" Nanarel is that you?"
English. She heard some hurried footsteps and instantly her cousin flew out like a bird. Without even being able to comprehend what was happened, Chiyo felt her sides being squeezed until there was not a drop of air left.
" Oh my goodness I haven't seen you for such a long time! How have you been?! I've missed you so much!" she shrieked happily. With each word she squeezed tighter holding the limp body of what seemed to be Chiyo.
" G-guh Lucilla I-I-I can-'t break-t-" Chiyo gasped while trying to loosen herself from her "murder hug" as they called her cousin's infamous strong hug.
Suddenly Lucilla's hand immediately let go when a woman's voice called out," Lucy that's quite enough. By the looks of it you've hugged the life out of the poor girl."
Both looked up to see a woman in a red dress walking towards them. Chiyo lowered her head and curtsied.
She had dark red hair the color of red wine and was cut into a short bob. Her skin was starkly pale which contrasted from her hair. She wore a red bustle dress that was probably the lastest fashion in London. Though her aunt was always professional, she never failed to be fashionable in the least. Finally, a dark red hat sat perfectly on top of her head without a single hair sticking out. Of course everything was immaculate.
" You've grown so much since I've last seen you dear. My dear little Nanarel is finally growing into a woman." her aunt cooed.
" Thank you auntie. And you still don't look a day over twenty."
" Aww what a sweetheart you are." she said while laughing and pinching Chiyo's cheeks.
Their laughter was interrupted when a man's voice scoffed," Forgetting someone?"
Her cousin Thomas leaned against the wall with his usual scowl plastered over his face. Unlike Saito's scowl, his was just plain annoyed.
Chiyo rolled her eyes and mumbled," Well hello to you to Tommy. Can't say that I missed you much."
" Well you've grown but not in a good way. In a few years, you'll be looking as old as Aunty."
Her Aunt's face darkened as a vein popped in her temple. It was as if the whole room turned to chills as the red haired woman loomed over Thomas.
" Excuse me Thomas...what did you say?" she said in a sweet voice with obvious malice laced in.
Thomas began to sweat as he stammered," N-n-nothing Aunty! I was just complimenting your beauty and youth. That's all."
The room returned to normal as she suddenly smiled wide and said," Why thank you. Anyways, let's get a move on shall we?"
They grabbed their things and bid the lady in the front goodbye. Chiyo said," My superior has invited you to dine with us. We can call a rickshaw to take us to headquarters and I'll help you find an inn at a later time. How does that sound?"
Her aunt pondered and nodded," That sounds lovely dear. I'll pay for the ric-"
" N-no Aunty. It seems as if you haven't got the full concept of currency converting. I believe that you payed the Inn way too much than you should have. This is on me since you've come such a long way."
" And Bethany started a courtship with John Bridges and they were almost going to get married but then Bethany had a child."
" Ooooh tell me more!"
" Well turns out that the child wasn't John's but it was actually Mr. Tennings the school teacher."
" So they had a taboo affair?!"
" I'm not so sure. Some say that he forced himself onto her…"
While on the rickshaw, Lucilla and Chiyo gossiped about affairs in England in English. The girl Bethany that Lucilla was talking to was a girl who went to their school. Chiyo remembered that Bethany didn't like her a whole lot. That was partly because they didn't head off to a good start. Chiyo had met Bethany when she first arrived so her English was not good enough to start a friendly conversation. She only knew proffesional proper words which made her seem cold and distant.
" We're here!" called the rickshaw driver.
They were so engrossed in conversation that they didn't notice that the rickshaw had stopped. They stood in front of the Shinsengumi headquarters with it's bronze sign standing proudly. Hijikata had forced Okita much to his chagrin, to polish the sign. Chiyo had watched with glee seeing him suffer and now admired seeing her partner's shame displayed proudly. She got off quickly and helped Lucilia, Annita, and her aunt down. When Thomas came, she lowered her hand and payed the rickshaw driver.
She could hear Thomas mumble a curse word under his breathe while she announced," Alright my friends. We're here so please speak the best Japanese possible. We want to impress them and be able to hold good conversations.", she pointed
She then motioned towards Annita," You are going to meet the people I work with Anni. Just be yourself and if you want to say anything, I'll help interpret. Don't be shy. The people you will meet may seem scary but they are all kind people."
