[it might be to that acknowledged difference that Katsura gives just a little ground -- they're not friends, no, but they're enemies largely circumstance]

[in another life, Katsura could just as easily be serving on the force, and in another life, Hijikata could just as easily be part of that rag-tag bunch of samurai he led; it was two ways of approaching the same problem of how best to care for people]

[he would rather burn alive than admit such a thing, however, of course]

Then what is your course of action? To sit idly and wait for a strike, or preempt aggression?

[with clear intent to establish Hijikata's actions apart from his own, he adds, somewhat reluctantly]

I plan on making direct contact with him once I have gathered more information. This meeting could have ...adverse effects, or pacifying ones. It remains to be seen how I will find him, and what his plans are.

[it is ambiguous as to whether these plans will be shared; just as he and the Vice Captain found themselves enemies, they're only allied by circumstance, as well (which was subject to change)]