Accidental Fate

Chapter 12

Kazuhi POV

The sound from sliding the thin paper and wood door open filtered through my subconscious into my dreams. The sound out of place in my little garden paradise, causing my mind to detach from my peaceful paradise and resurface in the real world. Blinking groggily, I felt a soft, warm breeze fanning my forehead and hairline as my eyes focused on the black kimono I was asleep on. Purple hairs that hung over the man's shoulder tickled my ear, reflexively making me sit up away from them.

Saito-San, he was sleeping peacefully, his deep blue eyes out of sight behind closed pale lids as his thin, light lips slightly parted as he breathed through his nose and out softly through them; he looked rather handsome. His untied hair hung partly over one shoulder, the rest cascading down his back — my hands couldn't help but touch the soft strands, a gently dazed smile on my face. His jaw was sculpted and hard, I can imagine why he has such fans in the town, his reputation as a Wolf of Mibu only adding to his mysterious charm.

"I know you're awake, and yes I am admiring you. Think nothing of it." I said quietly, his eyes opening in response, his usual blank expression in place. "Why did you let me stay with you?" He started, "Or rather, ask me to stay?" He questioned gently. I shrugged, turning my head and looking towards the door. My leg was still heavily bandaged, the wounds from my torture session only dry of blood for the first time I noticed; my incredibly short hair sat choppily on my head, the uneven fringe sticking out at all angles from my sleeping position.

I responded calmly, "A momentary lapse of judgment. You wolves seem to induce them, I wouldn't be surprised if you lot had a poisoned bite to go along with your barks." The corner of his lip twitched in an amused smile before dropping again. "I have soldiers to train, I believe I let my class run late." He said quietly, however contradicting his statement he made no action to move, in fact, he sunk lower on the ground, a yawn escaping his lips. "I slept well. Thank you for the company." He said to me, I nodded. "Thank you in return. I believe you should return to your own room, people might get the wrong idea if they see you leaving mine with disheveled hair and clothes, Saito-San." I smirked.

"You may call me Hajime if you prefer. I prefer to call you Kazuhi if you don't find it rude." He said, sitting up straight and stretching his arms up. I shook my head, "I request you call me Kazuhi. I'm not comfortable with being known as Hijikata, not yet anyway." I added. He stood up, arching his back and fixing his clothing before lifting his swords and placing them on his right side. "Left-handed, how very unique," I commented and he nodded. "The Shinsengumi are the only ones to ever see it as an advantage, you cannot block any left-handed attacks, therefore leaving you rather defenseless against me." He said, "I should be going. I'll let Chizuru know you're awake, she'll bring you some breakfast." I nodded in response as he left, closing the door behind him.

He had left only a few moments, I had begun to fix my own kimono when Okita slide the door open only to turn his head with a smirk, "I should have knocked." I rolled my eyes, "A little boy like you doesn't know what he's seeing anyway." I smirked, "Yes, Okita-Kun?" I asked as he made no move to leave or come through the door. He simply sat in the doorway with it open. "I came to check on you, Kazu-chan. Your wounds, how are they feeling this morning?"

Looking down to my notched up leg, I could feel the pain as I moved my gaze down but sighed, "Painful. But I'll recover, as soon as I get home that is." I reached for my crutches only to have him cover my hand with his own gently, a slight frown on his face. "Let us help you, Kazu-chan. We can help you and keep you safe. You should stay with us and be a medic, or even a warrior with us. You're more skilled than the majority of the men I fight with." He said, his voice slightly tight. I shook my head.

"I only know you because I vowed to destroy everything my father made, including his Shinsengumi. However, recent events have to lead to the hatred I held for him to dissolve. I no longer feel the need to destroy everything he built. But, I swear when he dies it will be by my blade and no others." I vowed. "I still don't forgive him for everything he's done and not done, but... I don't think all of you should suffer and lose your Shinsengumi because of his mistakes. So I'll simply remove him from this life when the time is right." I smirked.

Soujis green eyes lit up, "Talking so casually about taking another's life makes you remind of someone." He chuckled, tilting his head. "Ah yes, me." He leans forward to me, his hands either side of my waist on the mat. "Souj..." I turned my head away from him. His hot breath fanned my cheek and jaw. "Stay with us..." He breathed onto my skin.

"Stay with me..." He whispered, pressing his lips to mine.

Surprise update.