Confusion was tugging strongly at Tora's heartstrings as she sat alone on the sidewalk with her feet on the ground, looking down at the grass with a heaviness in her chest that she could not shift. Saito and Heisuke were leaving the Shinsengumi to follow that no account Itou. Tora did not understand it all, but she knew that there was civil unrest and politics were beginning to take over. She knew very little of what was going on as it was none of her business and she never bothered to ask, however she could not understand this sudden change in Saito and Heisuke. Reasoning with herself, Tora came to the conclusion that there must be a hidden motive behind it, perhaps they were going simply to keep an eye on things. No matter, it still hurt knowing that Saito was leaving her, and here she was thinking that they were beginning to understand one another.
Shaking her head, Tora stood and slipped her shoes from her feet to walk towards her room, wanting some time to herself to think and ponder, however when his voice called to her softly, she stopped short and looked back to Saito. He looked just like his usual self, face betraying nothing as he approached her already prepared to leave. It made Tora's chest hurt all the more so she gripped it tightly, turning her head away but did not run from him, as running was not in her nature. "Saito-san, you really have to go?"
"Yes. It is unavoidable." He answered, stopping a sensible distance away from her, not standing too close though he wanted to be nearer to her. He found it discomforting to see such a strange expression on her face, a look of sadness that seemed to make her appear like a mourning ghost. Unable to think of what else to say, Saito held his silence, which made Tora give a sad smile.
"You always know when not to speak, Saito-san." Tora murmured, finally turning around to face him properly as she stood by her door with a hand resting against it almost for support. "I won't ask you when you will come back, because I know that you will eventually. So I will not burden myself with counting down the days, I'll simply wait for you." She decided, opening her eyes to meet his with a firm flare of resolution. "Just promise that you will do your best to come back safely, no matter what the cost. I will not forgive you if you do not ever return to us." Saito felt his discomfort ease at her words, glad to know that her understanding of him did not require him to explain anything. Her unwavering faith in him was comforting, so he dipped his head.
"You have my solemn word." He assured her before stepping a little closer, closing the distance between them. "There is something that I have been wanting to tell you, Tora." With a voice as soft as a feather, Tora felt her heart tremble slightly as her body began to react strangely to Saito being so close. "That night, when you were dressed up like a geisha, I meant to tell you then but unfortunately due to circumstances, it was not the right time." Slow, measured steps brought him closer until he was bare inches away from Tora's face, leaning closer until he lowered his voice to a bare whisper, looking over Tora's shoulder as she remained standing perfectly still. "You danced beautifully."
Her heart giving a wail of emotion in her chest, Tora suddenly grasped onto his face with both hands, fixing him at a height she was able to reach before pressing her mouth to his, sealing his lips shut as he balked slightly in shock, the electrifying kiss sparking his mind and all of his sensations suddenly became alive. Instinctively Saito gripped onto the doorframe for balance, feeling that he might collapse from the shock of Tora's fiery kiss before all at once she drew back, eyes burning like green flames though they were flickering with an inviting warmth, her lips smiling as she drew air back into her lungs. "Just come back, okay Hajime-kun?" Saito stared at Tora a little while longer, frozen in place before snapping himself awake and he stood upright abruptly, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth as he blushed heavily, making Tora chuckle.
Unable to speak, Saito nodded his head solemnly, giving her his word before he bowed respectfully, looking at her one last time to ensure that he had all her features memorised before finally he turned to leave. Tora exhaled, massaging her chest to calm her hammering heart, knowing fully well that there was still a chance that she might not see Saito again but her fears were disbanded by her mind, forbidding those doubts from ever returning. She could trust in Saito, she knew she could. He'll come back, his word was as precious to him as his sword.
Once her emotions were back under control, Tora went to say goodbye to the other Shinsengumi who were leaving, standing by Chizuru's side as Itou gave a slightly mocking bow before leading the others away. "Take care of yourself Tora-chan, I'll be sure to see you again someday." Heisuke said to Tora confidently, smiling freely so Tora smiled back before without a word, drew him into her arms. "H-Hey!" Blushing furiously, Heisuke tensed as Tora secured her arms around him, holding him close to her before she pulled back, but not before kissing his cheek.
"I look forward to it, Heisuke-kun." She answered, giving him a wink before she stepped back to Chizuru's side, lifting her hand in farewell as Heisuke turned as red as a tomato, coughing and spluttering before bashfully rubbing his head, giving a final wave before hurrying after the others. Chizuru looked forlorn next to Tora who continued to smile for Heisuke and Saito, lowering her hand as they reached the gate and saw them off until they were gone from sight. "It's alright Chi, they'll be back."
"How can you be sure?" Tora shrugged, having nothing better to go on except gut feeling, so she smiled back down at her friend.
"I just know." Satisfied with this answer, Chizuru gave a small smile, nodding her head in agreement before together, they looked back towards the last of the former Shinsengumi warriors as they disappeared from sight, one of them carrying a part of Tora with them as they walked ever further away from her.