What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Furisode

Two days later, Chizuru gently summoned me to my room. Her mouth was set in a determined line, as if she had been given the most important of missions. I'd just been training; my skin was gross and sweaty. The little lady sent me to the bath house with urgency, shaking her head with a sigh.

"Your hair shall never be dry enough. How will I be able to style it in an updo?"

I laid a hand over her pink kimono.

"Don't worry. It's easier to work with when it's wet."

"No, no. It cannot be done that way."

Daggers shot out of her eyes, at once replaced by a sheepish expression. I kept my laughter internal and silenced the fact that I doubted she'd be able to perform a traditional hairstyle with my less than obedient waves. The simple fact that it tended to curl in the first place wasn't going to help us. The little lady shooed me away with such authority that I obeyed.

A good soaking, with this moist heat, wasn't superfluous. I sneaked into the captain's bathroom with pleasure, but didn't linger. Chizuru was scary when on a mission; I wondered if she realised she could lead all those men with just a flick of her hand.

As I returned to my room, the Oni lady was nowhere to be found. My eyes were immediately caught by a kimono laid out upon the futon. I gaped. Dark blue cloth, like the deepest of oceans, contrasted with gold and silver thread. It was somptuous, with embroideries of cranes and water.

When I gathered the courage to touch it, I found the cloth cool and smooth at the same time. Silk caused it to shine, mixed with a coarser fabric that might have been linen or hemp. The perfect combination for summer.

The door slid open once more and I tore my eyes away from the kimono to find Chizuru smiling down upon me.

"Do you like it?"

"Hai. The colour is so beautiful. It reminds me of the ocean."

Blue was my favourite colour, by far.

"I found it a little dark, but it's right in between a man's colour and a woman. I guess it suits you."

I just nodded, my eyes returning to the beautiful embroideries. As for oscillating between genders... I guess it referred to Harada's tendency to treat me like 'one of the guys', even though I was being feminine. I hoped I wouldn't damage it this time.

"Whose garment is it?", I asked, wondering where Kondō-san had fished such a beauty.

Her chocolate eyes widened. "He didn't tell you?"

I shook my head. Who didn't tell me what?

"Kondō-san bought it for you."

I gasped, totally floored by a revelation that nearly reduced me to tears. I couldn't even fathom the price of such an item, and he'd gifted it to me.

"But...", I whispered, my hand running alongside the patterns of golden threat. Why was the first question that came to mind, but I perfectly knew the extend of Kondō's gratitude. He really treated me like a daughter ... was he missing his?

"Is there anything wrong with the Furisode, Kitsu-san?"

I frowned.

"What's a Furisode?"

Chizuru watched me as if I had grown two heads. Her cheeks blushed when realisation hit her; given my origins, I wasn't privy to the specifics of kimonos. Especially since I wore occidental's garbs most of the time.

"Ah. It has slong sleeves. The one unmarried women are supposed to wear."

Unmarried. Oops. I might have forgotten to mention I was officially a widower.