Faster Than the Eye Saitou Hajime X Reader

        After hours of sneaking around, you'd finally done it. You were back inside the walls of the Shinsegumi hide out and not a single soul had noticed you. Now, there was just one more thing you wanted to do before you were caught and were possibly killed. Spotting your target, you ran up beside him and acted like you belonged there. “Hey there Saitou, nice day, isn’t it?” Not surprisingly, he completely ignored you. He didn't even give you so much as a glance. “You're not ignoring me are you? I hate to assume, but it really feels that way.”

His voice was cold, just like you knew it would be. “I thought you surely must be a hallucination, as no one in their right mind would come here without permission.”

“I never claimed to be in my right mind, but that's not the point.” Following his every step, you crossed your arms and continued to speak. “I wanted to prove to you all that your defenses need work. There's been a lot of talk lately that you all are getting lazy. Since a girl was able to break in here, with very little effort, I'd have to say those murmurs are true.”

Your words caught his attention. “Come with me.” Saitou grabbed your hand and pulled you into a small building, hidden by tall brush and grass. “Tell me truthfully, were you really able to break through our walls with ease, or are you trying to upset me.”

Though it was rather stupid not to be, you were completely unafraid of being alone with him. “I'm not trying to upset you, though it would be an added bonus if I did.”

Saitou Glared at you, but didn't dare touch you. “Answer my question.”

His glare meant little to you. If you were going to die here, you were going to die whether or not you were respectful to him. And honestly, the idea of dying didn't frighten you at all. “The fact that I'm standing here in front of you, and not even a single one of your men is out looking for me should answer that question.”

“I see.” No longer angry, Saitou almost seemed, impressed. “I should let you know, that there are no rumors of us growing weak. We have spies and patrol men. If there were rumors, as you stated we'd have heard them. I should also like to let you know, that we are on full guard at this hour, so you getting past our guards, is unusual.”

“Well you're rather talkative today aren't you? I didn't even think you were capable of using that many words in one day.” You sat down on one of the old, broken down crates inside of the terribly run down building and sighed. “I'd appreciate it if you explained one more thing though. What exactly do you mean, saying its unusual that I got in here? You're not trying to tell me that no one's broken in before, are you?”

“No.” Saitou shook his head. “Our walls have been breached before. However, it has not happened often, and as far as I know, never, by a girl.”

His confession made you smile. “I see. Then I guess I'm even better than I thought.”

“You'll allow me to ask you something now.” Once again, he looked cold and unapproachable. “Your story of rumors has been proven a lie. So, what would possess you to break in here? I can think of no logical reason.”

The answer you gave no longer pained you as it once had. It had taken a long time, but you'd finally come to grips with your fate. “Since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you. The truth is, I'm kind of sick. No one really knows how long I have left. So I figured I'd do everything I could while I had a chance to do it. I don't want to die having lived a boring life.”

Actually believing your claim, Saitou nodded, but reacted in no other way. “I see.”

“That's it? I tell you I'm dying and that's all you have to say?” You weren't hurt, and you definitely hadn't expected him to really care. You were however a little shocked at his lack of empathy. “ Man, you really are as heartless as they say.”

Ignoring your remarks, Saitou loosely placed his hand on his blade, more than ready to draw it if need be. “Do you know how long you have left?”

You took a step back, knowing full well that if he wanted to kill you, there was nothing in the world you could do to stop him from doing so. “No, but that doesn't mean I want you to kill me. I'd rather die naturally if I have to.”

His eyes became almost completely black as his grip tightened. “My intention is not to kill you. Now, draw your blade.”

“Right, I totally believe that. You're just trying to get me to drop my guard, well that's not going to happen. Trust me on that.” Your mind told you he meant to punish you for breaking in. But somehow, you knew that just couldn't be it.

Already tired of waiting for you to act, Saitou quickly whipped his blade from its sheath and immediately sliced at you in a downward motion. You didn't know how it had happened, but after the echoes of clashing steel had stopped and you were able to open your eyes, you saw that your blade was no longer by your side, but instead was in your hands, blocking Saitou's blade from landing a deadly blow. Pleased by what he saw, Saitou nodded. “It's as I thought.”

Completely dumbfounded, you lowered your sword and stared at it with wide, unbelieving eyes.  You didn't even remember moving or reacting. Honestly, you didn't even remember seeing Saitou move to strike you. “H-how did that just happen?”

Saitou pressed his sword back into its sheath and smirked at his findings. “Your reflexes are faster than your eyes have time to even comprehend. This explains why you flinched the first time we met when the others did not. This also explains why you were able to avoid every guard we have posted.”

You didn't want to get too cocky, but if what he was saying was true, you kind of had a reason to be. Quickly slamming your sword back into its holder, you slowly paced around the room with a wide, teasing smile on your face. “I don't mean to change the subject or anything, but that kind of sounded like a compliment to me. It's not like you to compliment people, at least not from what I've seen and heard about you. So I must admit, I feel kind of special.”

“It was not a compliment, it was an observation.” He shut his eyes, brought his hand to his chin and thought. “I have things I need to discuss. I ask that for today, you leave. Someone will be sent to talk to you, if my suggestion is even given a second thought by the commanders.” His eyes opened, revealing a slight look of compassion. “If not, I wish you an honorable death.”

The sudden unexpected kindness he showed caused you to become flustered. “Thank you, but what suggestion are you talking about exactly?”

“I can reveal no more to you, not at this time.” He walked past you and pushed open the old, badly warped wooden door, letting in the warmth and bright sunlight. “Since you were able to get in here with such ease, I trust you won't need me to cause a diversion so you can escape.”

“You've got that right. But you had better send someone to talk to me soon. I don't want to die waiting on you.” With a wide, confident smile, you gave him a thumbs up, rushed out of the building and quickly began to make your escape without another word.

Saitou sighed as he watched you leave. “You have my word. I will do my best.”