What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Nicknames

Can't remember the artist, but it's worth sharing.

For once, Fukuchō was at loss.

"I don't master it yet. I just discovered it."

Hijikata didn't say a word, but his face showed none of the usual anger. "Come," he only said. I followed him, mindful to remove my sandals on the engawa, as he led me to his rooms. Then, he offered me a seat next to the hibachi, and I obediently settled beside the heat source.

The vice commander studied me for a moment, and I kept my mouth shut, open for any question he might have. This had been our deal, right? Ask, and all shall be answered.

"How?"

The same word as before, but instead of uncertainty, it conveyed a command. For once, I didn't feel irked by his tone; it was good to see Fukuchō returning to active duty.

"Kondō-san helped me meditate, he thought it would help with the chest pain."

An imperceptible wince marred his features, but he said nothing when he sat on the other side of the brazier. So I went on.

"I realised the blade was calling to me when I managed to reach the proper level of peace. I reached back, in my mind, and it just flared to life."

Hijikata pinched the bridge of his nose with a huff, the circles under his eyes more pronounced as his skin tightened. Then, his hand fell in his lap and his features settled.

"You truly are magical, Kitsu. Do you understand what it means?"

I had not fully fathomed the potential of my new weapons, but its uses were slowing creeping into my mind. If I could keep this up long enough, I might be able to damage the enemy's weapons. To carve a path in a line of soldiers. Would it cut flesh and metal alike? If, like I suspected, the blade turned into an energy beam, anything would yield. Like an edge that was one atom wide, or a laser, nothing could possibly resist to its sharpness.

My own jedi light-saber !

"It may mean a lot of things," I eventually responded.

Fukuchō shook his head, exasperated by my slowness.

"It means you could go against Kazama and win the fight."

Oh. He meant I could retrieve my necklace... His thoughtfulness surprised me; even after our spat, he was still searching solutions for the Keeper of Time. Just like Sanan ... their loyalty was astounding, and I suddenly felt my heart swell with gratitude.

"I'm not going against anyone until you order me to, Fukuchō."

The heartfelt response took him aback; he, too, was surprised that I would trust and follow him still. In the dim light of the brazier – he'd not bothered to light a lamp – shadows danced across his cheekbones. Yet, his eyes still shone like a beacon.

"Why did you show me this?"

"No more secrets," I whispered, studying the dancing of the flame upon his skin. He truly was a handsome man; no wonders the Geisha had flirted with him so blatantly.

"Kitsu...", he started.

But I lifted my hand to interrupt, and was grateful when he halted. I had this tremendous weight to lift off my chest, and prayed, to all the Gods, that he would hear me. I lost my gaze in the ambers of the hibachi, and took a deep breath.

Shit, it hurt.

"I understand why I might seem like a hypocrite. I've only ever killed in battle. I admit that killing human beings is difficult as well. I am used to monsters, not people."