Suffering and Time
Chapter 5- Cherry Blossoms (END)
Okita sat by the porch of the dojo, as his heart ached. There was no other road for him, he was stuck, and his only choice was to go to the hospital. Headquarters was in a mess, and they watched from a distance.
"Did you hear, Mr. Okita, is going to the hospital?" one of the soldiers asked. The group nodded there heads. Tetsu couldn't bear to hear this from the soldiers.
"Why does Mr. Okita have to leave?" Tetsu asked himself. The morning was where everything would fall apart. Mr. Okita would have to leave, and he would be gone forever.
"Okita, go to bed." Hijikata voice echoed. He entered Okita's room, with despair in his eyes.
"Mr. Hijikata, why do you insist me to go to the hospital?" Okita asked. Hijikata didn't give a reply just a grumpy sound.
"You're in no condition that is all, and I care about you. If anything happened to you, I wouldn't forgive myself." Hijikata replied.
"I'm not a kid; I can make my own decisions." Okita replied, as he turned away. Hijikata understood.
"I don't want to leave." Okita thought.
"Tomorrow is the day, where I will leave my comrades behind forever." Okita thought.
"You will at least live." Hijikata spoke out. Okita in shock turned towards Hijikata.
"Tomorrow will be the day where we will be off on the battlefield." Hijikata replied, as his eyes watered. Okita didn't want them to leave without him.
"Get to bed.": Hijikata replied, as he left Okita's room.
The next day everyone stood outside of Headquarters'. Okita mounted his horse, and several soldiers did the same. Everyone waved, and smiled. Tetsu and Tatsu stood watching with sad eyes.
"I guess this is farewell." Okita thought, as he urged his horse forward. The last thing he saw were there smiles, as he left.
Upon arrival he was placed into bed, and left depressed. He sat by the window in his bed, as he watched the trees bristle, and the wind, which was chilly, blew by. Okita didn't want to leave what he so cherished behind.
"Okita." A young lady called. Okita opened his eyes tired, and exhausted. He was at the hospital, and he dislikes it. He got up from bed.
"Here take this?" the woman asked, as she gave Okita some pills. Okita took the pill, and looked at it with distaste. He took it, and the woman left. Okita looked at the uniform that was on the chair. He got out of bed, and put it on.
"Now to join my Comrades." Okita thought, as he jumped out of the window. He saw a horse that stood tied up to its post. He mounted, and led it towards the direction of the canons, and rode as fast as he can. His heart beating in his ears, hoping that his comrades were aright. He urged the horse straight towards the battlefield. He drew his sword, and attacked. Several people turned, and without a second notice the blade slashed through them. Okita felt the sensation of blood. He saw Mr. Hijikata and several men that were under his command. He watched Mr. Hijikata fighting. He went towards him. He saw several men getting t him. Okita desperately shoved, and then his hose reared, as several men stabbed the horse on its chest. Blood fell from the horse, and the horse fell to the ground. Okita jumped off, and slashed through more men.
"Mr. Hijikata." Okita screamed, as sweat fell from his head. He ran to intercept the sword coming at Hijikata from the left. Okita got in the way of the sword, and wasn't able to deflect the sword. The sword went through Okita. Hijikata in shock watched as Okita's blood spurted out. Okita swung his sword at the man, but missed. He fell, and Hijikata caught him.
"Okita, what are you doing?" Hijikata asked, as his eyes watered.
"I have made my choice." Okita spoke softly. Hijikata watched, as Okita's hair blew through the breeze. He placed Okita down to the ground, and got up. His rage ignited, and he slashed his sword at several men that approached him.
"I won't forgive you." Hijikata screamed, as his sword continued to slash through bodies, and blood poured to the ground. Many of the Shinsengumi were already dead, and a few left standing fought with there lives on the line. Hijikata was surrounded, and he fought desperately. Several swords jabbed him, before he fell to the ground. With his strength he crawled to Okita, and held his hands, which was already cold. His eyes watered, and closed.
Tetsu watched, as tears rolled down his eyes. Tatsu and Tetsu left behind the Shinsengumi on horseback. Tetsu turned towards once more to see what was left of his family. He cried. Tatsu's eyes gloomy touched Tetsu on the shoulder. "Once again have they lost everything?"
"No one really knew if Okita, and Hijikata were really lovers, and yet to be found."
As the few remaining fought, many surrendered. As the day grew dark, and the cherry blossoms in the grove of Headquarters' began to fall to the ground, and each of them represented one man that fought bravely in battle, and lost there lives. Hijikata, and Okita had lost there lives together. The Shinsengumi disappeared, and so did the role of the Emperor. The end of the Samurai's soon came to pass, and what was left was there legends, and tales to be told.