What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Shinpachi

I led us at fast pace, taking backwards roads and staying off sight as I led ten of my best men. Okita's wound had left us all breathless; no matter how annoying, he was one of us. The kid with a twisted sense of humour, and strange boundaries. But he was a brother in arms I respected, especially since he could kick my ass all the way to Butsumetsu. Seeing him sweat out that bullet wound angered me; Okita was the best swordsman we had. He shouldn't be felled by a lucky shot, especially not by one of those Oni bitches!

This was an insult to the Shinsengumi's skill.

Whomever had done that would taste my blade... Channelling my anger, I trod along Kitsu whose hair swished like fox tails in the clear sunshine. Fortunately, we mostly kept to the shadows of the forest. Hijikata had been swift and decisive. The fact that Kitsu tagged along made some measure or sense; if we fought against those Oni, she might be able to get the upper hand. If only because Amagiri refused to fight her.

Despite our differences of opinion, I trusted Fukuchō's hunches. If he found necessary to send us on a wild chase and meet Kyokuchō on the way, I'd do my very best to perform my duty. We didn't always see eye to eye between Kondō, Hijikata and myself. My knowledge of politics sometimes clashed with their inner sense of honour. It didn't mean I didn't respect them, and Kondō-san certainly didn't deserve to die at the hands of those infamous Oni.

Plus, I had a debt to settle with that red-haired Amagiri. The marks he'd left on my skin had taken weeks to heal; my men still frothed at the mouth for it. Speaking of them, they cast wary glances to Kitsu every now and then. Except for Sano's division, most of them had never seen hair or tail of her. Rumours certainly run amuck when she started patrolling with the tenth unit, but the ploy they'd set in place with her only meeting them outside the compound seemed to have worked. The secret of her presence at headquarters still held.

To them most, Kitsu was an ally to the Shinsengumi. To me... I still wondered but hey, she fit along rather well. And could hold her own with the sword. And watched Sano's back to a fault, so not complaining there. Her absolutely gorgeous body was a nice addition.

That whole Keeper of Time business, though, left me rather dubious. I wasn't the superstitious type. Whatever. My legs were burning, and even though Kitsu wasn't complaining by my side, sweat formed at her brow; her jaw was stiff with pain. I called for a halt, and we stopped in a bamboo forest for a moment to partake in a few rice rolls stolen from the kitchen.

As we munched on onigiri, I stole a glance at the young woman sitting on a rock. Her hand pressed upon her chest plate.

"Fuck Itō-sod", she mumbled.

I started; was she still struggling from the aftermath of Itō's poisoning ? If so, I wasn't about to acknowledge it, not with the men around. Instead, I lifted my head to the dipping sun and sighed. Kondō-san. That overeager, gentle soul. How was he going to handle the next events? If war really was declared, how would we fare?

"You know," I eventually mused, catching Kitsu's eye. "Isami means courage."

"Suits him well," she responded with an exhausted smile.

"The kanji is the same as the one printed on our banner. It seemed fitting, since he got us together in the first place," I mused.

Her eyes widened, and I wondered how she could ignore such things when she spoke Japanese like a native, save for the slight accent. Wasn't she the one penning Kondō's letters those days? And working with Hijikata-san on logistics as well? Surprising, given the sparks that always flew between them. I wondered whom had tamed whom in this mess.

Bah. That woman was a mystery, but as long as she helped on the battlefield, I wasn't about to complain. I had my doubts, though ... with her big doe eyes and soft heart, I couldn't imagine her killing people. What did the commanders expect from her? The cold blood of Okita when his blade sliced flesh?