Hijikata tightened his grip around Souji's thin wrist, looking fiercely into his face with a hint of desperation. He would not allow any selfishness from him, not when it could mean such a tragic end.
"Let go Toshi…" he tried in vain to shake the Vice Commanders tensed grip.
"I won't allow it, not when you're like this!" he gestured wildly to the blood soaked into the collar of Souji's haori.
"This is nothing for me, I'm not totally useless yet" he grinned broadly while punching Hijikata's arm.
Hijikata loosened his grip slightly, his face turning from fierce to concerned. He knew he could not lock him up, nor could he keep him from wielding a sword in battle. Souji was much to spirited and stubborn to be told what to do.
Souji took the opportunity to pull himself free from his vice like hand and took a step back. His breathing was unsteady and his face pale as winters snow. He realised he didn't have too much time left with this overpowering man, but he could not bring himself to give into his feelings. For how many years had he stood beside this strong willed demon?
"Souji…" Hijikata's voice cracked slightly as he edged towards him.
"I can't let you go and risk yourself when you're so ill, stay here and regain your strength! There will be other battles!"
Souji felt a pressure build in his throat, he began to cough violently, clutching at Hijikata for support.
"Souji!" Hijikata helped him down carefully onto his futon. Souji's body felt frail beneath his fingers, as if he could break him at any moment.
The coughing slowly eased and as he drew has hand from his mouth, a trail of blood was left upon his lips like rouge upon a geisha. He looked up into Hikjikata's eyes and smirked. Pity was not what he craved in this moment, not now as his feelings slowly bubbled up within him.
"Toshi… I have a request"
Hijikata furrowed his eyebrows and sighed, again he would have to listen to the selfishness of his First Unit Captain. He took in his dishevelled appearance. His yukata laid half open displaying his thin pale body which seemed to glow erotically in the moonlight that streamed through the open window.
"A request?" he looked up from his body to meet his eyes that glinted like precious stones.
"Yes, something that I have wanted for a very long time" Souji shifted himself closer, allowing his yukata to slide open over his slight shoulders.
His heart began to beat loudly in his ears as a watched an almost hungry glint enter Hijikata's eyes, a look that he had always forbade himself from showing. His lips parted slightly, stained the colour of cherry blossoms in the spring. He knew that he was about to break down the wall that they had both painstakingly built up over many years.
Hijikata's body tingled with the anticipation of this request, a request that he thought would perhaps deter Souji from leaving his side and make him comply to his wishes.
"I want you…"
To be continued.