alias_sqbr

Background information and links to previous posts
So I'm writing a story with Heisuke in it and decided it would be good to see these and oh goddd this is going to killl meeee.

I mean it was great! If you like PAIN and TRAGIC HOMOEROTIC LADYSTABBING (and I do)

** Spoilers, violence, implied sexual creepiness **

Kyoto Winds:

Heisuke is sad that Lord Toudou, the feudal lord he's the bastard son of, won't even care that he's supposedly died. And instead of "I'm sure he cares" I have to pick "But now you're free with no obligations to anyone" and he's all "haha yeah I am" BUT I KNOW HE ACTUALLY WANTS TO THINK HIS DAD LOVES HIM thanks game.

Since he's a vampire already the final choice is whether to give him blood or make him endure it.

Bad end (give him medicine):

There's no gut-wrenching CG since it's just Kyoto Winds so that bit's over quickly at least.

Aw adorable hand holding and saying how much they like being around each other these two are so damn cute.

And now the new part. Soldiers are chasing them and Heisuke says he will draw their fire oh godddd. "It's fine I'll heal!"

Except he doesn't, presumably because they're using silver bullets. He bravely says it doesn't matter he'll just kill them all...and gets covered in their blood...and goes...a bit...weird...

Noooo I was prepared for sad Heisuke I was not prepared for creepy Heisuke D: If he eats Chizuru I will dieeeee

Heisuke: Hey enemy soldiers, come out of hiding so I can drink your delicious blood :D
Chizuru: Heisuke, no! *runs towards him*

And then they are both shot and die and under the circumstances that was FINE.

THE END

Unrequited Love Ending (make him endure it):

Wait no I misread the walkthrough. I thought this was the one where I give him blood but it's the one where I make him endure it and it is not over quickly at ALL he is SO SAD ;_;

So. They're surrounded by enemy soldiers, once again Heisuke's bullet wounds don't heal but this time he just tells Chizuru to run ahead, and that he'll catch up (oh no)

Some time later at Osaka Castle, Chizuru wants to keep waiting but Harada and Nagakura convince her it's time to accept that Heisuke is dead. They're pretty sad about it too.

On the ship to Edo, Chizuru thinks of him sadly, and how they're arriving in the city he loved.

THE END

I think I'll have a break before Edo Blossoms. Have some snacks, reconsider my life choices etc.

TOOK A BREAK FOR FOUR DAYS TIME TO GET BACK ON THE PAIN WAGON.

Edo Blossoms:

Chapter 1:
Skips through to the first choice. Heisuke is making a sad smile and I have to say something mildly hurtful.

AHHHH. WHY. NO. THIS IS THE WORST.

*makes Heisuke endure bloodlust which is also the worst*

Hahaha aw but the cute scene where he cuts his hair and Chizuru is overcome by how charming he looks. Maybe I'll just...stop here...

Heisuke is under attack by vampires. Chizuru slices the arm of his attacker to give him an opening, but is then stabbed herself. The last thing she hears is Heisuke calling out her name.

THE END

Chapter 2:
Chizuru asks Heisuke why he's sticking with the Shinsengumi after his friends have left.
Heisuke, his expression tender and passionate: There's...someone I'm worried about, I'd never forgive myself if I abandoned them.

Correct choice: Me?
Choice I am picking now: Sanan?

THE LOOK ON HIS FACE

Heisuke: o.O Um...YES. IT'S SANAN. ARE YOU PSYCHIC OR SOMETHING >.>

Awwww so we see Ibuki from the prequel anime (and game), which I have now watched some of since playing this route the first time. Heisuke says "We weren't close but I knew of him". HDU HEISUKE. YOU GUYS WERE BUDS. YOU ANGSTED TOGETHER ABOUT NOT WANTING TO KILL ANYONE AND IT WAS REALLY SWEET.

Oh this is sadder with context. Heisuke talks about having tried to look out for Ibuki when he was being bullied (I think Heisuke was just pretending not to be friends so Chizuru would accept him not saying hi), and how Ibuki thought he'd never hack it alone...but now he is happy and settled down with a nice girl. And Heisuke will never have that.

Oh no the leadup to Evil Vampire Sanan turning demon Princess Sen into his mind-controlled vampire bride D: (And there's a continuity error with Sen being described as pure-blooded. No she's not! One of her ancestors married a human and she thinks human/demon relationships are cute!)

