Blossoms

Chapter Eleven

The Shinsengumi men have thought that I've spent the last three weeks sulking when really, I've been plotting and planning on how I can avenge and take town those bastards that have been plaguing women that has made it so my Chizuru and Lalia have had to go in hiding under the protection of that excuse of a man, Chikage. So far, I have been able to take out 12 of the demons, them evaporating into grey dust when I slit their throats happily knowing that, if I continue my assassinations, I'll be reunited once again...

Chizuru POV
As much as I've been missing Hijikata and my fellas these last three weeks, I've felt noting but ease and comfort from the protection of Chikage, Amagiri and Kyo. Lalia has also grew comfortable with her newfound uncles, chasing Kyo non stop in the garden of the hideaway. I myself am still not entirely certain on where exactly we are but it's absolutely breathtaking. The ocean is located right next to the house as the waves can be heard crashing through the night against the aged rocks. The golden sand reflects the sun giving the most stunning shimmer from the window. The baby has grown brilliantly as I've noticed how much more tired and sore I've became, my back literally killing me! I do try to put on a brave face for my little Lalia as she has never seen me in pain, playing with her building sand castles until the sun would set at Amagiri would call us for dinner. I've loved bonding with Chikage and the others, getting to understand that they are not bloodthirsty demons but actually caring and loving. Chikage has been doing little things to help such as rubbing my neck and playing with Lalia  when I grew too tired. Kyo has also been bringing me breakfast in bed and helping me out of bed as My balance has been all over the place from my huge baby bump which is suspiciously big, even when I was full term with Lalia I was no were near as huge as I am at 7 months. Now to mention it, I was never in such pain and discomfort either. What is wrong with me?
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I stand infront of the group of slaughtered demons at my feet, laughing hysterically as I realise I've taken out all of them. I've never felt such insanity and desperation as I do now. I stare at my reflection in the puddles, ringing the blood of my coat as I notice a man I barely recognise, he looks crazy with bags hanging from my eyes and dark rings residing underneath , my skin transparent with sleep deprivation. This, however, is not the result of me killing those demons as I do not care for the loss of their lives, I am doing the town a favour, it's the fact that I'm slowly beginning to find it difficult coping without my wife and daughter, their faces merging in my brain as I'm trying to cling to memories of them. One that stands out in my mind is when I watched Chizuru and Lalua dancing around the fire in our towns festival. Everyone was there, Harada and Shinpachi chatting up single women, Heiskue holding Chizyrus hand whilst Okita holds Lalias as they dance around and around, Chizuru twirling as her dress catches the wind, the bell on her ankle she loves to wear ringing as she makes beautifully movements catching the attention of not only myself but all the fellow festival goers, mesmerised by how her body casted sensual shapes and shadows in the dark of the night, the fire glowing her face. The men and young Lalia moved away as Chizuru was lost in the dance, claps applauding her swaying hips and flowing hair. Even Saito joined in on the clapping of my wife, the whole town thinking that she was the main act and not just a crazy woman let out for the night. I remember standing there and thanking the heavens for allowing me to be joined with something so unexplainably perfect as I watched her laughing as people cried more for her to dance, her face slightly flushed as she swung Lalia onto her hip, swaying sensually, sending a wink my way as she walks away. There and then I knew my life was great and I knew it could only get better.