What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Kondō - Breaking the code

Disappointment and amusement mingled in my mind, taking turns as I levelled both my wards with the harshest glare I could muster.

Sōji, trouble maker and adoptive son in all but name, didn't seem at all apologetic. But the slight dip of his shoulders told me he took the scolding at heart. Sanan and I were the only ones to have a sway in his behaviour; his thick skull otherwise ignored anyone else. Even Hijikata, Oni no Fukuchō, feared and revered through Kyōto and beyond, was helpless when it came to Sōji-kun.

Was it because, as Sanan pointed out often enough, he was too kind-hearted ? Or perhaps, as Kitsu exclaimed after kneeing Sōji in the privies, because I had been at fault and never enforced the code upon him? If the Kyokuchō didn't do his part, how could Fukuchō, my right hand, do anything about it?

I knew I delegated the dirty works to both Sanan and Hijikata. Knew they tried to shelter me; I'd been too lenient in allowing it. And this was biting me in the ass.

"How could you, Sōji-kun? How could you attack one of our own?", I sighed.

"She's not..."

I interrupted his easy drawl with a mighty bellow.

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!"

Both Sanan and Hijikata started by my side, thoroughly stunned by the unusual outburst. Sōji's eyes, though, tore my heart in a thousand pieces. His dejected look wrecked me worse than any blow he would ever deal. Betrayal and anger intertwined, as if I had turned my back on him. Didn't he realise that my failure was already too plain? That disciplining him was an act of love ?

"As for you, Kitsu-chan, I expected better of you."

She remained straight faced, and nodded stiffy.

"I apologise for losing my temper, and will take any punishment you see fit."

I struggled not to smile; she sounded so much like our Fukuchō, stern and serious. Toshizō, though, was nearly shaking by my side.

"You know the punishment for fighting amongst ourselves is Seppuku," he stated, nearly choking on the words.

I sent him a startled look. Surely he did not intend to enforce that piece of the code ? Despite my feigned obliviousness, I knew he and Kitsu sometimes shared a bed. Actually, their bond ran much deeper than that, but it wasn't my place to comment. Given Kitsu didn't take advantage of this connection to escape the rules, I had nothing further to say. She was good for Toshi; his temper was less short, the circles under his eyes less pronounced.

Hope bloomed in his eyes anew.

Did he really think we would order her death?

"Well. Given I'm the Shinsengumi's usual kaishakunin, perhaps we should do it sequential? I can cut Kitsu's head, and Ne-san can do mine," Sōji drawled. "He's the only one I trust with it after all..."

Chills ran up my spine at the very idea of watching Sanan cut Okita's head on MY order. The child I'd raised from his ninth year, and supported as he grew up. The youth I was so proud of for holding his ground, and never backing down when everything was against him.

"Tch," Toshizō scoffed, short of breath.

I knew my best friend well enough; he was panicking inwardly, and showing nothing of it. Even though he didn't flaunt it, Toshi always protected Okita when I couldn't.

"I'm not having you as my kaishakunin," Kitsu protested, shaking me out of those horrible thoughts. "You'd miss me on purpose."

"I am wounded, Kitsuneko. I take that role very seriously."