AN: Sooo, I thought I was done with this, but apparently it's not done with me.

Chapter Note: Slight AU, in which Chizuru is a normal human woman and Okita does not have tuberculosis. Also a play off of Okita's route in Zuisouroku, where Chizuru impersonates a geisha in order to help the Shinsengumi. The quote below is from his route.

Sake Drops in Teacups

Part III: Living Arrangements

Souji wanted to tell her that she didn't have to bow so low, but the suspect twitch above Hijikata's brow told him not to push his luck just yet.

"I don't care if she has nowhere else to go," Hijikata all but shouted. "No way in hell can she stay here! What the fuck were you thinking?"

Despite Chizuru trembling beside him, her forehead still resting on her hands as they all knelt on the floor, Souji wasn't worried. He merely narrowed his eyes as they slid up to Hijikata's, a dangerous glint in them even as he smirked.

He wouldn't get off lightly for scaring her.

"Careful, Hijikata-san. That purple vein on your forehead is pulsing," he drawled. "You'll give yourself high blood pressure."

The older man's face was priceless. Before steam could start coming out of his ears, the shoji door behind him opened to a concerned Kondou, his wounded arm still in a sling. Gen followed closely as they both took in the heavy tension in the room.

"Toshi, what's…Geisha-san? Is that you?" Kondou took notice of Chizuru, who cautiously raised her head somewhat.

With a brief glance and an encouraging nod from Souji, she sat up and nervously flicked her gaze from Hijikata to Gen, and then to Kondou. It was hard, but Souji forced himself to keep his mouth shut. He had warned her what this would likely be. Then she'd given him that determined look, that one she got when she was at her most serious (it was admittedly, one of her cutest looks).

So he watched her gather her courage to finally give an answer.

"I…I'm so sorry for intruding," she started. "I know that my presence here is…well, I know that women don't belong in your headquarters. But Okita-san saved me from the men who tried to hurt you, Kondou-san. They tried to hurt the Shinsengumi, and I…in whatever small way, I wanted to help."

"And we're very grateful that you did," Kondou said. His smile was genuine, as it always was. "But let me understand. Is your master angry with you?"

Chizuru immediately shook her head. "N-No! Sen-san released me from my service, because…because Okita-san paid my debt in full."

Kondou and Gen shared a look of surprise. When Kondou looked to Hijikata, he confirmed that with a brusque nod. Souji couldn't help but be warmed by the wide smile Kondou graced him with then, even though there was some humor playing there. "Ah, Souji. You did, didn't you?"

"Yes," Souji said simply. He watched Chizuru with a grin as she ducked her head, covering a small smile.

"And now you need a place to stay…oh! Forgive me, I don't even know your real name," Kondou turned to her kindly. Blushing a little, her large brown eyes were wide with realization. She bowed again politely.

"My name is…my real name, is Yukimura Chizuru. It's a pleasure to meet you all properly."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Yukimura-san," Kondou said. "But I'm afraid our headquarters isn't a very suitable place for a young woman. I must ask, do you have any family that might take you in?"

She was hesitant about it, but she revealed the same story she'd told Souji about her past; the fire, her lost parents, and the uncle that had left her to the women of the Sumiya.

He could tell that even Hijikata, stoic as he seemed, was listening with rapt attention. For such a small woman, she had that way about her. Chizuru's voice was soft, but sincere, with none of her emotions held back.

By the end, Kondou was completely won over by her earnestness. Just like Souji knew he would be.

"I understand," Kondou's voice was grave, "I'm very sorry for your loss, Yukimura-san."

"Not at all," Chizuru said honestly, though she looked down at her folded hands resting in her lap.

"These times have been hard on us all," Gen said, his face just as sympathetic.

Kondou agreed. "I'm sure we can figure out something, right Toshi?"

Hijikata's expression became both knowing and long-suffering.

"We don't have the space for—"

"Oh, that's not a problem," Souji cut in. His grin seamlessly changed into a deceptively innocent one as he looked over at Chizuru. "I don't mind sharing my quarters."

Her eyes widened again, and he was rewarded with another pretty blush that spread to the tips of her ears once she understood his meaning. From Gen and Hijikata's frowns, it seemed no one else believed his little charade either. Though it did earn a slightly nervous laugh from Kondou.

"Souji," Hijikata growled in irritation. The vein was back, full force.

Kondou cleared his throat.

"Mah, mah, it's only appropriate that Yukimura-san have a private room," he nodded firmly. "We can adjust for the time being, at least until I can properly make the arrangements at the shrine."

Souji's smirk evaporated at that. Chizuru's head also whipped toward the Commander as she stared in shock. Ah, she heard that too, huh?

Souji schooled his features into a more neutral expression, but he still had to swallow a lump in his throat that suspiciously felt like nerves. "A shrine, Kondou-san?"

