Taa-daa! A new chapter to be read! ^_^

I know that I'm getting more late for updates ~.~ This lack of time is killing me softly. It's pretty frustrating to know what you want to write but you just can't find the right time to do it rawwrrr~

Anyway, as always, thanks for all the reviews! I love you guys so much for reading and taking your time to review my story! I can't thank you enough, guys!

Dark Naruto, haha that skit was so funny with scenes from his OVA! It surely entertained me! Wish I could reply your review with a skit as well but I just can't make up something funny T_T

Marialena, well, Chizuru needed a father-like figure to comfort her and not a serious person like Hijikata who could make things get worse haha XD

kenshin8923, I thank you so much for loving this story XD *feels touched* Actually I feel a bit sad myself when finally decided to write the final chapter...T_T

Akaki, yeah we should be ourselves more! Ask Yukimura Chizuru-sensei for further supports lol XD And this chapter will answer your question!

Miku-kun, thank you for spending the night reading the whole story! ^_^ Glad you could feel the emotions I poured into this story. Enjoy this one too, ne? *_*

KiataXIII, I love your reviews too! Enjoy this new chapter! XD

Kit2000, aww the kind Daddy Kondou was the most suitable person I could think of for that role haha~ he was like a messenger from heaven.

Akiko88, yeah who could forget someone who changed your life so completely, especially when he was as hot as Saito? haha~ and Kondou-san decided to show himself to the sad girl, telling her a glimpse of the soon-to-be-revealed truth :D

Let's start reading! And please don't forget to review!

PETALS OF TIME

CHAPTER 14: WISH

Ezo, 1869

A man in leather black clothing was looking through the glass window, with his eyes seeing nothing beyond the night sky. Occassionally, his hands which were dressed in black arm guards and gloves would touch the transparent hard material called 'glass', the perfect subtitute for old wooden window that coming from the west.

Before Otori Keisuke came with his men and ended up working together with the rest of Shinsengumi, this man in black didn't even know what 'handshake' meant. But now, the situation was different. When Otori took them to Ezo not too long ago, where all the soldiers would stay in western-style buildings, they were fascinated upon finding many new things. Even the famous Demon Vice-Commander couldn't hide his shock at first.

Otori seemed happy as he introduced every little thing to his new comrades. And they were stupid enough to admire mere glass window when they first saw it. However, they quickly realized that they were here to fight, not for sightseeing.

But wasn't it just normal to feel surprised and forget about anything bad if you found something new and interesting?

Sadly, the warriors didn't have much time to do that. They had to adapt as soon as possible and arrange new strategy to face the enemies.

Just if they knew that they were just wasting their time and lives here... because the result was already obvious. One of them had known about what would happen tomorrow, that was supposed to be the last battle.

Who was he? Oh, speaking of which, he was the only one who didn't feel weird upon seeing many new western and unique things...

...Because he had seen them -even the more modern ones- before Otori could proudly show a 'fork', 'wine bottle', or whatever to him. Normal people would laugh immediately at Otori, since those lame stuffs were nothing compared to 'plasma television' or 'electric stove' that had accompanied this man's life for one year before.

"Fujita-san."

The man was snapped back to reality, and slowly he tilted his head to the side, where another man who was supposed to be Otori's assistant giving him a bundle of papers.

"Please give it to Hijikata-san. Otori-san wants him to learn the detailed map area for tomorrow's battle."

The man called Fujita nodded slightly, took the papers, and walked away without even saying a word. His face was completely devoid of emotions as he glanced at the night sky from the window once again.

"By the way, Fujita-san..."

Fujita stopped on his tracks. Still, he kept silent and didn't turn around. He was just standing there with his back facing the other man, who quietly asked him out of curiousity, "You're Hijikata-san's assistant, right? But why you always bring both katana and wakizashi like a samurai? Common people like us are only allowed to bring a wakizashi, and not a katana."

After some moments of silence, Fujita closed his eyelids and responded to that unimportant question with a reluctant whisper, "Is that all you wanted to ask me?"

The other man gulped. This man named Fujita Goro was a mysterious person since he rarely spoke to the others and always acted like Hijikata's shadow. They said he was Hijikata's right hand, although he was not a Shinsengumi warrior who would fight along with the Demon Vice-Commander himself.

However, everybody knew that Fujita had different aura which sometimes was too much for people around him. His deep blue eyes had always stayed aware, as if he would unsheathe his sword in a blink of an eye and cut down everyone who stood in his way...

