The Flower that Blooms in Twilight (宵闇に咲く華 Yoiyami ni Saku Hana), also translated as Twilight Blossom, is the third episode of the anime Hakuōki: Shinsengumi Kitan (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: The Tale of the Shinsengumi). It aired on April 18, 2010.
Plot
June 1864
Kondou announces the raid
The smaller squad of Shinsengumi with Kondou in charge prepare to apprehend the Chōshū conspirators at Ikedaya. Chizuru is sent with Yamazaki to request reinforcements from the other soldiers surveilling at Shikokuya, but is forced to run the message herself as Yamazaki fights off attackers.
Kondou officially announces the raid to the enemies before initiating the fight, which is slightly criticized by Okita and Heisuke but taken lightly by Shinpachi who calls it "doing a raid by the book".
Okita and Heisuke meet Kazama and Amagiri
Okita and Heisuke advance to the second floor slaughtering the enemies and making a competition out of it. In the last room they enter, they encounter Kazama and Amagiri sitting by the window and observing what is happening at the back yard. Heisuke starts a fight with Amagiri while Okita attacks Kazama. Amagiri prefers to avoid fighting, however, Heisuke insists thus gets badly injured. Amagiri also denies them being affiliated with Chōshū. The difference in strength between Okita and Kazama is easily noticeable, and, in addition to that, Okita starts coughing blood.
Hijikata stops the Aizu clan from walking into the Inn
One of the Shinsengumi members dies. Hijikata's group appears right in time as reinforcement, but so does the Aizu clan. Hijikata stays outside and tries to make sure they do not enter and do not claim the first right, and he is grateful to Chizuru for delivering the message and letting them join forces just in time. He threatens the Aizu warriors that whoever enters the building without wearing Shinsengumi's uniform will be taken down as an enemy, therefore they should not do so for their own safety. Yamazaki appears behind Chizuru and explains to her that Hijikata is shielding Shinsengumi from losing all the credit for doing the dirty work and dealing with the rogue samurai.
Okita protects Chizuru from Kazama
Chizuru sees wounded comrades and runs inside to treat those whose injuries are especially severe. She almost gets killed but is saved by Saitou who admits that he would not sleep well knowing she had died. Upon entering the last room, Chizuru sees Okita barely standing but still trying to fight Kazama. He attempts a few more attacks but fails and gets knocked down coughing blood. Kazama threatens to kill Chizuru but Okita stands up and covers her with his body, pointing his sword in a defensive position. Chizuru holds him back from picking up more fight, and Kazama puts his weapon away explaining that his mission was done the moment the Shinsengumi rushed in. Okita passes out when Kazama leaves the building.
The episode continues with Chizuru's narration about the historical aspect of this raid, and it is shown that the Shinsengumi head home with some of them heavily wounded and one dead. Chizuru asks Okita why he protected her even though he always claimed that he would kill her if she stood in the way, and he replies that he is asking himself the same question.
The Shinsengumi taking medicine and discussing who attacked Okita and Heisuke
Next morning, all the Shinsengumi captains except Kondou are sitting the dining room when Chizuru brings medicine for everyone. It is revealed that Hijikata's family makes Ishida Medicinal Powder which Sano calls special. The Shinsengumi start speculating about who Okita and Heisuke fought at Ikedaya since they claimed they were not Chōshū. Okita promises to be the winner next time they meet, and Saitou assumes that they could have been spies from another clan who had sneaked in.
Sano, Shinpachi and Chizuru are going to a festival
After the meal is over, Hijikata catches Chizuru in the hall and orders her to go on patrol with Harada. While patrolling, Sano tells Chizuru that the city folk hates the Shinsengumi after the Ikedaya incident. They meet Nagakura's group, and Sano sends all the samurai away to keep doing their job while he takes Shinpachi and Chizuru to a different place without telling them any details. When they arrive at the destination, he explains that Hijikata asked him to take Chizuru out to watch the Yamahoko parade at the Gion Festival as gratitude for her help with delivering the message.
July 1864
Kondou announces the request to mobilize
Kondou announces that the Shinsengumi have received a formal request from Aizu to mobilize and subjugate the Chōshū clan. Heisuke, Okita and Sannan have to stay at the headquarters to recover due to their injuries. Chizuru is invited to join and treat the wounded in case of need.
The episode finishes with Chizuru's narration that this will later be called "the Kinmon Rebellion".