Shinsengumi and Me (COMPLETED)

Home...?

Hijikata POV

"Hibekata-San!" I frowned, "Hi-ji! Hi-ji!" I growled to myself. "Wah!" Ekō launched herself at me. "Huh-!" she hit my chest and I stumbled backwards.

"Stop doing that Ekō!" I glared at her and she giggled, "It's time for my lesson! Come on! Come on! Come on!" she slid down my leg and tugged at my arm. "I don't have time today," she froze, "I have a meeting today Ekō."

Her big blue eyes saddened, and her arms fell limp at her sides. ".....oh...okay," she sniffed and wiped her nose, the long sleeve covering her fingers. Clearing my throat, I tried to shift the mountain of guilt that latched onto my shoulders. "I-ah..." no words came to aid.

"....I'll just go then...." She walked slowly towards the well and sat on her heels. I stared at her for a moment, then sighed. Damn it....

"E-Ekō..." I mumbled quietly. Damn it! Guilt is a bastard. Striding over, I crouched beside her huddled figure. "Ekō-chan," she shifted further away from me. "Would you like to come to the meeting with me?" I asked and she peaked through her white scarf.

"Mots a meefing?" her scarf muffled her voice, I chuckled. "We talk about important things, like pay and jobs and write and read what ever else needs done." I tried to say simply, but it didn't come out right.

"I dont know how to read very well or write either, will you teach me Toshi?" her quiet voice and big blue eyes pleaded with me. "I-"

"Please?" she whispered and crawled closer. My resolve shattered and I lifted her up onto my shoulder, "Okay, after the meeting and while we're inside you must be quiet and if I ask you to sit outside? You do so without saying another word alright?" I said harshly.

Pressing her hand to my forehead she nodded, "Okay and don't frown." a small smile broke my frown and we sat down with Kondo-San and Sannan-San.

after meeting

"Toshi! Can I read now?" Ekō jumped around me, "Stand still!" I barked and she froze mid jump, which ending up making her fall. "Bad Toshi...." she frowned. I pressed my index finger between her eyebrows and mimicked her, "Don't frown Ekō-chan." and grinned and grabbed onto my hand.

Sitting down in my room I took out paper and ink. "I will see how well you can read first of all, then teach you from there." I instructed and she sat up on her knees to reach the desk.

I wrote a short sentence and slid it over to her.

My name is Toshizo Hijikata and I am part of the shinsengumi.

"Read it aloud." I told her and she nodded. "My name is Toshibo Hibekata and I am part of the shin-seen-gama...?no! wait it's shinsengumi! Isn't it?" she looked at me, her forehead creased in concentration. I laughed.

"Yes it is Shinsengumi. And that was very well done, let's try something harder." I said and wrote a little more.

The seasons are changing before my eyes, the difference can be seen day by day.

"Try this one," her eyes widened at the increase of text but she tried anyway, "The seasons are changing, b-before my eyes, the di-ffer-en-ce can be saw day by day. How was that?!" she said excitedly and I chuckled.

"Your a very bright child. Now why don't we read for a while?" she nodded and I handed her a children's book I had bought in the market earlier in the week. I hoped it would keep her occupied and out of trouble.

She sat quietly reading by herself, only asking now again what this or that word was. I was able to finish up all the paperwork I needed to get done and soon it was dinner.