Dark Side of the Sun

:Chapter Five:

The morning after his sparring match with Souji, Hijikata was called to Commander Kondo’s quarters. The messenger had been Tetsunosuke, Hijikata’s page, and the poor boy had seemed more frightened than usual. Tetsunosuke excused himself quickly and politely, and dashed out the door after delivering his message.

The air outside his room was a little chilly, and it gave Hijikata a sense of foreboding. His thoughts automatically drifted to Souji, and he wondered if temperature bothered him anymore. When he realized he had come to a complete stop on the porch only a few feet from his room, he shook the thoughts from his head and walked on toward the Commander’s room.

While it was not unusual that Commander Kondo would want to see him for something, he had a feeling that this meeting would not be pleasant, or even easy. Somehow, he knew it was about Souji, as everything in his life was, and would continue to be. He tapped on one of the broader wooden parts of the paper door, and slid it open after a soft confirmation from within. Hijikata took a deep breath, exhaled, and stepped across the threshold.

“Ah, Toshizou, good morning.”

So, this was going to be something personal as well. Hijikata stared expectantly at Commander Kondo, reclining in what appeared to be a relaxed manner, but he could tell by the tightness of his lips and the corners of his eyes that he was anything but relaxed. Kondo tapped his pipe into an ash tray and covered part of his face with his hand, sighing in resignation. “Look, Toshizou…I know we discussed before that you would be taking care of Souji-“

“Am I not doing my job?”

“Of course you are, Toshizou…the problem is…I’m concerned for your health. You can’t act as Vice Commander and Souji’s keeper at the same time. When will you sleep?” At this, Hijikata was silent, and stared at the Commander again, his black brows furrowed. Of course, there was really only one logical answer to this, but the logic of it contradicted his principles. To give up one of his jobs was to admit failure in one of them, which constituted death.

“What would you have me do, then?”

“I’m not asking you to resign, Toshizou. You may keep your position as Vice Commander, but you will only be asked to lead a unit on certain occasions. You will instead have a different job, which will allow you to keep a closer watch on Souji, and will still allow you to perform important missions for the Shinsengumi.”

“Are you demoting me?”

“I suppose, in a sense, you could say that. But no dishonor is meant. You will be…keeping the assassin on his leash, so to speak.” Hijikata’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like the way any of that sounded, like he was going to be the keeper of a trained animal. Was Souji’s humanity thrown out completely, then? But the Commander had called Souji an assassin.

“Does this mean Souji has a new position as well?”

“Indeed, it does.” Kondo smiled rather darkly, and shifted as if what he had to say was physically uncomfortable. “As I said, an assassin. You are familiar with the ways of the ninja, are you not?”

Hijikata frowned and made a noise of disapproval. “Yes, I am. Of course we have used them to accomplish certain tasks before, but they have no principles, no rules, no shame. You don’t intend for Souji to be like one of those shiftless shadows, do you?” The way of the ninja clashed horribly with the code of the Shinsengumi, which was rigorous and chivalrous, and did not look kindly on skulking and sneaking and secrets.

Kondo sighed. “Well, yes, that was the intention. He can no longer be a samurai, at least not as any orthodox part of this organization. He may use a sword as he wishes, but it seems that this new job is perfect for…what he is.”

“And where did this information come from?”

“Saitou Hajime.”

Again, Hijikata frowned, but this time in contemplation. There was no way he could deny what the Commander said. To accomplish the ends of the Shinsengumi, its members would need to see the end of the Choshuu, by whatever means. If Souji could be used as a weapon, as he had always essentially been, he could also take the lifeblood that he needed, without truly violating any code, or depleting the stock of chickens for the mortal men in the camp.

“Alright, I accept.”

Commander Kondo smiled sincerely, though his eyes seemed sad, and he waved his hand in dismissal. Hijikata rose to leave, bowing to his superior as per tradition, and slid the paper door aside.

“Oh, and Toshizou,” Kondo called, catching him before he left, “Your first mission will be a week from now. You’ll have more information from our spies in a few days. Until then, you and Souji can prepare, and I’ll leave it to you to explain his change of position as you wish.”

“Hm.”

Hijikata smiled at the cruelty of it, and shut the door behind him.

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