AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Thank you to all my readers, and especially those who decided to go on reading even after reading my one-shot! Also, I really appreciated the Favs and Follows on that story. :)
I never realized this story would get so long, but I've enjoyed the writing, even though my characters don't always cooperate. The problem is that I want to include a bit about all the characters, which does get challenging. :)
No poem today...
We do have moments of frustration, angst, repression, smiles, fluff and humour.
[Note to those re-reading... A few minor typos corrected after the fact.]
- ImpracticalOni
Chapter 34: Back at Headquarters...
[I - Too Many Oni Spoil the Vice Commander]
Hijikata took his leave of Sen-hime and Kimiguku-san in near silence. He bowed politely – Amagiri-san continued to have that effect on him here, even though not in the room – but mostly he wanted to leave and get back to a place where he generally knew what was going on. Saitō and Harada followed at his heels. At the door, he remarked that he should be able to send Saitō back in the early evening. Sen-hime agreed to pass this along to Amagiri.
"Will you be returning as well, Harada-san?" she asked hopefully.
Kimigiku was itching to talk to the girl alone – she was so completely transparent it was embarrassing. Harada looked at Sen-hime in some surprise.
"I don't know, Princess Osen." He turned to Hijikata, who was still waiting in the doorway. "Am I?"
"I doubt it," said Hijikata wearily. "At some point we need to get the patrols back in order. Especially since Saitō appears to be otherwise occupied."
The slighter man frowned slightly.
"I would like to return to my duties, Vice Commander."
"Maybe tomorrow. When I know you'll be skewering people on purpose and not by mistake."
Hijikata saw Saitō blink and somehow become even more expressionless; Harada actually winced. Damn. Time to go before it gets worse.
"Good afternoon, Princess. Kimigiku-san."
Sen-hime looked disappointed, but Hijikata thought that Kimigiku was rather relieved. He wasn't sure how he felt about it. One lovelorn captain was already one more than he needed. Not that Saitō was suffering from unrequited feelings, from what Hijikata had seen. In fact, the quiet man had shown surprising initiative.
Hijikata was still trying to understand why Saitō, who was extraordinarily reserved as well as very formal, had apparently been so direct with Yukimura. For the moment, he assumed it was one of two things, or maybe both: either Saitō had believed it to be the most appropriate thing to do after his spectacular loss of control; or he had decided that he would rather have things settled with Yukimura and therefore Harada one way or the other. There were other possibilities, but those were Hijikata's first choices.
He knew that he was avoiding thinking about other problems. He hated to admit it, but Saitō's romance was suddenly one of the easier things he had to worry about. Of course, whether it was an Oni-induced fit (which he now found perfectly understandable), or overly-repressed feelings that caused him to attack Harada, as Vice Commander, Hijikata had to hope nothing like that would happen again.
Maybe he should send Harada back this evening with Saitō after all… With any luck, Harada would get to flirt with a pretty girl who happened to be an Oni princess, and see Saitō tossed around by Amagiri-san. Frankly, the Tenth Division Captain had been really good about everything and he deserved a break. With any luck, it would annoy some of the Oni.
What on earth was he going to tell Kondō-san when he got back from dealing with the higher-ups? And he still had to check up on Sannan-san. Hijikata rubbed at the tension between his eyes without even noticing.
Behind him, Saitō and Harada exchanged a quick look. This time they were in perfect accord: the man needed a break.
[II - All in a Day's Work]
Nagakura Shinpachi was patrolling the city that afternoon, taking a route improvised out of countless patrols over the last eighteen months. His squad was as cobbled together as the route, but at least he'd left Harada some men if the spearman ever got back from his mysterious business with Hijikata-san.
