Botan -Peony- Vol.2

4

            Itou remained a suspicious person in my opinion although I didn't define him as a dangerous person. My relationship with Hijikata, too, remained as a mystery to me. Everything was peaceful...or rather, Hijikata kept me away from poking my nose into matters I shouldn't touch. I was strictly forbidden to get too attached to the soldiers as there was a possibility that they would violate the Ten Commandments.

In the evening, Hijikata sent a soldier to ask for tea to be delivered to his room. Usually, men of Shinsengumi would want sa-ke, but only Hijikata would ask for tea. A demon who loves tea. I scoffed as I prepared the tea. Once I finished brewing it, I set the teapot and cup on a tray and brought them to Hijikata's room. The breeze was starting to chill, making every inhabitant of Shinsengumi lazy. Soldiers would nap and rest but the demon wouldn't; it was a given for him to keep his back straight and his instincts sharp.

"Hijikata-san, are you in there?" The demon hated his privacy invaded so he would only allow people to enter once he gave the permission. It was not typically quite though. I waited for quite some time for his order but none came so I thought I would leave the tea on his desk and had myself excused. Sliding the door open, it was as if I had found myself a treasure.

Feeling the excitement surging, I entered and placed the tray slowly on the floor. Approaching Hijikata, my eyes witnessed the rarest sight in the century. Hijikata-san has fallen asleep on his desk! Unable to keep a smile away, I gazed at him gently. The soft but bright light from the candle emphasized his features. With his face turned against the source of brilliance, the shadow made his face looked sharpened and attractive. His relaxed eyebrows, his long eyelashes, his pointed nose, his lips pressed together and his sculpted jaw line were weapons he often used to pressure his opponent to do what he wanted.

It can't be him. I sighed under my breath as my eyes shifted to a scrap of paper peeking out from under financial report which Hijikata had under his arms. It had dirt stains on it which made it conspicuous. I saw a familiar word written on a piece of paper which prompted me to pick it up and read it within my heart.

'Satsuma Clan. Conceal tracks. Contact Chosu. Signs of alliances'...I thought Satsuma Clan is supposed to side Shogunate?! It casted a grim smoke down on me. It was a reminder that the world—the era wasn't as stable as people thought it was. Satsuma Clan was a clan in alliances with Aizu Clan which was under the governance of Katamori Matsudaira. Making secret contact with the clan of rebels, Chosu clan, would mean betrayal!

Satsuma Clan itself was a great clan and power influences... If they proceed to negotiate and made a pact—

I was caught within my own thoughts that I didn't notice that the demon had woken up. He covered my mouth with his hand and the other hand on my wrist from behind. Then, he whispered by my ear,

"Say a word about it and I will cut you down.'

Nodding to indicate that I wouldn't tell anyone, Hijikata released me. Still, it made me wonder why he chose not to inform the soldiers about such important information. "But... why, Hijikata-san?"

"It's way easier to lead troops if they are oblivious. Asking too many questions won't take us anywhere closer to the solution."

"Still, don't you think you should tell them such important information?"

"You swore not to tell anyone. Now, return to your post." Hijikata set his eyes on me and there was an intensity aimed at me. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, not just because of the intensity Hijikata was emitting towards me but also because of the potential alliance of a bigger foe. The knowledge caused an uncertainty to reside in me but I had no rights to pry so I obeyed.