First Encounter: Shinpachi Nagakura
Scenario: After having been fired by your clan, you go to the bar to drink away your sorrows. It is there that you first meet him. What happens when you wake up from your hangover the next morning to see his face standing above you?
I grimace at the loud laughter coming from the man and his two buddies at the next table over. I had been at the bar, drinking away the pain of having been "let go" by my clan. For what specific reason, the chief commander hadn't said. He just handed me my belongings, shoved me out the gate, waved goodbye, and then slammed the door behind me.
The three become extremely boisterous, and I ball my hands into tight fists. Sure, I could hold my liquor just as good as any other amurai. Problem is, I easily get headaches after heavy drinking, and the warriors were just obnoxious enough to send me over the top. If it was a fight they wanted, it'd be a fight I'd give them.
Standing, I walk purposefully over to them and slam my hand down on their table.
"Keep it down" I snarl through clenched teeth.
"O-ho! Listen to this one" the loudest of them hoots in derision. I roll my eyes and wonder if all males were as dense as he was.
"Hey Shinpachi! I don't think you're making her very happy!" The youngest of them remarks drunkenly, chuckling a bit.
"Hey pretty lady, why don't you join us?" The one called Shinpachi suggests, motioning with his hand. He tries to wrap an arm around my waist, so naturally, I reach out and slap him smartly across the cheek.
"D**n it! What was that for?!" He stands, anger evident on his face. I hold my ground, staring defiantly up at him.
"Only what you deserved" I retort snarkily, tossing back my hair and folding my arms over my chest.
"Why you little -"
"Cool it, Shinpachi." His buddy holding a spear says, grabbing Shinpachi's arm. The former continues to scowl at me, but loses the apparent need to cause damage.
"Fine; I'll let you off easy. This time" he grunts. I blow him off, pay my bill, then leave the bar.
The next morning, I awake to someone roughly shaking my shoulder.
"Hey you! Wake up already!" A familiar voice calls out. I crack an eye, then open them both wide in recognition. Standing before me is the man from the bar last night.
"What do you want?" I ask, acting brave but feeling nervous.
"Don't get all mad!" Shinpachi says, raising his arms up in surrender. "I just… Wanted to say I was sorry." His cheeks pink and he looks away.
I take one look at him and giggle. "It's nothing" I say, smiling at him.
"Really? That's good to hear! I'm Shinpachi, by the way; Shinpachi Nagakura of the Shinsengumi." He thrusts out a hand towards me.
"I'm (y/full name)" I answer, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.
"What caused you to be at the bar last night?" He asks. I look away, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.
"Oh, nothing. I just got kicked out of my clan."
"Really? Then join us!" I stare at him in disbelief.
"I couldn't-"
"C'mon. It'll be great!" He smiles broadly, and I find myself struggling to say no. Finally giving in, I take his hand, and within two hours, I become part of the Shinsengumi because of a man named Shinpachi Nagakura that I had met at a bar.
Shinpachi is a pretty happy, care-free person. I'm sure that if someone were to confront him while in a drunken state, though, he'd wouldn't be too happy about that ;) That's why I made the reader's character a rough-n-tough girl who'd be pretty much immune to his womanizing ways. Her spunk would be a good match to Shinpachi's egotistical persona, and they'd balance each other out well.