Disclaimer: Peacemaker Kurogane belongs to Nanae Chrono.

When Hijikata felt a prickly sensation that warned someone was in his room, he didn't need to open his eyes to know who it was. It wasn't the ki, for the intruder often masked his, nor was it any supernatural ability on his part. Simply put, there was just no other in the Shinsengumi who would dare do such a thing.

"Souji..." he mumbled irritably, drawing the blanket over his head in an attempt to shut out the unwanted presence. "Why do you do this every single bloody day? Can't you see that you irritate me? Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Instead of an apology, Hijikata received a giggle. Letting out a long suffering sigh, he cracked open one eye. Then the other. Annoyed grey orbs met bright violet ones, with the former narrowing into dangerous slits.

If that fazed First Unit Captain Souji Okita, he sure didn't show it. "Sorry Hijikata-san!" he chirped.

Hijikata glowered.

"But it's just such a beautiful morning, I couldn't bear for you to miss it!"

Souji walked towards the shoji and cheerfully slid it open.

Hijikata shut his eyes, turning over so the light wouldn't hit him. "Do you have to say that every time you wake me?" he responded through gritted teeth. "Surely with all that troublesome energy, you could come up with something new?"

"Well one of the key elements of brainwashing is repetition," answered Souji with a smile.

Hijikata glared. "You can't brainwash me, Souji. You just can't."

"Yet, Hijikata-san. Yet."

Hijikata snorted. "You think you can brainwash me into enjoying the mornings? And what's the benefit?"

Souji thought, feeling the healing power of nature! making a fresh start to your day! becoming less of an insufferable grump! but could think of only one thing Hijikata would regard as a benefit.

"Hmmm...that means I would leave you alone."

Hijikata feigned shock. "You mean the pest will actually go away?"

"Come on! Stop being such a grouch. Think of how refreshing it would be! You could go for a stroll, smell the flowers, appreciate nature..."

"When your pig flies."

Okita pouted. "You're so mean!" He promptly slid the shoji shut. "And unimaginative." He plopped down on the tatami, mischievously adding, "No wonder your poetry's at a standstill."

Hijikata scowled. He was being incredibly tolerant, in his opinion. If it were Harada or Nagakura in Souji's place, their heads would already be rolling down the yard. Of course, that was why they were smart enough to stay away. But Souji on the other hand...

It dawned on him. Usually, Souji would be gone by now. He never persisted. Except for when...

The Fukuchou glared. "You want something. What is it?"

"You promise you won't yell?"

Hijikata's mind snapped to attention. What on earth could he want? he mused as he sat up, feeling decisively uneasy. He prayed it wasn't his poor haiku book. The last time Souji had the nerve to actually ask him for it, the Fukuchou had nearly skewered him. His patience was beginng to wear thin. He cleared his throat more forcefully and prepared to shout, "Souji, get the hell out of my room!" But what came out was,

"Why?"

Definitely need to work on being tougher with him, Hijikata thought ruefully. I'm getting too soft, it's becoming a weakness. And he's so manipulative...How sad it was that the days of "Souji go do the souji buhahaha" were dead and gone.

Gods, how he missed those days.

Souji had on his most innocent look. "It's about a new candy shop that's opened up recently." Then, before Hijikata had the chance to respond, he added plaintively, "And I really really want to go."

Hijikata groaned. Why couldn't he just go and bother Kondou?

But Kondou was the earliest waker of them all. He was already gone by the time Souji woke up. The smart bastard.

Annoyed by the lack of a reply, Souji snatched Hijikata's pipe off the table, and poked him. "Soooo? What do you say?"

Hijikata's eyes narrowed in warning as Souji raised the pipe again.

"You can do whatever the hell you want. Why should I care where you want to go?"

Souji rolled his eyes, lowering the pipe and putting it back. "Because."

He took a deep breath, then added matter-of-factly, "When you wake up a hundred years later, you're going to wonder where I am. You're going to see that I'm on patrol today. You're going to ask if I went. You're going to find out I've gone to a candy shop first. You're going to get mad. You're going to argue with Kondou, saying I should act more like a man. You're going to complain that the Shinsengumi are not taking things seriously enough. And consequently, you're going to try and pass some new rule ordering death for some new crime. And then I'll feel guilty." Souji finished calmly, placing his hands in his lap.

Hijikata gaped at him.

Souji leaned forward expectantly. "So what's your answer?"

"Just go," the Fukuchou answered grudgingly, choosing sleep over an argument. "But speaking of crimes, neglecting patrol duty is a serious off---."

"Wow, you mean it?" Souji interrupted cheerfully. "Thanks Hijikata-san!" He flung his arms around him. "You're the greatest!"

"Just leave already," Hijikata said gruffly. "And be careful."

Souji smiled as he stood up, straightening his yukata. "You don't have to worry about me. I am the Captain of the First Squad after all."

"Yeah, but if you insist on walking around unarmed..."

"Stop worrying! I'll bring you some candy too." Souji hummed as he slid the screen shut.

"I don't eat brat food," the Vice Commander muttered to himself.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that!" came Souji's sing song voice from behind the screen, as he slipped into his geta.

Hijikata rolled his eyes, and went back to sleep.