For better or for worse Okita was to stay in the hospital. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, as you were expecting. Thanks to modern medicine it was curable, or at least you hoped it would. You've seen some older patients with said disease, and it wasn't the pleasant view. You couldn't imagine living while coughing your lungs out. Okita was prescribed to six month treatment, in which he was supposed to get reed of the illness. Doctors were positive, since he was only twenty-three and otherwise healthy young man.

Okita had to stay for a lot of additional tests, and with a bit of encouragement from you, he agreed to remain at hospital. You brought him spare pajamas, his phone so he wouldn't get too bored and some books. Okita began to learn how to write on keyboard, which was as much hilarious as it was confusing. And now as you looked down on the small screen you weren't sure what he meant by a keysmash.

You looked outside the window, watching as steady pace of the train brought you closer and closer to Kyoto center. You sighed. It was your first day at university after the spring break. You should've gone there three days before, but you were at hospital. You saw your friends and it was really refreshing, just listening to their stories about the spring break. But it triggered something else too. Something that weighted a bit on your mind; your future career was not safe. You were getting entangled in a matters out of your control and you had some gut sense to believe it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Your education was very important to you, but the more years progressed the academic work was getting busier and busier. You still had your duties at the temple and even though it wasn't mediatory you just couldn't leave granny without any help. When you decided to become an onmyouji, you also decided to stick with the temple.

Your mind was also burdened by an accumulation of your recent failures. You thought that you were moderately good archer, or at least average. The Miyako Odori fiasco plus fight with Ogiwara in the hospital showed you that, in fact, you sucked. It was easy to stuck some talismans here and there, to let Akagitsune to take care of the enemies. But getting things done yourself – that turned out to be a feat. You snorted at yourself.

The train stopped. You walked through the familiar route that you hadn't seen for three years now. Your gaze fell onto open metal gates of your high school. You smiled softly, recalling all the memories connected with that place. Friends you've made, that sadly went on their own path. Some crushes and cute boys you liked. Teachers – better and worse.

It's been a while.

You went towards your destination. The archery court in the back of the school grounds was the place where you, three years ago, spent almost every afternoon. You chose it as you after class club activity, which was both entertaining and educative. After graduating you stopped with archery lessons, so your skills got really rusty.

You looked out for a familiar face of your teacher. You saw her with a student, helping him with his posture. Nostalgia filled you as you regarded the whole court, as nothing seemed to change.

"Yamabuki-sensei!" you called out when she seemed to be done. She turned to you and recognition lighted her face.

"Good morning!" she smiled back as you rushed to her. "How long has it been?"

"Too long".

She regarded you with her dark eyes. She was tall woman in her thirties, lean and muscular. Her hair was tied into ponytail. She was looking at you curiously, probably wondering what made you come to your old high school after three years.

"Sensei... I kind of... need archery lessons."

''Lessons?" she leaned with her arms crossed over a chestplate she was wearing as a part of a training kimono.

You nodded, your eyes wandering. How do you explain that you need to get stronger in order to defeat new enemies?

"But you know," she continued. "This is high school activity club, I don't think you'll be able to train here."

"I know. I just want to ask if there's a way for you to train me? I really valued you as my teacher and I can't think of anyone else."

You pleaded with your eyes. You really needed all training you could get. Needed and wanted. Older woman seized you once again.

''Well, I'm having some extra lessons at my family home every Saturday,'' she said. ''For kids.''

''I don't mind at all. Just something to keep me going, sensei.''

''Come by this Saturday then, and we'll see what you need to work on.''

You smiled back at her and gave a big sigh of relief, ''thank you so much.''

She shook her head in dismissal, as if saying it's okay. She gave you her address and you thanked her once again.

''I need to get back to my students, sorry," she smiled and pointed out at highschoolers peeking from behind.

"Oh, I'm sorry to keep you then."

She winked at you and clapped her hands, addressing the pupils, ''alright guys, break is over."

"Yes, sensei!" a choir of voices resounded. Students started to shuffle to get back into positions.

You smiled, feeling nostalgic at the scene so familiar to you. She was by far your favorite teacher at high school. She understood your need of a bit of peace and quiet in hectic environment, as you would stay till late at the training grounds. Just you and your bow. Yamabuki-sensei would observe, make remarks and help you as you trained.

