Battlefield Romance: Hakuōki x Reader

First Encounter: Sanosuke Harada

Scenario: While taking a walking alone at night, you somehow get caught up in a fight with Shiranui the demon; your sword versus his gun. Just when your energy gives way and you prepare for death, he comes and saves the day.

******

You swing your katana at the man standing in front of you, but he vanishes and reappears a few feet away. You firmly press your lips together as your opponent takes careful aims, then shoots at you with his pistol. You effortlessly block it with your blade, but the force knocks you back a few steps.

As you struggle to regain your balance, you begin to ask yourself just how in the world you got yourself into a fight with a demon. You had been wandering the forest alone at night when he had appeared in front of you, acting all high-and-mighty. Angry words were exchanged, and a battle ensued. Now you were stuck in this useless argument and there was no way out.

The demon smirks maliciously at you as his long, blue hair cascades eerily down his back. "You might as well give up" he remarks, running a hand up and down the barrel of his firearm. You gulp nervously as your hand tightens on the hilt of your sword. At the sound of the hammer being cocked, you close your eyes and prepare yourself for death. You knew you lacked the energy to continue, so you resign yourself to the fact that you would soon be killed by a arrogant, self-righteous demon.

The gunshot echoes through the silent night air, but you feel no pain and know that you are still alive and that there are no bullet holes in any part of your body. Daring to open your eyes, you see a man with with unruly, burgundy hair and a spear standing protectively in front of you.

"Hey Shiranui!" He yells, a confident smile spreading across his lips. The demon smirks back at the new opponent.

"Long time no see, Harada" he says, loading his gun.

"Same goes for you, ya demon" the one called Harada quips amusedly. The two engage in battle, and you begin to grow curious. Who was this Harada fellow who had rushed in at the last moment and saved your life? And fighting with a spear, no less...

After what seems like an eternity, the two stop for breath. "Well, I guess we'll leave it at that; for now" Shiranui says, smiling cryptically. The other man is bent over and gasping for air, though he continues to wear a self-satisfied smile on his face as he nods in agreement. The demon vanishes, leaving you sitting shell-shocked on the dirt path and the mysterious warrior standing above you with his hands on his knees and breathing heavily.

"Are you okay, Miss?" The man named Harada reaches out and offers you his outstretched hand. You nod -- dumbfounded -- as you take his hand and rise to your feet. You place a hand on your head as you attempt to regain your senses, though you still feel a bit hazy. Just as you're about to topple over from sheer fatigue, you feel a strong arm wrap around your waist.

"Hey, careful right there." You turn to look up at him, then feel yourself blush at the close proximity of your faces.

"I-I-I..." You stammer, not sure what to say. He chuckles and you feel yourself blush further.

"What's a nice lady like you doing all the way out here at night? And all by herself too." You do your best to move out of his grasp, feeling a bit awkward and well aware of your current after-fighting appearance.

"J-j-just taking a late-night walk" You say, sheathing your katana. "Thank you for saving me. Now if you'll excuse me, I -"

"Hold up! I don't know about you, but I think you're pretty great at fighting." You stop dead in your tracks and look at him over your shoulder.

"Huh?" You ask dumbly. Where was he going with this?

"Come join the Shinsengumi. We'd love to have a warrior like you on our side. I know that I'd hate to go up against you in battle, if you know what I mean." He winks playfully at you before growing serious. "But really, a good warrior like you would be a big help to our ranks."

You pause to think for a moment, then reply. "Sure, why not? As long as I can leave whenever I want, I'll be there."

"We won't hold you back!" He says, smiling widely and holding out his arms in a welcoming gesture. "At any rate, what's your name?"

"I'm (f/n)(l/n)" you answer bowing to him. "And you?"

"Sanosuke Harada, Tenth Division captain" he says. He takes you to headquarters where you meet the rest of the captains and Harada's best friend, Shinpachi Nagakura. You are welcomed by all as you begin your adventurous journey with the Shinsengumi.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A/N:

Sano-san is quite a bit like Shinpachi, except for the fact that he's a little more down-to-earth and mature. I think he'd be kind to a woman who seemed in need, and that's why I made the reader's character more feminine, but still courageous. She'd still need an occasional hero, but can usually hold her own. 

Have you noticed that all of these reader personas are fighters? That's because you need to fight in order to be in admitted into the Shinsengumi.