~ Day One ~
[written in calligraphic style Japanese, word order switched to keep people from reading it. Written on a random page]
The following are prohibited and punishable by seppuku:
Although I dedicated my life to following this code, I, Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi, have failed it. I have, against my will, left the Shinsengumi. My heart is still with them, but my body is displaced and the heart cannot help but be dragged along by the fallible body. I engaged in what some would call a private fight, although it was only a misunderstanding. I should have been more careful. Hijikata-san would have scolded me fiercely.
I have arrived at some place called Landel's Institute - it is in the future, Western, and really very unpleasant. At first, I thought this was some Choushuu mind-trick or else that a new enemy was trying to kill us again, but after talking to people here it seems this is not the case. For whatever reason, the people of this Institute pull the "patients" from different worlds and times, lumping us together for some unknown purpose. That being said, it is very odd to be speaking in English. Many patients here seem to speak Japanese, however.
They also seem to know me and the Shinsengumi. I must let Hijikata-san and the others know of what will befall us. If I can get advance notice to them, perhaps we can avoid our defeat and the Bakufu will not end. Himura Kenshin, a former Choushuu hitokiri, has told me the future. I do not know whether what he says is truth or lies, but something tells me what he says is what is waiting for us. That unknown path we began so long ago... I know where it leads now. All things must run their course, but I cannot idly stand by and let everyone die. This is my duty and I will learn as much as I can to prevent such a tragedy. It is all I can do.
I attempted to kill him today. I heard the word "Choushuu" and I reacted instantly. He admits to admiring the Shinsengumi's adherence to the Code, and I did not return the compliment. We are still enemies, even if we are all just fighting for what we believe in. To admit to a rebel that we all walk this path of chaos and death and, for that reason, are comrades in a sense, is to weaken my resolve to fight them by Hijikata-san's side. I have to keep up the appearance, but secretly... I wish there was something I could do to reconcile the differences between us. This war, however, it keeps all souls divided. We have no choice in that.
Hijikata-san, are you safe now or has the future come while I have been here, unable to stand by your side? I said I would follow you, become a demon for this cause, but I have failed you and the others. I don't even know if you and the others are alive, or how I came to be here. Our last days together, bittersweet with victory and death, the sounds of Gion ringing in our ears and resonating with our memories... Where has our stolen time gone?
Ayumu-san, are you watching over them now that I have disappeared? I wish I could do more, but I do not know what I can do except learn the past, our future, and hope I can get a message to everyone. I remember the joy of realizing I had a family again and now I must experience the pain of losing it once more. These words, never to be spoken or read by another, these are things I will divulge to you and you alone. You always did watch out for all of us.
On a lighter note, Rangiku and I exchanged poems on the board.
Her's:
This damn hospital
Needs to get itself a bar
I'd kill for sake.
Mine:
For want of sake
I turned to poetry, but
I am still not drunk
I wonder if more people will post haiku here. Or if I can remember any of Hijikata-san's poetry, I should definitely post it. If only I knew his final lines...
The following are prohibited and punishable by seppuku:
- Deviating from the samurai code (Bushido)
- Leaving the Shinsengumi
- Raising money privately
- Taking part in others' litigation
- Engaging in private fights
Although I dedicated my life to following this code, I, Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi, have failed it. I have, against my will, left the Shinsengumi. My heart is still with them, but my body is displaced and the heart cannot help but be dragged along by the fallible body. I engaged in what some would call a private fight, although it was only a misunderstanding. I should have been more careful. Hijikata-san would have scolded me fiercely.
I have arrived at some place called Landel's Institute - it is in the future, Western, and really very unpleasant. At first, I thought this was some Choushuu mind-trick or else that a new enemy was trying to kill us again, but after talking to people here it seems this is not the case. For whatever reason, the people of this Institute pull the "patients" from different worlds and times, lumping us together for some unknown purpose. That being said, it is very odd to be speaking in English. Many patients here seem to speak Japanese, however.
They also seem to know me and the Shinsengumi. I must let Hijikata-san and the others know of what will befall us. If I can get advance notice to them, perhaps we can avoid our defeat and the Bakufu will not end. Himura Kenshin, a former Choushuu hitokiri, has told me the future. I do not know whether what he says is truth or lies, but something tells me what he says is what is waiting for us. That unknown path we began so long ago... I know where it leads now. All things must run their course, but I cannot idly stand by and let everyone die. This is my duty and I will learn as much as I can to prevent such a tragedy. It is all I can do.
I attempted to kill him today. I heard the word "Choushuu" and I reacted instantly. He admits to admiring the Shinsengumi's adherence to the Code, and I did not return the compliment. We are still enemies, even if we are all just fighting for what we believe in. To admit to a rebel that we all walk this path of chaos and death and, for that reason, are comrades in a sense, is to weaken my resolve to fight them by Hijikata-san's side. I have to keep up the appearance, but secretly... I wish there was something I could do to reconcile the differences between us. This war, however, it keeps all souls divided. We have no choice in that.
Hijikata-san, are you safe now or has the future come while I have been here, unable to stand by your side? I said I would follow you, become a demon for this cause, but I have failed you and the others. I don't even know if you and the others are alive, or how I came to be here. Our last days together, bittersweet with victory and death, the sounds of Gion ringing in our ears and resonating with our memories... Where has our stolen time gone?
Ayumu-san, are you watching over them now that I have disappeared? I wish I could do more, but I do not know what I can do except learn the past, our future, and hope I can get a message to everyone. I remember the joy of realizing I had a family again and now I must experience the pain of losing it once more. These words, never to be spoken or read by another, these are things I will divulge to you and you alone. You always did watch out for all of us.
On a lighter note, Rangiku and I exchanged poems on the board.
Her's:
This damn hospital
Needs to get itself a bar
I'd kill for sake.
Mine:
For want of sake
I turned to poetry, but
I am still not drunk
I wonder if more people will post haiku here. Or if I can remember any of Hijikata-san's poetry, I should definitely post it. If only I knew his final lines...