#okiryo

“Oh ho~ That’s no way to greet a guest.” Okita laughed, posture swaying a little side to side playfully as he walked forward. “Certainly not in front of the lady.” His grin was sharp, tilting his head to the side.

Ryoma looked to the side,seeing Haruka walking out from the doorway with a basket of laundry in her arms. “Ah, Haruka-“ He started, then looked back at Okita, his shoulders squaring. Unfortunate timing. He had hoped briefly to shoo the man away before Ryoma had to explain everything.

The girl put her basket down and brushed off the front of her yellow striped kimono. “Uncle- I didn’t know we were having guests.” She said, sensing the tension but keeping a brave face. “He’s wearing the same haori as you. So you work together?” She asked as she walked over to Saito’s side, hands folded politely in front of her.

Okita looked down at himself, and then chuckled. “You could say that.” He looked at the girl who was in turn looking him over, standing close to Saito’s side. “Hmph.” Then they both looked back to Saito at the same time.

“Uh- this is…” Ryoma was at odds with himself for a moment who to introduce first but subconsciously he had already gestured towards Haruka.

Hiding a laugh behind her hand at Saito’s awkward mannerisms, Haruka stepped forward and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Haruka. Uncle Hajime is looking after me.”

Okita raised an eyebrow. “Uncle, hm?” He didn’t bother bowing back, his posture staying slouched and casual like always.

“This is Okita Soji, Shinsengumi 1st Division Captain.” Ryoma finally clued back in, cleared his throat slightly, looking down at Haruka. “You can go back inside-“

“Oi, oi, don’t send her away. m’not here on business.” Okita waved his hand dismissively, turning to inspect the rows and rows of veggies planted in the little yard. “ ‘ere on a personal call, guess you could say.” He drawled, shifting aside some foliage with his foot and looking at the carrots growing underneath.

Somehow that made Ryoma more on edge. “I see. Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” He offered graciously, leaving Haruka’s side to step a little closer to the other man as he spoke. What could Okita possibly want with him other than to start trouble.

Okita crouched down and unceremoniously yanked a carrot out of the ground with an impressed whistle. “Didn’t picture ya as a garden variety man.” He shook the dirt off and then crunched down on the carrot as he surveyed the rest of the field.

Ryoma just stood there, arms folded into his sleeves. He was never one for starting conversations in the first place, especially not with a man like this. He worried that maybe Okita had come to finish their fight from the first time they met. Although it was tempting in order to actually judge the man’s Tennen Rishin, he knew better than to start a duel in this small courtyard.

“Y’know, I see ya take the same boat practically every day, was easy to persuade yer boatmen to bring me this way.” Okita chuckled, glancing up at Saito. “Don’t worry. I didn’t hurt him.” Pushing back up to his feet, he took another bite of his carrot with a playful grin.

That at least answers the question of how Okita found him. He supposed it wasn’t like he was actively hiding this place. “Mn. I’m helping Haruka repay her family’s debt. I don’t live here, this is her home.” It was a subtle ‘if you’re here to fuck with me, leave her out if it’ and from the look on Okita’s face, he got the message.

Okita tossed the carrot top back into the garden and wiped his mouth. “Wow~ so it is true. Big man with a heart of gold.” Okita teased, facing Saito and sizing him up, his fingers idly touching the pommel of his sword. “Ya got anything to drink?” He asked, a sharp grin on his face.

He considered saying no, telling the man to piss off and leave him alone in his free time, but knew that wouldn’t end well. So instead, Ryoma defeatedly nodded his head and gestured back to the house. “I can make something to eat while we drink.”

Okita slapped a hand on Saito’s back as they went inside, kicking his sandals aside lazily. He made himself comfortable by the hearth, leaning back on his hands and looking around. “Nice place.” He nodded and hummed, eye drawn towards a white cat sleeping on the folded stack of futons. “Lively.”

Ryoma tied his sleeves up and fussed with getting a simple snack together. It was weird having to host, he was used to coming here to get away from people, not to have them come to him. “Hm? Oh- thank you, it is nice.”

Haruka came back in from starting the laundry and saw her uncle in front of the kitchen and smiled. “You’re going to make us something to eat? I can’t wait.” She set her shoes aside and fixed Okita’s sandals, noticing they were just as bloodstained as his haori. It was certainly unnerving, but if her guardian wasn’t worried, then she wouldn’t be either.

Looking over his shoulder at Haruka, Ryoma nodded. “Would you mind getting our guest some sake? Just bring him one of the jars.” He instructed and left her to it.

She went over to Okita and knelt next to him, offering the drink. “You’re in for a treat, sir. Uncle’s really a good cook.” She praised before moving to kneel on the cushion close to the cat bed. “Although I know he doesn’t look it.”

“Oh~? So he can cook, clean and tend to a garden, hm?” Okita teased as he accepted the sake. “Are ya sure ya should be a samurai an’ not a housewife?” He laughed, slapping his knee. He took a big swig of the sake, not caring as it dripped down over his bare chest.

Haruka laughed quietly behind her hand. “No, Uncle’s too scary to be a housewife.” She teased along with the man next to her, laughing again when Saito shot them a look.

Vein popping in his temple, Ryoma ignored their comments. What the hell was he doing, cooking while those two sat and laughed at him. Not like he could stop now, since he had been the one to offer to make food in the first place. He just kept himself busy, shaking his head.

Okita watched this little domestic scene play out, feeling certain that he didn’t belong. Such a clean and tidy home, serene peaceful land around them. The dogs outside weren’t even barking or begging for scraps. It was the total opposite of the bustle and filth of Kyo he was used to. “Tell me, little lady. Does yer uncle tell you what he does for work?”

Ryoma’s hands stilled, a rice ball half formed in his palms.

