Disclaimer: I don't own this universe. I just like to play with it.

Chapter Four: Hijikata and the Rainbow Candy

The Fukuchou puffed away on his pipe, irritable as ever as he stared past the open shoji and into the vacant yard. He could hear the voices of men training in the halls, and the grunt of Souji's pig as he trotted about nearby, looking for his beloved Master.

He blew out smoke, and thought about what had just transpired.

His book keeper had returned from the markets fearful as hell. And after his explanation, Hijikata was mad as hell. Not that he showed it in front of the elder Ichimura. That man looked like he was going to die of anxiety anyway, and he didn't want it to happen any time soon.Tatsunosuke really was a good book keeper.

Hijikata fumed as he refilled his pipe, mentally ticking off the reasons the Ichimura brat was going to have his chores increased. First of all, he was his page, and therefore he should be serving him tea at this time, even if it was crappy tea.

And second of all, who gave the brat permission to go?

He angrily stuck his pipe back in his mouth.

"Fukuchou sir!"

Hjikata's eyes narrowed. He stood up just as Tetsu came barrelling into the room and flung himself at his feet. Hijikata raised an eyebrow. As he suspected, the boy's face was sticky from candy. "Brat. Where the hell have you been?"

Tetsu raised his head slightly. "Didn't Tatsu-nii tell yo-"

"Answer the damn question!" Hijikata growled.

The boy gulped as he quickly put his head down again. "Er...to a candy shop with Okita-san." His neck felt vulnerable, as though it were in danger of being beheaded. Hijikata kept smoking his pipe as he paced around the trembling Tetsu. He had on an expression of mock thoughtfulness.

"I see. And did it ever occur to you, that perhaps your Master would like some tea?"

"My Master?"

"Me, you idiot!" the man snapped, tobacco going everywhere. Tetsu resisted the urge to cough.

"Er, right! I'm sorry Fukuchou!"

He flattened himself as low as he could.

Then suddenly, Hijikata stopped and looked outside for a moment. His brow furrowed as he turned back to Tetsu.

"Where's Souji?"

Usually he would be in his room by now, babbling about the candy shop and so on. And Hijikata would feign disinterest, although really, it did make him relieved to see Okita happy.

The compound seemed too quiet. It wasn't normal.

"He's not talking to me." Tetsu said finally.

Hijikata stared at him suspiciously. "What have you done?"

"Nothing. He's just depressed. I thought he might want to be alone..."

Hijikata looked incredulous. "W-what?" he sputtered. "Souji's depressed?"

Were they really talking about the same person here?

Tetsu nodded gravely. " Yup..." He blinked. "Fukuchou?"

Hijikata was already gone.

A triumphant grin spread over Tetsu's face as he strolled out of the room.

o-o-o-o

Souji sat cross legged on the floor of his room, looking down at his hands and working on his depressed face. He had already sent Tetsu to initiate the first part of his plan, he wondered if it had worked out alright. A part of him was nagging-- What if Hijikata doesn't care? And he thought he might be very hurt indeed if he didn't...

But when Souji looked up and saw the familiar shadow urgently approaching, a smirk spread over his face.

Hijikata slid open the shoji, and then shut it behind him quietly. Souji continued staring at his hands as he heard the Fukuchou cautiously approach him.

"...Souji?"

It took every ounce of his energy to keep from giggling out loud. It really was strange hearing Hijikata so concerned.

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh. Fukuchou. I didn't expect you. Is there something you need sir?"

Hijikata's expression suggested that Souji had sprouted another neck. He peered hard at the young man, but Souji's face was unchanging from it's forlorn expression. And his voice...it sounded so proper. Hijikata had never heard Souji call him 'sir' before. He sat down with a great sigh.

"Tell me who upset you, and I'll put the bastard in his place."

Souji feigned surprise. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Well the last time you were like this, it was because Harada kept calling you a girl."

Souji looked like he was about to strongly protest, but then he thought against it. "I'm not aware that anything's wrong," he answered calmly. "I was just about to get changed into my uniform. My unit is patrolling today, after all."

Hijikata rubbed his head as though he had a migraine, staring hard at the bags of candy in the corner.

"I sent you to a candy shop." He sounded annoyed. "And you haven't even touched any of it...you look like you've come from a funeral. Of course something's wrong. What do you take me for, an idiot?"

Silence. Hijikata tried again.

"Did the shopkeeper say something to you?"

"No."

"Is there..." He cleared his throat, knowing full well he was risking his pride (which always seemed the case when it concerned Souji), "something I can do?" Anything to have him be his cheery self again. Heck, even he was starting to feel depressed.

"Wellll...Now that you mention it..." Souji swiftly took out a tiny box, opened it, and held out a small rainbow coloured ball. "I want you to eat this," he said brightly.

Hijikata stared at him.

"It's a piece of the best candy ever!" Souji added encouragingly.

The Fukuchou raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I'll eat it?"

"Well, you said you'd do anything..." Souji pouted. "You made me upset by saying candy is brat food. 'Really really upset." he added for emphasis. "So..."

Hijikata sighed. Why do I have the feeling I'm being blackmailed?

"Fine," he grumbled as he reached for the sweet. "But this is the first and last time."

"Yayyy!"

o-o-o-o

Kondou hummed to himself as he went through the paperwork in his room.

It was turning out to be such a beautiful day...even doing paperwork seemed enjoyable. But then again, not much put the Commander in a bad mood. No, he was a pretty laid back sort of guy. He leaned against the wall, squinting at a particular letter written him by the Aizu clan. The usual monetary stuff... Kondoutook a deep breath of appreciation as he glanced out the open shoji, a broad smile on his rugged face.

The birds were chirping...the sun was shining...Souji was screaming...

Souji was screaming?

As fast as lightning, the Commander shot up, upsetting the table of documents, and grabbing his sword raced towards the Captain's room. Don't tell me another snake got in there...he thought as he slid open the shoji with such ferocity it nearly ripped off.

Kondou found himself blinking rapidly, sword still suspended in front of him. The sight that greeted him was so unbelievable he had to pinch himself. Hijikata was lying collapsed on the floor and Okita was beside him, looking visibly distraught as he repeatedly shook the Vice Commander.

"What happened?" Kondou asked, looking bewildered as he sheathed his sword.

A tear rolled down Souji's cheek. "It's all my fault!" he wailed. "I gave him candy!"

Kondou massaged his forehead. He knew Toshi disliked sweets, but such a strong reaction?

"I'm sure it's not your fault. It's probably...er..." He wracked his brains. Hijikata didn't lose unconsciousness for just any old reason...

"The heat." Kondo finished lamely. "Yes, it's probably the heat. I'll take him back to his room."

Souji wasn't convinced. He trailed after Kondou, wiping his eyes with his yukata sleeve, oblivious to the stares other Shinsengumi members were giving them. Well, it wasn't every day they saw the Commander carrying an unconscious Hijikata while the First Unit Captain blubbered after him.

Tetsu's mouth was hanging open as he watched the three move past.

"Well, well, well. Looks like Okita-san's really done it this time."

Tetsu turned around to see Susumu Yamazaki leaning against the wall, watching the proceedings with mild interest. "Where'd you come from?"

Susumu didn't bother to give him a reply.

"Jerk."

The ninja looked at him as though he were dung stuck to his sandal. "Get back to doing the laundry, page," he responded coolly, before swiftly disappearing over the roof tops.

"No eyebrow freak!" Tetsu yelled after him angrily, shaking his fist.

Why did Susumu always get the better of him? Seething, he made his way towards Hijikata's room.