Lotus Petal Hakuoki| Sanosuke x Reader

Chapter 4

A few days letter

The atmosphere was light and jovial with Heisuke yet again fightimg over thier food.

Inoue San no doubt had gotten fed up. "stop it both of you Yukimura Kun is shocked no doubt." Me and Chizuru looked at each other and started to laugh. " Inoue San why are you bringing me into this."

The door slid open to find Hijikata San and behind was Sanan San. Everyone's eyes lingered on his arm. A look of pity practically bleeding out of them. The silence was unbearable. Until Sanan San ushered himself out of the room with an obviously polite smile.

" Tell us about Sanan San please."

" I can't say anything for certain." Hijikata San eyeslanded the both of us. " who said you can join these men to eat."
All the men started to claim the charge as a look of dumbfounded irratation. "How reckless."

"They haven't tried to escape these past couple of weeks."

"it's only been a couple of weeks."

"Why not you watch over her more." Okita San intergergected.

"Come on Toshi it's just eating."

"Kondou San if you are this naïve."

"We can leave if its too much trouble, come on Y/n." we were getting prepared before a Hijikata said.

"Stay where you are." a lighter expression on his face.

"Now we can keep eating together." Heisuke commented.  We nodded together.

The next few days were peaceful but a certain Shinsegumi leader was in bad spirits. We would often catch him late into the night training Sanan San his seemingly "nice" demeanor ebbing away with each passing day.

One day I was in our room sharpening my twin swords before dinner for Chizuru to come in with an exasperated expression. " I was only trying to help Y/n.c I gave her a small reasurring hug before we made our way to the diner Hall.

"I'm sure he just needs sometime. Some people just don't want help or pity."
We came into the room and took our seats like I gave Chizuru some of my soup and she gave me another rice ball.
"How come you you two are always sharing food" Nagakura San asked." Is it some kind of girl thing." he whispered.

I laughed and shrugged at his question as Harada San nugded him with his elbow."Don't ask stupid questions."

The door slid open and Sanan San came in his expression lighter than it has been for days. He took his seat and thanked for the food. He began to eat. Eyes were trained on him. His smile seemed to be more genuine then it has been in days." Food is apparently best enjoyed in good company." a sigh of relief next to me as I nudged Chizuru.

The next day.

Chizuru and I were doing our normal task I'd notice that she kept on glancing at Saito kun doing his usual training.

"If you have something to say just say it." he looked over Chizuru.

"I was wondering if maybe Y/n and I could come out with you on patrol."

"I'm afraid that's not possible we don't have enough men to protect you let alone both of you."

"Excuse me I've gotten this far with no one's protection." I commented.

"if you don't mind risking your life you could alwyd come with us on our rounds tho." she perked up.
"Really?"

"It's life or death little girl. At the very least the both of you should be able to defend yourselves."

"We can completely defend ourselves. Ive been at a dojo to learn the short sword but I'm nowhere near as proficient as Y/n with her weaponry skills."

"not very lady like Y/n"

I rolled my eyes as we looked cautiously at the fight commencing it was fast and it ended with Saito's sword on Chizuru's neck. " You had a good teacher your sword did not hesitate."

"Surprised? Hajime kun is an expert at the quick draw if he was serious you'd be dead."

I'd studied the technigue a little bit and it is quite an effective one. My master tried teaching me   I was okay but it isn't my favourite techninglque. I'd decided to use one sword. Came into my stance. The fight was quick I came at him and he dodged effortlessly he swung his sword to my neck fast vining me enough time to put my hand on my second hilt he had spiralled my first sword out of my hand and his sword pointing menacingly at my neck he had looked slight shock in his eyes to find my second blade poised to ran him through.

"Very inventive it's quite rare to find someone who could counter me like that you have talent." he walked away his face already straight as ever. " We'll make a request."

"If you two make one mistake and get in our way we'd kill you."

They walked away whilst we bowed.

One uneventful round later with Heisuke the shinsegumi got word of the Choshu plans to kidnap the empirer and because of a slip up today resulted in a last minute meeting. Thew had assemebed two small task forces led by Hijikata and Kondou San.

We'd watched  along side Sanan San.

Yamazaki San and came to find that the location was the Ikedaya Inn. Sanan San had instructed Me and Chizuru to relay a message as well to ensure the message is dilivered.

We ran during the night. " I am sorry to say but I will not be able to guarantee your safety.

A group of men were heading to the the headquarters and Yamazaki San had instructed the both of us to" no matter what make it out of the road. We ran passed them but I had to run through the ones that tried to ambush us.

"Yamazaki San you have my word that we will not fail you."

Chizuru and I continued to run as fast as we could go...