Led by Tora after meeting up with Shinpachi once more, the remainder of the Shinsengumi followed after Chizuru and Hijikata, following them across land and ocean until finally, directed by Tora's strong connection to Chizuru which brought her back to her, they found the pair of them standing upon the hill side by side, Chizuru holding onto Hijikata's sleeve. Smiling fondly at the sight, Tora stepped forwards first as the others remained behind, Heisuke carrying Souji's ashes still.
The wind was blowing from behind Tora and she rolled her shoulders slightly, allowing it to wrap around her before she looked up at Chizuru, hand resting on her sword and, as if she sensed her presence, Chizuru turned her head and looked down. Glades of grass filled Chizuru's vision as she stared directly into Tora's eyes, her smile loving and without a word, she held out her arms. Noticing that Chizuru was distracted, Hijikata looked behind also and as Chizuru wordlessly raced down the hill and flung herself into Tora's arms, he smiled upon seeing Heisuke and the others standing a short distance away, weary and a little blood stained, but alive.
Chizuru was already sobbing into Tora's neck as they held onto one another, wanting to never let go again. "Hey Hijikata-san! Didn't think you'd get rid of us that easy, did you?!" Shinpachi yelled as they all started forwards, most of them grinning broadly as Heisuke and Shinpachi joined the girls in their embrace, Harada slinging his arms around the others as Saito and Hijikata stood close to them placing their hands onto Chizuru and Tora's shoulders as they reunited once more. "So…what now?"
"Well, I think we've earned a small time of peace." Tora answered, leaning back into Saito's arms which he wrapped around her, one hand sliding down to her stomach where a small bud of life began to grow, filling Tora with a warm glow that made her feel incandescently at peace. "But there's still Kondo to find, and of course, there is the matter that Heisuke and Hijikata-san will have to stay close to me and Chizuru for a while. I am fairly positive that the Water of Life can be eradicated when you drink our Devil blood, but we should stick together just to be sure."
"Yeah, I feel great! Not a blood craving to be found right here, I'm a Devil now!" He grinned, eyes flashing gold and Chizuru started, looking up quickly at Hijikata who smiled down at her in response, saying nothing. "But sticking together sounds good to me. Maybe I'll open up my own dojo, start teaching other kids how to handle a sword the right way."
"You, a teacher? Don't make me laugh." Harada and Shinpachi immediately began to tease Heisuke and Tora chuckled, happy with Saito's arms around her. They both turned instinctively to look towards the sea, the same idea coming to their mind. Of course, the war eventually ended and everyone was allowed to go in peace, however it took a long time before anyone was able to trace down Kondo and Hijikata was not one to give up. Eventually he was found and the reunion led to an entire night of feasting, drinking and dancing before finally, everyone felt that they had accomplished all that they had set out to do.
Tora and Saito moved to a small house outside Kyoto, happily spending their days together as her stomach continued to grow with their child and Saito would often stop to listen to the child move inside her. There was peace at last and tranquil happiness, meaning that Tora rarely did not have a smile on her lips as she rocked her chair on the porch, humming to herself as Saito came home in the afternoon from his rounds, bringing with him not only Heisuke and Chizuru, but Harada and Shinpachi as well. "I couldn't get rid of them." He excused with a sigh as Heisuke waved.
"Hey Tora-chan! We've brought you things from town! We'll bring them inside for you!" Tora laughed as everyone brought her gifts to welcome the new baby, Chizuru informing her that Hijikata was on his way also. Their home was large enough to accommodate everyone and Chizuru poured out the sake whilst Tora sat at Saito's side, their back door slid open so that the fresh smells from her well kept garden filtered in and the laughter made every passing traveller smile. With a hand resting on her stomach, Tora looked towards the shrine where Souji's ashes were kept in a smaller jar as she had shared them with Kondo as well as handing over Souji's sword, the older man appreciating her gesture when they had met once again. As Tora submerged herself in the sounds, her eyes looked over to where Chizuru knelt with a smile of laughter and for a brief moment, she saw someone else lounging next to her, tilting back his sake to down it in one before wolfish green eyes fixated on her.
She exhaled softly, uncertain whether it was a trick of the light or just her imagination, but Souji gave her a warm smile that wished her happiness before with a blink, he was gone. "Are you alright?" Saito asked, noticing that Tora was distracted by something but she smiled, nodding her head.
"I just felt little Souji kick me just now, that's all." Saito smiled, nodding his head before brushing his fingers through her hair, looking down to where Tora carried his son, Saito Souji. Her hair was down past her shoulders now and growing quickly. Her father's sword was also lay to rest at the shrine along with all the belongings that Tora had kept with her over the years. Her mother's hairpin, a charred silk scarf and a little toy ball that chimed when it rolled. They all sat to honour her family and everyone paid their respects, sharing some sake with Souji as the laughter continued, allowing Tora to lean against Saito and bask in the sound as a butterfly fluttered in from outside and rested on her shoulder, making her gaze at its beautiful wings before it then fluttered away, almost as if it had come to bless the house and its occupants as Hijikata arrived and finally, their family was then complete.