Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 44: Fatal delivery

December 1867

It's been two weeks since "the incident" and I had been officially declared fit to work by Doctor Matsumoto. After I recovered from "the incident", mine and Heisuke's interactions went back to being scarce. Honestly, after seeing him every day when I woke up at the doctor's then going back to barely seeing him again was hard on my heart.  So, I was trying to give myself an excuse to see him. Currently, I was in my room with a writing brush in hand. "There! All done!" I finished my new note to Heisuke to go with the sake I had bought him. I hope this will make him feel better, he's been kind of down lately and I want to help him...Apparently, Heisuke had snuck out of the Maekawa House sometime around two weeks ago. Though both Hijikata-san and Heisuke refused to tell me when he had done so. For some reason, Hijikata-san didn't punish him for doing so, but firmly reminded him that he was to stay in the Maekawa House from now on or there would be repercussions. To ensure that Heisuke was following his orders, Hijikata-san was keeping a close eye on him. He had also ordered me to report to him if Heisuke somehow slipped out and visited me. I feel like I'm betraying Heisuke if I follow my orders, but I can't exactly disobey a direct order from the "Demon of the Shinsengumi" himself, not without some serious repercussions...Not everything's been bad though, a positive change that had occurred during our time apart was that no one else in the Shinsengumi had tried to kill me. They all act cold and rude towards me, but they weren't trying to kill me which I consider a big step in the right direction. The only men in the Shinsengumi-apart from the captains, commander and chief-who still believed in me were the men in the 8th Division. They all knew how much Heisuke meant to me and understood exactly why I had gone to Aburano Koji that night. It's nice to have some Shinsengumi members who still trust me...But...If only my brother hadn't attacked that night...Why Chikage? Why did you attack on that particular night? I sighed, frustrated by my brother's actions. I know he's the Shinsengumi's enemy, but couldn't he have picked a different night to attack? Or better yet, why didn't he just attack in the daytime when, equally, no one would expect it? I mean, he has the absolute worst timing-! My door slid open interrupting my thoughts. "Don't you know how to knock-!" I turned around and saw Sanan standing in my doorway, making me cut off the rest of my anger-fuelled sentence. "Oh, Sanan-san! Hi..." My anger at my brother was quickly replaced by the uneasiness I felt whenever I was around Sanan.
"Ah, thank goodness, you're here. If you'd gone out, I wouldn't have been able to look for you"
"Look for me? No offence, but you do realise it's daytime, right? What was so important that it couldn't wait until nighttime?"
"I've just had a revelation, I can't possibly stay in bed and wait for night to fall" He may have been smiling, but all that smile did was fill me with more uneasiness. "Well? Will you listen to my idea?" His question sounded more like a demand.
"...Sure" Though it doesn't seem like I have much choice in the matter...
"You're a demon"
"Okay...? Arigato for stating the obvious" I looked at him confused. He continued as if I hadn't said a word.
"And as a demon, you are stronger, faster and more resilient than a ningen. Demonic superiority was displayed quite clearly by those demons who attacked us just the other night"
"It was a month ago Sanan-san and where are you going with this anyway?"
"A demon possesses immense power. It follows that the blood which flows through demon veins should be similarly powerful. Perhaps it is even potent enough to completely counteract the madness of the furies"
"That...is an interesting theory, Sanan-san. But how do you know for sure?"
"Since before I became a fury, I've been researching how the Water of Life works. I know more about it than anyone else here. How could I be wrong then? In any event, I believe it's worth testing" Why do I get a bad feeling in my stomach when he says 'testing'? "If I am correct...Oh, it would be wonderful! Your very existence could save the Fury Corps! Iie, the entire Shinsengumi!"
"Hold up a second! What do you mean 'testing'?" I couldn't help, but question him. His voice had hints of madness in it which did nothing to settle the bad feeling in my stomach.
"Now..." He unsheathed his sword and I took an involuntary step back. "Oh, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm not going to kill you or anything" He took a step towards me. "I just want a small sample of your blood. That's all..."
"I'm pretty sure a knife would be more appropriate for taking small samples...!" I took another step back, but Sanan just took another step forward. His sword held menacingly in front of him.
"So you're okay with me taking a sample of your blood?"
"I didn't say that! Of course I'm not okay with it! Get away from me!" After a couple more steps backwards, my back hit the wall. Sanan didn't miss his opportunity and quickly blocked off my escape.
"Be a good girl and hold still" He lifted his sword, its steel blade shimmered in the sunlight shining into my room. Afraid of what would happen, I tightly closed my eyes. My door slid open again and a stern voice questioned the man in front of me;
"What is this Sanan-san?" I opened my eyes to see Sanan's blade was inches away from my nose. I gulped as I looked behind him and saw Hijikata-san now standing in my doorway.
"Oh, Hijikata-kun. Excellent timing. Please give me a hand here" Hijikata-san walked towards us slowly, his hand drifting near the hilt of his sword.
"H-Hijikata-san..." Is he really going to help him...? The fear I was feeling caused me to break out in a cold sweat. Hijikata-san however, calmly walked up to and placed himself between Sanan and I. Sanan lowered his sword out of surprise, but he did not sheath it. I let out a silent sigh of relief as Hijikata-san took a step to his right to hide me behind his back.
