Promises To You - Hakuouki

Chapter 2

The snow was still piled up and the air was still cold proving that  it was indeed winter. Nova's birthday though had passed so she was happy  since the guys here always would go over bored with surprising her even  though time and time again she told them all she cared about was  spending time with them.

Though at this very moment everyone  was sitting in the common room to eat, it was rather silent until  Heisuke and Nagakura started to fight over food. Mainly because they  were the ones who were eating the others food.

This however  annoyed Nova who was sitting between Souji and Saito, trying to eat in  peace Gen-san took action and told them to knock it off, he mentioned it  was freaking Chizuru out but also said it was bothering Nova.

Who  just so happened to have a expression of irritation on her face as she  ate her food, when Heisuke and Nagakura looked her way they gulped and  stopped their petty argument about of all things....food.

"I've returned everyone." Hijikata said.
"Ah Toshi." Kondou replied.
"Hijikata-san." Souji spoke.
"Welcome back, Hijikata-san." Nova nodded.
"Welcome back, Vic-Commander, Deputy Commander." Saito said.
"Amazing work."
"Yeah." Hijikata replied.
"Welcome back, Sannan-san." Souji said.
"It's nice to be back here." Sannan replied.
"Good work my friends." Kondou spoke.
"I'm glad your safe, Sannan-san." Nova smiled a little.
"Thank you, Nova." Sannan replied.

After  asking how his wound was Sannan had looked at everyone's worried faces  towards him, his arm had been injured in a battle and it may or may not  heal good to where he could actually use a sword again. Which was pretty  harsh reality with someone who is a member of the Shinsengumi.

Sannan  didn't feel that much hungry so he left and turned in for the night,  after his footsteps weren't heard anymore Souji spoke up and asked what  was really happening with Sannan's wound to the arm. And just how bad it  was.

"I can say nothing." Hijikata replied.

When he  noticed Chizuru was sitting with everyone he got annoyed, Kondou soon  asked he invited her but then later everyone joined in. Nova on the  other hand just scoffed she wouldn't ever say she did the same since she  didn't know the girl well enough yet.

"I could care less where she eats, long as she doesn't get close to me for all I care." Nova commented.

The  guys sighed knowing Nova was stubborn when it came to trusting people,  yet couldn't really blame her since its been a couple of years since  they themselves gain her trust. Chizuru frowned at that comment but  didn't say much of it.

"What are you looking at?" Nova asked, eyes closed.
"N-Nothing!" Chizuru replied.

Sighing  Nova ignored the girl and listened into what was gonna be said next to  everyone, Hijikata gave in and allowed her to stay with them all to eat  which made Nova uncomfortable without really realizing she moved a bit  closer to Souji's side as she ate.

Then again between him and Saito were the only ones who she felt 'slightly better' when things got very uncomfortable for her.

Souji  didn't mind in fact he liked it...though he'd make sure to tease the  girl later for it, the sly smirk sent her way proved it as she glared  back.

As days passed people within the Shinsengumi were still  worried over Sannan-san's well being, but the more as time passed the  person who was most frustrated with was Sannan-san himself. The fact  that his injury may or may not force him to never wield a sword again  was to much.

**A New Morning**

Souji  and Saito were on cooking duty today and Nova had been off with early  patrol to do a quick sweep of the place before it would be Souji's job  to go on patrol next, she'd have to eat her breakfast later though.