The man blinked at him, then he smiled like a proud father would. "Why, yes! I must confess, I always prayed this day would come, Souji-kun. And now that you're a man, I'm honored to be able to do this one last thing for you."

Kondou leaned forward and touched Souji's shoulder with affection, but he also turned his gaze to Chizuru, who by now was surely in danger of passing out. If he weren't so out of sorts himself, Souji might've tried to steady her.

"I can see he's chosen well, Yukimura-san," Kondou said. "You will certainly make a beautiful bride."

Hijikata-san sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Are you happy now? Until this is over, she won't be able to leave the compound without supervision. It will be your responsibility to watch over her, and you'd better not let any of your duties slip in the meantime. Is that clear?"

"Until what's over, Hijikata-san? Is there something you know that I don't?" Souji's tone conveyed how unlikely he found that to be. Hijikata glared back at him.

"You know very well what I'm saying," he growled. "Until these ridiculous living arrangements are solved, and we can find a place for her—"

Souji's eyes were sharp. "Her place isn't your concern."

"No, it shouldn't be," Hijikata said tersely, "but you've now made it my concern."

Souji leaned against one of the temple's support beams. They stood outside Chizuru's new room—a storage space they'd temporarily converted. It had already been late when they arrived back from Shimabara, but now the sun was close to rising, just starting to peek out from behind dark violet clouds.

Truth be told, he was tired.

Hijikata had forced him to change his bloody clothes long ago, but he could still smell the scent of death and blood clinging to his body. And now that the whole matter was settled, the events of the night were catching up with him.

"Are you done? All your yapping is giving me a headache."

Hijikata must've seen something of his thoughts on his face, because for once, he didn't bitch back at him.

He just sighed. "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Maybe," Souji's grin was all teeth. He was satisfied by the way Hijikata's vein twitched again. Maybe it was fatigue, or the chance that he hadn't quite finished processing Kondou's future plans for him, but the words came out of his mouth regardless.

"I only know this feels right," he said. Hijikata crossed his arms as well then, releasing another deep sigh of exasperation.

"Tch, it's a wonder I don't have ulcers, thanks to you," he said. But as his eyes traveled from the room to Souji again, they softened, just barely. "Get some rest. First Division has patrol at noon. No excuses."

"Hai, hai," Souji intoned.

And yet, Hijikata didn't take his leave first. It left a tense silence between them, until Souji finally raised an expectant brow. "Waiting for something?"

Hijikata glowered, pointedly glancing toward the room where a young woman slept.

"I don't care how you spent your time in that place, I don't want to know," he said flatly."But here is a different matter. I'm not leaving until you're back in your room, so I suggest you move your ass."

Souji rolled his eyes. "Hmph. Once again, Hijikata-san acts too much like a mother hen while sticking his nose where it doesn't belong."

"What was that?" he snapped. But Souji was already well on his way to his room. He tossed the Vice-Commander a smirk over his shoulder.

"Pleasant dreams, Hijikata-san."

He could hear the other man huffing behind him, but it wasn't long until he heard footsteps falling in the other direction.

Souji did eventually make his way to his room, but instead of turning in for the night like his tired body was demanding, he decided to take one last detour.

Sleep was eluding her.

Though she'd brought what she could of her own clothes and had dressed for bed, exhausted though she was from such a long night, Chizuru couldn't let her mind drift off. Not when Souji and Hijikata had been arguing just outside her door. She felt guilty that she was causing so much trouble, and not just for Souji.

For everyone here. She pulled the blanket up to her chin. Her lips pulled down into a frown while her brows furrowed at the thought. She had only ever wanted to ease his burden, not add to it.

Suddenly, Katsura-san's lifeless eyes flashed in her mind. Murata's open throat. Blood that puddled all around her and stained her skin.

Chizuru shuddered. That was, admittedly, another reason she couldn't bring herself to close her eyes. Those men had been the enemy, and they had done (and would've done) vile things. And if Souji hadn't been there…

Perhaps this is what Sen feared, that she wouldn't belong in Souji's world.

Chizuru sat up with a deep sigh. She hated this feeling.

Being useless.

"Having trouble sleeping?"

The voice was rich velvet in her ear, and she jumped with a loud squeak. It was only half-smothered by her hands as she covered her mouth.

Her head turned so fast, she nearly rammed Souji in the nose. He leaned back with ease. He greeted her with his signature smirk, an amused and darkened gleam in his eyes as they took her in.

Chizuru followed his gaze in confusion, until she blushed wildly noticing her own state of dress. Or rather undress. She was only wearing a thin yukata and it was as exposed in front of him as she'd been in…a very long time.

Chizuru yelped and immediately reached for the blanket in her lap to cover herself. Chuckling, he trailed one of his hands through the loose strands of her hair.

Her instincts warred with hiding under the blankets and wanting to preen under his touch. She remembered it, the warmth and intimacy of it, and she was embarrassed to realize that she craved it again, more than anything. From the look in his eyes, it almost seemed like he knew what she was thinking.

