Homura had to laugh when Hijikata made his conclusions, a short and derisive sound. "If you were, I wouldn't want you." And apparently Hijikata had misunderstood that. Homura was convincing with his words, but he was far from helpless with a sword. Yet he made no mention of that yet, nor of his willingness to prove his intentions with a blade if that was what the man truly desired. "I'm saying that your goals coincide with ours--specifically, with mine. This Kondo--is he the most important person to you? Then I'd expect him to show up for you within a week or two. Not to join you as a prisoner, but as a brainwashed visitor trying to lure you into the lies that the nurses tell you. Trying to convince you your name really is Kate, and that my name is Ethan, and that we all have perfect lives waiting for us waiting just beyond the doors."

"Ask about it, if you want." Homura glanced towards the bulletin, though he doubted Hijikata wouldn't have been able to guess the method he was suggesting. "There have been numerous people visited by the one they hold most dear. And not even death will stop them from coming, if the Institute decides that's the best way to torture you."

"I already told you that with or without you, my group is going forward with our goals. What you do is your choice, and I'm not going to treat you any differently than I would another person who catches my interest." And he certainly didn't think of his followers as dogs. But Heiji said that almost better than Homura himself could, and the boy earned a look of appreciation for it. What he didn't approve of, however, was Heiji's offer to give up his sword.

"You will do no such thing, Hattori." Okita might not appreciate this intrusion into his territory, but Homura knew all too well how precious weapons were in this place. "You have that sword for a reason, and I expect you to hold on to it. You're the one Okita named when I asked him to pick one of you three. Don't dishonor that choice by letting go of your blade so easily."