It would nice if things could get back to normal, he thought. He wasn't happy about the Oni, especially the big one who had almost killed Heisuke but was still being treated as some kind of mysterious ally. At the same time, Nagakura had a natural affinity for politics, and now that he'd had a few hours' sleep he was mulling over the various ramifications of everything he'd heard and seen. He had to wonder just how unified the Oni were, since some seemed to be neutrals and at least one stood with Chōshu and Tosa; moreover, even the neutrals weren't necessarily allies, based on what he'd seen.
Almost absent-mindedly, he halted the patrol. Then he wondered why. His bright blue eyes scanned the people shopping at the local stalls and stores, noting that they were all giving wide berth to the Shinsengumi. There. That man.
"Excuse me, sir," he said politely, dropping a not-so-friendly hand on his target's shoulder.
"Whaddaya want! I ain't done anything! Let me go! We've all heard'a you!"
The man was a harmless enough looking creature, middle-aged with a thickening middle and thinning hair and apparently unarmed. Looking up at Nagakura's muscles and searching gaze, the man faltered and tried a different tack.
"I was just buyin' a trinket off this lady, ah, Shinsengumi-taichō… Nothin' bad, sorry if I got in your way."
He hadn't gotten in the way, Nagakura thought, so why was he so nervous. And why the hell was he holding onto the guy anyway? But before he let him go, just to be on the safe side, he waved a couple of his men closer and ran his free hand down the man's left arm, where he had just seen a strange bulge.
Immediately, his prisoner tried to pull away. The woman running the trinket stall screamed, and then started to scold.
"Oh sir, please don't harm my customer! I thought the Shinsengumi were here to defend us, not to drive away business!"
But Nagakura was much stronger than the man he held, and he'd confirmed that the sleeve of the man's shirt concealed a knife and something else. He twisted the man's arms behind his back without compunction and thrust him at his waiting soldiers.
"Hold him, strip off the shirt and look out for the knife in the right sleeve. And as for you…"
He had hold of the woman before she had any idea what he was about to do. As he expected, she started screaming in earnest, which is why he hadn't left the job to any of his men.
"Okay, Magoshi, what's the man got?"
"Two knives, one under the sleeve, the other strapped to the leg, Nagakura-taichō. Also, this."
Nagakura unrolled the scrap of paper. Even just scanning it he could see the assurance of aid and comfort to the sonno joi and escaped Chōshu from the recent raid.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're going to have to search your cart and your home to make sure this didn't come from you."
And so it went. In the end, both the man and the woman were taken into custody, and the patrol went home with curses in their ears. Nagakura wished that Sano were there – he always handled women better. Well… almost always. I guess not with Chizuru-chan. Somehow, though, the Second Division Captain suspected that his friend would be alright. He usually was, when it came to women.
Nagakura was almost all the way back to headquarters before it occurred to him to wonder how he'd managed to pick out that one particular man.
[III - How to Spoil the Mood]
When Hijikata, Harada and Saitō returned to headquarters, they found Yamazaki waiting for them in the inner courtyard. They also found Chizuru hanging clothes to dry with Okita's assistance, and Hijikata and Harada both looked at Saitō, as if they couldn't help themselves. Naturally, nothing happened. Well, nothing interesting.
Chizuru handed a shirt to Okita to peg, and then turned.
"Good afternoon, Hijikata-san, Saitō-san, Harada-san." She smiled at all of them and bowed, evidently a little diffident after everything that had happened. Looking back at the man assisting her with the laundry she added: "Okita-san worked very hard helping me with my chores."
Three of the four men turned disbelieving expressions on Okita.
"Sōji? You were helping with laundry?"
"Why so surprised, Hijikata-san? I like to help Chizuru-chan as much as anyone else! Well, maybe except for one?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively at Saitō, but didn't get much reaction, as Saitō had stepped aside with Yamazaki and appeared not to notice.
In fact, Saitō had noticed, and had realized that he didn't like Sōji helping Yukimura with her chores. However, if this was jealousy, then he would have to find a way to deal with it. He had seen a great deal of jealousy over the years – including Sōji's jealousy where Kondō's affection was concerned – and he knew how it could eat at people and undermine even the strongest character. The teasing over his feelings for Yukimura was an irritant that just had to be borne.
