Hakuouki: Demons Within

薄桜鬼6

薄桜鬼6
As I came around the corner, Okita grabbed my shoulder and pinned me against the wall.
"What did Kondou-san tell you?" He growled.
"J-just about the furies..."
"And?"
"Y-you're a fury." I squeaked. My eyes were wide in fear. He loosened his grip on my wrists.
"Yeah...I am." His grip loosened even more. He stood in front of me with a frown, then suddenly lurched towards the floor.
"Okita-san!!"
"I'm fine!" He yelled between coughs with a dismissive wave. I stepped back and watched his body shake violently. Then I heard a wet splashing sound. His coughing slowed, then he sat up and wiped his mouth off. I watched his back and approached him slowly, until I saw a puddle of blood in front of him. I felt sick.
"Y-you have...!" Okita spun around and knocked me onto the ground, where he sat on top of me and held my wrist down with one of his hands. His eyes looked frightened and sad.
"Don't tell anybody. Please." I returned his gaze and nodded. He still sat there, not moving until his breathing returned to normal.
"Okita-san, let me help you." I begged. He glanced at the floor, then released my wrist and sat up to look off the engawa out to the courtyard.
"Please..." I repeated. Out of nowhere, there was a crowd of laughter. Behind Okita and I were Harada and Nagakura.
"Need a room, you two?" Nagakura shouted between hearty laughs.
"Souji, I didn't think you were like that!" Harada scoffed. Okita leaped off of me. I sat up quickly and protested.
"He didn't do anything!!" I yelled.
"Are you that type of girl, Kaori-chan?"
"Oh gosh no!!!" I stood up and walked beside Okita, trying to help him create a barrier between the boys and his blood.
"Ah guys, get ahold of yourself. We weren't doing anything like that."
"If you say so..." Nagakura and Harada both left laughing as hard as they came.
"Phew. That was close. " I sighed in relief.
"Yeah...Thanks." Okita smirked.
"Well now that you know, what should I do with you...."
"Huh?!" I squealed.
"Haha, just kidding. Hey, you said you wanted to help right?"
"Yes!" I smiled.
"Mind helping me clean this up?" He asked, in an almost embarrassed tone.
"Not at all, I'll be right back." I quickly fetched some linens and returned to help Okita clean it up.
"Thanks." He pat me on the back.
"No problem. I'll wash this before anyone sees."
"Alright. How is your arm?"
"It's much better."
"Glad to hear it." Okita smiled and left. I felt happy, and walked to the well to at least wash the blood out of the cloths. Then I ran to meet Heisuke.
"Heisuke-kun!" He was in the same spot, still looking sad. He turned to me with a weak smile.
"You're back."
"Yeah, and you have the day off!"
"Oh, nice. Thank you."
"Anytime. Heisuke-kun...are you sure you are okay?"
"I'll be okay. I just need to think."
"I see... Well... Kondou-san and Hijikata-san decided I should be in your unit!"
"What? Cool!" He smiled a bit more and he brightened.
"Yep! I'm excited to begin our training tomorrow."
"I am too. I'll tell my men they have the day off, as long as they practice their swings."
"Okay." I said. I sat back and smiled at the sky, happy it was still morning.