Trying to Kill Each Other Doesn't Count as Flirting (or Does it?)

Chapter 20

The ground crew needed as much help as they could get, not that (F/N) was particularly surprised.

After being swarmed by yato, and the Tenshouin Naraku, there wasn't a person there who didn't seem to be on the brink of death, but thanks to the Shinsengumi's surprise entrance, everyone was, miraculously, still alive. Two things had changed, however: the Shogun was no longer the Shogun, and that title now belonged to (F/N)'s cousin, Hitotsubashi Nobunobu.

After catching up with Shigeshige, and making sure he was all right, (F/N) tracked down Okita, and forced him into the ship's medical ward to replace all the stitches he'd pulled running around with a bazooka so soon after almost dying.

"I don't see why it's such a big deal," he muttered as she dragged him down the hall. "This isn't even the worst thing I've done to myself. Once I reopened a whole big chest wound by going back to the dojo too soon after getting caught up in an explosion. It bled all over my shirt and everything. Wasn't a big deal."

"Um, that is definitely a big deal!" (F/N) snapped. "How are you still alive? Now come on, let's get you fixed up before you pass out and die."

He muttered something about how she nagged worse than Hijikata, but gave in and let her pull him down the hall without complaint.

The medical ward was filled to the brim with every kind of idiot imaginable. In one room was Kagura's earth-dad, Gin, with Kagura on one side, and Shinpachi on the other. In another room sat Hijikata, with a nurse scolding him for trying to smoke in what was essentially a hospital. (F/N) couldn't help but smile a little at each sight. Everyone was okay. Everyone was still themselves. Everything would be all right.

Then she caught sight of one particular room, and froze.

"Wait...Zenzou?"

Indeed, there he was, sprawled on a hospital bed, covered head to toe in bandages. He didn't seem to have noticed her, instead focusing all his attention on the latest volume of Shonen Jump.

He hasn't changed at all, has he?

"(F/N)?"

(F/N) jumped, and turned back to Sougo. He looked from her, to the figure in the bed, and frowned.

"Um...I..." She hesitated. On the one hand, she really, really wanted to see Zenzou. On the other hand, she wanted to make sure Sougo actually got those stitches, and didn't just go and poison Hijikata's IV bag.

Noting her hesitation, Okita sighed, and gave her a gentle shove towards the room.

"Go on."

She stared at him, and he gave her another push.

"You really want to talk to him, right? It's fine, I'll make sure to get this stitched back up, so you go have your tearful reunion or whatever.

There was a scowl on his face, and a certain reluctance in his tone, but both were subtle enough for (F/N) to ignore as she smiled, and headed to the door.

"Thanks, Sougo-kun."

And with that, she stepped inside.

Zenzou didn't look up—not until the door fell closed and clicked shut behind her. The minute their gazes locked, (F/N) felt a sudden wave of fear pass through her, but fought it back, and forced her lips to move.

"Zen...zou...Zenzou, I—"

"Oh, hey, (F/N)." He closed his book, and set it on the table. "Sorry about before. I guess I gave you quite a scare there, didn't I?"