Finally Giving In: Chapter 16
The walk back to headquarters was quiet yet peaceful. Aki was glad they had talk things over a little. Everything could go back to normal again between them, no more trying to run away. As they walked down the street Aki could feel Okita looking over at her, only moving his eyes so it wasn't so obvious but he was failing at it.
"What are you staring at? Hmm?~" Aki asked as she stopped in front of him with her hands on her hips. Okita stopped as crossed his arms, giving her a playful look.
"Nothing~" He said in a happy tone and stepped past her and continued walking. Aki caught up to him and silence resumed.
"So weird…" Aki muttered to herself as she watched the scenery around her. It was dark out now, people of the city were tucked into bed, others already out at the red light district.
"So.. No more avoiding? Right, Aki-chan?" Okita asked her out of nowhere. Aki gave him a weird look, wondering what he was up to.
"Yeah. You already said that back there ya know…" She replied. After her answer she felt a hand grab hers tightly yet it was not quite that of a suffocating grip. Aki flinched back, trying to take her hand away but the grip on her was never let up.
"No more avoiding…" Okita said again, looking straight ahead as they walked. Aki watched him as he talked. Her gazed shifted downwards to her hand to find Okita's own hand as the one around hers. Aki looked away quickly with a little chuckle from Okita next to her.
"No more." She reassured. "BUT I SWEAR TO THE GOD YOU PRAY TO I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DO ANYTHING INAPPROPRIATE OR LIKE A BRUTE TO ME AGAIN!" Aki said loudly and seriously to him.
"Yes, boss~" Okita played with happiness reflected in his eyes.
"Hmph." Aki said turning her head opposite of Okita but she never forced their hands to separate. As Okita felt her relax his grip softened as he moved his hands to properly lace their fingers together. He enjoyed seeing the little blush on her face and knowing it was from his actions. Okita took a big breath in as they walked together comfortably. The headquarters came into sight and he guided her through the gate.
"I'll round up the guys. Meet us in there in a few minutes." Okita told her as he let her hand go and walked the other way.
'Look at you Aki, already taking orders so easily.' She thought to herself. 'Well, maybe it's not too bad. I mean his hand waaaas kinda warm.' She had a small smile on her face now as she walked through the building to where they were planned to meet. She took a seat against the wall opposite of the door and rested her sword next to her. She slid the hood of the cloak off of her head and allowed her hair out of its braid. As she finger-combed through her hair to unknot it a little, some of the men came in the room. First was Hijikata and Kondou followed by the rest of the captains. Even Yamazaki and Shimada showed up.
"Good evening Aki-chan" Kondou told her as he took his seat in the front of the room. Hijikata and Sannan sat on the sides of him and everyone else sat facing them.
"Aki!" Heisuke yelled as he entered the room. He ran up to her and grabbed her face, moving it around as he searched for any sign she was hurt. "Oh man I was so worried about you. I came back and you weren't there. I'm glad you're safe. Please don't do that again, you really gave me a scare." He told her as relief washed over his face. He took a seat to her left as she giggled at him. By this time Okita had entered the room and was walking over to Aki.
"Don't worry; I'm fine Heisuke-kun. I just ran into a pervert and slapped him around a little. Told him he shouldn't act like an animal if he wanted ladies to like him~" Aki explained to Heisuke playfully. They could hear laughter from Harada across the room.
"That slap hurt too.." Okita said as he sat down on her right. Heisuke gave him a confused look, wondering how he knew it hurt. The laughed from Harada grew when he saw Heisuke not knowing what Okita meant. "Although holding hands made up for it…." Okita said a little quieter, but Heisuke now understood. He gave Okita a mean look and rested his back against the wall, looking towards Hijikata and Kondou now.
"OH HO HO, WHAT'S THIS?!" Nagakura said loudly and way too enthusiastically. "When did you to become so close? You were avoiding Okita like he was the plague, now it seems as if you're closer than before!" He teased. Aki got a little embarrassed by the outburst and jabbed Okita in the ribs with her elbow.
"What the hell!" Okita said in a hurt voice, holding his side. "I didn't say anything." Okita gently elbowed Aki in the shoulder, pushing her slightly.
"Yeah but you're closer. I don't feel like getting up. Feel free to pass it on to him later." Aki told him as she took of her cloak and folded it and sat it on her lap.
"Don't worry, I will~" Okita said as he glared right at Nagakura, unsheathing his sword to seem intimidating.
"Bring it on!" Nagakura mocked to Okita.
"Alright, shut up!" Hijikata yelled at them annoyed. "What did you call us in here for Souji?"
"It's not for me Hijikata-san… It's for her.." He told Hjijkata as he relaxed against the wall.
