[001 | audio, Japanese]

[haikudemon]

[clunk. shuffle. tap tap RAP.]

[...throat-clearing noise.]

Use this. ...Is this some kind of joke?

[CLUNK.]

I am not amused.

Comments

1/?, take 2

[child_of_demons]

2/?

[child_of_demons]

3/?

[child_of_demons]

4/?

[child_of_demons]

5/5 [finally, shocked audio]

[child_of_demons]

Hijikata-san?

[audio, equally surprised]

[haikudemon]

[fumble, thud, then the sound of the communicator being picked up again]

Souji?

[audio]

[child_of_demons]

Tell me where you are.

[audio]

[haikudemon]

...where are you? Why can I hear you through this thing?

[audio]

[child_of_demons]

It doesn't matter, just-- tell me where you are, Hijikata-san? Please? I'll explain everything.

[audio]

[haikudemon]

...It looks like a park.

[audio]

[child_of_demons]

Stay there. I'm coming. [the audio clicks off.]

[switching to 3rd person now okay :9]

He only barely remembers to scoop up Saizou as he runs outside, the communicator shoved inside of his sleeve. He can't believe Hijikata-san is there, that he's actually there. To hear the Vice-Captain's voice, so suddenly, well, it's been a long time since his heart suddenly started to beat so fast.

He's running, of course, and he doesn't really care if he'll be out of breath by the time he'll reach Hijikata. It's been a month, but it feels like so much longer, and nothing in the world could stop him right now. His katana bounces at his side as he runs, Saizou held tight to his chest.

"Hijikata-san!" He calls out as soon as he sees the dark figure in the distance. The sight hits him square in the chest, how completely alien it looks at this moment, but he ignores the sensation for now.

[commentlog]

[haikudemon]

Hijikata glanced up as the clatter of geta echoed from the buildings. There, in the distance; a slender figure in white, sprinting. He turned, beginning to stride towards his friend just as he heard his name in a voice that was certainly Souji's. Breathless, but Souji's.

"Souji, how far did you run?" he demanded, speeding up. They'd all been... distracted... the last few days, but his friend had seemed a little ill. A place dank and gray as this couldn't be good for Souji's lungs.

[commentlog]

[child_of_demons]

He laughs (breathlessly), and comes to a halt right in front of Hijikata. This is exactly the kind of thing Hijikata-san should say, right? It's good to have his friend worry about him, just for now. For the old familiarity.

"From the school," he gasps, pressing Saizou tight to his chest. "Don't worry, Hijikata-san. I'm fine. I'm just fine."

[commentlog]

[haikudemon]

Habit furrowed Hijikata's brow in a grumpy frown. He huffed. "Take care of yourself."

After all, if they were the only two Shinsengumi here... "Is anyone else here?" He glanced down at the little pig struggling against his owner's hold. They'd brought the pig. What mad logic were their captors using?

Hijikata shook his head, pressing a hand against his forehead to ward off a looming headache.

"No," he said firmly. "First, let's go somewhere safe. Then I want you to explain all of this to me."

[commentlog]

[child_of_demons]

Silly Hijikata, always worrying about him. But it's okay-- it's nice to have someone who knows him so well here, again, someone who realises what he needs.

Souji follows Hijikata's gaze, then beams and puts Saizou in the other man's arms. After all, they must have missed each other, right? Time for some quality snuggling, he seems to think.

"No," he shakes his head, as he starts to walk. He's never had problems doing two things at the same time. "I'm hte only one. Some people seem to know us, but..." He shakes his head again, indicating that he'll get to that later. "The local school isn't used as such, and I've got a room there. You can stay with me, it's big enough."

[commentlog]

[haikudemon]

Hijikata almost dropped the pig in surprise as Souji placed it in his arms. Only reflex saved the little animal. He stared at it, dubiously. It stared back