Grudges
Kondo gathered the entire company together to give them a few wise words.
"Tomorrow we face the fiercest enemy yet. Do not go into battle with lingering grudges…"
He looked at Okita and Okita gulped.
"Or regrets. Tonight go be with your loved ones and reconcile your differences. Tomorrow we meet at dawn. For now…Company dismissed."
The company split into two groups. The ones with families ran off to be with them, the ones without families remained behind. Okita saw many of the men crying and shaking hands. He wondered if he should visit his sister's grave. Then he felt Kondo's big paw on his shoulder and realized too late, he should have made his escape. Kondo called him over to one side to have a chat. They knelt facing each other. Kondo began:
"Shogo, I think of you as a little brother."
"Commander." Said an awed Okita.
"Little brother, I want you to give up your grudge with Toshiro. At least the part concerning your sister."
Okita pouted and looked to Hijikata who was in the corner sharping his sword.
"Is that an order?"
"I would rather you did so as a favor to me, your big bro."
Shogo kept silent. His grudge toward the man who rejected his sister's love was a part of his personality. Kondo continued:
"For a moment consider the situation from Toshiro and Mitsuba-san's point of view."
Shogo nodded to show he was listening, if grudgingly.
"Toshiro turned his back on her because he thought she would suffer more if he married her. Even though he loved her, he made this sacrifice."
"How is being married to the one you love suffering?"
"You show how young you really are by asking that question."
Shogo pouted and Kondo continued:
"Let's look at two possibilities."
Kondo looked at Shogo and saw he was curious and listening.
"1) Toshiro turned his back on the Shinsengumi and married your sister. He holds a normal job and he gives her a normal life in the country. Sounds nice huh?"
Okita nods as it was the wish he once had for them.
"Except, Toshiro would hate it and come to resent your sister for keeping him, a man of action, tied down."
Okita could not deny this.
"Mitsuba would come to hate herself for forcing a normal life onto a man with exceptional abilities."
Kondo paused for a moment to let it sink in. Okita sighed as it was all true.
"2) She came to Edo as the wife of the vice-commander. I need not tell you what that would have done to her health."
Okita nodded as he knew full well that the smog alone would have hastened her death.
"Consider the married men of our company."
This got Okita's attention. He was acquainted with a number of the wives.
"Strong women, correct?" Asked Kondo.
Okita nodded. They were all strong and healthy.
"Strong enough to stand the fears and anxieties of being a policeman's wife."
"My sister could…not…" Admitted Okita and he sighed. It was easier to blame Hijikata when there was no way they could have lived happily ever after. He grew up a bit just then. Kondo nodded. They both looked in Hijikata's direction and he noticed them. Okita sighed and got up, he bowed to his commander. His commander bowed back. Okita went to Hijikata, who set aside his sword. Kondo watched as the two talked and after a while shook hands. Okita then left to talk and weep at his sister's grave. Hijikata shared a look with Kondo and nodded his gratefulness for helping to mend the breach. As for Hijikata, he held no grudges and one pointless regret. Hijikata went back to working on his sword. Kondo left to spend the night at Otae side. Even if he spent the next day in pain, it would be worth it.
ceo
I hope such a scene appears in Gintama.
Please review.