I own nothing but my OC.

Chapter 20: Reflection

Six months later, the Shinsengumi forcibly relocated to the Nishi Hongwanji Temple, which had been cooperative with the Choshu clan.

"Ah, it's such a beautiful day." Sumiko said, smiling, as she paused her sweeping to stretch in the spring sunshine. The cherry blossoms were already in full bloom. When the wind blew, it sent a light spray of pink petals fluttering on the breeze.

"Yes." Chizuru agreed, smiling cheerfully, as she swept the walkway.

"And I can't believe how huge this place is." Sumiko added, glancing around at the vast, open expanse of a courtyard they were in. I feel like if I shout there'll be an echo…"

"Sometimes, I think you like being scolded by Hijikata-san." Saito stated calmly from behind, getting their attention.

"Ah, Saito-san. Is it time to eat?" Sumiko asked.

"Yes. Itou-san and most of his men have left already." He replied. His group had decided to eat out to celebrate the acquisition of their new headquarters.

"Okay, I'll go get San'nan-san!" Chizuru said brightly. It had been a while since they were all able to eat together.

"All right." Sumiko said, taking her broom so she could put it away with hers. She smiled as she watched Chizuru run off before following Saito inside.

–∞–

"San'nan-san! The food is ready!" Chizuru announced cheerfully when she found him sitting in the shade of one of the buildings away from the main living quarters.

"Ah. It's you, eh? Thank you." He said, standing up. As he stepped down to join her, Chizuru could have sworn his hair had turned white for a moment. "Is something the matter?" He asked calmly.

"Uh, no. Nothing at all." Chizuru said quickly.

"Well then." San'nan said, walking ahead.

—∞—

July 3, 1865

Shortly after the headquarters moved, Heisuke finally returned from Edo. As a result, Chizuru went on patrol with his group, so they could catch up, while Sumiko went with Okita.

"Any luck, Aniki?" One of the men in Okita's division asked when Sumiko returned from asking questions about Koudou-san.

"No." Sumiko replied, sighing. She blinked. "Oi, Okita, why is even your group calling me that now?"

"Hm? Oh. I ordered them to." Okita replied.

"Can I ask why?" She asked, furrowing her brow slightly.

"Because it annoys you." He replied with smirk.

"Ah. I see. I should have known…" She said, sweat-dropping."I bet you're just upset 'cause you got stuck with me instead of Chizuru."

"I bet you were dropped on the head as a child." He said.

"I bet you were dropped on the head and bounced out the window." She retorted.

"They get alone well, don't they?" Another in the back whispered to a friend as they watched their friendly exchange of banter.

"At least I landed in a puddle of awesome." Okita said, smirking, as a familiar voice called out to them.

"Souji!"

They glanced over to see Heisuke waving at them. Chizuru smiled and bowed in greeting. They were already back at the meeting place.

"How're things for you?" Heisuke asked Okita. While the two groups walked together.

"Well, same as always." Okita replied. "But I think things will get busy when the Shogun comes to visit."

"Visit? The Shogun's coming here to the capital?" Chizuru asked.

"Yup. That's why even Kondo-san's on edge." Okita said, smiling.

"Yeah. That he certainly is…" Heisuke said somewhat distractedly.

"But is really okay, something like that?" Sumiko asked, concerned. "Aren't a lot of people in this city still somewhat anti-Bakufu?" Okita was about to reply when something caught in his throat and he suddenly started coughing.

"K-Koff! Koff!" Okita was bent over and kneeling because of how strong this latest coughing fit was.

"Okita-san!" Sumiko said, turning back as the others halted.

"Are you all right?" Chizuru asked, kneeling down to check on him with Sumiko. He nodded his head as the coughing stopped.

"That's a really nasty cough you've got there." Sumiko said as something caught Okita's attention out the corner of his eye. "I want to examine you when we… um, hello?" She asked, slightly chagrined he ignored her and stood up. "What are you…?" She trailed off as she, Heisuke, and Chizuru followed his intent gaze and saw that he was staring into a narrow alley where a girl who looked a lot like Chizuru was being harassed by two deadbeat thugs.

