First Encounter: Sanosuke Harada
Scenario: While taking a walking alone at night, you somehow get caught up in a fight with Shiranui the demon; your sword versus his gun. Just when your energy gives way and you prepare for death, he comes and saves the day.
I swing my katana at the man standing in front of me, but he vanishes and reappears a few feet away. I firmly press my lips together as my opponent takes careful aims, then shoots at me with his pistol. Effortlessly, I block it with my blade, but the force knocks me back.
As I struggle to regain my balance, I wonder to myself just how in the world had I gotten myself into a fight with a demon. I had been wandering the forest alone at night when he'd appeared in front of me, acting all high-and-mighty. Angry words were exchanged, and a battle ensued. Now I was stuck in this useless argument, and there was no way to get out.
The demon smirks maliciously at me, his long blue hair cascading eerily down his back.
"You might as well give up" he remarks, running a hand up and down the barrel of his firearm. I gulp nervously as my hand tightens on the hilt of my sword. At the sound of the hammer being cocked, I close my eyes and prepare myself for death. I knew I lacked the energy to continue, and so I resign myself to the fact that I would soon be killed by a demon.
The gunshot echoes through the silent night air, but I feel no pain and know that I am still alive and that there are no bulletholes in any part of my body. Opening my eyes, I see a man with with unruly, burgundy hair and a spear standing protectively in front of me.
"Hey Shiranui!" He yells, a confident smile spreading across his lips. The demon smirks back at the new opponent.
"Long time no see, Harada" he says, loading his gun.
"Same goes for you, ya demon" the one called Harada quips amusedly. The two engage in battle, and I begin to grow a bit curious. Who was this Harada fellow who had rushed in at the last moment and saved my life? And fighting with a spear, no less...
"Well, I guess we'll leave it at that; for now" Shiranui, smiling cryptically. Harada is out of breath, but still wears a self-satisfied smile on his face as he nods. The demon departs, leaving me sitting shell-shocked on the dirt path, and the warrior standing above me with his hands on his knees and breathing heavily.
"Are you okay, miss?" The man named Harada bends down and offers me his outstretched hand. I nod - dumbfounded - as I take his hand and rise to my feet. I place a hand on my head as I try and come to my senses, but I still feel a bit hazy. As I'm about to topple over, I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist.
"Hey, careful right there." I turn to look at him, then feel myself blush at the close proximity of our faces.
"I-I-I…" I stammer, not sure what to say. He chuckles, and I feel myself blush further.
"What's a nice little lady doing all the way out here at night? And all by herself too." I do my best to move out of his grasp, feeling a bit awkward and well aware of my current appearance after fighting.
"J-j-just taking a late-night walk" I say, sheathing my katana. "Thank you for saving me. Now if you'll excuse me, I -"
"Hold up! I don't know about you, but I think you're pretty great at fighting." I stop dead in my tracks and look at him.
"Huh?" I ask dumbly. Where was he going with this? I mentally ask myself.
"Come join the Shinsengumi. We'd love to have a warrior like you on our side. I know that I'd hate to go up against you in battle, if you know what I mean." He winks playfully at me before growing serious. "But really, a good warrior like you would be a big help to our ranks."
I pause to think for a moment, then reply. "Sure, why not? As long as I can leave whenever I want, I'll be there."
"We won't hold you back!" He says, smiling widely and holding out his arms in a welcoming gesture. "At any rate, what's your name?"
"I'm (y/full name)" I answer as I shake hands with him. "And you?"
"Sanosuke Harada, Tenth Division captain" he says. He takes me to headquarters where I meet the rest of the captains and Harada's best friend, Shinpachi Nagakura. I am welcomed by all as I begin my adventurous journey with the Shinsengumi.
Sano-san is quite a bit like Shinpachi, except for the fact that he's a little more down-to-earth and mature. I think he'd be kind to a woman who seemed in need, and that's why I made the reader's character more feminine, but still courageous. She'd still need a hero, but can usually hold her own ^_^