[ God, that concern on Kaoru's face looks so good that it's almost enough to make him waver for a moment. Almost. But if there's anything that Shinpachi fiercely believes in, it's the people by whose side he's fought all this time. There's no way Souji would lie to him, and although he might not know all the details, he thinks he knows enough to be wary.
If not just because of the ochimizu, because the very mention of that is enough to set Shinpachi of all people off. And the guy did tell him Kaoru has some. ]
There's no need for you to keep on goin' and keeping up that act. I already know you're not a woman. [ Which is.. sort of embarassing (as an understatement) that he didn't realise it earlier, but still, it's easier to transfer that feeling of embarassment into annoyance for now. ] Chizuru-chan's brother, pretending to be a woman.. [ For a moment he pauses, making sure there's no sound of footsteps in the hallway to indicate anyone coming closer. But there's nothing, they're all alone for sure, so he can also mention-- ] Even walkin' around with ochimizu. Don't you think that's more than just a little bit suspicious?
[wow, not even bothering to play along at all...! well, it's not too surprising. from the little he knows about Shinpachi, that sort of bluntness aligns perfectly with who he is. it's still a shame, but it's something he isn't shocked by, at least.
the confused look lingers for a few seconds and when he speaks again, he keeps the same tone and pitch to his voice, but after the confusion fades, most of the feigned friendliness and warmth is gone. no point exerting the extra effort to try convincing someone of a lie that could easily be thrown back in his face. ugh, he'll have to thank Okita for this later, too.]
That's a cruel thing to say to a lady, Nagakura-san. [he shifts so that he's holding the bag in front of himself instead; a very demure posture.] And to accuse me of carrying something like that around without any proof... Jumping to conclusions so hastily can be dangerous, can't it?
Someone really needs to explain him later how a guy can be a girl that convincingly. Seriously. At least he could see past Chizuru's looks the moment it was brought up by some of the others, but even though Kaoru's tone changing indicates enough to him that he's on the right track, he still can't see or hear anything but a woman when he looks at the other.
But he can worry about that later. Right now it's more just that he feels like he's about to discover in just what sense Kaoru is supposedly trouble. ]
Man or woman, proof or not, that kinda stuff doesn't matter to be in this case. One of the things I hate the most in the world is dishonesty! [ It isn't too hard to tell that much, really, considering just how much of a straightforward Shinpachi himself is - since he conducts himself according to that kind of idea. ]
Or are you seriously gonna try and tell me I've hurt your feelings?
[hard-earned skills, Shinpachi!! though he would trade it away in a heartbeat, since it's not exactly a skill to boast about... neither the skill itself or how he came about it.
still, because apparently he's decided that being totally straightforward just wouldn't be any fun so soon, he lets his expression slip into a mimicry of someone who is somewhat insulted and a little upset!!]
And if you have? Nagakura-san was always so kind, but to say such things and then to claim that proof doesn't matter at all... I wouldn't have expected you to be a person so quick to condemn.
[he honestly isn't sure for once about the reaction it might get. Shinpachi seems like a man firmly rooted in his morals - saying something like I hate dishonesty, really - but he also seems like a tenderhearted person.]
[ Kaoru's thoughts don't miss the mark by a whole lot, really. After all, as morally established as Shinpachi is, he's still the kind of person who wouldn't want to hurt people-- well, not people who don't deserve it, anyway. It's why, for a moment, he almost falters. But he also knows he's not the type to change his mind about something once he starts, so he'll just have to carry this out until the end.
And stick by what he believes in. ]
You're really gonna try and claim the people I've fought alongside for years are suddenly gonna lie to me about this? [ Souji might be a prankster, but he wouldn't do that sort of thing like this. Shinpachi thinks, anyway. ] Their word is all the proof I need.
It's only going to piss me off more if you try and be all innocent again now.
[ But at least this time he won't have to be pissed at himself anymore for falling for it. ]
Ah... [well, he can't say it's a surprising reaction... an irritating one, certainly, since who wants to deal with that kind of loyalty?? NOT HIM that's for sure... it's always so much easier when people are a combination of empty-headed and easily-manipulated, not one or the other.
but he can only lament this particular loss (if it could even be called that, because really, he hadn't determined Shinpachi as a particularly good target to use against Chizuru in the first place) and let it go. he already exerts so much energy on a weekly basis, pretending to be a decent person and manning the clinic... it's a hard life and no one understands...!]
