Shinsengumi and Me (COMPLETED)

3 Days Past

Saito POV

Ekō-chan stood in front of Hijikata-San, rolling her sleeve up and down nervously. "I know I have to leave." She said quietly. My heart clenched at her words.

"Y-yes, you do," Hijikata cleared his this throat, "You see Ekō-chan, Kondo-San has a friend and they would like a little girl. You would have a brother, a nice house, a garden, a mother and a father. Doesn't that sound nice?" He asked her.

She bit her lip, her forehead creased as she thought. "Well I have Heisuke, Souji, Harada and Shinpatchi as my brothers. Why do I need another another one? And my mother is gone remember hibekata-San?" She asked and Heisuke snorted.

"I do remember, but wouldn't you like to play all day with a real brother? In a proper house?" He asked her. "Yeah, that would be fun!" She smiled.

"But Eko-cha-!" Heisuke started and Harada thumped him. "Ow!" "Shut up Heisuke!" "No! I don't want her to-!" Thump! "Ow Sano!"

"Enough you two!"

Eko crept closer to Hijikata as pressed her hand to his forehead, "Don't frown."

"Well your going to meet Kondo-sans friend tomorrow Eko-chan." He said and got up quickly. "This meeting is over."

***

Next day-

I fixed my scarf around my neck as Ekō clung to my leg. "Saito! Do you think my brother will be nice? I can bring him here! To meet all of you! We can play everyday! And Toshi can teach us to write and Kondo can teach us to read! And you and Toshi can teach us to use a katana and Yamasaki can show us healing stuff!" She pranced around the room humming to her self and mumbling all the things she's could do.

If only you could stay.

"Saito can you fix my scarf please?" She said and I knelt down beside her. Gently I unwrapped it, draping it around her neck and letting a longer price hang down her chest.

"When your out with Hijikata-San and Kondo-San today, I want you to stick very close to them alright?" I asked and she nodded. Lifting her into my arm she put in arm around my neck, her other arm by her side.

"I'm just gonna be sleeping somewhere else right? I can still come and see you and Toshi every day right?" She mumbled. I decided to say nothing.

Hijikata-San and Kondo-San were standing by the gate, talking amongst selves. One more day, that's all I have with her. "Excuse commander, I was wondering may I accompany you and Hijikata-San out." I bowed and Hijikata glared.

"Mm! Mm!" Eko raised her arms and he lifted her. "Don't frown Toshi!" She pressed his forehead with her palm. I chuckled.

****

"Ah, Kondo-San! It's been a while my friend!" A younger looking man, not much older than me, embraced Kondo-San with a friendly smile. Kondo-San laughed cheerily, mean while Hijikata-San and I stood awkwardly behind him.

Sitting down in the restaurant, Ekō-chan played with her chopsticks happily as we discussed her future.

"Hello, I'm Kinuko Shizuma." He introduced himself to us all, including Ekō who he cooed at. She smiled and waved at him. "As Kondo-San knows, I'm married, and I have a young son Souji."

"Hey Souji! I know Souji!" Ekō laughed and I smiled shaking my head.  "Aha, do you? Well my Souji is a little older than you, he will be your big brother." He smiled at her and she giggled, pulling at my kimono, "Saito! I'd have two brothers called Souji!" She laughed excitedly and I nodded.

Her excitement made me feel guilty about wanting to keep her with me, how could I take this happiness away from her?

"I have a small store, I sell katanas and short swords. If Ekō wanted she could be taught by myself how to use one, as I teach my son." He said and she nodded.

"Yeah! Like Toshi teaches me!"

"This is all good but idle chatter is doing nothing to help our decision." Hijikata said calmly and Shizuma nodded, gulping slightly. "Right, anyway about two years ago my wife was expect our second child. She was born and we thought all was good but she got an infant infection and died before she reached a year. We were heart broken, and scared to try for another in case the outcome was the same." His saddened face changed to a thankful smile.

"Then I met Kondo-San one day in the street, we got talking and he mentioned Ekō-chan." He looked over at her, she was listening intently beside me. "How she came to be with you, and how you were looking of a permanent home for her. It was like fate."

"I rushed home and talked to my wife and son, they are very much looking forward to hear your answer. As am I." He finished. Ekō chan got up and sat on his lap.

"I like you!" She smiled and set her head to his chest, "you've got a true and warm heart. Like Kondo and Harada-San. Would you play with me?" She asked.

"Of course, we have a rather large garden and a cherry blossom tree that Souji and I play in all the time. What games do you like to play?" He asked her, a grin not moving from his face.

"I like to run and climb-" she began.

"And mud." Hijikata mumbled and she laughed. "Yeah! Toshi always has to clean me up after I play outside or with my katana. Oh yeah! I have my own katana! I wanna wield a sword like Saito and the guys!" He laughed lightly at her.

"We can do that," he turned to Kondo, Hijikata and me raising his eyebrows. "Well?" They looked at me and I nodded. "It's settled, just one more person to ask," Kondo-San smiled at Ekō who sat up on her knees expectantly.

"so how about it Ekō-chan? Would like to come and live with me and my family?" Shizuma beamed and she grinned, her big blue eyes sparkling. Her taste for adventure over flowing.

"Yeah!"