Chapter Four: New Friends and the Ikeda ya Affair
A/N: CONFOUND MICROSOFT WORD!!! *Twitch* It's out to get me, I swear. _ Now I'm really gonna kill it because that was the fourth or fifth time the thing froze up on me!!!!!! *Massive twitching* I didn't sleep well. Gomen. Anyway, this is just a heads up that this is now going to be a crossover with Kaze Hikaru. KH is a Shinsengumi/Okita centered manga that hasn't come out in America yet, but is WONDERFUL! I found copies in Dallas when I went. I want them!! *Sob* I have a friend that said she'd help me get them. ^^ Oh, and I am thinking of the Saitou in RK, just in case you were wondering, and also, if you have by chance seen KH (you wonderful and lucky person you!) the only reason I'm calling this a crossover is to have Sei in it. Just to let ya know. I don't expect this to be AT ALL accurate with KH simply because I haven't seen the mangas. Oh, also, the beginning of this chapter was written with Anna-chan. Just giving her credit ^^
Golden, wolf like eyes stared at the inn. This was the place Hijikata had told him to go. He would be rooming with the first squad's captain until they could find a space for him. His eyes caught sight of what appeared to be a young boy in a Shinsengumi uniform walking into the inn. "Oi! Kodomo! Is this the Mibu Inn?" The "boy" looked up, a slight bit of irritation showing in his dark blue eyes, but then in faded into a smile. "Hai." he answered. Saito stood over him. "Can you tell me where I can find the First Captain of the Shinsengumi?" he asked, eyeing the smiling youth warily. The youth's smile turned to a near grin. "Hai." Saito fought looking annoyed. "Where?" "Right here," the so-called "boy" said cheerfully. "Watashi wa Okita Souji, captain of the first squad of the Shinsengumi." Saito blinked before chuckling. "Very funny, kodomo. Where is he?" Okita blinked, then chuckled. "I believe I just told you that, ne?" Saito stared at him. "You can't be serious." Okita smiled. "Very." "You're a boy." "I'm twenty-one." "You're barely legal." Saito said. "And could probably send you running back home to your mother after a sword match," the younger man answered, smile growing. "At least there would be enough of me left for my mother to find." Saito said with a smirk. The smile didn't falter. "You underestimate me." "You don't give me enough credit." "I don't need to." Saito glared at him. "One day you just might." "So who might you be?" Okita asked, smile still on his pale features. "Saito Hajime, Third Captain of the Shinsengumi." Saito said flatly. Okita still smiled, but opened his eyes, watching the other man. He swallowed hard. "So you are the one I'm suppose to be rooming with, eh?" Saito nodded slowly. The smile finally faltered. "Oh...." "You don't have to sound so disappointed." Okita brushed a lock of hair out of his face, the smile creeping back. "Of course not, Saitou-san," he said, not really sure how to respond. "I suppose you'd like to put your bag down, ne?" Saitou nodded, a small smirk appearing on his thin lips. He watched the youthful looking captain walk down the hallway of the inn and open the shoji a ways down. He shook his head. How could this boy possibly be the first captain? Okita had sat down by the window by the time that Saitou entered. The taller man set his bag down and glanced around the room. "There's one bed," he observed. "I assume we'll switch off every other night, ne?" Saitou frowned slightly, but kept an eye on the slightly younger man. "Where are you from, Okita-san?" Okita looked up. "The Tama area. I went to the Shieikan Dojo there." "Ah." Golden eyes stared at dark blue ones. "Is something the matter with you? You smile too much." Okita chuckled. "And you frown too much, Saitou-san," he answered. Saitou's frown deepened. "Humph."
It had been several months since Saitou Hajime had met Okita Souji. After they put away their annoyances and gained respect for each other, they became fast friends. He had begun to notice the youth acting oddly. The golden-eyed man had been placed in the room next to the first captain, and soon found out just how thin the walls were. The youthful looking captain had begun coughing several weeks before, dismissing it as just a cold when asked about it, but that - as said before - had been several weeks ago. Saitou was beginning to worry.
