Tears of the Demon: Chapter 1: Rainy Night

Hey there! Blue here! Yet another fan of the awesome anime ‘Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan’ has appeared! And I really hope I meet everybody’s expectations. It’s a slight AU so don’t get too upset if it’s too different. Just a forewarning, I went a little OOC with Chizuru’s personality so please forgive me! Anyway, I don’t own ‘HSK’ in any shape or form but dammit to hell SAITO IS MINE!! Enjoy!!

“Iii” = speech
Iii = thought

Chapter 1: Rainy Night

Hajime Saito struggled to walk through the rain filled streets of Edo, a free hand clutching at the wound in his left side, the blood mixing with rain and the black cloth of his kimono. His purple-black hair, long and flowing and tied by a white cord, was limp under the weight of the heaven’s tears. Eyes of purple could only gaze hazily ahead of him, his bangs doing their best to avert the rain from his eyes. There were moments in this dimmed state of consciousness that he wished he could use his white scarf to either deal with the wound or protect his face from the cold wind. Though when he reached for it, he soon realized it was too soggy and wet to be used as anything but a weight on his tired shoulders. At some point in his unstable journey Saito had taken his katana from his belt and was using it to walk. Otherwise he was sure he’d have fallen over long before now. But his task was too important to let up so easily, and he couldn’t afford to bleed to death in the street like a dog. His pride as a warrior and loyalty as a member of the Shinsengumi demanded such.

At least now he understood why Kondou-san had sent him and not Heisuke or Sanosuke to deliver the letter. Hell even Shinpachi or Okita would’ve sufficed. But after all the fighting he’d just survived, Saito was sure that none of the others would’ve been able to get through like he had. His opponents had been great in number, but at least a few could compare to his level of skill and training. Hence why now he hobbled through the streets, his foggy mind focused on his destination more than anything before he could no longer stand from the loss of blood. If he was going to die that night, he may as well complete his last orders first. At some point, he wasn’t sure where anymore, he’d lost track of Sannan-san. The bespectacled man had insisted on coming with him, and somewhere in the fighting they’d gotten separated. He’d already attempted to find his companion but found that he’d either gotten too far away to be seen or was looking for him also. Regardless, he had a job to do. All he had to do was ignore the pain long enough to get to his destination.

Keisuke Yamanami aka Sannan-san, felt terrible. He and Saito had gotten separated in the fighting with a group who he could only imagine to be bandits. Walking around the deserted streets of Edo, his straight brown hair sticking to his head in an uncomfortable way, all while the cold rain was making his usually dark green clothes look almost black. Only issue was some were too skilled to be bandits, and didn’t seem to be ronin. And any others he could likely question had run away. But not before they’d managed to cut his arm and left him alone, bleeding and tired in the street. The cut wasn’t deep and he’d managed to staunch the bleeding with a handkerchief he thankfully had on hand. His highly active mind was already going over the fight over and over again. Last he’d seen the man, Saito had been surrounded. And outnumbered but hopefully not outmatched in a way that’d never happened before in any battle they’d ever been in. As he did his best to walk the late night streets without drawing suspicion to himself, Sannan hoped his friend was able to walk away in one piece as he moved to the address etched into his mind. The rain was getting his glasses wet, making it hard for him to see the road in front of him, as if the darkness wasn’t enough.

Pausing in a gate arch of a nearby property, Sannan felt relief in the light of dying lamp, the candle within giving him enough vision to see the nameplate on the wood pillar next to him. The name was wrong but he was sure he was close. He’d already asked someone on their way into the city where to found the house and had stated it was near a house bearing the same family name he was looking at. Just the thought of finishing his task made his heart race a little faster. If he could deliver the letter, he could get back to searching for Saito. He just hoped the man was alright since they’d gotten separated. He was about to leave his spot under the gateway when he saw a familiar figure slowly limp its way past a lamp on a corner far ahead of him. Going against his own passive nature, Sannan couldn’t help but run towards the man, practically shouting at him through the rain.

“Saito-san!” he called over the rush of rainwater pouring down on them, somehow able to make out the other man in spite of the darkness of the night. In all his years, Sannan had never seen his companion look so tired and pale. “Saito-san are you all right?”

