Prompt.8: Degrees

Her soft gasp echoed in the still wintery world that greeted her. She had seen snow before but there seemed to be something ethereal about the spinning white flakes floating to the courtyard transforming it into a white land of purity. She had seen enough of bloodshed to know that even purely driven snow could hide a bloodied ground, transform the ugliness of the world into something wondrous.

Unthinkingly, Chizuru slipped from her room wandering out into the center of the courtyard, soft flakes wafting down, alighting like feather kisses in her hair, kissing her cheeks. For a few moments she was entirely alone in the world of white, gazing up at the grey-tinted sky.

This moment of breathlessness at being alive passed, gradually she became aware of another lingering in the line of her vision. Chizuru quickly ducked her head down, "konnichiwa, Saito-san." she had always felt a fluttering nervousness in her stomach when in the presence of the silent Shinsengumi officer. Afraid of his displeasure, she snuck a peek to catch his gaze tilted up at the sky, seeming to be searching for something. Though she knew better than to question the nature of his thoughts, she remained curious...unable to keep from admiring the drift of white flakes falling - clinging to Saito-san's deep violet locks.

The ethereal background drew into sharp outline the nuances of his profile which she absorbed intently. Etching his image into her mind. Though the world became an increasingly dangerous place, losing one more precious person would be far too much to bear. At that thought, her sensitive emotions stirred, liquid formed in her luminous brown eyes. Saito-san eventually lowered his gaze to her inquiringly; she instantly reddened, turning away quickly, afraid she'd angered him by staring. Rather than speak however, she soon heard a light rustle of cloth, felt a subtle weight descend upon her trembling shoulders.

Soon, Saito-san's warmth - and scent unique to him was around her. Startled by the gesture, Chizuru reached up a hand reverently touching the soft cloth loosely wrapped around her shoulders and throat. "S-Saito-san?" she shyly questioned, peering up at the man beside her through thick lashes.

"This too, shall pass, Yukimura." He said softly, faint gentleness flickering in his dark eyes. Chizuru clasped the scarf closer, a smile forming on her lips, "yes! We just have to believe..."

Though she was unaware of it, her naivety touched something within the man. Something he thought he had long forgotten. Hajime puzzled over it before eventually conceding it was something the girl brought to each of them. A spark of light into the darkness of death they faced every day...

"Get inside. It's much too cold for your state of dress." He passed an eye meaningfully over her pink yukata, she had the grace to blush, stammering, "ah-ahh, sorry! It's just the snow was pretty and...um...see you later!" she darted away for the relative safety of her room, pink waves of unmistakable blush burning her cheeks.

She didn't see Hajime quickly side-step an errant packed ball of white. The swiftest sword of the Shinsengumi sent a rare smirk to the area where the interloper hid, clearly promising a later revenge.

"Damn. Missed!" Heisuke shook his fist from the side of the main building.

-Finis-

Disclaimer: do not own Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan.

AN: I think it's been done before about the snow thing - blah- we seriously need for SaitoxChizuru fics period. ):

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