[Six months later…]

"AHHHHHHHH!"

Mitsuba sighed from the kitchen. "Sou-chan! Stop bullying her!" she called towards upstairs. It was already the beginning of fall. From the kitchen window she could see the blue sky that looked higher than ever, with clean white strips of clouds decorating it. Trees rustled as cool fall breeze passed them.

"That's right, Sadist! Stop!" Kagura screeched. "It hurts, it hurts!"

Sougo rolled his eyes. "Stop pretending to be the victim when you're the one pulling my hair, China." He eased her grip on his hair, and sat up on the bed. He was sent to Kagura's room to wake her up for breakfast by his sister. How he got into this mess, he did not even try to bother wondering about it. This kind of morning calls were almost normal to them, having done this routine for half a year now.

"Truce?" Sougo sighed, touching his head where he felt pain.

Kagura felt her stomach grumble with hunger. "Fine."

Sighing, the sandy haired man stood up to go downstairs when something caught his eye. On the white sheets there were clumps of brown.

He stared at it. They were brown.

He stared at it even more. No, they were not just brown, they were sandy brown.

A moment of silence passed between them. Downstairs, he vaguely heard his sister complaining why they weren't coming down for breakfast sooner.

He swallowed, felt his hair again and screamed, "CHINAAAAA!"

Kagura laughed evilly. "That's what you get for waking me up so early!" Ignoring his rage, she grabbed his wrists and led them out the door.

Right before they got to the stairs, Okita pushed her against the wall and hissed, "if I go bald by the time we marry, you'll be marrying someone that looks like your father."

"That's okay, I'm sure we can get you a wig," she smirked.

"China," he growled warningly before placing a swift kiss on her lips. He then turned, releasing her from the wall and intertwining his fingers with hers as they made their way down.
"Finally!" Mitsuba breathed out, "thought you guys were never coming down!"

"Sorry," the couple said sheepishly, "it's just that-"

"I know, I know," Mitsuba said smiling, "Kagura-chan attacked Sou-chan when he tried to wake her up but ended up getting bullied by Sou-chan?"

Kagura blushed slightly. "Uh, close."

"Well, come and sit," the older sister ordered, "before the food gets cold! We need to go to the hospital today!"

Okita chewed his food thoughtfully. "Six months ago, I'd never have guessed you'd be so happy to go to the hospital."

Kagura cracked an egg on her steaming bowl of rice. "Well, it is her last day of check up after the surgery."

They both looked at Mitsuba.

After receiving the surgery, Mitsuba had been in danger. At first, her fragile body could not take on post effects of the surgery, but with much rehabilitation and concern from others, she was able to pull through it safe and sound. She had gotten numerous check ups after that because the doctors didn't know when she'd go into the danger zone again.

But after today, their beloved sister would be today. She'd be able to go outside more often, run, and drink.

Kagura smiled warmly at Mitsuba. "Congratulations, Mit-chan!"

The older woman smiled back at her. "Thank you, Kagura-chan. Now, when we go out later, wear your red qipao okay?"

Kagura didn't question her. She was too busy wolfing down her breakfast.

Okita looked at his sister knowingly as he recalled their conversation last night.

"Aneue, I need to talk to you about Kagura." Okita entered her room. His face was solemn which indicated to her that she should not giggle and listen to him seriously.

"Yes?" Mitsuba looked up from the book she had been reading. She wondered what it could be about. Had Kagura gotten hurt?

He scratched his head, not knowing how to start. "Uhm, I got permission beforehand from her, and she told me you should probably know."

Mitsuba didn't press him on. She waited for him to continue.

"Sometimes, China spaces out randomly," he began, "have you noticed?"

She replied by nodding her head. She fingered the edge of the book on her lap. Mitsuba could feel the atmosphere grow darker.

"Well, she sometimes gets flashbacks from her childhood that isn't so pleasant."

She couldn't help but probe, "how so?"

She saw her brother's face darken with anger as he recalled Kagura's story. Sighing, he sat down in front of her and held her hands.

Then he proceeded to tell her Kagura's story.

By the time he was done, Mitsuba was gasping out sobs, her hands trembling in his.

He patted her on the back for comfort. "Aneue, please don't openly pity her or something like that, okay?"

Her voice trembled, but she nodded. "Of course, Sou-chan."

Kagura twirled around. She had worn her red short qipao that came just above her knees when Mitsuba had suggested for Okita to buy her a shawl so she wouldn't feel cold.

Okita had grumbled about stupid monsters wearing short skirts at fall, but bought her a black shawl anyway. Kagura felt pretty. It was just a simple shawl, but it brought out her hair together with her dress. She skipped happily towards the hospital.

