Cherry Blossoms and Forgotten Love

Chapter 10

It was the day of the dance and every showed up at my house. It was decided we would all share a limo. I tried to hurry to get dressed while also taking my time. It had to be perfect. "Chizuru, are you done yet?" She heard Senhime call through the door. "Uhm I think." I opened the door. "What do you think?" I asked nervously. Her eyes sparkled. "He's going to love it." She said grinning. My lips pulled into a smile as she grabbed my hand and brought me out to the living room where everyone was waiting. Everyone stared in awe. "Wow chizuru." Heisuke breathed. Hijikata was leaned against a wall with his arms crossed his eyes wondering over me in composed awe. "What do you think?" I asked spinning. His lips pulled into a smile. "Beautiful, absolutely beautiful." He said pushing off the wall. I felt my cheeks flush. He offered his arm and I looped mine through his. "Alright, let's get going." He said.

When we got there Hijikata helped me out. "Well here we are." Heisuke sighed. I nodded latching onto Hijikata once more. We walked around and talked amongst our friends until everyone migrated to the dancefloor. Panic filled me as Hijikata gave me that look that said. 'Yes we're going too.' I sighed as we made our way. I remembered what he told me and helplessly fumbled. "Calm down Chizuru." He urged gently. I looked into his eyes and nodded. I followed his steps that he kept simply. Thank god. He pulled him closer to him pressing his forehead to mine as he twirled me around. "Thank you for coming." He murmured. I nodded and rested my head on his chest as the music slowed. Senhime caught my eye with Harada. "They look so happy." I smiled. "Yea, they do." He agreed. I could feel his heartbeat pounding strong. I looked up at him and reached my hand up to the side of his face guiding him down. Locked in an embrace we kissed. Much like the very first night. Suddenly I wondered what my life would be like if I never met him that fateful night in the snow. Honestly it wasn't something she wanted to think about. It was always like this now, whenever she was in his embrace or kissing him everything rushed to her head. She felt like if she let go, he would disappear. She reluctantly pulled away needing air. "Thank you for forcing me out here tonight." I murmured. He smirked. "Forced is a strong word." He said. "You know what I mean." I said. He chuckled. "I do." He said twirling me again. 

It was a long, beautiful night. We stopped dancing a while and went to talk to the others and what not. The heels were killing my feet. I groaned shifting my weight. hijikata looked at me. "The heels are starting to hurt." I said. Senhime nodded. "I know what you mean." She said. "Well are we done?" Heisuke asked with his date standing next to him. Everyone looked at one another. "I think so." Harada said. I nodded and in an instant I was literally swept off my feet. In shock I flung my arms around him. "Hijikata-san, I little warning before you do that please." I said. Okita laughed. "I can walk you know." I said flushed. "Remember that night you were a spy?" He asked. Her face burned. "Crystal." I said. "You don't do to well." He chuckled. "Hey wait a minute, you were walking fast." I frowned and he frowned. "You guys sound like a married couple." Okita teased. My face went red, even Hijikata's. "Alright can we go now?" Senhime begged. Hijikata nodded and we left to our waiting limo. My stomach growled and everyone stared at me. "I'm hungry." I muttered in embarrassment. "I'm a bit hungry myself." Shinpachi commented. "You're always hungry!" Heisuke objected making everyone laugh. "So let's eat somewhere." harada said. "Lucky for me I knew this would happen. I made reservations." Hijikata said. Everyone looked shocked. I smiled and leaned against him. I couldn't possibly be much happier then I am now. When we arrived at the restaurant we ate and talked and laughed. "We saw the two of you on the dance floor, it looked like something from a movie." Heisuke said. My face flushed. "Ah really?" I asked. They all nodded.

Later that night after everyone returned to their own homes Hijikata carried me inside and sat me on the couch. I took off the heels right away and tossed them. "Next time I wear flats." I grumbled. "But that would make you shorter." Hijikata said teasingly. I gaped at him. "Your mean Hijikata-san." I frowned. "I never said it was a bad thing. It's cute. And you can drop the san, it's just you and me." He said. My face flushed. "Then what-" He grabbed my chin gently turning my to face him. "Toshi." He said. I nodded. My heart was racing like never before. He wanted to call him by his first name... My lips pulled into a smile. "Took you long enough." I murmured. "I've been hearing that line a lot lately. I know." He said pulling me closer. "And I'm sorry, I guess I'm just stubborn like that." He apologized. "I wouldn't want you any other way." I said. He smiled and kissed me. Gentle but also rough with need. Did he feel the same I did?