I own nothing but my OC.

Chapter 7: Seeds of Discord

Previously:

"Only to eat." Hijikata said, causing both girls to stop and look up at him.

'Hijikata-san…' They both thought, surprised to find themselves being let off the hook so easily.

"Well, I guess I'll eat something, too." Hijikata said more casually, finally allowing himself to relax a little.

"Ah. I'll get a tray for you." Inoue said.

"All right, Chizuru, Sumiko! Now everyone can keep eating together, huh?" Heisuke said cheerfully.

"Hai!" Chizuru said brightly. Hijikata noticed a small smile graced Sumiko's lips as she took another bite.

In fact, it wasn't 'everyone'… although Sumiko had indeed done the best she could to treat his injured arm, San'nan-san started to talk very little. During the day he was quiet and withdrawn, but at night Sumiko and Chizuru could see him practicing trying to swing his sword with his one good hand, despite Sumiko's advice to take it easy and rest. The look on his face while he practiced… It was as if he was frustrated… irritated with himself. Sumiko understood why. She could tell there would probably be some lasting nerve damage due to the placement of the wound. She had tired to reassure that even if there was, it would be very minor, and she hadn't been sugar-coating it either. But if he kept this up, it would only get worse. She really wanted to tell him off, but the last time she had tried scolding him for not taking better care of himself, he had essentially kicked her out and become even more stubborn about his situation. Sumiko furrowed her brow and frowned. It was frustrating.

—∞—

"Good morning." Chizuru greeted Okita and Saito when she found them working in the kitchen.

" 'Morning, Chizuru-chan." Okita returned her greeting while Saito tested the taste of the dish he was making. "Oh? It's unusual to see you without Sumiko-san around."

"She said she wanted to check on Takeda-san's progress. Okita-san, you and Saito-san prepare the meals?" She asked, surprised.

"It's not as if it's just us." Saito said. "Everyone takes turns making meals."

"San'nan-san said he'll eat in his room again." Heisuke announced as he joined them.

" 'Eat'? His chopsticks barely touch the food." Okita said, frowning.

"Is that so?" Chizuru asked, concerned.

"If he don't eat his food, he won't get better, huh?" Heisuke said, sighing. "And Sumiko-san said he won't let her examine his arm either…"

"Um—" Chizuru began.

"I've allowed you to eat in the hall," Hijikata said from behind, pausing as he passed when he heard her voice, "but I don't recall letting you wander around at will."

Oh! Good morning." Chizuru said, bowing quickly. "I thought maybe I could help with something."

"Don't concern yourself where it's not needed." Hijikata replied coolly as he turned to walk away.

"Um! Would you mind letting me take care of San'nan-san's food?" She called out after him. Hijikata stopped and glanced back at her.

"Let you?" He asked.

"Yes. At my father's side, I also cared for injured patients…" Chizuru said quietly.

"Don't bother." Hijikata said. "If you're not careful around him, you'll make him more obstinate."

"Why not let her?" Sumiko said as she walked up.

"Not you, too…" He said, frowning.

"What? I had to check on my patient. It would be irresponsible of me to just ignore him." She said reasonably. "Anyway, I think it would be good to have Chizuru try to take care of San'nan-san. He won't listen to any of us, and her bedside manner is much better than mine. My people skills aren't exactly the best. Part of the reason why I specialize in animals is because my first instinct upon seeing an animal is to walk up and say hello, whereas my first instinct upon seeing a person is to avoid eye contact and hope they go away."

"Haha! I can see that happening." Okita laughed, smirking, as she shot him a disgruntled look. "But she's right." He said more seriously. "He's barely eating, no matter who brings it to him. We should let Chizuru give it a try."

"Yeah. At this rate, San'nan-san's just going to collapse." Heisuke added.

"All right, fine." Hijikata said, finally giving in. "Do as you like." He told Chizuru before turning back to Sumiko. "If you're finished, come with me. I'll take you back to your room."

