Chapter 7: You are Precious

The weather was nice enough to take a night stroll around Citadel. Nevertheless, it was an eerie situation. The house was gloomy, contrasting to the weather outside, and no one felt proud or happy even after their raid was successful. Kashuu's injury had been pretty bad even without him having a nervous breakdown. Due to his wound, it would take a lot of time for Kashuu to recover. Their strength had reached to the point where they could not be easily repaired in just an hour or two.

The Shinsengumi sword team had gathered in the living room, and not one said a single word. Each of them were waiting for their master to come and tell them if Kashuu was alright. Yasusada was the most restless of all, since he wasn't allowed inside the refinery. He had been pacing in a circle, sighing here and there.

"Yasusada, sit," Kanesada finally commanded.

Yasusada stared at him. He let out yet another exasperated sigh, not obeying the man.

Horikawa stood up, patting his shoulder. "He will be alright, there is nothing Master cannot do. The reason Master tossed you outside was because he needs no distraction. You will be in the way during Kashuu's recovery." Horikawa grabbed onto his wrist, leading the man to his seat.

"What is taking him so long..." Yasusada bit his nails.

"All we have to do is wait, Yasusada," Nagasone spoke up, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Someone knocked on the door right then ― everyone looked up ― and it slid open, revealing Hotarumaru. Their faces instantly displayed a disappointed look.

Hotarumaru picked up the green tea tray from the floor and entered the room. "Umm, you guys should have something to eat," he said. Behind him was Aizen with two plates full of onigiri in each of his hands.

"Thank you." Horikawa smiled when they waved and left.

Nagasone picked up the onigiri and began filling his stomach. "Come on, eat up. It will be alright. You have to fill your energy while waiting for the good news." He directed his smile to Yasusada, who remained unmoving.

The door slid open, and this time it really was their master. Yasusada abruptly stood up.

"It's already dawn, you guys should-"

"How is Kashuu?" Yasusada interrupted him.

Their master shook his head. "It's a pretty bad injury. I'm glad he is still in one piece. It will take time. You should rest, Yasusada. You can see him tomorrow."

"No, please… Let me stay by his side…" Yasusada kneeled down in front of him, pleading. His master patted his head, smiling.

"It will be alright. We won't lose him. Now I want you to head to bed," he said.

The rest of the team did not say a word as they stood up, gathering the plates and tray. One by one they left the room, leaving Yasusada alone. The blue haired man walked towards the refinery, following his master.

"You are not allowed inside yet," the man warned him, and entered the refinery.

Yasusada touched the door and slid down, pressing his forehead against it. "Kiyo…" he whispered.

The next day Horikawa found Yasusada asleep in front of the refinery door. Shaking his head, the brunet brought Yasusada's breakfast and ordered him to eat. Yasusada didn't move from his spot until his master appeared. It was near afternoon when he was allowed to finally go inside to check on Kashuu.

"You can see him now. Though he is still not fully healed. Don't bother him too much."

The blue haired male didn't need to be told twice. Yasusada rushed into the refinery room. There lay Kashuu with numerous bandages wrapped around his waist. His eyes remained closed. Yasusada kneeled beside his futon, taking his hand into his, wrapping it tightly.

"How many times do I have to see you like this?" Yasusada murmured, kissing the digits. It jolted slightly when it came in contact with his lips.

"Are you awake?" Yasusada whispered when he saw Kashuu frowned.

His partner groaned softly, opening his eyes only to wince at the pain shooting through his waist. The bandage wrapped around his stomach was killing him.

"Hurts..." the brunet muttered.

"You shouldn't have done that..."

"It was meant to be," he whispered to him.

"Kiyomitsu... do you realize how hard Okita tried to repair you when you were broken?"

Kashuu's red eyes stared at Yasusada.

"He tried so hard to repair you. When he couldn't do it, he cried cradling you in his chest. I was with him when that happened. Seeing that so many blacksmiths couldn't repair you broke his heart even more. It broke mine too." Yasusada brushed Kashuu's quickly-forming tears away with his thumb.

"Stop with the story..." Kashuu scoffed, propping himself up before he winced in pain.

Yasusada helped him sit up, making him lean against him for support. "I want you to understand..."

"No matter how much you try, it won't work." Kashuu pushed him away. Yasusada didn't budge.

"Why can't you understand? He loves you more than anything, Kiyo."

"Stop pretending like you understand me!"

"He left you at the edge of the riverbank because you are beautiful!"

"That doesn't make sense! Stop lying!" Kashuu covered his ears.

