Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 67: Working together is the key

After resting momentarily, Heisuke and I regathered ourselves and embarked on the trail to Sendai once more. By now, it was morning meaning the sun was high in the sky. Sunlight sparkled down on us amidst a cluster of clouds. "How's your body feeling Heisuke?"
"Huh? This is nothing. Thanks for checking in though...How about you?"
"I don't know how I feel really..."
"How come?"
"Well...I feel fine fury-wise, but my stomach feels like it's doing cartwheels and it is not the good kind..."
"The sun must have different effects on different furies...Do you wanna take a breather or...?"
"Iie, iie. I don't want to slow us-!" The rest of my sentence was cut off by the strong and sudden urge to be sick. I ran behind a tree before kneeling down and vomiting.
"Chiyeko!" Heisuke ran over, but I shouted at him to stop. "Nani, why?"
"You really wanna see me throwing up...? Don't you think that will put you off-!" Being sick cut off my sentence once again.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Heisuke ran over and kneeled down by my side. "Nothing could put me off ya Chiyeko" He held my hair back and rubbed soothing circles on my back as I vomited. "Plus, I've seen you vomit before"
"Oh yeah...forgot about that-!"
"Don't talk, just focus on what you're doing" After a few minutes, I finally stopped throwing up. Though, I suspect the only reason that happened was because my stomach had ran out of things to throw up.
"Feeling better?"
"Not really...I don't feel like being sick anymore though"
"That's progress at least!"
"Hm..."
"Getting sick of that fake already, dear sister?"
"Chikage!"
"Here I was beginning to think that he had ran off with his tail tucked underneath his ass"
"Hey! I've come this far. I'm not going anywhere. Besides, where've you been, huh?" I sighed and prepared myself for the headache that was, without a doubt, about to befall me. "You're the one with the big mouth. Surprised ya haven't gotten rid of all those furies yet"
"Hadn't I told you? I ordered Amagiri to stage a riot, giving me ample time to infiltrate the castle" A smirk then appeared on his face. "Or, don't tell me...that you're so moronic you've already forgotten what I'd informed you of yesterday"
"You bastard! The hell did you just sa-?!"
"Would the both of you just calm down and stop provoking each other for five minutes!? Just five minutes! That's all I ask!"
"I'd be all for that, your brother here is the one you should be talking to"
"Hah, I believe it is you who would benefit from listening to my sister's advice"
"And I believe it is you who would benefit from getting their ass kicked by me!"
"Feel free to dream on fake"
"Seriously guys?! We have a nakama to save and a mad man to defeat, this isn't the time for bickering amongst ourselves!"
"We don't have anything to do together. I do not require the help of a little puppy as meek as him to complete this mission"
"I am not a little puppy, nor am I as weak as one!"
"Looks like your bark is still worse than your bite"
"You're such a-!"
"Need I remind you of that time in Edo? Your limp sword was no better at killing those murderous fakes than it was collecting dust in that scabbard"
"Chikage!"
"Would it do me any good to place my faith in you to face your former ally when the time comes?"
"Well..." My brother's comment really hit Heisuke where it hurt, rendering him silent for a minute or two.
"Chikage, there was no need to say all that! I'll have you know he was able to take them down when it counted!" Heisuke placed a hand on my shoulder and showed me a small smile before facing Chikage with a serious expression on his face.
"You're right Kazama. Back then, I didn't stand a chance...Sanan-san was the Colonel of the Shinsengumi and the head of the Fury Corps. He's definitely no slouch" He closed his hand into a fist that trembled ever so slightly. "But if anyone's gotta stop him...it's gotta be us" Chikage stared intently at Heisuke for a brief moment, inspecting him with a look of scrutiny. A few seconds later, his expression relaxed.
"Same as ever, aren't you boy? This is no training exercise. Your will isn't as sharp as your sword"
"Well, tell me something I don't know! Jeez!"
"I suppose it is to be expected though, isn't it? What else do you have going for you?"
"The hell did you say?! How 'bout looking in a mirror pal?! All you've got is a big, sharp sword!"
"You really shouldn't let what my brother says get to you so much Heisuke..." I sighed exasperatedly.
"You know nani? You're right!" He suddenly perked up at my advice. "No need for me to get so worked up all the time, especially when this jerk's just spouting nonsense from his ivory tower, right?" Not exactly what I had in mind...
"How dare you, you insolent-!" To be honest, I was becoming tired of keeping them from arguing petulantly. It was an annoyingly draining task that seemed impossible to complete, let alone maintain.
"But it's true, goddamnit! You're rotten, straight down to the bone. Minna who knows you is just afraid of you. They don't respect you"
"Shut your mouth, you little rat or I'll snap it shut for you. I command the highest level of respect from each and every single member of my clan"
"Oh yeah? You sure about that, tough guy? Sounds to me like you make Amagiri do all the dirty work while you stand off to the side and watch the show!" Wow...Their banter was immature, at best. They threw verbal blows at one another with the wit and candour of children. Given up on stopping them, I just watched as I tried to imagine the best way to describe their irritating relationship. Hmm, you know I think I've got it...These two are absolute and best frenemies. I had to admit, the word was perfect despite its absurdity. So perfect that it caused me to giggle quietly until I ended up bursting out laughing. "Hey! Chiyeko! Just what the heck is so funny?!"
"Gomen I ju-Iie, you know nani? I'm not gomen. You two are here insulting each other like children so I'm not gonna apologise for laughing at something absolutely and completely ridiculous" I chuckled as I tried to hold in my laughter long enough to speak clearly.
"Was not! / Iie we weren't!" Heisuke and Chikage denying my claim at the same time did nothing to help the situation and I just ended up laughing more.
"H-Hey! Wh-What's so funny? J-Jeez...Haha..." Heisuke's shoulders shook as he attempted to force himself not to laugh.