Day 43: Courtyard, Third Shift

[oftemptation.livejournal.com]

Once again, Endrance's nurse interfered with his plans. He had been planning to look around the Game Room, but the moment he began to move towards the Sun Room, she had taken him by the arm. "Your family has asked that we make sure you get as much fresh air and sunshine has possible, and you won't get that by staying inside playing video games all day."

He had thought for a moment about protesting, but decided against it. After all, if what had happened to Haseo was punishment for having spoken too strongly the day before, he didn't want to make that worse somehow. So, when given the choice of going out to the recreational field or the courtyard, he chose the latter.

There were a few reasons behind the decision, the most salient being that he wanted to see what the area looked like for a second time - this time without the threat of a brainwashed patient surprising him. The second reason was just as strong as the first, and it had to do with the presence of a second former Demon Palace Emperor. As energetic as she was normally in The World, he couldn't imagine Alkaid not wanting to spend some time outside.

Just as before, he sat down under a tree by the side of the pond, keeping one eye on the door.

[closed to Alkaid]

Comments

[notachick.livejournal.com]

Since Homura did not pursue the subject any further, Okita realized that it was decided. It was, of course, the smartest route to take, but it hinged on whether or not Heiji and the others were willing to take the case. He didn't think they'd sit idly by with a murderer on the loose, especially not when their assistance was requested by a friend, but they were busy and they had their own lives to live as well. If they didn't...then it would fall to who? The History Club couldn't be seen going after a vendetta, not when they needed all the good press they could get. It was the same as getting involved in a private fight for the Shinsengumi. Anything that would damage the pride or the standing of the whole could not be done on the behalf of an individual regardless of how important they were.

He would have to word his post carefully, however, in order to avoid alerting others to their investigation. Especially a certain ninja who seemed to be getting all too close to Lelouch and his Network. Yuffie would likely disagree with the manhunt as much as she'd disagree - or rather, hate him - for helping Loz and Kadaj. It was a sticky situation to be in, but so long as he kept her nose out of it, perhaps it would go over smoothly.

Which was more than he could say for his current situation. Homura, at least, took the offered paper flower, allowing Okita to pull back and tug at his sleeves. He really should have gotten a jacket. If he came down with a real cold thanks to the thin sweater he wore, he was going to be rather cross with himself. Maybe if he called a nurse over, she could retrieve one for him; or maybe he was merely stalling for time thinking about his clothing rather than Homura's question. What would his answer be? The same answer he gave everyone who had ever confessed to him, but for different reasons.

In Kyoto and in Edo, he'd been too busy. He was constantly training new recruits, helping Hijikata and Kondo conduct business, going on patrols, listening to intel, organizing troop movements, taking care of the children, and making sure Hijikata didn't die from too much tobacco and too little sleep. Then the coughing had started and the medicines and he'd stopped going out at all unless he had a reason. Here, he wasn't as busy. He had leisure time, which was an unusual thing in and of itself, but... Custom-fit just for you. It wasn't contagious. It wouldn't kill everyone around him like before. He didn't want to use it as a crutch, but the fact remained that he was still going to die and leave people behind just like before. He'd seen the pain it caused when loved ones died and he didn't want to cause that again.

Shuffling his toe across the ground, Okita put his hands behind his back and turned his face away, looking at the flowers. He'd been quiet for too long, but he had no idea how to phrase this. If it was someone he didn't care for at all, it was easy to say 'Sorry, but I can't', but Homura was different. He seemed hurt and, well, Okita respected him. And unlike the faceless others, he'd still have to meet with and wanted to meet with the demi-god later. "I'm afraid it's...." he said, starting slowly, carefully picking his words while simultaneously knowing they were the wrong ones. He had to start over, but why was he so tongue-tied? And why couldn't he just reject Homura outright?

Tilting his head to the side, he thought for a moment, closing his eyes until he found the words he wanted to say. When he thought he'd grasped them, he straightened and looked Homura in the eye. "It isn't right to divide your attention. Particularly considering that the organization of the group, the furthering of your goals and saving her is more important. We should focus on pushing you as close as possible to regaining what is truly important to you. I wish to support you in this and I will. You have my loyalty both as your officer and your friend, and my sword until I am no longer able to hold it." He was rambling. Okita sighed and dropped his gaze, his head angling slightly to the right as he did so. "Besides, it isn't fair to you, all things considered. So isn't it better we just stay as we are?"