HijiGin - Bittersweet

Chapter 15

  Normal POV

"So, who's this 'Vice Commander' guy you've been talking about this whole time?"

  A sharp pang struck Hijikata's chest. He gritted his teeth. He had known that there'd be a price to pay for what he did, but he hadn't seen this coming.

  --Flashback--

  Hijikata's POV

  What in the world is Gintoki doing? He'd never killed in all my time of knowing him. Why now? Just when everything had started to begin...Why?

  Those thoughts flooded my mind as I followed the small trail of blood. I turned a corner and saw a collapsed Gintoki, lying defencelessly on the floor.

  "Gintoki!"

  I immediately rushed to his side, turning him over and looking for any visible wounds. None. I slowed down and took everything in. I could see Gintoki's deteriorating complexion.

  Damn...these eye bags show at least a couple days of no sleeping. His skin looks pale...a sickly pale. I didn't know what to do, but I did know that I unconditionally wanted to save him in that instant.

  "If that is your wish, then I shall grant it."  

  In surprise, I raised my head and saw an angel towering above me. His large, pure white wings were fully extended. His bright white hair and red eyes remind me of Gintoki's.

  "Who are you?"

  I somehow felt safe around this man, but I'm not just going to blindly trust my instinct. Right now, I've got to be rational...for his sake.

  "I am Luciel, an angel from the Heavens. I have heard your plea, and you have a choice, human." He glanced at Gintoki for a second. "I can grant you your wish; to save him, or let him go. The choice is yours."

  I was slightly sceptical. I mean, wouldn't you be if you suddenly have an angel descend from above and offer you an irresistible offer?

  "If I said that I wanted to save him, what then?"

  "That is simple. I will transport your soul into his mind, and give you the necessary requirements to pull him out of his corruption." He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "But..."

  "But?"

  "He will suffer from a side effect from this operation."

  "What's the...side effect?"

  I have a bad feeling about this...

  "That I do not know, which is why the choice is risky. Now, we don't have much time. What do you wish to do?"

  I gulped.

  "Please let me save him."

  Luciel closed his eyes and reopened them. His orbs are now painted a lightning yellow colour. His flashing eyes seem to pierce through my soul as I stare into them.