Author's Note
And we finally make it to day 2! Don't worry, it will speed up once I finish laying the groundwork. Also, I like how the characters are coming out so far. Too bad I could only choose 4 names for the main summary page - Okita Souji and Harada Sanosuke will have key roles to play in all this too, as will Sen, Amagiri and Shiranui from the demon clans.
Chapter titles... Well, I'll admit I have an odd sense of humour. Just in case there are readers who are not reading in their first language (and thank you for being here!), I thought I'd explain the Chapter 4 reference. The usual expression is actually "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing". This refers to a dangerous predator that hides among prey by disguising itself as the prey. For example, a wolf wearing a sheep-skin so that it can hide right among a flock of sheep. Well, theoretically.
As always, I would really appreciate your comments, so please read and review!
Chapter 4 – A Lamb in (Mibu) Wolf's Clothing
Chizuru woke slowly and blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Oh…"
Memory returned and she sat up quickly, looking for Saitō-san. No… the room was empty. Everything else was as it had been, although the brazier had been tended at some point. The room was cool but not cold. The grey light filtering through the sliding window screen suggested it was just about dawn.
She didn't know when they might come for her again, so she got up quickly, tidied herself, and considered her borrowed clothes. She'd have to tie the loose trousers tightly to keep the kimono properly arranged and tucked in. She hoped she wouldn't trip, as the legs of the hakama almost brushed the floor. Once dressed, she tied up her hair, feeling a little forlorn as she considered how she must look – just like a boy wearing an older brother's hand-me-downs. At least in the dusty rose hakamashita she'd worn on her journey she'd felt a little like a girl, and the clothes had fit.
Chizuru pulled the window screen back a little, breathing in the morning air.
"Well… some of the captains seemed OK, really. Kondō-san and Gen-san were kind. And clothes are just clothes. Maybe they'll let me alter them to fit better? Or maybe I'd be allowed to buy a nicer colour? Second-hand would be fine – I don't mind sewing. I wonder if they really are looking for Father? Maybe I misjudged them and they're actually quite nice and everything will be fine?"
"Or maybe they'll have to kill you for getting in the way…" drawled a familiar voice from just outside the window.
"What?! Okita-san? Were you there the whole time?"
Okita stepped in front of the window and grinned at her startled face.
"Uh-huh. I'm stuck guarding you this morning."
Chizuru blushed.
"And, um, you heard everything?"
"Uh-huh."
He snickered at her.
To add to her dismay, she could now see Saitō-san standing just outside the door a short distance away.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Yukimura-san. May I come in?"
"Saitō-san! You were there too?"
"Aa."
"Oh no! I mean, come in, Saitō-san. Excuse me Okita-san."
She closed the window screen as the door opened.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Saitō-san," she said, rather nervously. They heard me, she thought, and I must have sounded so dumb. Did I say anything bad? I don't think I said anything bad…
Dark blue eyes scanned the room, briefly checked her appearance, and nodded. She sensed a flicker of unease from him, but could not imagine what caused it.
"We will go to the common room now."
"Are we tying her up again, Hajime-kun?" Okita asked, still smirking.
"No."
Chizuru was relieved, because yesterday's bruises and abrasions from the tight cord had faded to nothing overnight, and she thought that either one of the men might notice if they bound her wrists again. As it was, the black hakamashita covered most of her hands. She stepped out onto the walkway and Saitō-san followed her, closing the door. She turned to bid a polite good morning to Okita-san, but froze as his eyes widened and he suddenly pointed at her.
"No way! That is just too funny, Hajime-kun!"
He started to laugh, and Chizuru flushed, embarrassed.
"Um… w-what is it Okita-san?" she stammered uneasily.
Saitō-san was looking away, but she thought that his shoulders had stiffened, as if he were bracing himself. When he didn't speak, Okita-san finally decided to explain.
"Well, it's just that – heh – you're wearing Hajime-kun's old clothes and it's kind of weird-looking, you know?"
Chizuru tried not to hang her head.
"I appreciate the clothes, Saitō-san. Arigatou gozaimasu."
Saitō-san looked back at her, his face as calm as usual. Maybe she had only imagined his discomfort.
"There is no need to thank me, Yukimura-san. I assume that Gen-san chose whatever was most suitable from our stores."
"O-okay."
She followed Saitō-san as he led the way to the meeting room. Okita-san sauntered behind her, clearly still amused.
"You know, Chizuru-chan, I don't see why you're thanking him anyway when you were just saying how much you hated the colour and wanted something different."
Chizuru cringed. The familiar use of her first name together with the affectionate and childish honorific sounded condescending, and she was still mortified at being overheard.
"I didn't actually say that, Okita-san," she said in a small voice.