"Actually, what Hajime-kun is probably hearing from Yamazaki-kun," Okita said to Hijikata and Harada, "is that we had an observer here for most of the afternoon. More specifically, he was watching Chizuru-chan and his attitude didn't seem exactly friendly."
Hijikata frowned, and gestured for Okita to continue. Harada was also intrigued, although not so much that he didn't see Chizuru's eyes stray over to Saitō. She had been just a little hurt, he thought, that Saitō hadn't given her any kind of special acknowledgment. Well, they were both going to have to adapt if they wanted their relationship to work out. Ignoring his own preferences on that matter, he tried to give his full attention to Okita.
"I think…" For the first time, Okita sounded uncertain. "I think the boy might be an Oni. I don't know why, and how should I know… but I think I'm right. He just feels not-human and he made me uneasy. Sounds weird huh? I couldn't even see him very well."
"It doesn't sound any weirder than anything else lately," said Hijikata. "By the way, how are you feeling after last night?"
"Actually I feel a lot better than yesterday. And my bruises are half-way gone."
Hijikata and Harada both looked sceptical, but Okita laughed.
"I'll tell you what, Hijikata-san: you stay for Yamazaki to give me a once-over, and I'll bet he says I'm just about fit for duty."
"And the coughing?"
"None so far this morning. But just to prove how sincere and honest I am, I'll admit that last night was rough. So… what was your special meeting with the Oni about?"
"Who said there was one?"
"It was obvious. So? What's the latest news? Should we be expecting other youkai next?"
Saitō came over with Yamazaki at that moment.
"Vice Commander, may I suggest that we have a short meeting with Okita and Yamazaki?"
"I was just telling Hijikata-san that I'd noticed our lurker," said Okita.
Saitō nodded.
"Of course. Then perhaps you, Yamazaki-kun and the Vice Commander can compare notes?"
"Alright," said Hijikata. "Come to my quarters, both of you."
"I'm just going to head out on patrol for a couple of hours, okay Vice Commander?" put in Harada. "I told Nagakura I'd try to go out if I got back in time. We'll come in at around six."
"Right, we discussed that at lunch," agreed Hijikata. "Oh, and Harada… I'll let you know about going out this evening when you get back."
Harada swiftly concealed his surprise at the suggestion that he might be going out with Saitō later after all. He wondered why Hijikata had changed his mind, though.
"Sure." He smiled at Chizuru, who smiled back, then waved casually to the others. "See you guys later then."
Hijikata turned to Saitō.
"Let Yukimura know about our most recent discussions with the Oni." He paused to give Okita a sidelong look, "And don't forget to let her know about the other youkai."
"Of course, Vice Commander." Saitō didn't even blink. "Also, shall I give a brief report to the Deputy Commander?"
Hijikata's eyes suddenly locked on Saitō's. He really didn't want to feel like the Third Division Captain was reading his mind. Then he thought, hell, it's not like he didn't use to do this even before all the Oni business.
"Yes, good idea, Saitō. I'll talk to you later."
"Hai, Fukuchō."
Hijikata, Okita and Yamazaki headed off toward the Vice Commander's room. Saitō turned toward Chizuru, suddenly conscious that she seemed to be uncomfortable about something.
"How have you been, Yukimura?" he asked gravely.
"Oh – oh fine, Saitō-san."
Saitō analyzed this and decided that something was wrong.
"May I assist you with hanging the laundry?"
Yukimura nodded.
"Yes please, Saitō-san."
Wordlessly, Saitō collected two pegs and extended a hand for the next piece of laundry. To his surprise, Yukimura hesitated before handing it to him.
"You… haven't changed your mind, Saitō-san?"
Completely confused, Saitō turned to look at her directly. This was embarrassing, but he wanted to be clear.
