Nishihonganji

Author: pratz

Timeline: Tennis no Ohjisama AU, takes place in about 1865 (Bakumatsu)

Summary: When he was asked to accompany his mentor to the Shinsengumi Headquarter in Nishihonganji, he never thought his life would take a very different turn.

Notes: should I continue? Oh, and updates are faster on my LJ.

Warning: some Japanese terms, a bit historical knowledge is needed, and poorly unbetaed

Tezuka Kunimitsu put his cup of tea back quietly, keen eyes watching the person in front of him. Before him, sat Nanbu Seiichirou (1), as quiet as the bespectacled man, sipping his now lukewarm tea.

"I believe you've just asked me to accompany you to pay a visit to the Miburou's Headquarter, Nanbu."

"Yes—and a short visit at that." Nanbu said. "Meester (2) wants me to assist him on his visit to the Miburou's Headquarter."

"And why is that," Tezuka sauntered again, "they ask a Western-styled doctor like Matsumoto-sensei to tend them?"

"Their leader, Kondou-san, is Meester's best friend."

"One more question." Tezuka raised a hand gently to interrupt Nanbu's explanation. "You think I'd say yes, don't you? Why?"

"Because, Tezuka, I know you're a good doctor."

.-.-.-.

His wife (3), Sachiko, was already at the doorway when he put the cover over his medical kit box. His daughter, Yukihira, was in her arms, sleeping soundly.

"Kunimitsu-san."

He pushed his glassed up the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, Sachiko."

"Tomorrow is Yukihira's birthday. Do you think you can make it?"

"I... will try," he answered weakly. "I know I won't be on time, but I'll try."

A soft smile dawned on his wife's lips. "I understand. Please be alright on your journey. We wouldn't want Yuki to play a doctor when you comeback not in one pieces, would we?"

Amused, a gallant eyebrow rose up. "Why do you think I'll be harmed?"

"This is the Miburou we're talking about, Kunimitsu-san."

"I don't bring any sword around them, and I come as a doctor. Besides, Matsumoto-sensei's with me. Please don't make me be a bother to you." Tezuka bent down to kiss his wife and daughter on the forehead. "I'm going now."

"Please have a safe journey."

.-.-.-.

"Meester, I can't believe they're still human enough..."

"Quiet, Nanbu. You'd insult them."

Tezuka watched the whispered conversation between his mentor and his friend dispassionately, though he was a bit on Nanbu's side. How could a bunch of men who seemed to never touch the bathroom be humans? They stunk with body odour, and Tezuka thought that was worse than the animals on farms. Even a doctor within the Hougen rank would never be able to stand them, really.

"Sensei," Tezuka called Matsumoto-hougen for a little attention, "how about you ask them to have a bath first? That way, we could conduct the examination better."

Watching Nanbu sighed heartily as Matsumoto-hougen roared his suggestion to the rows of soldiers, Tezuka sensed a faint smile creep onto his face.

.-.-.-.

"The sanitation is bad, the health care is worse, and their sense of sanity is the worst I've ever seen!" Matsumoto-hougen grumbled loudly.

Walking beside him, Tezuka kept his calm face still. "Perhaps you should discuss this with Kondou-san or Hijikata-san, Sensei."

Matsumoto-hougen sighed, sort. "You know, Tezuka, sometimes I think my sanity does depend on you." He laughed a little. "I'm going to talk to Hijikata-san. Could you deal with the examination for the group on the west wing? They're the last to check upon, I think."

"Yes, Sensei. Ah—Nanbu?"

"I've found an interesting boy just ago. He'd be a good medical staff for some times being here, so I ask Nanbu to talk with him about some basic. You'll alright to be on your own, ne, Tezuka?"

He nodded once, and Matsumoto-hougen left him to turn left on the next corridor in search for Hijikata or Kondou. Tezuka let the rope that tied the sleeves of his kimono fall loosely before he himself headed for the west wing of Nishihonganji. A group of young men—some even still looked boyish—greeted him there, and just like what Matsumoto-hougen had done before, he asked them to put themselves, wearing only their fundoshi (4), in three rows to start the examination.

The first to come was a man named Utsumi Jirou.

"Tezuka-sensei?"

"Yes?"

"I'm an assistant to Itou Kashitarou-sensei—one of the commander here, and I have one condition to ask. Is that alright for you?"

Tezuka met the man's gaze with his own solemn ones, knowing that the man indirectly asked whether he was able to keep the said condition by himself or not. "A doctor," he finally said, "is under an oath to never leak out any words from his patient."

Utsumi's sharp gaze one again met his before he finally let his guard down. "I'm sorry I've doubted you."

"It's not a problem, Utsumi-san."

"If that so," Smiling, Utsumi heaved a short sigh, seemed a bit pleased, "please ask a soldier named Fuji Shuusuke to come right after me."

Tezuka frowned, but before Utsumi could see it, the frown had gone. "May I know why?"

"He's—ah—how should I say it?" Utsumi's face looked troubled, and strangely a bit flustered, if Tezuka did not recognize it wrong. "Let's just say that you wouldn't want a big disturbance to happen during the inspection, ne?"

Another 'why' had jumped to his throat, but Tezuka swallowed it again. "I see."

"Thank you."

So that was why Fuji Shuusuke came right after Utsumi was allowed to excuse himself.

.-.-.-.

Notes:

(1) Matsumoto-hougen's assistant. His name is mentioned on Kaze Hikaru by Watanabe Taeko and Peacemaker Kurogane by Chrono Nanae.

(2) Meester (Dutch for Mister) was the name that Nanbu used to call Matsumoto Ryoujun. Mastering Western medical style (Ranpo), Matsumoto was a goteni (doctor worked for the royal family of shogun) and was titled Hougen—the title before the highest Houin.

(3) Yes, ladies, Tezuka is already married here.

(4) A kind of underwear, tied from a long fabric. If you ever watch a sumo athlete, it's what they wear. In Kaze Hikaru, all men wear only the fundoshi during Matsumoto-hougen's examination.

NEXT (if you want me to continue, of course)

"I came from Edo. Itou-sensei brought me here along with the newly requited members."

"Gods, they'll sleep with anyone as long as it doesn't pick a fight. That's just so sick, don't you think so, Tezuka?"

"It's unusual, but it's not uncommon here. I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable with that idea, Tezuka-sensei."

"I don't understand them, Sensei. I don't understand the people who will gladly throw their life away just for a sick sense of fidelity."