Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 2: A dream come true

After three and a half days of rest and recuperation, all my wounds had healed much to Toudou-san's joy and Doctor Matsumoto's confusion. I felt filthy not being able to wash myself for three whole days and one half day so the doctor had kindly allowed me to use his bathing room. Apparently, he had expected me to ask for the use of his bathing room as his ofuro was already filled with water from last night. He heated up the water before inviting me to use it. I thanked him before he slid the door closed. I undressed and put my neatly folded clothes in a corner. After lightly rinsing myself, I climbed into the ofuro and sighed pleasurably. I SO needed this...All the stiffness and tenseness of my muscles dissipated as I soaked in the ofuro. The time I spent soaking was quite a while, as I let the water wash my worries away.

When I finished, I quickly climbed out and dried myself. Now that the day I could join the Shinsengumi was upon me, needless to say I was ecstatically excited. I dressed myself and was about to enter the room I had been resting in to collect my stuff when I heard Doctor Matsumoto and Toudou-san's voices conversing. I shouldn't eavesdrop on them, I'll just let them know I'm here. I raised my hand to knock when I heard myself mentioned;
"Do you think Chiyeko is one of them?" One of 'them'? What's he talking about?
"Them? You gotta be more specific Doc"
"A fury" I heard Toudou-san gasp loudly at that word. Fury? What on Earth is a fury?
"Are you crazy Doc!? She can't be a fury! They're monsters and Chiyeko-chan acts nothing like them!" Monsters...the doctor thinks I'm a monster? That angered me more than it hurt me.
"It's the only thing that makes sense given her miraculous recovery speed" He's just like everyone else...
"That doesn't make her a fury! Besides, furies can't handle sunlight and she's out in the daytime!"
"That's true, but...just keep an eye on her" I've heard just about enough of this...I harshly slid open the door causing both men to jump in alarm.
"I don't appreciate being called a monster and for your information doctor, I've always recovered fast from injuries. It's been that way since I was a baby"
"I didn't mean to offend you"
"Well you did. I thank you for your hospitality, but I'll be going now"
"But Chiyeko-chan he was about to make you breakfast!"
"Then don't bother because I'm not staying here another minute" I grabbed Aka Tatsu and my drawstring bag before storming out of the room. Toudou-san caught up with me as I left the building.
"Chiyeko-chan, are you okay?"
"Iie! I hate it when people call me a monster!" I could feel tears start to well up. "It's not my fault I heal abnormally quickly!"
"People...?"
"When I was younger, there was this boy who always use to call me a monster because I healed fast...he wasn't the only one though...loads of people have called me so..." The tears fell.
"Gomen Chiyeko-chan, I didn't know"
"You don't need to apologise, you're not the one who thought I was a monster..." I sniffled.
"That's true, but I still feel like I have to apologise"
"Arigato...I guess..."
"You know what? Forget about the doctor, forget all those ignorant people! Today is supposed to be a good day!" I knew Toudou-san was trying to cheer me up...
"...You're right" ...but I couldn't find it in myself to smile.
"That's it, come with me" Toudou-san grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him.
"Where are we going?"
"To get something to eat. You've barely eaten anything since you got injured and you can't be happy on an empty stomach" He smiled at me and I found myself gasping as my face went red. His smile just now...why did it make my heart jump? "You okay? Your face is red"
"I-I'm fine!" I wiped away my tears and finally returned his smile. "Arigato gozimasu Toudou-san"
"No problem!" We went to a café that was popular with Toudou-san and ordered some rice porridge. "Don't worry about the money, all right?"
"You've already saved me multiple times! I'm indebted to you, I couldn't possibly let you pay for my breakfast!"
"If you're indebted to me, that means you owe me right?"
"Hai"
"Great, then do me a favour and let me pay for breakfast"
"But-"
"No buts! You owe me"
"Fine, you win Toudou-san" I sighed in defeat.
