Kihara Fuyumi POV
I’ve sent a letter back at home but there’s still no reply? Did something happen there? Usually my father would respond immediately since I sent a red stationary meaning it was important. But it doesn’t matter if he responds or not I’m going back after I gather as much as information I can about Yukimura Kodo, I know Chizuru’s safe at the Shinsengumi so I need to focus on this side of my mission.
OSAKA
Since I have a horse getting here was easy, now for the hard part gathering information to where Yukimura Kodo is.
“I’m sorry to bother you but…”
I asked a lot of people most of them said that I just missed Yukimura Kodo, he sometimes pass by here to buy ingredients for medicine the others said that he just left only moments ago, so I tried searching for him at the streets or even at the inns but I had no luck…if I travel even further maybe I can catch up with him but it’s going to be tricky passing by the checkpoints some of the guards are complete asses, although I could pass by using my powers but since I have Taro with me I can’t use it, I don’t want to leave him at the stables here, the stable keeper looks as if he would sell Taro in a second
“What should I do now…?” I mumbled to myself, it was easy to move around without anyone with you to be honest, If I can’t find Yukimura Kodo then I should ask around for Matsumoto Ryoji, I just hope that he knows the whereabouts of Kodo or has information about him, I once again set off to asked around for him.
“Excuse me! Sorry to bother you but do you know Dr. Matsumoto? And if you do, have you seen him?” I asked a fish seller
“Dr. Matsumoto? He’s headed to Kyoto, you can catch him if you hurry” I thanked him getting on my horse, Taro sprinted to where the gates is to my relief I caught up to him but he looked troubled
“Excuse me sir, but are you perhaps Dr. Matsumoto?” I asked
“Yes, I am” he nods “Are you looking for me, to treat you young lady?” he asked, I was a little taken aback at what he said, I didn’t expect him to notice I was a girl, but that doesn’t matter
“No, actually I wanted to talk to you about something important” I said to him
“Sorry about that, but I ‘m headed to Kyoto, I just went here since I was out of supplies, but I’m in a little trouble”
“Did someone stole your medical supplies?” I said, he shakes his head
“I don’t want to be late, in going to Kyoto so I rented a horse at the stable, but the horse ran off to somewhere, it takes 10 hours to travel to Kyoto on foot, that’s why I’m troubled, not only that the horse took off but I’m going to be late as well…” he scratches his head
“I’ll find the horse, it must be hungry and went off to graze, did you leave your horse here?” he nods, I’ll look for it outside, wait for me alright? He nods while I took off finding the horse, I could’ve just offered him a ride but, the horse is a rent and I would feel bad knowing that I could’ve headed out looking for it but just ignored it…I looked for it and eventually found it, I lead it to the gate, where the Doctor is.
“Thank you” he smiled and bowed at me
We rode our horses to Kyoto while I ask him a few questions about Yukimura Kodo, he told me that Yukimura Kodo was working for the Satsuma domain and is still doing those terrible experiments, It was hard to pull out information from him at first but I explained to him that I already know what Yukimura Kodo has been up too and the Kihara Clan has connections to the Yukimura Clan when I brought Chizuru up he already understood what I was trying to explain to him, apparently Matsumoto-san also knows about us demons. He warned me that I shouldn’t take part in this war which I reassured him that I’m not.
KYOTO
SHINSENGUMI HQ
We arrived at Kyoto and he immediately went straight to the Shisengumi HQ, he told me that he needs to perform check-ups for the soldiers, I followed him of course when we arrived at the HQ Kondo greeted us.
“So you escorted Matsumoto-sensei?” Kondo cheerfully says “thanks for that Kihara, but are you okay in moving around? It was just days ago that you didn’t feel fine”
“I’m fine now, you don’t have to worry” I said to him
“Let’s see your men now Kondo” Dr. Matsumoto edges Kondo, Kondo nods and hurriedly led the way “I’ll see you later Kihara-san” I nod while he follows Kondo
I went to Osaka at 7:00 and judging by the sun it’s already 10, it took quite a while finding the horse, and I was a little tired, I thanked Taro leading him to his stable, when he was settled in, I said goodbye and headed to our room.
