![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
casually descends into sword hell
[The streets of Kyoto are not safe.
These days, they're never safe - which is a large part of why the Shinsengumi does what it does. Protecting the ancient city is their task, and they patrol the streets faithfully every day. But there is only so much they can do when their orders from the Shogunate to investigate the use of a concoction called the ochimizu create greater threats to the city's peace, and even less they can do when threats come from powers much higher than their own.
But most of these things are not known to the average person, nor the rank-and-file soldier. The rasetsu and the demons are one threat; those who would rewrite history are another. It's unfortunate that they've intersected in such a way, but such is fate.]
These days, they're never safe - which is a large part of why the Shinsengumi does what it does. Protecting the ancient city is their task, and they patrol the streets faithfully every day. But there is only so much they can do when their orders from the Shogunate to investigate the use of a concoction called the ochimizu create greater threats to the city's peace, and even less they can do when threats come from powers much higher than their own.
But most of these things are not known to the average person, nor the rank-and-file soldier. The rasetsu and the demons are one threat; those who would rewrite history are another. It's unfortunate that they've intersected in such a way, but such is fate.]
no subject
Speaking of things going to shit, there's a shout from some of the men at the entrance as Sei approaches, and she jogs over to them and gestures for Kashuu to follow her. They seem surprised - and relieved - to see her safe and sound, which puts her on the defensive, because why wouldn't she be just fine?
The answer to that comes soon enough. Kashuu, as he approaches, may hear bits and pieces of the conversation - "explosions," "first troop," "injuries." And then, at the end of it -
"No one's been able to find Okita-sensei."
She very nearly loses it right there, but she has enough of her wits about her to question if they've brought anyone suspicious in. The others probably perceive it as asking about if they've managed to catch any suspects in the bombings, but the answer is a negative - nobody has been brought in since their spies brought in a man who had deserted the troop the week before.
When she finally looks to Kashuu, her face is pale and she looks disturbed.]
K... Kouno-san. I'm sorry, I have to go back out on the streets. Do you want to come with me?
[Her comrade's concerned query of "Kamiya-san, don't you think you should get some rest first?" goes completely ignored.]
no subject
Hearing that he's missing... That makes his heart sink for more than one reason. First, because it's natural to be worried about Okita Souji. It's as much an ingrained part of his existence as his name. Second, because there was never a point in history where the first division captain went missing after an explosion. That is dangerous in and of itself.
His answer comes without pause.]
Yeah, um— yeah. [A glance toward the men at the entrance, but his attention is focused on Sei.]
Let's go now, 'kay?
no subject
...it occurs to her, just briefly, that she'll probably get in trouble later, but she doesn't really care. How can she? Okita might be in trouble right now.
She retraces her steps to put her back on the same route the troop had been on when their patrol was first interrupted by the explosions, and when she comes to the place where she and Okita had parted ways, she immediately begins to retrace his steps. She might find it a little odd that after everything she's still able to recall in such detail exactly where he went, but she's always paid an unusual amount of attention to him, so she supposes she can't really be surprised. Following his route eventually to the hollowed-out shell of what once had been a thriving kimono shop; both the storefront and the attached family home have been reduced to rubble and ash.
There are bodies. None of them are wearing the Shinsengumi blues, but Sei feels compelled to check anyway, just in case.]
Sensei. Sensei—
[None of them are him, thank the gods, but though she should be relieved that he isn't dead, the fact that he's nowhere to be found is more worrying than anything else. Eventually she rounds on Kashuu, her expression mutinous.]
What exactly are we dealing with here..?! I have to know, or else I won't know how to find him and help him!