[...so it's with a VERY HEAVY SIGH that he shifts his bags again, finally stepping away from the door and moving toward the stove. there's no reason not to eat just because Shinpachi is here. he keeps a careful eye on him just in case, but otherwise goes through the motions of preparing for a meal without fuss. things are taken from the bags and laid out on the counter - rice, meat, even some tinned vegetables - and the bags themselves are neatly folded and set to the side.
when Kaoru speaks again, there's a lilting note of amusement in his tone. it's not a pleasant one.]
I'm a little surprised, hearing that kind of naive opinion from a member of the Shinsengumi. Aren't you supposed to be feared assassins; men who would cut each other down in the blink of an eye if necessary? [no kaoru that is just okita] You talk like you don't know of the world at all.
[ Sounds like someone's had too much experience with just one side of the Shinsengumi...
But of course Kaoru's actions don't go unnoticed. Mostly since Shinpachi is extremely alert since he's not sure what to expect from Kaoru. "Trouble" is a pretty broad definition, especially when it comes to Souji, so who knows what he's actually capable of. Not that he's moving, he's still just sitting there, but he's definitely keeping an eye on the other and frowning.
(And lamenting the fact that Kaoru has actual meat what's up with that, even Saitou's rations aren't that good.. is the world seriously that unevenly divided, why this.)
He scoffs. ]
I know more about the world than you. [ Because if someone has to hide who they are for that long, especially if it's hiding who they are because they're in all actuality a little shit, then there's no way you're fully immersing yourself in all aspects of it. ]
'sides, if you really know about our reputation, then why decide to mess around with us, huh? [ BECAUSE SHINPACHI SURE REMEMBERS ALL THOSE TIMES HE TRIED TO HELP KAORU OUT..
And since Shinpachi isn't completely dumb, despite what people might think, something clicks in his head all of a sudden-- ]
No one's stupid enough to go mess with one of our missions on purpose.
[ Sano's story. That time when he had to protect the notice board, when he said someone who looked like Chizuru had messed the whole mission up.. there's no way that can't have been Kaoru in hindsight. ]
[the only side of the Shinsengumi he cares about...! except now, since Chizuru has FOR SOME SILLY REASON decided it's a good idea to crush on old man hiji instead.
he deserves the fruits of his totally legit labor, though!! squirreling away food for weeks on end on the off chance that creamed corn might come back had been an endeavor, and one that turned out in his favor by some miracle. so he'll go about with the dicing and unpackaging, get the pan out, set the burner on - he goes through the motions of cooking himself dinner as if their conversation was nothing more consequential than discussing the weather.
while that first comment slides with little more than a delicately amused sigh (some human thinking they know more about the world, wow!!), it's the second one that follows the question which really has him laughing.]
Oh? More accusations? I wonder if Harada-san was the one to tell you. [never mind the fact that it had only been confirmed for Sano recently, too...
IMPLICATIONS THAT SHINPACHI IS TOO DUMB TO FIGURE IT OUT ON HIS OWN, THOUGH; intentional, of course.]
[ IMPLICATION ENTIRELY RECEIVED OVER ON THIS SIDE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Even Shinpachi isn't dumb enough to not realise someone is insulting him.
... Usually, anyway.
But he catches on very well to the meaning behind Kaoru's words this time and - maybe because he's actually more seriously pissed than just freaking out like he tends to be in less serious situations - doesn't even feel the definite need to immediately deny it and prove that he's not a moron. Because Shinpachi knows he's not a moron and that's the only thing that matters, as far as he's concerned. ]
Does he even know you're in this place? [ Because messing with him is one thing that it already pissed him off enough, but you just don't mess with his bffs, okay, that's a line you don't cross. ] He better have given you what you had coming.
[ At least being annoyed is distracting him from the food cooking.. mostly, anyway. It'll be harder one the smell starts spreading, but whatever, this is a chance to prove he's more than a walking stomach. ]
[YOU'RE WELCOME SHINPACHI he sure does try... though apparently he's not trying hard enough if he can't manage to rile a person like Shinpachi in .5 seconds.]
