What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Drunkards

Working under Inoue-san's orders broke the routine nicely. The man seemed to be everywhere, from our captain's dinner to watching over our work in the dojo. Yet, he always disappeared behind the rowdiness of the Baka trio, or Sōji's antics.

But spending all this time by his side taught me that the captain of the sixth division liked trading stories. He was just discreet and respectful about it. I learnt much from a man who could have been Chizuru's father. His benevolence struck me, and I found myself ashamed at not knowing him better beforehand. Had I been too self-centred or too busy fending off attacks to weave a friendship with this wonderful fatherly man?

Inoue was five years older than Isami Kondō; somehow, he filled the role of a father to our own father figure. Which made him Okita's grandpa. I giggled at my own stupid joke; Inoue-san was barely forty. Younger than my late husband.

As I retreated to my rooms, my ears caught the sound of laughter in Heisuke's quarters; Harada's drawl taught me he was pretty drunk already. I paused, wondering if I should check up on him or not.

Masa's departure today worried us both. I had shown up in plain sight, swishing my artificial tails to make an impression on the group that surrounded the young mother and her child. Between Harada's tall stature – and his spear – and the presence of a Kitsune, I had no doubt the couple of young men he had enrolled to keep Masa safe would do their utmost.

I wondered if I would see her again, but the smile that broke upon her face when I gifted her my Norwegian scarf said it all. She was delighted by the item that not only looked exotic, but was also of great quality, even in my modern world. Wool and silk would keep both Shigeru and Masa warm without the discomfort of itchy material. In truth, I loved that scarf; parting from it really cost me. But they needed it more than I did.

Tch, I mused. Worrying over a scarf when war is about to break off. You really are a girl.

"She threatened them! You should have seen their faces!" Sano laughed, his voice carrying over the sliding door easily.

My ears perked; where they speaking about my involvement in this afternoon's events?

"No shit!" Heisuke exclaimed.

"You know mate, when a woman starts being scarier than you, it means you're getting old."

"Shut up, Shin!" Harada roared. "I'll show you who's old!"

It took this as my cue to rush in; if Heisuke wanted to keep his room intact, Sano and Shinpachi would have to take the fight outside. I found both friends in a headlock and snorted at the sight. Shinpachi greeted me with enthusiasm, pining Harada under his bulky arm.

"Neee, Kitsu ! Join in!"

"You're drunk," I retorted, then squinted in the dim light to take a better look at him. "All of you."

Heisuke's bright eyes twinkled sheepishly.

"Well, yeaaaaah. But the more the merrier, it will warm up the room."

"Poor commanders, they must freeze their asses."

Eventually, Sanosuke managed to fend Shinpachi off, and he smoothed his ruffled hair with a scoff.

"Kondō sleeps at his mistresses," he said.

I cringed; not only was Kondō's indiscretion considered normal, But Harada had just sent his wife and son in the unknown without any chance of helping them. Beside the money we had gathered for Masa, and her poor escort, she'd have to fend for herself. And Sano would bunk in with Shinpachi to keep warm, rather than sleep beside his beautiful wife.