What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Ito-sod

Sorry my lovelies, for the long wait. A stupid virus hit us once more and the whole household was impacted. But my brain and free time are back !

Another wave of coldness washed over the country before winter called it quits. Yet, I could feel it had not relinquished its grasp yet. So despite the cold, I took advantage of every moment of sunshine to train outside; the bokken couldn't be used inside, contrary to the short sword they called wakizashi.

Saitō had shown me a few basic left-handed moves and parries, stopping when I struggled to integrate them. Repetition would ingrain them in my brain, he'd said. Other words, but the message was the same. Train, and return when you're worthy.

When I wasn't trying to get my strength back, I spent time penning Kondō-san's letters, or exchanging nasty tricks with the captains in the training room. Today was such a day, and I wandered back to my room, Shinpachi in tow – they never left me alone – for a welcome change of clothes. As we turned around Kondō's and Hijikata's set of rooms, we found ourselves face to face with a man in lavender robes, an air of superiority etched upon his features.

"Shit!", Shinpachi swore, twisting me around in hopes of hiding my features.

"Nani..."? I started.

"Itō," he whispered, hurrying back around the corner we'd just left.

But it was too late; hurried footsteps echoed behind us, and Itō's voice, honeyed like that of a snake, greeted us.

"What's this, Shinpachi-kun ? A woman in the compound ? My, I think it goes against the code."

I blanched; we were busted, and even if I ran away, Shinpachi was in trouble. I exchanged a startled look with him, and he whispered, "Not true, women are not forbidden. Just in our beds." I rolled my eyes, amused by his propension to flirt. Heavily. Who, better than the Baka trio – as Hijikata called them – could laugh in such a situation ?

I heard Itō coming closer, and ducked my head. But not even the Gods could possibly help us here; I knew my reddish hair would catch the orange light so strongly that it looked like molten fire. Any moment now, the man would take a look at my face...

So I turned around and pulled myself to full height, sending him the most intimidating glare I could muster. The man and his lavender robes stopped so suddenly that I nearly heard the skidding of his geta on the wooden floor.

"A gaijin ! You are hiding a Gaijin in the compound !" he screeched.

I struggled to keep my composure, assaulted by the less than manly cry. Still, better not to talk. Actually, the only way out what to play... Kitsune. A slow smirk found a way up my face; I poured all my murderous intent inside, laced it with mischieviousness, and purred. By my side, Shinpachi was completely mute.

"What are you !" Itō screamed, hysterical. Inwardly, disgust was slowly replacing fear. He was so pathetic that I wondered how he ever could own a dojo. His words, though, tumbled all jumbled as he went on screaming. I took this as my cue to leave, and walked around him like a panther about to pounce on his prey, keeping him on edge as he backed away. Itō bumped in Shinpachi; the captain shoved him off him.

"Hey, watch it."

I didn't hear the shōji slide, but the thundering voice that cut the ruckus had become pretty familiar. Hijikata-san !

"What is this mess about?" he ground out, arms crossed over his chest in the best impression of a school teacher about to spank a rowdy child. Itō started blabbering, earning him a raised eyebrow from the Demon Commander. Was it me, or was he enjoying himself ? I kept in character, observing as his voice sharply cut Itō.

"I can't even work with all the racket. I expect it from my captains, but not from you, Itō-san. Have you been drinking ?"

"What ? Me ?" the man spluttered.

Oh, he was going to lose it. Well done, Hijikata-san ! My smirk grew until Itō took a deep breath, and pointed to me. "What is this, Hijikata-san ? You harbour a gaijin in our midsts ?" he yelled, indignant.

Hijikata spared me a glance, his attention returning to Itō.

"I wouldn't get on her bad side, Itō-san. Better not to call her a gaijin, some spirits can be unforgiving."

"What... ?"

"Kitsu-sama occasionally lends a hand to the Shinsengumi, but she keeps her magic in check around humans."

Sama. Mmm. Those suffixes were a pain to use, but damn they could prove a point ! Impressed that Hijikata-san had caught the drift of my game – or got the same idea - I swished my head. Like tails, the three ringlets danced around my face, glowing in the orange light. Itō remained mouthslacked. Then, he seemed to regain his bearing, and scurried away, rumbling about demons and farmers' sons.

Shinpachi actually laughed once he was out of sight, but Hijikata's furrowed brows were unforgiving.

"He will retaliate," he sighed, his shoulders sagging. I could almost hear the weight of the Shinsengumi over his shoulders, the 'as if we didn't have enough problems already'.

"Yep, we're screwed," Shinpachi muttered.

Had I been Japanese, I would have apologised for the inconvenience. Had I been Chizuru, I would have blushed to the roots of my hair. But I was the Keeper of Time, and any idiot taking a dislike to me was responsible for his own faults.

"Itō is a politician. His revenge won't be fair," Hijikata said.

I nodded; Itō might have been a mannered sissy, but he'd owned one of the most renown dojos in Edo.

"Good," I nodded. "That gives me a chance to win."

Hijikata gave me a long stare, one that conveyed how disgraceful he still found my methods of fighting. Still, the ticking in his jaw told me he was pissed. I wondered idly which side he would choose if it came to it. Bah. Sentimentalism...

"Get her to her room," he commanded. Shinpachi obliged without a word.

I wished they were worrying over nothing. Yet, I had come to know that what the Vice Commander feared no shadows.

Better be on my guard.

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