"What are you doing? This could be a great breakthrough for the Shinsengumi"
"This is the last time Sanan-san. What are you doing?"
"I'm searching for a way to treat the madness of the furies. For the good of the Shinsengumi"
"And that means you have to cut her?"
"I'm not going to kill her. I only need a little of her blood" The room was thick with tension, but I sensed no hatred from either Sanan or Hijikata-san. "...We've lost so many of the furies. Many of our ningen soldiers have fallen as well" Sanan held his sword up again. "If we are to effectively utilise the furies we have left, as well as the ones we are about to create, then we must find a way to temper their madness" His expression then turned serious. "If we abandon the furies and what they offer, then future battles will only become more difficult. More of our men will die. Everything I do, I do for the Shinsengumi. I know you for an intelligent man, Hijikata-kun. Surely you understand. And yet you won't allow Kawaguchi-chan, or should I say Kazama-chan, to share her blood?"
"That's not what I mean"
"Oh?"
"Sanan-san, you are a colonel of the Shinsengumi. Are you really ready to break the Code? The Code says we don't fight each other, for any reason. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"...Iie, I haven't" He sheathed his sword, yet Hijikata-san kept his hand near his sword's hilt. "I'll leave for now then, but please consider what I've said" Sanan requested with a smile that sent shivers down my spine.
"Sure, but it won't change anything. Why should we cut her open and take her blood? Besides, even if I change my mind, Kondou-san will never let you do it"
"It is an easy decision for you and Kondou-san to make. You don't have the same...investment in this" He sighed. "Toudou-kun's a fury now too, though and he will begin to suffer from the bloodlust should you choose not to help...So I encourage you to consider what's best for your nakamas when you make your decision" Those final words cut like a knife, deeper than anything he'd said previously. Of course I want to help Heisuke and prevent his suffering, but...
"Can I say something?" Hijikata-san's voice sounded strained.
"Of course"
"Your reasoning is correct. It always has been. But...Sanan-san, tell me you aren't doing this because the bloodlust has taken your mind. Tell me that some sick desire to taste her blood again isn't what's driving you to this. Can I trust you?"
"...Of course. My only concern is for the Shinsengumi. Sayōnara then, Kazama-chan. We'll talk again..." He smiled at me before leaving the room. I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding as my legs gave out. I slid down the wall until my butt landed on the floor. Talk about nerve racking...
"Hrm...You okay?" I saw him relax as he turned to look at me, the bowstring-tight tension from before having receded.
"H-Hai"
"Gomen about that" He held out a hand and I hesitated before taking it. He pulled me to my feet. Though I was still a little unsteady on them and had to use the wall behind me for support.
"It's not your fault, you don't need to apologise. Arigato gozimasu for helping me by the way" I bowed to show my gratitude.
"Nothing to thank me for" He smiled. For some reason, seeing Hijikata-san's smile relieved me and I found that some of the strength had returned to my legs.
"I know he wasn't going to kill me, but still...You helped me out and I have to thank you for that"
"...You're welcome" He turned to leave and made it to the door before he stopped.
"Is something wrong?"
"Iie. I just had an idea is all" He turned back to me.
"Care to elaborate?"
"Brush and paper"
"I suppose you don't" I sighed. "What did you want?"
"Bring me a brush and some paper. I know you have some in here somewhere. Hurry up"
"Okay, okay! Calm down!" I quickly retrieved a sheet of paper and my writing brush. "Here you go. Now would you mind telling me what this is all about?" He ignored me and began to draw something. I watched him out of interest and confusion. When it was done, I tilted my head to the side questionably. "Why'd you draw a map?"
"Because I know you have trouble finding certain places, even though you never admit it"
"How would you know that?"
"I told you to go to a specific store last week and it took you three hours to return. I heard that people saw you wondering around the city for a good two and a half hours before you entered the store"
"Fine, you've made your point..." I crossed my arms over my chest with a strong blush dusting my cheeks. "...Where does the map lead?"
"...You know Saito is at Tenma guarding Miura, right?"
"Hai"
"I want you to take him something. Will you do that?"
"Of course I will, but are you sure you want me to be the one who delivers it?"
"Hai, I'm sure. One of our boys would stand out too much. You're the best option I've got right now. Can I trust you with this?"
"Hai Hijikata-san! I won't let you down this time!" I stated determinedly which caused him to chuckle.
"Just keep to this and you shouldn't get lost" He handed me the map.
"As much as it pains me to say, arigato for the map. So what's the message?"
"It's written here. Make sure you don't drop it" He handed me the letter.
"I'll be sure to hold onto it tightly"
"Or lose it" He added with a smirk.
"Ha ha, you're hilarious(!)" I tucked the letter away in my kimono sleeve pocket before grabbing Aka Tatsu. "Sayōnara" I left my room before sighing. "That baka, I'll show him I won't get lost!" With the aid of his map of course. I exited headquarters and looked down at the map. "Damn, looks like I have a ways to go to reach my destination. Oh well, better get a move on if I want to arrive before dark. Off I go!"