Our return to the Shinsengumi felt like an agreeable return to reality. No Oni, no kitsune, no magical blade... Just warriors and politics, as it should be. I asked Chizuru to keep the secret that I became a Rasetsu. I didn't want to be forced to join Sannan's Corp, I could still be as useful as I was as a human. She agreed grudgingly but warned me that she'd keep a close eye on my person and that I'd better not play tough. Me, play tough. I never played tough, I just always did what had to be done, couldn't she see the difference ? It wasn't a matter of pride but a matter of duty.
Our comrades greeted us with smiles, relief and open arms. Sometimes literally. Nagakura was so happy to see us back that he lifted us both in the air as if we didn't weigh more than children and squeezed us to death, Chizuru protesting that I was hurt and that he shouldn't squeeze me that way. I warned him that if he tried to do this to Haruhi with her cracked ribs, I'd put my sword through him.
The kid was still suffering from her injuries but she was enchanted to see Harada and Nagakura again. The rest of the captains too of course but it wasn't the same. These two monkeys were real friends to her, just like Souji was. Speaking of which, they informed us that Kondou-san and Souji weren't in Edo yet but they were soon onboard the ship that was already in Osaka. It was a matter of days before their arrival.
As soon as I arrived, I asked to report to Hijikata-san but he wasn't there yet. Nagakura informed us that he was out most of the time, having meetings with Bakufu officials and daimyo aligned with the shogunate to organize the defense against the SatCho. Apparently these meetings were putting Hijikata-san in a rage. Most of the people attending these were already trying to secure their power under the imperial restoration instead of finding a way to repel the enemies. They were all ready to negotiate with the SatCho and abandon lord Yoshinobu. That wasn't a really good omen for our cause.
Since they received a letter from Kondou-san, they were aware of our arrival and prepared a room for us. I was glad they did, I really needed to rest after all this time in the sun and my battle with Kazama. I went to put our luggages inside it, helped by Chizuru. Haruhi stayed with Nagakura and Harada to play or talk or whatever, I didn't really listen. She was very excited to show them her wakizashi and Harada told her she'd have to fight against Nagakura to see if she's worthy. Two against one.
In the room, I unfolded the futon and laid on it immediately, almost collapsing. These past weeks had been exhausting, physically and mentally. Chizuru undressed herself and took away all her hairpins before she came under the covers, trying to snuggle against me with her little clenched fists on my chest and her breath in my neck. I passed my arms around her, nesting one in her curve and the other in her hair. I kissed her forehead like I did so many times before, her presence easing my mind. With her that close and so undressed, I was torn between my necessity to sleep and a growing desire to make love to her. The hand that was on the small of her back travelled a bit lower to cup her ass and she escaped a small « hum. ». I opened my eyes to look at hers, hoping to find the same lust I was feeling reflecting in her gaze, but I found her eyes closed and her mouth agape, already sleeping. I escaped a small laugh and held her tightly, nesting my nose in her hair to fill myself with her scent of spices, so heady that it was stronger than the smell of her blood flowing in her veins. Slowly, as I was falling asleep as well, my mind was nothing but tiredness and calm, like the surface of a lake with a bit of wind, making small waves of serenity. Having her in my arms was the best feeling in the world. It was liberating.
I don't know how long I slept before I got woken up by a voice behind the closed shoji.
« Otousan. » called Haruhi « can I come in ? »
« Ha. » I answered, sitting up and letting go of Chizuru.
The shoji slid and my daughter entered the room, bowing in respect.
« Hijikata-san is here. I thought you'd like to see him right away. » she said.
« Thank you, Haruhi. » I nodded, taking off my torn and bloodstained brown kimono.
I kept it for sleeping, too exhausted to undress like Chizuru did. A quick look in her direction showed me she was still deeply asleep.
« Harada said there are spare clothes for you in the right cupboard. » said Haruhi « I leave you to it. »
She exited the room, polite and I opened the cupboard to find a spare simple black kimono with bamboo leaves kamon. I put it on and tied my green obi on it since there didn't seem to be a spare one. I took my sword without waking Chizuru and exited the room to find Haruhi waiting.
« I'll guide you. » she said with a smile.
I nodded and we started walking together. I could see how each step she was taking was making her suffer and how she was trying so hard to hide it.
« I'm sorry I cracked your ribs. » I said eventually.
« It's okay. » she nodded vigorously « if you hadn't, I would have been dead. »
True. But I cannot help but feel guilty for hurting you.
We stopped at a closed shoji and she informed me that it was Hijikata-san's office. I thanked her and announced myself before entering. The vice-commander was head deep in paperwork, his brows frowned as usual under the pressure.
« Ah, Saito. » he said, lifting his gaze from his brush a second « Thank you for coming. »
« Ha, Fukuchô. » I bowed « I came to make my report. »
« I had all the information via a letter from Kondou-san, thank you. » he nodded « but I would be glad to have your version. You scared the shit out of us, not coming back from Ryu'un temple. »
I explained everything to him : the cannon at Ryu'un temple, the magistrate's office in flames, my battle with Kazama, the abduction of Chizuru, my trip and the execution of the demon. I knowingly didn't tell him about the Ochimizu. It wasn't really a lie but I wanted to serve and that could make him reconsider.
« I see. » he nodded « Well, as you may know, our situation hasn't really improved since Toba-Fushimi. A lot of daimyo are having cold feet at the idea of fighting the SatCho and their modern weapons, especially with lord Yoshinobu fleeing Osaka like a fucking coward. He lost a lot of faith from his followers and I'm knee deep into letters and paperwork to organize the defense. »
« Let me help with the paperwork, Fukuchô. » I asked « This way, you'll have more time to focus on the meetings. I can organize the paper by importance and will request your signature on the significant ones. »
« You are really taking a thorn off my side » he sighed with a small smile « There is no one else I could trust with all these issues. It's good to have you back. »
« It's an honor to serve you, Fukuchô. » I bowed with respect.
« How's Yukim... Pardon me, bad habits. How's Saito-sensei ? Can she take back her position ? »
« I cannot speak for her, Fukuchô, but I believe she is in perfectly good condition. I have no doubt she'll be impatient to be the Shinsengumi medical officer again. »
« Good. » he nodded « I need to see her as soon as possible and she also needs to attend the Rasetsu. We seem to have a discipline problem. »
« A discipline problem ? » I repeated in my toneless voice.
« According to Sannan, the medicine he developed with Saito-sensei is running out and he can't make more without her. We don't have any bloodlust incidents for the moment but it's a matter of time. »
« Understood. » I said calmly, not showing him how difficult it was for me to know Chizuru would have to pour her blood again for hungry beasts.
« Good. » he said « then if your offer stands and if you have a few minutes, maybe I could catch you up on the mail and the paperwork. »
« Ha. » I agreed.
I sat at his desk and he explained everything to me. It was a monumental amount of work but I was glad for it. Keeping me busy was the best way to ignore the tiredness, the pain of the daylight and the bloodlust. I got caught up with everything and got to work immediately, taking back the least important to my room and leaving to the vice-commander the most important ones.