Author's Note
I do have a tendency to focus on details as I work through my stories, which can slow things down a bit. On the other hand, it lets me picture things more clearly and that helps story flow and reduces inconsistencies.
Please feel free to let me know what you like or don't like as we go along. Yes, there will be romance, promise (really, the first signs are already there, right?). No, you won't have to wait until the very last possible moment for anything really interesting to happen.
Thank you very much to kathryn1995 and StariChanx for posting encouragement to continue! It's great to hear you are enjoying the story. Much appreciation also to those who have marked the story as a Favourite and Follow. :)
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Chapter 7 – Of Meals and Men, Part I
To her disappointment, Chizuru continued to be kept in her room under close surveillance, although Saitō-san spent less time in her room than before. She asked him about it the first time he only came in long enough to check on the brazier before returning outside.
"For the last two weeks the nights have been exceptionally cold, Yukimura-kun," he replied without any visible change of expression. "I do not need to be indoors as much now. The Commander wishes to give you as much privacy as possible."
Whether or not this was all of the reason for the change, Chizuru was surprised to find that at first she missed the company, however silent. However, each night she would look out her window before going to bed and see Saitō-san standing patient watch nearby, hands tucked into his sleeves, light blue haori providing an extra layer against the cold. Sometimes one of the other captains would come by to speak with him before going in to bed or out on patrol.
With both Sannan-san and Hijikata-san away in Osaka, discipline was a bit more relaxed, at least for the division captains. Kondō-san was an exceptional warrior, according to both Okita-san and Heisuke-kun, but he wasn't as much of a stickler for the rules as his immediate subordinates. The Commander treated his captains with affection and tolerance, and his soldiers with friendly encouragement. He expected all his men to behave with honour, and they rarely disappointed him.
Saitō-san had not forgotten his promise, or possibly threat, to ensure that she remembered his lesson on how to care for a sword. The day after her dinner with Harada-san and Nagakura-san, he had come by late in the morning carrying two katanas and a wakizashi. Okita-san trailed him into the room and closed the door.
It was one of the few days that she was wearing her borrowed clothes, the black hakamashita now as neatly tailored as the grey hakama, and she was not surprised when Okita-san immediately grinned. He had seated himself in his favourite place against the wall near the door, one knee up and one leg straight out in front of him, his sword resting easily against the wall to his left.
"Awwww… Were you waiting for her to wear your favourite colour before coming to visit, Hajime-kun?" he teased.
"No," Saitō replied simply, drawing and laying out each of the swords he had brought. "However, it is a fortunate coincidence, as Yukimura will not have to worry about staining her own clothing while cleaning these blades."
He nodded to Chizuru, who had quickly grasped the purpose of the visit and fetched her supplies. She had also been glad to turn her face away from the two men for a few moments.
"Begin, Yukimura-kun. You must do the best you can within one hour."
"Hai."
She drew a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then set about examining and cleaning the three unfamiliar swords. They were in poorer condition than her kodachi had been, and she wondered where Saitō-san had acquired them.
"I obtained these over the course of last week's all-division weapons inspection," the captain told her, apparently reading her mind.
"Yeah, and you don't want to know what he did to the owners as punishment," Okita snorted. "Let's just say that aside from a beating they truly deserved, their clothes aren't going to smell any too good for a long time."
"It was appropriate," was the short response. Then: "Okita."
"Warei, warei. I'll shut up."
Chizuru looked between them, saw nothing to concern her, and returned to her task. Fortunately, she was meticulous by nature, and even under two presumably critical gazes, she completed the work correctly (she hoped) and within the stipulated time.
Saitō-san sat patiently throughout. Not until she had set down the three swords did he take each one and carefully examine the blade and the hilt.
"You have done well," he concluded, "making some allowance for the time allotted and the condition of the weapons."
Okita-san gave a low whistle, and Chizuru reddened slightly.
"That's gotta be a first, Hajime-kun!" he laughed. "You never went that easy on me during inspections."
Saitō-san turned his head and regarded the other captain levelly.
"I believe that Yukimura-kun has the greater skill, Sōji, though you keep your own weapons in admirable order. You may see if you wish."
Okita-san took up the challenge and closed the short distance. He inspected the blades minutely, and then nodded reluctantly.
"The edges need sharpening, of course, but the rest is pretty good since you gave her so little time. Mind you, I don't think we need our hilts to shine like this one."
Chizuru had taken a minute or two to polish the silvery metal fittings on the most elaborate of the hilts.
"I agree. However, you should admit that your implication was unwarranted. There was no preferential treatment."
Okita-san laughed.
"Gomene, Hajime-kun. And my apologies to you also, Chizuru-chan. Apparently you are good at cleaning."
Chizuru blinked at him as he stood and walked out of the room, still smiling. How did he manage to do that? Even praise became a jibe with him.
Saitō-san rose as well and collected the confiscated – and now cleaner – weapons.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Saitō-san," said Chizuru, bowing slightly.
Saitō-san nodded politely to her and silently took his leave.
Two days later, Okita-san was sitting under her window, on morning watch as usual, when Saitō-san arrived with her midday meal. She had just gone to the door to collect the tray, when Heisuke-kun arrived as well.
"Aren't you guys ready for lunch yet? I'm starving!"
"Well I'm stuck here watching dead plants," Okita grumbled. "Which you already know, since I've missed every midday meal since the girl arrived. And by the time I get to eat there's nothing decent left." He muttered something under his breath that included "Hijikata" and "bastard".
