Dance Of The Blades


Chapter 4: Nobuna

Nobuna's POV

So after the whole explanation thing, I went to my room and prepared my bed. I layed down silently and covered my face with my hands.

" How humiliating, having men see me half naked is unacceptable." I mumbled.

I can't even believe I acted like I'm cool with it. Normally I would scream but that would bring more soldiers. I'm just disappointed that the captains found out about my secret. I mean, my disguise is perfect and I act like a boy.

Who am I kidding, they didn't found out because they simply knew, it's because of an accident. I knew I should've waited till midnight to take a bath but I still went with it.

And now here comes the hard part, it's if they're gonna keep their mouths shut or they're gonna tell everybody. Ryoshin.. what should I do? My door suddenly opened and revealed Chizuru carying a futon.

" What are you doing here?" I asked.

" Well, your job is to protect me right? So Hijikata san told me I could share a room with you." She said while closing the door behind her.

" But wouldn't the others get suspicious? A girl and a guy sharing one room?" I pointed out.

" Don't worry, no one else knows that I'm a girl." She smiled.

" You mean they didn't tell the soldiers?" I asked.

" Nope, not a word of it. Now let's get some sleep, we've got chores to do tomorrow." She said. They didn't tell huh... maybe I'm looking at the shinsengumi the wrong way.

" Say, do you know what shinsengumi means?" I asked.

" Uhmm.. no, what?" She asked.

" Won't tell." I sneered and covered myself with blankets.

" No fair! You brought it up so finish it." She insisted.

" Good night Chizuru." I sleepily said.

" Sigh.. good night Nobuna."

3rd POV

While the two girls slept peacefully, Hijikata and the others continued to discuss Nobuna.

" What do you think Kondo san?" Okita asked.

" Whether the girl likes it or not, we're going to protect her. Like she said, Okita and Sanan have done something that made the Oda clan hate the shinsengumi. She's also a member of the shinsengumi now; a fellow comrade, it cannot be helped." Kondo said.

" Say Saito san, why do take charge of the girl? After all, you're the one who fought her first and you now know her skills." Okita smiled.

" I don't believe I should be responsible of the girl." Saito said.

" She seems to be fond of you, besides, she needs help from the expert of excuses." Sanosuke said.

" How would you know that she's fond of me?" Saito asked.

" Well, you can see it in her eyes when you two fought each other. She seems so happy that she fought you. It's like a dream come true to her." Heisuke said.

" Wow Heisuke, you noticed that sparkling eyes of hers too? You little bastard~!" Shinpachi laughed.

" Shut up Shinpachi!" Heisuke said.

" Just do it, that's an order Saito kun." Kondo said. Saito stayed calm but inside he sighed.

" Yes Kondo san." Saito answered.

The Next Day

" Nobuna san please wake up~!" Chizuru shouted as she shook Nobuna.

" Hnnn... it's too early." Nobuna said.

" I'm in charge of cooking okay?" Chizuru said and pulled Nobuna.

" Okay okay, I'm up alright?" Nobuna sat up and yawned. Chizuru cleaned up the futons while Nobuna changed into her dark violet pattered kimono and shinsegumi coat. After that, they went to the kitchen and started cooking.

Later on, Hijikata and the others entered the dinning room and was surprised at what they saw. Shimpachi's jaw dropped and he started drooling like crazy.

" What is this?" Hijikata asked with a twitching eyebrow.

" Miso Ramen, a special recipe of the Oda family. I mean, of my mother." Nobuna smiled.

" Isn't it great? Nobuna used the ingredients she had brought with her and it turned out really delicious." Chizuru smiled.

" Wow, looks delicious!" Heisuke said as he quickly sat down. Everybody also sat down and thanked for the meal.

" This is quite delicious." Sannan said.

" Indeed it is." Hijikata said.

" Can I have seconds?!" Shimpachi asked with sparkling eyes.

" Unfortunately no, eating too much ramen is unhealthy. Besides, I only cooked enough for everyone." Nobuna said.

" Everyone?" Okita asked.

" Of course, it's only fair for every soldier to eat the same meal. Isn't that right Hijikata san?" Nobuna asked.

" Yes it is, and that is quite considerate of you Oda san." Hijikata said.

" Please just call me Nobu, I don't mind at all." Nobuna said.

" So Nobuna, we decided to place you under the care of Saito kun, is that alright?" Sanosuke asked.

" But of course." She smiled.

" Sanosuke said that you were fond of Saito kun, do you like him perhaps?" Kondo asked.

" Hmm.. I wouldn't say that I like him, I see him as a rival. When I fought against him and won, I felt very happy. I never felt such excitement in my entire life." Nobuna said.

" I'm done, let us go now Yukimura kun, Oda kun." Saito said as he stood up.

" Like I said, just call me Nobu." She pouted and stood up along with Chizuru. They went on a patrol with the other members but Nobuna felt something off about Saito.

" Saito... your walking way to fast." Nobuna said. Saito stopped walking and turned around. His team were 10 meters away from him.

" Is something on your mind?" Nobuna asked Saito when she finally caught up. He looked at Nobuna then looked away. Nobuna blinked a few times for she was confused with Saito's silence. She spotted the red light district and decided to use alcohol to make him talk.

" What do you say after the patrol we go drinking yes?" She said to Saito.

" Huh?! Nobu san we can't-" Chizuru who heard the conversation was caught off by Saito.

" I will not allow this." Saito said to Nobuna.

" Aww come on, just for tonight, it's my treat anyway. Plus, I want to get to know you guys better, I'll even invited Hijikata, Sanosuke, Shimpachi, Heisuke, and Okita. Of course Chizuru's coming too, please?" Nobuna begged. She looked at him with puppy eyes that made him flinch and sigh in defeat.

" Fine, but only if vice commander aproves it." He replied. Nobuna smiled happily and wallked beside Saito with Chizuru behind her.

" Let's just see what happens." Nobuna giggled. Saito looked at her wondering what she was mumbling and giggling about.