Yasusada hissed in irritation. "Alright, I have no choice then." He took off his Shinsengumi cloak, putting it on Kashuu. He grabbed his hand and helped him up.

"Where do you want to-" Kashuu winced at his still slightly injured waist. "Wait, I can walk-" He protested when Yasusada started lifting him up, speaking firmly to him.

"Let me do it."

Yasusada gently brought him up in his arms. Kashuu stayed still.

With that matter over with, Yasusada stepped outside the refinery room, only to find that the rest of their Shinsengumi teammates were waiting outside. Instantly, the two were subjected to incredulous gawking.

Kanesada stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Where will you bring him?"

"The pond," Yasusada replied shortly.

Kanesada, Horikawa, and Nagasone looked at each other, confused.

As soon as they stepped outside the porch, they could see the orange colored sky. Kashuu gazed at the orange hue in the sky and closed his eyes in irritation. He hated the color. He had never been able to appreciate that kind of beautiful landscape. It reminded him of the day he was abandoned, unwanted and left broken beside the riverbank.

Yasusada walked over to the nearest fishpond after determining the direction where the sun was setting. He set Kashuu on the ground, helping him to stand on his own two feet.

"Hold onto me."

Kashuu nodded, leaning against his partner as he stared at the pond.

"Give me your sword." Yasusada reached out his hand. Kashuu gave him what he wanted. The blue hair male stuck the sword to the ground. The sun reflected off Kashuu's sword, making it shimmer beautifully. Kashuu stared at it in silence.

Yasusada looked at him and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer. He leaned his head against Kashuu's, hand caressing his back. He helped Kashuu kneel to the ground, allowing him to lean on his body for support.

"He left your sword at the riverbank so that the sun will reflect off your sword every time the sun rises and sets. It was near to your hometown, where you belong. Not because of your injured state but because you are so precious, even if no one can see how beautiful you are. In Okita's eyes, you are the most precious."

Kashuu was already sobbing when their eyes made contact.

Yasusada caressed his cheek with his fingers, brushing away the tears running down his cheek. "Kashuu Kiyomitsu will be shimmering beautifully all the time and will remain precious. Do you get it?" Yasusada pulled him into a tight embrace as his partner wept loudly. He kissed away his tears as Kashuu sobbed uncontrollably, his hand continuously rubbing his back in a soothing manner.

"Kiyomitsu… you are precious and beautiful… I'm sorry…" Okita looked down, his expression hidden behind his bangs. He shed a tear that day before he left him alone beside the riverbank.

"Kiyomitsu… You are precious…" Yasusada whispered into his ear over and over again, kissing his cheekbone. Kashuu wrapped his arms around him, returning the embrace. Yasusada sighed and buried his face in the crook of his neck, smiling to himself as his partner slowly calmed down. "Don't forget about this… Don't hurt yourself anymore. I'll stay by your side and I will always remind you of how precious you are, Kiyo…" Yasusada pulled away and looked at his face. He rubbed the tears away from the corner of his eyes, smiling gently.

Kashuu nodded his head silently, brushing away his tears.

Yasusada cupped his cheeks, allowing their eyes to meet before leaning down to capture his lips. This time he kissed him slowly, lovingly treasuring him as he claimed him as his own.

Kashuu circled his arms around his neck, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. As they kissed again, he cracked his eyes open for a bit. In front of him, the sun was setting just behind Yasusada. Maybe just for once, Kashuu could appreciate the beautiful landscape. How beautiful Yasusada was. How beautiful he was as his sword shimmered under the sun. Kashuu smiled into the kiss, feeling Yasusada pulling away briefly before kissing him again and repeating the action as if afraid that he might be broken by the long kisses.

"Are you alright? Do you want me to put you down?" Yasusada asked while cradling Kashuu in his arms. He slowly walked back to the house, smiling when Kashuu nuzzled his head on his chest.

"I'm alright, slowly getting better. I'm sure tomorrow I will be healthy again," Kashuu whispered back to him.

Yasusada sat on the porch. Kashuu wiggled a little in Yasusada's lap, trying his best to ignore the aching on his waist.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yasusada, I'm alright. This kind of pain is nothing. Rather, I should be getting used to it. Stop treating me like glass."

"Kiyo, you are precious, not only to Okita but for me as well. Of course I will treat you as such," Yasusada whispered. A red hue tinted his partner's cheeks right after he heard him. Yasusada grinned; he loved the color adorning Kashuu's cheek. Yasusada graced his lips against the warm cheek, smiling when the color reddened.

"Stop repeating that…" Kashuu griped.

