Disclaimer~ We don't own Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan, or anything relating to it. Zan nen desu ne?
Chapter Nine
Shinpachi-pachi-pachi!
"Ah, come on Hajime-san! You're nothing but a grumpy old man!" Shinpachi teased in his cheerful booming voice. He slapped his fellow captain on the back playfully.
"At least I'm not a pervert, don't touch me," Hajime dismissed.
"Just because we are entertained by many women doesn't make us perverts! I think you should try it some time, Hajime," Sano defended, joining the intervention.
"Ne! Sano, that's a great idea! We should take Hajime-san out with us tonight!" Shinpachi said excitedly.
"Eh? I am not interested in such a thing."
Heisuke stepped into the room where the three sat around on their pillows conversing, "What are we talking about…?"
Sano jumped out of his seat, quick to shoo Heisuke out of the room. "No! You're too young to talk about his! Come back when you're a few years older!"
"What…? Wait!"
"Jyane~!" Sano shoved Heisuke through the door he had only recently come from, and slid it shut behind him before turning back to Hajime and Shinpachi with a smile. "So, where were we?"
"I see no point in going with you two," Hajime stated.
"How about because it's fun?" Sano offered.
Shinpachi stood with Sano, looking down at Hajime who still sat calmly, barley moving his head to peer at them. "You're too uptight! You need to learn to relax and enjoy the female body."
A faint blush spread on Hajime's pale cheeks for only a moment.
Sayo knocked on the door before sliding it open with one hand, in the other she held a tray of tea. "I brought you some tea… what's going on in here? Am I… interrupting something?" she asked, looking around at the confrontation.
"You could never interrupt me, Sayo." Shinpachi winked.
"What's that even supposed to mean?" She walked in setting the tea down in front of Hajime who was still seated.
"Us men are going out for a night of good times," Sano explained, sitting down again and putting a muscular arm around Hajime's shoulders.
"It seems I've been put in the position of chaperone," Hajime said, side glaring at Sano.
"He's kidding around, he'll be taking part in the fun too!" Sano laughed.
Hajime stared blankly at the ground, not justifying his statement.
"So it's settled. We'll leave after tea." Shinpachi picked up one of the cups, taking a sip.
"You know I could use a night out of this place… A girl really does need some fresh air once in a while."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea… you should join us," Hajime said, hoping if Sayo came along it would keep the boys under control.
"E-e-eto I don't know if this is the place for you Sayo… As much as I would enjoy your company…" Shinpachi stuttered nervously.
"Don't worry, Shinpa-san, I won't be jealous of all your other women." Sayo rolled her eyes.
Shinpachi let out a breath of relief.
XXX
Heisuke ran down the halls, stopping in front of the room Asaji and Sayo shared, he opened the door. "Asaaaa-chan!" He called out, seeing Asaji and Yamazaki sitting on the floor playing a game of Hanafuda.
She picked up the last cards in the round, completing an Ino-Shika-Cho Yaku before looking up. "Ah, Heisuke-kun, please sit! We're almost done with this game, I'm winning." She smiled and patted the pillow next to her.
Heisuke plopped down on the cushion. "I think Shinpachi, Hajime and Sano are planning something…"
"I'm sure it's official Shinsengumi business…"
"They said I'm too young to hear what they were talking about…"
"… maybe it's a really difficult mission?" she offered.
Yamazaki studied the cards in his hand. "They're going out to see Geisha."
Asaji hesitated in thought before speaking, "… Geisha?"
"I saw Sayo-san go in their room with tea while I was leaving, so I'm sure she got dragged into it too…"
XXX
Sano, Shinpachi, Hajime and Sayo walked along the lantern lit streets of Kyo. Their steps echoed along the cobblestones as they passed by the busy citizens, going to various parties, ready for a night of fun and relaxation.
"So, where are we going exactly?" Sayo questioned.
"A teahouse not far from here, they know us well." Sano laughed. "But I don't know what they'll make of you, Sayo."
"Some of the women may try and scratch your eyes out… to keep you from gazing upon my beauty." Shinpachi flexed.
"I'm sure that won't be a problem." Sayo laughed before looking over at Hajime. "Hajime, are you okay?" She whispered. "You look a little… pale? Well, paler than normal."