“Sannan-san? Ah it is you.” Saito’s soft and almost monotone voice responded from under the now limp mass that was his hair, a single azure eye glimmering in pain despite his lack of proper expression. “Where…?” the man began to ask before his balance nearly failed him, drawing his friend’s attention to the clear misuse of his katana and the way he held his side.

Biting down a curse, Sannan was quick to help the other man stand up straight, nearly having to yell over the rain and the wind. “There’s no time for questions now. You need a doctor and we’re close to the house. Can you still walk?”

“Yes. At least for a while longer.” Saito managed, his voice finally revealing the pain he was in. The bespectacled man could only imagine how much but knew not to dwell on it.
Instead he nodded, gently maneuvering the other man’s right arm over his shoulders so he could wrap his own around his waist. “I understand. Here, grab onto me.” He said as he did, using his free hand to pull out an extra handkerchief that was somehow still dry. “Alright now take this. It should be enough to staunch the wound at least for a little while.”

Saito didn’t respond this time, but took the cloth as instructed. Sannan couldn’t help but feel worried over his companion. Who knew how much blood he’d lost since he’d last seen the man before now? If only they could get there faster, get there before--.

No! You mustn’t think like that! He’ll live! He’ll live and you’ll make sure of it. Sannan berated himself silently, his bespectacled eyes scanning the name plates as they walked through the soaking street. As they went, he could feel Saito getting slowly heavier and heavier, his breathing coming in more labored gasps. He was sure that the practically ice-cold rain wasn’t helping any either. Sannan had to pause when they nearly walked past a gate, the lamp having gone out likely earlier in the night. Turning slightly to better see the writing, the man’s brown eyes widened at the name: Yukimura. If not for the circumstances, Sannan was sure he’d be talking his head off in his excitement. But he knew better. If the person they sought was inside, then that would make things twice as good then they were right then. By now Saito was almost twice as heavy than before and that worried him.

“Hold on Hajime-kun, just hold on. You stay here while I get the door.”

If the man was going to say anything in response, Sannan didn’t wait for it. He had to get help or his companion wouldn’t live to see the next day. Immediately he practically slammed the sliding shoji door open, revealing a dark hallway within. No lights were lit but the place was well dusted and dry. Satisfied with this, Sannan wasted no time in retrieving his companion, almost literally dragging him into the cool darkness of the home. Thankful to be free of the rain and the wind, Sannan set Saito down onto the wooden ledge before looking around for a candle to light up the dark space, his brown eyes darting for the objects he desired. Finding none but not about to let his panic distract him, Sannan wasted no time then calling into the abyss of black beyond his line of vision, his bespectacled eyes searching for any sign of life.

“Is anyone here? Anyone in this house?!? Please we need help!” he called into the dark, the cut on his arm twinging him at the edge of his senses but little else.

For a moment nothing happened, the quiet filled only by the unending downpour coming from outside. Then, somewhere in the dark, a dim speck of light swayed, hurried footsteps accompanying it as it approached. Soon enough, a young girl, likely barely sixteen came into his plain of view. Dressed in simple sleeping yukata with a robe hurriedly put on, her long brown hair down as she held a paper lantern up between them. Her brown eyes stared at him, containing a glimpse of fear, as she spoke the first thing that seemed to come to mind. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

“Young lady, can you help us? My friend is wounded and I fear for his life. Is your father at home?” Sannan managed to say over his temporary panic. If they didn’t hurry, Saito would probably bleed out.

The girl blinked, the candlelight from her lamp pushing back the night’s shadow to reveal the wounded man practically slumped on the floor. Her soft face took on a grim expression. “N-no, he isn’t but I know medicine. Bring him this way. Quickly!”

Sannan nodded, quickly turning back to his wounded comrade, forcing him to stand once more as they both got over the steps on the smooth wooden floors of the dark home. The girl waited until they were both on solid ground before moving ahead of them, the lantern bobbing as she half walked, half ran ahead, guiding them to an empty bedroom where she hastily slid open a pair of rice paper doors that was likely used for stay in patients. Leaving the lantern on the floor, the girl moved away in purposeful steps to retrieve various things already within the space. As she worked, Sannan helped Saito lie down on the tatami mat and the soft pillow, both feeling fresh and clean. The rice paper doors still open, the young woman even vanished a time or two only to come back with boxes before settling next to the bed.

