What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Toshizō vs Fukuchō

I tried my new toy the very next day, mindful of the recoil, and the little amount of munitions. My training gathered quite some attention from my fellow captains who were more accustomed to using rifles, but it went well enough. Saitō, particularly, studied the gun like he studied everything related to swordsmanship. Surprisingly enough, the young man had no qualms considering this very western weapon that might render his beloved katanas useless. Everything in Saitō was controlled and analytical; I wondered if he would ever express passion. Were his feelings buried deep within, or was he totally exempt?

Given he had caught the eye of a lovely maiden, he might yet surprise me. Those who called him mini-Hijikata had obviously never rubbed shoulders with them both. If loyalty was their drive, their approach was fundamentally different. And so, while I saw nor head or tails of Hijikata except for his purple hakamashita, I found myself speaking to Saitō about recoil and black powder.

The young captain was shunned by his peers, his title of third captain not reinstated yet after spending six months away. Didn't the Shinsengumi troops know he had been a spy? When I asked him, Saitō only shrugged.

"I shall not tarnish Fukuchō's reputation," was his laconic response.

Hence, he would not restore the truth and allow his comrades to think he'd left the faction, rather than being ordered to. Saitō's courage floored me, and I could only nod to his wisdom. People hating him would have little consequence over the Shinsengumi. But they could not afford their own men to lose faith in their Vice Commander. And so, Saitō endured stoically what would have stirred me crazy. Whispers of his defection, and many more stories too far-fetched and preposterous to be repeated.

I, for one, was glad he had returned. Despite his taciturn nature, I felt a kinship with Saitō. Hence his continuous presence in the captain's quarters, and our careful tests with the gun. After a few tries, I realised I had to aim slightly higher than with the previous handguns I had used in modern times. Also, I found that I could fire with a single hand instead of two, western style.

My arm ached, though; the revolver was much heavier than a glock 19. The holes I dug into the target were, as well, twice the size of my small calibre. This was a dangerous weapon, and I frowned at the potential lethality of our future opponents. The Shōgun army was currently being modernised to keep up to date; what did the Chōshū use? I wasn't knowledgable enough, weapon-wise, to calculate the strength of impact.

But this morning's experience told me we might very well be hacked to pieces, armour or not. Shimada had provided us with a breastplate; it was clear that a true, direct hit could pass through if the shooter was close enough.

"We can only hope for distance," he stated with a flat voice.

I nodded. "Or a bigger angle to get a ricochet."

By the time we were finished with our testing, the day had gone by. Sanan picked me up to attend the preparation meeting to plan Itō's demise. If Hijikata was displeased at our conjoint appearance, he cautiously didn't voice it; he knew I wasn't above starting another shouting match.

They decided to invite Itō-san to have a drink with Kondō, for his faction sold information to the Shinsengumi. They would pour too much sake, hoping to weaken him, and attack in a deserted street while he returned back to his own compound.

The plans were laid, the moment set – two days hence – and my conscience still screamed until I boxed it, and threw the key away. Judging would get me nowhere. Why was I here for, if not to support the men I'd come to consider my brothers in arms? The very people who cared for me, provided me food, shelter and protection?

Assassination.

But it still left a sour taste in my mouth. Heart and conscience struggled within me, waging war upon my insides, my chest constricting with anxiety. The meeting was adjourned with a set of grim approval; I wasn't the only one displeased with this turn of events. None were happy to plan the death of a former Shinsengumi, but it wasn't the first time. Okita was possibly the only one giddy enough to assassinate Itō-san; I understood the rage that boiled in his guts. Targeting Kondō-san would be Itō-sod's last mistake.

I took a deep breath to steel myself, and remained seated as the captains stood and filed out of the room. Fortunately, Hijikata caught my meaning well enough, and he also remained. How he knew I wanted to talk to him was a mystery, but I certainly wasn't about to complain.

Harada pushed Shinpachi before him to prevent him from uttering a snide remark, and Saitō glared at Okita. Sanan gave me a meaningful look before he left, his grey eyes conveying a thousand speculations that I missed entirely. When the sōji slid close, Hijikata and I were the only ones seated in the room.

"What do you want, Kitsu?" he growled.

I gathered my courage, and lifted my eyes to find his stormy gaze.

"Fukuchō," I bowed low, fingers splaying on the rough tatami mat. "There is something I must show you, if you can spare a little time."

Several emotions ran across his face; weariness won. The man was tired, and tightly strung. All he probably wanted, at this time of night, was a good cup of tea and rest. I felt slightly guilty about putting another weight upon his shoulders, but I had a promise to keep.

"You'd better not be wasting my time."

What would he think of my demonstration? I didn't know. But the slight shuffle behind me, right behind the partition, told me we were not as alone as expected.

"I will not. Albeit it'd be better to..."

I shook my head slightly, pointing at the shōji behind me. A smirk lifted the corner of his lips as he stood, unfolding his long limbs like a cat. His feet slid across the tatami mats in silence, passing but a foot from me before he threw the door open. Both Okita and Shinpachi scurried away, while Harada just gave him a sheepish look.

"Get lost," he ordered, his voice threatening.

"Hai!"

"Follow me," he added, staring down at me. I stood with clammy hands, and followed him around the compound until we passed the stone bench where he had first kissed me.

"There!" I pointed, an idea forming in my mind.

"Outside?"

His tone was surprised, but I just nodded, and pointed for him to sit. Leaves had fallen, and the hot and humid air of this summer been replaced by cold dampness. I thought I saw him shiver, and watched as he buried his hands inside his sleeves. This man needed a wool coat, a real one.

"So?" he asked, impatient.

"Give me a minute. I'll show you."

Hijikata addressed me a sour look, and I pleaded for him to wait just a little more. I couldn't risk breaking anything in his room, or in another's office. If I did this right... I found a rock lying under a tree and pushed it further away from the trunk. This would suit my needs. I unsheathed my blade, and pointed it to the ground in a peaceful stance.

"Nani...?" Hijikata whispered.

I didn't respond, focused on finding that orb of light brought by meditation. For a moment, I thought I was about to fail; Hijikata's thundering mood wasn't helping, at all. As if his aggressive waves crashed upon the peaceful ones I was trying to call forth.

This wasn't working. I opened my eyes with a defeated sigh, studying that crease between his eyebrows that marked annoyance. Then I remembered how adorable he was when he allowed himself to whine. How true smiles sometimes brightened his face when that boyish expression overtook his fair features. How he'd looked after that last kiss in the kitchen, open and relaxed. Beautiful.

My chest relaxed, discomfort melting into warmth. It didn't take too long for me to feel the light engulfing my whole frame. The blade caught fire in the night, shining like a beacon. I ignored Hijikata's gasp, concentrating on keeping the sensation alive as I lowered the sword upon the piece of rock. It didn't make a noise when it cut through it like a molecular knife.

Relieved, I allowed my concentration to break. The blade returned to normal at once. I was panting from the effort, but damn, it had been worth it. Hijikata jumped to his feet, his expression stunned as he watched the rock. I sheathed my sword, and offered the two pieces to his scrutiny.

"How ...?"