Disclaimer: Hakuouki belongs to Hiraku Naki
The sky had lightened a touch when Chizuru finally ran out of things to do. Sinking to the ground, she lied on her back and gazed at the fading stars above, blissfully unaware of the various Shinsengumi leaders' watchful eyes.
Suddenly, a cold draft swept through the grounds, causing Chizuru to shiver unconsciously. Rising, she shook away pieces of snow from her dark hair, which had become unbound and flowed loosely down her back. Her hair twirled around her, shimmering in the first light of the new day.
In their individual rooms, vice commander and captains stood entranced by the sight. The faint blush of dawn cast a soft, almost reverential light on the girl. Alone in that field of white, free of her usual ponytail and with a small, content smile on her face, Chizuru seemed to have transformed into something surreal.
The beautiful illusion was broken however, when she suddenly shivered and dashed into her room.
Slowly, a sly smirk crossed Okita's face and without knowing it, was mirrored by the other observers. This was going to be an interesting morning indeed…
When she realized that twilight had ended, Chizuru panicked. Rushing to her room, she quickly swapped her soaked attire for her only other change of clothes - her yukata.
Despite having planned to feign sleep until the others woke up, Chizuru found herself almost numb with cold. Evidently, frolicking outside for so long was not a good idea in the middle of winter.
After an agonizing internal debate, Chizuru gathered her soaked clothes and plodded to the kitchen with the air of a prisoner heading to the gallows, - in a way, she was. Her little excursion would be discovered immediately when they find her in the kitchen, huddled against the roaring fire, and she shuddered to think of the consequences.
But no matter, she was too cold to care at the moment and she resolved to deal with everything else later. Stopping in front of the kitchen entrance, Chizuru drew in a deep breath and slowly opened the door.