"I'm fine; I may just be dreading the situation…"
Sayo laughed softly. "Don't worry about it, the women are there to make you feel comfortable and enjoy yourself, they don't expect anything of you, it's not like they're prostitutes."
Hajime raised an eyebrow. "Have you been to one of these places before?"
Shinpachi turned slightly and put his arm around Sayo. "Who hasn't been here? She probably comes here to see how to dress all fancy for yours truly." He smiled as they came to a set of wooden stairs leading up to a beautiful building, complete with a lucky cat beckoning them inside.
"Yes… you're exactly right Shinpachi." Sayo smiled and brushed off the comment before pushing the curtains aside and walking in.
Asaji ran alongside Yamazaki and Heisuke, trying hard to keep up in her wooden shoes. "Are you sure we should be following them?"
"I have no mission tonight…" Yamazaki said.
"And I didn't have any plans." Heisuke smiled.
"Well, I did finish my chores, but that's not the point!"
"We're just keeping an eye on them, that's all… and if they happen to do anything embarrassing that I can use later, my night would be that much better…" Heisuke said, continuing to smile.
Asaji nodded before looking around at all the people flooding the streets. "Did we lose them?" She couldn't spot her sister's blue cotton kimono anywhere.
"No, they're right there." Yamazaki pointed to the four of them walking into a teahouse called Chouchin.
"What exactly are we going to do? We can't really go in there without them noticing…" Heisuke pointed out.
Asaji glanced at the teahouse before looking at the ground, she still felt guilty about spying on her sister and her friends.
XXX
"Why look who it is! Shinpa-han and Sano-tan, and who is this you've brought with you?" A brilliantly dressed Geisha greeted them, swishing her yellow and gold flowered kimono around her ankles as she moved to examine Hajime.
Hajime bowed politely.
The Geisha turned to her fellow ladies and shaped her painted red lips into a smile. "Looks like we've got a newcomer, and isn't he cute?" She turned her smile on Hajime.
The three men moved over to sit around a short wooden table with Sayo following close behind. But before she could take her place next to Hajime a slightly less beautifully dressed maid pulled her aside. "What do you think you're doing here dressed like that?"
"Excuse me… I'm not working tonight; I was only enjoying the company of my friends." Sayo tried to pull her arm away.
"If my mistress finds out she won't be pleased, at least put on something more presentable…" The maid begged.
"But – I…"
The maid pulled Sayo away from the party and pushed her up another set of wooden stairs until they came to a room filled with bright kimono.
XXX
Outside the Chouchin Heisuke, Yamazaki and Asaji stood at a loss of what to do.
"I say we go around and have some fun while they're in there…" Heisuke suggested.
"Is there really anything fun to do at this time?" Asaji wondered.
"They found something…" Heisuke nodded toward the teahouse.
"Besides that…"
Heisuke shrugged.
"Are you hungry, Asaji-chan?" Yamazaki asked, looking into her bright blue eyes.
"Um… are you?"
"I asked you first…"
"Yes, but… you don't get my answer until you tell me yours," She challenged.
"I'm… hungry…" Yamazaki spoke carefully, assessing her reaction.
"Okay, me too… let's get something to eat…" Asaji looked around at the various food stands where merchants were offering yakitori and takoyaki on skewers, a few were serving hot noodles and some sold sweets. She chose a friendly looking ramen stand, and the three made their way over.
As they slurped the noodles, Asaji couldn't help but glance nervously over at the teahouse.
"This is what I call fun." Heisuke smiled before shoving his chopsticks into his mouth.
Yamazaki politely sipped his broth while watching Asaji. "Is something wrong?"
Asaji blinked her eyes away from the Chouchin before turning to Yamazaki. "No, no… nothing. W-why do you ask?"
Yamazaki gave her a suspicious look.
"I … wonder if Sayo-sama is doing alright in there…" Asaji cracked under his intense gaze.
"It's a teahouse… what could go wrong?" Heisuke smiled reassuringly.
XXX
Sayo stepped out of the room she had been forced into, wearing a slightly bland light green kimono. Though it was still far lovelier than the peasant cotton robe she had been wearing previously. She glided down the stairs, not making any noise as her feet padded softly on the wood.
