Chiyeko has admired the Shinsengumi ever since she first heard of them. So when a trip to Kyoto goes wrong and causes her to cross paths with her heroes multiple times, how will she react?
This trip to Kyoto throws the peaceful life of Chiyeko into...
Before we start, let me share with you a funny scene from the anime that fits this chapter very well.
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I just couldn't resist putting this gif in.
Anyway, read, vote, comment and enjoy this next chapter!
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February 1868
{After we returned to Edo, the Shinsengumi had reconvened in a hatamoto's mansion, fashioning a new headquarters from the ashes of the old regime. These days, however, it was seldom that one of the captains would find themselves within its walls.
Hijikata had been filling in as acting chief in Kondou's stead so he was often out meeting with shogunate leaders. Kondo had suffered a serious gunshot wound and was still recovering.
Along with Okita whose tuberculosis was scarcely improving, the captain of the 1st Division had been ordered to bed rest in the hopes of him recovering quicker.
Nagakura and Harada were both often found taking new recruits out into the Edo nightlife, enticing them with alcohol and adventure before joining our ranks.
Although everyone else had carved a niche for themselves in our new base of operations, the members of the Fury Corps were not so lucky. They were forced to remain within the compound's walls as a measure of safety for all of us.
I had a feeling that such an order wouldn't sit well with them and it was only a matter of time until their discontent manifested into something worse...I had to wonder; was I just imagining things or was this period of time simply the calm before the inevitable storm? I tried my best to keep from jumping to conclusions, but I had a lingering suspicion that the Fury Corps, under Sanan's command was just biding their time...}
I was shaken awake by someone who I didn't expect to see. "Chiyeko! Chiyeko! Come on, wake up already!" His voice had so much energy in it that I found it hard to ignore him. "Mhm...Nani...?" I rubbed my eyes as I yawned. I then opened them and gasped. "Heisuke!? What is up with you being awake when it's painful to you?" I sat up, startled by his being here. "I couldn't possibly sleep now, you won't believe what happened!" "Well, I'll bite. What's gotten you so excited Heisuke?" "Oh man, it's nuts! Come on, you have to see this!" "N-Nani...?" "Just c'mere! It's outside!" "Outside?! But you-!" He cut me off by lifting me out of bed before grabbing my hand and running off somewhere. He's asking for trouble...I inwardly sighed. "Whoa!? Slow down Heisuke!" I stumbled after him as I couldn't keep up with his energised speed. He led me outside where the light was so bright and the air was so cold causing my eyes to instinctively snap shut. "See? Isn't it pretty Chiyeko...?" I slowly opened my eyes again to discover what he was talking about. "Oh wow...!" My eyes widened in wonder. I was staring at the same courtyard as yesterday, but it looked like an entirely different world. "Right...? It's amazing! Apparently, it was snowing last night!" Heisuke's face portrayed a childlike innocence and I giggled. He just looked adorably happy. "You're absolutely right Heisuke, this is incredible...! I love snow! I remember playing in it all the time when I was a kid!" "Me too, I can't remember the last time it snowed this much!" "Me neither, but how did this much snow fall in just one night?" "Who cares? Snow day!" "I must admit that I'm excited about the snow too, but are you sure you should be up right now?" "I'm happy that you're concerned for me, but I'll be fine. The sun is hidden behind the clouds right now so it can't harm me" "That makes sense, but what if one of the rank-and-file soldiers see you?" "They won't. Besides, I want to spend some normal time with my girlfriend" "If you're sure" "I'm sure Chiyeko. Oh, hey. Over there, looks like someone beat us to it" Heisuke pointed to his friends who were already dressed and standing in the courtyard, surrounded by a giant white blanket. I guess today's one of the days that minna is actually IN the compound. "Hey guys!" I called over to Harada and Nagakura while waving. The two came over while they greeted us. "Hey, there you are Chiyeko! Sure is a lot of it, right? My hands are freezing though" Harada happily replied as he rubbed his hands together to keep them warm. "Well, you know what they say: Cold hands, warm heart. Although it's not like the ladies even know what this guy's hands are like" Nagakura gestured towards Heisuke with a grin. "That's just 'cause I'm a gentleman" Heisuke scowled. "And have you forgotten that I have a girlfriend?" Heisuke wrapped an arm around my shoulder and brought me into his side. "How could we forget? We're the ones that got you together" Harada grinned causing both of us to blush. "Yeah, shouldn't you owe us big time for that?" Nagakura teasingly questioned. "Just damare Shin!" Heisuke shouted out in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. "A-Aren't you cold Nagakura?" I asked in an attempt to change the conversation topic. "Iie, why do you ask?" "Because you're practically half naked Shin! Put something on!" You could tell Heisuke was relived that we were talking about something else as he swiftly jumped onto this new topic. "Forget it kid, he wouldn't know discretion if it bit him in the ass. Besides, he just...never gets sick" Harada pointed out with a wry smile. "Never gets sick, I find that hard to believe" "Well believe it Chiyeko, I'm always at 100% health!" "Even so, you don't feel the littlest bit cold?" I just couldn't believe that he never got sick, it seemed like the stuff of fiction...Then again, so did immortality and bloodlust. I shook my head to rid them of fury-related thoughts. "Nope, I'm feeling fine!" "Still, I feel cold just looking at you. Can't you like...put on a jacket or something, Shin?" Heisuke asked. "And deny the world all of this..." He gestured grandly to his chest. "...just because it's cold? That hardly seems fair" He finished with a proud grin. "Besides, look at Sano! How's he any different?! Right? Back me up here, Chiyeko!" To be honest, none of them are "dressed for the weather", though looking at them doesn't make me feel...COLD, per se. "I just remembered that I'm still in my sleepwear so I'll just go change while you guys talk this out" I quickly left and went back inside. That was an argument that I definitely didn't want to be a part of. Though, it did remind me of a conversation I had with those two a few months ago. I guess some things never change. I chuckled quietly to myself as I walked down the halls.
