What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

The demon commander

"Kondō-san, Sanan-san and Hijikata-san are waiting."

Yamazaki's face grew grave; the worry of a well-trained nurse dancing in his gaze. As if, in one interrogation, he feared they might undo all the progress he'd made with me. Should I expect to be beaten black and blue ? I squared my shoulders, wincing when my upper arm stung at the movement.

"Well, let's get this over with," I sighed.

I stood too suddenly; the room started spinning, and I felt Yamazaki's hands at my side to steady me. I gave him a weak smile. How I hated it, being a damsel in distress ! Damn it ! We walked, slowly, upon a wooden passageway that slightly creaked beneath our feet – the engawa. Despite the cold, I just wore my socks. From what I gathered, no shoes when circulating under a roof.

The guy by my side gave me a heartfelt smile: once more, I was struck by how young he seemed. What was his role in the compound ? My gaze eventually made him uncomfortable, and he sheepishly said.

"I heard you got Saitō . I'm Heisuke."

I nodded my assent, absolutely unable to repeat his name; he'd eaten most of the sounds. But at least, I knew that et'ské was a rowdy, loud teenager.

"Please don't escape, Lady Kitsune, my commander would kill me."

My eyebrows shot up. First, I needed to find out what a qits'né was. Secondly... kill him, really ? "Wait. Like, literally ?" The boy nodded thoughtfully. "Seppuku is the price of failure, yes, and I've got a lot on Hijikata's nerves recently."

And despite my abysmal knowledge of Japan, I couldn't ignore what seppuku was. The idea of sacrificial ritual chilled my bone, and I nearly slipped on the polished wood.

"Howdy. What a great place to work !"

My ironic comment was met with raised eyebrows, but Yamazaki stopped up in front of another room. The door was already open; they awaited us. I took a deep exhale, trying to abate the pounding at the back of my skull, and followed both my guards inside. Many men sat, cross-legged, along the paper walls. Some faces, I recognised; Sōji and Saitō with an ecchymosis upon his nose. Was it broken ? I spotted Harada as well. A single cushion sat in the centre, all alone, waiting for my ass to grace it. I cautiously lowered myself upon it, crossing my legs in front of me. My very posture caused a few gasps behind me, but I had not a care in the world.

That damn room was swimming again. "Call me if you need me," Yamazaki whispered to me before he joined the others behind me. I nodded briskly, putting a hand over my eyes to wait for the dizzying spell to die. Then, I managed to focus; three figures faced me. One had glasses, and a soft, feminine face. Beautiful. But his eyes held such intelligence, and a calculating streak. In the middle sat, cross legged, an imposing man with a kind face. And to his right...

I blinked. To his right sat a stern looking man, a mane of dark hair framing his features. His eyes pierced me. Fierce. Warrior. Strategist. Ruthless. His features were set in a deep frown, his arms crossed over a deep purple crossed shirt. I repressed the shudder that ran up my spine; I'd been subjected to many, many intense stares before his. But damn, even after Lord Elrond or Tristan, it still made an impression.

"Are you the demon ?" I blurted out.

The words had flown out of my mouth without a filter. Damn that concussion ! Snickers travelled around the room as the man's eyes narrowed at me, swirling with anger. Whoop, but he was impressive ! So I shrugged, trying to appease the tension.

"Hey, blame Sōji. I'm not one for nicknames."

"Aren't you, Kitsu ?"

More snickers, at my expense, this time. Damn them and that culture I couldn't understand ! The dark-haired man's eyes travelled to the back of the room, and I inwardly relaxed. Being pinned by his attention was overwhelming, and I now understood his subordinates' fear. That man could make you pee your pants with just a look. Fortunately, his comrades in arms seemed to know it too, for it was the glasses man who talked first. His voice was silky, deliberate, like one of a politician.