He does. [a nod! there isn't any trace of falseness in his voice, though there usually isn't with him.] In fact, I was able to greet him on his very first day here. He was in a poor state at the time, wasn't he? Your group doesn't seem to have excellent luck... [which he likely finds hilarious, judging by his tone alone.]
Still, he was very professional. How surprising, finding a person like that among you.
[ Oh, of course he'd run into Sano while the guy had a concussion of all things.. that does just about sum up their luck. But the other guy didn't tell him anything significant about meeting Kaoru or anything, so Shinpachi figures that Kaoru at least didn't do anything to his friend back there. Small blessings in a place like this. ]
That's the best you can do, make petty insults about our group? It ain't like we haven't heard that stuff before. [ Way too many times, in fact. And Shinpachi's never been someone to particularly care about other people's opinions of himself - his own opinion of himself is good enough to get by with. Which is why Kaoru's insults don't rile him up as much as some people might expect. ]
Why don't you tell me something more interesting, like why Souji had suspicions you tried to make someone drink the ochimizu.
[ Of course Shinpachi doesn't know Souji only asked him about it, since he doesn't know the rest are already rasetsu and therefore didn't need to be asked about it... ]
Okita-san said something like that? [the upset trill returns to Kaoru's voice, though he continues to keep his back to Shinpachi because a) busy cooking and b) mismatched expression. he's well ready to defend himself at the slightest hint of potential attack, anyway; to a trained warrior like Shinpachi, that's likely obvious to at least some degree.]
As much as I would hate to suggest it- [HAH...] -I can only assume that it is a simple case of paranoia. After all... [the pause is punctuated by a very sharp noise as he sends a knife through a layer of stacked meat slices and to the cutting board beneath it.]
...Even if I did have such a dangerous thing with me, wouldn't it lead directly back to me if I were to use it? What would be the point in any of that? Only a fool would tread those waters, and I value my life, sir.
[ Come on, this much is even obvious to Shinpachi. Not to mention the tone doesn't do much when he can recognize in the way Kaoru is standing there that he's alert, ready. He doesn't doubt that if he were to draw his sword right now, Kaoru would be ready to defend himself right away. Why still bother with it all the same then?
But that's not what's more obvious here - those last words smell like complete bullshit to him. Kaoru is Chizuru's brother so that must mean he is a demon as well, and.. well, Shinpachi has seen what Kazama and his cronies are like. They don't seem to think they have much to fear from humans. (And probably within reason, but, even so--) ]
You don't think you have anything to fear from any of us. [ Especially if he was causing trouble with Souji of all people. Not exactly number one of the "reasonably okay maybe to piss off" Shinsengumi members. ] Besides, if you have it, then you of course intend to use it in a way like that. You don't have any need for it yourself. Why else take that with you?
[there's a brief lapse into silence at that as Kaoru weighs his options. this conversation could well be a turning point and he's all too aware of it; what he says here and now could determine how easy his life in Zelien would be. it would be smart to continue playing things off to the best of his ability.
...but when has he ever been smart about making things easy for himself REALLY. since half-truths skewed for his amusement are about all he thinks he can get away with right now (because wow, Shinpachi is surprisingly observant when he wants to be, he's shocked), that's exactly what he goes for.]
You say that as if I had the time to plan out what to bring with me. [the false concern in his voice is gone now, but the amusement isn't back, either.]
...Kodo-san gave a vial to me a long time ago, and I gave it to another as a gift. [A GIFT...] I have not received any since that day. [A LIE but he sure passes it off artfully as truth.]
[ Shinpachi isn't too sure what to make of the statement. It doesn't sound like a lie, but on the other hand, he's inclined to suspect literally anything Kaoru says at this point since it's not like he was able to see through the lies earlier either before he knew just who Kaoru is.
But thankfully he doesn't have to focus too much on that question. There's already enough in that statement to piss off Shinpachi without even having to insult him personally. ]
Who would ever give that trash as a gift?!