“In here! How long has he been this way?” she asked, as she sorted through the various supplies already gathered.

The authority in her voice, despite its softness, swept away any doubts Sannan had that this girl knew what she was doing. If anything, the way she was pulling out various items from the small boxes and cabinets was proof she was well-versed in the ways of medicine. “Roughly half an hour, give or take. We got separated when some men attacked us. It’s likely that they overpowered him somehow. Otherwise I couldn’t possibly fathom this to have happened at all.”

Though her face was youthful and childish, the stern look she gave him most certainly wasn’t. “A local gang of that I’ve no doubt. Usually they’re nothing more than riffraff but this? This is too far even if they’re drunk half the time.”

“I see. The patrollers will no doubt have their time filled dealing with them after this.” Taking a second to dry his glasses on the rare dry patch of his clothes, Sannan steeled himself for a long night as he asked. “Do you require help?”

Brown hair now pulled back into a tail, her sleeves tied back to reveal pale arms, the young woman nodded, her voice hard and face grim. “Yes, there should be a jar or two of clean water in the kitchen, down the hall and to the left. I’ll need that if I’m to clean away all this blood.”

“I’ll be back. To the left you say?” the Shinsengumi warrior asked as he got to his feet again, already heading for the door as instructed.

“Yes and hurry. I’ll need your strength as well.”

Sannan gave her an odd look but didn’t comment, managing to navigate the darkness of the home and quickly returning with the large jar, pouring some of the water into a bowl she’d retrieved earlier at her command. It wasn’t until a little later that he understood her words, forced to hold the usually stoic man down as he bit back screams of agony. Despite his weak struggles and sounds of pain, Sannan was surprised to find the girl didn’t even flinch, her own face gaining a thin layer of sweat as she worked. Thought they’d given the man a mild sedative, that didn’t stop him from reacting to each time the sharp needle pierced his skin as the girl silently and skillfully sewed the large gash shut with an impressive amount of concentration. In less than a few hours, the wound was closed and covered in an oddly green paste as the girl calmly covered it all up with bandages. Again with Sannan’s help, they settled the man into the bed, covering him with a clean kimono and fresh sheets warmed by a pot of hot coals. It wasn’t long that she discovered he too was injured, though thankfully his own procedure wasn’t as long and arduous compared to Saito’s. Once they finished, the spectacled man finally took a relaxed breath, turning to the girl with a kind smile. “Thanks very much, young madam. For a moment, I honestly thought my friend was at death’s door.”

“It’s quite alright. I’m well accustomed to dealing with patients so getting a late night call isn’t out of the ordinary.” the girl said with a kind smile, the expression seeming to sweep away the grim concentration that’d dominated it not moments before. “Now that your friend is comfortable, I suppose it’s time for introductions don’t you think?”
Blinking his surprise, Sannan honestly didn’t know what she was talking about for a few seconds. “Huh? Oh my! How rude of me!” he declared with a deep laugh. “I’m terribly sorry, in all the chaos it slipped my mind! I’m Keisuke Yamanami of the Shinsengumi. But most of my comrades call me Sannan. And you are?” he said, bowing to her as he spoke as was custom.

Still smiling her amusement, the girl bowed in turn. “Chizuru Yukimura, and I’m glad I could help.” Looking at the sleeping warrior only a few feet away she asked. “And your friend?”

“Ah right, he’s Hajime Saito and he’s also from the Shinsengumi. He came with me as a precaution against what we clearly tried to avoid. Saito-san’s a very skilled swordsman, but I guess even they were too much for him.”

“Well, at any rate some rest should do him some good. I can change the bandages tomorrow but for now you need to get out of those clothes. They’re soaked and I don’t think you have any intention of getting sick too.”

“Ah, y-yes you’re right. Do you--?” Sannan began to say.