"Now that that's out of the way. I've gotta ask you to keep what you heard from the doctor and me a secret"
"Which part? I heard the whole conversation"
"Fair point, don't let anybody back at the compound know you know about furies"
"I've been meaning to ask, what is a fury? I'm assuming they can heal fast since that's why the doctor thought I was one"
"I can't really tell you...it's a secret that only the chief, commander and us captains should know of"
"Oh..."
"Please don't look sad like that! I would totally tell you if I could! It's just the Shinsengumi keep that information under wraps, anyone who finds out has to be silenced" My eyes widened.
"Y-You mean...they'd need to kill me...?" My voice trembled with fear.
"Hai...but if you keep quiet, they'll never know!"
"Don't worry, I very much value living so I'll definitely keep my mouth shut Toudou-san"
"Arigato" He looked relieved, but unhappy at the same time.
"Why do you look unhappy?"
"It's nothing to do with what we just talked about! It's just..."
"What is it Toudou-san?"
"Look Chiyeko-chan, you don't have to call me Toudou-san. It just feels kinda cold, you know?"
"Gomen, I never meant to come off like that! What should I call you instead?"
"Just call me Heisuke. Everybody else does. After all, we're gonna be living together for a long time"
"That's if I'm accepted"
"I already told you, you're gonna be accepted!"
"Are you sure that's okay? I don't want to seem rude..." He nodded enthusiastically in response. "How about Heisuke-san?"
"Come on, you don't have to use that honorific for me"
"But I respect you"
"How old are you?"
"18" I tilted my head, confused by his sudden out-of-nowhere question.
"So am I. It doesn't make sense for you to call me 'san' if we're the same age"
"I can't find it in me to drop honourifics completely so...how about Heisuke-kun?"
"I can accept that since I call ya Chiyeko-chan!" Our rice porridges arrived. "How about we start over?"
"Start over?"
"Yup! Kon'nichiwa Chiyeko-chan, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Oh I get it! It's a pleasure to meet you too Heisuke-kun!" I giggled. I knew the exchange was nothing important, but something about it had me feel happy. Purposely or not, Heisuke-kun had cheered me up.
"And now, let's dig in!"
"Gladly!" We conversed about the duties of the Shinsengumi as we ate. Or rather, Heisuke-kun conversed and I listened intently. When we finished our breakfast, we ordered some drinks to wash it down before Heisuke-kun paid and we left the café. "Arigato. For the breakfast I mean"
"Don't worry about it! Now, it's finally time to take you to the Shinsengumi headquarters! Again!"
"I'm ready!"
"Then follow me!" He grinned and held out his hand. I gladly took it and we made our way to headquarters. He took me straight to the chief's room, A.K.A: Kondou-sama's room. Unfortunately, Hijikata was also in the room with him.
"Kon'nichiwa Heisuke. Kawaguchi-chan, to what do I owe this encounter?"
"I'd like to become a member of the Shinsengumi, if you'd allow it" I bowed after making my request.
"Raise your head child" I did so. "Do you understand fully what it means to be a member of the Shinsengumi?" His face had adopted a serious expression.
"Hai!" I nodded determinedly. "I'm prepared to give up my life in order to serve with you"
"Good answer" He smiled. "It'll be interesting to have a female among our ranks. I welcome you to the Shinsengumi"
"Nan-Really?!" My eyes lit up with uncontainable excitement. He nodded in response.
"Seriously Kondou-san..." Hijikata sighed out of annoyance. "You're lucky Kondou-san's a friendly man" Hijikata's glare told me he wasn't happy with my new membership of the Shinsengumi. "Just remember, she's your problem now Heisuke. You'll be responsible for training her and all that"
"I don't mind that at all! I'll teach her everything I know!"
"Really? Arigato Heisuke-kun!"
"Thank you for bringing Kawaguchi-chan here Heisuke" Kondou-sama stated as he stood up and placed a hand on both of our shoulders. "As captain of the 8th Division, will you please show her around?"
"Yeah, sure! Come on Chiyeko-chan!" Heisuke-kun eagerly grabbed my hand and showed me around headquarters. The anticipation of all the adventures that surely awaited me made a smile appear on my face as I was shown around the compound.

