A/N: And... we're back. Will Hijikata be happy that Chizuru has insinuated herself into the common room for meals? Will the others let him make her leave? Stay tuned and find out!

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Chapter 9 - What is She Doing Here?!

Two weeks later, Hijikata-san and Sannan-san returned from Osaka. They were expected, as the Vice Commander had sent regular messages, but the evening meal was underway before they actually arrived.

Chizuru was in her usual place between Harada-san and Nagakura-san. She now shared most meals with the captains in the leaders' common room, which made her days a lot more interesting. Heisuke-kun's face had healed surprisingly quickly, and with the last tangible evidence of the unpleasant incident gone, everyone seemed content to set it aside and move forward.

The meal was proceeding without the regular scuffle between Heisuke-kun and Nagakura-san over food, for which everyone was grateful. There had been tension throughout the compound all day. For Chizuru, it had been a day to avoid doing or saying anything to attract attention, since the captains and Kondō-san were clearly anxious for Hijikata-san's return so that they could see Sannan-san for themselves.

Finally, the outer door opened to reveal the Vice Commander, still in uniform and looking slightly travel-worn. He surveyed the company briefly and then took a seat beside Kondō-san with a few words of greeting. As he sat down, Sannan-san stepped into the room, and the voices that had greeted Hijikata-san died away as everyone studied the heavily-bandaged arm resting in its sling.

"It is very good to see you Toshi, Sannan-kun!" Kondō said warmly, as the Deputy Commander hesitated near the doorway. "You did well in Osaka!"

Sannan-san finally sat down beside Hijikata-san, trying to ignore everyone's stares. Chizuru noticed that he did not take his accustomed place to the Commander's right.

"Unfortunately, although the attackers were driven off, I was defeated," Sannan told Kondō neutrally, ignoring the Commander's praise.

"How is your arm, Sannan-san?" asked Okita bluntly, not afraid to have the matter out in the open.

The Deputy Commander glanced down almost involuntarily. Chizuru, still partially hidden between her dinner companions, recognized the haunted look immediately, although Sannan-san hid it very quickly. She didn't need to see the fine lines of pain around the eyes and mouth to know that they were there, and the injured man's fatigue from the ride meant that his feelings were imperfectly concealed. She felt the rush of anxiety, embarrassment and anger that flashed through him at Okita-san's question, and had to bite her lip not to utter a sympathetic cry.

"My arm is much better, Okita-kun," Sannan replied with a gentle smile that nobody believed. "Truly, do not concern yourselves so much about me, my friends. I will be fine."

He rose again on those words, as Chizuru had known he would, nodding apologetically to the Commander and the others as he turned his back and slid open the door.

"But Sannan-kun," Kondō protested, concerned, "you haven't eaten."

"I am not very hungry," the Deputy Commander replied over his shoulder, "and I do feel very tired. If you'll excuse me, I'll go to my room now."

Chizuru continued to sit still, although she longed to offer aid and comfort. Maybe she could finally meet the Shinsengumi's physician and find out if she could be of assistance? She was not a doctor herself, but she was skilled at basic patient care, even if the majority of her experience was with women. She was also moderately knowledgeable about common medical herbs and compounds. What helped her the most, though, was a nearly uncanny ability to know just what was hurting and how.

The present case, however, was plain enough. Sannan-san was on the brink of black despair, no doubt aggravated by persistent pain. Cautiously looking around the room, she guessed that many of the others had perceived the same brittle shell concealing deep hurt. Hijikata-san exhaled in frustration as the door closed, his expression set in an uncompromising frown.

"Toshi," Kondō said after a minute. "How is Sannan's arm really?"

"In all honesty, I don't know. But the best doctor we saw, the one I trusted most, thought there was a real danger of losing much of the feeling and power in the arm. Also, I think Sannan knows his own body well enough to have a good idea of whether things are healing properly. I know anyone can get a bit pessimistic after being so badly hurt, but I'd say Sannan's a good judge and he's worried."

Hijikata-san, who had been speaking to the room at large as well as to the Commander, suddenly sat up straight, his expression transforming almost instantly from deep concern to icy fury.

"What the hell is she doing here?! I thought I gave orders for her to stay in her room?!" Turning almost savagely on Chizuru, he demanded: "Who gave you permission to eat here?!"

Chizuru wilted under his glare. From the moment she had seen him enter she'd been struck again by how handsome he was, but she couldn't pretend for a moment that he wasn't thoroughly angry at her right now.

There was a sudden silence, as the other men changed gears from worrying about Sannan-san to worrying about Chizuru and themselves.

"I asked her to join us, Toshi," Kondō-san finally said.

"I suggested it," Heisuke said at almost the same time.

"I said she could come," Nagakura confessed placidly.

"It was my idea," Okita put in immediately.

"Ah – I invited her," Gen-san said a moment after.

"No, I allowed it. It was my doing."