"About you? No. Why would I do that?"
He could tell that the girl was also embarrassed, but she kept her eyes fixed on his.
"You looked so serious, when you arrived, and I had the feeling that you were annoyed," she said quietly. "Also, I thought that maybe what you heard from Osen-chan and the others might have made you think that it wasn't a good idea."
Saitō stared at her and her cheeks reddened.
"Did it seem to you that I was annoyed at you?" he asked at last.
She waved her small hand in front of her face, meaning no.
"Then why did it distress you?"
At this, she did look down. While she was thinking, Saitō hung up the garment she had eventually handed him.
"You didn't greet me when you came in – and you went aside right away with Yamazaki-san. But you were upset with Okita-san, even though usually you don't let him bother you. I thought maybe I'd done something wrong…"
She stopped, still staring at the ground.
"Yukimura," Saitō said, speaking as quietly as she had. "I was very pleased to see you. But I could hardly say that under the circumstances, could I? I'm not sure why I was annoyed with Sōji, but it might have been because he spent the afternoon with you instead of me."
There was a short silence, and then Yukimura looked up, her face once more reflecting resolve. She gave Saitō her warm, slightly shy smile and he hoped she couldn't hear his heart speed up a little, because it seemed like such an overreaction.
"Saitō-san, I'm sorry. I was being foolish and only thinking about myself. I'll do better, I promise."
"So…" asked Saitō tentatively, "… you are feeling better now?"
Yukimura smiled at him again and he couldn't doubt her pride or affection. It was beyond him to be quite so… open… in public, though, with or without people around. Maybe that would change a little over time, he mused. He looked down and discovered that he'd finished hanging the laundry. Yukimura was just watching him, looking a little startled but also slightly amused.
"Thank you for your help, Saitō-san," she said, trying to be solemn.
"Ah… it is nothing," he responded automatically. He wasn't sure what she found funny, but that was alright. "Would you help me make the Vice Commander some tea? I believe that a rest would be more beneficial, but as that is unlikely…"
"Of course! And maybe you can tell me about – about the Oni afterward?"
He nodded and picked up the basket. Walking to the kitchen together, Saitō had to force himself not to move closer. She smells nice, he thought, and that reminded him of having her curled up against him… Actually, he was a little concerned by how much he wanted to be near her. Of course, he'd never been prone to touching people in the first place, unlike Harada or Nagakura, so maybe his current reactions just seemed strange to him. Or maybe this was part of his Oni heritage somehow? Amagiri had said that they would both "react" more to each other for a while.
"Saitō-san?"
He blushed when he looked up to discover that he had followed Yukimura into the kitchen and watched her make tea all without saying a single word or offering to help. He had a sudden, profound appreciation for all the young recruits he had trained who had seemed so inattentive to his instructions and who had been teased by their friends for being infatuated with some girl.
"I apologize, Yukimura. I was distracted."
He couldn't admit that he had been completely distracted just by her. Not by the Oni, or his possible heritage, or his concern for the Vice Commander… He hadn't been thinking about any of the things he should have been. And as pleasant as some of the sensations were, it made him profoundly uncomfortable to be so unaware of his duty and his surroundings.
Saitō picked up the tray with the tea things and nodded to Yukimura to go on ahead. He deliberately focussed on what they were going to do about the patrols for the next few days and tried to assess how long Heisuke and Sōji would be out for – a lot less time than anticipated, based on what he'd seen of Heisuke and Sōji this morning.
They arrived at Hijikata's room to find that today's spy – second spy really, counting Shiranui Kyo – had already been discussed, and Hijikata and Okita had already turned to the matter of patrols. The two men were getting along better than usual, although they often did when focussed strictly on work, and Yamazaki had tactfully withdrawn from the conversation between his superiors.
"Let me, Saitō-san," Yukimura said, taking the tray from the man behind her.