“Hm? He doesn’t talk much about work, but I know who the Shinsengumi are, of course.” Haruka responded with a polite smile. “Thank you for all you do.” She deflected the conversation easy enough, bowing her head.

Letting out a slow breath, Ryoma finished up preparing the omusubi and brought them over. “Here.” He sat down across from Haruka, and undid the ties holding up his sleeves. “I had some fish leftover, I hope it’s alright.” He paused, then huffed softly. Now he really sounded like a damned housewife.

Okita was distracted by the food and happily stuffed his face. “mn, s'good! W’rm h’m’made ‘ood!” He blurted out with his mouth full, then swallowed everything down with some sake. “Nothing beats homecookin’!” He praised, laughing and drinking. What a treat this little impulsive trip had already turned out to be. Okita was happy as always to be ignoring his captainly duties when it meant free food and drink.

Haruka was amused by this outwardly terrifying man with blood stained clothes. He seemed like he was really enjoying bothering her Uncle. She got up and got him and Saito some more sake. “Will you be staying long, sir? I have to wash Uncle’s haori for tomorrow, I don’t mind washing yours as well.” She offered and missed the look on Saito’s face.

Pausing, sake jar half way to his mouth, Okita had a strange look in his eye for a moment before he drank and when he lowered the jar the look was gone and replaced with a wide grin. “Unless ya plan on scrubbin’ me on yer washboard along with it, don’t bother.” He laughed, resting the jar on his knee and gesturing to himself with his thumb.

She took it in stride and nodded with a little bow. “Then please excuse me. Thank you for the food, Uncle.” She bowed again before slipping her shoes on and leaving out the front door to finish her chores.

The quiet that followed was a little oppressive but Ryoma cleared his throat. “One wash wouldn’t hurt.” He muttered, drinking his sake.

Okita gasped, gesturing at Saito with his jar and clearly taking offense to that comment. “Ya prim an’ proper types. I fer one like that it’s filthy.” He defended himself and saw the way Saito looked at him then looked down at the blood stained haori. “Yer insulting me! I oughta kill ya over that!” He pointed, still gesturing with the jar while his other hand went to his short sword.

Ryoma couldn’t help but let out a scoff of a laugh and looked back towards the hearth. Not calling Okita on that clearly empty threat, knowing it could quickly become a real one. He had heard of the other man painting nicer houses than this in blood. “You’d still be intimidating if you took a bath.” Ryoma said offhandedly, his tone light and dismissive, going back to drinking. “That’s all.”

“Rude.” Okita grumbled, sitting back and looking away from the other man pointedly. “Didn’ come here to be lectured.” He muttered, Saito was starting to sound just like Nagakura did when it came to his hygiene.

“What did you come here for then?” Ryoma put his drink down and grabbed the last riceball to eat. “Just to threaten me by saying you know where I sleep?” He asked, eyes trained down on his food, trying not to seem as interested in the answer as he actually was.

Okita sighed and finished his sake jar before flopping back onto the floor, arms outstretched either side of him as he stared up at the ceiling. “Eh… no. ..was bored.” He lied, well, half lied. Feeling something touch his fingers, he pulled his hand back but looked over and saw it was just the white cat that had wandered over. It was just sniffing his hand that smelt like the fish he had just devoured. Okita turned onto his side and tried to coax the cat back within reach to no avail.

Ryoma ate and watched them out of the corner of his eye. “Thought you frequented the brothels when you were bored.” At least that's what the other captains usually said. “This place isn’t exactly made for entertaining people.” He wiped his mouth when he was done eating, and turned slightly to actively watch Okita reach out for the cat.

“Nah it isn’t, is it? Too quiet fer that.” Okita muttered in agreement, failing again to get the cats attention and he was about to give up when he saw Saito holding something out for him. It was a cat toy, a long thin reed with a fluffy ball stuck to the end. “...thanks.” He said under his breath, taking the cat toy and wiggling it in the animals direction.

Yeah, he definitely felt out of place here. What the hell was he doing?

Okita played with the cat until the animal decided it was done and wandered away to give itself a bath. Sitting up with a grunt, Okita rubbed the back of his neck. “Hmph… should get back on patrol before someone comes lookin’ fer me.” He muttered, looking at the empty plate between them. “Ya don’t hafta see me out.” He pushed up to his feet and stretched his back. “Bye.”

Eyebrows raised, Ryoma watched Okita slink away. Not like he was going to argue. At least this had all blown over with only a carrot as a casualty. “Mn. Be seeing you.” Ryoma said to be polite.

“Yeah, yeah.” Okita stared at his sandals that had been neatly set aside, deciding not to think further on the weird bitter feeling in the back of his throat and just shoved his feet into them and left.

Haruka poked her head inside a few minutes later. “Did you two fight?” She asked, looking concerned. “He just left without saying anything.” She wiped her wet hands off with the towel over her shoulder.

Shaking his head, Ryoma finished his sake and stood to clean the dishes left behind. “No, we didn’t fight. He just has poor manners.” He explained, offering Haruka a small apologetic smile. “I’m sorry if he upset you.”

Shaking her head, she stepped inside to help clean up. “No, he didn’t bother me. He was the one who looked upset.” Haruka explained, looking concerned. “That’s why I asked if something happened.”

Thinking over the strange interaction, Ryoma was unsure if he’d done something wrong. It seemed impossible to make a man like that upset without it being a loud complaint filled affair. “Maybe he didn’t like that I said he smells.”

Haruka gasped and put a hand over her mouth. “You said what? Uncle!” She smacked his arm to scold him. “I can’t believe you!”

With a low warm laugh, Ryoma shook his head. “Well he does.” He defended himself, happy that Haruka wasn’t upset by all this. He would have to be more prepared for unexpected guests, it seemed, going forward with this Shinsengumi business.