"No? Well I'm not saying you're wrong. I mean, I don't think black's really your colour. But Hajime-kun probably finds it more, you know, menacing than pink. Hijikata-san wears purple a lot, but just between you and me, I think he's a little vain about his eyes."
Saitō-san stopped, neatly moving to one side so that Chizuru didn't bump into him. Unfortunately, this took him into Okita-san's path and he accidentally stepped on the taller man's foot. For some reason, this made Okita-san snicker, but Chizuru was distracted – they had arrived at the meeting room.
"There is nothing wrong with your appearance, Yukimura-san," Saitō told her as he opened the door.
"Yeah, well this should be fun," Okita murmured from behind Chizuru.
Chizuru stood for a moment in the doorway, then entered and knelt in the same place as before, in front of Kondō-san. Unfortunately, it appeared that Okita-san had judged his companions correctly.
"Aw, that's kinda cute – but she doesn't look at all like you Saitō…"
That was Harada-san's laughing contribution, once they'd all taken in her borrowed outfit.
"That's just… weird…" said Heisuke, shaking his head, unconsciously echoing Okita. "I mean, that's gotta be Hajime-kun's stuff, right?"
"Yeah, really," snorted Nagakura. "Do you have a spare scarf, Saitō?"
"Shut it! You guys are morons." Hijikata was glaring again. But… Chizuru thought she saw a gleam of amusement in his eyes too.
Fortunately, Kondō-san stepped in.
"Good morning, Yukimura-kun, you look well." He beamed at her.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kondō-san," Chizuru murmured respectfully, hoping her cheeks weren't too red. "I am well."
"We will speak briefly, Yukimura-kun," Sannan said quietly, "and then you may eat."
Chizuru nodded.
"You will not speak of the events of yesterday evening. You will assist us to find Yukimura Kōdō-sensei as we require. You will not try to escape."
Chizuru had been heartened by Kondō-san's welcome, but Sannan's cool voice lowered her spirits again.
"Yes, Sannan-san."
"You will have to remain in men's clothing while you are with us. We cannot have it known that there is a woman within our compound. It is a matter of both reputation and maintaining discipline among our soldiers. On that note, you will only speak with the leaders and captains of the Shinsengumi. You will stay in your room unless one of us is with you."
"Yes, sir."
"Hey, don't look so down little girl," Okita told her with a laugh in his voice. "At least we aren't going to kill you – yet."
"You will be under our protection, Yukimura-kun," Kondō-san assured her earnestly, "and we will find your father! You have the word of the Commander of the Shinsengumi."
"Thank you very much!" replied Chizuru, bowing.
"Yeah, of course we'll help you!" said the young man with the yellow shirt and bright aquamarine eyes. "Just ask me anytime if there's something you need, OK? I'm Tōdō Heisuke, Eighth Division Captain. But you can call me Heisuke if you want. Everyone else does and we're about the same age anyway, right?"
"Um, OK… Heisuke-kun, then, if you don't mind. Arigatou!"
"Sure thing, Chizuru-chan!"
The Commander looked pleased, but Sannan-san's smile was wry and Hijikata-san's brows were drawn down into a deep vee above narrowed eyes. After less than a day, Chizuru was already familiar with that expression.
"This is not a social club, Heisuke you idiot. And Yukimura, we still need to decide what to do with you while we look for Kōdō-san."
Heisuke just rolled his eyes, which got him another evil glare from Hijikata-san, but the Deputy Commander nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you have a suggestion, Hijikata-kun?"
The Vice Commander shrugged.
"I guess she'll have to be somebody's servant, or page – maybe Kondō-san's or yours, Sannan-san."
"Well, why can't she be your page, Hijikata-san," said Okita, eyes gleaming with mischief. "After all, it was your idea."
"Oh yes, she'll be safe with you Toshi," said Kondō, rising quickly and stifling a smile.
"Good idea, Okita-kun," agreed Sannan, also standing. Sunlight glinted off his glasses, making his expression hard to read, but Chizuru thought he might be quietly laughing.
"Well, take good care of her, Vice Commander," murmured Harada.
"Yeah, be nice, Hijikata-san," smirked Nagakura.
Heisuke went out with them, trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face.
Hijikata-san stared for a brief moment and then snarled, "You bastards!"
He turned on Okita.
"Go get your breakfast and Yukimura's from the kitchen, Sōji. And you can damn well stay on guard duty for the rest of the morning since you are being so helpful. I'll let you know if you're going to get lunch before your patrol."
Okita-san stood up lazily, smirking.
"Sure, Hijikata-san, sure. Did I say something to upset you?"
"I'll go with you, Okita-kun," said Gen. "And we should take the empty trays out with us."
