Author's Note

Thank you to all my readers and especially those who have posted a review or added a Follow/Favourite. I'd really appreciate more reviews, so please remember that just a few words saying that you like something (or don't like something!) would be great!

To the guest BookLover101 - it was very encouraging to get your review asking for the next chapter! In fact, that's why I took the time to get this one ready to post so soon.

This chapter's a little short, but features an unusual conversation between Saitō and Sano that I hope you'll enjoy.

Chapter 5 - A Very Resilient Young Woman

Now that she had something to do, Chizuru returned to her room in good spirits. She thought she heard an exaggerated sigh of boredom from Okita-san as he closed the door behind her.

Once she was on her own, she found the storage space for the futon, rolled it up, and put it away. She would have preferred to shake it out first – and it really needed airing – but she didn't want to bother Okita-san. He made her nervous.

Now… how to make sure she wasn't caught partially undressed while she was making alterations… After a moment's thought, she decided to make extra space behind the screen by pulling it further out from the corner of the room. It was heavier than it looked, however, and as she was struggling she heard Okita-san announce that he was coming in.

"What on earth are you doing?" he demanded, staring at her reddened face and the light perspiration on her forehead. "I thought I heard you yelp."

"I was just trying to move the screen a little, Okita-san… Gen-san said that I could alter these clothes and – um – I didn't want to embarrass anyone. So I thought I'd sew behind the screen but then I needed more space…"

"And?"

"And, well, it was more difficult to move than I expected, and I pinched my hand."

She hung her head, feeling foolish.

He sighed, walked past her to the screen, and moved it out an extra six inches from the corner, seemingly without difficulty.

"Better, your highness?" he asked sarcastically, with exaggerated deference.

"Um, yes, thank you very much!"

"Well, enjoy your sewing. I'll let the others know that you actually hurt yourself while trying to spare their modest sensibilities."

Shaking his head, he left again. Chizuru was beginning to think that the death threats were better than the sarcasm.

She got out needle and thread and changed into her yukata. Then she deftly turned up one leg on the grey hakama by two inches and started to sew.

Chizuru had finished hemming the trousers when she heard Okita-san speaking with somebody outside her door. She hurriedly changed back into her clothes.

"May I come in, Yukimura-san?"

"One moment please, Saitō-san."

She finished tying the waist of the hakama and darted around the screen. She was relieved to find that she had gotten the length of the trouser legs right.

"Please come in."

Saitō-san was carrying something wrapped in cloth. He paused on the threshold, scanning the room. Something was wrong. Okita-san came up behind him and silently counted down from three on his fingers, so that Chizuru could see him over the shorter man's shoulder. Three… two… one…

"You moved the screen."

Saitō immediately knew from the girl's face that Sōji had done something. Without turning, he closed the door sharply, so that it almost grazed the other captain's nose. There was a mild oath and then a chuckle from outside.

"I brought what you will need to care for your kodachi."

Chizuru tried to collect herself. Okita-san's "Saitō count-down" had almost made her laugh, and Saitō-san's instant retaliation had surprised her. And yet, there was that curious lack of animosity between the men. It was… just one more set of moves in a well-understood competition.

"Thank you, Saitō-san," she said finally, kneeling so that he would know to come in further and sit down.

He knelt across from her and unrolled the bundle. She saw a soft cloth, a container and something like a ball of unspun flax or cotton fibre on a short handle.

"Before I instruct you," he began, "will it offend you if I call you Yukimura-kun or simply Yukimura while you are with us? You are supposed to pass for a boy and a page. I am the Third Division Captain and you are clearly my junior."

"I understand, Saitō-san. I will not be offended. Thank you for your consideration."

She couldn't decide whether she was relieved or disappointed that he not adopted the casual familiarity of her first name like the others. His behaviour was more correct, but it also set her at a distance.

"Very well. Bring me your kodachi."

"Hai."

Saitō-san drew the short sword and set it between them.

"Yukimura, when I handled your short sword, it was obvious that it had not been oiled in some time. A blade must be inspected and oiled regularly. Otherwise, it will rust, or stick in its scabbard. In either case, it is disrespectful to the sword and the sword becomes useless to you should you need it."

It was an unusually long – and critical – speech from the reserved young man. Rebuked, Chizuru bowed her head in apology.

"I understand, Saitō-san. Sumimasen deshita."

Her self-appointed teacher nodded. Without further comment, he proceeded to give her a thorough grounding in cleaning, oiling and polishing her sword. He added that proper care of the hilt and fittings would take some work because of the decoration. Finally, he examined the scabbard and said that it was likely a replacement of the original, although still quite old.

Half-an-hour later, Okita-san announced that he was coming in. He didn't interrupt the lesson, and Saitō-san didn't look up. Okita-san settled himself near the brazier and leaned against the wall, eyes closed, his sword propped up against his shoulder.

When Saitō-san was done, Chizuru thanked him and bowed.

"Next week, you will show me that you have listened," Saitō told her, face composed as ever.