"Hey, little girl! Who do you think you are to refuse?" Deadbeat A demanded.

"We're out everyday for the people, talkin' about nationalism, so pourin' us patriots a cup or two of liquor is the least you can do, right?" Deadbeat B leered as his friend grabbed her by the wrist.

"Stop! Let go!" The girl said, trying to pull away. Okita and Sumiko furrowed their brows as they went to her aid with Chizuru and Heisuke on their heels.

"Come with us!" Deadbeat A said roughly, as he tried to drag the girl away with the help of his friend.

"Oh, jeez. The word 'nationalism' is wasted bein' used by the likes of you." Okita said, as he stepped up to confront them.

"Men who'd try to force women are the worst." Sumiko stated contemptuously.

"What!?" Deadbeat B demanded incredulously.

"A pale-blue overcoat?" Deadbeat A said, taking note of Okita's uniform.

"They're with the Shinsengumi!" Deadbeat B exclaimed.

"If you know us, that'll save some time." Okita said, smirking slightly. "What will you do?" He asked, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Dammit! I'll drink somewhere else!" Deadbeat A cursed as he turned tail and ran away.

"Oh. He's smarter than he looks." Sumiko commented.

"What will you do?" Okita asked Deadbeat B pointedly.

"I'll remember this!" He shouted before turning and running after his friend. Chizuru's look alike sighed and took a moment to fix her hair before approaching her rescuers.

"Thank you very much." She said, bowing to show her gratitude. "I am Nagumo Kaoru. She smiled politely as she raised her head again, the perfect picture of a lady. Okita took Chizuru by the hand and moved her into position so that she was standing beside Nagumo-san.

"Eh?" Chizuru said, confused.

"Trust me." Okita said, taking a step back to admire the view."Sure enough. You look a like, don't you?"

"Really? I don't think they're alike at all." Heisuke said skeptically.

"No, they are." Okita insisted calmly, smirking.

"Yeah. Heisuke-kun, remind me to give you an eye exam when we get back." Sumiko deadpanned. The two girls could've been twins. Nagumo-san glanced sideways at Chizuru and smiled. Chizuru stared back at the other girl, wondering if she really looked that pretty.

"I think if this kid dressed up like a girl, you'd be dead ringers." Okita told Nagumo-san.

"Mm. Almost." Sumiko agreed. The longer she stared at Nagumo-san, the more she was starting to notice the few subtle differences between them. Nagumo-san stepped forward, moving closer to Okita.

"I wish to give you a more proper thanks, but I have other obligations just now. Please pardon my rudeness." She said elegantly, bowing. "I shall repay you some other time, Okita Souji-san of the Shinsengumi." She added she turned to leave.

"Whoa, nice!" Heisuke said as they watched her walk away. "Souji, it looks like she likes you, right?"

"If that's how that looked to you just now, Heisuke, you'll never beat Sano-san." Okita said, smirking, as he turned and walked away.

"Wh-What does that mean!?" Heisuke demanded, following after him.

"Poor Heisuke. He's going to get eaten alive if a black widow like that comes after him…" Sumiko commented, smiling wryly. Not to mention, she was pretty sure Nagumo-san was actually a guy… "Oh. Chizuru?" Sumiko said when she glanced back at her friend to see her squatting down in front of a puddle in the road, staring at her reflection.

"Kaoru-san, huh?" Chizuru mused. Sumiko smiled as she squatted down beside her and looked too.

"It's been a while since we've tried looking like girls, huh?" Sumiko said.

"Yeah…" Chizuru said.

"Well, I think I might actually make a better guy, though..." Sumiko added, smiling wryly, as she sweat-dropped.

"Chizuru! Sumiko-san! We're goin' back!" Heisuke called out.

"Coming!" Sumiko said as the two girls stood up and walked over to join them.

