Reflection

                                    

                                          
"Souji-san, are you feeling alright?" a voice intercepted within Souji's quiet musings. 
                          
"Hm?" the said person shifted his gaze to his companion. 
                          
Both Souji and Hajime were on a duty patrol during the afternoon heat and the men perspired meanwhile, the first captain-although he was focused on the surrounding, yet, his mindset drifted elsewhere. 
                          
Specifically, to the mysterious woman whose mere presence changes the aura, they stood on. Souji's health was still an issue but the coughing ceases slightly allowing the male to sleep peacefully for a couple of nights. Secretively, Souji decided to visit their physician he felt ill at ease after the frightening debacle. 
                          
"You can take a rest once we head back to the headquarter," Hajime continued while strolling by his side. 
                          
"Hm," Souji sighed inwardly a faint pout visible on his expression. 
                          
Can a demon's power affect your dream? an inner voice proclaimed. 
                          
All of a sudden, Souji came to a slow halt in the middle of the busy road; jade-green orbs observing at a small stall manned by an old woman. She caught his inquisitive stare to hobble forth with a welcoming smile when Hajime returned. 
                          
"Are you planning to surprise Chizuru with a pair of sandal?" the other raised a sharp brow. 
                          
"Nah, let's go, Hajime-kun," Souji shook his head at the same time saunters off. 
                          
"You've been really weird lately," his younger captain persisted. 
                          
"And you have caught Hijikata-san's bug," he opted for a casual smirked whereas the other sent a glare. "I am fine, Hajime-kun doesn't have to worry about me."
                          
By mid-evening, Souji has positioned by the veranda opposite the small garden smoking a pipe. The smoke curls lazily while he gazes out at the bright azure; a burning Mandarin-shade while at the backdrop a deeper red-tone it gave an eerie atmosphere. 
                          
He watches the sun dip lower into the horizon within the headquarter, Souji overheard faint voices from the hall belonging to the Baka Trio perhaps, off to consume delicious dinner cooked by Chizuru. At the mention of the petite female, Souji chose not to confide to her about Narumi and her odd ability. 
                          
The memories of Narumi's soft touch; her regal allure the bone structure she might be an aristocrat, demure in her movement. The deeper Souji delved into her case more questions spurt out of nowhere. 
                          
Maybe Sen-Hime, Chizuru's friend has a connection to the other but that move requires the male to confront their little helper. Souji rested an elbow over his bent knee the urge to visit Narumi was overwhelming, yet, he kept a distance between them. 
                          
He had a goal to focus; Kondo and the fate of Shinsengumi. There was no room to settle down with a woman on cue, Souji's ear picked up soft footfall reaching his direction. Leaves on the foliage flutter by the wind whereas his yukata billows slightly a glimpse of lean chest peeked between the lapel. 
                          
"Okita-san?" Chizuru's gentle tone calls out from beyond the corridor. 
                          
"What is it?" he tilted his head to pin the girl with a look. 
                          
"Dinner," she continued forward to carefully place the tray. "I was informed by Sannan-san that you will be here."
                          
"Accompany me," he ignored the food on the tray to fasten pained gaze at the garden. 
                          
She had arranged the meal for Souji but the young captain was consumed with thoughts about his health. Even as the sun disappeared replacing with a full moon he never touched the bowl of rice and fish stock which was cold by now.