Hajime glanced up at the stairs noticing the movement. As he realized it was Sayo entering the room, his eyes increased in size.
Sano turned to share a suggestive joke with Hajime, and noticing his shocked expression, followed his gaze. "What happened to you?"
Shinpachi was too distracted by the giggling Geisha next to him to turn around.
Hajime turned to momentarily glare at Sano. "Don't be rude." He turned back to Sayo who was now standing before them. "I'm sure he means… why did you change?"
"Hey, Shinpachi." Sano elbowed his friend in the ribs.
"Itai!" Shinpachi rubbed his side, shooting Sano a dirty look. "What!" He caught the suggestion and turned, laying his womanizing eyes on Sayo. His mouth hung open stupidly for a long moment before he was able to compose himself. "Well, hello there… Why don't you have a seat right here." He patted his lap.
"Could you be any less classy?" Hajime dismissed.
Sayo laughed, slightly nervous, and walked over to kneel expertly in between Hajime and Shinpachi as the other Geisha eyed her suspiciously.
"This is a good look for you… though I must admit, you would look even better without the kimono." Shinpachi flashed her a crooked smile.
"Why thank you, to your kind words I will admit to you, I think you would look very beautiful in this kimono also." She smiled coyly. "Perhaps if I take it off, you would keep it warm for me?"
"Oo-hoo hoo, She's a natural!" Sano laughed loudly.
Hajime smiled a little.
"I think we'll have to talk to Hijikata about keeping one of these kimono for you," Shinpachi said, not as amused as his fellow captains.
"I second that! Ne, Hajime?"
He whipped the smile off his face and stared at Sano expressionless.
Shinpachi held out his small glass for Sayo to fill but she merely starred at it. He persisted to shake the cup, rudely, in hopes of getting her attention.
"I'm not working here… pour your own goddamn tea."
The teahouse burst out laughing, Geisha not included. The one closest to Shinpachi, quietly poured his glass, brushing his finger tips with her long sleeve.
"Thank you." Shinpachi smiled at her before turning to glare at Sayo. "At least someone is polite enough."
Sano whipped away a tear of laughter. "Sayo, you crack me up…" He held out his cup for one of the Geisha to fill.
The party continued, glasses clinking and laughter filling the room. Sayo watched Shinpachi flirt shamelessly with the Geisha sitting next to him and Hajime stared down at his hands awkwardly, not sure how he was supposed to be enjoying himself.
"And then I told 'em, you can stick your sword in me, if you don't mind me sticking my sword in—" Shinpachi continued a joke before he was cut off by Sano.
"Shinpachi! Don't frighten these beautiful ladies."
The Geisha giggled showing modesty as they were supposed to.
Shinpachi turned to Sano. "Who's frightening them? I'm just telling them a story…"
"Try one a little more appropriate."
A smaller Geisha with a thin, bony face, stood up, and sat down next to Hajime. "Hello there," she greeted softly. "You don't seem as… outspoken as your friends."
Hajime nodded.
"You don't come to these places often I take it?"
"I see no point."
"Well… I'll assure you, there is a point."
Hajime didn't respond.
"I'm going to make sure you have a good time." She smiled.
Sayo listened to their conversation from her place on the other side of Hajime. She rolled her eyes, "What an amateur," she thought to herself.
"Do you like dancing?" The Geisha asked Hajime.
"No."
"Then you haven't seen me and my sisters perform." She smiled and stood up.
"Alright!" Shinpachi elbowed Sano in the side, getting him back for earlier. "We finally get to see those lovely ladies' bodies move.
Sano nodded and patted Hajime on the back with a smile.
Hajime watched silently as the Geisha next to Shinpachi stood up gracefully. She walked to the corner of the room and picked up her shamisen, and kneeled down, beginning to play a romantic melody. Her sister began to sway her hips to the music, pulling out a fan tucked inside her dark purple obi.
Shinpachi and Sano watched, drooling into the tea cups. Sayo sat still, hands folded on her lap, trying to keep her face from showing the slight envy she was feeling.
Hajime watched the dance curiously, trying to figure out why his fellow soldiers found it so appealing.
