Title: Insomnia

Summary: Okita/Kagura. Both Kagura and Okita have too many ghosts for them to sleep easily.

Rating: K+/T

Up Next: Colors

~Insomnia~

The night was quiet, and despite the fact that Gin-chan and Hijikata were snoring in harmony, it was peaceful. Kagura sat, wide awake, and felt a wave of disappointment wash over her as she watched her companions sleep. She'd hoped that, with all the excitement that came from being trapped inside a cabin with Hijikata and Okita, she'd be tired enough to fall asleep.

It had happened before—nights where she was too exhausted, or simply happy enough that her eyes would shut naturally and she'd be able to find the respite that came from slumber. Not tonight, though. She stood up, silently grabbing her umbrella and slipping out of the room.

There was a light on in the kitchen, which surprised her. She could have sworn that everyone was asleep—but perhaps Shinpachi was up grabbing a snack or someone had forgotten to switch off the light. The faint glow illuminated the mess around her, and Kagura smiled, remembering the marshmallow fights, the arguments over sleeping arrangements—it had been a good day.

She walked into the kitchen and froze.

"Yo, China. Go to bed. It's too late for little girls like you to be awake."

Of all the stupid people that had to be up…

Okita watched as Kagura visibly struggled to control her temper, and couldn't help smirking. It was rare that he got to see her like this, mussed and dressed in soft pink pajamas.

"What are you doing up, Sadist?"

"I asked first."

She opened her mouth to argue, and then stopped. "You didn't ask." Pulling out a chair, she sat down across from him, cupping her chin with her hands.

Okita rolled his eyes. "It was implied, China. Why are you still awake?"

"Yato don't need as much sleep as humans do." She hesitated, "As much as you do."

He blinked, and then stood in a single, fluid motion. "China, I don't need sleep." She watched as he stretched, muscles straining under his thin shirt. "And unlike you, I don't need to gorge myself every couple minutes." He smirked, leaning forward on the table. "The Shinsengumi are machines, and I'm the best of them all."

She wasn't fooled, but he knew she wouldn't press it. They all had their own demons to face.