Chizuru beat him to the punch, already getting to her feet and picking up the paper lantern as she did. “I have plenty of my father’s clothes on hand. Judging by your size, they should fit you well. This way.”

“Thank you.” He said, smiling sincerely at her as he got up to follow.
This earned him another smile in return before she turned away to push the shoji door open. “Of course.”

Following the young woman through the dark house, Sannan ended up in yet another bedroom, this one clearly meant for someone else even the bed obviously hadn’t been slept in for a while. Leaving the paper lantern in the corner, Chizuru smiled kindly at him. “You should find something that’ll fit you here but also be sure to pick what you need for your friend too. I’ll be back momentarily to take them all to be cleaned in the morning. You’re welcome to use the bed too so don’t hesitate alright?”

“Thank you very much, you’re very kind. Won’t you need the light though?” he asked, already feeling self conscious for using another man’s bedroom as his own.

Chizuru only shook her head, still smiling but almost knowingly. “No, it’s fine. I’m well accustomed to walking about in the dark and I know this house well. All I need do now is get you some hot tea and warn the neighbor in case of trouble.”

“Warn the neighbor? Is that really necessary?” the samurai asked, instantly concerned by this. Gripping his swords, he knew he was still in good enough shape to fight but Saito? He was defenseless even though they’d left his swords with him.

The girl’s smile lost some of its humor, as if regretting the need for such a thing. “Sadly yes. If the same thugs who attacked you and your friend know where you went, they may try something before the patrols can stop them. Though I don’t doubt your skill, by letting others know might give you the advantage.”

So it’s just a precaution. That should help if anything does happen. Sannan thought prior to nodding his approval, relaxing only slightly. “Ah, of course. I’ll find something to wear now.”

“Just give me a few minutes then Sannan-san. I’ll only be down the hall if you need anything.” Chizuru informed him as she stepped into the dark hall.

The rice paper door slid shut just before the sound of her soft retreat filled the silence before that too faded into nothing. When there was no sound of distress or annoyance, he could easily guess that she spoke the truth about knowing the house best even at night. Doing as instructed, the brunette easily found the clothes the girl spoke of, each one neatly folded and clean if a bit stale. As he feared, the girl’s father Koudou hadn’t returned to his house in quite some time. He was sure that if he asked her, Chizuru wouldn’t be able to tell him where the western taught doctor had gone. Holding back the tired sigh, Sannan shivered when he realized how cold he was, the cold air and rain water working together to freeze him. Finding what he felt was necessary for him to take, Sannan managed to strip and redress in a pair of white tabi and an equally white yukata that fit him well enough to actually be his. Once he was finished dressing, he searched his damn clothing for the letter, addressed to Koudou, though still dry was just as useless now that it was obvious the man wasn’t at home. As per the girl’s instructions, he found something Saito could wear when he got up. When he finished, he set his wet clothes into the neatest pile he could achieve as he set to folding back the covers to the bed. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the girl’s soft footsteps returning, her own tabi muffling her progress across the wooden floors. Coming to a stop just outside the door, her equally soft voice called from behind the thin barrier between them. “I’m coming in, are you ready?”

“I am.” He said simply, watching as the door slid open, Chizuru following custom to sit on the floor before opening the door and having returned with a tray with two tea mugs on it.

Smiling kindly as she shut the door behind her, Chizuru put the tray down between them, handing him one of the steaming mugs before taking the other for herself. Only then did Sannan take the time to truly examine the girl, the bright lantern revealing her eyes were more hazel than brown. At some point she’d tied her hair back more carefully but still in a tail, her pink yukata doing little to hide her small frame but strong posture. Though she had no makeup on, the girl was still a natural beauty despite her age of possibly sixteen. If she gave any sign to his obvious ogling, the young woman didn’t show it as she took a sip of her tea before speaking again. “I was able to speak to my neighbor and he promised to alert us should trouble arise. He’s also instructed another of our neighbor’s to run for the city patrol if need be. At any rate, I suppose you have something you need to tell me correct?”

This girl is clearly more observant than she lets on. And to think I thought she’d be meek and nervous about having two strangers in her house! Sannan found himself thinking, quick to keep his expression clear of awe at the girl’s bold questioning. “Indeed I do. Would you happen to know where your father, Koudou Yukimura might be? We have a letter for him from our captain but we’ve yet to find him?”

