“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 10

Nori could hear Hijikata, Susumu, and Hajime talking out in front of her door. When it finally got quiet, Nori remained seated, waiting a few minutes to make sure they were gone. When certain they had left, she walked over to her door to go back outside, she slid the door open and saw Hijikata standing at the edge of the walkway looking up at the moon.

“Took you long enough to come back out.” Hijikata says to her. Nori goes to the edge of the walkway a few feet from him, looking up at the moon as well.

“What do you want of me Hijikata?” Nori asks him.

Hijikata looks over to her and steps toward Nori. She turns when she sees him move toward her backing away almost stepping off the walkway. Hijikata grabs her pulling her back before she falls, pulling her into him.

Nori steps forward landing in his arms. She has her arms pulled up in front of her so her arms are resting on Hijikata’s chest. She hangs her head so as not to look at him, Hijikata holding her to him with one hand resting on her back. He takes his other hand sliding it under her chin; he raises her head to look at him. He slowly moves in to kiss her, their eyes lock as their lips softly brush against one another’s.

“No!!” Nori says pushing Hijikata away from her. Hijikata stands there looking at her.

“Why do you keep stopping me, Nori? You know you want it as badly as I do.” Hijikata says as he reaches for her again.

“What do you know about what I want? You are not me, do not stand there, and tell me what I do and do not want.” Nori says as she knocks his hand away from her.

She tries to walk past Hijikata as he stops her, placing his hand in front of her as his hand gently rest on her stomach stopping her as she walks by. Nori felt her body start to tingle by his touch and her heartbeat raced, her blood felt like it was on fire, her thoughts start to swirl in her mind by that one simple touch of his hand.

Hijikata steps in behind her resting his other hand on her shoulder as he pulls her back toward him until their bodies are touching. He slides his hand from her shoulder to her neck gently caressing her neck; touching her cheek Nori closes her eyes finding comfort in his touch.

He leans down whispering in her ear, “I can wait until you finally start to feel what I see in your eyes.” He slides his hand under her chin turning her head to look at him; she opens her eyes looking at Hijikata. He softly kisses her and walks away. Nori stands there watching him as he disappears down the walkway.

Nori puts her hand to her forehead casting her eyes downward, “What is wrong with me? I cannot stand that man, but every time he touches me it feels as if time is standing still, and I cannot think straight.” Nori whispers to herself.

“I think you should give Hijikata a chance.” Nori hears as she looks up seeing Soji standing there a few feet away from her.

“Soji, how long have you been there?” Nori asks him.

“Long enough to know you should give him a chance.” Soji says.

Nori smiles at Soji, “Good night Soji.” She tells him walking into her room.

“Good night Miss Nori.” Soji says smiling back.

In the morning, Nori awakes going to the dojo for her morning workout. After being there for a while, she hears “Good Morning Miss Nori.” Nori turns seeing Soji standing in the doorway of the dojo.

“Good Morning Soji,” she says in return. “Just getting off patrol, I see. Did you have a quite evening?” Nori says to him, not missing a beat as she does her workout.

Soji walks farther into the dojo watching Nori, “Yes it was very nice, a little too quite if you ask me though.” Soji says.

“Well there is a festival going on tonight is there not?” Nori asks.

“Yes they are still preparing for it now. I am sure Hijikata will double patrol tonight because of it.” Soji tells Nori standing just within reach of her.

Nori has her back to Soji as she spins coming around kicking over Soji’s head. She lands on her feet just inches way from him. “Not even a flinch, Soji. Do you trust me that much?” Nori says smiling.

Soji laughs looking at her and says, “We are friends. Of course I trust you, Nori.”

“I am glade we are friends, Soji.” Nori says as she touches his cheek. Nori turns, walking away from Soji and going to pick up her towel.

“Nori, I was wondering…” Soji pauses as he walks over to her side. She turns looking at him.

“Wondering what Soji?” Nori asks him.

“Well, since we have gotten to be friends I was wondering if you would go to the festival with me tonight.” Soji asks her.

Nori asks, “You will not be on patrol tonight?”

“No, not tonight. I want to go to the festival with a friend, and I want that friend to be you.” Soji says.

“I would love to, Soji. Thank you for asking me.” Nori says.

“Great then tonight after dinner we can be on our way.” Soji says has he starts to walk from the dojo.

Nori watches Soji walk out; she continues her workout when Hajime walks into the dojo saying, “By going out into the village tonight you risk your life, you know this right?”

Nori looks over her shoulder, smiling and saying in return, “You know just because you have been a friend of my fathers for so long and have seen me grow up from a child, does not mean you can step up and take my father's place with me since he has passed on. I am an adult now and can surely take care of my self when it comes to a fight.” Her eyes look to Hajime.

“That may be so when you are not injured, but with your hand being wounded, you will be an easy target to take down.” Hajime says.

Nori gives Hajime a sullied look. “You think I would let this get in my way when it comes to my life?” Nori says sneeringly, as she lifts her hand gesturing to it. “You forget who you are talking to Hajime.” She adds turning her back on him again.

“What of Soji? Will you risk his life for yours?” Hajime asks approaching her. Nori spins around telling him.

“Soji can fend for himself. He is an excellent swordsman. My help is something I do not think Soji will ever need.”

“Maybe so, but if it comes to a fight tonight, Soji will be known as a rurouni not part of the Shinsengumi. His identity cannot be known.” Hajime says.

“I assume you think I do not know this Hajime. Soji’s identity will be safe, and as far as a fight tonight, I think we will be secure if Hijikata doubles patrol like Soji says he may.” Nori says.

Hajime places his hand on Nori’s shoulder, “I hope you are right and nothing comes from tonight... but the festival is a good cover to cause havoc and making trouble for us and someone else that they may want out of the picture. I am only thinking of everyone’s welfare here.” Hajime tells her.

“We will be fine, Thank you for your concern, Hajime.” Nori tells him. “I must be on my way I need to get my day in progress fixing breakfast for you guys.” She says walking from Hajime, going to the kitchen to start her day.