Once upon a dream (Hakuouki fan-fic) (Hijikata x OC)

Chapter 19

Victoria's POV

It had been some time now that I've been staying here at the Okiya. I don't remember how long but it had quickly become winter and snow began to fall. 'It's been a year already has it?' I thought to myself. So much has happened. I knew Chizuru was thinking the same, she felt that even though she'd been through a lot she hadn't come any closer to figuring out her father's whereabouts. And now I was thinking how long I've been here and still haven't learned how to control or so much as use my demon powers. 'I can't afford to waste any more time' I thought to myself as I sat peacefully by an open window. I wasn't on duty serving customers tonight so I was enjoying the peace and quiet.

By this time I had received word that Kondou would be discussing moving to a bigger headquarters. I was told this by Saito one evening when he stopped by after his patrol. He informed me that Itou was still residing with them and that I had become a well-discussed topic and by the sounds of it. It struck me as odd that Itou did in fact, take notice of my absence despite never once seeing my face. Saito also let slip that there was talk of me being able to come back soon. He said that if they, in fact, moved to bigger headquarters there would be plenty of space, therefore, making it easier for me to avoid contact with Itou. The Captains had been doing all they could to distract Itou everytime he brought up the idea of visiting me in the district, so far it's worked but they were running out of believable excuses.

"Tori?" A soft voice called out to me. I swiftly turned my head to find Kosuzu standing in the doorway, she looked nervous, fidgeting with both of her hands in front of her. I nodded and signaled for her to come closer which she obliged. "Uhm, Miss Akami sent me to get you, there's a customer here to see you" She voiced timidly. I raised an eyebrow in here direction. "But I'm not on the list to work today" I frowned. I was certainly confused, I thought I didn't have to work today...at all. "Uhm, well, she said it was a special guest that only you could serve" I began to think hard about who it might be, only two people came to mind and neither of them were particularly good. Was it Kazama? But what if it was Itou? Seeing my hesitant expression she came closer to me and knelt down. "Please just get ready and go down, I don't want Miss Akami to get upset" Kosuzu pleaded. I rolled my eyes at her way of enticing me to agree. "Whatever" I sighed. I wouldn't have agree had it have been some regular customer, I could care less if someone in this place got mad at me, the only person I was afraid to upset was-

"Hijikata-San!?"

I stood there in shock. I had dressed head to toe with the help of Kosuzu of course. But now, here I am stood before the very vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. I didn't know what to say as he sat there in the private room sipping on a cup of sake. He wasn't shocked at all of my presence, however, I swore I saw him give my appearance a once over. 'Score!' "It's about time, I might've been drunk by the time you got here if you had taken any longer" He mumbled setting down the cup of sake. "Take a seat" He motioned me inside the room. I quickly gained control of my body. shuffling into the room and shutting the screen behind me before sitting on my knees in front of him where a cushion was conveniently placed for me. My hands played with fists full of the kimonos fabric as a nervously contemplated what to say next. "What are you doing here?" That got me a cross look from the demon vice-commander. I inwardly cowered. "I-I mean not that you can't visit the red light district, you're an adult so I can't stop you but I mean-hahaha" I chuckled awkwardly at the end not knowing where I was going with my sentence. "Kondou-San thought it would be a good idea to visit you, however, I ruled that it wasn't favourable since Itou's shadowing him. I told him I'd come in his place instead" I slowly nodded showing I understood.

And here I was thinking that maybe he visited me because he wanted to see me. A girl can dream. "I was under the impression that I'd be seeing someone else, it was a surprise seeing you here" I admitted truthfully. Hijikata pulled the cup of sake away from his lips with furrowed brows. "Are you complaining about my company?" I quickly waved my hands in a defensive manner. "No no no no, I'm not! I was worried that it was Itou-San or Kazama, I'm glad that it's you" My last words resonating in my own thoughts. A light blush spread across my cheeks, luckily it was hidden by the white paint. Hijikata simply hummed in response sipping the last of his sake. "Are you empty, would you like me to get more?" I questioned already moving to fetch more sake. The raven-haired male held up his hand in protest. "I didn't really come here to drink" He admitted. I made a perplexed expression. "Oh, you didn't?" "You just took so damn long" He grunted. If it hadn't been for the man's hardened expression I could've mistaken it as a pout. The very thought sent heat to my cheeks as I tried and failed to focus on what Hijikata was saying.