Shinsengumi and Me (COMPLETED)

Injuries

Ekō POV

"Sannan-San! Yamasaki! Get bandages! Hurry these men need medical attention!" Toshi was barking orders while helping injured men through the gates.

"Saito? Saito?!" I ran through the blood drenched warriors, looking for Saito. "Saito!?" I screamed above the noise.

"E-Ekō-chan." he limped towards me, "Saito!" I ran up to him and stopped before I hit him. "Y-your bleeding!" I ripped off my white scarf and wrapped it round his waist, he began to pull it off. "It will ruin your scarf." I shook my head.

"Your hurt!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him along. His knees buckled and he collapsed onto the ground. "Saito-San!" I screamed. He struggled to his knees again, his face contorted in pain. "Ah-um TOSHI!"

Saito had received a stab to his side, if he hadn't gotten back to headquarters he would have bled out and died.

***

A few days later, Saitos wound finally began to heal. "Saito-San? I brought some tea." I walked through the door, Toshi behind me. Saito sat up, "Ekō-chan, you made tea?" he asked confused. I nodded smiling.

"Yeah! My mother taught me for when I'm older, but I though it would make you feel better." I grinned and set it down beside him. He looked cautiously at Toshi who chuckled.

"I tried it, it's good."

"Hey! Have a little faith Saito!" I pouted and he laughed, "Okay," he said taking a sip. His eyes widened and he gulped the who cup down in one go. "It's delicious Ekō-chan."

My heart leaped and I bowed, "Thank you Saito-San." He patted my head and I blushed, "Would make some more? It was really good." he asked me and I nodded quickly. "Yes! Of course! I'll be right back!" I grabbed the tray and ran back out.

CRASH!

"Owwwww...." I whined lying in the floor. "Oh jeez, hey sorry Ekō." Harada said and lifted me into the air. "It's okay." I said still kinda dazed from the fall. "W-What did I bump into t-to?"

"My leg. Your so small I barely felt it." he chucked, "Say, where were you running off to?" he asked and I shook my head to clear the dizziness. "Oh yeah! I'm making Saito and Toshi tea! It's the one my mother made when I was ill!" I struggled out of his grip and fell on the floor.

"Ah! Why'd you do that?!" Harada jumped and helped me on to my feet. "I'm fine, now I gotta go make some tea." I said picking up the cup, which thankfully didn't break, and went to the kitchen.

Peaking over my shoulder, I walked a little faster as someone was following me. "WHAT?!" I turned around suddenly.

Shinpatchi jumped a foot at my outburst, "H-hey Ekō, I was just wondering where you were going?" I looked at him skeptically. "The kitchen....wanna help?" I asked brightly and he grinned nodding.

Nagakura helped me to carry more tea and we sat down in Saitos room, Yamazaki was there changing Saios bandages.

I quietly handed the out the tea, watching closely as Yamazaki cleaned and re bandaged his wounds. "How do you do that?" I asked and crawled closer.

"Huh? You mean clean the wound?" he questioned and I nodded, looking from his hands to his eyes. "Using a wet cloth I make sure any dirt is out, so it doesn't get infect or worse," he wiped the puns gently and Saito hissed.

"Apologies Saito-San," he said then picked up some cream, "Eko-chan this acts as a barrier to prevent the bandage from rubbing the wound, cools the skin around it and acts as a healing agent." he applied the white cream, and Saito let out a sigh of relief.

"Does that feel better Saito?" I asked and he nodded, a tired smile on his face. "And finally the bandages, not too tight as the wound isn't fresh so there is no bleeding." Yamasaki spoke allowed as he worked.

Listening to every word, I was determined to learn all I could about helping people. Saito fell asleep and I curled up on my mat that I put down.

"Nigh night Saito." I pushed away his fringe and kissed his forehead, "I love you." I whispered, curled up and fell asleep.

Hijikata POV

"Hijikata-San, I have returned." Shimada said coming through my door. "Ah, Shimada. I was begining to wonder. So what if the child's mother? And home?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Ekō-Chans mother is dead, her body was still inside, it looked like multiple stab wounds from what what left. It was definitely a woman though, in a blue kimono." He sat down and had some tea.

"And what of her father?"

"No much is known sir," he continued, "He was apparently a samurai, holding great respect within the village. One day he up and left, no word to anyone and his mother supported his child and wife until she died. Any money was all left to Ekō and her mother." I nodded, processing the new information I had.

"Thank you Shimada, I don't think you've been properly introduced to Ekō-chan yet have you?" I also dna she shook his head laughing slightly.

"No sir, I know all about this young one yet r never even seen her face." He laughed and I chuckled. "She's grown, in both mind and body. I see new things in her everyday, like the seasons, she's always changing."

Shimada had a surprised look on his face, "What is it?" he shook his head chuckling, "Nothing, just didn't expect you vice commander to become so fatherly in such a short time." I frowned.

"Don't let Ekōchan see you do that." Souji smirked at the door, "He is fatherly Shimada."

"Shut it Souji. Don't you have patrols?" I snapped and he smirked, "Just back Hijikata-San, relax."

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so it's official, Ekō-chan is an orphan.....or is she?