On May 10th, the former Bakufu soldiers shared their final drinks together like true warriors.
"I'm going to leave your tea here," Chizuru told Hijikata later that evening, setting the cup down for him on a table in his room. She glanced at him and saw the way the moonlight illuminated his face while he stared out the window into the night. Maybe it was a trick of the light or a figment of her own anxiety over the coming battle, but he seemed paler than usual.
"If they are going to strike, it will probably be tomorrow," he warned her without turning his gaze from the window.
"Hai..." Chizuru agreed quietly, knitting her brow with concern.
"Chizuru, are you sure—" he began to ask, finally turning to look at her, as she cut him off.
"I am going to stay with you, Hijikata-san!" she stated urgently, worried he would try to send her away or leave her behind again. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he stared at her. He could see how anxious she was and the determination smoldering in her warm, brown eyes. "Please let me stay with you." Looking at her now, he could see the strong woman she had become over the past six years, and that there was no longer anything he could say or do to stop her. And he maybe shouldn't try.
"I hardly look cool when I'm always making you say that," he said, giving her a wan smile.
"Eh?" Chizuru said, a little taken aback, as he left the window to move closer and face her.
"The one I want to protect the most is you," he told her seriously. "I think I'm in love with you."
"!" Chizuru gasped in astonishment as her eyes widened, shining with hope, as her own heart skipped a beat.
"I used to think I didn't care if I died once I fulfilled my duty to lead the Shinsengumi," he continued solemnly, closing his eyes. "But now I have a reason to live."
"Thank goodness," she breathed with a voice that trembled a little in her relief, making him open his eyes to look at her again. "I am so happy that you want to live..." she told him with flushed cheeks and unshed tears in her eyes as some of all the worry and anxiety she had felt for him over the past months seeped to the surface the moment she allowed herself to relax a little. She had been so worried that he might be rushing to his death to join the others. Hijikata stared at her in astonishment for a moment before his expression softened. He couldn't hold himself back anymore after that.
"!" Chizuru said when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, holding her securely in his arms.
"Stay by my side, forever," he told her, closing his eyes again with his chin resting against the top of her head, enjoying the feeling of finally having her in his arms. "I won't let you go even you try, so bear that in mind!" A tear escaped and rolled down her her cheek as Chizuru carefully moved her head back a little to look up at him. They were both so unbelievably happy in that moment as they gazed into each other's eyes that they couldn't help it as their lips moved closer to meet each other, and they shared their first kiss together.
On the following day, May 11th, before the sun had fully risen, the Imperial Army had commenced an all-out attack on Hakodate. Shimada-san, Ootori-san and the Shinsengumi, who had barricaded themselves in the Benten Fortress, were attacked from the back and completely cut off from the outside.
"Prepare my horse!" Hijikata ordered as he came outside, preparing to take action.
"Hai!" a solider replied dutifully and rushed to fetch it.
"I am going to Benten Fortress to offer my help," Hijikata declared seriously. "Chizuru, aren't you coming?" he asked, wanting to keep her by his side, where he could protect her.
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Hakuouki: Hitsuzen
FanfictionDestiny. Fate. Sumiko never really believed in any of it until she met that man. Out of place and out of time, all Sumiko wanted to do was protect her friend Chizuru and help her find her missing father. But now things have gotten complicated...