Hijikata had been tucking in his daughter one night, a girl of no older than four, when he felt something softly tugging on his finger, turning around he saw that the small child had grabbed onto it. "Daddy… please leave the light on… I'm scared." She whimpered slightly, letting go only so that the male could turn the light on, upon turning around to say goodnight he noticed that she still seemed frightened. "Please don't leave."
He gave her a small smile and sat on the edge of the girls bed as he held her hand and leaned down to place a gently kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, you'll never be alone." He said softly as he stoked her hair. "Know why…? Because daddy's never leave." He said as he watched her slowly falling asleep. "I'll go with you everywhere, I'll always be in your heart." He whispered before kissing her cheek and getting up. Hijikata tucked her in and stood at the door as he watched her sleep for a while longer before turning out the light. "Goodnight…"
…
Several years later a figure dressed in black knelt at a small tombstone as she laid down a bouquet of flowers and kissed her fingers before pressing them to the name. As she did this the girl, who had just finished high school, imagined the elder man as she had last seen him alive. He was laying in a hospital bed half conscious and using a mask to help him breathe, he hadn't been too old but there was a fight and he didn't get out in time. With his final breaths he asked to be alone with her before repeating the same words that he had said to her many years ago when she was just a small child.
'Don't worry, you'll never be alone. Because daddy's never leave. I'll be with you where ever you are, I'll always be in your heart.' As he told her these words the man who had once been so strong took her hand weakly in his and removed the mask before giving her the same gentle smile he always had as his eyes closed and body grew limp.
She held his hand to her cheek and tried to hold back the tears but failed as a few managed to escape down her face, she laid his hand down and leaned up to kiss his forehead. 'Goodnight…'