For the first time, Chizuru looked confused. “Find him? You must be mistaken. My father left for Kyoto over a month ago and I haven’t seen him since. He used to send letters but they’ve since stopped. I’ve thought of going to Kyoto myself to find him but your arrival makes it clear that trip would be in vain.” She let out an aggravated sigh. “I’m sorry but I can’t help you in this regard, but at least you’re safe from those brutes wandering the streets even in this weather.”

“I thank you, and I’ll do what I can to keep you safe from them if they do come. They didn’t injure me badly, as I’m sure you know, but hopefully they aren’t so foolhardy as to attack those they’ve already defeated.”

“And in the meantime, you and Saito-san are welcome to stay until he gets better. Given how and where he was injured, I highly recommend against traveling. Such activity could only make him worse.” She stated firmly, her voice suddenly stern, as if getting ready to give a younger child a firm scolding. In a way, Sannan couldn’t help but feel he was the one about to be rebuked for something he hadn’t done yet. After a moment the expression lightened. “And since I’m not about to deprive you of what little money you may have, my only request is that you assist with tasks around the house or in case of patients. I also suggest sending a messenger to your headquarters come morning explaining your predicament. I imagine from your friend’s wound, you’ll be here for quite some time.”

“That’s most thoughtful and I accept your requests. It would be dishonorable of me to allow a young lady like you to fall victim to thugs after a meaningless spite of revenge on our behalf. I will do what I can during our stay.”

“Good. You can start by getting some sleep. Should you need anything else, I’ll be in the bedroom around the corner. I’ll also need to check your bandages come morning after breakfast after we deal with Saito-san’s. And if we’re both lucky, the rain will stop before long.” Casually getting to her feet as she collected up the pottery, she gave him one last smile before heading for the door once more. “Good night Sannan-san.”

“Good night Yukimura-san.” The spectacled warrior said with a kind smile of his own as he watched her leave.

Taking the empty mugs and tray with her, but again leaving the paper lantern behind, Chizuru’s steps faded into the depths of the house for the last time. As if the girl had predicted it, the sensation of warm tea in his stomach helped him fall asleep faster than he’d thought. Placing his glasses close by for later but not too close to accidentally step or roll onto them, Sannan blew out the candle in the lantern before settling into the bed. He was asleep almost as soon as he closed his eyes.

Once she was in her room, Chizuru didn’t know whether to bless or curse her luck. Even though the men coming to her home, even at such a late hour wasn’t inconvenient, it was still a dangerous blight to her original plan. Any chance of her going to Kyoto now anytime soon were dashed but she couldn’t despair no matter what: they were from Kyoto and they were clearly looking for her father too! If her luck continued to hold, there was an unlikely but slim chance they may take her with them when they left. The fact that one of them was badly injured could be the very leverage she needed to ensure this to happen. Else she may have to pack what little she had and go herself, even with the family short sword as protection. She was still young and unassuming that she could pass as a boy and if not, she was smart enough to know how to fake it if need be. How else would she get around certain parts of Edo if not for the disguises she had to wear, mostly out of concern for the various men that wandered the large town. In a year or so it would be near impossible to hide her female figure but for now, she did what she had to. Letting out a quiet sigh to herself, Chizuru decided to leave such things for the morning as she got back into her bed. As much as she disliked how it had cooled in her absence, the teenager settled in anyway, knowing that she had much to do the next day. The cold and unrelenting weather permitting, things just might change for the better.

Finished! A bit shorter than my norm, but I couldn’t think of what to put next and I’d hate to make the intro too long. Anyway, I honestly hope everyone enjoyed this since I understand everyone did their best coming up with a proper SaitoxChizuru pairing fic. Now back to business! Next:

Chapter 2: A Sunny Day

Sannan and Saito are both safe in Koudou Yukimura’s house with his only daughter but already things are stirring to life that will change everything. In Kyoto, danger lurks and the frictions of changing politics revive old rivalries. See what happens in:

Chapter 2: A Sunny Day!!