What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Spilling secrets

Trouble us found us nonetheless, it was handled swiftly. I noticed a pair of thugs shuffling a young couple in a back alley from my position on the rooftops, and didn't even waste a bullet to scare them away.

Me, standing over their heads in the moonlight, only had to use my reputation to make them tremble in their boots.

"The forest will swallow you," I growled, "and my mates will be pleased to tear you apart".

Wide, fearful eyes lifted to my dominant position over the alley, and the thugs took off at once yelling about 'Kitsune, kitsune'. I didn't even give chase, allowing my three 'tails' to dance in the wind for added effect; the tenth unit, twenty men, had both exits covered.

The thugs were apprehended with minimal damage – a busted lip, and an elbow to the stomach. Once I was sure that none of our men was in danger, I turned around to join Harada. The woman, though, called for me from the alley.

"Arigatō gozamaishita," she bowed, elbowing her companion in the process.

I stared at her lovely face, hoping, to all the Gods, that her companion and herself would be safe in the war that brewed at our doorstep.

"Thank the tenth unit of the Shinsengumi," I told them. As they bowed again, I added as an afterthought: "Go home, don't linger in the streets at night. And take off as soon as you hear the artillery."

Both their eyes were wide; I left them behind, hoping to never see the same gaze glazed and lifeless. Was there any chance to avoid combat in the streets of Kyōto? To avoid civilian deaths? Fat chance, I surmised as we retreated to the compound to hand over our prisoners.

Harada's features were grim as we walked up the street to headquarters. I bristled by his side. I'd been so caught up in my own musings that I had failed at acknowledging his own issues. This expression upon his usually cheerful face did not bode well.

"Qu'est ce qui ne va pas?" (What's wrong ?), I asked quietly, mindful of the men that walked a dozen feet behind us.

Harada gave me a surprised look, then his features softened when he realised what I was asking.

"Je demandais à Masa de partir pour Edo." (I asked Masa to depart to Edo)

This gave my mind a good shake. Damn, Edo, in the heart of winter with a three-month-old to care for, and no husband to follow. It probably was a heartbreaking decision, for the dangers on the road seemed pretty high compared to staying at home at a stone's throw from the compound. Still ... if fighting began in the city, who knew what she'd have to face?

"You don't approve," he asked, wondering about my silence.

"I ... actually do. It's probably the smartest move, but damn. Where will she go? Who will she travel with?"

The very idea of sending mother and son on the road caused me to shiver. Was it the cold moist getting to me? Harada sighed, his expression sending sharp stings in my bruised heart. Soldiers couldn't afford a family, right?

"I don't think my family would take her in. We were rather broke in the first place ... and sent me away."

His voice trailed in the silence, drowned by the sound of twenty pairs of feet hitting the ground. It was just as well; Sanosuke not often spoke of the household he used to serve. But the stories of his abusive past always send cold shivers down my spine. How he'd grown to be such a fine, responsible man was beyond me. Harada deserved the world, and I raged that I couldn't give it to him.

"So, where to?", I asked.

"Shinpat's said his sister could host her for a while. They will still be a burden, but it's better than dead."