Mitsuba chuckled lightly as she watched the younger woman jump around excitedly. "You should get her presents often," she advised her brother. "Women like to receive presents, no matter what the content is."

He rolled his eyes half-heartedly. "You forget she is not a woman, Nee-san. She's an alien."

She pouted. "Don't be so mean! The hearts of all girls in this world are all pure!"

'Pure my ass,' he thought as he remembered the incident that happened six months ago. He had seen with his very own eyes how his fiancee could destroy a man's life, his ego, and his everything with a simple kick.

"Mit-chan! Mit-chan! Hurry up!"

Mitsuba giggled and grabbed Okita's hand and ran to catch up with Kagura. The doctor had said she was fully healed. It felt so good to run. The breeze made her hair tickle the side of her face, and her forehead met with the cool breeze as she ran. It made her feel free. Healthy. And most importantly, Mitsuba felt that now, she could catch up with the people that had once left her in the past.

Okita squeezed her hand. Feeling content with everything, Mitsuba squeezed back.

Everything felt right.

Mitsuba walked through the park. She had taken the long way home so she could let the couple have their own time. She could hear the nearby river flowing, taste the fresh yet mature scent on the air and see the colorful view the park presented her.

Like a child, she walked on the edge of the pedestrian's lane, her arms spread out to balance herself. Half whistling and half whispering, she hummed a random tune as she carefully placed her steps.

When a group of children ran past her, she lost her balance and began to sway dangerously. Mitsuba was so sure she would fall and twist her ankle so she closed her eyes as if to brace for the impact.

However, she never the twist in her ankle. She turned and bowed to her savior.

"Thank you so mu-" She froze in mid sentence. Hijikata Toshiro stood in front of her, fingering his katana nervously. She could detect slight embarrassment in his eyes.

"-ch," she finished her sentence, intent on going home. She may have said she had gotten over him at the party, but even she did not know her actual feelings. At that time, it felt right to ignore their past, but now, in the park with the beautiful scenery and atmosphere, she could not help but feel a flutter of heart as she stared into her first love's eyes.

"Have a nice day," she muttered shyly. Mitsuba walked away from him fast. She heard footsteps following her, but the footsteps went past her. A bit disappointed, she only looked at the ground as she walked out of the park. Suddenly, she bumped into something solid.

"Ah!" she let out a soft grunt.

"Mitsuba." Hijikata said in a low voice, "can we talk?"

He was breathing a bit roughly, indicating he ran in front of her to block her way.

She smiled, but uneasiness crept up her mind. They were finished. What else was there to talk about?

"Okay, Toshi-kun."

The vice captain of Shinsengumi led her to a small cafe near the river. She ordered a milkshake and squirted the tabasco sauce like it was chocolate syrup. Hijikata stirred his coffee, but did not drink. He stared at her for a long time before he spoke.

"I… heard your surgery went fine."

Mitsuba smiled. "Yes, I confirmed it today at the hospital."

"Are you ever going back to Bushuu?" he asked.

"...Maybe. I might go there to once in a while to breath in the country air."

"...Right."

The awkward tension grew between them. It was not a bad feeling, but not particularly good one.

"Ahem," Hijikata coughed. "So… Are you seeing anyone right now?"

Mitsuba dropped her straw from her mouth at the unexpected question.

"No… Are you?"

"...No."

It was even more awkward now.

"Um," she began, trying to start a conversation, "do you still like mayonnaise Toshi-kun?"

He huffed. "Of course. The day I stop loving mayo is the day you stop loving spicy food."

"Guess we'll be weird food addicts, huh?" Mitsuba said good naturedly.

"I guess so," he gave her a small smile.

"..." Not having anything to say left, she stood up. "Well, it was nice seeing you again Toshi-kun. But I have to get going. Sou-chan and Kagura-chan are waiting."

She had grabbed her purse to pay for her portion when Hijikata asked her in a low voice, "would you like to go out with me?'

Wordlessly, she turned around to face him. He was blushing hard, even to his ears.

She shut her purse close. As she walked out the door, she told him, "you should pay for our first date."

Hijikata could not see her expression because her back was towards her, but if the color of her neck and ears were any indication, he knew she was blushing just as hard.

He couldn't help but to smile as he paid for her milkshake. First date, she had said. They had gone to restaurants and cafes before, but none of them had counted as a date. He shut his wallet feeling completed.

He caught up to Mitsuba who was walking down the street purposely slow, and told her, "what do you say to a second date tomorrow?"

Mitsuba blushed and giggled.

She had never felt any better.

AN: filler chappie, mainly mitsuba centric!
Don't worry guys, i'm not even half way into the story plot ive created. I just dont know how to transit from each plots :'(
Sorry for any typos. it is currently 2 am here

Please review!