Saitō-san spoke unhurriedly, eyes cast down apologetically, face as calm as ever. Hijikata-san looked dumbfounded. Chizuru was staring around at the men in bewilderment – she understood what they were doing, she just wasn't sure why.

Then, just before the Vice Commander could respond to his captains' and Commander's outrageous behaviour, Harada-san leaned back casually on his hands and tipped his eyes up to the ceiling.

"It was me. I did it."

Predictably, Hijikata-san exploded.

"Idiots! Do you think this is some kind of joke? Kondō-san, can't you see how you undermine discipline by allowing these things?!"

He glared around the room, not sparing anyone, including Chizuru.

"Do you have any idea how easy it would be to slip up and tell her things she isn't supposed to know?! Have you really thought about what that means?! You are all goddamn, fucking morons!"

Total silence reigned. Saitō-san continued to look at the floor, apparently unperturbed, although he was the closest of the captains to the enraged Vice Commander. Harada-san had lowered his eyes from the ceiling to watch the tirade, but otherwise seemed likewise unconcerned. In fact, other than Kondō-san, who seemed a little worried, the only real reaction was from Chizuru herself. Trembling slightly, she bowed to Hijikata-san.

"Sumimasen deshita, Hijikata-san. I will return to my room."

She picked up her tray and started to stand up, eyes cast down in an effort to mask unshed tears, but an unobtrusive hand on her left shoulder made her pause. Looking sideways, she saw Harada-san still studying the Vice Commander, his slanted eyebrows raised inquiringly.

"She is only here for meals, Toshi," Kondō-san said into the silence. "It is not as if she is attending our meetings."

Hijikata looked around the room again, taking in everything from Heisuke's pleading expression to the more knowing expressions on Sōji's, Harada's and Nagakura's faces. Gen-san's expression was scrupulously neutral. Saitō had closed his eyes, as if meditating; he often sat that way, but at the moment it was distinctly annoying.

The Vice Commander gave an exasperated sigh. He knew them too well – and vice versa. They had known he would be angry, had taken the dressing down without comment, and were now waiting for him to accept the inevitable and move on. Even Saitō expected the girl to stay. It was ridiculous.

"Fine," he snapped at the assembled captains, "have it your way. Try not to be reckless, that's all."

He looked at Chizuru and shook his head – not so much at her as at himself. His face relaxed a little.

"Go ahead and eat, Yukimura. You can stay."

"I will bring your food, Fukuchō," said Saitō, finally looking up. He left noiselessly, presumably for the kitchen.

Chizuru slowly relaxed, looking for any sign that Hijikata-san was going to lose his temper again. She didn't want anyone to get into more trouble on her account. Harada-san gave her an encouraging nod, and then turned back to his own meal. He had removed his hand from her shoulder as soon as he'd been sure she wouldn't bolt.

"So, how was your extra time in Osaka, Hijikata-san?" asked Okita brightly, as though nothing had happened. "Must be a change to be liked there for once…"

Since this could only be a reference to the very unpleasant situations that had arisen in Osaka every time Serizawa-san had visited in the not-so-distant past, the Vice Commander immediately scowled.

"Sōji!" said the Commander. He immediately turned to Hijikata, clearly intent on diverting his attention from both the unrepentant First Division Captain and Chizuru's presence. "Could you give me a first-hand account of the attack, Toshi? Letters just can't convey everything..."

The Vice Commander allowed himself to be distracted, not without a final glare at Okita-san, and began a detailed report on the fight with the ronin outside Osaka.

Chizuru had to stifle a laugh. Nagakura-san and Harada-san both turned to look at her.

"Same old, same old, eh Chizuru-chan?" Nagakura commented.

"Yeah, seriously," agreed Heisuke, leaning around Nagakura to grin at Chizuru. "Hey, maybe you'll be allowed out a little more now?"

"Patience, Heisuke," Harada advised, sipping his tea. "Hijikata-san's pretty good at getting his own back, especially if you make yourself too visible."

"I guess…"

"Well, far be it from me to deny you the chance to have the Vice Commander give you a smack-down," Harada shrugged. "It makes him less likely to bother with Shinpachi and me."

"Yeah, who knows, maybe we could get out and go drinking while you go a few rounds with Hijikata-san," Nagakura agreed.

Chizuru finished her meal while the banter continued. She was anxious to get back to her room, partly because she was tired and partly because she thought that things might go better for her with Hijikata-san if she withdrew before things got too rowdy. At the same time, she could hardly slip away on her own, since that would make things worse.

"Yukimura-kun."

Startled out of her dilemma, she looked up to see Saitō-san apparently waiting for her, although she hadn't seen or felt him approach.

"I believe it would be best for you to go now."

"Yes – arigatou gozaimasu, Saitō-san."

Relieved, since he clearly intended to escort her to her room, she rose and picked up her tray. Saitō-san looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Heisuke."

"Yeah, Hajime-kun?"

"Could you please help Sōji collect the trays this evening? I will take your next turn that I am free."

"Sure, okay. Oh – you going, Chizuru-chan?"

