𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐤𝐢 [ON HOLD]

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟖

there was a festival taking place in town and while some of the captains weren't too fond of going, the iconic trio had convinced them into it because it could possibly be the last moments of happiness they'd get to have with each other.

"chizuru!" keiko called out, hurrying around the headquarters after helping tidy up the weapons after some men had trained. she found the said girl washing dishes by the well. "there you are!"

"hey, is something the matter?" chizuru asked, putting a plate down.

"do you have anything nice to wear to the festival?"

"yes, i bought something when i went on patrol." she told her, an excited smile on her face.

"ugh i don't have anything yet." keiko groaned. she stared down at the current clothes she was wearing which were still the western ones and not suitable for a festival.

"i'm sorry, i don't have anything to lend you. i'm sure hijikata will let you go back into town."

"i hope so otherwise i'll have to go like this." she said with her arms spread to show off her clothes.

"good luck!"

"thanks chizuru!"

keiko went back to her room to grab some money then ask hijikata if she could go buy a nice kimono, but as she approached her room her steps slowed at the sight of the shoji wide open. she was sure she had closed it. she approached the door to see if anyone was inside.

"senhime!" she gasped at the sight of the oni sat in her room with a large box. "what are you doing here?"

"i wanted to check up on how you're doing. i heard from chizuru that you weren't healing after being wounded. things will get worse if you don't proceed wisely."

"senhime, you know a lot about my healing abilities? you must tell me. i hardly know anything, only that overdoing it can cause me damage." keiko sat with her legs crossed in front of the oni waiting for her to explain.

"not just damage." she shook her head. "it can go as far as death."

"what... what do you mean?"

"your clan is powerful and your parents were the most powerful people out of all of them. when they gave birth to you it happened to be that you were holder of all the powers, but stronger. while your siblings may be able to heal others you can go as far as saving people from death."

"i can do that?" she mumbled with wide eyes. "then yamazaki..."

"but, as they say everything comes with a price. for every life you choose to save, time from your life is taken away. your body will get weaker and weaker till the point of becoming nothing but a hollow corpse."

"so i can help others, but in the end i will not benefit?" keiko asked. all this information was overwhelming. she didn't know what to do with it.

"somewhat yes. which is why i say be wise in what you do. don't overdo trying to be the hero." senhime finished the subject with that then pushed the box towards keiko who was silent.

"what's this?"

"i heard there was a festival so i bought you a kimono to wear. please remember my words and be careful. you're a dear friend to me now and you have people here that care for you a lot." she stood up and made her way to the shoji. "on that note, it's time i go. take care."

"you too, senhime." keiko clutched the box to her chest, a headache already appearing.

❀