[ Someone might just be a little emotional about the ochimizu here. Don't mind him gritting his teeth. ]
[wow SOMEONE HAS STRONG FEELINGS... Kaoru is almost a little surprised to hear it, since it's not like anyone he's met has been that immediately adverse (by appearance, anyway).
but like blood in water, Kaoru can pick out a weak spot when he sees one. it would probably be better to leave this topic where it lies and move on, but no... no, that would apparently be too easy for everyone involved. he can't really resist the siren's call of making someone's day worse just by saying something.]
There is no need to be so upset, Nagakura-san. It was a gift to that person, who couldn't even lift a sword properly. [he wishes he could laugh but he decides smartly not to press his luck that much just yet.....]
[ It's a little harder to think when he can feel his blood starting to boil in his veins, but at least Shinpachi has his temper a little bit more in control than Sano, so he manages to not flip out entirely. Although his expression still betrays his emotions fairly well as he glares at Kaoru's back.
"Couldn't even lift a sword properly" makes him think it happened back home, considering the whole samurai thing doesn't seem as impotant anymore here. But then it's a matter of who Kaoru gave it to-- and why he would. Sannan couldn't lift a sword anymore, sure, but he took that poison by himself. In fact, anyone in the Shinsengumi would have had access to it anyway, so it's unlikely it's actually one of them, but on the other hand they also would have noticed if some crazy rasetsu was out there running around the streets of Tokyo. Is it in the future, something he doesn't know about yet, or--
There's too many unknowns about the situation and it only makes him more aggravated. ]
Even if it's for a reason like that, taking that means the same as ending your life! [ There's a reason why it was before only offered to guys who would have had to commit honorable suicide anyway, after all, and Shinpachi knows that very well.
His fist lands loudly on the table. ] You know that too, anyone who knows about that stuff would..!
[ So even if it's for a reason like that, even if a person would be that desperately--
[now would also be a good point in the conversation to back off, probably, but Kaoru doesn't mind getting this kind of rise out of a person. it isn't quite as entertaining as Chizuru's frantic distress or as satisfying as Okita's hair-trigger temper, but he doesn't shy away from it. even at the loud sound of his fists hitting the table, Kaoru hardly seems fazed, continuing to finish his preparations in silence.
once everything is on the stove and on its way to being done, he turns back around, carefully wiping the kitchen knife on a towel that he had brought along with him. with a tone that's almost thoughtful:]
Then you should discuss it with the one who accepted the offer, shouldn't you? If you believe it to be the same as ending one's life, that person was the one who chose to slice open his stomach with the blade he was given. [his head cants to one side just a little.] But if the person is as good as dead either way, it wouldn't matter much to them, would it?
[ do you really think your shitty little kitchen knife is going to intimidate him COME AT HIM BRO...
But it's true that Kaoru manages to wring himself just in the spots that annoy him, finding the topics he hates and the things he hates about them and twisting them-- at least by now he can be sure that Kaoru is just doing it on purpose, which helps a little, but it's still aggravating as hell. ]
It's not just that. It's an issue of pride as well.
[ But apparently Kaoru doesn't get that. Why the hell would anyone who thinks of the ochimizu as a gift understand that, anyway? At least the other guys had been serious about it even if they agreed with it more than Shinpachi did, but the way Kaoru talks about it so casually really grinds his gears. If you die, then you die, then it's over-- that's the way it's supposed to be. Die as yourself. ]
But if you can talk about it so easily, then why don't you just tell me who you gave it to? [ It's not exactly a polite request, in case that still needs to be noted.. ]
he's got a knack with that, though; the whole "seeking out sore spots" thing. it's his #2 ranked skill, right under his ability to appear in the worst places at the worst times for everyone else. he leaves the first part unaddressed with little more than a scoff of a laugh. going into the whole BLAH BLAH PRIDE arguments are Kazama's bag, not his...
but that, wow. he really can't resist poking a bit of fun at Shinpachi now.]
What? I've practically given you his name already, haven't I...? Unless this is Nagakura-san's way of saying that there are so many useless people and invalids in the ranks of the Shinsengumi that you can't narrow it down to just one with that.
