Title Mibu'ko: Haijime Saitou
Chapter Ni (Two)
By Shinda Kiokuryoku
Ithrust my sword out towards the man's face. There is a clang of metal on metal as our swords hit against each other. Sweat rolls into my eyes- blurring my vision and given the man an advantage he did not previously have.
I can feel the tip of the man's sword start to enter my body; my heart shall be pierced soon. My death will be at the hands of some incompetent fool who can barley hold a sword.
All this because I didn't listen to Okita about my cold. That man, no boy, has to be cheerfully right about everything doesn't he? Well, at least he will never know I admitted I was wrong.
As I draw what I know will be my last breath I feel a familiar presence behind me- then suddenly in front of me.
Okita. My eyes open wide as his sword cuts through the man's neck as if it is butter. Blood sprays in my face as the man's head goes flying and lands on a near by roof; the eyes holding an eternal look of surprise.
I look at Okita's face. A boy who was part of the Shinsengumi since the age of nine.
His eyes have a strange gleam. Must be lost in the blood lust again.
Someone so young shouldn't have to do this. A murderer child. He just turned fourteen last week.
He starts to cough, and the look is lost as he bends over gasping for air. The fit lasts longer then they ever have. I check my shoulder as I try not to look concerned.
When the fit finally stops, Okita straitens, wiping the blood from his mouth and quickly puts his hand inside his shirt sleeve.
"I told you your fever was too high to be going out and fighting tonight, didn't I Haijime-san?"
He said it so cheerfully and innocently I have a hard time remembering this boy is one of two people in Japan that could defeat me in battle. Okita Shouji, leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi.
"I'm fine Shouji. Let's get back to headquarters."
"Oh," he whine-sighsin a way that lets me wonder if he's a mind reader or something. "You're just tired and don't want to admit it Haijime-san."
He laughs when I flinch, taking that as a positive answer. Silently we head back home.