"Hai."

"Do you know who's replacing me?" Okita asked the other captain, walking out with him. "Or when they're coming?"

"No," answered Saitō flatly. He looked back at Chizuru for a brief moment and she thought he seemed… amused?

"Damn it," Okita groused. "I was hoping to eat and warm up properly before going on patrol with you this afternoon, Hajime-kun."

"No doubt the Vice Commander has his reasons."

"Like being mad at me as usual, you mean?"

The door closed behind Saitō-san. She heard the other man settle against the outer wall of her room.

Well, at least the morning had gone by quickly… and she was no longer in danger of having a rusty sword. Her natural optimism reasserting itself, she had to stifle a giggle. Saitō-san could deliver a surprisingly forceful lecture; she didn't think she'd ever forget to care for a blade again.

Saitō stood outside in the inner courtyard gazing thoughtfully at the sky. People assumed that because he rarely displayed emotion, he chose to ignore the emotions of those around him. This made no sense to him; knowledge of others was critical to predicting useful tactics and likely outcomes in important situations. Right now, his careful observation of the girl told him that something was… not normal. However, he knew very few women and none well.

Upon reflection, he decided that others, especially the Vice Commander, had likely noticed the same anomalies that he had. Nevertheless, a few words with Sano-san might be of assistance. Decision made, he walked briskly to the common room where they regularly held their meetings and their meals. Lunch would be served shortly by whoever was on meal duty. Fortunately, Harada was there and conveniently without Nagakura or Heisuke. Saitō sat beside him and waited politely to be acknowledged.

"Saitō, what's up?" The tall spearman was as direct as usual, which Saitō appreciated.

"Sano-san, does Yukimura generally behave and react as you would expect?"

Harada looked puzzled and then thoughtful.

"You're asking for an informed opinion on the behaviour of young women, I take it?"

His amber eyes had narrowed slightly in amusement, but Saitō waited patiently, confident that the other man would answer his question seriously.

"Well… there are inconsistencies," Harada acknowledged after a moment. "I don't think she's more than sixteen, and it seems like she's been raised in a traditional, middle-class household. It's strange that she was only scared last night, not hysterical. She'd just been attacked by ruffians and monsters, and then tied up and taken prisoner by the Shinsengumi. But there she was – covered in blood, wrists hurting, alone at the mercy of killers like us… and she didn't fall apart, not really. She's either got a lot of self-control, or she's incredibly tough. Neither fits with my basic impression of her."

The Tenth Division Captain looked curiously at Saitō.

"You've seen a lot more of her than I have. What do you think?"

"Her manners are appropriate to her presumed age and background. She neither cowers nor flatters the way the girls do here, but she is not from Kyoto. She appears innocent and unsophisticated. However, her resilience and physical stamina are unusual. She showed little trauma, and no apparent fatigue or physical discomfort, when I saw her this morning. "

He looked at Harada, inviting further comment. The usually sociable red-head responded almost reluctantly.

"I really don't know, Saitō. Sometimes people don't react to things right away. I don't get a bad feeling about her. But she's a bit strange and that's not good right now."

"And she is connected to Kōdō-san. That raises… questions… does it not?"

"Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't say that!" Harada ran a hand across his red hair.

Saitō regarded him gravely. Harada had shared his thoughts and deserved the same in return.

"I do not sense danger from her either. But I wonder – why not?"

Others were trickling in for lunch, and Saitō rose to cross to his usual place.

"Arigatou, Sano-san."

Harada nodded, but his expressive eyes were troubled. Not long after, however, Heisuke and Nagakura came in with the trays of food, and he was soon laughing and joking with them as usual.

Okita's place remained empty throughout lunch. Apparently the Vice Commander had relented to the extent of having Heisuke take lunch to Yukimura and her guard, before serving everyone else, but Okita wasn't going to be relieved of guard duties until he left for patrol.

A few minutes were spent after lunch discussing how to balance patrol schedules with the surveillance of the girl. Since the Commander and Gen persisted in considering her more of a guest than a prisoner, and Okita was absent, some provision was also made for her comfort. A cushion and a small table for her writing things were to be added to her room.

Although Harada was on night patrol again that evening, he volunteered for that afternoon's guard duty.

"I'll be fine," he told Hijikata. "Tomorrow we'll start the new schedule and I'll get some sleep."

"Hmm," Hijikata said, dissatisfied. "No, we'll do this instead: Heisuke will cover the afternoon, and you can cover after dinner until you leave on patrol. Get some rest this afternoon."

"Sure."

"OK Hijikata-san!"

Saitō was assigned to take the overnight guard again, though, which caused Harada to stare suspiciously at the Vice Commander. The spearman was pretty sure that Saitō had had the least sleep of any of them, as well as patrol duties with Sōji that afternoon.

Hijikata smiled faintly at Harada and quietly announced, "I will take the Third Division on patrol this afternoon. It will be good for morale. Get some rest, Saitō."

On that valedictory note, he rose smoothly and walked out.