikata rolled his eyes at the man.
"I said no distractions," he snapped.
"Yeah, leave her alone, and stick to Shimabara, old man," Heisuke said, jumping in. He turned his focus back to Mikoto, beaming brilliantly. "Toudou Heisuke is the name, but you can just call me Heisuke!" She couldn't help but return his contagious smile. Even as everyone, aside from Hijikata, was showering her with such welcoming kindness, disappointment and sadness still pricked at her. Souji had continued to remain silent, his eyes remaining in his food the entire time. Koundou cleared his throat to regain everyone's attention.
"For the time being, I feel it's best that the rest of the men remain unaware that our newest member is a female. I'd like Hasegawa to have time to settle in comfortably without any bombardment," he explained. Everyone nodded in agreement, and the discussion was brought to a close, allowing everyone to return to their breakfast. The cheery buzz of their chatter filled the common room once more, and soon, Shinpachi and Heisuke fell back into their bickering as Shinpachi tried to claim the smaller man's food. Sanosuke sat with a devilish grin, prodding both of them here and there, fueling the flames. She couldn't believe that these men were what made up the captains of the fearsome Shinsengumi, and couldn't hold back a small giggle. Hearing her, Shinpachi looked over to her.
"What do you think, Mikoto-chan? I definitely need it more, right? Look how much bigger I am than this shrimp!" Heisuke shoved himself between Shinpachi and Mikoto.
"No way you know it should be mine, right, Mikoto-chan?" She let out a laugh.
"Oh, well I, uh..." As she fumbled for a reply, she noticed Souji excusing himself quietly. Watching as he left, she quickly put her chopsticks down, clasping her hands.
"Thank you for the meal!" she blurted quickly, giving a hasty bow. This once again drew everyone's attention to her, each of them wearing a confused expression.
"Is everything alright, Hasegawa?" Kondou questioned. Rather than responding, she jumped to her feet and went after him. Surely if the others had all accepted her, she and Souji could at least begin to mend their relationship.
"Souji, wait!" she called, managing to catch up to him before he had gotten too far. She reached out and grabbed his sleeve to stop him. Suddenly, he whipped around, tearing the fabric from her fingers.
"How dare you address me that way!" His harsh tone caused her breath to get stuck in her throat. He brought his face inches from hers. "I am your captain now, and you are my subordinate. We are no longer equal, do you understand?" he demanded. All she could do was hold his intense glare, fighting back frustrated tears. "Hasegawa!" He snapped when she failed to answer.
"Y-yes. Sorry sir…" she finally choked out, taking a couple steps back. With that, he turned and stormed off in the direction he had been going. Mikoto had failed to see that a few of the captains had gathered behind her upon hearing Souji's outburst.
"What the hell, Souji?" Shinpachi yelled after him, walking up to stand beside her, arms crossed. His icy glare followed him as he went. She felt someone place a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Sanosuke coming up to stand on the other side of her. He gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Not sure what the hell's gotten into him, he's never like that with his men," the redhead stated, the scowl he had directed at Souji softening into concern as he looked down at her. Heisuke walked around to stand in front of her, his teal eyes wide with sympathy as he wiped away one of the tears that had rolled down her cheek.
"Are you alight Mikoto-chan?" he asked softly. She nodded, looking at the ground. She was grateful for the men being so caring so shortly after having met her, but even that could do little to lighten her heavy heart.
The hallway was dim as Ayumi made her way towards one room in particular. She did her best to keep her steps light and quiet. She was eager to pick up the supplies she and the other women had been waiting on. None of them had really appreciated being made to wait by Mikoto, but more than anything they had been envious. Several of them had spotted her wandering the streets with a handsome man, and they were all left to wonder if that's what she meant when she said she had found an opportunity to change things. Perhaps the man in question would be paying off her debt to make him his wife, or to incorporate her into a more respectable business. As she approached the correct room, she quietly made her presence known.
"Mikoto, I hope you..." As she slid the door open, she froze in shock and terror. Rather than coming face to face with the girl she had been expecting, she found a man seated against the back wall of the room. He wore the all too recognizable blue haori of the Shinsengumi, his katana leaned up against his shoulder. He had mahogany hair kept half up in a top knot, and striking green eyes, which were now fixed on her.
"Ayumi, I presume?" he questioned, his voice cold and sharp as his blade. Her voice was caught by fear. She had heard countless gruesome tales and rumors of the men of the Shinsengumi. All she could do was nod. He did not move or speak. She swallowed.
"Wh-where's Mikoto?" she was finally able to force out. He casually got to his feet, his eyes, glinting dangerously in the candlelight, narrowed.
"What does it matter to you? This is all you care about, right?" He lifted up a sack that had been sitting beside him. When she didn't reply, his lip curled in disgust before throwing the bag at her. She was able to catch it, but not without fumbling. "You took advantage of a girl less fortunate than yourself, it disgusts me." He drew his sword, and before she could even attempt to scream, he was in front of her, the blade to her throat. "I have half a mind to kill you for putting her in danger for your own selfish gain," he said with a sadistic grin slowly spreading across his face. An involuntary whimper escaped her. After an agonizingly slow minute he backed away, sheathing his sword. "But I won't. She's safe. Get the hell out of my sight and never try to contact her again." For a moment she was unable to move, her feet still seemingly frozen to the floor. Once she realized she was free to leave, however, she quickly regained control of her legs and scrambled away, letting out a yelp as she went.