continued from here {x}
DId he… really mean that? It’s true that they haven’t seen each other in a very long time, but she didn’t think he missed her. That is, if that was what he meant by it. She, of course, missed him… possibly even more than she herself realized. It wasn’t until she saw him how much her heart swelled with the reunion. Perhaps because of that she was overthinking his meaning.
“Tani… I didn’t think me not being here would make that much of a difference… I didn’t even think you would notice.” It came out more sheepish than she intended but it wasn’t as if she could do anything about it. She was glad more than anything that he was still safe and that he cared enough to come see her, that meant far more to her than anything.
Tani can’t help but shift his gaze towards Chizuru when she replies, not missing the awkward tone in her voice. There were no lies in his words. Things truly were different without her around, everything on the compound lacked the attentiveness and care that she always put into her work. But there were also other things that made her absence that weighted in his mind. He worried about her safety while traveling. Not that he felt that the other Shinsengumi members that accompanied her were inadequate, but he has always been the kind that would prefer to take matters into his own hands if he was given the choice.
Warmth blossoms in his chest to see her once more, but at the same time he also understood what her return meant. She had not been reunited with her father, they yet again came up empty handed in their search for Kodo.
He nods. “Yes, I noticed. Though I’m sure many other captains also share my sentiments.”
He shifts his weight, allowing the staff he holds to lean against his broad shoulders. “Have you been back long?” The corners of his lips tug into a slight frown, realizing that the hour as he is just returning from patrol. “It’s late. It’s dangerous to be out here on your own so late at night.”