“Fuyumi-chan!” I stopped at Chizuru’s voice “I was worried when I got up and didn’t see you beside me, I thought you left already” she sadly says
“I would let you know if I’m ready to leave you know, but in the meantime I’m still here to protect you” I said patting her head, she smiled at me but her smile was a little sad
“That’s right Fuyumi-chan, when you left a little while ago, there’s this commotion the men looked restless left and right and was running around, I thought I should see what was going on”
“Matsumoto-sensei arrived” I told her
“What?!” she jumped surprised “Did you ask about my Otosama?” she asked
“…I think you should be the one to ask him yourself Chizuru” I told her, she nods looking determined heading to where the commotion is while I followed her, we met Itou on our way.
“This is…this is unconscionable! Never, in all my…!” Itou looked like he was chased by a huge dog, sweating and panting looking haggard
“Did something happen, Itou-san?” Chizuru politely asked
“Yes! Yes, I’d say something did happen!” he exclaimed gripping his fan tightly “Why should I be made to bare my skin in the same room as those…those savages?!” he shouted
“Aren’t you over reacting Itou-san?” I said in a matter of fact “the doctor is checking your physical health what’s so wrong about that?” I said bored.
“What’s wrong is, he wanted me to strip in front of those buffoons then after that he would touch my body! That is not acceptable!” he shouted at me “he got annoyed then forcibly wanted to strip me! In all my life I have never!” with a disdainful sniff, he glared pointedly across the hall toward the area he’d just left
“That’s why it’s called physical examination Itou-san” I emphasized “Chizuru and I need to see Matsumoto-sensei, so we should get going, nice chatting with you” I said pulling Chizuru towards me, we passed by Itou
“Wait! But aren’t you two?” I disregarded what he said while Chizuru didn’t really hear him at all, since Itou was a deputy commander the captains also let him know that Chizuru and I are girls, but I don’t really care about him since he’s a creep, and whenever he was around Chizuru I was sure to subtly ward him off, but he doesn’t know that Chizuru and I are demons though the captain’s didn’t want Itou to know since they don’t trust him, and I did compliment them that, that was a good call.
“Is this where they’re conducting it?” Chizuru curiously asked, I opened the door and the scene in front of us answers her question, she looked embarrassed while I wasn’t fazed at all
“Why don’t you look surprise Fuyumi-chan?” I looked at her with a raised brow
“I’ve seen men in my army and my brother shirtless before, my brother trains them in martial arts while I do the sword training, he even sings a catchy song in the beginning” I hummed while moving my head left to right “and besides that they also have they’re monthly physical examination”
“That is a catchy tune” she says giggling, we both turned our attention to the men.
“Next” Dr. Matsumoto shouted
“Finally! It’s my turn!” Nagakura excitedly says
“Check this out sensei!” he started posing in front of Dr. Matsumoto who didn’t look impressed I was actually holding my laugh in at what Nagakura is doing, who shows off like that? “Hm? Hm?! Wadda ya think?! You’re looking at the amazing years of training!”
“Your body’s fine, Shin. I think it’s your head the doctor outa be taking a look at.” Heisuke snorts out
“What’s that? You say you want me to beat the daylights out of you?” Dr. Matsumoto nodded to himself
“You’re fine, Shinpanchi Nagakura. Move along, Next!” he calls out
“Whoa, hold on there, Doc! You gotta get a good look at this-” Dr. Matsumoto looked annoyed by now
“No, you’re quite fine, Healthy as a horse. And I’ve seem quite enough, thank you.” I couldn’t hold my laughter anymore, I burst out laughing.
“You’re holding up the line, Shinpanchi. Get moving, all right?” I heard Harada say annoyed to his best friend
“Hahaha…” Chizuru gave out an awkward laugh.
“I’m just saying, I don’t really think you’ve had the time to fully examine-”
“A medical examination is for finding problems, not showing off. Now move” Saito said annoyed he was the one who was next
“Nagakura-san’s childish antics sometimes make him cute” I told Chizuru, Chizuru’s cheeks suddenly turned light pink
“I guess so…” she says quietly agreeing
“And apparently so is Harada-san” I giggled, both of us looked at
the men again this time both of us giggling at them.
“Hm. Looks like I’m out of medicine.” Dr. Matsumoto noticed us.
“Well I think that’s your cue, Chizuru” I told her “I’m going to head to our room, I have something to do, I’ll see you later” I said to her, she nods while I head to our room.
On the way to our room, I met Nagakura who was grumbling he still didn’t put his shirt on, I snickered remembering the scene earlier. He noticed me and waved at me, I smiled and nod at him proceeding to head to our room.
