Shinsengumi and Me (COMPLETED)

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Saito POV

"Alright, since apparently she has no other family, she can stay with us." Kondo-San said with a smile on his face.

"Really?!" Ekō squealed on my lap.

Everyone turned to her, it's amazing what a four year old girl can do to these guys. Souji picked her up and held her above his head.

I stiffened, but she began laughing and he smiled up at her, "You're staying with us, that's fun right?" he asked her, she nodded and pulled at his fringe; he winced and everyone laughed.

He set her down and she wandered around the room as we continued talking, "Saito you are formally in charge of her. Ekō is now your responsibility but we will all help out, yes men?" Kondo asked and Heisuke, Sano, Souji and Shinpatchi all nodded.

"What age is she?" Heisuke asked me, "Four," Ekō's head turned to us and walked straight past me and stood in front of Hijikata-San. Everyone was curious to see his reaction.

As he opened his mouth, Ekō climbed on top of him and pressed her palm to his forehead, "Why do you frown so much?"she asked curiously, while everyone burst out laughing.

"Hu-I-Saito..." he gave me a warning look, I plucked Ekō off him and sat her beside me, a small smile on my face.

We continued talking about Ekō staying long term, but she wouldn't sit still beside me. Finally she kicked out of my grip and crawled over to Hijikata-San and sat beside him.

Crumpling up her face, she mimicked his facial expression and posture. "Saito!" she whispered, "Look I'm hi-hibekatcha-San!"

Heisuke started laughing and everyone but Hijikata-San found it amusing. "Shut up Souji." he snapped and lifted Ekō up into the air.

"What is the matter with you?" he asked raising an eyebrow at her, "You're funny so I be you then maybe Saito laugh." Shocked at her reaction she continued to sit by him and pout.

"Hibekatcha-Sans forehead creases." she said as I walked her to the get some breakfast.

"Yes it does," I agreed, glancing down I saw she had stopped, staring out into the courtyard. Troops were practicing and she was transfixed. "Where is my sword?" she asked looking up at me.

I had taken the sword and placed it with my own last night, pulling it from my hip I showed it to her, "I think you're a bit young to be using a katana so do you want me to keep it safe for you?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yeah! Thank you Saito." She hugged my leg, I patted her hair.

****

"I wanna sit beside her!"

"Too bad she likes me better!"

"Says who!?"

"Says me!"

"Heisuke! Souji! AHEM!" Sano hit them both as I opened the door. I walked in, Ekō trailing behind me.
"She's like your shadow Hajime-San." Souji waved to her. She grinned at him.

"You've changed a lot in a day Saito-San." Harada spoke as Ekō poked his arm. "Yes little one?" he said and she smiled lifting up her arms.

"She wants you to lift her." I said quietly while eating. Sano lifted her into his shoulder and she held onto his head. "You're tall Harda-San." she giggled and he chuckled. "It's Harada." he corrected her and she blushed.

Forgetting about chopsticks, Ekō lifted her food with her hand. "I don't like chopsticks." She threw them, hitting Heisuke on the head.

"Hey!"