Hizamaru never thought he would regret wearing black this much in his entire life.
The color swallowed up the stream of fresh blood gushing unrestrained from his brother's mouth, from the various injuries upon his body that rendered him barely able to function, lying limp and helpless in Hizamaru's arms. The dark garment hid the color of blood as though trying to mask Hizamaru's pain.
Higekiri's breath grew ever more strained.
"Brother, you can't die like this." he said to Higekiri, "I have gone this far to protect you. Everyone has gone this far to protect you. Don't leave me alone. I don't know how I'll carry on without you." he could bite back his tears no longer, and freely they flowed, falling upon his brother's fair face, falling upon Hizamaru's own jacket, becoming one with the blood that soon turned invisible on the black fabric.
Higekiri smiled, the familiar smile gracing his features as though he was sipping tea by the garden pond despite the incredible pain. Letting his sword form slip from his fingers, he reached up to gently cup his brother's cheek.
"No need to worry about me. Don't protect me. Protect Yorimitsu-sama." Higekiri gasped out, "What is the point of keeping me alive if history as well as the fate of all other swords are in danger? As long as Yorimitsu-sama and his powers don't fall into enemy hands and every touken danshi don't get wiped out of existence, I'm fine with not being able to return from this mission. That's what we're here for." he laughed weakly, "Leave me and keep fighting. Make me happy."
Hizamaru wasn't given a chance to respond, because Yaobikuni and Kagura approached him, with Kohaku in its full form following suit. "We need to take Higekiri-san to safety." Yaobikuni told him, and he had no choice but to let go of his brother, letting her and Kagura help him onto the back of the giant fox.
"Will he live?" Hizamaru asked as soon as Kohaku left carrying his brother on its back.
"There is hope." she said, those three words finally offering Hizamaru a spark of solace, "But we have more urgent matters. More enemies are approaching, and Seimei-san's spells won't be able to hold them back for long." she continued, all while charging up her own energy, making her staff emit a light blue glow.
Higekiri's words echoed in his ears. Make me happy.
At that, Hizamaru stood up, sword form firmly in hand, a determined spark in his eyes. This is what we're here for, he thought. I will keep fighting. For Yorimitsu-sama. For history. For everyone. For you.