(hee, Sen is taller than Heisuke)

Sanan: Oh no to kill me you have to fight her :D
Heisuke: D:
Sen: *Attacks Heisuke with fluid terrifying grace*
Chizuru: Sen, it's me! Don't you remember the day we met?
Sen: Chizuru...chan?
Chizuru: Yes! I'm so glad you're...
Sen: *stabs Chizuru*
Chizuru: Se..n...
"I could form the shape of her name with my lips, but no sound came out. Instead all that escaped my mouth was a pungent frothy wad of blood"

The last thing she hears is Sanan's cackling laughter and Heisuke calling out her name.

THE END

The whole thing with Sanan mind controlling Sen is creepy as hell but does create some great tragic femslash potential.

Chapter 3:
*Quickly fast forwards through bittersweet conversation with Hijikata about how everyone is doomed, most especially Heisuke*

Man I forgot how MISERABLE Heisuke is on his route, even in the good end. I mean he suffers beautifully, but godddd

Hijikata ;_; *sniffles slightly at the reminder of the general tragedy of his life and knows his bad ends are going to destroy anything that is left of me after Heisuke's*

I make Heisuke endure horrible agony and he gives a sad smile and says "Sorry for being such a bother. At least you won't have to see me like this again (because I'll be dead)"

And then he tells her to forget about him and OH NO I HAVE TO PICK "CALM DOWN" AND I DON'T WANT TO HE'S SO SAD AND STOIC AND KIND ;_;

Chizuru: Buck up! You'll never kill Sanan with that sort of sad-sack attitude!
Heisuke: hahaha yeah sorry I'll just...stop whining about how I'm doomed to die...;_;
Me: AAAHHHHHH *saves, goes back to see the 'good' option*

Chizuru: *slaps Heisuke*

(But in an emotionally supportive DON'T YOU DARE THINK I'M ABANDONING YOU way)

Aw Princess Sen's bodyguard Kimigiku is taller than Heisuke too. I find it interesting that she calls Chizuru "Chizuru-san" and have zero idea what it signifies compared to Yukimura-san.

OK SO. Demon Lord Kazama has teamed up with Chizuru and Heisuke to rescue the mind-controlled demon Princess Sen from Evil Vampire Sanan. They're discussing strategy in a forest clearing when they hear footsteps. It's...SEN.

Me: Oh noooo
Heisuke and Kazama: Hmm :/
Chizuru: Sen :D :D
Heisuke: Wait!

And then the hungry red eyes of 20 vampires gleam in the darkness.

Sen: They're after me! Chizuru! Save me!!

Sen you are a vampire demon who knows how to swordfight, Chizuru's only combat skill is chutzpah.

Kazama and Heisuke effortlessly work their way through the vampire hoard.

Sen: Chizuru?
Chizuru, still only a little mistrusting: Don't worry, they'll take care of everything!
Sen: *creepy smile*
Chizuru: Uh...

AND THEN SEN COVERS CHIZURU'S MOUTH SO SHE CAN'T SCREAM AND FORCES A BITTER LIQUID DOWN HER THROAT.

Sen, her eyes creepily blank: Come with me, Chizuru. You and I, we will create an idyllic paradise, filled with beings that surpass demons and vampires alike.

OH GOD NO SANAN DO NOT MAKE CHIZURU YOUR VAMPIRE DEMON BRIDE TOO EVEN TAKEDA DIDN'T DEMAND A FRIGGING HAREM

OK. CHIZURU JUST FALLS UNCONSCIOUS AND IT ENDS. So I can just...headcanon this as something significantly less creepy. Even if the vampire demon harem is in fact the most plausible explanation nnnng.

THE END

Bad End:

Hahaha the CG in the chapter choice menu for this chapter is Heisuke blank eyed and covered in blood IT'S FINE THIS WILL BE FINE.

Last "make him endure it"! oh god he actually starts saying "blood..." like one of the mindless vampires then snaps himself out of it.

And then he talks about being a monster and instead of "You're not a monster" I have to choose "you're doing what you have to do to survive" oh god I'm sorry Heisuke ;_;

But they still kiss and it's so sweet.

*fast forwards through more of Sanan being creepy, and most of the Heisuke&Kazama&Kimigiku vs Sanan&Sen final battle*

Game hits new dialogue:

Sen has just stabbed Kazama and is cheerfully licking his blood of her hands.

Which is obviously bad in context but on the other hand he deserves it. Apparently in the original version of this path Sen and Kazama get together??? I am 100% more in favour of her stabbing him instead. ANYWAY.