Soon you decided to head back home, after quick goodbyes with Yamabuki-sensei you headed back to the train station. You picked groceries on your way and tried to understand what Okita was texting. All in all, you were glad he stayed at the hospital to recuperate. And that he could treat an illness that historically killed him. For a second you wondered how much you changed history, but at the same time not helping an ill person is no-go for somebody who wanted to be a doctor.

So for the next uneventful days you juggled between lectures at the university and helping at the temple as you used to. Before Okita was discharged from the hospital to your mail arrived an envelope from Kanbayashi, the young police officer. It contained birth certificate for Okiwasa Soujiro and other papers. You blessed him in your thoughts. Thanks to Kanbayashi you were able to finally register him into the hospital. They didn't kick him out only because of your connection to dr Matsumoto. You felt relief as you thought that one of your problems was solved.

You told granny about this as well. She wasn't entirely pleased than now you were dealing with illegal matters, but there wasn't anything she could do.

Over the days you mulled over the events that apparently brought him to the present. You promised you would help him. And this brought you here, where it all apparently began, a week later when Okita was back at the temple.

''Walk me through it, Souji-san" you said standing, hands on your hips, gazing at the gentle waves of the river. Light early May breeze moved your hair, afternoon sun slowly descending down hiding behind peaks of the forest.

Okita stood beside you, shading his eyes as he looked towards same river. It was quite serene atmosphere by the riverbank, just two or three people crossing the bridge, not minding two of you.

''Walk you through what?"

''Can you tell me how exactly you travelled through the time?" you asked, looking at him, squinting as the sun blinded you momentarily.

''You have really bad memory, I've already told you,'' he complained.

''You had a night patrol, came to the temple, got attacked, fell into water and bam! You're here."

"Couldn't sum up this better,'' he replied, sarcasm dripping with every word.

You scratched your cheek.

''Didn't you feel something in the temple? Like some sort of spiritual pull?''

''Nope, regular patrol,'' Okita shrugged. ''I got attacked out of nowhere.''

You hummed and gazed back at the river. There weren't that much clues towards what could trigger the time travel.

''Let's see,'' you let your thoughts a voice. ''You arrived here in what... April 11th?"

You took out your phone and googled the date, out of lack of better ideas. Okita shuffled closer, taking a look at the screen. Apparently on this day it was full moon.

''Full moon?" you asked.

"Yeah,'' he nodded. ''In 1866 it was also full moon, now that I think about it."

You smiled, ''alright, were getting somewhere. Maybe April 11th is some important date."

You took a peak at Okita and his expression seemed curious. Maybe you were really solving the puzzle. You looked back to your screen, yet what you read made you sigh. Your shoulders dropped as you spoke ''Yeah, scratch that, unless National Safe Motherhood Day is somehow connected to this."

Okita sighed, ''I'll give you pointers for the effort.''

"Gee, thanks,'' you quipped. ''Okay let's backtrack. Full moon, right?"

"Maybe I have to jump into river when it's full moon, "Okita proposed. He looked at the river and back at you.

''Could work I guess?'' you agreed. You looked back to google and cheered, ''so it seems tonight it's full moon again, which means we're lucky!"

''I really hope I won't be getting wet for no reason.''

You shook your head and assured him it will be fine. Or at least it's a worth shot. You went back to the temple for the time being. It wouldn't be until at least midnight for the moon to appear. You took care of some housework and prepared for the evening in mean time. If you would really send Okita back today to bakumatsu then you figured you can also pack him. You took small backpack you would use for trips and packed him medication for his tuberculosis and some antiseptics he could use. And at the end you took a towel and warm jacket in case it didn't work out.

Around 11PM you and Okita departed back for the river, only your grandmother questioning you about your intentions.

''Midnight picnic,'' Okita told her and pushed you out of the house.

''Wha-?" you heard your grandma's voice back in the hallway.

He waved back and made his way out. Without much choice you followed him but decided against questioning him.

You sat down at the riverbank and observed as moon peaked out of the clouds. The bridge was lighted by series of street lamps as it loomed over you.

''I prepared a backpack for you with medication you might find useful.''

''Ah thanks,'' he replied taking it into his hands. He took a long look at the moon above and then looked back to you. ''Well then.''

''Yeah. Watch out for yourself I guess?" you offered awkwardly.

Without any other word he made his way towards the river and descended inside. You held your breath as you watched him take a dive inside. But after a few moments he was back on the surface, dripping wet.

''It didn't work, miko-hime!" he called out as he looked back to you and walked back to the riverbank.

You sighed in resignation.

''Not that I expected any good result,'' he murmured, standing now by you.