And at least it's true that he can make a guess. With the way Kaoru is saying it, it probably can't just have been some random rank-and-file soldier - why would he have wasted that on him, anyway? - but of course there's someone other than Sannan who hasn't been able to fight because of his health. It's more that Shinpachi didn't really want to think of it, considering Souji is the one who warned him about Kaoru to begin with and could have added an oh, by the way, he turned me into a rasetsu in the middle of that but didn't.
As far as he assumed, Heisuke was the only one among them here who should have been a rasetsu but wasn't, but.. if Souji, all this time--
Shit. How dense has he been? ]
... Souji.
[ And that makes it even more apparent the "gift" wasn't really a gift - otherwise the guy wouldn't have made Kaoru out to be bad news. God, Souji, you're supposed to mention this stuff though! Thanks, man.... ]
but yes, good, mission accomplished. he's quite pleased that he can bring even a little more misery to Okita's life just by casually mentioning something that iS KIND OF IMPORTANT that has kind of also... failed to be mentioned and all. wow, being secretive sure does have its drawbacks at times, doesn't it?]
With a body like that, Okita-san was at a dead-end anyway.
[ Being secretive doesn't mean shit when there's someone like Kaoru around to yell about all your secrets, right.. not that it matters a whole lot since the guy himself isn't here to confront about it anymore, but there's still a sting at just how much shit has gone completely over his head in this place. Some of his comrades being dead men walking, people turning out to be the other gender and then actually Little Shits all along.. Shinpachi himself knows that he's actually not all that dumb, but at this rate even he's going to have to question it. ]
Souji didn't seem very appreciative of your gift though. [ If he didn't already dislike Kaoru for being involved with the ochimizu and giving it to people whatsoever, he'd at least have that to cling on to.. ] He said you were trouble. Not really something someone'd say 'bout the person who "saved" them, right? If you can even call it that. [ He certainly won't... air quotes everywhere.. ]
[he's just here to help keep you losers honest with yourselves and each other okay that's his story and he's stickin to it.]
Okita-san has never been very appreciative of anything that I've done for him. [he says it in such a regretful tone, sad and uncertain like he has no clue in the world why that might be. a mystery...! who knows why Okita would be so bent out of shape literally every time their paths cross?
then, chiding:]
Please don't be so loud, Nagakura-san... There is no ulterior motive to speak of here.
[or rather, none he's gonna be talking about with Shinpachi.]
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If not just because of the ochimizu, because the very mention of that is enough to set Shinpachi of all people off. And the guy did tell him Kaoru has some. ]
There's no need for you to keep on goin' and keeping up that act. I already know you're not a woman. [ Which is.. sort of embarassing (as an understatement) that he didn't realise it earlier, but still, it's easier to transfer that feeling of embarassment into annoyance for now. ] Chizuru-chan's brother, pretending to be a woman.. [ For a moment he pauses, making sure there's no sound of footsteps in the hallway to indicate anyone coming closer. But there's nothing, they're all alone for sure, so he can also mention-- ] Even walkin' around with ochimizu. Don't you think that's more than just a little bit suspicious?
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the confused look lingers for a few seconds and when he speaks again, he keeps the same tone and pitch to his voice, but after the confusion fades, most of the feigned friendliness and warmth is gone. no point exerting the extra effort to try convincing someone of a lie that could easily be thrown back in his face. ugh, he'll have to thank Okita for this later, too.]
That's a cruel thing to say to a lady, Nagakura-san. [he shifts so that he's holding the bag in front of himself instead; a very demure posture.] And to accuse me of carrying something like that around without any proof... Jumping to conclusions so hastily can be dangerous, can't it?
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Someone really needs to explain him later how a guy can be a girl that convincingly. Seriously. At least he could see past Chizuru's looks the moment it was brought up by some of the others, but even though Kaoru's tone changing indicates enough to him that he's on the right track, he still can't see or hear anything but a woman when he looks at the other.
But he can worry about that later. Right now it's more just that he feels like he's about to discover in just what sense Kaoru is supposedly trouble. ]
Man or woman, proof or not, that kinda stuff doesn't matter to be in this case. One of the things I hate the most in the world is dishonesty! [ It isn't too hard to tell that much, really, considering just how much of a straightforward Shinpachi himself is - since he conducts himself according to that kind of idea. ]
Or are you seriously gonna try and tell me I've hurt your feelings?
