Characters and original story does not belong to me. :P
~Chizuru POV~
Ezo Republic- June 20th, 1869. [Battle of Hakodate]
Everything became endangered of pouring out ignited by the final battle that had just occurred.
No, this wasn't time cry, their burdens and loss must have surly been more crippling. For now I needed to focus on how to stay alive. I needed to stan-…
His body in my lap prevented me from leaving. I look down. The color from is face drained, lifeless. The regular scowl wiped from his face replaced with a more relaxed look…almost peaceful even.
Should I leave him? Should I stay? Should I die and join them? Will the government forces find us here to the rear of Gonryokaku? Will the cherry blossoms' scent be enough to drive away the smell of the bloodbath the war left in its wake?
I stay paralyzed. I couldn't let myself cry. I look up to the sky to try to hold back the choking tears that threatened to be released any instant.
Before me was a blizzard of dancing petals manipulated by the wind.
I prayed… Oh heavenly winds, stop the flow of time.
"Hijikata-san. Do you see it? The banner that everyone helped raise…?" My voiced cracking….
"Chizuru…", the cherry blossoms themselves seeming to whisper as a strong gust rips its petals free to dance in the wind. Hakuouki. Demon of the fleeting blossom.
How can time seem so endless? Why couldn't it have waited for us? In the end, war is nothing but a clash of ideals pulled by money-hungry officials. This war, their sacrifices, their lives…
Sometime later I find my ears able to pick up something other than the rustling of the cherry trees.
"HIJIKATA-KUN?" Ootori-san.
"FUKUCHOU?" Shimada-san.
"VICE MINISTER?" Everyone.
Their voices were faint… I didn't want to hear them and yet they lingered, tortuous. They told the truth and time continued.
Ezo Republic-June 26th, 1869. [Gonryokaku]
"heh…without Hijikata-kun here, I can no longer support this army. This wild dream that we all chased after will come to an end."
"This Republic will cease to exist."
"If anything, I don't want any more lives thrown away. The very least we can do is a peaceful surrender. We can't have their sacrifices be for not. Any more fighting will be pointless…better to go on living in the future then to die at their hands and be denied it."
And just like that, the defying cherry blossoms lost their petals; carried by the winds of change.
Tokyo-Summer Time, 1876. [Itabashi]
It's been years since the Ezo Republic fell. Japan's undergoing quite the change, even the air's different. After the war, they abolished the feudal and class system. There's no more use for the samurais and the sword hunt commenced. The surviving samurais made a painful and slow transition into modern times. Even if the bushis had lost their souls, I believed that their spirits continued to fight. They live on in the hopes for a future.
Makoto still reside in the remaining Shinsengumi. They still fight even in the present day. Strongly. Proudly.
The fighting has died down a lot and things had gotten a little quieter here. They call it Tokyo now. It's sorta funny to refer to Hijikata-san's and mine's very own birth town to "Tokyo" when we grew up knowing it as "Edo".
"Good morning Matsumoto-sensei. If you need me for anything, I'll be upstairs. ", I announced.
"Ah, good morning Chizuru-kun. Are you bringing the medicine to that patient?"
"Yes. And if it's okay, I'm giving her some tea, too."
"Sure. I'm sure that will help lift her spirit and dull the taste of her medication."
The war between humans came to a stop but the war against "rogai" still raged on. Thankfully, the people are starting to accept and take on the medical practices of the West. Matsumoto-sensei and I have kept a close eye on any new developments in its treatment.
Walking up the stairs, I can start to hear the horse coughing of a little girl. It brought back the memories of Okita-san.
"I'll kill you…"
Sliding the door open, I step in side with a smile.
"Good morning Hana-chan. Look what I brought," showing her the cup, I continued. "This tea will help with your throat and bring you some warmth." I poured some into the small teacup.
The tea was a favorite among the patients that Matsumoto-sensei and I had. It was the very tea that I prepared for both Hijikata-san and Okita-san. I remembered Okita-san saying that it was good and helped soothed his throat and body.
"I haven't become so old as to suckle on tea like you old people!"
"Hana-chan?-"
"Go away and leave me alone!"
"If you don't take your medicine, how to you ever intend on getting better? Drink the tea. It'll help with the bitterness. I won't leave until you finished every last drop."
A bossy worry-wart. Is that what he called us?
"Don't you have somewhere to go this afternoon?", Hana-chan questioned.
"I do, but they are no longer living. You are. Your life is more important than some grave stones. I'm sure they'll forgive me if I missed a few days to treat you."
Makoto. Live on and enjoy this little, fragile frame of time that we called life. Protect what's most dear. Fight on to see what's over that steep hill.
"I thought that I was supposed to be your last day?"
"It is, but I'm still young. I can stay and try to outlive your stubbornness."
"…"
"heh. You're always like this. Why don't you try talking about you feelings and being your true self?"
They both we're so similar. Smiling desperately hiding what they can behind it. Their greatest enemies was not this ailment, but themselves.
"Chizuru-nee chan? Before you go, could you tell me another story about Okita-san and Saitou-san and everyone else?"
"Only if you drink up", I replied laughing.
Before I knew it, the sun had already past its midpoint in the skies.
"…and so in the end, it wasn't Okita-san's threat, but the Oni fukuchou's unoni-like threat that chased off the kitty."
Reaching for those memories felt so nostalgic.
The little girl laughed.
"I think you'll be fine now. After all, someone once told me that happiness came from people that smiled."
Looking up brightly," Was it one of those guys who told you that?"
I couldn't help but smile and the ticklish felling I felt. "Harada-san to be exact."