THE NEXT DAY
I didn’t know what the others were doing but Hijikata-san said to head to the meeting room, I was still groggy so I didn’t pay attention to what they said, I asked Chizuru what the commotion is, and she said that the whole compound was cleaned since it was Dr. Matsumoto’s orders
“It’s clean but not that clean” I commented, running through a finger on the wooden floor
“Shhh…Fuyumi-chan!” Heisuke shushed me “I don’t want to clean anymore!” he whispered
“I think cleaning is a good Idea, since the environment and surrounding also affect one’s army health” I said leaning on my hand closing my eyes
“You weren’t the one who busted your ass cleaning the place, you just slept the entire day, yesterday” I yawned
“For your information, I was the one who safely escorted Matsumoto-sensei here in Kyoto yesterday, don’t I deserve a rest?” I said to Nagakura, he grumbled something under his breath
“Well both Fuyumi-chan and Souji busted there asses resting” Heisuke groaned “doesn’t that seem a little unfair?” he says shrugging, I glance at Souji who looked bored, I was still treating him, his cough lessened but in return the treatment to heal his tuberculosis was more intense than before, I already warned him though, so right now his fever won’t go down anytime soon until his lungs completely heals
“Can’t blame me, if I have two over protective mothers” he groaned, his eyes travelling to where I am, I stared at him for a few moments before closing my eyes again
“Shut it. You can run around all you want as soon as that fever goes away” Hijikata said his eyes furrowed at Souji
“Nonetheless, a clean home is a nice change” Saito interjected
They still talked about cleaning until Heisuke and Nagakura started their childish arguments, I wanted to stand up and walk away I want to go back to sleep…
“Oh! I know!” Heisuke says slamming his fist on his palm “Why don’t Fuyumi-chan use her powers to clean the place spotless?” Heisuke says as if his idea was so bright “that way the work would go faster!” he cheered all of their attention diverted to me
“I don’t think that’s a very bright idea” Hijikata says his expression serious “we shouldn’t take a shortcut in cleaning, and we don’t know how Kihara’s power works, we could also risk her safety by exposing her power” Hijikata explained
“True. I may accidentally burn this place for all I know, but don’t blame me if I do since it was Heisuke’s idea” Heisuke awkwardly laughed “hmm…” I hummed having a mischievous idea I grabbed Chizuru’s waist since she was beside me to her surprise “to compensate for my lack of help yesterday, I’ll blow the left over dust here a bit” my eyes glowed gold then a strong gust of wind blew inside of the meeting room, all of them were thrown outside the hall, except for Chizuru and Souji who I caught grabbing his arm when he was also blown away, the room’s dust were blown outside while the one’s who were blown away groaned in pain. “Oops” I said having a sinister grin
“That wasn’t funny Kihara!” Hijikata angrily yelled Souji and I laughed our asses off while Chizuru just gave a worried look on her face
“What? I just blew the dust a bit” I reasoned, I pulled Chizuru away with me while they were still recovering.
“That was pretty mean of you Fuyumi-chan…” I tilted my head to the side
“That was just a small joke Chizuru, don’t take it too seriously” she stared at me for a second before laughing “see?” both of us laughed, “maybe I should return and apologize, what will you do Chizuru?” I asked her
“I think I’ll clean the yard for a bit” she says, I nod while I headed towards the meeting hall again, I stopped when I heard Souji’s and Dr. Matsumoto’s voice
“I’ll be honest with you. Okita you show the signs of having tuberculosis” he said
“It’s showing...?”
“Yes, it’s those early signs, it could still be prevented if you returned to Edo to rest but…”
“Its fine Matsumoto-sensei, I’m getting plenty of rest here, and beside I don’t want to leave the Shinsengumi just yet” he informs him “Oh, and please don’t mention this to Kondou-san and the others, sensei, this is a promise alright?”
“Alright, I’ll visit once in a while here to check on your health and the other soldiers health as well” I heard a long sigh “I thought that Kihara-san already broke the news to her” by ‘her’ meaning Chizuru, I notice someone’s presence silently coming closer to me, I recognized this presence as Saito and I wasn’t wrong, I turned around to see him in a shushing gesture, I nod at him while I walk away while he continues to eavesdrop.
I headed to the meeting hall to find Hijikata but no one was there, I looked around but I ended up in the yard again since I’m concerned in sensing the energy of Kazama
Is he here to abduct Chizuru or is he visiting her as well…? He doesn’t look like he has that kind of kidnapping intention though from his relaxed posture but I could never let my guard down.
