Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 27: Stranger danger

Hey, sorry to interrupt you from the story!

Just here to tell ya that the music should be played when the protagonist goes to find Heisuke at night after an incident.

Got it? Good, you may continue.

~~~~~

June 1865

{The Shinsengumi had moved our headquarters to Nishi Hongwanji in March. Three months had passed since then. There was a lot more room, but more room meant farther to travel to reach places like the kitchen or common room. It had taken several weeks, but I was finally able to navigate my way around the place.}

Heisuke-kun and I made our way through the crowded-as-usual streets of Kyoto. We were, of course, on patrol with the 8th Division. "You know Heisuke-kun, I haven't gone on a patrol with you in quite some time"
"Huh? Oh, yeah I guess we haven't. Edo had me pretty busy after all"
"Oh, I'm not blaming you or anything! I was just thinking that it's nice to have you back"
"Well, it's nice to be back" Heisuke-kun smiled. "So, how was everything while I was gone?"
"Everything was fine, I gotta admit it was a little lonely without you though. I'm surprised I managed to get through it" I joked.
"R-Really?"
"Heisuke-kun, are you blushing?"
"I-Iie! You're imagining things!"
"Okay, if you say so"
"Did Shin or Sano-san give you any trouble while I was away?"
"There was no trouble while you were gone Heisuke-kun. Harada and Nagakura were kind to me, as always, while you weren't here"
"That's good to hear"
"Though I will say Nagakura started hitting on me as soon as you left" I added absentmindedly.
"He did nani!? I'm gonna kill that bastard!"
"Chill Heisuke-kun, it's not like I accepted any of his advances. Besides, why do you care so much about him hitting on me?"
"Because you're my nakama and I can't stand the thought of Shinpachi taking advantage of you"
"How nice of you" I giggled.
"Yeah..." I noticed that Heisuke-kun was looking down and seemed kinda sad. I opened my mouth to ask him what was wrong, but quickly shut it again. Ever since he's returned from Edo, he's looked so glum all the time. There was the occasional moment where he'd smile or laugh at a joke, but overall he'd been much less chipper than he was before leaving. I decided to ask him about it in a different way.
"So Heisuke-kun, I was wondering. It's been two months since you've been in Kyoto. Does it seem any different from Edo to you?"
"Hmm. Well...I sort of feel like the town has...changed. So have the people..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's nothing, never mind" He quickened his pace to indicate that he was most likely done with this discussion topic. Heisuke-kun, just nani it going through your head? Did something happen to you in Edo...? Your sudden change of character confuses me...I, of course, kept these thoughts to myself and walked behind Heisuke-kun as we continued patrolling the city.

A few hours later, back at headquarters

Myself along with the chief, commander and captains were gathered in the common room which was much larger than the common room at the compound in Mibu. This one could fit the entire Shinsengumi and still have space to spare! Kondou-sama's voice echoed grandly throughout the hall as he spoke; "By now, I imagine you have all heard that Tokugawa Iemochi, the 14th Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, will be visiting our city of Kyoto" He looked into the eyes of each person present before continuing. "The Shinsengumi have been asked to guard him as he passes through the city on his way to Nijo Castle!" Cheers erupted throughout the room at Kondou-sama's announcement. The shogun wants us to guard him?! That's amazing!
"Heh...Too hard for them to ignore us after Ikeda and Hamaguri huh? All that work's finally paying off" Hijikata-san smiled. He actually smiled! Hijikata-san openly showing happiness must mean he's really proud of the Shinsengumi's efforts.
"Guess you could say the fate of the country'll be resting on our swords, huh..." Okita let out a snort of laughter after his words.
"Parade guards, eh...If only Sanan-san were still with us. We have truly lost a valuable ally..." Itou sighed. The entire incident surrounding Sanan's transformation and descent into temporary madness had been expertly covered up. Only a few members of the Shinsengumi knew the truth. A flicker of bitterness crossed Kondou-sama's face-suggesting that he felt guilty for deceiving Itou-before he spoke;
"Well, at any rate, things are going to be rather hectic here very soon, so we ought to get our assignments hashed out. To begin with, I'd like Toshi, Souji-"
"Gomen Kondou-san, but you think maybe Souji can sit this one out? I think he's getting sick"
"Nani? Souji, is this true? Are you all right?"
"The Demon's just being a mother hen, sir. I think I'm fine"
"Don't give me that crap. You just about coughed up a lung earlier"
"Fine, fine. Think someone's being a little overprotective, though..." Okita's smile had turned a little bitter as he reluctantly agreed to stay behind. He looks fine to me...Maybe Hijikata-san is being a tad bit overprotective.
"Uh...Um...Kondou-san...I'm not...feeling so great either..." Heisuke-kun spoke up. Since when? He's been looking out of it lately, but I had never thought it could be because he was feeling unwell...Is that really the cause behind his blue attitude lately?
"You too Heisuke? This is our time to shine! I was hoping to have all of us there to greet the shogun..."
"Yeah...gomen" Heisuke-kun sighed. He seemed fine when we talked this morning, I hope he'll feel better soon.
"Oh, iie, iie, your health comes first. Always! I'm sure you'll have another chance. I'll just have to make sure you get to do something spectacular!" Kondou-sama stated brightly in an attempt to wave it off, but it was easy to see his genuine concern for the 1st and 8th Division Captains.
Hijikata-san inspected the rest of the soldiers before sending them off on their assignments. After all was said and done, I pulled Heisuke-kun aside to talk to him. He suggested we go outside and I had no objections. So we sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, one that was cool in the shade of a tree.
"So Heisuke-kun, what's wrong?"
"I'm...just feeling a little under the weather is all!"
"Are you sure you'll be okay? I could stay behind and look after you if you wanted?"
"You make it sound like you're caring for a child"
"Oh, gomen! That wasn't my intention! I'm just worried about you!"
"I know Chiyeko-chan, I was teasing you. But you don't have to stay behind"
"That's...great" I sighed.
"You don't sound too thrilled about it"
"Honestly, I'm worried a little"
"How come?"
"Well, I mean we're guarding the shogun. He's the most important person in the whole of Japan. What if someone tries something while we're guarding him?" Heisuke-kun suddenly burst out laughing. "Hey! It's not funny! I'm serious here!"
"That's what you're worried about?" He laughed.
"Hai..." Heisuke-kun laughing at me was beginning to make me feel stupid and I began to blush out of embarrassment.
"If that's what you're worried about then don't be. I'm pretty sure no one would be baka enough to attack, let alone try to attack the shogun"
"...Really?"
"Really. You'd have to be an idiot to even dream of attacking the shogun" Heisuke-kun sent me a smile of reassurance. "I'd be surprised if anyone did so much as draw a sword"
"That's good to hear" I let out a sigh of relief. Heisuke-kun may have thought the worry was stupid, but I was glad to know that I had no reason to worry.
"Now that we've set your worry to bed, you should definitely go. It'll be a good experience for you"
"Can't say iie to experience now, can I?" I smiled. "I'll go and tell you all about it when I get back"
"I'm looking forward to hearing about it then"
"You better be because I'll probably have a lot to say"
"I could listen to your voice all day and not get tired" Heisuke-kun said to himself.
"What was that?"
"Huh?! I-I said my ears will be ready for you!"
"Oh, well for their and your sake I hope you're right" I chuckled.