"Haha. Wow. Every treats people like the Shinsengumi like pieces of trash when really, they were just doing what they thought was right. I really wished I got to know them. Hey Chizuru-nee chan? Can I tell their stories to my friends when I get well?"
It seems that even she will help raise the makoto banner. The spirit of the Shinsengumi will burn on.
"Sure, but to make sure that happens, you absolutely must take your medicine."
"Yes, ma'am," Hana-chan replied with another fuzzy-warm smile.
"I'll be leaving now. Take care of yourself, Hana-chan."
"You, too."
Sliding the door open, I slowly let myself out.
"Oh! And Chizuru-nee chan, whatever you're going to do next, make sure that you're happy. I'm sure that everyone would have wanted that for you, especially Hijikata-san."
Was I really that straightforward?
"Yes."
I closed the door and walked down the hall. As I enter the stair way, I could hear Hana-chan's muffled voice.
"Once I get better, I'll come and visit you! If you not happy, I'll do what Okita-san never got to finish. I'll kill you!"
Once down the stairs, I got out of my uniform and got on a clean kimono. Today, I chose the crimson red one with dancing cherry blossom petals flying about.
"Matsumoto-sensei! I'm heading out!"
"Okay! Thanks for the help today!" his muffled voice answered back.
It was only a five minute walk to their graves, but I couldn't wait. Subconsciously, I started to walk at a fast pace and before I knew it, I was running.
It was a little messy from all the falling leaves, but otherwise, it was undisturbed. I set the flowers I had gotten them to the side. Slowly, I lowed myself down to the ground and prayed.
I don't know how long I stood there, but before I realized it, there were already 2 presents to the side of me.
"Yukimura-kun? So You've come back to day again. Hijikata-kun truly is lucky to have such a devoted attendant."
I couldn't help but remember that time that Otori-san mentioned how he wanted a wife like me. It was one of the few times that he showed possession over me publically. I opened my eyes and turned away, blushing.
"You know, the memorials are almost done. Are you sure you won't come to the opening ceremony?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Matsumoto-sensei had just gotten some more patients with tuberculosis. I need to stay at the clinic and help out."
"That's a shame. Nagakura-san and Saito-san worked so hard to get it, but if you'll come to visit it as much as you visit this grave, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"…"
After an awkward pause Ootori lets out a small laugh and says, "Oh and look. I brought someone with me. I'm sure you'll recognize him."
I looked over pass Otori-san and saw a man in a police suit.
"Sai-" A strong left hand brushed over my lips, cutting me off.
"This is Fujita Gorou-san. He works for the police department now."
His deep azure eyes pins me down.
"I'll still fight on and protect the things I believe in. These things will never change." Fujita-san said.
Everyone carried on. In the end, people come to different conclusions and move forward.
Otori-san left to give us some time alone.
"I'm sure Hijikata-san and Kondo-san did their best." He softly said after a period of silence.
"Yes."
"Thank you, for taking care of him."
"wha-?"
"Hijikata-san. He always overworked himself. I think he was able to fight one because you were there for him. You kept him from breaking after Kondo-san's death."
"…"
He presses on, pretending not to notice my abrupt silence. "Moreover, thank you from all of us. You didn't even fully understood what we fought for and yet you stood by our sides, supporting us in every way that you could."
"I should thank all of you, not the other way around."
Fujita-san let out a rare chuckle.
"What will you do now?"
"I think I'm going to rest for a bit. I'm tired.", I smiled warily.
"Is that so? Will we get to see you again?", Fujita-san questioned beyond the comment and into the mysteries of the Oni.
"I don't think so, so please, Saitou-san, take care of yourself." I fought back the tears, my eyes refusing to leave his, fighting to show him the seriousness of my resolve.
His eyes lingers on mine for painstakingly long moments before he finally sighs looking away, smiling.
"Honesty has always been indeed your strong spot. You speak from the soul. I will not try to stop you. Go on following that pure heart of yours." His eyes open back up to meet mine with the few last words lingering on his lips.
"Yes."
The walk back felt so empty. I knew what was going to happen next. I truly wanted it, but couldn't help but wonder if there was anything left to do.
Osen-chan greeted me at the door of the clinic.
"Good evening Chizuru-chan. Are you ready?" she smiled.
"Yea, I am." I replied.
"Then let's get going. I've already talked to Matsumoto-san and he said that he and his family will take care of you."
"Okay."
We walked into a secluded hunt in the thick forest. Kimigiku-san was there to greet us.
"Welcome Chizuru-sama."
We all walked into a room where bedding was already prepared.
"Are you sure about this Chizuru-chan? I don't know when you'll wake or if you'll have any memories of the past."
"Yes. I'm sure. For as long as I live, I won't ever forget them." I stared at her, unwavering.
She sighed. "Okay then." She reached out and touched my forehead.
"Thank you, Osen-cha-"
I fell on the bedding with Kimigiku-san softening my fall.
"Chizuru-chan, I swear, I'll help you find happiness again."
Did I finish all that I wanted? No. Something was sure to a wait me when I wake…
In rest, there is peace. Maybe I just needed a break from all of this. I'll start again holding the banner higher than ever. I'll find that reason that still binds be to this world.
So this is my first published story. Imam noob at this thing so go easy on the formatting….
Since today is the anniversary of Hijikata's death, I thought I'd make a little story with a happy ending for him :3
THIS STORY WAS MADE ON A WHIM SO I MAY DECIDE NOT TO CONTINUE IT.
Please R&R…I'll decide if I should or shouldn't continue
This is a prologue, now I have to work out the kinks in this story _...
EDIT: I re-edited this part after playing though the game finally…if you haven't caught on, I intend to heavily re-use events/elements from the game/anime with a mix of my own ideas. *runs off to write the next chapter…*