Chapter 23

"Tetsu, please think about this again," he begged him.

"Tatsu-nii," Tetsu murmured, and then he let a smile spread across his face, "I already made my decision and had thought it over. Honestly, I am sacred, but as a fellow Shinsengumi, I will protect the peace of the town even if risking my life to do so. You should also be strong Tatsu-nii. You yourself are a fellow Shinsengumi. You know, I loved the Shinsengumi more than anything. If I were to died and lived beside them, then I is the happiest person alive."

Tatsu clenches his hand into fist, "Just promise you're come back. Saya and I will always wait for you." Tetsu nodded and headed out with the rest of the Shinsengumi as they parted for war against the Choushuu.

Tetsu snaps his eyes open as the car pull to a stop. He looks at Hijikata-san as he got out. He then quickly turns to the window. He groaned when he realize it was only for gas. / When are we ever going to get there? / But his dream was really weird. He was going to war against the Choushuu, and his past brother was trying to stop him. his past brother… Tatsu-nii… does that mean he's going to meet him soon, and what about Saya?

"Ichimura," HIjikata-san called him. He looks at him, "Yes?"

"Do you want anything?" he asked.

He thought for a bit, "Anything is fine."

Hijikta-san went into the store and didn't come out for a while. Tetsu lie back down and stare at nothing in particular. Every time he had dreams of his past, he always felt depressed afterwards. To make it worst, it's like Suzu planned everything that's happening to him, just like in the past.

"Here's your sandwich." Tetsu looks up and took his sandwich from Hijikata-san. He sat up straight and unwrap the wrapper. He hadn't realizes how hungry he felt. Being depressed sure takes a lot out of you.

"We'll get there in a few more hours," Hijikata-san informed him. He nodded and took a bite on his sandwich. It doesn't taste very good, but made him feel better.

"Hijikata-san," he said quietly.

"What is it?" he replied back.

"Do you… believe in past life?" he asked.

Hijikata-san looks at him and back to his food, "Considering what happened before, I guess I have no choice but to believed."

Tetsu let out a small smile, "It's really like you to believed what you saw to be right. I'm glad haven't change."

"What do you mean I haven't change?" he eyed him suspiciously. Tetsu almost choked on his sandwich, "U-Um, what I meant is… you're still ok after what happened. Yeah, that's right!"

"You do realize you're not making any sense." Hijikata-san replied.

Tetsu swallowed hard. Now, what is he going to do? "You don't have to explain right now," Hijikata-san assured him, "Just tell me when you're ready."

He grinned, "Ok!"

They finally arrived in Kyoto half pass noon. Tetsu couldn't believe how much Kyoto changed since the 1500. It was probably very oblivious, but he doesn't care. They continued on and soon enough, they were out of Kyoto.

"Um, Hijikata-san, didn't we pass Kyoto?" he asked, confused.

"The dojo is a little further than Kyoto, but it's still a part of Kyoto," he explained.

"Oh," he managed to say.

They continued driving another hour before they finally stop in front of what seems to be a dojo. They got out of the car and headed for the red gate that stood between them and house. Hijikata-san knocks twice and waited for an answer.

30 seconds later, someone finally opens the door. Tetsu's eyes widen when that someone opens the door. "Tatsu-nii," he mumbled.

sorry, i ran out of ideas, so i ended it short, but i promise to add a little brotherly time for Tetsu and Tatsu... thank you for reading...