Chapter: 28

The compound was alive with noise and movement. I passed several soldiers in the halls, each one of them excited about something. I wonder what's going on.

"*Pant* *Pant* This is...this is unconscionable! Never, in all my...!"

"Itou, is something wrong?"

"Yes! Yes, I'd say everything is wrong! Why should I be made to bare my skin in the same room...those savages?!"

"Is there something going on today?"

Itou did his best to collect himself, shakily adjusting his hair and clothing before he spoke.

"A supposed doctor that Kondou met during the shogun's visit has come here. He is conducting... physical examinations."

With a distasteful sniff, he glared pointedly across the hall, toward the area he had just left. Was getting a physical exam really that bad? It's pretty normal in the future.

"That hairless monster! He demanded that I remove my clothes! In front of everyone! When I refused, as any decent man do, he attempted to remove them himself! By force! And the rest of them just...just stood there! What sort of savages are they?!"

"Savages" seemed a bit over dramatic...

Being curious of what savagery Itou was complaining about, I made my way to the place where the physical examinations were being held.

The scene froze me in place.

" All right, next."

"At last! My turn! Check this out, Doctor! Hm? Hm?! Wadda ya think?! You're looking at the amazing product of years of training!"

"Your body's fine, Shin. I think it's your head the doctor oughta e taking a look at."

"What's that, Heisuke? You say you want me to beat the daylights out of you?"

"You're fine, Nagakura Shinpachi. Move along. Next!"

"Whoa, hold on there, Doc! You gotta look at this-"

"No, you're quite fine. Healthy as a horse. And I've seen quite enough, thank you."

"You're holding up the line, Shinpachi. Get moving, all right?"

"I'm just saying, I don't really think you've had the time to fully examine-"

"A medical examination is for finding problems, not for showing off. Now move."

"Oh my." The heat is rushing to my face.

"You need to take better care of our digestive system. Here. Take this after every meal. Hm. looks like I'm out of medicine."

I decided to get out of the area as soon as possible. Seeing half naked men was enough to fluster me and I needed to leave.

Later that night Chizuru had told me she found the doctor she was searching for. Doctor Matsumoto. She had told me that Dr. Matsumoto also knew about the drug and what happens to people when used. He called them Rasetsus, and the drug, Ochimizu. Ochimizu...what a horrible thing.

The following day, Dr. Matumoto returned for an inspection.

"Well, you've certainly cleaned this place up..."

He looked pleased, if not a little smug.

"It better be. We busted our asses."

"Yeah, except for Souji. The only thing his ass busted was a chair. Doesn't seem fair too me."

"Can't blame me if Hijikata's an overprotective old woman."

"Shut it. You can run around all you want soon as you go a day without coughing up a lung."

That sentence again. Okita's condition was slowly becoming worse and I fear it may be of Tuberculosis.

"Nonetheless, a clean home is a nice change."

"True. The place looks different. I could get used to this."

"Well, maybe we should clean everyday, then."

"Great idea! Make sure you do a good job, Heisuke!"

"Me?! Whoa, whoa, hold on a minute here! You've got the most energy, Shin! Don't think you're getting out of this."

"I'll help too!"

Now I have to clean too... "I'll help as well."

"Good . good! We'll all give it a shot tomorrow, all right?" Heisuke said excitedly.

"Hey wait a minute! When exactly did I tell you I was gonna help?"

"Shinpachi, there's some trash over there. Go throw it away."

"We aren't starting till tomorrow, right? Heisuke?"

"Stop running around like that. We've just cleaned, and you're already kicking up dust."

During their banter, I noticed Okita quietly step outside. Known for being curious in the future, I too sneaked out and followed him. Dr. Matsumoto and Okita were walking off somewhere together. Were they going to talk about his illness?

I followed them to the courtyard and then I saw Okita's face. It was grim and dark.

"I'll be honest with you, Okita. You have Tuberculosis."

It was true...Okita had Tuberculosis and he was going to die. My eyes went wide and I covered my open mouth.

"Had a feeling that was it. The real thing, huh? The famous disease?"

"Hm. You aren't surprised?"

"Well, it's my body Doc."

I don't want him to die... I thought as I slumped to the ground as quietly as I could. Since meeting the Shinsengumi, I had grown close to everyone. I didn't want to lose anyone anymore.

"Gotta tell ya though, I'm not really used to getting my health advice from doctors, you know? Heh heh heh..."

"This isn't a laughing matter."

"Oh, don't let this fool you. I'm scared shitless, believe me."

"I suggest you leave the Shinsengumi and recuperate."

The sideways smile didn't leave Okita's face.

"Sorry, no can do."

I already expected this answer. There was no way he would ever leave the Shinsengumi and the textbooks verified it as well.

"Look, this is serious. If you don't deal with this-"

"You're asking me to leave the Shinsengumi, Doc. I can't do that."

"Why are you so desperate to stay here?"

"My life's only got one purpose, and when I might die doesn't change that. I'm here to kill anyone who stands against the Shinsengumi. Simple as that. If I die, I can't fulfill that purpose, sure. But sitting on my ass out in the country isn't gonna fulfill it either. You get it? If I'm gonna die, then that's a reason for me to stay, not a reason for me to go."

"...I understand. If your condition worsens, then you may end up causing trouble for your friends. You understand that don't you? If you insist of staying, then you must agree to do as I tell you. If you won't, then I'll tell Kondou about your condition. I think we both know what he'll do.

'Low blow, Doc. Man... This means I'm gonna have to take some really disgusting medicine, doesn't it?"

"Of course."

"Look, Doc... Don't tell Kondou and the guys about this, okay? Promise?"

"Well, I supposes there are certain things that not everyone needs to know."

He was quiet for a long time. At last he sighed and his shoulders slumped.