[Chizuru's blood runs cold, because she has the distinct feeling she knows what he's getting at. There are many times when things go over her head, but this isn't the first time Sannan has approached her for help with quelling the rasetsu madness.
That time, Hijikata had interfered -
Ah, but Yukimura-kun isn't technically part of the Shinsengumi.
She's been here long enough, she might as well be.
- but Hijikata isn't here now and Shinpachi is a rasetsu, but a rasetsu who hasn't come to terms with drinking blood, a rasetsu who is trying to retain his humanity and while Sannan has been one for longer, that means he knows how to cope with the pain more easily. It means he's had chances to learn to make use of his otherworldly strength, and that means if push comes to shove Shinpachi is going to have to match him but that would give him away entirely, if Sannan doesn't already know.]
My... cooperation, Sannan-san?
[She isn't at all good at hiding her unease, and subconsciously she shifts herself to be a little closer to Shinpachi, though she doesn't do anything rash like reach for his arm for comfort. Being beside him is comfort enough, for the moment.]
If it's about my father's notes, I'd be glad to share them... and the medicine, as well.
[Her hopes that Sannan will leave it at that are dashed almost immediately. He smiles and shakes his head, just once, but a single time is all Chizuru needs for her heart to fill with dread.]
No, what I require from you is assistance of a different kind.
[She bites her lip. He either doesn't notice her discomfort, or notices it and decides that forging on ahead with what he has to say is more important.]
You have had time to think about the question I posed to you when we last spoke of the rasetsu, have you not?
[She drops her gaze to the side, deliberately looking anywhere but at Shinpachi. This truly isn't a discussion she wants to have in front of him (though she's glad he's here, at the same time) and it makes her feel almost guilty, because she had refused to let Sannan use her blood for the sake of so many rasetsu but she had given it up so easily for Shinpachi just earlier that day, but it feels different and she's not sure why. That isn't something she knows how to articulate, though.]
...I have.
[Sannan studies her a moment or two.]
And...? If I am to begin making use of your blood, Yukimura-kun, there is no better time to do so than now. [She doesn't look entirely convinced, and so perhaps that is the reason why he changes tactics.] For the good of the Shinsengumi... think how many lives could be saved. With the might of the rasetsu, we could end this war quickly. And with your blood, they would not go mad.
[Her stomach churns and she looks down, conflict and tension visible all over her face and in the way she hunches her shoulders and wraps her arms around herself. To say no feels selfish, but... but...]
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That time, Hijikata had interfered -
Ah, but Yukimura-kun isn't technically part of the Shinsengumi.
She's been here long enough, she might as well be.
- but Hijikata isn't here now and Shinpachi is a rasetsu, but a rasetsu who hasn't come to terms with drinking blood, a rasetsu who is trying to retain his humanity and while Sannan has been one for longer, that means he knows how to cope with the pain more easily. It means he's had chances to learn to make use of his otherworldly strength, and that means if push comes to shove Shinpachi is going to have to match him but that would give him away entirely, if Sannan doesn't already know.]
My... cooperation, Sannan-san?
[She isn't at all good at hiding her unease, and subconsciously she shifts herself to be a little closer to Shinpachi, though she doesn't do anything rash like reach for his arm for comfort. Being beside him is comfort enough, for the moment.]
If it's about my father's notes, I'd be glad to share them... and the medicine, as well.
[Her hopes that Sannan will leave it at that are dashed almost immediately. He smiles and shakes his head, just once, but a single time is all Chizuru needs for her heart to fill with dread.]
No, what I require from you is assistance of a different kind.
[She bites her lip. He either doesn't notice her discomfort, or notices it and decides that forging on ahead with what he has to say is more important.]
You have had time to think about the question I posed to you when we last spoke of the rasetsu, have you not?
[She drops her gaze to the side, deliberately looking anywhere but at Shinpachi. This truly isn't a discussion she wants to have in front of him (though she's glad he's here, at the same time) and it makes her feel almost guilty, because she had refused to let Sannan use her blood for the sake of so many rasetsu but she had given it up so easily for Shinpachi just earlier that day, but it feels different and she's not sure why. That isn't something she knows how to articulate, though.]
...I have.
[Sannan studies her a moment or two.]
And...? If I am to begin making use of your blood, Yukimura-kun, there is no better time to do so than now. [She doesn't look entirely convinced, and so perhaps that is the reason why he changes tactics.] For the good of the Shinsengumi... think how many lives could be saved. With the might of the rasetsu, we could end this war quickly. And with your blood, they would not go mad.
[Her stomach churns and she looks down, conflict and tension visible all over her face and in the way she hunches her shoulders and wraps her arms around herself. To say no feels selfish, but... but...]