Sayo absent minded picked up the tea pot and began pouring tea into Hajime's empty cup.
Shinpachi looked over, tearing his eyes away from the Geisha. "What is this? You'll pour him tea but not me! What happened to you not working?"
Sayo jumped at the sound of his voice, accidentally spilling the tea.
The Geisha stopped dancing and looked at Sayo, wondering what had taken the attention away from her.
"S-sumimasen, I wasn't paying attention." Sayo blushed.
Hajime whipped up the spilled tea with a cloth lying idly by. "Don't reprimand her for simply pouring tea, Shinpachi; this is no reason for you to embarrass her."
"I'm not embarrassed I just…" Sayo tried to defend.
"Let's just forget about it." Sano laughed. "I think it's time for some sake!"
The Geisha went to fetch a few expensive bottles of fine sake before taking their respective seats among the men.
Sayo looked at her small sake glass quietly, trying to get her thoughts in order. Shinpachi didn't hesitate in throwing back his cup before reaching it out again for a refill.
Hajime watched the Geisha fill the cup in front of him. "I guess I'll never get to see your dance now."
She smiled sweetly. "The night is still young, my dear samurai."
"Ehh, Hajime." Sano elbowed him playfully. "She's got her eyes on you."
"I don't believe it's part of her job to keep an eye on me." Hajime stared at him blankly.
"You need to loosen up a bit more; I don't think we've been doing our job… Drinking gaaame!"
Sayo laughed softly, knowing exactly what was to become of her friends if they played such a game.
"I'm up for anything!" Shinpachi held his cup up in the air before downing it again.
"You ready for this, Hajime?" Sayo asked him.
"Are you?"
She smiled.
XXX
Outside the teahouse once again, Asaji, Yamazaki and Heisuke stood not sure what to do with themselves on a night off.
"Thank you very much for paying, Yamazaki-kun." Asaji bowed.
"Yeah, thanks!" Heisuke did a quick bow.
"It's fine, don't mention it."
"Well, we're back to square one…" Heisuke stretched and looked around. "What do you think we should do next, Yamazaki…? Yamazaki?"
The ninja had moved away from them, watching one of the tea house windows longingly.
"Uh… do you want to go inside?" Heisuke asked.
"Huh? What? Oh…" Yamazaki cleared his throat. "Let's just keep walking."
"Do you go to teahouses often, Yama-sama?" Asaji questioned.
"No… I saw something suspicious over there, actually…" Yamazaki pointed in the direction he was looking. "But… maybe it was just my imagination…"
Asaji followed his finger with her eyes, "I … don't see anything."
"Wait! Look! There's someone in the shadows over there!" Heisuke pointed to a dimly lit alley way not too far from the teahouse.
Yamazaki let out a sigh of relief.
"Did you say something?" Heisuke looked at him.
"What? No… no."
"Maybe we should go check out that shadow," Heisuke suggested.
A Geisha slid open the door to the teahouse they were standing in front of, and spotted Yamazaki, waving.
"No! no I think we should go this way… I think there's some… flowers over here." Yamazaki quickly pushed Asaji and Heisuke further down the street.
"Why are we going in the direction of flowers? Does Heisuke secretly like flowers?" Asaji giggled.
"Ehh? How did this suddenly turn on me? And I thought we were on a spy mission!"
"I'm sure this is how ninja do their spy missions, Heisuke-kun… you shouldn't question Yama-sama's methods," Asaji scolded.
Yamazaki sighed and stopped pushing them. "Well, what should we do now?"
"Yeah, he really knows what he's doing…" Heisuke rolled his eyes.
XXX
"So… what exactly are we playing?" Hajime inquired, being pulled into a standing position.
Shinpachi's Geisha once again took out her shamisen, moving off to the side lines.
"Up! Up!" Shinpachi ordered in his loud booming voice.
Hajime turned to Sayo, offering her a hand to help her stand. She smiled politely and took his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
The Geisha began to play a more upbeat tune as Shinpachi, Sano and the other Geisha began walking around the table.
Hajime fell into step with them, but looked over his shoulder, glancing at Sayo, "What are we doing…?"