"Haai." Sumiko replied flatly, following after him as he walked away. She had to take several quick steps to catch up with him. "… You don't have to beat yourself up over it, so much you know. Sometimes, things just happen that are beyond our control." She said after awhile, causing him to glance at her, slightly caught off guard.

"How did you…?"

"Your brow's been creased even more than usual lately. There's a guilt crease in there." She glanced up at him with a small but confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm sure Chizuru will manage to get him to eat something, she always does."

"…" Hijikata said, staring down at her for a moment longer before looking away. "For someone who claims to have no people skills… you're very perceptive, aren't you?" He asked, furrowing his brow.

"It's an important part of survival. Does it bother you?" She asked.

"This is your room." Hijikata said instead of answering, opening the door for her. Sumiko sighed.

"You're not very friendly either, 'demon Vice-commander'." She commented as she stepped inside.

"Try not to wander around without permission anymore." He said firmly.

"Hai. Hai." She said, leaning over to pick up a the collection of poems she'd been working on. "Ah…" One fell out and fluttered in the air for a moment before landing at Hijikata's feet.

"This is…" He said, picking it up and reading it. There was only one line written on the page.

We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry.

So, that was how she felt about their confinement… She was much more sensitive than she appeared.

"That's a work in progress!" Sumiko said quickly, snatching it back out of his hands. Though she was trying to keep a straight face, he could see that she was blushing out of embarrassment. It was the first time he had ever seen her looking so flustered. He let out a small laugh, causing her to flinch in shock. "Don't laugh at it!"

"No, I wasn't laughing at you." Hijikata said, surprising her with a small smile. "I also have an interest in poetry."

"Oh." She said. Come to think of it, she might have heard her history teacher mention something like that before… She really should have paid more attention in that class…

"Stay out of trouble." He added again as a parting shot before shutting the door.

Sumiko felt her cheeks. They were hot. She was now blushing for an entirely different reason. That smile had caught her off-guard after having gotten so used to being scowled at all the time.

"That's not playing fair…" She mumbled, flopping down onto her futon so she could burry her red face in the cool pillow. Why did he have to have such lethal good looks and be into poetry!?

—∞—

It wasn't very long before Chizuru came with Heisuke to fetch her for breakfast with the others.

"What's wrong, Chizuru?" Sumiko asked while they walked, concerned, when she saw how down her friend looked.

"I think San'nan-san is upset with me now." Chizuru replied quietly. "He didn't want to eat the food I brought him, either."

"I'm sure you did your best." Sumiko said with a sympathetic smile, letting her know it wasn't her fault.

"Nn." Chizuru said, still looking down, as they entered the dining hall to eat with the others. Sumiko had to be careful not to look at Hijikata or remember that smile as she took her seat.

It was a quiet meal for once. It showed just how worried everyone still was about San'nan's recovery that even Heisuke and Shinpachi weren't cutting up. Out of everyone there, Chizuru seemed the most depressed.

"Chizuru. Come on, cheer up." Heisuke said when he'd had enough of the gloomy atmosphere. "I'll take his lunch to him."

"That's right. Cheer up." Sano said.

"Yes, cheer up, and I'll let you have my pickled plum." Sumiko said, knowing how much she liked them.

"Thank you very much." Chizuru told everyone, but she just wasn't in the mood.

The door slid open, revealing none other than San'nan-san.

"Deputy-commander!" Saito said, surprised, causing everyone else to look up too. San'nan balanced his try on one hand while he carefully slid the door shut using his injured one. Sumiko was tempted to scold him for that, but at the moment she was just glad he had finally come out of his room, before he started to mold. They all watched quietly as he carried his tray over to his usual spot and sat down.

"Thank you for the food." He said calmly before picking up a rice-ball, and taking a bit.

"San'nan-san!" Chizuru said, surprised, as they all watched him in amazement, relieved to finally see him eat something.

"Food is apparently best enjoyed in company." San'nan said. Chizuru smiled brightly with relief.

"Yeah. Of course." Kondo said, smiling warmly. Sumiko noticed there were fewer creases in Hijikata's brow now as he watched San'nan eat. She smiled slightly and quietly added her plum to Chizuru's tray.