Disclaimer: I do NOT own Hakuouki or anything related to it.
"Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder."
― Maria V. Snyder
"Katamitsu."
"You're starting to sound like a parrot."
"Katamitsu."
"I'm really here, Jun, I'm not going anywhere."
"Katamitsu."
Katamitsu let out a sigh as Jun repeated his name for the twentieth time. Sanan had opened the cell door, since the other two Furies were chained and Jun was too weak to pose a threat. Jun lay with his head on Katamitsu's lap whilst the latter stroked his head as if comforting a kitten. His free hand was being clutched by the feeble Fury.
He couldn't blame Jun for being clingy. Months trapped inside one's own mind, locked in a cell, confused, terrified, alone, who wouldn't be desperate for contact? Katamitsu had sobbed and clung to Sanan like a child when he was finally freed; he would give his comrades that suffered similarly as much physical and verbal reassurance as they required.
"You are alive." Katamitsu's voice almost cracked."And you are not alone."
Jun stilled, then sighed in content."M-Missed you."
Katamitsu smiled."I missed you too." He glanced at the other two Furies. They alternated between struggling and being silent, giving the impression that they were in the same position Katamitsu recently escaped. Although his main attention was on Jun, he made sure to send the other two a smile and said their names, which calmed them for a few moments.
Nishina Jun had been officially alive when Katamitsu became a Fury. Honestly, he was not shocked to learn that Jun was part of the seppuku group. He'd never been on the best terms with their leaders and was something of an outsider that communicated with few of his brothers-in-arms, Katamitsu being part of that small group. Still, he wondered what line Jun crossed to finally be punished so severely.
The other two, however, were stories he knew quite well.
Ikoma Arimasa, much like Katamitsu, was killed in a ronin ambush. But Katamitsu had been on patrol whereas Arimasa was off-duty and simply out for a stroll with Katamitsu when the ronin attacked, and the two were forced to separate in the chaos. By the time Katamitsu returned to headquarters an hour later after being aided by Jun, Arimasa supposedly succumbed to his wounds. Jun joined the Shinsengumi not long after that.
Kagae Shigemori started missing curfew, apparently out of nowhere, and following the tenth time, was sentenced to honorable suicide. Katamitsu had said a tearful goodbye to him, like he always did with those that broke the code.
Three of his most cherished comrades, two of whose deaths he'd blamed himself for, were alive. They were not well, but they would reach that point eventually, everyone would. Glancing down at the one on his lap, he wondered if Jun felt the same pain over his "death" that he'd felt for Arimasa and Shigemori.
Wetness touched his cheeks. He blinked and chortled humorlessly. Jun looked up at him and upon noticing the tears, reached up to touch Katamitsu's face.
"N-Not going anywhere either," he whispered with a faint smile.
Katamitsu couldn't help it; he started sobbing and held Jun tighter while looking at the for now peaceful Arimasa and Shigemori.
"I-Idiot," Jun said."You said alive...and not alone. You..forgot?"
Katamitsu snickered."There's the Jun I know and love! Calling me an idiot like it's the most obvious fact in the world."
"You...are...idiot."
"You're proving my point."
"A-And you're...proving m-mine."
He tightened his embrace, making Jun groan."Oh, I'm sorry," he said sweetly."Has the human-shaped cat that was demanding my affection a minute ago changed its mind?"
"D-Don't push it," Jun grumbled.
"Me? Not pushing you to complete frustration? Have you forgotten who I am?"
Stiffening, Jun shook his head."Could never forget you. Don't want to."
Katamitsu stilled."I can't and don't want to forget any of you either. Though I'd like to think you couldn't forget me even if you wanted to and really tried."
Jun sighed, a sound that, albeit raspy, Katamitsu was very accustomed to inducing from his comrade.
"Idiot." Jun pronounced the word as slowly as possible in his hoarse voice."Lucky...I...not strong enough...to hit you."
Katamitsu snorted."Well, any bruises you give me will heal quickly. So feel free not to hold back."
As Jun was opening his mouth to call Katamitsu an idiot for the fourth time, a door could be heard sliding open, followed by the colonel's voice.
"Kimura-kun?" Sanan called."We have company, the unavoidable kind, I'm afraid. Is everything alright on your end?"