"So precious that I don't ever want to lose you, I want to stay by your side forever." Yasusada kissed his other cheek. He ran his thumb over his cheekbone, staring deep into his eyes. Blue met red, penetrating deep within his soul. Yasusada leaned closer, pressing his lips against those plumped lips of Kashuu's, enjoying the smooth warm contact upon his own. They kissed some more before Kashuu pushed him away for breath.

"Sorry…" Yasusada whispered, pressing his forehead against Kashuu's. He pecked Kashuu's forehead, hand nuzzling his hair. "I'm not sure if you really want me to continue doing this… I mean…" Yasusada avoided looking at his partner.

"I'm looking at you…" Kashuu mumbled.

"Come again?" Yasusada shifted his eyes back to him.

"I'm looking at you, I'm kissing you. It's you who I kissed in front of the door that time. Remember? Before we went for the raid you asked me if I'm thinking about Okita again…"

Yasusada's heart thumping loudly against his chest. "You mean, you are saying that..." he trailed off, not daring to continue. Afraid if what he was hoping for might be wrong.

"You already own my heart, what else do you want me to explain?"

Yasusada's eyes widened before circling his arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "Kiyomitsu…" The redness reached the tip of his ears. Kashuu gasped for breath.

"Yasusada, hurts-" He protested when Yasusada hugged him a little too roughly.

"Ah sorry..." He pulled away, letting his boyfriend breathe. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head at Kashuu's scowling. The brunet continued scowling at him before he too began chuckling at him.

That night they shared many kisses. Yasusada did not dare to touch his body for he feared he might be broken under his touch. He did mark him on his shoulder though, feeling satisfied that Kashuu was his. He hugged him all night long, smiling when he felt the warmth of Kashuu's body under his embrace. He enjoyed having his boyfriend in his embrace as they fall asleep throughout the night.

Kashuu stirred, opening his eyes upon feeling the caresses he received from Yasusada. They stared at each other for a long time, neither saying a word. Yasusada played with Kashuu's hair strands, smiling when Kashuu cupped his cheek. His boyfriend nuzzled against his palm, enjoying the touch.

"How do you feel today? Better?"

"Much better. I'm fully healed now," Kashuu replied as he placed his own hand over Yasusada's, which was caressing his cheek.

"I'm glad. Nothing make me more happy than seeing you healthy, Kiyo." Yasusada leaned forward, kissing his forehead. "I love you." Yasusada circled his arms around his body, resting his face against the crook of Kashuu's neck.

"I love you too," Kashuu whispered.

Yasusada breathed on his scent, moaning softly that Kashuu pushed him away.

"Wait, don't…" Kashuu said, avoiding eye contact. His cheeks were aflame. He touched his reddened ear, fidgeting slightly at the way Yasusada moaned previously near his ear.

"Sorry," his boyfriend chuckled. He drew closer to his lips before Kashuu freaked out, pushing him away rather harshly.

"Morning breath!"

"What?! Oh, come on..." Yasusada groaned.

"I'm not letting you do that. Brush your teeth first!" Kashuu pressed his forefinger to Yasusada's lips. Yasusada's eyebrow twitched. His boyfriend licked his forefinger, making him jolted in surprised.

"Wha-"

"Serve you right…" Yasusada grinned teasingly. Kashuu pummeled him with his pillow, earning a sharp cry.

"Hey, alright, I'm sorry!" His boyfriend pulled out his own pillow, shielding himself from the attack as he laughed at how red Kashuu's face became.

Outside the room, Kanesada grinned. "They are being so lovey dovey…" He and Horikawa were discreetly listening from behind the door.

"Leave them alone, Kane-san," Horikawa whispered, pulling his boyfriend away.

"Wait, this will be funny." Kanesada said, grinning widely. The tall man purposely opened the door, barging in without knocking. "Breakfast is ready– Hooo…" Kanesada announced loudly before trailing off at the sight before him.

"Kane-san!" Horikawa shouted.

"I guess you two are a couple now?" Kanesada smirked in understanding, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Yasusada and Kashuu gaped at Kanesada. Kashuu threw the pillow straight at his face. "Can't you knock?!" Kashuu shouted.

Yasusada sweat dropped when his boyfriend started chasing after Kanesada angrily.

Horikawa sighed. "I'm sorry…" he apologized to Yasusada, who chuckled in reply.

"No problem… we were just fighting anyway…"

"I'm glad everything is alright now."

"Yeah…" Yasusada smiled while watching Kashuu swinging his refined sword at Kanesada, who was dodging his attacks.

'He is so precious, right, Okita-san?'

The End