Soon only the Vice Commander and Saitō-san remained in the room with Chizuru. Hijikata-san cleared his throat, and his eyebrows assumed a less alarming position.
"If you're going to dress like a man, then you will need this back. It is important to you, yes?"
To her great surprise, he was holding out her kodachi.
"No man would appear in public without his sword," he added, gently tossing the weapon to Chizuru.
She clasped it reverently, closing her eyes with relief and then bowing deeply.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Hijikata-san! I am very grateful!"
Saitō-san rose from his seat and came closer to kneel near the Vice Commander.
"It is an unusual blade, Yukimura-san," he said in his low voice. "The markings are very old but the edge is not damaged. And yet the wrappings on the hilt are worn, which suggests that it was once much used. Do you know its history?"
"No, Saitō-san. My father only told me that it has been in our family for a very long time. He said that it is named Shotsuren."
Hijikata-san smiled tolerantly.
"Well, many have made that claim, after all."
"Sir?" Chizuru stared blankly at Hijikata-san.
"Shotsuren was one of the fabled swords of Suzuka Gozen, the oni princess known as 'Beautiful Lady'. She was said to be a fierce warrior in ancient times. In legend, she also carried the swords Daitsuren and Jinmei."
Chizuru looked doubtfully at her short sword.
"I do not think this is the weapon of a demon warrior, Hijikata-san."
"Neither do we, Yukimura," said the Vice Commander dryly. "But several of us here are very knowledgeable about swords of all kinds, including myself, Kondō-san, Sōji, Sannan-san and especially Saitō – and we can't identify the maker of this blade. Did your father leave this with you went he left Edo?"
"No, Hijikata-san. My father gave me this sword when I was very small. He said that it came from my mother's mother's clan and that it was very important to the family. I do not know more than that."
Chizuru frowned, chasing an elusive, tantalizing memory. Then it was gone, leaving her confused. Why had she suddenly thought that there should be two swords? Likely because most of the men around her now wore a matched katana and wakizashi, that was the most obvious explanation.
"I will bring you supplies so that you may care for the blade," was Saitō's only comment.
The door to the room opened, and Gen-san and Okita-san entered with trays. The Vice Commander and Saitō-san stood up to leave.
"Sōji, I will send one of the others to replace you before your patrol. You will stand guard outside Yukimura's room in the meantime. Yukimura, do not leave your room unless one of the leaders or captains is with you."
"I remember, Hijikata-san."
"See that you do." He sounded so severe again that Chizuru shrank back a little.
Gen-san set Chizuru's tray down in front of a cushion and left again with a nod and a friendly smile.
"Arigatou Gen-san!" she told him, forcing herself to sound cheerful.
Okita-san sat down beside her, crossing his legs.
"Well, this is cosy, ne, Chizuru-chan?"
Chizuru put her hands together.
"Itadakimasu," she murmured, before picking up her chopsticks.
To her surprise, Okita-san followed suit. Seeing her startled look, the green-eyed man flicked her wolfish smile.
"Oh, Kondō-san and Sannan-san are sticklers for manners, you know, when it comes to food. So's Saitō, but I guess that wouldn't surprise you, would it?"
"Um, no, Okita-san."
Okita-san ate neatly and quickly, she noticed. She eyed him warily as she ate her own meal, and a quirk at the corner of his mouth suggested that he noticed.
"Worried I might stab you with my chopsticks, Chizuru-chan?" he asked sarcastically, once he was done.
"Oh! Oh no, Okita-san! Of course not."
"You are such a bad liar."
She blushed and tried to finish her meal more quickly.
"Thank you for this meal," she murmured as soon as she was done. Then she jumped up and picked up her tray.
"Shall I take yours too, Okita-san? It is no trouble."
"Yeah, guess I'd better keep my sword-hand free while I'm escorting a dangerous prisoner like you, huh?"
She tried not to react to his taunting, and stacked the trays and dishes. Okita-san stood up gracefully and stretched.
"Well, off to the kitchen and then back to guarding my little warrior. This way, boy."
Chizuru followed his directions to the kitchen, where they found Gen-san and Saitō-san washing dishes.
"May I help?" the girl asked Gen-san as he took the trays from her.
"I believe the Vice Commander wanted you to return directly to your room," said Saitō, flatly.
"Don't worry, we're going," Okita answered.
"Your clothing should be dry by tomorrow morning, Yukimura-kun," offered Gen-san. "Do you have a needle and thread so that you can adjust what you have now?"
Chizuru brightened.
"Yes, Gen-san. I may make alterations?! I promise that I won't cut the fabric. Arigatou gozaimasu!"
With a bow to Saitō-san and Gen-san, she hurried away to her room, trailed by Okita-san.