Disclaimer: Peacemaker Kurogane aint mine.
Chapter Nine: Yamanami's Glee
"Adorable!" exclaimed one curly haired salesgirl, cocking her head to the side as she smiled.
"Too cute!" added another one as she nodded. "Too cute for words!"
"I know!" gushed Souji, arms folded as they observed the proud looking boy standing up on the podium. He was wearing a light blue haori jacket, the same colour as Souji's yukata--and the back of it was a splendid dark blue and bright orange---a dragon breathing fire, little Toshi had chosen it himself.
(Very fitting, Souji had thought rather dryly when the boy had reached for it.) He was also wearing hakama trousers coloured grey, and a white gi decorated with a light blue edging underneath.
"Wow!" said Toshi as he held his arms out and inspected himself. "Can I weally have it Soujiro?"
"Yup!" replied Souji. It was the least he could do for the boy, after he was nearly drowned. His clothes had been soaking wet, and so he had definitely needed a replacement. It was a relief though, to find the boy had actually enjoyed falling into the river.
The curly haired girl swooned. What a nice man, she thought dreamily as she watched him help Toshi off the podium. And so cute too...
"My name is Taka," she blurted out suddenly. The other girl stared at her.
"What's your name?" Taka added breathlessly.
"...I'm Soujiro."
If he thought it odd that she had mentioned this same question thrice already, he good naturedly didn't show it.
Soujiro, Taka thought dreamily, twisting her curls between her finger. Soujiro...I could just hear him say it forever...
Taka thought dreamily, twisting her curls between her finger
"Miss Taka, if you wouldn't mind, could Toshi-chan keep his clothes on? I'm going to buy all of it. And also..." He smiled. "I''ll be back some time! I really like your yukatas."
"You're always welcome," answered the other salesgirl as Taka suddenly seemed incapable of speech.
In response to Souji's comment, Hijikata would have had a heart attack, were he in control of his body. Was Souji even aware of how much clothing like that would cost? he thought irritably, even though he knew the young man probably said it on purpose. Hijikata could not remember ever being decked out like that.
He had to admit that he did look good---for a little brat anyway---but this was going to waste practically all of Souji's money. His money, to be exact.
And besides, he preferred his dark blue yukata. Light blue was just too...light. It was wrong. It wasn't him at all.
Hijikata panicked. Was he going to lose himself? What if he went mad? What if he got his mind back, but his...body didn't change? What if he were to remain a prisoner forever? Would his friends abandon him, and leave him in some home for retarded people? He knew Souji wouldn't abandon him.
He would probably commit himself to caring for him forever...
Oh dear Kami, prayed Hijikata fervently. I know I haven't been a great person, but please, please never let that day come...
o-o-o-o
When Susumu trudged back to Headquarters looking very wet and very grumpy with make up smearing his face, Kondou feared the worse. But he ignored his assumptions for the time being. Let the spy report it to him. It could be that the scenario he feared had happened, actually hadn't...
Anxiously, he stood up from where he was seated, and came out onto the porch. "Yamazaki-kun, you look dreadful!" he exclaimed as the ninja bowed.
"I am very aware of that, sir, " Susumu replied sorely. "And it's all thanks to Okita-san."
"Is that so?" Kondou asked apprehensively. An image of Souji with dangerously narrowed demon eyes, refusing to end his playing witha chibi Hijikata flashed through his mind.
He cleared his throat."What happened?"
Yamazaki's face betrayed no emotion. "He ordered me to play 'It' with him and Hijikata-san, sir."
Kondou looked mystified. "It?"
Yamazaki exhaled the briefest of sighs. "A game sir."
"I see..." Kondou twiddled his thumbs a little nervously. Was he going to have to be the one to bring Souji back? He hated to knock the boy out, that was usually Hijikata's job.
Yamazaki stared at him for a moment.
"Well, it was an accident, my looking like this. While I was...taking a part in the game, the Vice Commander fell into the river and I had to save him. Okita-san said he would be going to the candy shop as soon as he bought the Vice Commander new clothes. So when they come back, I am sure that Hijikata-san will be back to his normal self."
But Kondou looked perplexed.
"You had to save Toshi?"
"Well yes. It seems he has fully reverted to his child self."
"Hmmm," murmured Kondou, stroking his chin. "That's not good at all."
"No," agreed Susumu. "But I am sure Okita-san will make sure the Fukuchou is turned back to normal."
"Hopefully," said Kondou, looking very weary as another unwelcome image flashed through his mind.
o-o-o-o
Tetsu sighed irritably as he kicked out the limp bodies of the Comedian trio. They were taking up way too much space in the kitchens, just lying there, while he had to slave away making food for all of them!
He temporarily turned away from his cabbage chopping to wave his knife in their unconscious faces. "You should be doing something useful you guys, not sleeping!"
But there was no reply, except for a muffled snore from Sano.
Tetsu growled as he wiped the sweat from his brow, and returned to his cutting. He wanted very much to pour ice cold water down their necks, but knew he couldn't afford to get into any more trouble. He had more important things to do, like plot his revenge on Susumu.
