On Patrol: Toshizo Hijikata
After straight, solid training for the past week or so, you're finally being allowed to go out on patrol. Your trainer (and now friend) is responsible for your well-being on your first day. What will happen while the two of you are in town?
"Stay alert and by my side" Hijikata-san says bruskly as we walk around the village. I had been excited for today because I had been told that he was stationed at the head of the patrol group. To my dismay, the two of us are now stuck in the center and surrounded by men on all sides. I can barely see what's going on, which was rather disappointing seeing as how I'm supposed to be learning from this experience.
"Hijikata-san, sir" I say, looking up at him. "Wouldn't I learn better if I were standing at the head of the patrol team with you rather than in a position where I can't see a thing?"
"Better? Perhaps. Safer? No."
I pout at his short, blunt comment. He always treats me like a girl! One day, I'd like him to see me as the strong, female warrior that I am. Not a weak, little girl which he's taken under his wing…
"(y/n)." I jump at the sound of his voice.
"Yes, Hijikata-san?"
"Don't zone out; you must stay alert."
"Yes sir." I train my eyes forward in determination. I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me fail. I will live up to his expectations, then surpass them. I will become so strong, I might even reach his level. Maybe I'd even…
"(y/n)!" Again, I'm pulled out of my thoughts by his commanding voice.
"Yes sir!"
"What did I say about zoning out?" I blanch.
"… Not to do it…?" He sighs in exasperation.
"And what were you doing just now?" I smile sheepishly up at him.
"Well, you know? I believe I was zoning out."
"Don't get smart with me, young lady." He looks menacingly at me, causing me to back down; slightly.
"Uh, no sir. I won't." Now reprimanded, I do my best to regain favor with my trainer. I look around, and my blood runs cold. I spot a member of my former clan and our eyes meet, confirming that he's seen me too.
"Um, Hijikata-san?" I tug on the sleeve of his robe.
"Yes?" He sounds annoyed. I struggle to discretely point out my enemy, but of course, Hijikata-san immediately picks up on it without trouble. He whispers something to one of the men stationed at the front before taking my hand and leading me down multiple different alleyways at a brisk run.
"We'll be safe if we just wait here" he says. We're both breathing hard from the exertion.
"Gotcha." A hand grabs my wrists as another covers my mouth to stifle my screams. A large group of men from my former clan have gathered around us, and they look murderous. I gulp as my mind races for a strategic way out. It can't end here! I just got a new life with the Shinsengumi!
"Release her!" Hijikata-san shouts, unsheathing his katana. He takes out my captor first, then proceeds to fight the other men. I stand there in the middle of the alley, dumbfounded. It all happened so fast. Did he really just rescue me?
"(y/n)! Behind you!" I turn to see a man charging straight towards me, his sword raised menacingly above his head. Instinctively, I yank my own blade out of its sheath and deftly block the man's blow. As he stumbles backwards, I match his steps and thrust the butt of my hilt into his head, knocking him out cold.
Not long afterwards, I find myself being led back to the patrol group by Hijikata-san. We had left the battered, bleeding, and unconscious bodies of our attackers in the alley. When they woke up, they would be mad, but we would be long gone.
"Do you now understand why I've stressed the importance of not zoning out?" We had been walking in compatible (if not slightly awkward) silence, after all.
"Uh, I think so" I reply.
"You do realize that, had I not warned you, that man would have sliced through you and you would be dead?" I blanch at the bluntness of his comment.
"Yes sir."
"I'm glad you understand" he says, smiling vaguely. "It'd be a shame if you died" he added. "Because I'm fairly sure that life without you might be a little less than exciting."