Of Love and Duty

by anaemicfaeries

Okita remembers a time when he was determined to fight, despite being poor. A place that wasn't his but became his home. People who seemed enemies yet became his friends. And a surprising love that wasn't received but earned.

1. Prologue

Disclaimer: Peacemaker Kurogane belongs to Nanae Chrono.

A/N: This story will follow the Roushigumi/Shinsengumi timeline..so it'll be based on historical events and accounts, but won't be 100 percent accurate.

Prologue

Mibu, 1865.

Dawn.

Like dyed silk hung out to dry, soft pastel colours merge in the sky, creating a shade that has Kyoto sweet makers envious, as they mix in vain attempts to capture the fleeting. Most fail, and yet one succeeded. Once. But as surely as dawn disappears to make way for day, she too has disappeared.

Dawn though, is never lost.

The lemony pink skies are reborn with every morning, and so are his memories of her.

Amidst the growing light, Okita Souji trudged onwards, his gait somewhat awkward due to the heavy brown packages in his arms. There was a stillness to the early morning mist, and the only sounds were those of his wooden geta, and the faint chirping of sparrows. He looked deceptively childish, as he always did, with no sword through his obi, and no tie in his hair. This morning however, his smile lacked brightness, and his eyes seemed far older than his age.

Upon reaching his destination, Okita turned to watch the last remnants of pink fade into blue sky. He found himself wondering how it would feel to be truly alone. To lie on a bed somewhere, with only an an open window for company. To watch the sun rise and wonder if it was the last time.

Chilled by the silence of his surroundings, Okita shivered and quickened towards the Yagi compond's entrance. He didn't need to think about being alone, for one day he believed he would be. One day soon, if the little man who sat on his chest didn't leave. It was best to appreciate what he had left, and he was grateful for all of it.

He was grateful for his friends, he was grateful that he could still fight..

...and he was grateful for the time he'd had with her.

The weariness in his eyes seemed to fade as he remembered her warm smile. The ache in his chest lessened. There was not a day that went by, that he didn't remember. He didn't think he could ever forget that year, 1863. So many events had taken place, events that had set in motion his destiny, in small and intricate ways, when he had no way of knowing.

And he remembered it all like it were yesterday.