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still, because apparently he's decided that being totally straightforward just wouldn't be any fun so soon, he lets his expression slip into a mimicry of someone who is somewhat insulted and a little upset!!]
And if you have? Nagakura-san was always so kind, but to say such things and then to claim that proof doesn't matter at all... I wouldn't have expected you to be a person so quick to condemn.
[he honestly isn't sure for once about the reaction it might get. Shinpachi seems like a man firmly rooted in his morals - saying something like I hate dishonesty, really - but he also seems like a tenderhearted person.]
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And stick by what he believes in. ]
You're really gonna try and claim the people I've fought alongside for years are suddenly gonna lie to me about this? [ Souji might be a prankster, but he wouldn't do that sort of thing like this. Shinpachi thinks, anyway. ] Their word is all the proof I need.
It's only going to piss me off more if you try and be all innocent again now.
[ But at least this time he won't have to be pissed at himself anymore for falling for it. ]
1/2
but he can only lament this particular loss (if it could even be called that, because really, he hadn't determined Shinpachi as a particularly good target to use against Chizuru in the first place) and let it go. he already exerts so much energy on a weekly basis, pretending to be a decent person and manning the clinic... it's a hard life and no one understands...!]
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when Kaoru speaks again, there's a lilting note of amusement in his tone. it's not a pleasant one.]
I'm a little surprised, hearing that kind of naive opinion from a member of the Shinsengumi. Aren't you supposed to be feared assassins; men who would cut each other down in the blink of an eye if necessary? [no kaoru that is just okita] You talk like you don't know of the world at all.
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But of course Kaoru's actions don't go unnoticed. Mostly since Shinpachi is extremely alert since he's not sure what to expect from Kaoru. "Trouble" is a pretty broad definition, especially when it comes to Souji, so who knows what he's actually capable of. Not that he's moving, he's still just sitting there, but he's definitely keeping an eye on the other and frowning.
(And lamenting the fact that Kaoru has actual meat what's up with that, even Saitou's rations aren't that good.. is the world seriously that unevenly divided, why this.)
He scoffs. ]
I know more about the world than you. [ Because if someone has to hide who they are for that long, especially if it's hiding who they are because they're in all actuality a little shit, then there's no way you're fully immersing yourself in all aspects of it. ]
'sides, if you really know about our reputation, then why decide to mess around with us, huh? [ BECAUSE SHINPACHI SURE REMEMBERS ALL THOSE TIMES HE TRIED TO HELP KAORU OUT..
And since Shinpachi isn't completely dumb, despite what people might think, something clicks in his head all of a sudden-- ]
No one's stupid enough to go mess with one of our missions on purpose.
[ Sano's story. That time when he had to protect the notice board, when he said someone who looked like Chizuru had messed the whole mission up.. there's no way that can't have been Kaoru in hindsight. ]
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he deserves the fruits of his totally legit labor, though!! squirreling away food for weeks on end on the off chance that creamed corn might come back had been an endeavor, and one that turned out in his favor by some miracle. so he'll go about with the dicing and unpackaging, get the pan out, set the burner on - he goes through the motions of cooking himself dinner as if their conversation was nothing more consequential than discussing the weather.
while that first comment slides with little more than a delicately amused sigh (some human thinking they know more about the world, wow!!), it's the second one that follows the question which really has him laughing.]
Oh? More accusations? I wonder if Harada-san was the one to tell you. [never mind the fact that it had only been confirmed for Sano recently, too...
IMPLICATIONS THAT SHINPACHI IS TOO DUMB TO FIGURE IT OUT ON HIS OWN, THOUGH; intentional, of course.]
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... Usually, anyway.
But he catches on very well to the meaning behind Kaoru's words this time and - maybe because he's actually more seriously pissed than just freaking out like he tends to be in less serious situations - doesn't even feel the definite need to immediately deny it and prove that he's not a moron. Because Shinpachi knows he's not a moron and that's the only thing that matters, as far as he's concerned. ]
Does he even know you're in this place? [ Because messing with him is one thing that it already pissed him off enough, but you just don't mess with his bffs, okay, that's a line you don't cross. ] He better have given you what you had coming.