The Geisha stopped her song abruptly, and Sayo grabbed Hajime's sleeve, pulling him down on the pillow next to her before the Geisha in front of Sano could take it.
"I don't understand…" Hajime said, confused.
"You want to sit on a pillow, basically, when the music stops."
The Geisha of whose pillow Hajime stole was now out, and Shinpachi didn't hesitate to fill a tall glass overflowing with sake and hand it to her. She giggled and took the glass.
"Drink up!" Shinpachi shouted before the music began again.
"And that's what happens when you miss your chance to get a pillow?" Hajime questioned, trying to understand.
Shinpachi turned and smiled at him. "Try not to miss your chance! These Geisha are tricky and beautiful… a deadly combination."
Sano nodded in agreement.
Sayo laughed and pulled Hajime along behind her, circling the table.
Shinpachi reached out to grab the waist of the Geisha walking in front of him, but got his hand slapped away as the music stopped again. This distraction caused him to miss his pillow and was handed a cup of sake.
"Zannen…" Shinpachi cursed rubbing the back of his neck and took the sake.
A few drinks later, and some generous chugging done by Shinpachi; Sano, Sayo and Hajime found themselves the only three left walking around the table.
"Man Hajime, you're better at this than I thought you were gonna be! You still haven't had one drink tonight!" Sano exclaimed.
Hajime ignored him, and focused on the back of Sayo's neck as they continued walking. The music stopped and Sayo quickly threw herself down, but instead of a pillow being underneath her, she found Hajime sitting there, surprised.
"What?" she gasped. "How did you do that! You stole my spot!"
Shinpachi burst out laughing hysterically. "Give up and get over here, have a drink with meee." He poured another overflowing glass of alcohol.
Sayo grudgingly stood up and walked over to him and Sano, "How did I lose?"
"Hajime is the fastest sitter in all of Nippon!" Shinpachi yelled, flailing his arms.
"So it's just you and me, ne?" Sano looked at Hajime and smiled, challengingly.
Hajime stared back at him blankly.
"Please Shinpachi, keep a grasp on reality," Sayo said, putting a hand on his arm to steady him.
He leaned into her so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath as he spoke. "Reality is you and me, babe."
Sayo put her free hand on his cheek, stroking it with her delicate thumb. Shinpachi's smiled widened, stretching from ear to ear. Sayo smiled back before using her hand to shove him away, causing him to fall over backwards.
Hajime and Sano walked around the table, not losing eye contact. Hajime swiftly folded his legs and sat down, less than seconds before the music even stopped.
"What the hell? How did you do that?" Sano shouted.
Hajime smiled. "Drink up, Sanosuke."
The Geisha and Shinpachi fell into a fit of laughter once again. Sano smiled at Geisha as she handed him a well deserved cup of sake.
Hajime stood up quietly, and made his way over to sit next to Sayo. "Does this conclude our night out, or is there more?"
Shinpachi, who was still rolling around on the ground like a turtle on its back, managed to pull himself up into sitting position. "Oh, as long as the sake is flowing, there's more." He chuckled and put his arm around one of the Geisha. She giggled and put up a hand to cover her mouth politely.
Sayo rolled her eyes. "I dislike drunken bastards like you."
Shinpachi sobered up for a moment. "Why so cold, Sayo?"
Sano, sensing the tension, began to laugh. "She's only kidding! Here have another glass!" He filled Sayo's empty cup.
"It seems she is serious, and she does not want to be around you any longer." Hajime stared down into Shinpachi's glassy eyes.
Shinpachi tried to keep a calm glare at Hajime, but ended up throwing his head back, beginning to laugh again. "I-I-I can't do it!"
"We're just having fun, Sayo-san." He smiled at one of the Geisha as his glass was refilled. "Lighten up, both of you." His eyes flicked to Hajime.
Hajime sighed and picked up his glass taking his first, and by no means last, drink of the night.
XXX
A few hours later, a swollen moon hung high in the sky, looking down on Asaji, Heisuke and Yamazaki as they tiptoed stealthily around the back alley of the long row of teahouses.
"Are you guys sure we should be here…? I mean… I feel like we're intruding," Asaji whispered.
"We're not actually going in, I just want to see if there's anything I can use as blackmail…" Heisuke informed her.
