Okayyyyy...4th Chapter is up! I finally got a little more action in here, I hope it's to your satisfaction. There's a new character now! I hope you'll enjoy him (as much as I did).

Also, in this chapter I tried to keep Hijikata as in character as possible...I didn't want him to be overly strict until it bordered abusive, ya know? /shot He's one of those tough characters.

Well, I'm done rambling. Proceed.

Ch. 4: Brother

Breakfast had long been cleared away by both Chizuru and I, however, now I was being sent on a wild goose chase, looking for the seemingly popular Hijikata. Apparently, he had yet to wake up, and it was now my job to find and wake him up...if he wasn't already.

Sighing, I slid yet another shoji screen closed. So far, I had been through at least five rooms, all with no luck. How hard is it to find one sleeping man? Currently, my mind was raging as I opened another door, only to find the room empty. Bare feet slapping against the cold wood floor, I made my way down the hall towards the next set of rooms and... ran into a wall. Groaning, I rubbed at my nose, and looked up, stunned to find, not a wall, but a man.

He was rather tall, with long black hair cascading down his back. A semi-muscular build; however, what really struck me was his eyes. They were a much deeper purple than mine...a lavender compared to my lilac. The glare he was currently sending me though, had me cringing in my place. Nyeeh...I think someone woke up on the wrong side of the futon, this morning...although- I broke myself out of my thoughts, and took a deep breath, "Ehm, sorry for bumping into you, sir, but do you happen to know where I can find Hijikata-san?"

He turned and faced me, sighing as he did. "That would be me, can I help you with something, strange woman?"

Strange woman? I'll have you know, I can separate your head from your body in a second! I chuckled lightly, feeling my brow twitch a bit in slight agitation. "My name is Akane, it's nice to finally meet you, Hijikata-san." I was careful not to put too much emphasis on 'name', just enough to make him remember it. I gave him a slight bow and stood back up... to read his slightly amused expression. I growled. In my head of course.

"The feeling is mutual, Akane-san. Though I care to wonder, why are you trying to find me?"

Tch. I smirked and registered this man as a benevolent challenge. This should be fun. "Ah, well Chizuru-chan sent me to tell you that your breakfast is ready...since you didn't come to eat with everyone else."

A small smile graced his lips, and he turned in the direction of the kitchen. Speaking in a much gentler tone, he whispered, "Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it."

"Sure, no problem." I shrugged nonchalantly at that...hey, gratitude had never been my thing.

Before I could leave though, he beckoned me over with a flick of his hand. "Follow me if you will, I'd like to speak with you."

"Ah...well, okay." I wasn't quite sure as to why he wanted to speak with me, however, his voice gave the hint that I didn't quite have a choice in this. Albeit rather reluctantly, I followed him back to the kitchen. On the way, I couldn't help but notice that he got breathless rather quickly. Was he sick...injured? I sighed; why did I even care? I wasn't even supposed to be here, I was supposed to be looking for Kazama. Groaning inwardly, I dragged my feet across the wooden floor and followed Hijikata into the dimly lit dining room. Looking around once, he walked into the kitchen.

There, we both found Chizuru, hard at work, stirring a pot of, what looked like, more soup. Probably for lunch, I shook my head at the thought; all this woman did was cook!

"Chizuru, did you need me?" Leaning against the wall, Hijikata smiled wryly, chuckling gently when she jumped and dropped the spoon. "Sorry, Chizuru...I should have knocked."

"Ah! Hiji-ah, Toshizou-san, I didn't hear you come in!" Bowing frantically, Chizuru began mumbling incoherent words that I couldn't understand (and really had no interest in). Stooping over, I picked up the neglected wooden spoon, washed it off, and replaced it in the soup. All the while, Hijikata was off on some some falsetto tirade about how "little Chizuru should pay more attention..." or something like that. "Chizuru-chan, don't forget what I brought Hijikata here for." I stood, sending a serious look towards the two and pointing towards the food.