“You mean to fight me with that, hm? Your heritage hasn’t blessed you with brains, I see.” Kazama says mocking Chizuru
I jumped down the hall's railing and headed towards them “And it seems your heritage hasn’t blessed you with a pleasant attitude” I retaliated
“Kihara you’re a reasonable girl, why don’t you convince Yukimura to come with me, you can both come with me as a matter of fact” he reasons “there’s no reason for you to turn me down, just come with your kind”
“Chizuru doesn’t want to go with you and that’s final Kazama” I firmly said “if you don’t know how to respect her wishes then I don’t think that your eligible to formally court her, as the guardian of Yukimura Chizuru I am already saying this. Back off” I said making my eyes glow threatening him.
“What a shame…” he says frowning “why are you even here when you clearly can’t find Yukimura Kodo?” he says shrugging but composes himself again his lips curved into a smirk “Yukimura Kodo is related to you if I’m not mistaken, he’s working with the Satsuma domain, so I don’t really see why your still staying here with these self-proclaimed samurai’s” he says shaking his head.
“That’s not true!” Chizuru protested “Otōsama would never!” she was cut off by Kazama’s huff, he gave a thoughtful look glancing a way for a moment before an amused grin spread on his lips
“Why don’t you ask Kihara if it isn’t true?” he says his attention diverted to me and so is Chizuru who had an expectant look on her face
“…What Kazama is saying is true Chizuru. Unfortunately” I said frowning, while Kazama’s brow slightly twitched “…” I didn’t say anymore she just looked shocked and in disbelief.
“See…? So what are you still doing here?” he questions
“Kazama, please stop talking for a moment” I said annoyed “Chizuru…” Chizuru shook her head at me
“Did you know all this time Fuyumi-chan?” she asked, I shook my head at her
“I just asked Matsumoto-sensei, I thought he broke the news to you already but didn’t know that he didn’t yet” she was quiet then she spoke tears was already at the corner of her eyes
“Fuyumi-chan…what exactly are you doing all this time?” she questioned, I was a little taken aback at the sudden question “you said you had business with Otōsama…and sometimes…no…you usually check up on Sanan-san as well…you aren’t hiding something from me now…right Fuyumi-chan?” her voice was already shaking “you never explained anything to me besides that both of us are demons…” she continued “If Matsumoto-san told you about my Otōsama first then why didn’t you tell it to me after you’ve learned of this Fuyumi-chan?” a knot of guild was suddenly forming in my stomach “I know you have your reasons Fuyumi-chan for not telling me anything…but I feel betrayed” I can’t blame her…
“C-Chizuru-chan…” I didn’t know what else to say to her…she took off already crying, Shit.
“…” I am screwed. I have no idea how am I going to explain to Chizuru about everything without covering up important things…and I don’t think she can handle the truth…about my mission and about her father…
“Infiltrating the enemy’s territory alone?” Hijikata’s voice took my attention away from Chizuru he appeared from behind a tree “Sorry, but I can’t accept your casual attitude” he glared at Kazama while Kazama glared back at him
“You know making chick’s fight over you is one thing but we can’t accept on how you made Fuyumi-chan and Chizuru fight like that and besides its also broad daylights it’s too early to be chatting up girls” Harada pointed his spear to Kazama
“Fuyumi-chan what happened between you and Chizuru?” Heisuke asked worried stepping in front of me his hand already gripping the hilt of his sword
“I thought you weren’t with them Kihara?” he says raising a brow, I shook my head confused and distressed, my thoughts running wild on how would I explain everything to Chizuru…both of us already reclaimed the friendship we’ve lost from long ago and I strained our relationship now…and it’s my fault…I thought I was ready to be a bad guy to Chizuru but it turns out I’m not… “It’s a rare sight to see tears from you” I was crying?
“Shut up! You’ve clearly upset Fuyumi-chan and that’s all the more reason to take you down right now!” Heisuke shouted, while I wiped the tears that I didn’t even noticed roll down my cheeks
“The weakest dog barks the loudest” he says “I’d gladly play with you if not for the business I have with Kihara and Yukimura” he tells them, his red eyes is staring at my form “Kihara I know that your Yukimura’s guardian right now but can’t you tell this dogs that they should stop turning humans into demons already? I thought since you were the vice-commander of the Kihara Family you would’ve done it properly by now but it seems that they aren’t stopping”
“You don’t need to tell me what I need to do Kazama” I said with venom in my voice
“Maybe they aren’t stopping because you’ve become soft? Or they don’t see you as a threat so much?” I gritted my teeth “either way…I’ll still tell them this. Stop turning humans into demons already, I don’t know why Kihara hasn’t killed you yet but she should’ve already. If you’re finding it hard to kill them then I’ll aid you in doing so” he reminds me
“That’s none of your business” Hijikata voiced out “and Kihara doesn’t need your lectures she’s clearly smarter than you in handling things”
“That’s right, we don’t have any interest in listening to people who would kidnap girls in broad daylight as well as in the middle of the night” he gave a low chuckle
“How foolish. I’m only giving you all some-advised out of pity” he says “Kihara, if you want more info about Yukimura Kodo then I’d gladly arrange things for us to talk privately.”
