Hakuouki: Demons Within

薄桜鬼5

薄桜鬼5
We got back at midnight, when the other troops went out on patrol. I went back to my room and fell onto the futon, exhausted. I recalled my eventful day and smiled as I fell asleep.

THREE DAYS LATER

It was noon by the time I got out of bed. The day before I had a lengthy conversation with Hijikata to disguise my gender to not distract the soldiers and to fight more freely. I did so, but it was odd wear a hakama atop my now plain kimono. Hijikata had it tailored for me earlier on. To conceal my identity, it was said that I had gotten an infection from the match with Nagakura after improperly treating the wound, and was sent back to Osaka because of the possible liabilities. I was content with the idea and wanted to do everything I could to assist my new friends.

As I stepped out of my room, I noticed that Heisuke was sitting beside my door.
"Hey Kaori." Heisuke said with a flat voice.
"Hello Heisuke-kun. What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to talk."
"Oh. Sorry to keep you waiting..." I whispered as I sat beside him. He was quiet for a bit.
"Did Hijikata-san allow you to join our ranks?"
"Well...Kondou-san wasn't happy about it, but yes. I'm going to be assigned a unit today." Heisuke's eyes looked dark.
"I see..."
"What's wrong?" I asked him, placing my hand on his shoulder.
"I...feel like this all has been the calm before the storm. Like something real bad is gonna happen soon." He admitted. It was a bit unnerving.
"I-I'm sure you are just stressed. Perhaps I could ask Hijikata-san to give you a day off?" I offered. His eyes left the floor and met mine.
"You're too kind to me, Kaori..." He muttered, and as he looked away I thought a heard him laugh under his breath.
"Is that bad?" I asked, making him smile.
"No, it's not. Um.... What you offered... That'd be great if you could get him to do that."
"I'm sure if I talk to Hijikata-san a bit he'll let you off. I'll be back, just wait here."
"Okay. And Kaori? Thanks."
"Don't mention it." I grinned as I stood to walk to Hijikata's room. He was talking to somebody, and I knew I shouldn't interrupt. Heisuke's words echoed throughout my head, which pressed me to talk to Hijikata even more. I nervously put my hands on the floor.
"Hijikata-san, may I have a word with you?" I asked, bowing as my hands trembled. I felt as if I could see his frown even through the shoji.
"Yes." He answered. I cautiously opened the door and sat in front of him, my eyes gazing at the floor.
"Good timing. Kondou-san and I were discussing where to put you. Now what was it you were going to say?"
"Oh u-um, Heisuke-kun isn't feeling the best, and has told me something rather unnerving..." I said.
"Why look at the floor when we are having the conversation?" Hijikata bent over and raised my head. I blushed and he....smiled....
"There. What was it that he said?"
"As if this were the calm before the storm..." Hijikata glanced at Kondou.
"I've felt the same for awhile now." Kondou frowned. Hijikata sighed.
"That's why we doubled up the guard and are sending Saito for recruits."
"Why do you all feel like this?" Kondou began to speak, then Hijikata cut him off. Kondou looked at him, bewildered.
"Toshi, if she is to be among our ranks she deserves to know." Kondou insisted on telling me whatever he needed to say. Hijikata sighed again.
"Very well...."
"Kaori-chan, for awhile now the Shinsengumi have tried to exterminate a failed experiment that Kodo Yukimura had made. They are called furies, being that thirst for blood constantly, are fast and strong, heal quickly..."
"They sound like formidable enemies." I interrupted.
"Oh, and they are! The most horrible thing about them is that when they bite another person, their victim, or whatever is left of them, comes to life as one of them. And because they heal so quickly they regenerate their flesh. They cannot regenerate limbs though, and the longer they use their powers, the closer they get to using up all their life force."
"So they die?"
"Yes. And there are some in our ranks that are furies."
"What?!"
"They aren't failed though. Heisuke, Toshi, Souji, they are all furies." My eyes widened.
"They don't want blood?" I asked nervously.
"No, we do. And it is hard to control." Hijikata answered solemnly.
"I see...You don't... Infect anyone else?"
"No."
"Alright." I said. Kondou cleared his throat.
"So, Kaori-chan, we've decided to put you into Heisuke's unit for now. If there is any you truly wish to join, come let me know."
"Yes sir! Thank you very much." I bowed.
"May I ask one last thing?"
"Go ahead." Kondou smiled.
"I request that Heisuke-kun have the day off."
"Request granted." He replied with a wide grin. I smiled back and left to inform Heisuke, when Okita caught my shoulder right around the corner.