Chapter 3: Under the Makeup

Disclaimer: Go to chapter one.

The womanly, light skinned man silently rushed towards the tea room to pour two cups and filled the sake jug along the way. Just as he remembered, he went back and snatched a fluffy pillow. In a rush, Souji tried to jog, realizing moments later that it was quite impossible to even walk in a kimono.

Quickly turning to cross hallways, Souji accidentally bumped into another lady, gasping. "Ah! The tea!" Just before the cup reached the ground, the other lady twirled around, leaning towards the floor to catch the falling cup.

Souji's eyes widened. What was that? Who exactly is this lady?

"Oh! Thank you, dear! I-I was just not seeing where I was looking. Sorry for the trouble."

She stood up smiling, handing over the tea cup still filled and uncracked.

"It's fine. It was my fault. If you please excuse me."

Souji stood motionless watching the elegant, beautiful lady walk down the hall. Forcing himself to get back to the room, he continued thinking about that strange yet beautiful woman he had encountered. How lovely she looked with deep, violet eyes and long, swaying red hair. She seemed so familiar, like something hanging in his mind. Sliding the door open, he thought of Hiko and suddenly remembered who that lady was.

"Hello Hiko-sama, sorry for the long wait." Souji paused looking into the empty room as he dropped the tea cups, soaking the floor.
...Huh? Where is he? Grr, I need to talk with him so I can hopefully find out more information about that "lady."

With that, Souji set down the sake jug and closed the door, ignoring the broken cups.
All right, I'll just go look for him.

Meanwhile in Hijikata's room...

Gently, the lady opened the door and smiled sweetly, "Thank you for being patient Juhne-sama."

Disguised as a different man, Hijikata took the name of Juhne, a man who was supposedly fond of the lady. Finally, he was alone with her and quickly, Hijikata took a mental picture of how she looked. No scar, perfect makeup, and brilliant red hair that swooped down. A perfectly, beautiful woman.

So, her name is Misa, eh? How...interesting. She looks just like a woman, she could even pass for a geisha. Perfect disguise. Now, will she see through my disguise?

"Juhne-sama, shall I massage your back?"

"Hm? Oh, please do," Hijikata smiled forcibly. "So, how are things here?"

"Pretty good. I see that there's a newcomer here at work."

"Really? Have you met her?"

"Well, no. I saw her earlier today, but she looked busy, so we didn't have a chance to talk."

"I see, well enough with that. How have you been feeling?"

She frowned and paused for a moment. "Juhne-sama, we've known each other for sometime. You should know that my heart still hasn't changed much."

Hijikata faced Misa, seeing that she seemed quite unhappy...but with what?
He smiled and held her cheek in his rough hands. "All I hope is for you to feel safe and happy. Which, you don't look so cheerful. What's wrong?"

The "lady" gulped, but still kept her composure as a sweet, gentle woman. "Nothing really. Just very stressed."

Hijikata pushed her down to the floor and gently rested his face on her stomach.
"Misa-dono..." he whispered, not knowing what else to say. Toshi hadn't experienced much with a woman before, and often didn't know what do to to please them. Damn, this is getting annoying. How much longer do I have to pretend that I'm in love with this...man? ...he thought.

"J-Juhne-sama..." she blushed.

Arg, is he enjoying this?! This is so frustrating. He should be worried, right? Okay, that's it. I'm getting this over with since this guy won't spill a word. Plan B!

Hijikata breathed out a soft snore.

After sometime, Misa sighed, convinced that the man was still sleeping. She thought... Okay, this is really annoying. In fact, something's quite odd. Juhne is acting somewhat different. Whatever, maybe he's just drunk. Uhg, how much longer do I have to be him?

Snore.

Suddenly, Misa thought of a great idea and grinned, slipping away out of the room. She turned around and looked up in a gasp. "Oh, hello. Sorry, I didn't see you coming. You scared me a bit."

Souji showed no expression and quickly grabbed Misa's hand, pulling her along.

Well I have had no luck finding that man Hiko. She should be a good lead. Wow, what good disguise, almost fooled me for a minute... Souji thought to himself.

"Ano... excuse me? What are you doing and where are you taking me?"

Souji continued walking forward silently through the corridors. Finally, there was an empty room with different cupboards and shelves covering the walls, an abandoned storage room. Souji cornered the lady, leaving her helpless and horrified.

"Look. Cut the act. Who exactly are you?" Souji demanded an answer, foolishly ruining his perfect disguise.

Misa's eyes narrowed and she crinkled her eyebrows. -silence-

Unexpectedly, Souji slapped the lady's left cheek, effectively smudging her makeup and uncovering a scar. Immediately the lady grabbed his hand, entering an unusual stance.

"Humph. I knew it. So it is you, Okita Souji. I had a strange feeling the moment I met you," Misa sneered.

"Oh, really Hitokiri Battosai? Or should I be more friendly, Himura?" Souji stared back, expressionless and swiftly whipped out his concealed sword.

Simultaneously, to Souji's surprise, Kenshin swung a hidden sword, meeting his enemy's blade. Clang! Both men, dressed as beautiful, elegant women, glared at one another motionless. Finally, the tips of their swords were set down to the floor, still held tightly in their grasp.

Souji sighed, "Okay, well obviously we can't fight here." He grasped his forehead and shook his head. Then decided to sheath his sword, just as Kenshin did. After a long, odd silence, Souji confronted the boy. "So kid, exactly how old are you? You look like you're twelve."

Kenshin replied coldly with a scowl, "I'm fifteen, if you must know. You?"

"I'm twenty," Souji chuckled and relaxed, "You sound angry, what for?"

Remembering who they were facing, the shot each other death glares.

Kenshin spat with disgust, "Dirty Wolves of Mibu. You all think you're all that."

Souji scolded looking away, refraining himself from getting too angry. Sighing they plopped on the floor and uncomfortably glanced at each other every so often.

"What are you even doing with your life? You know...killing and all," Souji asked suddenly, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

"I'm fighting for the new era, obviously. We all have our opinions about this war. Some stronger than others. Anyway, what type of idiotic question is that? Rumors said you took the sword at nine."

"Wow, you know your stuff kid."

Kenshin glared, wondering why his enemy was acting so friendly. "Whatever, why are you even wasting you're time here?"

Souji looked back at him in confusion, "What do you mean? I'm investigating." He smiled slightly.

"Well, you're wasting you're time," Kenshin stated bluntly, looking away.

Souji paused. "What do you mean? Choshu are staying here... You're proof!"

"Oh really? Am I really all the evidence you need? So, now what are you going to do? Burn down Shimabara just because you think so? Well let me tell you something, there not."

Embarrassed and frustrated, Souji frowned. "Well, there's absolutely no way I can't trust you. Besides, I'm doing what I was ordered to do."

Kenshin snapped back, "Fine by me, but I'm-"

BANG!

Instantaneously, the door came crashing down in front of the two disturbed teenagers.