Okita coughed violently into his hands. He wasn't quite sure what was the matter with him. Cold sweat covered his face and his breath was received in gulps. He coughed again, looking down to see crimson liquid dripping into his hands. His eyes widened. "Okita?" The young man whipped his sleeve over his mouth and then hid his hands under the sheets, just as Saitou walked in. He smiled at the taller man. "Hai?" "I could hear you coughing from my room." "The walls are thin." "Daijoubu ka?" "Hai, daijoubu." The first captain continued to smile. "Go back to bed, Saitou-san. We have new recruits arriving tomorrow." "Hai.." Dark blue eyes watched the slightly elder man leave and then Okita fell back against his pillow. He ran the symptoms over in his head: night chills, fevers that came and went, and the worst, coughing up blood. This was the first time it had happened, and he didn't want to jump to conclusions far too quickly. "I'll see a doctor about it," he promised himself quietly before curling up to attempt sleep.
Okita looked out at the first squad. His squad. The bright morning light was enveloping the area in it's warm light. He had received one of the several new recruits. A young man by the name of Kamiya Seizaburou. He was small. Even smaller than Okita, who was dwarfed by many of the other captains. His eyes were wide and dark, glancing to each and every person in turn. His eyes stopped on the captain and Okita smiled. Kamiya smiled back, looking very unsure of himself. He bowed slightly. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Okita-san," he said respectfully. "Ohayo, Kamiya-san, wasn't it?" Okita replied, still smiling. "Am I to expect that you'll be ready for tonight's assignment?" Kamiya nodded. "Hai! Of course, Captain!"
Okita leaned back, massaging the bridge of his nose. Kamiya was a girl? He knew that "he" had appeared small and slightly frail, but he himself did to one that didn't know him. He sighed heavily. "Are you going to send me home?" She sounded worried. Frightened, possibly, that he might tell Hijikata, who in turn would probably kill her. "Please, Okita-san! I am only trying to avenge my father and brother's deaths!" she blurted. Okita blinked. "That's why you're here?" "Hai! They were killed, and you executed their murderer! I saw you. I. wanted to be like you. I know I can do this! Onegai!" The small captain allowed a smile to make its way to his face. "You proved tonight that you could hold your own in a battle. I suppose, with the correct guidance, you could be a promising swordsman.woman." Kamiya's eyes widened and she grinned. "DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU, OKITA-SAN!" Okita smiled. "What's your real name?" "Tominaga Sei," she replied, bowing slightly. "I won't be a bother, Okita-san! I promise!" The captain opened his mouth to reply, but there was a hurried knock at the shoji. He looked up to see one of the young men under his command. "Okita-san! Hijikata-san requested that I tell you to meet him as quickly as possible." Okita nodded and stood, walking out of the room, leaving Sei to herself.
"They will gather in the Ikeda ya," Hijikata said to the group of captains that were sitting around him. "We will attack tomorrow night, when the meeting will begin." "Will the Battousai show his face?" one man asked. Okita smiled slightly. The Battousai had become a myth around the Shinsengumi members. He wanted to meet this so-called "hitokiri." He wanted to meet him and to kill him, simply because the red headed Imperialist was called the best. "We are not certain," Hijikata responded. "This is much like Go or Shogi. If we don't make our move now, they will get us in the next move. Therefore, arrest them all. If they resist, kill them!"
"What's going on, Okita-san?" Okita turned to see Sei's wide eyes staring at him. He smiled. "We will attack tonight." "Attack?" "The Ikeda ya," Okita responded, smile widening. "Will we see the Battousai?" Sei asked, excitement in her voice. "Possibly. I hope so." Sei grinned. "I do too! It would make it interesting." "Watch yourself, if he's there or not, ne?" Sei smiled broadly. "Hai!" Okita didn't know quite what it was, but this girl was something special. Perhaps, after this was all done and over with, he could get to know her better than he could as her captain. Until this was over with, he would have to put all boyish feelings aside. She was disguised as a boy, and that could not be revealed to anyone else but him, or it could mean her life. Enough had been taken from this young girl all ready,
"Consumption?" Okita whispered. The doctor nodded. "I'm afraid so. This will be an other disease you've dealt with in a short span of time." The youthful captain nodded solemnly. Tuberculosis. It was deadly. Most did die from it, and it was not a quick death by any means. He sighed heavily, but then smiled. "I really should be going." The doctor nodded. "Take care." "As best I can, I suppose." That said, he was gone. They had a raid tonight that he did not want to be late for.
