Disclaimer: I do not own PMK.

Yep, this is the final chappie. Souji's got a little bit of wickedness up his sleeve...

The file got corrputed somehow and the last part of the story got screwed big time. So I'm reloading this chapter.

Chapter 17: Hospital Visit

Kyoto General Hospital. They had finally moved him out from the ICU, in time for New Year too. Hijkata adjusted his sling as he juggled the candy box and flowers in his good arm. He has bought Souji's favorite mint chocolates. Why did he buy the box with the kawaii teddy bears? And he had bought roses! Well, the other flowers on sale at the store were white chrysanthemums.

At least the Okita fan club had disbanded during his undercover mission. So much for the fickle nature of young girls…

He tapped on the ward door before opening it. He found Okita sitting up in his bed and being hand-fed grapes by a very pretty nurse. "Toshi! I didn't hear you come in. Meet Michiko-san." He paused as Michiko popped another peeled grape into his mouth. "She's my… you-know…"

Michiko smiled sweetly and gave him a fond peck on the cheek before excusing herself. Hijikata placed the gifts on the bedside table. "Happy New Year, Souji, you little rascal… Stop pestering the nurses…"

"Michiko gives the best sponge baths," Souji stuck out his tongue in a childish manner. "And I was so lonely 'cos you guys don't visit much…"

"We were busy building a case against the cult. You're a key witness for prosecution and I'll be protecting you in case any remnants of the cult decide to harm you…" Souji gave a mock groan. But his eyes lit up when he saw what Toshi had in his jacket.

"Don't show it to anyone else…" Okita took the haiku book gingerly from Hijikata.

"What happened at the station recently?"

"San-nan's marrying Akesato in spring. Nagakura made up with his wife. She's expecting another baby. Nagakura's praying for a son this time. Harada has yet to pop the question. Baka Toudou's suspended on a rape charge. A waitress at the onsen claimed he assaulted her. Guess who?"

"Poor thing…" Okita twirled a strand of hair around his finger. Hijikata decided not to press on Okita's remark. He continued.

"Ichimura Tatsunosuke's hospitalized for shock and ulcers. Ward 15 down the corridor. He found a gym sock in his coffee powder. Yamazaki Susumu's still trying to get back into the Oniwabanshu…"

"I'll visit poor Ichimura-kun later. I want to see Saizou… but Mitsu-neesan wouldn't bring him…"

"You do know the hospital's no-pets policy…" He squeezed Okita's hand fondly.

Hijikata was leaving the hospital when he almost knocked over a certain redhead. It was Tetsu. The boy was on his way to visit his elder brother. The little moron had bought white chrysanthemums. Doesn't he know those flowers are used for funerals?

"Shinsengumi Demon!" Tetsu squeaked. Hijikata lifted the boy up by his collar and was about to do something painful to the loudmouth when…

"Now for a haiku moment, courtesy of Toshi…" Hijikata popped a vein at the sound of that all-too-familiar voice over hospital's address system. The gentle voice continued…

"To know is doubt

Not to know is also doubt…"

"SOUJIIII!" A magnitude 5 quake shook the building. Hijikata dropped the hapless Tetsu and raced towards the nurse's station where Souji was reciting poetry, Toshi's poetry, into the public address system. A gaggle of terrified nurses fled as Souji took off laughing with the offending book. Demon Hijikata raced after him.

"Souji-kun! Your stitches!" Michiko shouted a warning as the duo raced through the corridors of Kyoto General. Left in peace, Tetsu picked up the application form that had fallen from his bag pack. It was an application to join the Shinsengumi cadet academy.

He heard that Suzu was going to work at an animal shelter. His classmate decided to bypass high school to take care of cats. Psycho Yoshida wanted to send the boy to a pressure-cooker high school in Edo. Suzu refused and was re-admitted to hospital after Yoshida disciplined him, so the rumors went.

Saya and Hana were going into Kyoto Fumiya High, a renowned arts college, to pursue their ambitions, one in traditional music and the other in dance. At least Saya will still be in Kyoto.

Come the New Year, Ichimura Tetsunosuke will be on his way to joining the Shinsengumi. If only he could meet the minimum height requirement…

(END)

Author's notes:

Well, well, return of the haikus. Souji's got a nurse as a girlfriend... And Tetsu's gonna join the Shinsengumi.

Sayonara. Arigato for the reviews.