Trying to Kill Each Other Doesn't Count as Flirting (or Does it?)

Chapter 16

~o0o~

(F/N) had talked big—it was a habit she didn't seem to be able to break, but at night, she found herself tossing and turning in her bed, trying to imagine living life in Kyou. She could imagine the grand décor, the lavish meals, being waited on hand and foot by armies of servants...but she couldn't imagine a life without Sougo.

She shut her eyes, and thought back to that afternoon's conversation. Sougo's blank expression, and those brief responses.

'Who knows?'

'Beats me.'

Does he even care whether or not he sees me again?

(F/N) groaned, and kicked the blankets off, scowling when one caught on her foot. Once she was free, she walked to the door, and threw it open before sleepily stumbling down the hall. It was well past the time any sane person would be up, but she had a feeling she wasn't the only one who would be having trouble sleeping that night.

As expected, a dim glow came from beneath the door to Soyo's room. (F/N) knocked twice, and, having received no negative response, opened it. Soyo sat by her desk, dark hair falling into her face, scribbling something in a notebook. When she saw (F/N) in the doorway, her eyes lit up, and she dropped her pen on the table.

"(F/N)-chan!"

She slammed the notebook closed as (F/N) shut the door. There was a question in her gaze, and only then did (F/N) realize how strange it was to barge into her room in the middle of the night.

"Sorry to intrude," (F/N) said. "It's just..."

"I know." Soyo smiled. "I don't think any of us are getting a good night's sleep for a while."

(F/N) let her shoulders relax, and settled down next to Soyo. As she thought, the presence of another person was comforting, but she still couldn't stop the horrible thoughts gnawing at the back of her mind.

"Hey, Soyo," she murmured, "can I talk to you about something? It's about Sougo-kun."

"Oh!" Soyo's face lit up. "Have you finally confessed to him? I'm so happy! I never thought it would actually happen—"

"You are getting way too ahead of yourself!" (F/N) snapped. "I haven't done anything of the sort! What are you talking about?"

"Oh..."

Soyo let out an embarrassed chuckle, but recovered quickly, and looked up again with a smile.

"Well, go on. What is it?"

"Um..." (F/N) thought for a moment about how best to bring it up after Soyo's outburst, and decided that, in the end, a direct approach was best.

"Well..." she mumbled, "we're probably going to be in Kyou for a long time, right?"

Soyo nodded.

"And if we're in Kyou for a long time," (F/N) continued, "that means I won't get to see my friends for a while. It means...I won't get to see Sougo."

Soyo tried to hide the grin playing at her lips, and failed miserably.

"If you'll miss Okita-san so much, maybe you should ask him to stay with us."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, think about it. He's your bodyguard. I don't think it would be improper for you to ask him to stay for the sake of his job."

(F/N) sighed. "I think he'd see right through me, honestly. And besides, I know the Shinsengumi is important to him, even if he doesn't always show it. I can't ask him to leave that behind."

"Hmm..." Soyo thought for a moment, and looked back to (F/N) with a frown.

"(F/N)-chan, I know you don't want to hear this, but...I really think you should tell him how you feel—before it's too late."

"What—" (F/N) flinched. "What are you talking about? I can't—I won't—"

Soyo gave her a look, and (F/N) took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through her nose before continuing.

"Even if I could bring myself to do something that embarrassing," she muttered, "my chances of getting a positive response are probably close to zero."

"I...think your estimation is a little off there."

"And even if he did feel the same way...saying something like that now...would make it a lot harder to say goodbye."

Soyo nodded. There was still a frown on her face, and in an effort to lighten the mood, (F/N) took out her cell phone, and forced a smile.

"I mean, besides, it's not like we're going to lose touch. We have modern technology, see?"

Soyo scowled. "Yes, but will you use it?"

(F/N) flinched, and stuffed the device back in her pocket before she could admit she rarely used Sougo's phone number for anything other than prank calls.

"Enough of that," she said. "Do you want me to stay here tonight? We can braid each other's hair, and annoy the servants."

Soyo grinned. "Yes! A sleepover! Let's do it!"

And just like that, the night continued, and (F/N) made sure to force any thoughts of Okita Sougo to the back of her mind where they belonged.

Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did, please remember to vote! Thanks!

-Marguerite Partello