But he was just a commoner, not a samurai. There was no way he could do such thing, wasn't it? The swords strapped on his hip were nothing but a decoration. He would only use them in critical time to defend himself, just if the enemy managed to enter their fortress and wanted to kill every single soul including the innocent assistants.

"I asked you," Fujita turned his body around and faced the other man, "Is there anything else?"

As Fujita's sharp gaze fixed on him, Otori's assistant felt the beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead, as if he was interrogated before a fearsome executioner separated his head from his body.

Trying to calm down, he answered hesitantly, "No, please forgive me for asking you all of a sudden..."

He was about to go away as he took a glimpse at the position Fujita's swords were on. Actually he wanted to ask about it afterwards, but he swallowed his words before they could escape his mouth. There was no way he wanted to make some problems with this scary right hand of Hijikata Toshizo. Fujita's attitude gave an impression that he had bathed in greater river of blood than his master himself, though it was impossible.

"If you want to know why I'm wearing my swords on the right..."

The other man stopped right away as he heard Fujita's deep voice from behind him. His eyes widened in surprise because suddenly he felt that his mind being read. But he attemped to stay calm while listening to Fujita's next words after a long silence...

...But this time, the usual emotionless tone of his was a bit...sad?

"Forget it...," Fujita turned around and went to the direction of Hijikata's room. He glanced at the ceiling and sighed, "You're right. I'm only an ordinary person. Maybe I just don't know how to wear swords properly..."

As Fujita disappeared from his sight, the man who questioned him before felt something strange from Fujita's statement just now. Fujita was a man with few words and only spoke when needed, so usually the words came out from his tongue were only the important ones...

...Hence, it was clearly seen if he decided to be dishonest once in a while.

"Hijikata-san." Fujita opened the wooden door tardily and approached the amethyst-eyed man sitting behind the desk. "It's from Otori-san."

Hijikata took the papers from Fujita's hand. He seemed pretty tired as he opened the papers while sinking down on his chair. Letting out a long sigh, he still managed to maintain his charisma as one of the Shinsengumi's highest ranking men.

"Thank you, Fujita." At last, the raven-haired man lifted up his face and smiled at his loyal personal assistant, who only retorted his gratitude with a polite bow.

After looking at his surroundings while making sure that there was really nobody else around, Hijikata folded his hands under his chin as a small chuckle escaped his throat. His usual stern expression softened upon looking at the younger man, standing right in front of him with no expressions.

"...Or should I call you Saito?"

Taking steps closer to Hijikata, the man clenched his hands into fists after his real name being called. For once, the soft purple hair hid the sorrowful expression on his face.

"Hijikata-san, please...Let me fight as a Shinsengumi warrior tomorrow...," Saito whispered, wishing that Hijikata would grant his last request, although he most likely had known about Hijikata's answer would be.

And it was right. Hijikata shook his head in disapproval, for how many times, he didn't even know anymore. Fixing his eyes at Saito, he understood that the former captain of Shinsengumi's third division was already exhausted with this false assistant-role. He was originally a fighter, longing to draw his sword and slice the enemy.

However, Hijikata just didn't want his most loyal man to die for the second time...

"Listen to me, Saito," said Hijikata seriously, paying no mind to Saito who almost protested again, "It was not an easy task to hide the fact that you're still alive. You should have been grateful to us, especially Lord Katamori, for successfuly deceiving the public about your death in the Battle of Aizu. That way, we will protect your existence and-"

"I don't need to be protected!" Saito's voice went higher without him realizing it. He just couldn't stand it anymore. It was almost one year after he was saved from the bloody Battle of Aizu, and a subordinate's corpse was said to be the dead Saito Hajime. Since that time, Saito Hajime's death was officially declared and the opposite side's confidence went too high since one of the strongest Shinsengumi captains had fallen in their hands...

...But here he was, alive and breathing, begging his superior to let him join the battle for the very last time.

It was confusing, wasn't it? Battle of Aizu was supposed to be his last resort yet he still wanted to die honorably in another war. In the same time, he used a new name granted by Lord Katamori himself. Someone else had taken Saito Hajime's name and now his real identity was questioned. Honestly, he felt that he almost lost himself. He didn't even know who he was anymore...

One thing for sure. He didn't want to lose Shinsengumi, the first place where nobody laughed at him for wielding a sword with his left hand. The very first shelter that welcomed and taught him about the way of a true warrior.

