Episode Title:
The Pale, Dreamlike Sakura.
Episode Description:
Hijikata's army has a few victories in Futamata-guchi, but Ootori's army falls in Matsumae-guchi. Hijikata and his army is forced to retreat before the enemies arrive. When another bloodthirst strikes, he realizes that his body cannot hold out much longer. In Benten Daiba, Hijikata meets up with Shimada and Ootori, who blames himself for the loss at Matsumae-guchi. Hijikata tells him that it wasn't his fault and shakes his hand in the end. Later when they are alone, Hijikata, once again, tries to get Chizuru to go where she can be safe. She refuses, and he says he could never live without her. Hijikata confesses his love to Chizuru and kissing her. When the New Government Army attacks Benten Daiba, Hijikata is shot while on horseback. Refusing to let him die, Chizuru gives him some of her blood. While attempting to go back to Goryoukaku, Kazama Chikage appears under a beautiful cherry blossom tree. Kazama declares Hijikata not a Rasetsu, but an Oni. He gives Hijikata an Oni name--"Hakuoki". They fight and Hijikata kills Kazama. He falls to his knees immediately afterward, letting go now that Chizuru is safe. She runs to him, and remembers all the Shinsengumi that have been lost, and all of the good times in the past. Hijikata is shown unconscious or dead in the last few minutes of the episode. Chizuru sees all of the Shinsengumi standing proudly in the sky (implying that they've died). Whether Hijikata died or not is left ambiguous.