Everything happened quickly at Ikeda ya. Okita did not see Katsura. The man had eluded them, much to his displeasure. Swords clashed and people scattered in every direction. The first captain would glance over from time to time to check on the young girl who would cross swords with anyone, despite her size. Her determination made up for her petite form. He smiled at the thought, and then sliced down his opponent. His eyes caught hold of a coward running. An Ishin Shishi. He took off in a sprint after him, climbing the steps in a rush. He felt his breath catch in his throat. He was reminded of the doctor's words earlier that day as he coughed, tasting a bit of blood. He jumped at the man, sword drawn. The clashing of metal against metal sounded as they both struck, then parried. Okita finished the man off as quickly as possible, and then found himself coughing violently into his hand. Blood poured from his mouth. It was more than usual. It was much more. He felt the world spin as he continued to cough, but felt to hands steadying his shoulders. "Okita-san?" "Sei." he whispered, but then felt everything go dark as his knees buckled. "Okita-san!" Sei screamed, easing him to the floor as best she could. Blood was trailing from the corner of his mouth and on his hands, and over his gi. She searched frantically for the wound that she was sure he had received. No one coughed up blood unless they were wounded. Dark blue eyes fluttered open weakly. "Sei-chan." Sei looked surprised at him. "How badly are you injured? Where? I need to get you help!" "Shh," the captain hushed. "I'm not injured," he whispered. "You have to be! You coughed up blood!" she argued. Okita shook his head, regretting the action as soon as he had done it. "I'm not injured," he repeated. "I'm ill." Sei's eyes widened considerably. "Okita." The blue-eyed man reached a hand up band brushed a finger across her face, startling her. "Help me up, ne?" he whispered.
Ikeda ya was profitable for the Shinsengumi as a whole, but cost Okita quite a bit. It caused his health to worsen and for his two closest friends to find out before he was ready. Sei had convinced him to tell Hijikata and Kondou about his illness. Kondou had paled considerably, while Hijikata's face remained stoic, though his eyes told all. "How long?" Kondou asked quietly, "I don't know." Hijikata glanced out the window, exhaling with a sigh. "We should keep this quiet. Your unit thinks highly of you. We can't have the moral falling." "I understand," Okita responded. "Does anyone else know?" Kondou asked. "Kamiya-san, demo he is trustworthy." The two higher ranked men nodded. This would be kept as quiet as possible, for as long as possible, and maybe it would pass. Okita prayed to whoever was listening that it would pass.
A/N: Ikeda ya! Poor Okita.. I'm so cruel to him. I've given up on trying to make this lengthy. Sometimes my mind is not on my side.. Though I'm not sure how I manage that. Anyway, feel free to R&R. ^^ TBC
A/N: CONFOUND MICROSOFT WORD!!! *Twitch* It's out to get me, I swear. _ Now I'm really gonna kill it because that was the fourth or fifth time the thing froze up on me!!!!!! *Massive twitching* I didn't sleep well. Gomen. Anyway, this is just a heads up that this is now going to be a crossover with Kaze Hikaru. KH is a Shinsengumi/Okita centered manga that hasn't come out in America yet, but is WONDERFUL! I found copies in Dallas when I went. I want them!! *Sob* I have a friend that said she'd help me get them. ^^ Oh, and I am thinking of the Saitou in RK, just in case you were wondering, and also, if you have by chance seen KH (you wonderful and lucky person you!) the only reason I'm calling this a crossover is to have Sei in it. Just to let ya know. I don't expect this to be AT ALL accurate with KH simply because I haven't seen the mangas. Oh, also, the beginning of this chapter was written with Anna-chan. Just giving her credit ^^
Golden, wolf like eyes stared at the inn. This was the place Hijikata had told him to go. He would be rooming with the first squad's captain until they could find a space for him. His eyes caught sight of what appeared to be a young boy in a Shinsengumi uniform walking into the inn. "Oi! Kodomo! Is this the Mibu Inn?" The "boy" looked up, a slight bit of irritation showing in his dark blue eyes, but then in faded into a smile. "Hai." he answered. Saito stood over him. "Can you tell me where I can find the First Captain of the Shinsengumi?" he asked, eyeing the smiling youth warily. The youth's smile turned to a near grin. "Hai." Saito fought looking annoyed. "Where?" "Right here," the so-called "boy" said cheerfully. "Watashi wa Okita Souji, captain of the first squad of the Shinsengumi." Saito blinked before chuckling. "Very funny, kodomo. Where is he?" Okita blinked, then chuckled. "I believe I just told you that, ne?" Saito stared at him. "You can't be serious." Okita smiled. "Very." "You're a boy." "I'm twenty-one." "You're barely legal." Saito said. "And could probably send you running back home to your mother after a sword match," the younger man answered, smile growing. "At least there would be enough of me left for my mother to find." Saito