Company? He knew Sanan wouldn't force him to interact with anyone he didn't wish to see unless there was no other choice.
"It is not Kondou-san or Hijikata-san," Sanan assured."They have sworn not to push the matter of yours or anyone else's identity unless you decide otherwise. Yukimura-kun, Yamazaki-kun, and Inoue-san are here as usual. We simply have two additional frequent visitors who have been sworn to secrecy."
Relaxing, Katamitsu responded,"Yes, everything is fine. You can come here."
A few minutes later, several pairs of footsteps began approaching. Jun tensed in Katamitsu's arms whilst Arimasa and Shigemori resumed struggling."It'll be alright," he assured them."Anyone who thinks of trying to hurt you will answer to me." His oath caused them to relax a bit.
"Yes, of course, but only after they have managed to get through me," Sanan smoothly added as he came to a stop in front of the opened cell with Chizuru near him.
Chizuru gasped when she saw the three new Furies. She glanced at Sanan for approval and he nodded. She carefully approached Katamitsu and Jun, kneeling in front of him to look into the latter's eyes."Nishina-san?" She asked.
Jun blinked thrice afore asking,"Yukimura?" She nodded, then looked to the chained duo, furrowing her brow for a moment before stating their names as well. Seeing this, Katamitsu was reminded of something she'd said recently.
Doctors never forget their patients.
She would have been there to help treat Arimasa when he was dying. Shigemori and Jun were among the more reckless members, so forgetting them would be difficult. Perhaps not quite as reckless as the likes of Okita Souji or Toudou Heisuke, but close seconds for certain.
There was a sound of surprise from one of the new visitors. Well, Katamitsu thought, speak of the devil and he shall appear, upon seeing Souji staring at them in surprise and confusion.
"Kimura?" Souji muttered, frowning and tilting his head."Why would you of all people want to hide from Kondou-san?"
Katamitsu bit his tongue, not trusting himself not to snap at the captain whom he now viewed as Chief Kondou's lapdog. The mere thought of being complimented by someone who worshipped the ground walked on by one of those betrayers who'd abandoned the Furies made his stomach twist into a knot.
Jun growled, actually growled, like an animal that spotted an enemy. This drew Souji's attention to him. His eyebrows rose for a second before he scowled and uttered in a cold tone,"Nishina?"
Katamitsu always believed that when Jun was at his angriest, few could rival his glares, even the combination of Commander Hijikata and Colonel Sanan or the rare case of an aggravated Inoue. The ferocity of the glare Jun was exchanging with Souji confirmed that belief.
"Black eye is gone," Jun noted."Pity."
Souji scowled again."They don't last for two months."
"Pity," Jun repeated dryly.
Two months? That meant Jun "died" four months following Katamitsu's "death". And now the cause of him being ordered to choose between seppuku and drinking the serum became clear.
"Let me guess." Sanan glanced between Jun and Souji."Nishina-kun started a conlfict with Okita-kun."
"He went nuts and attacked me because he couldn't handle something I said," Souji spat."I didn't even say anything wrong."
"I doubt that," Katamitsu said, cold as ice. Souji gaped at him, and Katamitsu sneered."You snap every time someone dares not worship the ground your precious Chief Kondou walks on. We can't all be lapdogs like you."
"You gave your life to save Kondou-san!"
Katamitsu scoffed."Yes, and although he deserved to die in hindsight, I'm glad it brought me here where I can now help my friends whom he lied about and abandoned." He inclined his head and gave a mirthless smirk in response to Souji's seething glare."What's wrong? Going to attack me for not even saying anything wrong?" He spoke with a sickly sweet intonation.
Souji looked ready to draw his sword, but Inoue extended an arm to block him and gave him a pleading look that seemed to calm him, if only a little. Yamazaki had also reacted by catching Souji's arm to stop him from drawing his weapon. Chizuru looked amongst the men, unsure how to properly react. With a calmness impressive even for someone as stoical as himself, Sanan stepped in front of Katamitsu and Jun to shield them from the aggressive captain's view.
It was at that point that the second new visitor stepped forward."That is enough," he said sternly, holding his hands up in a placating manner."Everyone, please calm down." He gave Souji a half-imploring, half-scolding look."Souji, I will not allow you to hinder my assignment. If you cannot control your temper, please leave. I'm sure Toshi-san can find someone less emotional and just as willing to assist if you are incapable."
