Dance Of The Blades


Chapter 5: Thank You

Nobuna's POV

" I disapprove."

"Oh come on Hijikata, only for tonight. It's my treat anyway." I said. He sighed and gave me a nod.

" But you will have to beat me in drinking match if you want to go next time.." He said.

" You got it!" I said happily.

" Hold on, I thought you can't drink Hijikata." Heisuke said.

" It's not that I can't drink, it's that I chose not to. " He smiled.

" Don't think just because I'm a woman I can't hold my alcohol." I said to Hijikata. After that, Hijikata and I went to the red light district along with Chizuru, Okita, Heisuke, Saito, Shimpachi and Sanosuke. Sannan had to stay since he said he had something to do. And so, we started the drinking match, me against Hijikata.

" Why don't we make a bet? If I win, you will lend me your book of poems." I said. He spouted the sake he was drinking and glared at me.

" How the hell did you know about that?!" Hijikata asked angrily.

" What's the big deal? Everybody knows you're a poet." I laughed as I drank the sake.

" Alright then, if I win you will never be able to come and have a drink here ever again!" He shouted and gulped the sake.

" Fair enough, then I won't hold back." I smiled. Hold on, why do i feel like I'm forgetting something?

I looked around and saw Chizuru laughing awkwardly. The other guys are having fun by them selves. Then I suddenly remember what I was supposed to do. I guess it will have to wait until the match is over.

Two hours later...

Hijikata felt sick and decided to get some fresh air. The guys and I laughed for I have won the match and Hijikata will have to lend me his book of poems.

" You're one strong man Nobu, hahaha!" Shimpachi laughed.

" Godness, you're quite a heavy drinker aren't you?" Kimigiku, the geisha that entered the room a while ago to entertain us and poured sake on Hijikata's cup.

" Well I used to have drinking matches with my uncles. I've pretty much got used to drinking." I said as I took another cup.

" I was wondering, you and Chizuru are both female. So I'd like to see you two dressed like one." Okita suggested.

" What?! I can't!" Chizuru said in refusal.

" I don't mind, I'd even dress like a geisha if I want to." I said. Silence filled the room and moments later Sanosuke spoke.

" Kimigiku! Do your thing!" He shouted happily.

" Yes of course." Kimigiku happily gestured me into another room and changed my attire.

Heisuke's POV

" I wonder how she would look like as a geisha." I said to myself.

" Yeah, she looked pretty convincing as a boy." Sanosuke said.

" And she has the skill of a warrior! You'd never think she was actually a girl! Hahaha!" Shinpachi laughed.

" She's skilled not only with the sword but also with her feelings." Saito suddenly said.

" Yeah, I got this feeling like she's not being completely honest." Hijikata said as he went back to his seat.

" What happened here?" He asked.

" We asked Kimigiku to dress Nobuna as a geisha. Interesting right?" Okita said.

" I don't think it is interesting at all." Hijikata said.

" You're just embarrassed because you lost to a mere woman." A voice said. We looked to the direction of the voice and saw a enlightening sight that my jaw dropped.

Nobuna looked very womanly and graceful as she had a ladylike posture. She smiled gently at us making me flinched. I looked at the others and saw Shimpachi had dropped his chopsticks, Sanosuke had sake spilling over his cup, Hijikata with a speechless face, Okita with wide eyes and Saito with a tint of red on his cheeks.

" Wow Nobuna! You look very beautiful." Chizuru happily said. She's not just beautiful, she's gorgeous!

" Thank you Chizuru, it's been quite a while since the last time I wore such clothes. It kinda feels heavy again." She smiled.

" Heisuke, you do know you're drooling right?" Shimpachi asked. Whaaaaat?!

" I was not!*smacks Shimpachi* drooling!" I shouted.

" Does this satisfy your curiosity?" Nobuna asked Okita.

" Hmm... maybe a song will make me satisfied." Okita grinned.

" Okita san, aren't you asking too much?" Chizuru asked.

" Just let Nobuna change so she can feel comfortable again." I said.

" Sorry to say but I don't sing." Nobuna said.

" But you can sing right?" Okita asked teasingly.

" Maybe, but honestly I don't want to sing." She said with her eyes closed.

Nobuna's POV

Everything's just fine, we're all having fun and Chizuru seemed so happy.

" Guys, I have something to say..." I said catching their attention.

" What is it?" Saito asked.

" Thank you, for accepting me even though I am a woman. " I smiled gently.

" You thanking us while dressed like a geisha makes my heart flutter~!" Sanosuke said. His statement made us laugh. It was so much fun being part of this group. I wish I could stay longer than I intended...

As we enjoyed the night, we heard an explosion, it was the opposite of the place we were in.

" Kimigiku, I'll pay for the clothes later. I'm heading out!" I said and quickly picked up my sword and ran towards the explosion.

" Nobuna don't be reckless come back!" Hijikata called. I'm sorry, but I have a feeling it's a fury that caused the explosion. I had to go.