''Sorry,'' you handed him the towel and then the jacket. He shook his head at you with a quiet nevermind.

''My second theory is that,'' you began as you watched him wipe his face. Small chill run through you, as the nights were still considerably cold. You continued, ''maybe next year, same time it would work?"

''A whole year?"

You nodded. You didn't have any basis for it, or even a gut feeling. You just hoped it would be the answer.

''We'll continue looking though.''

Okita raised his brew at you, ''where does that optimism come from?"

''Are you giving up?"

''In your dreams,'' Okita scoffed.

''Then I'm not giving up either.''

You began walking back to the temple.

Next day when you came back from your lectures you walked past red torii gate at the peak of the stairs leading to the temple, with a bit of a strain as your ankle was still hurting. You were greeted by two miko sweeping the courtyard, who waved their hands at you. Some patrons were visiting the temple as well and you were glad that the area wasn't empty. The temple wasn't located anywhere near main roads, it was surrounded by trees; and while you loved some peace and tranquility of the place, the location didn't help to gain visitors.

Your grandma often wondered what to do to bring them in. Kunizuka family wasn't that rich to begin with, even though your mother turned back at being a heiress, she still provided for the temple financially. Your father was also quite generous. But most of the money came from the people, the visitors. Every once and then on special holiday miko's prepared open-air performances to not only commemorate the event but also to show off. This was also source of income, and with spring in full bloom some of the events would soon appear.

You passed main temple building, then the main house and guesthouse and went to the very backspace of the complex. While courtyard in the main house served you for a long time as training ground ever since you trained with your grandpa and grandma, you knew about dojo. Your grandfather was a master of the blade and it was his prefered weapon. Your grandmother went from the line of miko-himes of Amaterasu, she and from what you knew her ancestors had spiritual power coming from the line; after all main reason of the temple existence was to pray to Amaterasu and preserve the barrier against the evil. But your grandfather wasn't loosing to her, he was a swordsman and also came from family with long onmyoji tradition. He opened the dojo in one of the rooms when he was young and from what you knew it was prosperous for a while. After your grandfather's death nobody continued with schooling. Students dispersed.

You slid the doors of the dojo that for years now served as a storage room. The room was dark and dusty, filled with boxes and some house and temple equipment. You admit that you were guilty about some of the mess inside as you never really cared about cleaning there. Opening the doors wide, you entered the stuffy room. One box was open and inside you saw wooden swords, without a doubt Okita took his and Akira's from here.

You looked around the room, thinking of how long it would take to make it usable again as a dojo. You admit that this idea wandered around your mind ever since you saw Akira training with Okita in the courtyard. Teaching kids and maybe even some teens in the dojo could be a good thing for Okita, who as he said, was lost in this world. Some kind of familiarity. Your ideas weren't totally selfless, you had to admit also you wanted the temple to prosper and have money to continue doing. Dojo could bring new visitors as well.

Teaching kids in the afternoons won't put too much strain on his body even if he cared. You can't imagine him not training to keep up the shape as he's been doing this up to this point. He still rested after the fight at Miyako Odori and you hoped your night escapade won't put additional strain on his health.

And thus tedious cleaning up of the dojo began.

"Souji-san!" you chirped walking inside Okita's room after a short knock. You spotted him by the opened shoji doors, on the porch, looking into some books. Although it didn't seem as he was really reading them.

"I'm bored," Okita announced as soon as you seated yourself by him.

"It's your lucky day, I've brought something special from the city."

You took out box filled with mochi out of your bag. Okita eyed it with curiosity and without any delay he took the sweets.

"Well, then thank you for the meal," he said.

"Oh and Kotobuki-san paid a visit and told me to sent you greetings."

Okita's eyes narrowed as he munched the food.

"Kotobuki who?" he asked.

"The older man? You've met him twice," you said. "He was looking for the Three Sacred Treasures?"

Okita face lit with recognition, "this guy. Speaking of him – anything new?"

"He didn't say anything of that sorts, why?"

You turned to Okita as you sat more comfortably on the wooden planks.

"Taking into account crows being sure that my sword is Kusanagi no Tsurugi I thought that you'd get more interested in this research,'' he said shrugging his arms. "I was wrong."

You sent him a pointed look and crossing your arms you replied, "I was busy with other stuff, but rest assured I took some books to read on this topic."

"Bring them to me, you don't have much to do anyway," he waved mochi in your direction and promptly devoured it whole.

