[ don't worry, they got a nice memento from That Moment. if a broken leg counts. Hijikata's not mad about it though, just grumpy and sour because he actually has to rest, and not work. what really mattered was Tsurumaru's own safety anyway, they made it out alive and that's what matters.

so swords do have heartbeats...

hearing something like that is always flattering, isn't it?

Hijikata only stays silent for a moment, but it isn't really a long one. mostly because his answer is certain. ]

That's ridiculous, do you really think I can die so easily? [ he pauses... before saying something less haughty. ]

Though, everyday I keep pressing forward... so I honestly don't know how long I'll live, I don't know when I'll die - naturally, by now, I already accepted my life might be short because I just don't know. But if there's one thing I know, if I'm going to die it's definitely going to be on the battlefield.

[ because that's what samurais do. they fight until the end, they die an honourable death in battle. ] But even so... Killing me isn't an easy feat.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[ ... another pause. ]

But maybe I can try to stay alive all I can. [ it's strange because Hijikata always had accepted short life considering he's a samurai. that's just how it is. but does he really want to try to stay alive for another sake? it's kind of odd, yet... he isn't too sure. ]