Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan: Find Love in War (Hajime Saito)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Bad News

Haruka and the others were eating dinner.

Chizuru was in her thought until Genzaburo came in.

"Everybody, do you have a moment?" Genzaburo asked.

"What it is, Gen?"

"I've just received word from Osaka. Sanan has been gravely injured in battle."

"What?!" Chizuru said,

Genzaburo continued, "Sanan had gone to investigate a report of several ronin harassing a cloth merchant. He'd managed to drive them off, but not before being wounded by the ronin."

"Is he going to be alright?" Chizuru asked.

"It was his sword arm that was wounded. He'd almost certain to survive, but wielding a blade will be...difficult for him."

"Oh, thank goodness." Chizuru let out a sigh of relief.

But the others didn't share her relief.

"Sanan...he won't be able to wield a blade no more?"

Genzaburo nods. "Sadly, no. He should be returning here in a few days. Now please, excuse me. I must speak with Kondou."

Genzaburo turn around, and then, he was gone. It was Saito who eventually broke the awkward silence.

"A sword is not made to be carried in a single hand. If his injury is severe, he may never carry a blade again."

"Oh..." Chizuru finally understand.

Sanan has survived, but with his arm wounded, he will never be the same man, the same warrior that he is ever again.

Saito continues, "Fighting with a single hand would decrease the strength behind his blow. If he was to fight against another with similar skill, he would lose."

"Of course..." Chizuru said.

Okita sighed. "If push comes to shove, he'll have to take it. I don't think Sanan's just going to give up."

"Don't jinx him, Souji. It's gonna look bad if officers start joining the Corps."

"What do you mean by that? Isn't that the Shinsengumi?" Chizuru asked.

"Well, normally, yeah. You might call the Shinsengumi the 'Elite Volunteer Corps.' When we talk about the group we are referring to-" Heisuke was cut off.

"Idiot!" Harada was about to hit Heisuke when Haruka stand up from her seat and flip him to the floor.

Chizuru gasp. "Harada!"

"You're the idiot for acting on impulse, Sanosuke."

Harada growled and roughly grab the front of her top. Haruka place her hand on top of Harada's hand...and give him a close-eyes smile. Harada blush as his grip loosens.

Harada let go of Haruka. "I'm sorry."

"Chizuru, about the story you were about to hear. You may be curious about, it, but please don't ask about it," Nagakura said.

"But...!"

"The Corps that Heisuke was talking about are men to be pitied," Okita said.

"It's nothing you need to worry yourself about. You don't have to get all worked up," Nagakura said.

"Put it from your mind. Involving yourself in our affairs will put you in greater danger," Saito said.

Chizuru bit her lip and kept silent.

After diner, Haruka retired to her room.

Haruka sighed. She couldn't go to sleep though. Haruka was just staring at the ceiling with a bore expression.

'What am I going to do?' Haruka roll to her side. 'I can feel it. He's getting closer. Should I leave, or should I stay?'

Haruka roll to her back and stare at the ceiling again. "Who knows? Maybe everything will turn out alright."