Chapter 2: Souji's Surprise

Disclaimer: Go to chapter one.

After several days of being undercover at Shimabara...

"Great, It's getting dark now, rush hour time! Sheesh, when will this mission ever end?" Souji thought sarcastically to himself.

He sighed, "No, no, I shouldn't think that way, besides, I have been avoiding customers quite well. They must be giving me some slack since I'm a newcomer. Gulp. I hope it stays that way..."

Okita Souji as the beautiful lady Isako Murichi entered from the red curtains and into the bright, illuminated room.

"Um, excuse me," he spoke using his gentle, high pitched voice. "I'm back." Immediately, the young girl from behind the counter brightened up and welcomed her back.

"Oh, hello Isako-san! All our customers are in a room already, so you can go rest for now."

"Oh, all right then Miri-chan!" Souji relaxed with relief.

Unexpectedly, a towering man walked into the room, thundering with powerful aura. Souji tensed up and froze without breathing.

"Pardon me Ma'am."

He forced himself to blush and move aside. "Oh yes, sorry to be in the way Sir." He turned around swiftly, looking suspiciously at the man from the corner of his eyes. I think I might have something here. This time, I actually need to be in a room with this guy. Alone.

Walking away, Souji quickly turned the corner and silently stood there, peeking through the crack while watching the man cautiously.

Wow, his sword kii is so strong! It's almost hard not to notice. Hm, Hijikata-san told me about someone he knew with such sword kii as him...what's his name?

"...Please call me Hiko. I'd like a room with a special lady, in fact, I'd like to be with that gorgeous woman I saw a moment ago."

Miri-chan smiled, "Of course! Please come to the waiting room. She'll be here in a moment."

The counter girl slid the door open and he walked inside the room with several other drunkards snoozing off...

Gasp. I didn't actually think he would request me! I'm totally not ready for this! I-I'm no prostitute! What if he JUMPS on me?!

Souji almost peed in his pants until he remembered that he had to hurry back to his room.

There was a quiet tap on Souji's door.

"Isako-san? You have a customer, it's the handsome man you saw earlier today. He's in the waiting room."

Souji opened the sliding door slowly.

"Oh! You're already dressed? That was quick! You look wonderful!" she looked down and sighed, "...I'm just the counter girl."

He patted her head and smiled, "You're beautiful the way you are Miri-chan and you're special in your own way. That's for sure."

Miri-chan looked up and her eyes lightened up with more confidence. "Oh, thank you! Well, let me take you there."

"Sure," Souji replied kindly, smiling.

"...You know, Isako-san? I've always liked you the best here at Shimabara. Don't tell anyone I've said that, but you're always so happy and friendly. I wonder why you ended up coming here."

Souji's smile disappeared and he stared blankly at the girl.

She quickly gasped, "Oh dear! I'm sorry for being so rude! It's none of my business to know anything!"

He looked away and the two didn't speak until they reached the waiting room.

Finally, Souji said sweetly, "Miri-chan, don't worry yourself. I'm not mad at all."

The girl relaxed and nodded her head happily, "Hai!"

Gathering his act together, Souji entered the room and twisted around flirtatiously letting the kimono flow freely behind him. "Hello there," he pulled his muscles to smile a smile. "Would you like some tea and a room?"

The man looked up pulling off his long, black cape, "Hai, and may I have more sake also?" He shook a large, emty jug, "It's quite emty as you can tell."

Souji bowed his head slightly, "Yes, of course." He grabbed the jug, ready to lead the way to another room.

Suddenly, the man called for him, taking out a small picture. "Before you leave. Please tell me, have you seen this man anywhere?"

Wishing he could have already been out the door, Souji shook his head and frowned, "No sir, I haven't."

"Okay then. Please take me to the room."

The man stood up and followed Souji through the hallways and finally arrived in a separate room.

"Let me get the drinks and extra pillows."

Souji left the room and let out a huge sigh. He relaxed the tension in his muscles and continued to walk through the maze of halls. Suddenly, he heard a loud roar of laughter.

"Psh, disgraced drunkards," Souji thought.

Then he heard it again, but this time it was a giggle. "Saya-chan! Are you laughing at me?! No fair! You always win!"

Souji gasped and instinctively ripped the sliding door open.

The two kids, frightened, jumped up as Tetsu grabbed for his swords.

"TETSU-KUN!!" Souji exclaimed, surprised.

The young boy looked up and released his swords back into its sheath, "AH!? Okita-san?!"

"SHHHHHHH!" he looked at Saya-chan and back at Tetsu-kun.

"Oh, right, sorry Isako-san. Don't worry, Hijikata-san already told Saya-chan."

In awe, Souji stood motionless in the hallway, "He-he did?! Wh-why?! That's so unlike Hijikata-san! Oh, never mind that! I don't have spare time. Anyway, what in the world are you doing here, Tetsu-kun?"

Tetsu looked around as he peeked outside the room, then he shut the door silently.

"Okita-san, I'll tell you this quick. Since well, you're all dressed up and you probably have a customer. HAHAHA. Cough, cough. Well, Hijikata-san came to Shimabara with me and is currently in one of the rooms. Supposedly, he needs to find out some important information with a man who is actually undercover as a lady. I'm not fully sure what the whole story is, but this lady or man (whichever you choose) may be somewhat connected to the Choshu. And well, I'm just here with Saya-chan!"

Souji blinked, "WHAT?! No one told me this until now, how come?! Just when I thought I had a lead! Darn."

Tetsu interrupted, "Wait, there's more. Hijikata-san guessed that a man by the name of Hiko would also be here. Hiko is probably looking for this 'lady.'"

Souji stopped breathing and bulged his eyes as if he was about to have an asthma attack.

"Okita-san? Ooookita-san?? What's wro-"

"YES!!" Souji shouted with joy.

"Nani? What is it Okita-san!?"

"Hiko, you say? Well..." Souji grinned, "I'm rooming with him right now."

When hearing this, Tetsu gasped and Saya looked like she wanted to faint.

"Hmm, this is getting interesting Tetsu-kun...very interesting. Anyway, I have to run now! My customer is waiting, you know."

At once, Souji stood up and reached for the door. "Oh, and Tetsu-kun, about the other day..."

"Aw, come on Okita-san! You know me better than that! Just give it a rest," Tetsu smiled kindly.

"Thanks Tetsu-kun...oh and bye Saya-chan!" He sighed with relief and waved at the cute girl. Immediately, he left the room, ready with determination to find out more information about that mysterious man.

A/N: YAY! It's getting more and more interesting! I hope everything isn't too confusing, but it's all I've got so far. Anyway, enjoy and please review telling me how you like it!

:) Reiia