Chizuru nodded with unfeigned fatigue.

"Goodnight, Chizuru-chan," Nagakura called cheerfully, looking up from whatever he was discussing with Harada.

"Do you want me to go, Saitō?" asked Harada with a slight frown. "You're not on duty until later."

"There is no need. I'll let the Vice Commander know."

"Okay, thanks… if you're sure..."

Harada-san studied the other captain for a moment longer, and then wished them both goodnight before turning back to Nagakura-san. Chizuru tried not to feel guilty. Although they had been polite about it, Harada-san and Saitō-san had been talking about the need to keep a guard over her. They probably would have both liked to stay, under the circumstances. She hadn't felt a flicker of annoyance from either man, though. There had been something else there that she didn't quite recognize, but she was too tired to sort it out.

Chizuru followed Saitō-san to the door, leaving the tray for Heisuke. Gen-san, Kondō-san and Hijikata-san were deep in conversation, apparently going through events of the past few weeks. Okita-san had joined the group, if not the discussion. He smiled his cat-like smile at Chizuru.

"'Night, Chizuru-chan! Hope you can still sleep okay now that the Demon Vice Commander is back prowling around…"

Chizuru couldn't stop herself from looking at Hijikata-san.

"Um… I'll be fine, Okita-san."

"Try not to be more of an idiot than you already are, Sōji," muttered Hijikata.

He really needs to eat and get some sleep, thought Chizuru, noting the too-prominent cheekbones and the dark circles under the purple eyes. I hope somebody else here notices and does something about it. Then it occurred to her that Sannan-san was probably the one who usually forced Hijikata-san to get some rest. Well… maybe if they decided to allow her out of her room more often she'd be able to help Hijikata-san as well as Sannan-san.

"Good night, Kondō-san, Hijikata-san, Gen-san," she murmured, bowing.

Kondō-san and Gen-san responded politely and Hijikata-san nodded grudgingly. Saitō-san inclined his head to the group and then guided her out of the room.

The air in the hallway was cool after the warm room, but she didn't feel cold until they were on the walkway that led around the indoor courtyard to her room. She shivered involuntarily, although Kyoto was in fact warmer – for the season – than Edo had been. Saitō-san seemed as unaffected by the cold as always.

"May I come in Yukimura-kun?"

He always asked, even when – as now – she had clearly left the door open for him.

"Yes, Saitō-san."

She sat down on one of the two thin cushions that she had been allocated. They were very worn, but still nice to have for herself and her occasional guests. Her guard went to the brazier as he always did – although tonight he was earlier than usual, of course. She wondered if he would go straight out again. Her room seemed very dark and quiet with only the one lantern and the softer light of evening filtering in from beyond the window and door.

"Um, Saitō-san?"

"Yes, Yukimura-kun?"

She hesitated, then continued, "… I was wondering if I could ask you something."

She expected a rebuff, but instead he knelt calmly across from her. Without quite meaning to she caught herself examining his strange, dark blue eyes and indigo hair. She had never heard of anyone with hair that colour, not even a foreigner. After a moment, his thin brows rose a little.

"Yukimura-kun? Is there something wrong?"

She blushed and shook her head. Her curiosity always seemed to lead her astray.

"N-no. I'm sorry. Um… I was wondering about the Shinsengumi's doctor, actually."

"The doctor? Are you unwell?"

If she had behaved so strangely with Okita-san, he would have laughed at her, or threatened to kill her, or maybe both. Saitō-san just looked faintly puzzled, or perhaps concerned; it was difficult to tell. She was embarrassed but tried again.

"I would really like to be of use, Saitō-san. I thought, if you had a doctor, or other medical person, that I might be helpful to him."

"Were you training with Kōdō-san, Yukimura-kun?"

His face and voice were impassive, but somehow she sensed the question was important.

"Iie. Not training exactly, but I did learn some common treatments and I enjoyed studying and growing herbs. And I was good with patients who were troubled, or in pain. I just thought, maybe, I could help out…"

She trailed away, defeated. She had yet to be allowed to help clear trays and wash dishes. It was foolish to ask to be entrusted with any kind of medical care. The sight of Sannan-san's injury had clouded her judgment.

"I will mention what you have told me to the Vice Commander."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Saitō-san."

"It is no trouble to me, Yukimura-kun."

He rose fluidly, studied her face for a moment, then nodded politely and went out.

Sometime later, long after Chizuru had changed and settled into her futon, she heard – or perhaps was woken by – voices outside her door. She couldn't make out the words, but she knew it was Hijikata-san speaking with Saitō-san. Half-asleep, she thought for a moment that she should go out and tell the Vice Commander to get some rest. Fortunately for Chizuru, she fell asleep before she could put this happy plan into action.

A/N I know it's considered good anime/video-game manners not to wonder why somebody's hair is purple. But like Chizuru, I couldn't help it...

Coming soon(ish): Chapter 10 - A Legend in Her Own Mind