If looks could kill, Souji's glower would have reduced the man to a pile of ash. The man bit his lip for a moment, but then raised his chin and crossed his arms, meeting Souji's eyes sans a hint of unease. The staring match lasted ten seconds before Souji huffed and pretended to lose interest. Katamitsu fought a smirk at the rare, wonderful sight of somebody putting Souji in his place.
Placing his hands into his sleeves, Sanan nodded at the new visitor."Thank you, Iba-kun. I apologize that your first night on assignment started off this way. Inoue-san, Yamazaki-kun, would you please be so kind as to help Okita-kun be useful elsewhere for tonight? We will give you a full report later."
Not needing to be told twice, Inoue and Yamazaki ushered a sulking Souji out of the room. The remaining people waited for the sound of a door opening and closing as well as for the fading of footsteps.
With Souji gone, they relaxed. Sighing in relief, Chizuru placed her hands on Jun and Katamitsu's shoulders, giving them one of her natural smiles that put most people at ease. Sanan and Iba settled down to sit beside them.
"Now then," Sanan said with a business-like tone and smile directed at his fellow Furies."I must apologize to you two as well for that incident. It will not happen again." He gestured to Jun."May I ask your name now?"
Jun peered at Katamitsu, wordlessly requesting confirmation that Sanan was trustworthy. Katamitsu dipped his chin. He would give Jun a more detailed explanation regarding his dynamic with the colonel later.
In a raspy voice, Jun uttered,"Nishina Jun."
Sanan nodded."Unfortunately, my official death occurred before you joined, so we haven't had this pleasure of meeting." He gestured to Iba, who bowed his head."This is Iba Hachiro. He is an old friend of the Shinsengumi and has been sent by the shogun to assist and monitor us."
"He's also here to help us find my father," Chizuru said."He's the one who created...what you drank to become like this. He went missing and we've been trying to find him for awhile now." She tensed as she spoke of her father. Not that Katamitsu blamed her. If what Sanan said was true, the poor girl was bound to feel frightened and worried about the disappearance of the man who'd raised her, not to mention all the questions that arose when she learned what he'd been doing behind her back.
Sanan started to take his hands out of his sleeves, likely wanting to offer Chizuru consolation, but Iba beat him to it.
Iba took her hand to give it a squeeze."Hopefully, we will be successful in all of our endeavors." He sounded cheerful yet professional, and the comfort brightened Chizuru's spirits. Sanan gave a strained grin at the sight of their interaction.
Oh dear, Katamitsu laughed internally. He could not wait to annoy the colonel about this. Truly, that was becoming his favorite pastime.
Jun stared at Chizuru."Your father?" Katamitsu had no trouble guessing his thoughts. So little was known about Hijikata's page to most of the Shinsengumi, who turned out to be one of their leaders' deepest secrets hidden in plain sight.
Chizuru also realized what Jun must be thinking."Yes, I'm sorry we lied to you about...a lot of things. Honestly, I didn't know half the things I currently do until I met the Shinsengumi. It's all a big mess."
Jun's stare intensified on Chizuru. Iba squeezed her hand while Sanan kept a careful eye on Jun.
"It's alright, Jun," Katamitsu interjected."She's trustworthy."
The girl gave a small smile of gratitude. Iba squeezed her hand a third time. Sanan shot Iba a split-second glance that no one except Katamitsu noticed.
Oh goodness, Iba had it even worse for Chizuru than the colonel. It took his whole self-restraint, along with a reminder of how serious the situation was, not to burst out laughing.
Jun blinked, glancing at Katamitsu and then at Chizuru before his eyes widened and he stuttered out,"She?"
Katamitsu patted his head."Yeah, that surprised me too."
"I'm sorry," Chizuru blurted."I didn't want to lie."
"There was little choice, at least on her end, given the circumstances," Sanan chimed in.
Jun glanced some more between the various people around him before he returned his focus to Katamitsu and gave him a small nod that he reciprocated. The unspoken message was clear: "you are the only one I trust". It added to his ever-growing resolve to save his comrades, as well as make their betrayers pay...