"I will be with you in a moment, Heisuke-kun," said Saitō calmly.
"Why don't we just have Chizuru-chan eat with us?" demanded Heisuke, shifting from one foot to the other impatiently. "I don't see why not. It's just a meal."
Saitō-san looked doubtful, but Okita-san immediately sprang up.
"Great idea, Heisuke! I'm sick of sitting here in the cold."
He took the tray from Saitō-san and handed it to Heisuke-kun.
"Come on, Chizuru-chan, time for lunch!"
"Is this… really alright?" asked Chizuru, torn between hope and diffidence.
"Yeah, why not?" responded Heisuke. "Hijikata-san's in Osaka anyway. Um, Sōji, how come I have to carry the tray?"
"Because it was your idea, idiot. Let's go!"
Okita-san walked off, Heisuke trailing in his wake with Chizuru's food. Saitō-san looked after them for a moment and then stood back from the door.
"… I suggest that we follow them, Yukimura-kun."
"Okay!"
Excited to be out of her room and maybe eating lunch with people other than Okita-san, Chizuru was more than happy to accompany Saitō-san to the common room. She hoped that she would not intrude too much on the captains' meal.
"Get a move on, Heisuke," Nagakura was saying as Chizuru and Saitō arrived. "You should have to say sorry to my stomach for making it wait so long!"
"Um, that was really my fault, Nagakura-san," Chizuru apologized, as Okita and Saitō took their usual places, leaving Heisuke and the girl standing near the door.
"Chizuru-chan? Why are you here?" The Second Division Captain looked puzzled.
"I thought she might as well eat with us, Shinpachi-san," Heisuke answered quickly, looking around for a place to put Chizuru's meal.
"Sure, why not?" Harada nudged Nagakura, and the men made a space between them. The red-head waved Chizuru over with a friendly smile.
"Of course!" Nagakura agreed, grinning. "Meals are better when eaten with lots of company!"
Chizuru took the offered place a little shyly, and Heisuke-kun set down her tray, beaming. She felt and no doubt looked very small between the two tall men, but they seemed pleased to have her there, and good manners and natural curiosity won out over trepidation.
"Itadakimasu!" she said with the others, thinking how nice it was to share a meal like this.
Not long afterward, Kondō-san and Gen-san came in and sat down, exchanging greetings with the others. Neither seemed bothered by her presence, which was a relief. They both nodded to her kindly and then continued the conversation they'd been having when they arrived.
She was eating quietly, trying to look at everyone at once, when Heisuke's voice erupted from somewhere on her right.
"Give it back Shinpachi! That's mine!"
"Ha! I need this food to fuel these incredible muscles, pipsqueak!"
Startled, Chizuru leaned quickly away from the squabbling men, who appeared to be having a tug of war with their chopsticks over a piece of fish. Neither of the combatants noticed her sudden movement, but she collided with Harada-san's arm before recovering herself. She looked up, embarrassed, but he was laughing.
"I'm sorry, Chizuru-chan," he reassured her in his pleasant, distinctive drawl. "They're always like this at meals when the Vice Commander's away."
"Is… is that so, Harada-san?" replied Chizuru, wide-eyed, as an inarticulate cry from Heisuke drew both their gazes back to the battle.
"Well I'm still growing, grandfather Nagakura, you thieving bastard!" Heisuke was now shouting.
The ridiculous name-calling, although impolite, made Chizuru laugh. Harada-san put a hand lightly on her shoulder. She found that he was looking down at her, his amber eyes smiling under thin, expressive brows.
"That's better! I knew you'd have a great smile…" He grinned and gently touched her cheek with one finger, making her laugh again and blush at the same time.
Across the room, Gen-san was starting to look unusually irritated by the foolish brawl.
"Nagakura-kun! Heisuke-kun! You are upsetting our guest!"
The angry voices ceased abruptly, and the combatants turned to look at Chizuru. She had one hand pressed over her mouth, but although her cheeks were red, it was apparent that she wasn't distressed in the way that Gen-san had suggested. Nevertheless, Nagakura-san and Heisuke-kun seemed to take the hint and proceeded to eat their meals – what was left of them – in relative peace. Kondō-san smiled benevolently at them both.
Finished with their own meals, Saitō-san and Okita-san murmured their thanks and went out together, no doubt to discuss their plans for the afternoon's patrol. Harada-san continued to eat unhurriedly, allowing Chizuru time to enjoy the lively banter that started to rise again from her right.
"Kondō-san," Harada called to the Commander, once she was done, "I'll walk Chizuru-chan back to her room now."
"Thank you, Harada-kun," approved Kondō-san.
"I'll be by soon, okay, Chizuru-chan?" said Heisuke. "I want to see if there's anything left in the kitchen since this idiot here ate half my lunch!"
"Yeah, yeah," said Nagakura, unmoved.
"Okay, Heisuke-kun," Chizuru responded. "See you soon!"
She tried not to sigh when Harada-san opened the door to her room a few minutes later. It seemed very dull and confining all of a sudden. But patience and persistence seemed to be her best options right now, and although she was young, and alone, she could also be dignified.
"Thank you, Harada-san," she told him with a smile.
"Any time, Chizuru-chan," he said easily, pretending not to notice her reluctance to go indoors despite the chill breeze. "I'll just wait here for Heisuke. See you later this evening, right?"
"Right!"
Insensibly cheered, she finally went inside.
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A/N Hope you enjoy these guys as much as I do! Working on Chapter 8...