The Pale, Dreamlike Sakura

(夢幻の薄桜 Mugen no usuzakura), also known as The Ephemeral, Pale Cherry Blossom, is the tenth episode of the anime Hakuōki: Hekketsuroku (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Record of the Jade Blood) and the twenty-second episode of the season one&two combined version. It aired on December 6, 2010.
==Plot==
April 1869
The Imperial Army appears in Ezo after the snow has melted. They launch an attack on Otobe, and, in order to intercept the enemy, the former Bakufu army sends Minister Ootori to the Matsumae Pass to the southwest of Hakodate, while Vice Minister Hijikata is a commanding officer at the Futamata Pass northwest of Hakodate. 
Hijikata boosts his troops morale by informing them that there is more ammunition than needed and by promising to let them drink to their hearts' content after this is over. 
In the meantime, Kazama, wearing a western outfit, jumps to the ship of Count Kuroda Kiyotaka that is moving towards Ezo. Kuroda seems to recognize Kazama as he warns his men not to fight him.
One of the units under Hijikata's control acts recklessly, however, Hijikata notices it and orders to provide backup, which results in their flawless victory. Hijikata first scolds them for giving him a heart attack but then congratulates them with the victory, and all the soldiers cheer for him. However, Chizuru informs Hijikata that a messenger from the headquarters is awaiting him.
Later in the evening, Hijikata finds Chizuru while everyone else is sleeping and orders her to prepare to retreat since the enemy has broken through Ootori's troops, which means retreating now is their only choice because otherwise the way back might get cut off later. While Chizuru expresses her regret about the situation, Hijikata gets a blood urge and falls on his knees struggling, his hair turns white and his eyes become bright red. Chizuru immediately runs to him and tries to help him out. He confesses that his body might not last much longer which shocks and scares her, so she turns around, removes part of her clothing to bear her neck, and tells Hijikata to drink. Hijikata apologizes, cuts her skin with his sword just enough for a few drops of blood to appear, and starts drinking it. His condition goes back to normal.
1 May 1869
Hijikata returns to Goryoukaku and visits Benten Fortress where he reunites with Ootori, Shimada and other Shinsengumi members. Ootori takes the blame for losing the Matsumae Pass and apologizes but Hijikata reassures him that the idea itself to break forces was not good enough from the start. He reminds Ootori that a new unit has requested to join and encourages him to keep fighting. Ootori promises to carry the banner of the Shinsengumi in the following battles. Hijikata jokes and asks Ootori to protect the fortress, reaching out his hand for a handshake. Ootori remembers Hijikata's initial grumpy reaction to it when they first met, smiles and shakes it.
Shimada comes to talk to Chizuru about how she is doing and how surprised he is that the former Demon Vice Commander is now loved by his subordinates. 
7 May 1869
The Imperial Army's warships charge into Hakodate's bay. The former Bakufu's army ships put up a good fight but get outnumbered, so the troops have to rely on the infantry. 
10 May 1869
The former Bakufu soldiers share their final drinks like true warriors. Chizuru brings tea to Hijikata's room seeing him look out of the window. He is sure that the enemies will strike the following day, therefore he is asking if she still intends to stay by his side. She interrupts his trail of thought by claiming that he is absolutely adamant to stay.
Crying, Chizuru replies that she is happy to know that Hijikata wants to live. He is surprised so he hugs her and asks her to stay by his side forever promising to never let her go. Chizuru does not respond as they share a passionate kiss.
11 May 1869
The Imperial Army commences an all-out attack on Hakodate. Ootori, Shimada and the Shinsengumi are attacked from the back and cut off from the outside. Upon learning about that, Hijikata jumps on his horse with Chizuru behind him and rides to Benten Fortress. Kuroda Kiyotaka's soldiers open fire, and one of the bullets goes through Hijikata's chest knocking him and Chizuru from the horse. She finds him unconscious and starts shouting to wake him up, dragging him away from everyone deeper into the woods. She unbuttons his shirt and tries to stop the bleeding while keeping a conversation about going back to Goryoukaku since Shimada and others are waiting and are not going down without a fight. However, the bleeding is too strong to be stopped with a bandage, and Chizuru is frightened that Hijikata might die. She is lost and does not know what to do until she comes up with an idea to give him her blood. She cuts her wrist with her sword, licks her blood and kisses Hijikata to make sure it gets in his system. He opens his eyes and asks if she has hurt herself again to which she replies that it will heal in no time.
They decide to go back to Goryoukaku and on the way there they see a huge blossoming cherry tree. Chizuru notices how similar it is to the first night they met all those years before. Chikage Kazama, who is seeking revenge, appears from the dark swearing on his pride to finish what he started. Chizuru steps up and begs Kazama not to attack since Hijikata is severely injured, however, Hijikata stops her, saying that if someone is willing to lose everything over a fight, as a true warrior, he has to accept the challenge. Chizuru accepts his resolve and steps back, while Kazama laughs reminding Hijikata that the more power he uses, the shorter his life becomes. He claims that Rasetsu are fakes compared to pure-blooded oni like himself, to which Hijikata responded that the life of a Shinsengumi commander is harsh considering how many people need him. 
Both men change into their demon form and start fighting. Hijikata is no less strong despite his injury and despite being a "fake" according to Kazama who remembers Hijikata's monologue from Episode 12 where he claimed he could prove to be real if he could defeat a real demon. After a few more sword swings hurting each other, the men seem to reach the epitome of the fight, and Hijikata claims that he cannot lose because he has something to protect, which drives Kazama to the following conclusion:
The final blow ends up to be victorious for Hijikata who pierces through Kazama's heart with his sword. He falls on his knees going back to his human form and remembers all his late comrades' last words: Sannan, Heisuke, Saitou, Okita, Kondou, Harada, Shinpachi, Yamazaki, Inoue. Then he remembers the first day he met Chizuru at the headquarters surrounded by all the Shinsengumi commanders. After the memories end, we see Hijikata laying on Chizuru's laps unconscious, and Chizuru looks at the sky crying when she sees the Shinsengumi banner of Truth and all her dead friends moving on including Hijikata right next to Kondou. However, a moment later her tears get wiped by Hijikata's hand, she sees him standing and hears him calling her name, but it remains uncertain whether Chizuru is daydreaming or Hijikata actually survives.
Category:Episodes
Category:Season 2
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