Trying to Kill Each Other Doesn't Count as Flirting (or Does it?)

Chapter 2

With how tense their first meeting had been, Okita was a little surprised when he received a request to take (F/N) into town two days later. He spent the entire drive to the mansion checking for pigs in the sky, but when he arrived, and saw her in the living room with her mother lecturing her for trying to sneak out, things made much more sense.

"I told you," her mother said, "it's dangerous out there. I know you're used to everything going your way, but out there, people will try to hurt you. Do you understand? That's why you need Okita-san to protect you."

"I'm sorry, Mother," she said with her head bowed in an impressive display of artificial regret. "But I would feel bad bothering Okita-san over a silly little shopping trip like this..."

"Don't feel bad. This is his job." Her mother looked him in the eye. "Isn't that right, Okita-san?"

"Yeah...sure..."

He considered mentioning (F/N)'s little outburst from the other day, but he doubted her mother would believe it. Besides, that information could be useful blackmail material...

"Now, now," the mother said, giving her daughter a push on the back, "go and run along with Okita-san, and make sure he carries your bags for you! We wouldn't want you straining your muscles!"

Somehow, I doubt that girl needs to worry about strained muscles. That kick to the nuts yesterday would've sterilized me had it connected.

Before long, they found themselves kicked out of the mansion. As soon as they were outside, and out of earshot of anyone who lived or worked there, (F/N) dropped the facade.

"Good grief," she groaned, lifting a hand to adjust the silver pin in her hair "Why are my parents such worrywarts..."

"Because you're their precious little princess. You have the right DNA to carry on their family line."

"I wasn't talking to you. Get lost."

"This again, huh? That trick won't work twice, you know."

"I know it won't. That's why I'm not using that trick again."

Okita turned to her a second too late. In an instant, his vision turned completely (Favorite Color). He clawed at whatever was covering his face, and tore it off to find it was (F/N)'s haori. When he looked to his side, she was no longer there. In fact, he could no longer see her anywhere in the bustling crowd.

"How did she disappear so fast?"

He looked down at the haori, and sighed.

"That woman is so much more trouble than she's worth..."

~o0o~

(F/N) snickered to herself. It was a good thing Okita was so cocky, or he wouldn't have looked away long enough for her to execute her plan. Now she was home free. What to do...

She decided to go on a shopping spree just as she'd planned, but made sure to avoid places Okita might deem 'obvious,' such as clothing stores. Instead, she visited several art supply stores, manga and anime shops, and, most importantly, she visited a few places to pick up some things for her 'special hobby.' During her travels, she came across a spiked collar labeled 'Sadamaru,' and picked it up along with a suitable leash. Maybe if she tricked Okita into wearing it, and took some pictures, it would make for good blackmail material...

She paid a nice-looking homeless man with sunglasses to take her bags back home, and decided to pay a visit to the park. It was a nice day, after all, and it would be a shame to waste it all indoors.