Hakuoki: An Unexpected Adventure
Sorry it took so long to get this story updated. My laptop will not charge for some reason and the family computer won't charge either. As such I had to go to the local library and use their computers and with me working almost every day I haven't had the chance to do so until now. As usual I don't own Hakuoki. And now without further ado here is the next chapter.
Chapter 12
As we walk towards headquarters I keep catching Chizuru glancing at my neck and after a few minutes, feeling on edge from my confrontation with Kazama Chikage, I stop in my tracks on the verge of losing my temper
"Okay, why the hell is everyone suddenly fascinated with my neck of all things?!"
"You have some kind of mark on your neck." Chizuru replies
"What are you talking about?" I ask
"It's hard to describe it so I'll let you use the small mirror I keep in my room." she tells me
"Fine," I say with a sigh and resume walking. Once we get back to headquarters I step into my room and leaving the package from Rei in a darkened corner I unwrap my new clothes and actually look at them. Looking at the clothes I see that the first outfit is more western in its style similar to my training clothes just in a black and red, and that the second outfit is like the one I am currently wearing but in black and blue not pink. Grabbing the first outfit to change into I hear movement outside my room.
"I'm coming in Aryssa," Chizuru calls out before opening the screen a small mirror in her hand. Sliding the shoji screen shut behind her she holds out the mirror to me and I take it.
Focusing the mirror on my neck I gasp as I see what Chizuru and Kazama had been fascinated with. In the spot on my neck that had hurt coming out of Rei's store is what looks like an intricate tattoo of a sakura blossom in a unique reddish orange that reminds me of fire.
"What the hell?" I ask touching a finger to it lightly
"It's really pretty," Chizuru says as I hand the mirror back to her, "That's why I kept looking at it earlier. I apologize for being rude." She says with a bow
"It wasn't you that set me off technically Chizuru" I tell her, "It was mostly the guy I was talking to and dealing with before you and Okita showed up."
"What guy are you talking about?"
"He told me that his name was Kazama Chikage and I've got a feeling he's a danger, not only to me, but to the Shinsengumi as well. I don't know why I feel that way since all he technically did was talk to me"
"Hmm," Chizuru says, "I say that you should follow your gut instincts. If you feel he is a danger to any of us chances a really good that he is so you should mention him to Hijikata and the others. By the way dinner should be ready in about an hour. Since you are now a member of the Shinsengumi you should be able to eat with us but if you would rather eat in your room I can bring you a tray as usual."
"I'll eat with you guys." I tell her without hesitation, "Where do we eat?"
"Actually it will just be us and the captains eating. I have no idea where the regular Shinsengumi members eat. We eat all our meals in the common room where you were taken when you first got here. Can you get there by yourself or do you want me to come and grab you?"
"I think I can find it on my own." I tell her,
"Okay," Chizuru replies, "I feel like I should warn you that Heisuke and Shinpachi have a habit of fighting over food on a regular basis."
"Thanks for the warning." I tell her, "I guess I'll see you guys in a bit then?"
"Yeah," As Chizuru leaves the room and shuts the screen I pull off Chizuru's clothes and replace them with my own. Once I have my clothes on I fold hers and place them in a pile by the door before grabbing the package from Rei and opening it carefully.
Pulling the package all the way open I gasp when I see an expensive looking kimono and a pair of katana. Grabbing the Kodachi I pull it from its sheath and stare at the blade admiring the engraved sakura pattern running its length. Grabbing the Uchigatana I pull it out of its sheath as well and see the same pattern on its blade as well as my name engraved near the hilt in Kanji.
"My life just keeps getting weirder." I say returning the katana to their sheaths and replacing my borrowed blade with them. Setting Okita's sword with Chizuru's clothes I return to the kimono and rewrap it until I can spend more time looking at it. Putting it back in the corner I grab the remaining coins and Okita's sword before heading for the common room. Arriving there in a matter of minutes I see everyone else already there and slip into the room myself.
"Here's your blade back," I say dropping the sword in front of Okita with a smirk before turning to Kondou with a bow and holding the coin purse out for him to take, "Here is the remaining coin sir."
"Thank you Tousani," He says taking it from me. Turning to face the rest of the captains I finally sit between Chizuru and Saito setting my katana between Saito and I.
"May I?" Saito asks me motioning towards my Uchigatana
"Of course," I tell him and hand it to him.
"This is a very unique blade," he tells me after pulling it from its sheath and studying it for a few minutes; "I've never seen anything like it and I have seen many blades over the years. How much did you pay for them?"
"I didn't pay anything for them they were given to me." I say, "Actually it was kinda weird, I bought some clothing at a general goods store in Kyoto and as I was getting ready to leave the shop the owner's granddaughter brought me another package. The owner, A woman named Rei, said that she had been told as a young girl to give the package to a girl matching my description. These katana were in the package when I opened it, and if that isn't weird enough That Uchigatana has my name engraved on it as well but you guys are the only ones who know my name."
"Was there anything else in the package?" Chizuru asks me, "I didn't see a package even remotely resembling the shape of a full katana set on the way back to headquarters. Then again I was more focused on that mark on your neck."
"What's she talking about Aryssa?" Heisuke asks turning towards us
"It's nothing." I tell him putting a hand to the mark currently covered by my collar.
"Whatever it is," Chizuru says, "It is beautiful."
"Ok, can we please change the subject to something other than my neck now?" I ask before looking towards Hijikata, "By the way I was wanting to ask you a question if you don't mind Hijikata." With a nod from him I continue, "Actually I already asked Heisuke earlier but he told me to ask you. I was wondering if I am posing like a male like you guys have Chizuru doing or if I am allowed to be the only female member of the Shinsengumi." Once I ask the question Hijikata climbs to his feet and comes over to grab my Uchigatana from Saito to inspect it as well.
"I would prefer to have you pose as a male, however, these katana were obviously made for a female with their weight and design." He says after a few minutes, "As such I do not see any other choice but to allow you to admit to being a female. I just hope that having a female in the ranks doesn't negatively affect the troops." With that he replaces the sheath, hands me my Uchigatana and returns to his seat.
"Thank you," I say setting it beside me once again. After a few minutes Chizuru climbs to her feet.
"I'll go get the food now." She says and heads for the door
"I'll help," I say grabbing my katana and standing up as well.
"You don't need to do that. You can stay here if you want to…."
"I insist," I tell her putting my katana on my hip, "It's no problem, I help with the food all the time at home.
"If you're sure," Chizuru says and we walk out.
"Hey Chizuru," I say as soon as we are out of earshot, "I would really appreciate it if you didn't mention anything about me without my permission."
"I don't understand why you are so worked up about me mentioning your neck in front of the captains."
"I have a sakura blossom tattoo the color of fire that mysteriously showed up on my neck when I took possession of a sword older than I am with my name engraved on it. In some foreign countries I would be burned at the stake for much less, so I think I have the right to freak out if someone mentions anything like that."
"We don't burn people at the stake here but I apologize for mentioning the mark on your neck. It won't happen again I promise."
"Thank you," I say as we walk into the kitchen area.
For those of you who don't know a Kodachi is a short sword and a Uchigatana is the preferred katana of samurai in this time period