"Hijikata-san..." Saito's voice were shaking a bit as he continued, "I've told you...tomorrow is..."

He couldn't bring himself to say anything more as Hijikata smiled gently at him. The only person who knew about his journey to the future was only Hijikata. But of course, he didn't trust Saito at first and just thought of his monologue as the traumatic effect from the wounds he got. Well, who could believe that you had gone to the another world for a year when the current time didn't flow even for one second?

However, he knew that Saito was an honest person. He wouldn't talk if he felt that it was unnecessary. Slowly but sure, Hijikata was willing to listen to Saito's explanation about the future world where Shogunate they had always protected until now didn't last any longer.

"I know it Saito...You told me that I'm going to die tomorrow," said Hijikata calmly. Although the usual calm man before him didn't act the same.

Saito gritted his teeth, unsure of what to say next, "I won't let it happen, Hijikata-san..."

"What? You said that I have to be a coward? Running from the battlefield?"

"That's not it...I can take your place as the war leader tomorrow while you're making another strategy for the next battle. You're the head and we're the limbs. We can't affort the head to die..."

Biting his lips until it nearly bled, Saito knew that his speech was nonsense. People couldn't change destiny, and their efforts to make another strategy was useless. He knew it very well. Hijikata's death would mark the end of Shinsengumi's short life, less than 24-hours from now.

"By taking your role...," Saito muttered quetly, trying to find the right words to be spoken, "We can use the same trick as you did for my fake death. Even if I die, you can say that my corpse is yours. Then the history itself wouldn't change...You must live, Hijikata-san. Even if Shinsengumi ends, I won't let you die so easily..."

But Hijikata laughed lightly upon hearing that, "Using the same trick, Saito? You know that our enemy isn't that stupid, right?"

"But! Hijikata-san-!"

"Be silent, Saito. And listen to what I want to say...as the Vice-Commander- no, the Commander of Shinsengumi."

Silence settled between two men as Hijikata began to speak with calm but serious tone, while taking a glimpse of the dark sky outside, "I've given a lot of nasty jobs to you..."

"...I don't mind it. I'm willing to do anything for Shinsengumi."

Expected answer from the most loyal and the only captain left. Yet Hijikata just closed his eyes, remembering the good old times with his late comrades who would surely greet him when he joined them tomorrow.

"Why do you want to die so much, Saito?"

"That's not it! I just can't let you to die! It's alright to sacrifice a limb as long as the head could live and spread the Shinsengumi's warrior spirit to the world even when it doesn't exist anymore...I'm originally a dead person after all. I don't mind to-"

"Spreading the Shinsengumi's warrior spirit to the world. It's your job now, Saito."

Widening his eyes in shock, Saito didn't want to believe what he just heard. Attempting to find suitable statement to defend his belief, he just managed to speak in a low whisper, "If all you want is one of the captains to stay alive...I also told you that Shinpachi-"

"Shinpachi was...," Hijikata cut Saito's speech, "...is, and always will be a precious part of Shinsengumi. However, it doesn't erase the fact that he left us in times of desperation. I want you, the one who has proven the greatest loyalty and dedication to Shinsengumi, to survive as well..."

In mere seconds, Hijikata saw and felt a tip of cold metal was only inches away from his neck. The wielder stared at him, "Forgive me, Hijikata-san..." Saito was silent for a moment before continuing, "But I'll challenge you to a duel. If you win, then you shall do whatever you want."

Trying to hide his surprised expression, Hijikata stared back at Saito, "There's no need to rush, Saito. I'm going to die tomorrow after all..." He pushed Saito's blade away from his neck, "You don't need to kill me now..."

"I won't kill you. I just want you to understand that I'm alright to die in your place," Saito growled, and slowly sheathed his katana back as Hijikata gave him a gesture to do so. But the next words came out from Hijikata's lips were the last thing he wanted to hear in this situation.

"Go away, and never return."

Saito didn't have time to protest because Hijikata didn't give him a chance for it. His sharp purple-eyes glared at the man whom he wanted to live after all dirty works given to him, for the sake of Shinsengumi's glory.

"What? It's my last order to you, Saito Hajime of Shinsengumi. I order you to survive, and live up Shinsengumi's spirit. Do you want to go against your Commander?"

"...Hijikata-san...you want me to go?"

