Disclaimer: I don't own Peacemaker Kurogane but...(sob) I wish I owned the pig.
Chapter Three: Soujiro's Mean Elder Brother
"So where are we going?" Tetsu asked excitedly as he followed on the Shinsengumi Captain's heels, paying no attention to his surroundings.
Despite it being early in the morning, people still bustled to and fro in the market place, usually in the hopes of purchasing things quickly. Tetsu was oblivious to the irritated stares of older people as he hurried past them, practically bouncing up and down in his delight.
"Come on Okita-san, tell me where we're going!"
"Careful!" Souji exclaimed, pulling the boy out of the way of an ill tempered looking ronin. "You don't want to get trampled on, now do you?"
"No," muttered Tetsu, glaring at the man's back as he slowed down. "I'm just so short, aren't I? Figures no one can see me."
"I didn't mean it like that!" Souji patted him on the shoulder. "You can't be grumpy for too long. Because look..." He pointed in the direction of a shop. "We're going to visit that place!"
Tetsu squinted at the small building. "What's so special about it?" he asked glumly.
Souji looked positively delighted as he clapped his hands together. "It's a candy shop, Tetsu-kun!"
His red haired companion immediately cheered up. "Alright!" Tetsu grinned. "But I had no idea there was a candy store here!"
"Because it only opened recently," beamed Souji, as they made their way through the crowd. "It will probably have some new candies I've never tried before."
"Can I try some?" asked Tetsu hopefully as he trudged along.
"Of course, silly!"
The two stepped in through the open shoji, and almost immediately their expressions turned to awe and admiration. Tetsu exploded. "These look soooo yummy!" he exclaimed, excitedly pointing at the cherry candies on the nearest shelf, his mouth watering with longing. "We have to have some of those Okita-san!"
"And look at these!" gushed Souji, as he hovered over the main display, so overwhelmed that he couldn't decide what to pick. "They're the prettiest I've ever seen!"
A rumbling laugh interrupted them, and they turned in the direction of the counter. A kindly looking old man watching them, his eyes twinkling merrily. "It seems you boys are really enjoying my creations!"
"They're so intricate..." Souji breathed. "I've always thought of candies as works of art, and yours really prove it!"
"What words of praise," said the shopkeeper. "You make an old man blush." He put a hand to his heart in a dramatic gesture. Souji giggled. Tetsu was too busy ogling candy.
"You're funny," the First Unit captain commented, amused.
"The name's Takeshi," said the man. "And who are you?"
"Soujiro," came the distracted reply, as Souji bent down to examine the lotus shaped sweets on the lower shelf.
"And how old are you? Fifteen?"
"No," Souji answered politely, though most people would have been offended. "I'm twenty. But my friend here happens to be that age."
"Twenty eh?"
"Yep."
Hmmm...I think I'll take some of these flower ones! Oh and also the cherry ones Tetsu wants...and maybe some of these plum flavoured ones...Hijikata-san simply has to try some of these...they're even better than the usual candies I buy, so...
"Well, I'm pleased to see that young men like yourself still take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Especially during these turbulent times."
Souji inclined his head, though he felt a little tense at the man's last sentence. If Takeshi liked to talk about politics, then he should probably get a move on. He really didn't want to know what the shopkeeper would say if he heard he was a Shinsengumi member. He had, of course, heard it all before. Souji hurriedly placed the bags of candy on the counter.
He tugged gently on Tetsu's collar, the boy was still staring dreamily at the shelves, seeming incapable of all verbal communication. It wasn't a surprise, after his parents died, Tatsu had struggled just to make ends meet. It had been so hard for them to afford things like pickled radishes and rice, let alone expensive treats like candy.
"Come on Tetsu-kun, we'd better be off or Hijikata-san will be cross with me."
"Okay..." said the boy reluctantly, still unable to tear his gaze from the displays.
"Who will be cross with you?" asked Takeshi, raising an eyebrow and looking amused as he calculated the price of their chosen candies.
"Er..my elder brother," Souji answered quickly, turning back to the man. "He doesn't share the same love for candy that I do."
Tetsu grinned. That was a more eloquent way of putting it.The fifteen year old just couldn't imagine the demon vice commander enjoying sweets the way Souji did. It would just be too weird anyway, he thought. Scary even.
"How unfortunate," the shopkeeper murmured, stroking his wispy beard.
"Tell me about it!" Souji complained. "He calls it 'brat food'!"
"Does he now?" Takeshi answered, as though this was a crime in itself.
"That's Toshi for you," Souji said sadly. "I've never seen him eat candy, not even once. I tried to mix it in with his food once, but he found out and scolded me."
Takeshi took the coins from Souji, and handed him the bags.
"Now just wait a moment Soujiro... from what you've said, I believe I have the perfect thing for this brother of yours."
He gave the young man a toothy grin, before heading for the back room. Tetsu hummed impatiently as they heard him rummaging about. He was anxious to start eating the sweets, he couldn't remember the last time he had tried one.
The old man finally returned with the smallest box in his hands. Tetsu blinked.
Souji looked dumbfounded. "Takeshi-san... what is it?"
"This," the shopkeepr began, his voice triumphant, "Will be enough to make that ungrateful man appreciate the joys of youth."
"Okayy.." Souji replied slowly. "And how much is it?"
"Free of charge, my boy!" the old man said heartily. "Just make sure he eats it, and no one else."
The Captain still looked confused, but took it nonetheless. "Thanks very much!" he said brightly, bowing his head.
Takeshi's eyes continued to twinkle as he watched them leave. "The pleasure's all mine."