Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 39: An undercover mission or a blessing in disguise?

October 1867

{The Shinsengumi had finally overstayed its welcome at Nishi Hongwanji temple and were forced to find a new place to operate. After a while of looking around, our new headquarters was to be situated in Fudodo Village. I had to admit it was saddening to leave the last place Heisuke and I had been together. Heisuke...It'd been half a year since his departure and so much had happened during that time; the demons and furies to name a few. I found that whenever I had time to myself, my thoughts would inevitably drift to Heisuke.}

"I wonder if he's doing alright..." I had just returned from breakfast and once again, found myself thinking about my beloved. Every time we all eat together, I'm reminded that he's no longer with the Shinsengumi...Every time I go to bed, I won't see him enter my room and ask to sleep with me. Nor will I be comforted by his warmth...Whenever I hang out with Harada and Nagakura, I won't hear his voice chime in to depart his opinion or to start an argument. I chuckled sadly to myself. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, there will always be holes in my world that my boyfriend had once filled. "You know...When I first arrived, he was my go-to person. He was always nice to me" I had been introduced to the Shinsengumi under the threat of violence, knowing that hearing or saying the wrong thing could get me killed at any time. Various times during those first few days when I was worrying about what I knew Heisuke would be the one to reassure me that everything would be okay. He was kind and always approached me with a smile, comforting me when I needed it most...When I let my mind wander like this, it's so easy to forget that he ever left. It was like he could step through the door, show me that trademark grin of his and-My door slid open and I looked up expectantly. Nani!? "Hei-" I stopped myself when I realised just who had entered my room.
"Oh Kawaguchi, you're here. That's good"
"Oh...Ohayō Shimada-san and Yamazaki-san..." I hadn't meant to, but it was quite hard to hide the disappointment in my voice.
"Is something the matter?"
"Iie Yamazaki-san...I was just lost in my imagination...So er, what did you want to talk about?"
"We're currently gathering intelligence on the Commander's orders and we need your help"
"Nani? My help? Since he gave it to you guys I would assume that this is a Watch mission, right?"
"You are correct" Shimada-san nodded.
"Then how could I possibly help the Watch on a mission? It's not like I'm really trained for stealth missions and the like"
"Actually, you'll find that this mission is something only you can do" Yamazaki-san smiled. "We've already obtained the Commander's approval for your help and we won't force you to help us, but we do need you" Something only I can do...? What on Earth could that be considering I'm just a foot soldier of the 8th Division...I couldn't think of a mission that would require my non-existent expertise, but if it could help me take my mind off Heisuke then I was all ears.
"Sure, what do you need me to do?"
"We'll explain the details later, but for now you must come with us" Shimada-san informed me.
"Okay then, lead the way"

I followed the two men, though I was surprised to discover that we were leaving the headquarters. Just where are we going...? We walked for a while until I was lead to a house that I was later told was Kondou-sama's second home. Why he has a home away from home is beyond me, but I'm more confused about what I'm doing here. "Um, is there a reason we've come to this place?"
"Hai. We often use this space to change into undercover garments from time-to-time" Yamazaki-san answered.
"Does that mean we're doing something where people can't know that we're from the Shinsengumi?"
"Precisely right, you catch on quick" Shimada-san chuckled. Undercover garments huh, just what did I agree to do...? I took the bundle of things they handed me and they told me to change quickly before leaving the room. What is all this stuff...? A wig? Some pink rouge for my lips...? I would never wear anything like this! Regret began to bubble up as I soon realised that this mission was going to be very different from what I was expecting. As I changed, I wish I had insisted on being told what the mission I was going on entailed. After changing, I studied myself in the mirror that was hanging in the room. The wig I had put on was made up of long, sleek black hair. The rouge was not too bright, nor was it too light. It really made my lips stand out and I unconsciously smiled at my reflection. The kimono they had given wasn't exactly eye-catching, but it felt like silk and I had a feeling that it was very expensive. It was definitely a kimono I would never purchase for myself.
"Woah...! I look so different that I hardly recognise myself!" To be completely honest, I can't believe that the pretty woman in the mirror is truly my reflection.
"That means the disguise is perfect" I heard Yamazaki-san say from the other side of the sliding door before it opened.
"I understand that this is an undercover mission, but do I really have to wear all this?" I started to feel self-conscious as the two men looked me up and down.
"Gomen, but this is all necessary" Yamazaki-san replied.
"We must ensure that absolutely no one recognises you. Since you are well known in Kyoto as the only woman in the Shinsengumi ranks, you are more recognisable than you think" Shimada-san explained with a smile.
"I guess that makes sense..." I also guess I never realised how being the only woman in the Shinsengumi made me famous...It was quite daunting when you thought about it.