After my tour of headquarters was complete, Heisuke-kun had to go out on patrol so Kondou-sama showed me to the room I would be using. He slid open the door and gestured inside: "Ladies first"
"I'm hardly a lady, but arigato" I stepped inside and was satisfied with what I saw. It's a nice room, quite quaint and comfortable looking.
"These are your private quarters to do what you wish in them. Regarding your duties, you will be a soldier of the 8th Division and will be working and training under Heisuke"
"Yes sir"
"Any questions?"
"Only one. How come I'm allowed my own room now?"
"Oh that. The threat we were discussing is now under control so there's no need to worry. Besides I doubt you'd want to share your private time with a man around"
"Yeah, good call"
"Well I'll be off now. I hope you enjoy working with us"
"I definitely will sir!" I bowed before waving him off. He closed the door and I looked around the room with my hands on my hips. I took in a deep breath and let it out. "My dream's finally come true, I've gotta let my parents know!" I kneeled down as I placed my drawstring bag on the tatami mat and opened it excitedly. I got out one of the many blank pieces of paper I had packed for the trip, some ink and my writing brush. I set them on the desk by the back wall and pulled my special cushion out of the bag. It was dubbed so because it was a gift from my parents, Mother even sewed our names into the cushion. I rubbed my thumb over the words and smiled. "Always and forever..." I set it down in front of my desk and sat on it before getting to work on the letter:

Dear Mother and Father,
You won't believe what I have to tell you! I guess I should start at the beginning. First off, Ginsuki-sama was even more amazing than I thought he would be! He taught me the true way to draw which may sound a little strange, but it will make sense when I show you what I've learned. I also met this guy called Heisuke Toudou, he's saved my life three times now. He's a great guy and really fun to be around. Here's where it gets crazy; Heisuke-kun is a captain of the Shinsengumi! And he brought me to their headquarters where I was accepted as a member! I know it's a dangerous job, but I couldn't be happier and I hope you can share my happiness.
Love always,
Chiyeko
XXX

I put my brush down and sighed. I think I'm getting the hang of transferring my emotions. I folded the paper and set it, along with my writing brush, down on the desk. Only one way to find out. I got my paper pad and brush out of my drawstring bag and left the headquarters. With permission of course. I walked until I reached the bustling streets of Kyoto. Let's see if anything here catches my interest. I looked around as I walked down the street, but nothing caught my interest. Despite this, I kept on walking until 10 minutes had passed by. I sighed in defeat. "I really wanted to paint something too..." Just as I had given up;
"Daddy, daddy! I want one! Please!" A little boy was pulling on his father's arm, trying to get him to buy him a sweet from a street vendor.
"Okay just this once" They went to the street vendor and browsed through the various coloured and shaped sweets. They're perfect! I stepped to the side of the road so I wasn't in anyone's way and began to paint a quick base of the child and his father, happily browsing through the street vendor's goods. Their exchange reached my ears as I moved my brush around the paper.
"Ooh! I want that one! And that one! Oh! Definitely that one-"
"Whoa, slow down there son! You don't want to spoil the lunch your mother is making, do you?"
"You're right, can I just get this one then?"
"Of course" Done! Now I've gotta find somewhere comfortable to complete it! The father paid the vendor as I left. I walked for a bit before I spotted a empty bench. I sat down and began adding details to my painted sketch of the father and son. I often painted from memory as I'd feel strange asking a stranger to pose for me. Painting Ginsuki-sama was the second time I'd painted a model, the first being my parents. I have to try that more often. I absentmindedly thought as I excitedly painted.

All finished...! I lowered my brush and looked at the painting in satisfaction. "This is perfect..." I'm so happy I got that lesson from Ginsuki-sama. I closed my pad and stood up. My eyes widened slightly when I saw the orange colour of the sky. "Whoops..." I hadn't told Kondou-sama how long I would be going out for, but there was no doubt that I'd been gone long enough for him to start worrying. I'd better head back and hope Kondou-sama isn't TOO angry with me.

DISCLAIMER: SOME lines or scenes MAY have been taken or adapted from Hakuōki/Hakuouki: Memories of the Shinsengumi. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CHAPTERS!!!