"Like…?" Yamazaki questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Something they wouldn't want Hijikata to know…" Heisuke shrugged, and looked around cautiously before sliding the door open a crack and peeking inside.
Shinpachi had his arm around Sano, the two of them joined in a song about picking rice in the fields. Hajime sat slurring his speech, engrossed in a playful conversation with an unattractive Geisha, while Sayo sat enjoying the duet.
Yamazaki stuck his head in next to Heisuke. "I wasn't aware that Shinpachi and Sano knew so much about rice picking…"
"This is great," Heisuke snickered. "Hajime is hitting on that Geisha…"
Asaji stood close behind them, not wanting to be rude and squeeze her way in between them. "Well, the Geisha in there are very pretty, right?"
Heisuke hesitated before speaking. "Let's just say she's not the prettiest Geisha in the teahouse…"
"Care to have a look, Asaji-chan?" Yamazaki offered, stepping back from the door.
"I'm not sure if I should… I feel like we're being rude."
Sano stopped singing abruptly, "Matte, matte! Shinpachi, do that thing!"
Shinpachi laughed, "Oi? What thing?"
"Be Hijikata! Do your…do your Hijikata impression!"
Shinpachi continued laughing.
Hajime stopped his conversation and looked over at them. "Hijikata impression?"
Sayo's palm became acquainted with her forehead.
Shinpachi stood up straight, but before he could speak he started to laugh again.
"Oh, I hope he does it… that would be the perfect thing to hold over his head." Heisuke smiled evilly.
"Hijikata-san would not be happy with this…" Yamazaki agreed.
"Everyone looks okay in there… right?" Asaji asked, worry spread on her face.
"Other than them all being very, very drunk, yes. They're all fine, why?" Heisuke said.
"I don't know… it's very noisy in there."
"Have a look for yourself." Heisuke moved over a little and pulled her up in front of him.
"Ne, I'm Hijikata-sama, ne, ne, I have long flowing hair, oh so pretty, but don't get too close!" Shinpachi laughed. "I bite!" He jumped out at one of the Geisha who squealed and giggled, trying to get away from him.
Hajime and Sano burst out laughing.
Sayo bit her lip. "That sounds nothing like him…"
"If only Hijikata were here to see… at least I have you two as witnesses!" Heisuke said.
"… I don't know if I saw anything tonight or not…" Yamazaki whispered.
"Ehh? You have to be on my side! I'm sure they've done something that you need to get back at them for!"
"… we'll see."
"Hajime seems out of his normal character…" Asaji commented, looking in at them with wide curious eyes.
"Ne, come here, my beautiful Sayo." Shinpachi held out a hand to her. "Please, dance with me." He smiled.
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer…"
Shinpachi ignored her rejection and took her hand, pulling Sayo to her feet.
"Iya… I protest!"
Shinpachi swung her around, revealing her face to Asaji.
Sano laughed and clapped, egging him on. "Beautiful, Shinpachi-pachi-pachi!"
"Sayo… Sama." Asaji stared at her sister standing there in her fancy green kimono, running her eyes along the large golden obi and up to her shiny red hair, pulled up high on her head.
"Asaji-chan?" Yamazaki watched her as her face began to lose color.
Her knees wobbled beneath and she began to lose balance.
"Asaji!" Yamazaki yelled, swiftly extending his arms to catch her.
"Huh?" Heisuke looked back. "Ah! What's wrong with Asa-chan?"
Asaji groaned as her vision started to fail her. The last thing she saw were Heisuke and Yamazaki's worried expressions before their voices faded and everything went black.
Translation Notes:
Jyane - See ya later
Eto - Uhm
Hanafuda - "Flower Cards" A traditional Japanese card game made up of 12 suits based on the 12 months
Yaku - A set of cards collected when playing Hanafuda
Ino-Shika-Cho - "Boar-Dear-Butterfly" One of the yaku in Hanafuda
Itai - Ouch
Shamisen - A Japanese three stringed instrument
Obi - A thick sash tied around a kimono
Sumimasen - Sorry
Zannen - Darn it
Nippon - Japan
Matte - Wait
Oi - Hey
Pachi-pachi-pachi - Japanese sound effect for applause