Once upon a dream (Hakuouki fan-fic) (Hijikata x OC)

Chapter 12

Previously in Chapter 11

"I'll go speak to Yamazaki-kun," Inoue-san said as he began to get up to inform Yamazaki; however, I was quick to stop him before he could leave. "No, wait! I'll go. I'm also going to go bring Souji his breakfast—Although he's probably not hungry," I announced, picking up Souji's food tray and turning to exit the room. Nobody did anything to stop me or protest. Good, that's how I wanted it.

Now

Victoria's POV

As I slid open the door to leave, I was surprised—not to mention startled—when it practically slammed open before I could get to it. I jumped back a little at the sudden intrusion, only to find Souji and Heisuke at the door in front of me. I stared in awe at how the two were seemingly up and on their feet so quickly after being injured during last night's battle. "Okita-san! Heisuke-kun! You're up!" Chizuru chirped happily. "Yeah, well, I couldn't miss breakfast, could I?" Heisuke replied with a playful laugh. I glanced over at Heisuke's tray next to the attending Chizuru. Heisuke noticed my gaze and followed it to his tray of food. "Awesome, thanks, guys!" He beamed, rushing to sit at his place and begin eating. "Hmm, this must be mine then," Souji said as he eyed the tray in my hands. I looked up at him and nodded. He offered me a small smirk before grabbing the tray and returning to his usual place. "Thanks," He said simply. "Uh." Was all I could manage to utter from my sheer confusion. Hijikata motioned me over to him. I didn't hesitate to move as I yearned for an explanation. "This is a very sudden recovery. Yamazaki-kun probably dismissed them to breakfast," He explained. I nodded, showing I understood. They probably weren't feeling better, but Yamazaki didn't want them to miss a meal. "Go to Yamazaki and get three packets of Ishida Medicinal powder. One for Souji, Heisuke and..." He trailed off, motioning his head slightly to his right. Knowing who he meant, I nodded. "Okay, got it," I affirmed, jetting off to do as he said.

Chizuru's POV

Tori-san left the room pretty quickly after Hijikata-san whispered something to her. 'I wonder what he said to her,' but I didn't have to wonder for much longer. She came back about 5 minutes later with a tray containing a few white packets and 3 cups of warm tea. She placed a cup and packet in front of Heisuke-kun, Okita-san, and Sannan-san. Sannan gave her a strange look. "This is medicine," She told him, sliding the packet onto his tray and placing the cup in front of him. Sannan-san sighed. "Oh my, am I taking it too? The wound to my left arm has gotten remarkably better." Tori-san simply placed her hands on her lap as she sat there on her knees beside him. "But Hijikata-san asked me to bring it to you." Everyone glanced at Hijikata-san, waiting for his reaction, but he held none.

"Sannan-san, let's just give in," Okita-san said as he chuckled before throwing back the medicine and swallowing the tea right after. Sannan-san smiled defeatedly. "Well, if the vice-commander orders it." And just as Okita-san did, Sannan-san took the medicine and finished his tea with it. Tori-san huffed lightly. "So you only agreed to take medicine because he wanted you to and not because I kindly brought it to you and cared about your well-being?" She sounded sour about the idea, but I could tell she wasn't being truly serious. "Didn't you say that Hijikata asked you to bring this to me?" Sannan-san voiced with slight humour in his tone. It was nice seeing Sannan laugh or at least play along with everyone's jokes.

Tori-san repeatedly blinked as if unphased by his words. It was as if to say, 'What's your point?' Sannan-san continued anyway. "So it's my understanding that you brought this to me because he asked you to and not because you cared and wanted to," He concluded. Tori-san furrowed her eyebrows, standing up and dusting off her lightly detailed kimono. "I. Am. Insulted," She huffed, treading away from Sannan-san and dropping back to her knees when she again reached her place. Everyone in the room chuckled at Tori's dramatic yet humorous scene. "So what exactly is this medicine, is it specially prescribed?" I asked no one in particular.