"I'm sorry to bother you all about this but two certain people are forcing me to tell you…" Aki started. She looked at Heisuke and Okita when she got to the middle part. She went on telling Hijikata about Rokuro and the men following her so she would understand. By the end of the story the room was quiet. Everyone was thinking about the information, taking it in.
"I'm glad you told us Aki-chan." Kondou told her. Aki nodded her head acknowledging him.
"Even so, we have to stop them as soon as possible. We can't have them going around looking and killing random civilians who have nothing to do with this." Hijikata explained to everyone.
"So.. What do we do?" Heisuke asked. He wanted these creeps to be killed as soon as possible.
"For now on you're not allowed to go out at all by yourself." Hijikata told her sternly like a mother would a child.
"But doesn't one of us always accompany her already?" Nagakura asked a little confused.
"You might not know but that little girl has a knack for climbing over those walls at night.." Hijikata said with a frustrated look on his face. Aki ducked her head in embarrassment knowing she had been caught.
"Oh?~ What's that?~ Who's princess sneaking out to see? Hmmmm?" Okita played while he leaned on her. Aki punched him in the side again, glaring at him.
"No one. I'm just going out to start digging your grave early…" She said as she pushed him off.
"I don't care if your digging his grave or going on a walk… No more leaving alone." Hijikata demanded with no room for argument. "If you go out I will lock you in your room all day and I will make you be the one to scrub the blood out of all their clothes." Hijikata warned.
Aki gave him a look of displeasure. "You sound like my mom…" Hijikata gave her a glare in return and it made her sit right up. 'Okay, definitely a little scary' she thought.
"Since you don't know what they're after we'll have to corner them." Hijikata told the men. "We'll have to wait for the right time. I will make a schedule for patrols during the night to make sure there are not as many casualties. If you see anyone suspicious trying to harm her, hurt him and bring them here. If it's too bad, kill them." He finished.
"Yes, sir." The men answered. Kondou and Hijikata called the meeting to an end and the men being leaving the room. Aki headed to her bedroom ready for sleep. All this dealing with those strange men was a little too much for her. She was relieved about telling the captains but still felt bad about bothering them about it. Aki reached the room and put her sword down and began taking off her scarf. When it was off she rubbed her arms for a little warmth. It was getting colder out now, winter would be coming. She looked over to the window to find it open.
'Damn it Okita. He knows it had been colder lately.' She thought in annoyance as she closed the window.
"A little chilly?~" Okita asked from the doorway as he came in the room.
"Yeah, no kidding." Aki replied with annoyance laced in. "Please don't leave that open. I'm not very good with the cold." She told him as she sat down on the futon and got under the blanket.
"Yes ma'am." Okita teased. He took off his swords and laid them near the futon. He repeated her actions and got under the blanket with Aki. 'This will be fun~' He thought with a nice thought now in his mind. Okita slowly moved closer and closer to Aki. When he got close enough Okita put his arm over and pulled her to him with quite a bit of strength so she couldn't resist.
"HEY! What are yo-" Aki started, really startled from the action.
"Shh. I'm just helping." Okita whispered to her. "You're cold and I'm warm. I don't see why not…"
"You're such a pervert." Aki said still trying to push a way. The fact that she couldn't get out of his grip really annoyed her. "AND WHY ARE YOU SO STRONG. I CAN'T EVEN GET OUT OF HERE!" Aki yelled, more to herself than Okita.
"I'll take that as a compliment~" Okita laughed. He could hear her "Hmph." As she laid back down and gave up on escaping. "See? Not too bad."
"Whatever." Aki replied. Inside she was eternally grateful she was facing the other way. She really enjoyed the warmth from Okita but she would be damned before she would admit it.
"Besides~" Okita started, an unseen smirk on his face. "I can do this~" Okita whispered as the placed his lips against her neck and kissed her gently.
"W-What? Okita!" Aki protested. He kissed her again, starting to move his lips from the spot. He slowly kissed his way down her neck. "I said nothing inappropriate." Aki told him with less and less resistance in her voice.
"Aki" Okita said in between kisses in a serious voice. "It's okay."
"No. It's not." Aki said really quietly. Okita caught her words, wondering what she meant. He felt her shrink up as she said them. To make her feel better he used his strength to turn her over so she could face him. When she calmed down, Okita leaned a little over her. Only the top half of him was over her while his bottom part rested on the futon. He moved a hand up to cup her face and stroke it gently.
"Yes it is." He told her softly, looking straight at her. He stroked her cheek with his thumb and brought his lips to her. The kiss was soft and delicate. Okita was getting his meaning across. He needed to let her know that it was okay with letting people in. That it was okay to be close to someone. As the kiss ended Okita took his spot next to her, this time with Aki facing him.
"We should sleep." Okita told her and he pressed her against him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Okita." Aki said softly as she snuggled up to him. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall into a sleep where she felt safe and protected.