But she shook her head to clear away those thoughts for now. She had only just gotten here, and more importantly, Commander Kondou and Hijikata weren't treating her as a mere geisha. They were treating her with the dignity and propriety of a respectable woman. That was something Chizuru thought she'd lost the day she arrived in Kyoto.

Again, her thoughts returned to Hijikata's many warnings to Souji as they'd been arguing.

"Why are you still awake? Too busy thinking about me?" Souji teased. Chizuru felt her cheeks warm even more, if that were even possible.

"W-What are you doing here?" she stammered.

"I asked you first," he pointed out, twisting a strand of her hair around his finger. He let it unfurl and rest against her reddened cheek. "Are you uncomfortable here? I know it's kinda cramped and small."

Chizuru shook her head. At the Sumi, she'd happily shared a room with Kosuzu. After leaving her home and everything she knew in Edo, it had been comforting, not to sleep alone. To find a friend she could count on.

Chizuru would have to write to her soon.

"Not at all! I haven't had my own room in a long time," she said. Shyly, she bowed her head. "I'm very grateful for everything you all are doing for me."

Her hands twisted nervously in her lap. Souji's fingers gently grasping her chin forced her to meet his amused green gaze. But he also looked tired, she thought. There was fatigue in his eyes, pulling at his features. She knew he had to be as tired as she was, if not more so.

"Hmm~," he grinned, somewhat knowingly, "is there something else?"

Chizuru looked down again, this time easing away from his hands.

"Okita-san…if I'm causing trouble for you, I can—"

"You can what," he snorted derisively. "Leave? And go where?"

Her fingers played with the hem of the blanket. "I'm sure Sen would understand if…if…"

When she finally chanced raising her head to look at him, maybe she shouldn't have been so surprised to see him frowning, his green eyes hard.

"After everything I went through? A damn rimming from Hijikata-san included." Souji's light tone was deceiving. His hand gripped her chin more firmly as he leaned in, impossibly close to her face. She flushed warmly at his proximity, making him smirk. If nothing else, it lightened his expression somewhat.

"Not a chance, Chizuru-chan." His thumb brushed her cheek, even as she squirmed nervously in his grip. "I plan to keep you. All to myself."

"But I—"

"Do you honestly want to go back?" Souji challenged. "I should just tell Kondou-san not to bother then."

Chizuru's eyes widened. The breath escaped her lungs in that moment, as she stared deeply into his eyes. It was a unique kind of torture to think about leaving him, let alone being sent away by him.

Finally, her gaze fell. She shook her head, and held his hand against her still blushing face. She was only slightly startled by his lips pressed to the top of her head.

"That's what I thought."

Then his touch was gone.

Chizuru looked up curiously, just in time to see him getting up to his feet.

"What?" He grinned slyly. "I thought a modest, unmarried woman wasn't supposed to have scandalous night visitors. And I'm nothing if not a gentleman."

She couldn't help it. A small giggle fell from her lips and she covered it in vain with her hand. It earned a smile of mock warning from him.

"Good night, Okita-san," she said, smiling with affection. His eyes softened again, just a little. But he only nodded and ducked out of her room.

The shoji door now shut behind him, Chizuru hesitantly laid back down in her futon. Sleep still wouldn't come for a while yet; her mind was swimming with other thoughts that almost made her feel dizzy.

She'd long harbored a dream. A simple one maybe, but it had always seemed like spring leaves on the wind, falling through her fingers.

It didn't seem like that anymore.

Souji stared at the ceiling in his room with a tired sigh. A slow grin curved his lips.

Hm. Yukimura Chizuru, huh?

He hadn't even known her last name before tonight. Now Kondou was making arrangements.

The thought made him nervous and overtook his grin. Is that what he wanted? To be tied down to one person who wasn't Kondou, who would probably end up being a distraction, as Hijikata had put it.

He couldn't give her stability, or a real home. For all he knew, he would die tomorrow, and Souji thought he'd made peace with that fact a long time ago. He was a sword that would happily kill anyone who stood in Kondou's path.

But Chizuru made him forget, sometimes.

Souji's thoughts drifted back what happened at the Sumi, how his blood had boiled to see a blade at her throat. She'd been terrified, and at the mercy of a man who hurt Kondou already. It would've only taken a second longer, and she would've just been…gone.

His hands shook afterwards. He'd touched her face that was flecked with blood that wasn't hers, but all to easily could have been. He wasn't used to that feeling, being consumed by so many different things at once. Rage, worry, relief, and something more…

"Please allow me to stay with you." Her smile was bright, and more beautiful than anything.

Souji still didn't know what to do. He only knew that he was incredibly selfish, and yet he couldn't help it. He wanted to give her what she wanted, even though it might cause her pain in the end.

She deserves this, at least.

Blowing out a breath of exasperation, he covered his eyes with a hand as a rueful grin replaced his frown.

I'm so fucked.