[ At least being annoyed is distracting him from the food cooking.. mostly, anyway. It'll be harder one the smell starts spreading, but whatever, this is a chance to prove he's more than a walking stomach. ]
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He does. [a nod! there isn't any trace of falseness in his voice, though there usually isn't with him.] In fact, I was able to greet him on his very first day here. He was in a poor state at the time, wasn't he? Your group doesn't seem to have excellent luck... [which he likely finds hilarious, judging by his tone alone.]
Still, he was very professional. How surprising, finding a person like that among you.
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That's the best you can do, make petty insults about our group? It ain't like we haven't heard that stuff before. [ Way too many times, in fact. And Shinpachi's never been someone to particularly care about other people's opinions of himself - his own opinion of himself is good enough to get by with. Which is why Kaoru's insults don't rile him up as much as some people might expect. ]
Why don't you tell me something more interesting, like why Souji had suspicions you tried to make someone drink the ochimizu.
[ Of course Shinpachi doesn't know Souji only asked him about it, since he doesn't know the rest are already rasetsu and therefore didn't need to be asked about it... ]
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As much as I would hate to suggest it- [HAH...] -I can only assume that it is a simple case of paranoia. After all... [the pause is punctuated by a very sharp noise as he sends a knife through a layer of stacked meat slices and to the cutting board beneath it.]
...Even if I did have such a dangerous thing with me, wouldn't it lead directly back to me if I were to use it? What would be the point in any of that? Only a fool would tread those waters, and I value my life, sir.
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[ Come on, this much is even obvious to Shinpachi. Not to mention the tone doesn't do much when he can recognize in the way Kaoru is standing there that he's alert, ready. He doesn't doubt that if he were to draw his sword right now, Kaoru would be ready to defend himself right away. Why still bother with it all the same then?
But that's not what's more obvious here - those last words smell like complete bullshit to him. Kaoru is Chizuru's brother so that must mean he is a demon as well, and.. well, Shinpachi has seen what Kazama and his cronies are like. They don't seem to think they have much to fear from humans. (And probably within reason, but, even so--) ]
You don't think you have anything to fear from any of us. [ Especially if he was causing trouble with Souji of all people. Not exactly number one of the "reasonably okay maybe to piss off" Shinsengumi members. ] Besides, if you have it, then you of course intend to use it in a way like that. You don't have any need for it yourself. Why else take that with you?
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...but when has he ever been smart about making things easy for himself REALLY. since half-truths skewed for his amusement are about all he thinks he can get away with right now (because wow, Shinpachi is surprisingly observant when he wants to be, he's shocked), that's exactly what he goes for.]
You say that as if I had the time to plan out what to bring with me. [the false concern in his voice is gone now, but the amusement isn't back, either.]
...Kodo-san gave a vial to me a long time ago, and I gave it to another as a gift. [A GIFT...] I have not received any since that day. [A LIE but he sure passes it off artfully as truth.]
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But thankfully he doesn't have to focus too much on that question. There's already enough in that statement to piss off Shinpachi without even having to insult him personally. ]
Who would ever give that trash as a gift?!
[ Someone might just be a little emotional about the ochimizu here. Don't mind him gritting his teeth. ]
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but like blood in water, Kaoru can pick out a weak spot when he sees one. it would probably be better to leave this topic where it lies and move on, but no... no, that would apparently be too easy for everyone involved. he can't really resist the siren's call of making someone's day worse just by saying something.]
There is no need to be so upset, Nagakura-san. It was a gift to that person, who couldn't even lift a sword properly. [he wishes he could laugh but he decides smartly not to press his luck that much just yet.....]
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"Couldn't even lift a sword properly" makes him think it happened back home, considering the whole samurai thing doesn't seem as impotant anymore here. But then it's a matter of who Kaoru gave it to-- and why he would. Sannan couldn't lift a sword anymore, sure, but he took that poison by himself. In fact, anyone in the Shinsengumi would have had access to it anyway, so it's unlikely it's actually one of them, but on the other hand they also would have noticed if some crazy rasetsu was out there running around the streets of Tokyo. Is it in the future, something he doesn't know about yet, or--
There's too many unknowns about the situation and it only makes him more aggravated. ]
Even if it's for a reason like that, taking that means the same as ending your life! [ There's a reason why it was before only offered to guys who would have had to commit honorable suicide anyway, after all, and Shinpachi knows that very well.