"Which part of I was busy did you miss?" you sighed and pinched your nose. "I've got university now to worry about."

"University?" Okita asked, a bit clueless.

"I study medicine for three years now. I had long break in April but now new semester begun so now I'll be mostly out now."

Okita was munching as he pondered about your reply.

''So you want to be a doctor? Is that possible?"

You frowned a bit, ''of course. I was juggling between being a surgeon for a while but in the end I think I'm bit too clumsy for such a job. I like kids, so I think I'll work with them. Opening my own practice would be a really dream coming true."

"So women in this era can be a doctors, huh."

"Ah, that's what you meant!" you realized. Of course, bakumatsu era women weren't as privileged as now, they were mostly stay at home housewives.

"You were treating me when I came here first time?" he questioned.

"No, I was there just as part of my practice for university. Doing more of nurse job."

You recalled your first, very messy meeting with the samurai you tried to admit to the hospital. It seemed so far away. You chuckled a bit, earing a weird look from Okita. You looked at him and you were glad he seemed to be looking more healthy. Deathly pale didn't suit him, you concluded.

''Another thing, Souji-san," you began also munching the sweets. "I cleaned up old dojo, and I must tell you I hated every minute of it, but now its usable."

"Mhm," he gulped down. ''That's why you were running around so much lately."

''I was thinking,'' you looked into his eyes.

''That doesn't end well."

"Hear me out first! As I said, I was thinking, if maybe, you would want to open up a dojo and school some kids?"

He blinked back at you, as you were leaning forward. ''Why would I?"

"Historically you were a teacher right?"

"Technically..." he drawled out.

"Yes, I've read my books," you smiled. ''So what do you think? It could be fun, you're already teaching Akira-kun."

"Hm. Am I getting paid?" he scratched his chin.

"What. No."

"Then it's not really a fair deal, miko-hime."

"How-?" you sighed and messaged your temples, hearing his smartass remark. ''I'm literally providing roof over your head, pay it off!"

''I was supposed to be your bodyguard, that was the deal," he clicked his tongue in mocking disapproval. ''You're so stingy."

"I am not stingy, I am offended."

He snorted and chuckled at your puffed up cheeks. You saw amusement in his eyes. He leaned back onto the door frame and waved his hand dismissively.

''I have to think that through.''

''Souji-san, please?'' you frowned. You leaned again towards him. ''I really, really want you to do it."

He eyed you up and down, small smirk on his lips.

"Fine, but-.''

''Yes?"

"You have to bring me more sweets."

You blinked. That was easy, you thought and smiled.

''Great! You'll see it's a great idea, Souji-san!" you cheered.

''How are you so sure?" he raised a brew at you taking a sip of tea he had prepared earlier.

''Won't it be good for you as well? I mean, this is something you know the best right? Swordsmanship. Like a fish in the water."

You grinned at him, ''And this way you'll be a little bit happier about being here, right?"

''Huh?" he stared, seemingly frozen.

You looked at the small garden stretching before you. You really wished it would work out, and hopefully you weren't too overbearing towards Okita.

''By the way, Souji-san,'' you started, your gaze falling on some untouched books laying on the porch. ''What are you doing when I'm at university?"

You turned to him in curiosity.

''Sightseeing,'' came short reply and mysterious smile.

Briefly, you wondered if you should be worried.

''Anyways!" you stood up and stretched your arms out with a content sigh. "I'm going to my archery lessons. So see you later I guess."

"Archery?" he repeated. ''You're full of surprises today."

"Yeah, I need to pick it up again, since I quite literally sucked very recently at being decent in anything."

You took a look at empty mochi box and concluded that you need to bring more next time around. What a shame they were gone already, Okita had quite an appetite.

''Where's your arrogant onmyoji stance?" he quipped, Cheshire-cat grin on his lips. He rested his head on his palm as he leaned forward.

Your pursed your lips in displeasure; you sure were arrogant before. Being called out on your bullshit in this many ways sucked a lot. You sighed and plastered a smile on your face, ''to stand up again as proud miko and onmyoji I need to work hard.''

You looked at your phone, noticing the hour and made a haste leave from your house.

***

guess who's back I guess... It's been A WHILE. I'm sorry to everyone who looked forward to next chapter. But I'm back for now, with some fresh inspiration. 

I hope you enjoyed this bit of downtime. I did some edits here and there - nothing major, I hoped to fix some mistakes, I also added the MC's surname, to make it a bit easier to follow through. 

See ya next time!