"But instead," he said through gritted teeth as he hacked rather violently at one cabbage. "I have to make food for the bastard!"
Tetsu froze the moment the words left his mouth.
He gasped.
Then he slammed the knife down on the table.
"That's it!" he exclaimed gleefully. "That's it, I can put the candy in his food! I'll ground it up into pieces so tiny, he won't even notice!"
Chortling madly, the redhead grabbed at a bowl.
o-o-o-o
Yamanami looked decisively grumpy as he wandered through a street of kimono shops. He wanted to buy Akesato a worthy gift for her birthday, but he just couldn't afford kimono. And didn't she have enough of those? But then, what else could he get her? He sighed as he looked dejectedly this way and that. Maybe he should try perfume...Brightening a little, he approached a fragrance shop right next to a male clothing store.
That looks perfect!
Pushing his glasses up his nose, he quickened his pace.
But just as he got the fusama screen, the twinkling of chimes made him turn his head, in time to see a young man in a light blue yukata holding the hand of a very rich looking child as they stepped out from the clothing store. Yamanami's mouth fell open. That was Souji!
He was patting the little boy on the head as he stopped and squinted at the road, one arm shielding his face from the sun.
Souji abruptly turned around when he heard someone clearing his throat in his ear. "Yamanami-san!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here!"
Yamanami looked confused as he stared at the cute little boy holding his hand. "I might ask you the same question..."
"Hi," said Toshi, wondering if this was Soujiro's friend, and if he might be buying things for him as well.
"Um, yes, hello," replied Yamanami. He bent down in front of him, studying the child's face. "Have we met before? You look...rather familiar..." He smiled. "And you're so adorable!" Toshi simply stared back at him with big eyes. Hijikata groaned in the back of his mind. Of all the people to run into, it just has to be Sannan...
Yamanami looked back up at Souji, who seemed to have found his comment amusing.
"Who is this child?" He glanced at the kimono shop they came from, then back at the boy, studying his very new looking clothes. Yamanami put a hand to his head. "Souji..." he started slowly. "Did you just buy him clothes? With Shinsengumi money?"
"Wellll..."
The Vice Commander suddenly felt really bad tempered. Here he was, unable to buy Akesato a kimono because of their tight budget, and Souji was buying random children clothing? "I really think you've taken it too far this time. You better return that clothing at once, or you will find yourself in serious trouble."
Souji pouted. "Oh will I?"
"Yes. I know Hijikata puts up with your childish antics better than the rest of us, but if he finds out about this..."
Souji couldn't resist. "What if he already has?"
Yamanami frowned. "What?"
Souji giggled. He patted the boy's head. 'Look at him. Don't you think he...looks like someone we both know?"
Yamanami stared at the kid again. Then his eyes widened---to the point where they looked like his eyeballs were going to pop out.
"Are you saying that's---"
"Yep!" interrupted Souji cheerfully. "That's why I bought him the clothes! Hijikata-san showed no objection at all!"
BECAUSE I CAN'T! raged the mental prisoner in little Toshi.
Yamanami steadied himself against the screen of the shop, feeling as though he might pass out from the force of the astonishing news.
"I would have never thought..." he murmured in disbelief, looking at Toshi with suddenly pitying eyes. "The poor child!"
"Err..?"
Yamanami bent down in front of the confused looking Toshi.
"You poor little pup," said the Vice commander in a very sympathetic voice. "It must be very hard, having Toshizo as a father!"
Souji face faulted.
Toshi scrunched up his face. 'Nooo, my name is To--"
"---I wonder who your mother is," Yamanami continued ina suddenly dreamy tone. "My my, won't I have something to talk about with that rascal tonight..."
He looked very pleased. Almost gleeful. Souji sweat dropped. "Um...Sannan...I think you've got the wrong---"
Hijikata was swelling with enormous anger in the back of his mind. Toshi felt the vibrations, and touched his head uncertainly.
"What an unfortunate woman..." Yamanami went on, completely unaware of Souji's expression. "I wonder if he even supports her.."
Souji noticed Toshi's trembling with alarm. "Yamanami-san..." he squeaked, eyes widening as he saw the little fists tighten.
"Probably not, knowing him. Still, it's amazing to see that you're still alive..." He eyed the child again. "I wonder who pays for your food? Your mother must have considerable income...she's not a courtesan then..." Yamanami couldn't help it. He was particularly mad at Hijikata these days, and it felt good to vent.
"Whoever she is, she must have been drunk. No one in their right mind would want Toshizo when they're sound of mind..."
"YOU BASTARD!"
Souji gasped.
Yamanami yelped, falling backwards as he scrambled to get away from the redfaced kid, who had violently swung his fists at him. "My goodness!" he exclaimed, pushing his glasses back up his nose and peering out from behind Souji. "I can see that you take after him!"
Having recovered from his shock, Souji clapped his hands together. "Hijikata-san, you're back!"
Yamanami blinked.