Saitō nodded and joined the discussion – or at least sat down to listen to it. After a few moments, he suggested asking Sannan-san to join them.
"Hmm. Yes. Yamazaki, please ask the Deputy Commander if he would like to join us. After that – whether he is available to come or not – you are at liberty. You may want to get some rest."
Yamazaki nodded obediently and left.
"Yukimura," Hijikata continued. "I can't imagine that Saitō's had time to brief you on our discussion with the Oni, so the two of you might as well go now."
"Are you sure that's appropriate, Hijikata-san?" asked Okita, the mischief back in his eyes. "Maybe Yamazaki had better go with them when he gets back."
"They're adults and the rest of us have better things to do than play chaperone" the Vice Commander said bluntly. "Not to mention other things to worry about."
Saitō had already risen and opened the door for Yukimura. Of course, Sōji's comments wouldn't bother him so much if he felt as certain as he used to that there was no cause for concern. However, the Vice Commander has his priorities straight as usual – there was a lot for him to tell Yukimura. In fact, he suddenly realized, there was more to discuss than even the Vice Commander knew. He had forgotten that Hijikata-san didn't know about the destruction of Yukimura's clan and the probable betrayal by Yukimura Kōdō-sensei, who wasn't her father.
He frowned, rapidly trying to decide what to do.
"Yukimura – will you wait for me outside for a moment?"
"Yes, Saitō-san." The girl went out quickly with a soft "excuse me".
Saitō crossed to the Vice Commander, who had stopped speaking with Okita in some surprise when Saitō had sent the girl out.
"Vice Commander, there is something you should know. Amagiri-san and Sen-hime informed me this morning that Yukimura Kōdō-sensei is not Yukimura Chizuru's father. He is a relative, but one who is suspected of betraying the clan and her real parents and duping Yukimura Chizuru."
Both men's eyes widened and Hijikata swore violently.
"I am so fed up with these damn Oni! Alright, alright Saitō, you'd better get going… Well there you go, Sōji," he added to the green-eyed man beside him, "it's going to put quite a damper on the mood to try to explain all that to the girl. Shit. And I thought Bakufu politics were bad…"
Saitō had actually been thinking along the same lines. He wished he hadn't remembered. How on earth was he supposed to tell Yukimura that her supposed father, for whom she had suffered pain and real terror, was most likely a manipulative enemy and not her father at all?
He slipped out of the room, and felt badly when he saw Yukimura waiting patiently – and trustingly – for him just down along the walkway. And she would know that there was something amiss. He successfully managed not to put his arms around her as her expression fell at the grim look on his face.
"You'll tell me what's wrong?" she asked.
"Yes."
They went to her room, both because it was closer and also because he thought she'd be more comforted by having her own things around her. He wouldn't even acknowledge to himself that it also felt safer to him; as if somehow the desire to hold her – to do more than hold her – would be staved off by being in a place that was wholly, innocently hers.
"I… I should have brought tea for us too, Saitō-san," said Yukimura hesitantly, as she opened the door.
"I will fetch us fresh water from the well, instead," Saitō instantly suggested. "I'll be right back."
He picked up a jar for drinking water and hurried out, not thinking how his actions might appear to the anxious girl. At the well, he washed his face and neck and hands, letting the cool water soothe his ruffled spirits. You're being a coward, he told himself. Do you really have such little self-control?
Taking a deep breath, he carefully poured fresh water into the jar and carried it back to Yukimura's room. She had left the door partly ajar to let some of the heat out. When he entered, he was taken aback to find her looking so troubled.
"Whatever it is…" she told him, "…it can't be as bad as you're making me imagine, right? It's not – you haven't suddenly heard something about my father have you?"
A/Note: These guys need a party. Seriously. Or a lot of hugs and some time off.
Anyway, forgive me for the ending and please come back next chapter where (hopefully) things will get better.
I hope your enjoy the reading, and please review or comment - I always appreciate hearing from you!