(Also I only just started noticing the cute lil pointy ears demons get in demon form.)

Chizuru: Sen, are you okay?
Sen: Kiku? Chizuru? Oh god Sanan made me drink his blood D: Nnnngggg

She goes through a painful internal struggle, trying to hold onto her sanity.

Sen: Kiku...no, Kimigiku. As Princess of the Yase village, I command you to take my life while you still can.
Kimigiku: Princess ;_;
Sen: The vampire blood is dominating me. I have failed as a demon, and am now nothing more than a threat to you.
Chizuru: But you're fine now!
Sen, handing a ceremonial dagger to Kimigiku: I am sorry to burden you with this task, Kiku :(
Kimigiku: *stares at dagger, eyelashes fluttering* The apology should come from me, there are no words to properly express my grief. I have failed to keep you safe, and now must take your life. Forgive me princess. It won't be long until I join you in the next life.
Sen slowly lowers her arms, trembling in anticipation.
Sen: Please! I can only hold myself back for a moment longer! Hurry!
Sen: ...hurry and let me taste you >:D

AHHHHH

Sen reaches for the dagger but then her blood splatters like petals into the air.
Sen: No, what's happening? I don't want this!!

WAIT. FUCK. IT WAS HER STABBING KIMIGIKU. AND CHIZURU. WHILE CRYING OUT AND APOLOGISING.

Sen: I'm sorry Chizuru.
Chizuru: I'm sorry too, Sen. I'm sorry I didn't kill you fast enough :(

The game just...really goes for it with the blood splatter and stabbing noises as everything goes black and Chizuru wishes there'd been some way to save Sen.

THE END

Wow, that sure was something. *takes a moment to have tragic Chizuru/Kimigiku/Sen feelings before diving back into Heisuke/Chizuru*

Unrequited Love Ending:

Chizuru is totally kinking on Heisuke sucking her blood, I remember thinking this was a pretty sexless path the first time but that might just have been in comparison to Hijikata and Saito lol.

We get a little more into the Heisuke&Kazama&Kimigiku vs Sanan&Sen final battle before the game stops to show me something new.

Heisuke's just told Chizuru to look after Sen, but Kimigiku stops her.

Sen: *Creepy stare holding dagger covered in Kazama's blood*
Chizuru: Sen, it's me, don't you remember?
Sen: I...my head...*collapses*
Chizuru runs to check her pulse.
Kimigiku: Chizuru, the Princess...?
Chizuru: She'll be ok. Now we just have to destroy Sanan.

Heisuke: Chizuru! Grab Princess Sen and escape the castle! Having you here is distracting, I can't bear to see you in harm's way.
Sanan: So the thought of Yukimura seeing your true form frightens you? Just another proof of the weakness that will be your undoing >:D *stabs towards Heisuke*

There is a splash of blood...Sanan's!

Kazama: It amuses me how quickly you forget I exist, fake.
But Sanan just laughs, pulling Kazama's sword from his chest (including the hilt I guess?)

Heisuke: Chizuru, please, go!
Kazama: Listen to him. As long as I'm here to help nothing bad will happen to either of us.

Aw. As much as Kazama deserves to be stabbed in general, his tsundere friendship with Heisuke in this path is pretty cute.

Chizuru: Promise me you'll return to me, Heisuke. I will wait to the end of time.
Heisuke: I know!

That's not a promise, Heisuke :(

They run outside and Chizuru has to be careful not to slip on the blood from all the vampires Kazama murdered on the way in.

Once they get outside, Sen wakes up, and the three of them sit and wait.

And wait. The sun slowly rises. And then the door of the castle opens and out walks Kazama...alone.

Kazama: I'm not sure how to put this, but: Toudou proved himself fighting Sanan and his vampires.
Chizuru: So why isn't he with you. Is he...having a nap??
Kazama: The fierce battle had it's cost: he turned to ash at the end of it. I would hazard a guess that he didn't want you to witness him in his twilight hour.

Chizuru goes numb. Kazama takes her hand and places in it a single blood spattered button.
Kazama: A memento, if you will. Keep it.
Chizuru: ;_;

Kimigiku and Sen offer Chizuru a place in Yase village, but Chizuru declines, instead deciding to bask in her memories of Heisuke in the abandoned Yukimura village. She finds peace, and a sense of home, and wonders if a city boy like Heisuke would have enjoyed the rural atmosphere.

Chizuru, gripping the button in her hand: But look, Heisuke, this is where I was born.

THE END

:(

I'll just be over here being sad ;_;