said with a smirk. The smile didn't falter. "You underestimate me." "You don't give me enough credit." "I don't need to." Saito glared at him. "One day you just might." "So who might you be?" Okita asked, smile still on his pale features. "Saito Hajime, Third Captain of the Shinsengumi." Saito said flatly. Okita still smiled, but opened his eyes, watching the other man. He swallowed hard. "So you are the one I'm suppose to be rooming with, eh?" Saito nodded slowly. The smile finally faltered. "Oh...." "You don't have to sound so disappointed." Okita brushed a lock of hair out of his face, the smile creeping back. "Of course not, Saitou-san," he said, not really sure how to respond. "I suppose you'd like to put your bag down, ne?" Saitou nodded, a small smirk appearing on his thin lips. He watched the youthful looking captain walk down the hallway of the inn and open the shoji a ways down. He shook his head. How could this boy possibly be the first captain? Okita had sat down by the window by the time that Saitou entered. The taller man set his bag down and glanced around the room. "There's one bed," he observed. "I assume we'll switch off every other night, ne?" Saitou frowned slightly, but kept an eye on the slightly younger man. "Where are you from, Okita-san?" Okita looked up. "The Tama area. I went to the Shieikan Dojo there." "Ah." Golden eyes stared at dark blue ones. "Is something the matter with you? You smile too much." Okita chuckled. "And you frown too much, Saitou-san," he answered. Saitou's frown deepened. "Humph."
It had been several months since Saitou Hajime had met Okita Souji. After they put away their annoyances and gained respect for each other, they became fast friends. He had begun to notice the youth acting oddly. The golden-eyed man had been placed in the room next to the first captain, and soon found out just how thin the walls were. The youthful looking captain had begun coughing several weeks before, dismissing it as just a cold when asked about it, but that - as said before - had been several weeks ago. Saitou was beginning to worry.
Okita coughed violently into his hands. He wasn't quite sure what was the matter with him. Cold sweat covered his face and his breath was received in gulps. He coughed again, looking down to see crimson liquid dripping into his hands. His eyes widened. "Okita?" The young man whipped his sleeve over his mouth and then hid his hands under the sheets, just as Saitou walked in. He smiled at the taller man. "Hai?" "I could hear you coughing from my room." "The walls are thin." "Daijoubu ka?" "Hai, daijoubu." The first captain continued to smile. "Go back to bed, Saitou-san. We have new recruits arriving tomorrow." "Hai.." Dark blue eyes watched the slightly elder man leave and then Okita fell back against his pillow. He ran the symptoms over in his head: night chills, fevers that came and went, and the worst, coughing up blood. This was the first time it had happened, and he didn't want to jump to conclusions far too quickly. "I'll see a doctor about it," he promised himself quietly before curling up to attempt sleep.
Okita looked out at the first squad. His squad. The bright morning light was enveloping the area in it's warm light. He had received one of the several new recruits. A young man by the name of Kamiya Seizaburou. He was small. Even smaller than Okita, who was dwarfed by many of the other captains. His eyes were wide and dark, glancing to each and every person in turn. His eyes stopped on the captain and Okita smiled. Kamiya smiled back, looking very unsure of himself. He bowed slightly. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Okita-san," he said respectfully. "Ohayo, Kamiya-san, wasn't it?" Okita replied, still smiling. "Am I to expect that you'll be ready for tonight's assignment?" Kamiya nodded. "Hai! Of course, Captain!"
Okita leaned back, massaging the bridge of his nose. Kamiya was a girl? He knew that "he" had appeared small and slightly frail, but he himself did to one that didn't know him. He sighed heavily. "Are you going to send me home?" She sounded worried. Frightened, possibly, that he might tell Hijikata, who in turn would probably kill her. "Please, Okita-san! I am only trying to avenge my father and brother's deaths!" she blurted. Okita blinked. "That's why you're here?" "Hai! They were killed, and you executed their murderer! I saw you. I. wanted to be like you. I know I can do this! Onegai!" The small captain allowed a smile to make its way to his face. "You proved tonight that you could hold your own in a battle. I suppose, with the correct guidance, you could be a promising swordsman.woman." Kamiya's eyes widened and she grinned. "DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU, OKITA-SAN!" Okita smiled. "What's your real name?" "Tominaga Sei," she replied, bowing slightly. "I won't be a bother, Okita-san! I promise!" The captain opened his mouth to reply, but there was a hurried knock at the shoji. He looked up to see one of the young men under his command. "Okita-san! Hijikata-san requested that I tell you to meet him as quickly as possible." Okita nodded and stood, walking out of the room, leaving Sei to herself.
