Homura's laugh was sharp but didn't phase him; while it was true that Hijikata wasn't the trusting sort, his instincts had been proven right far more often than wrong, and Hijikata was prepared to hold onto this pride and caution of his until Homura could show him otherwise. The man could laugh and convince people like that other Okita and this kid different, but Hijikata saw no difference between this idea of an "ally" and his idea of a "dog" so long as he was bound to follow whatever this man said without being offered true reasons.

"What kind of honor is being a puppy?" Hijikata scowled, turning to Heiji that was less a glare and more tired disgruntlement. He bit into the pen in his mouth and blinked a bit in surprise at the feel of hard plastic before scowling again.

The mention of "Hijikata Toushizou" earned Heiji an actual glare, but the look faded when the kid went and offered up his own sword for the cause. While he'd had no idea that the kid could even wield a sword to begin with, that he'd been given one said something. Hijikata had no idea if the kid was really foolish enough to offer up his own sword to a complete stranger or whether it was because this group and its goals was what he wanted to protect.

Either way, it didn't sit well.

"And I'm not desperate enough to go snatching the sword of some Osakan kid."

Hijikata looked back at Homura, daring him to challenge that. The mention of Kondo-san showing up as a visitor--no, the mention of Kondo-san at all was clearly intended as a warning, but whereas Hijikata would have easily denied a connection to Sougo or Yamazaki, that was the one connection he would never deny.

"I'm interesting?" Hijikata asked, smirking faintly.

"Thanks, but no thanks. Is it because you know a lot about me?"

The smirk was gone.

"But just who the hell are you?"