“…” I do need more information about Kodo but…
“If you are interested then, let’s meet up at Shimabara at a later date I’ll give you all the information I know, of course in exchange you need to bring Chizuru along with you” after that he turned around then teleported away…
“You aren’t seriously considering on meeting with him right Fuyumi?” Harada came towards me with a concern look on his face, I didn’t respond.
“Fuyumi-chan, you know he’s just tricking you right?! And you wouldn’t bring Chizuru with you right?!” Heisuke shouted “I don’t even understand why’s he after you and Chizuru”
“Chizuru” I corrected
“C’mon there’s only one reason a guy’d go to this much trouble over a girl. He’s in love with her.” Harada informs Heisuke but shakes his head when he glanced at me I wasn’t surprised at what he said that’s the most plausible explanation, but I don’t think that Kazama loves Chizuru… “You didn’t react, so is he really after Chizuru because he really wants her to be his consort, like you said?” Harada says with an intrigued expression, I didn’t respond I don’t know what Kazama wants exactly and I can’t just put words in his mouth like a certain someone said, but the way Chizuru looked at Hijikata at Nijo Castle and the way Kazama looked at her wasn’t the same…there was no emotion, only curiosity “that demon guy’s a jerk”
“If he wants Chizuru, then why is he talking to you too? I mean by the looks of it he also has interest in you” Heisuke says his brows furrowing
“Being a demon is a pretty complicated thing Heisuke-kun, and I don’t really think that he has interest in me.” I paused looking at Harada “do you remember the time when I asked you about marrying someone to only birth a child Harada-san?” I told him “that’s what Kazama is aiming for wanting to have Chizuru but since I’m here he can’t openly do that…” I said looking at the distance “If I were the one Kazama is pursuing to only bare him a child then so be it, but I can’t let Chizuru’s happiness be taken away because of him, as you have said I should find someone I like and marry them, well I will take your words and give it to Chizuru instead. Chizuru and I have different worlds, I abide by the demon law while she never really knew about it, she is pure and innocent and I think she’s better off never knowing what our demon law is…” I explained to them
“That’s a pretty stupid thing to say Kihara” Hijikata interjects “why don’t you also take into account on what Sanosuke said as well?”
“It maybe stupid in your ears but to me it isn’t, my loyalty to my family and my small town is unbendable, I have said this to Chizuru and I will also say it to the three of you” I said giving a stern look to them “I will sacrifice my emotions, my happiness even the one I love the most for my Clan’s preservation, I will cut all those ties away for my Clan and that is what I truly want” I said to them
“That’s an amazing thing to want, most girls just do whatever they want to achieve happiness, but you would sacrifice your own happiness for your Clan…especially for Chizuru….”
“Chizuru…” I said her name with a worried tone in my voice “I don’t know now if Chizuru would talk to me anymore…I hid a lot of things from her” I was about to walk away when Hijikata stopped me
“What are you going to do now Kihara?” Hijikata asked
“I’ll be out for a little while until Chizuru is ready to talk again”
“W-Wait Fuyumi-chan, your not meeting that guy. Alone?!” Heisuke exclaimed
“Please don’t worry about me Heisuke-kun, and also…it doesn’t really concern you now if I meet him or not, since I don’t associate myself as a part of the Shinsengumi even from the very start” I told him with a sad smile
“Don’t say that Fuyumi-chan you and Chizuru are both part of the Shinsengumi now since both of you stayed here long enough to be recognized as one of us” I shook my head
“I’m flattered if you think I’m part of it, but it isn’t the same for me Harada-san…I can’t be with the Shinsengumi nor can I be too attached to you” I said to him “We are in two completely separate worlds Harada-san the relationship that you think that you have forged with me is but an illusion…”
“Even if it’s an illusion to you, it’s real to us Kihara, your too emotional right now that’s why your spouting bull shit” he said with a scolding tone in his voice
“…I see…” that was the only thing I said before I walked away teleporting afterwards outside of the HQ of the Shinsengumi