A fierce battle went on as Hijikata took on everyone. He sliced the enemies, he shot the bazooka, he threw the grenades. He knew he was not enough to subdue everyone. But he hoped that if he did not survive this battle, somehow Mitsuba find true happiness.
His body, etched with the experience of countless battles, moved fluidly on its own, slicing down the enemies one by one. He was in such an adrenaline rush that all the little cuts and scrapes he received did not hurt.
BANG!
Hijikata lost his balance and fell forward. He was shot in the leg.
"Che." He was not giving up just yet. He forced himself to get up and sliced down more enemies. The pain was now extremely evident as he could barely move around, let alone support his own weight.
He decided to sit down and smoke his last cigarette.
Soon he was surrounded by Kuraba Touma and the Nationalist radicals. He was not getting out alive.
After exchanging a few words with Kuraba, one particular phrase triggered his anger.
"A trader always love what benefits him the most."
This man only acted like he loved Mitsuba. This scum of the Earth… Even if he dies, Hijikata was going to take Kuraba with him to hell.
"Heh, I guess I can't say I'm any better. I was once like you. And here I am, about to kill her fiancé."
Using the remainder of his strength, he stood up, albeit shakily. The demonic vice-commander got into his fighting stance and said, "I just want the woman I love to be happy."
Hijikata braced for the bullets that were about to penetrate his torso. Instead, there was a loud blast behind him.
One of the radicals shouted, "It's the Shinsengumi reinforcements! Run for your lives!"
"Toshi! Are you alright?" Kondo asked worriedly.
Another blast separated the two of them. Through the smoke, Hijikata spots Kuraba run away and chased after him. That bastard is not going to get away.
He managed to jump onto the car just before they started moving. With all his might, the black-haired Shinsengumi stabbed through the car roof and into Kuraba's shoulder. A shriek was heard.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? UGH, SHAKE HIM OFF!" Kuraba ordered the driver. Soon the car swerved left and right, but Hijikata hung on.
A moment after, one of Kuraba's lackeys opened the window and was about to open fire when a man with silver hair saved him. The lazy samurai threw a package of extra-spicy senbei at him and told him to deliver it to Mitsuba.
Looking ahead, he sees Sougo standing there. Gintoki and Hijikata both used their swords to slow the speeding car down and Sougo finished it off.
An awkward staring contest between them ensued until Hijikata fell forward and lost consciousness.
Waking up, the man with jet-black hair stared at the white ceiling. He was at the hospital. He knew that Mitsuba was also in the same hospital, but everyone was probably there now. He wanted to see Mitsuba, but he couldn't face her. After all, he was the one who took away her happiness. He attacked her fiancé. He took away her chance of having a family, of having happiness. He didn't deserve to see her.
So he headed to the roof of the hospital, eating the spicy senbei Gintoki had given him.
"Man, these are spicy. Ugh, I even have tears rolling down my cheeks." He took another bite, "Ugh, so spicy…"
EPILOGUE
It has been a year since Mitsuba's death. Walking to her grave, Hijikata placed down a bouquet of pink peonies. They were her favourite flowers.
It was a nice breezy day. He sat down next to the tombstone and took out a cigarette to smoke. After finishing it, he remained sitting.
"Y'know Mitsuba, I've always wanted to tell you that I…" Hijikata paused. He felt weird saying it aloud. He cleared his throat and mumbled, "I love you. And always will."
As if Mitsuba had heard, a breeze swept across the field. And Hijikata could've sworn he heard her voice saying, "I know."
END
A/N: Thanks for reading! Hope you liked my first ever fanfic~ v Feel free to review and rate and comment 3
