On summer break for a bit so will start writting a little. -Kashley16
Chapter 7- The Last Petal
Saiyuri listened to every sound that creaked or swooshed hoping that Okita will come to her, but with every passing day he never came. She felt like her duty was diminishing, and talk began to spread about them both. She would disregard it, but then her father would come in and talk to her asking her what was happening, and all she could come up with is they argued. She knew her father wanted an heir for the clan to continue the bloodline. She was beginning to panic and finally one afternoon Okita came into the room and sat down. She ran to him and jumped into his arms. Okita couldn't resist anymore so he held her. He kissed her lightly and she blushed and her cheeks turned pink and she felt so happy. She was beautiful and he loved her and that night everything went silent.
Okita got up early the next day and Saiyuri continued to sleep. He smiled down at her as he got up and got ready to train. It was later that afternoon that a man in horseback came riding in full speed through the gate. He was out of breathe and held a letter, and the General came rushing out to read it. The general looked at the letter then he angrily crumbled the paper in his hands and then went inside. Okita wondered what was happening as he walked towards the door but stopped when he heard the name "Shinsengumi". Okita stopped and listened.
"They have figured out our plans General, the Shinsengumi are coming. They know not only our plans, but the location of our headquarters." A man inside spoke quietly. Okita eyes widened as he walked towards his room quickly. He was now at a crossroad he must go back. Okita got ready putting whatever he could in a small bag. Saiyuri walked in, while he was packing and looked shocked. She looked pale and very sick. Okita walked towards her and hugged her. She shook a little and said she didn't feel too good.
"Im sorry but I must leave" Okita said silently to her as he held back his tears. Saiyuri listened quietly and nodded slowly because she knew no matter what she said he would not stay. Saiyuri cried in his arms as Okita went outside and spent the rest of the day with the regular routine he had so no one got suspicious. Saiyuri as well followed and tried her best to show her cheerful face to the men. She giggled a little here and there and when she was in her room remained quiet and sad.
The late afternoon when everyone was getting ready for dinner and washing up Okita snuck out of his room and walked silently towards the stables. The gate always remained open every day so he took that chance. He saddled his horse that was given to him by the general and mounted quietly. Saiyuri walked in while he mounted she held something for him and Okita took it and kissed her. It was a letter and a snack for him while he rode hard back to the capital. She cried a little, but as he rode out of the stable she ran back towards her room and then she screamed. Everyone heard the screaming and Okita took that chance to run through the gates. Everyone was heading towards Saiyuri's screaming and no one noticed him ride through the gate and disappear on horseback. Okita teared up and he wiped them and told himself that he will meet Saiyuri again one day. Once this war was over he promised himself that he would see her again. As he rode hard through the land he saw the farmers farming, and it refreshed Okita, but the longing for the person he loved still haunted him as he rode closer and closer to the capital. If only Okita thought in his mind. He wished he could have taken Saiyuri, but what would his comrades think, maybe they would think of him also as an enemy to fall in love with the enemy's daughter. He shook his head a little to get it out of his head. As the horse tired Okita pulled up to slow its pace. He took a rest at an inn where no one knew him and rested up.
Early the next day he rode into the capital and stopped his horse in front of the Shinsengumi headquarters. He took a deep breath and as he entered saw the Sakura trees that had blossomed already and now shedding petals. When was the last time he saw that? As his horse passed them he saw the last tree of row of Sakura tree's had one petal remaining. He looked at it and thought how sad it was that such beautiful flowers had to fall from the tree. Several men came out and gawked they couldn't believe it that the First Captain has returned after months of disappearance. People came running out and cheering. Okita dismounted to his friends arms. He smiled and said he was home even so he kept thinking back to where he once felt also at home. Hijikata looked at him with a bit of relief, but also at the same time of wonder where Okita had been these last months. Okita laughed as he teased a few of his comrades. Shinpachi was making fun of one of the men who blushed and ran back to his room. Okita laughed again this time with a bit of regret. As Okita smiled he watched the last petal on that Sakura tree fall and his eyes turned dull. He missed his dear love Saiyuri.
"Someday, someday we will meet again….I promise"