Hakuouki: The Masked Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 18

"You all look like you had a fun night." Kondou laugh.

"Although it seems Sakura, Souji, and Saitou are normal." Sannan smirks. Souji and I laugh.

"Because we know how to hold our Saké. But I would love to see you drunk." I grin at Sannan.

"That would be an interesting sight." He jokes. "But even you, vice commander?" He ignores his comment.

"I think the best part was when Sakura got all dressed up in geisha clothes." Souji says.

"That was forced! If they weren't girls I would've punched them." He laughs.

"Well you looked vary nice." Saitou says. I smile.

"Well I guess I felt self conscious since it had been a while. But thank you Saitou. Coming from you, I feel better."

"I remember! You should-"

"Don't even try to finish that sentence." I narrow my eyes at Heisuke and Nagakura.

"Come on, you looked pretty cute." I wave a hand.

"Saitou, Souji, do you have some free time after breakfast? I want your help on an investigation and I think you two can give me the best insight." They give me a curious look.

"Sure..." Souji says slowly.

"Of course." Saitou says.

"What are you investigating?" Sannan asks. I wave a hand.

"Don't worry unless I tell you what it is. But it's nothing really. It's just a lead."

"We can go now, right Hajime-kun?" Souji says. Saitou nods and I take them to my room.

"Souji, your just here because I trust you. I really just need Saitou."

"Oh?" Souji grins.

"What do you need?" Saitou asks.

"You know a lot about swords, right?" I don't pause for him to answer. "I already know. So I need you to take a look at this sword." I pull it from under my futon. He takes it.

"Whose is it?" Saitou asks taking it.

"That's not important. Can you tell me anything about it? I could use anything since I'm going in this blind." He nods pulling it from the sheath. He examines it for a bit.

"Although I'm not familiar with this work, it's an impressive blade. May I test it?" I nod.

We're outside as he tests the sharpness. "Well?"

"It's oddly powerful. As if it didn't even need my strength." He says handing it back sheathed. "But nothing of its origins. It's expertly made but most likely from no one known." I take it back.

"Okay, thanks. I'll be back later than." I take it, pulling on my mask.

"Whoa, now you have to tell us what's this all about." Souji says.

"Actually, I stole this from Kazama..." They're eyes widen making me chuckle.

"That's what I did when I said I had business. Kazama was there too so I broke into his home... I'm gonna return it. Do not say a thing to anyone. I mean it." I say jumping up into the tree and over the wall.

~~~

I sneak in the building but I know he's in the room. I decide just to open it. He was in there at the window. "So your the one who took it." I say nothing as I set it down. When I turn a red haired man is there. My eyes widen for a moment when I think I recognize someone. No, just a copy, not the real one. He wasn't him. I had to remind myself again as I smooth out my face. Every time I saw him...