" Okay. I'll do my best to set a good impression."
" That's the spirit! But remember to be yourself."
Chiyo guided them through the tall oak gates. Once inside Lucilla gawked at everything. Headquarters had a serene rock garden and was very simple. All of them gazed at the simple nature of it all. They were all used to seeing lavish gardens with rich plants and colors. This was such a difference for them.
" Chiyo-chan welcome back!"
Chizuru greeted them and gasped," Is that your family?"
In Japanese she replied," Yup. Quite an interesting bunch."
" Wah! I have never met foreigners before! They all look so beautiful and unreal...like paintings."
It was so cute the way Chiyo's eyes widened as a blush began to paint her cheeks. Lucilla whispered," Who is that?"
" That's Chiyo my friend. Now practice what you've learned and actually talk to her."
" Hi I'm Lucilla! You must be the Chiyo that my dear cousin's always talking about."
Lucilla gave one of her beautiful smiles and curtsied. Meanwhile, Chiyo looked on the verge of fainting. " They also speak such good Japanese! So talented!"
" Yakamura-san you're back."
Gen was walking over to them with his usual kind smile. It was his kind smile that helped Chiyo transition into the lifestyle of being part of the Shinsengumi.
She bowed slightly and said," Yes. This is my family Gen-san."
Switching to English she said," This man here is Gen. He helped me a lot when I first got here."
She motioned them to bow and they did. However, with much clumsiness. Lucilla's and Auntie's corsets must be making it difficult. Meanwhile, Thomas has no darn excuse and Anni is just a young child. She would talk about it to them later. In England her aunt had told her," When in doubt curtsy." Now it was," When in doubt, bow."
Gen laughed as Chiyo apologized for their clumsiness. " You seem to have a very lovely family. Now let's go in. They're expecting you."
The group made their way to the dining room with Chiyo still appalled. Lucilla looked at everything in awe and Thomas carried his routine scowl. Anni had her usual calm face and Aunt Tellula had a serene smile.
Chiyo walked to door before saying," You ready guys?"
" More than ever!"
She slide open the doors to reveal everyone staring at them with surprize. " Hello we're back!"
" Wow that's your family? They look so beautiful."
" Dang you look nothing like them?"
" Are they eating with us?"
She coughed before announcing," Yes they are my family. This is my Aunt Tellula McCarthy, my cousin Lucilla, and my younger cousin."
" Forgetting someone again?"
Chiyo rolled her eyes before mumbling," Oh and this is Thomas."
Another curse word was muttered under his breathe as she directed them into seats. She had Annita sit next to her so she could interpret if needed.
When they were all seated Koudou said," It's wonderful to have you over for dinner. Please make yourselves at home. I am Kondou Isami; leader of the Shinsengumi. And you are?"
Aunt Tellula responded," Thank you so much for having us over. I hope we don't cause too much of an inconvenience. I am Tellula and I am dear Chiyo's aunt. Now kids, why don't you introduce yourselves as well.
Lucilla spoke up first in her cheerful voice," I am Lucilla and I'm Nanarel's cousin. Thank you so much for having us."
Thomas spoke up in a plain voice," I am Thomas and just as my sister said, thank you for having us."
Meanwhile Anita remained sitting with her head down. Her bangs cast a dark shadow over her face. Chiyo was concerned and she tapped Annita's shoulder. She only raised her head slightly.
She motioned," Anni. Do you want to introduce yourself to everyone?"
She shook her head.
" Please pretty please. Everyone is excited to meet you! Don't be shy."
" No really it's okay Nana. Just go on and pretend I'm not even here. Enjoy yourselves tonight."
All the men and Chizuru looked on in confusion as Annita and Chiyo moved their hands and arms into rapid movements. Heisuke whispered to Harada," What are they doing?"
" I'm not really sure. It almost seems as if they are talking somehow."
Chiyo gave one push," Please. It would make me very happy if you could introduce yourself. It would make everyone happy."
Annita slowly raised up her head so she was looking at everyone. She hesitated but slowly pulled her arm and made some movements. First she pointed at herself and then moved one hand to rest over the other. Finally she spelled out her name.
Chiyo looked back to everyone else and said," Hello my name is Annita." while repeating the movements the younger girl's movements.