A nod was given as a reply, but Hijikata kept glaring at Saito, who seemed pale as he didn't want to believe what his ears just heard. After giving a fake new name and silly role as an indoor assistant where he should have fought on the battlefield, now this man wanted him to go, just like that? Although his intention was a good one, Saito didn't want to accept it.

"I'm a samurai. It's my fate to fight and-"

"You're dead already, Saito."

"But-!"

"But now I want you to live, as another person or whatever you want. Just don't forget the true warrior spirit within you."

"Hijikata-san!"

Suddenly, Hijikata stood up and punched the desk loudly. He shouted in anger as his glare never left Saito.

"I said 'GO, STAY ALIVE, AND NEVER RETURN!' How dare you to disobey my order! Have you forgotten about all the things Shinsengumi has done to you?! Who gave you a place where you could find your real self?! Who raised you to be one of Aizu's trustworthy warriors and not a mere outcast?! And now you have guts to go against me?!"

As Hijikata finished his angry speech, Saito's feet were still rooted on the floor. His usual stoic face wore the saddest expression ever for being chased away like that. After some moments that seemed like eternity, he bowed deeply to Hijikata, one of the first persons he ever respected in his life.

"Thank you for everything..."

Hijikata's eyes followed Saito's every step as the younger man exited the room in quiet and heavy pace. He sat down once again in loneliness, exhaled, and waited patiently for tomorrow to come. It was not that bad since he would meet his friends again after so long.

Abruptly, a smile found its way to his lips while looking at his subordinate's retreating back outside the window. He mixed with the darkness of the night until Hijikata couldn't see him anymore...

Well, but now Hijikata felt relieved and guilty at the same time. He understood that Saito wouldn't leave if he asked him in a kind way. After all, a dedicated man like Saito deserved a new better life. Hijikata just wished that Saito could find another place that would accept himself the way he was, just like what Shinsengumi did before.

Glancing at the ceiling, Hijikata's eyes tardily slid shut. He didn't know whether it was true or not, but it looked like Saito was getting softer and not as fierce as he used to be. Was it the effect of living in a peaceful future world? Or was it because of something else?

He would never know. Saito didn't tell him about his life in the future, except for the time-machine thing and sorrowful fate that waiting for Shinsengumi. But it was not a problem anymore. Even something great would find its end someday.

"...Live, Saito...Just live and find your happiness. Don't you ever dare to die before you become a happy old man, with your cheerful grandchildren surrounding you as you tell the brave story of Shinsengumi to them..."

The news of Hijikata Toshizo's death was spreading quickly on the next day. Shinsengumi and Shogunate had met their ends. Meiji Restoration took place, marking the new era that would lead to the peaceful future where samurai and swords were no longer needed.

Saito ignored the crowd of people on the streets who chattering about this matter. Half of them seemed happy, and the other half seemed sad and unsure about what the future held. But Saito knew that everything was going to be alright. At least for them.

His steps led him nowhere. He had known that it would happen. Still, he couldn't accept that Shinsengumi had been finished. He loved that place very much, the only place he belonged to...

...Or was it?

Before he knew it, he had boarded on a ship and arrived at the place of memories, where he should have died here a year ago instead of standing while observing the remembrance of Battle of Aizu.

He dropped on his knees and laid down on the dirty ground. His breathing was heavy, as if he was really exhausted both physically and mentally. Even after almost one year had passed, somehow he could still smell the sharp scent of blood in this place.

All alone. That was the best description for him right now. All good comrades had gone, Shinsengumi had fallen, even his existence was blurry.

It was pitiful that he knew about most of things happened in the future, but he didn't even know about his fate itself. If the corpse laying beneath the ground under his name was not himself, then what would happen to the real him?

He was lost, unsure of what to do as he gripped his beloved swords tightly. Hijikata made it sound so simple, to find another place that would accept him the way he was, where he would find a new comfort. The new place he would belong to.

The question was, was there really such welcoming place for a cold and introvert person, and more importantly, a secret fugitive like him?

Actually there was. However, Saito just didn't want to admit it and let his hope go too high. It was impossible to go back to that place...But speaking of impossible things, he must admit that he had experienced lots of miracles in his life. So, it was not a bad thing to wish silently for another miracle.

Saito let the exhaustion to sing a lullaby for him. He just wanted to rest from all of these. He was not a weak person, but being left alone all of a sudden and given the task to live up Shinsengumi's spirit by himself were too much for him to bear.

