What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Kitsuneko

"Kitsu ? Kitsuneko ?"

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. That deep rumble ... those eyes, this face ... downright to the jet-black colour of his long hair. I was dreaming, this was impossible. I blinked once, twice, before a hand extended to me. By my side, colleagues had gone silent, stunned by the sheer presence of the man that faced me. Couldn't blame them; the bravest Shinsengumi cowed before him.

At last, I found my tongue and choked: "Toshi ?".

A fond smile bloomed upon his face, and there was no doubt left when he grabbed both my hands, and lifted me from the cushion I'd been kneeling upon. Hijikata-san had returned, somehow, from the dead to greet me. And he looked as stunning as he used to, with a softness to his eyes that I had thought lost. The warrior's heart was still there, deep within. But happiness infused his features, and I couldn't get enough of that look upon his face. He'd never radiated such joy in the past.

He said something, his voice low, in Japanese. I didn't understand half of it. Blushing, I cursed myself, once more, for delaying my learning.

"Sumimasen, I... watashi wa nihongo..." Damn, the words didn't come, so I gave up and huffed. "I don't understand you."

Confusion knitted his brows together in an adorable expression, and I felt so out of place my heart threatened to explode. How shameful! Head bowed, I bit my lip; I'd been so broken-hearted, after my mission, that I refused to learn more of this wonderful language. One long finger touched my chin, lifting it upwards so that I could meet the gem of his eyes.

"Don't worry. I speak English. Même un peu de français."

Ecstatic, I allowed him to drag me into a fierce hug. My arms wound around him, crumpling the fabric of his hakamashita on either side of his spine. How could he possibly remember me? I'd seen him die, felt his heart stutter and stop below my palm. Could it be a descendant? No ... his arms felt the same around me, his long fingers – those of a swordsman – caressing my hair soothingly. Down to his smell, it was the same man.

Tears leaked from my eyes, relief flooding my chest at the glorious sigh of him. Sobs weren't far away, and I struggled not to give in. I felt his finger curl at my nape, then travel to the comb.

"Frances?" another voice rose in the background.

Pulling away, I turned to the group and attempted to hide the tears in my eyes. The instructor seemed worried, and I rushed to reassure him.

"Er. Long-lost friends, it's a damn coincidence, really." A dark eyebrow rose upon his tanned skin, the interrogation clear enough. "All right?"

My chest stuttered, and I felt Toshi's hand settle at my back protectively. His looming presence, so intimidating to the rest of the world, brought me the air I was struggling to gather. I exhaled slowly, then nodded curtly.

"Yes... I'll get back to the hotel by myself. Do not worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

I was about to babble something when Toshi's commanding voice rose.

"I can assure you that we will take the utmost care of her and return her to your hotel."

The instructor straightened, nonplussed by the steel of Hijikata's command. He'd reverted to the Oni-Vice Commander for a moment, and I had no doubt his every whim would be fulfilled by the restaurant waitresses. Damn, he was so impressive in his full regalia; I liked this version of him better than the uniform I'd seen him die in.

His hands, though, had not left me; as if he was worried, I would break. Then, something he said registered in my mind. "We?"

He nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I found two of my captains already."

I blanched, wondering who, out of the Shinsengumi captains, he'd managed to fish out. "What? Who? They're here?"

He grabbed my cheeks between his fingers without responding, his eyes dancing with mirth. The move was so intimate ... memories of past days sharing skin, warmth and tenderness flooding me. The tingle of his warm hands upon my skin caused me to blush, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. "Yes. We're taking a little downtime from the dojo, away from our wives."

It clicked then. Happiness. Toshi had found his match after all. Eyes widening, I grinned.

"So you found a woman that could handle you?"

The smirk that adorned his features was the best of presents.

"I have found her, yes." His eyes twinkled with mirth. But he didn't let me elaborate; the commander replaced the man soon enough. "Now come. We've got much to discuss."

Overjoyed, I felt my legs turn to jelly while he dragged me away from the table. Colleagues and instructors watched us leave, until one of them, the meeting's organiser, suddenly stood, eyes wide. Hijikata stopped in his tracks, aware that someone was calling his attention. I inhaled sharply; he'd not lost his touch. Ever aware, to the point of eeriness.

Oni no Fukuchō, the demon Vice commander.

Toshi turned slightly, pinning the man with an intense gaze, waiting for him to report. The organiser – a respectable Japanese director – seemed so shaken I wondered if he was about to break. Then, he knelt on the tatami mats and bowed. His head gradually touched his hands upon the ground in sign of deference.

"Hijikata-sama. Kistu-sama. Domo arigato gozaimasu. For your service to the country", he added in japanese.

Toshi's steely gaze softened, and he simply inclined his head before he dragged me away. Realisation it hit me hard; he looked so much like his old self that people actually recognised him. This photograph of him, taken by the western photographer, was displayed on the web. The organiser probably was a very cultivated man with a knack for Shinsengumi, and the Boshin war. And they believed in reincarnation... Meaning he'd recognised me as well.

That was a first.

Kitsu-sama. That rang well. And Hijikata-sama even better, even though the deference came all too late; after his death. My legs felt like jelly, and Toshi's arm supported me up the stairs, leading me to a more secluded area. My breath caught. There, in the corner of the room, sat two people with familiar stances and even more familiar faces.

"Hey guys, look what I've found."

I realised, just now, that Toshi was speaking English for my sake. The exclamations, though, were strictly Japanese and I didn't catch a word other than 'Kitsuneko', repeated over and over again. Toshi literally threw me over the table, and I received the most massive hug of my life.

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