—∞—

The sun was setting. All the officers and troop members of the Shinsengumi had donned their blue haoris and gathered for a formal assembly.

"I think you've all heard that the 14th Shogun, Tokugawa Iemochi, will be visiting the capital. In accordance with his visit, we Shinsengumi have received orders that, until he reaches Nijo Castle, we are to do our utmost to provide him with protection." Kondo announced proudly.

Many of the men gasped in amazement and began talking excitedly amongst themselves. Chizuru and Sumiko smiled, glad to see that their friends were happy and finally receiving some of the recognition they deserved.

"Given the Ikedaya Incident and the Kinmon Rebellion, sure enough, even the higher-ups have had to acknowledge our accomplishments." Hijikata said with the trace of a satisfied smile.

"To think, in protecting him, the fate of the country lies with our blades." Okita said. "Or something like that."

"Yeah!" Shinpachi said enthusiastically.

"Protecting him here in the capital…" Itou said dubiously. "If only San'nan-san were alive. We've lost someone dear, haven't we?" He would talk some sense into them if he were here. Kondo nervously cleared his throat upon hearing that while Hijikata furrowed his brow. He had a lot of nerve invoking San'nan-san's spirit after the way he had treated him before his 'death'…

"Thus, things will be getting busy for us." Kondo continued. "First, we'll have to think of how we'll form our regiments. "Well, then… Toshi and I… Souji…"

"My apologies." Hijikata said, interrupting him. "Kondo-san, could you let Souji off this time? He seems like he's catching a cold."

"Hm? Is that so, Souji?" Kondo asked as he glanced at the young captain, concerned. "You okay?"

"Personally, I don't think it's a problem." Okita said, frowning slightly. "Hijikata-san is overreacting." He added, looking like he was pouting slightly.

"Yes, it is a problem!" Hijikata said firmly. "You were just coughing earlier."

"Oh, jeez. Hijikata-san, you're far too protective." Okita said. He was going to have to have a word with Sumiko.

"What is it, Heisuke?" Kondo asked when he saw that he had his hand raised.

"Uh, Kondo-san… the truth is, I'm not feelin' well, either." Heisuke said a bit hesitantly. Sumiko furrowed her brow slightly in concern. She hadn't noticed anything was wrong with him.

"What? Heisuke, you have a cold, too?" Kondo asked, concerned and disappointed. "On an occasion like this, I wanted us all to go greet the Shogun together."

"Um, sorry." Heisuke apologized weakly.

"No, your health takes precedent." Kondo said, smiling. "There will another chance. When it comes, I want you two to do your best." Chizuru smiled, though Sumiko as still concerned by Heisuke's uncharacteristic behavior. They both glanced up as Hijikata approached them.

"So, what will you do?" He asked them. Sumiko smiled wryly. Did he even have to ask?

"Huh?" Chizuru asked. Sumiko sweat-dropped. Apparently, he did.

"Don't act the fool." Hijikata said. "I'm asking if you'll act in his protection."

"U-Us, too?" Chizuru asked.

"Chizuru, why are you so surprised?" Sumiko asked, smiling wryly. Hadn't they been fighting on their side for awhile, now?

"But…" Chizuru said, glancing at Kondo-san.

"We don't mind, of course." Kondo said, smiling at them. "It's no exaggeration to say you and Miyagawa-san have become members of the Shinsengumi, Yukimura-kun. If you don't mind, be sure to participate."

"Yes, sir!" Sumiko said, smiling brightly.

"Eh?" Chizuru said, glancing at her friend. Really? Just like that? Wasn't this something really important and dangerous?

"Well, there'll be no worry about your life." Okita told her. "There aren't that many ne'er-do-wells who'd be stupid enough to go after the Shogun. And you'll have your 'Aniki' there to look out for you." He added to ruffle Sumiko's feathers. He smirked when she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why not go, just give it a try?" Heisuke said.

"Okay!" Chizuru said, perking up, as she finally gave in. "If there's any way I can help, please let me do so."