As he fell asleep on the land of Aizu, he was thinking about his future plans. Perhaps he would look for Nagakura Shinpachi or Lord Katamori? Ah, he was already too tired to think about it. He had no destination in life right now...

But things could get worse than they already were. The cold night wind mercilessly woke the young male up from his sleep, like it didn't want to let him rest even for a second. Saito slowly opened his eyes and was about to get up from the ground when suddenly, something shining in the pitch-black sky caught his attention.

Flash of memories invaded his mind at once. It was a year ago, when he went to the summer festival with a certain person, and that clumsy girl told him about something childish...

...Yes. That girl. The one he actually wanted to forget since they were not meant to be together.

However in this sorrowful loneliness, he couldn't forget her. When everything in his own era left him, he couldn't help but let that girl's reflection to fill his heart and mind. As a mighty and cold samurai, it was hard for him to admit his feelings. Yet he couldn't resist that he really, really missed her, the only meaningful person to him who was still alive.

Unconsciously, his lips parted open as his eyes followed the beautiful lone star which falling down to the Mother Earth's embrace while recalling the only place that most likely would welcome him besides Shinsengumi.

"Please..."

The word 'please' seemed awkward on his tongue, but no doubt it was genuine. Yet he was still feeling dumb. Was he so desperated that he decided to wish upon the falling star?

But he was completely lost already. And if the childish thing that girl told him before had even the tiniest chance to be true, it was worth to try.

"Please...take me to where I belong..."

Kyoto, 2021

"Dad! Are you crazy?!"

The sudden blast of dust from Kodo's lab tainted the gorgeous dark blue evening gown Chizuru wore. She scowled at his father while wiping off the dust from the velvet fabric that wrapped around her slim body perfectly.

"I'm going to my friend's wedding party and now you can see what you've done to my gown!" Chizuru shouted desperately. As if heavy noise and stinky black smoke weren't enough, now it looked like Kodo had added another material that could be used as a dust bomb in war.

But Kodo paid no attention to his angry daughter, as a mad grin played on his lips, "Chizuru...after eight years of new researches, I think the time for me to do my own time-travelling freely has finally come..."

Chizuru let out a long sigh. Just several days ago, she encountered a ghost from the past that left her some shady words without any proper explanations. And now this old man wanted to give her another problem?

"Dad...," Chizuru tried to calm herself down, "Even if it were true, how if the time machine ends up bringing another thing from the past again instead of sending you back and forth in time?"

Her tone was gradually getting sad as she said it, because it reminded her with the unexpected meeting nine years ago with him. However, Kodo ignored her words and kept grinning like an idiot, "I can't say that it's been fully completed. But I've succeeded in adjusting the time and location, though it's still random. It's not a great deal! This experiment is worth to try! Even if it ends up bringing something from different era, I'll be glad to see a dinosaur, primitive ape-man, or futuristic android! Don't you think so, Chizuru?"

When he got no answers and finally turned around, Kodo realized that Chizuru had left him alone, not wanting to hear his mad ramblings. Taking a deep breath, Kodo went back to his lab in weak movement.

"Kids these days just can't understand their parents' great hobby...You'd better get married soon instead of scolding me everyday, Chizuru..."

Much to his surprise, something had caused him to forget about his time-travelling journey as the time machine's door slowly opened from inside...

Kodo's jaws almost dropped. Did that device really bring something from different timeline once again? His eyes glinted in excitement but quickly replaced with great shock as the time gate fully opened and revealed the whatever-thing he longed to see.

One thing for sure. It was not a dinosaur, primitive ape-man, or futuristic android...

Historically speaking, Fujita Goro was the name the real Saito used after the war *but honestly I don't really like the name 'Goro' =.=*

Ahem yeah, I know this chapter was full of twisted history lessons and no romance here :P But I hope it could still entertain you. FYI, Saito wore his western attire here, just like in Hakuouki Hekketsuroku.

I know I've said it in the prev chappie before, but the next one is the FINAL CHAPTER! ^_^ With this chapter, you most likely have known what kind of ending this story would lead to, right? ^_~

I'll post the final chapter somewhere before Christmas, because it's supposed to be my Christmas present for you guys! And a gift must be something delightful, ne? *_*

In the meantime, I'll be waiting for your REVIEW! For my silent readers, I know you're there! I think it's about time to show yourselves by giving me some feedbacks ^_^ Thanks for reading everybody!