"They will gather in the Ikeda ya," Hijikata said to the group of captains that were sitting around him. "We will attack tomorrow night, when the meeting will begin." "Will the Battousai show his face?" one man asked. Okita smiled slightly. The Battousai had become a myth around the Shinsengumi members. He wanted to meet this so-called "hitokiri." He wanted to meet him and to kill him, simply because the red headed Imperialist was called the best. "We are not certain," Hijikata responded. "This is much like Go or Shogi. If we don't make our move now, they will get us in the next move. Therefore, arrest them all. If they resist, kill them!"
"What's going on, Okita-san?" Okita turned to see Sei's wide eyes staring at him. He smiled. "We will attack tonight." "Attack?" "The Ikeda ya," Okita responded, smile widening. "Will we see the Battousai?" Sei asked, excitement in her voice. "Possibly. I hope so." Sei grinned. "I do too! It would make it interesting." "Watch yourself, if he's there or not, ne?" Sei smiled broadly. "Hai!" Okita didn't know quite what it was, but this girl was something special. Perhaps, after this was all done and over with, he could get to know her better than he could as her captain. Until this was over with, he would have to put all boyish feelings aside. She was disguised as a boy, and that could not be revealed to anyone else but him, or it could mean her life. Enough had been taken from this young girl all ready,
"Consumption?" Okita whispered. The doctor nodded. "I'm afraid so. This will be an other disease you've dealt with in a short span of time." The youthful captain nodded solemnly. Tuberculosis. It was deadly. Most did die from it, and it was not a quick death by any means. He sighed heavily, but then smiled. "I really should be going." The doctor nodded. "Take care." "As best I can, I suppose." That said, he was gone. They had a raid tonight that he did not want to be late for.
Everything happened quickly at Ikeda ya. Okita did not see Katsura. The man had eluded them, much to his displeasure. Swords clashed and people scattered in every direction. The first captain would glance over from time to time to check on the young girl who would cross swords with anyone, despite her size. Her determination made up for her petite form. He smiled at the thought, and then sliced down his opponent. His eyes caught hold of a coward running. An Ishin Shishi. He took off in a sprint after him, climbing the steps in a rush. He felt his breath catch in his throat. He was reminded of the doctor's words earlier that day as he coughed, tasting a bit of blood. He jumped at the man, sword drawn. The clashing of metal against metal sounded as they both struck, then parried. Okita finished the man off as quickly as possible, and then found himself coughing violently into his hand. Blood poured from his mouth. It was more than usual. It was much more. He felt the world spin as he continued to cough, but felt to hands steadying his shoulders. "Okita-san?" "Sei." he whispered, but then felt everything go dark as his knees buckled. "Okita-san!" Sei screamed, easing him to the floor as best she could. Blood was trailing from the corner of his mouth and on his hands, and over his gi. She searched frantically for the wound that she was sure he had received. No one coughed up blood unless they were wounded. Dark blue eyes fluttered open weakly. "Sei-chan." Sei looked surprised at him. "How badly are you injured? Where? I need to get you help!" "Shh," the captain hushed. "I'm not injured," he whispered. "You have to be! You coughed up blood!" she argued. Okita shook his head, regretting the action as soon as he had done it. "I'm not injured," he repeated. "I'm ill." Sei's eyes widened considerably. "Okita." The blue-eyed man reached a hand up band brushed a finger across her face, startling her. "Help me up, ne?" he whispered.
Ikeda ya was profitable for the Shinsengumi as a whole, but cost Okita quite a bit. It caused his health to worsen and for his two closest friends to find out before he was ready. Sei had convinced him to tell Hijikata and Kondou about his illness. Kondou had paled considerably, while Hijikata's face remained stoic, though his eyes told all. "How long?" Kondou asked quietly, "I don't know." Hijikata glanced out the window, exhaling with a sigh. "We should keep this quiet. Your unit thinks highly of you. We can't have the moral falling." "I understand," Okita responded. "Does anyone else know?" Kondou asked. "Kamiya-san, demo he is trustworthy." The two higher ranked men nodded. This would be kept as quiet as possible, for as long as possible, and maybe it would pass. Okita prayed to whoever was listening that it would pass.
A/N: Ikeda ya! Poor Okita.. I'm so cruel to him. I've given up on trying to make this lengthy. Sometimes my mind is not on my side.. Though I'm not sure how I manage that. Anyway, feel free to R&R. ^^ TBC