"Ah, yes...Akane-san, would you mind helping me bring his food out?" I nodded. "Good, now Hijikata-san, go wait outside, we'll be there shortly." She made a shoo-shoo motion with her hands, which made me smile and Hijikata laugh...wait what?

Laughing quietly, he laid a large hand on her head, and spoke "Chizuru, what did I tell you to call me, hm?" With a gentle kiss to her forehead and a small smile, he left... whilst Chizuru was left red with embarrassment. Giggling to myself, turned and began ladling generous amounts of soup into a small bowl. "Ne, Chizuru-chan, I would appreciate a little help. You mind?" I smirked as she snapped out of whatever fantastical reverie she was in.

"Ah! Y-yes, gomen." She shook herself, and wasted no time in preparing the tea along with the other foods. As she was pouring the water, she looked at me a bit quizzically. "Akane-chan, you should ask Hijikata-san for your katana back, I'm sure you noticed it missing." She gave me a knowing smile and started to placed the prepared foods on a tray.

"Hn...I kinda figured he had it," I yawned and stretched, unconsciously swinging the tiny bell around, "I guess I'll ask him for it, Kazama would probably have my head if he knew I lost it." I'd almost completely forgotten about it.

"Y-yeah"

I stared at her, noticing how fidgety she'd become. Tapping her shoulder gently, I murmured, "You okay, Chizuru?"

"Mhmm! Now you go and give this to Hijikata; I'm sure he's rather hungry." She placed the tray in my hands and pushed me towards the door, "Hurry now, don't keep him waiting, Akane-chan~!" Shoving me out into the dim hallway, she slid the dull shoji doors behind me quickly, but not before I saw the false smile etched onto her face.

Sighing, I tightened my grip on the food tray and walked out into the small, dimly lit dining room. There, sitting cross-legged on the floor, Hijikata sat, seemingly deep in thought. I took a breath, and walked over to him, depositing the tray on the ground, and turning to leave. "Hnn, wait a moment, Kitabatake-san." He mumbled with a chuckle, looking up at me expectantly. I turned, a bit perplexed, and returned to his side. "Yes?"

"Sit, I'd like a word with you." The tone of his voice paired together with that steely gaze of his, suggested that I didn't truly have a choice in the matter. So I sat, a low grumble escaping my throat.

"I hear that you are a... traveler, passing through, yes?"

Nosy. "That is correct, why do you ask?"

"I am just confirming facts." He smiled kindly (a bit too kindly for him), and took a bite of the prepared onigiri, seemingly in thought. "Also, my 1st unit captain informed me that he found you unconscious, soaking wet, and nearly drained of blood. Yet, you still survived with only minimal damage...now, how did you manage that?" He smirked and took a sip of his tea.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, "I'm not sure myself, Hijikata-san, maybe I just naturally heal fast. Besides, that is a testy subject...I can't- ah, no...I won't answer that."

"Fair enough, I will not push you for information, however I wi-" He was cut off by the shoji door sliding open. "Ah, Saitou, what is it?"

Bowing slightly, the blue-eyed man answered quietly, "Hijikata-san, in case you need me, I shall be outside, training..." looking down, eyes widening slightly, he seemed to notice me, "Ah! Pardon me for interrupting, Hijikata-san, I shall take my leave now." Bowing apologetically, he turned to depart, quickly being halted by Hijikata. "No, no...actually, I like you to do something for me, Saitou."

"Name it, and it shall be done, Commander."

The look that Hijikata gave me, did not promise anything good.

Good grief, I'm gone for forever, and I only write this tiny chapter. NOT. AN. ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Sorry about this fail of a chapter, school has caught up with me ||OTL A-And my new character didn't show up yet either ; n ; Ohwells, I'll give him to you next chapter (which will be longer, I promise).

Anyways, you people know the drill. Read, love, and review * w*

OHOHOH...and check out my frand's storeh...it's byootiful

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