Goodbye
It had been more than 50 years since Hijikata-san had left her all alone in this world and now she as lay dying on her bed she spoke to the girl sitting beside her weeping quietly.
"Yukine" she rasped "I have a gift for you, one final thing before I leave you."
"What is it Baba-sama?" Yukine whispered
"Go to the draw in my desk, child, and bring me the book that resides there." The girl did as Chizuru bid her and returned to her seat,
"What is this Baba-sama?"
"These, my child, are the tales of the Shinsengumi, as I knew them. Brave, strong, and loyal to the end."
"But, Baba-sama, the Shinsengumi were with the Bakufu in the civil war weren't they? You couldn't have known them!" Chizuru laughed softly
"Don't be so sure, child. I knew those men better than anyone. In fact, I helped them as they fought against the Imperial army, you will see, my story intertwined through theirs in that book." She paused and continued "I want you to promise me something Yukine." The girl looked up from the book,
"What do you want me to do Baba-sama?"
"Please, read our story and pass it on to your children, tell them of the brave men of the Shinsengumi who fought and died for what they believed was right, and tell them about me, the girl who followed them and helped them for five of the best years of her life…" she coughed and a trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, Yukine jumped forward
"Baba-sama!" Chizuru turned her head and with her weakened but fierce gaze repeated her request,
"Promise me Yukine, please." Tears spilt down Yukine's face but still she nodded,
"I promise, Baba-sama, I promise I will." she whispered brokenly, Chizuru smiled
"Thank you.." she whispered and with one final breath she slipped away into the darkness.