His fist lands loudly on the table. ] You know that too, anyone who knows about that stuff would..!
[ So even if it's for a reason like that, even if a person would be that desperately--
It's not right. It's just not. ]
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once everything is on the stove and on its way to being done, he turns back around, carefully wiping the kitchen knife on a towel that he had brought along with him. with a tone that's almost thoughtful:]
Then you should discuss it with the one who accepted the offer, shouldn't you? If you believe it to be the same as ending one's life, that person was the one who chose to slice open his stomach with the blade he was given. [his head cants to one side just a little.] But if the person is as good as dead either way, it wouldn't matter much to them, would it?
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But it's true that Kaoru manages to wring himself just in the spots that annoy him, finding the topics he hates and the things he hates about them and twisting them-- at least by now he can be sure that Kaoru is just doing it on purpose, which helps a little, but it's still aggravating as hell. ]
It's not just that. It's an issue of pride as well.
[ But apparently Kaoru doesn't get that. Why the hell would anyone who thinks of the ochimizu as a gift understand that, anyway? At least the other guys had been serious about it even if they agreed with it more than Shinpachi did, but the way Kaoru talks about it so casually really grinds his gears. If you die, then you die, then it's over-- that's the way it's supposed to be. Die as yourself. ]
But if you can talk about it so easily, then why don't you just tell me who you gave it to? [ It's not exactly a polite request, in case that still needs to be noted.. ]
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he's got a knack with that, though; the whole "seeking out sore spots" thing. it's his #2 ranked skill, right under his ability to appear in the worst places at the worst times for everyone else. he leaves the first part unaddressed with little more than a scoff of a laugh. going into the whole BLAH BLAH PRIDE arguments are Kazama's bag, not his...
but that, wow. he really can't resist poking a bit of fun at Shinpachi now.]
What? I've practically given you his name already, haven't I...? Unless this is Nagakura-san's way of saying that there are so many useless people and invalids in the ranks of the Shinsengumi that you can't narrow it down to just one with that.
[not-polite "request", meet not-polite answer.]
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And at least it's true that he can make a guess. With the way Kaoru is saying it, it probably can't just have been some random rank-and-file soldier - why would he have wasted that on him, anyway? - but of course there's someone other than Sannan who hasn't been able to fight because of his health. It's more that Shinpachi didn't really want to think of it, considering Souji is the one who warned him about Kaoru to begin with and could have added an oh, by the way, he turned me into a rasetsu in the middle of that but didn't.
As far as he assumed, Heisuke was the only one among them here who should have been a rasetsu but wasn't, but.. if Souji, all this time--
Shit. How dense has he been? ]
... Souji.
[ And that makes it even more apparent the "gift" wasn't really a gift - otherwise the guy wouldn't have made Kaoru out to be bad news. God, Souji, you're supposed to mention this stuff though! Thanks, man.... ]
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but yes, good, mission accomplished. he's quite pleased that he can bring even a little more misery to Okita's life just by casually mentioning something that iS KIND OF IMPORTANT that has kind of also... failed to be mentioned and all. wow, being secretive sure does have its drawbacks at times, doesn't it?]
With a body like that, Okita-san was at a dead-end anyway.
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Souji didn't seem very appreciative of your gift though. [ If he didn't already dislike Kaoru for being involved with the ochimizu and giving it to people whatsoever, he'd at least have that to cling on to.. ] He said you were trouble. Not really something someone'd say 'bout the person who "saved" them, right? If you can even call it that. [ He certainly won't... air quotes everywhere.. ]
So what kinda ulterior motives do you have?!
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Okita-san has never been very appreciative of anything that I've done for him. [he says it in such a regretful tone, sad and uncertain like he has no clue in the world why that might be. a mystery...! who knows why Okita would be so bent out of shape literally every time their paths cross?
then, chiding:]
Please don't be so loud, Nagakura-san... There is no ulterior motive to speak of here.
[or rather, none he's gonna be talking about with Shinpachi.]
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