I will let you know, there will be no pairings in this story. Though, I think it's a little unnecessary to say that, but oh well. Enjoy the first chapter!

Pain.

That's the only word I can describe to myself physically. I'm unhappy, and I feel like I can never smile again.

My name is Sayiki. I am a young girl, who is actually 11. I have blond hair, that goes just below my shoulders. I also have light brown eyes. Like all kids, I am short. I wear a black, long kimono, but I didn't wear any socks or sandals.

The reason why I am unhappy is because my parents died in a fire. The fire was in my house, and my parents and I were in it. How did I manage to get out of the fire, you may ask? Well, before my parents were burned to death, they told me to get out of the house quickly. They told me that they would not want me to die, because I'm only a child. But even if they said that seconds before they died, I was terrified about losing my parents. And sadly, I saw them burn right before I had escaped my burning home.

My parents died almost six months ago. The home I once had was gone. I had no home, and I had no parents. I was an orphan, and I was homeless. Every single day, I cried my heart out, just thinking of my parents.

I was able to get food, though, and how I got that was something I almost immediately regretted doing days after I became an orphan. I had been "working" for gangs. And by working, I mean doing the jobs for them. Despite not telling any gangs this, I hate it. I hate it with a passion, but like everyone else in all of Edo, I want, and need, money. Just so that I wouldn't have to starve myself.

Sometimes I would rather starve than be working for them, but sadly, I pretty much have to work for them because like I said, I needed money.

I didn't count how many gangs I've been working for in Edo, but all I know is that everyone in Edo hates me. Everyone, or so I believe, despises me because they always see me trying to cause trouble. Such as stealing fruit from markets without paying, and also trying to steal valuables from either rich people or from the Shinsengumi. I hate stealing, and I hate causing trouble, but I don't really have any choice.

If I can't finish the job, then most of the gang members from groups will beat me up, or even torture me. And for the past six months, I've been beaten up or tortured once every couple of days. Due to that, I've had bruises all over my body, but most bruises weren't dark, which meant that the bruises wouldn't last on my body for long.

They've even ripped part of my clothes, but I was never raped by them, which I was glad. And since I've heard them curse, and say inappropriate things lots of times towards me, I've gotten used to it, and I've even heard some of the explicit words. I didn't know why, but I've started cursing as well, despite being an 11-year-old.

Today was a sunny day, but obviously, I had to walk to one of the gangs because they told me to meet them in one of the alley ways. I didn't want to see them, but I couldn't refuse because I was afraid of them beating me up again.

As I was in an alley way, I saw the gang of six people. They all had dark skin, and every one of them either had piercings in their noses, or had tattoos all over their body.

The leader, who had a red Mohawk, and a piercing through his nose, said in a dark tone, "I'm glad you manage to get here, Sayiki-Chan." I've always hated him calling me by 'Chan'. It wasn't that I disliked the honorific of 'Chan', it's just that he's a gang member, and I'm an innocent girl. His name was "Knife", but that was actually his nickname. He never told me his real name, and he probably never will. The name for his gang is called the "Death Killer".

He continued as he held pulled out his actual knife, "Here's the job that you will do for us."

"What will that be?" I asked the leader.

A chuckle escaped Knife's lips as he explained, "You will go into the Shinsengumi Headquarters without getting caught. The Shinsengumi bastards are on patrol right now, so there's nobody there. You will try to steal at least one sword. I don't care how many you bring, but don't you fail this job. If you manage to bring one sword to me, then I shall pay you up."

I thought while narrowing my eyes, I don't want to do it, but I don't have a choice.

I responded to Knife, "I'll do it." My mother once told me that sometimes there is no try. I have to do it, or not do it.

Knife smirked at me while replying, "Good. Now, go. And remember. Do not get caught, or else there will be consequences."

Even though he only said 'consequences', I knew what would happen to me if I didn't get the job done. Because this has happened to me plenty of times.

I gave the gang a nod before turning around, and dashing out of the alley way. I thought again, I've always hated myself for working with gangs, but they're the ones who asked me to work for them. And I couldn't really refuse, because I wanted to get money, just so that I could survive.

I wasn't crying, but I was so depressed. Everyone in Edo hates me, and whenever some people saw me, they would glare at me. It is embarrassing, but I have to get over it. Sadly, I can never get over it, even if I want to.

I was close to the Shinsengumi Headquarters, but I had to walk slowly because I had to be cautious. I looked around me, seeing if there was anybody watching me. There wasn't. I sighed in relief, and walked quietly, but quickly, to the main gate to the Headquarters.

My eyes looked both ways once more as I pulled the gate back. I then took a few steps in, but I was really cautious. I tried to keep my guard up, because I had a feeling that at least one Shinsengumi member was here.

When I didn't see anyone, I closed the big gate behind me, and within seconds, I dashed towards the floorboard, and then ran inside. This was actually my first time going in the Shinsengumi Headquarters, so I took a good look on the inside.

For some reason, I felt my heart beating a little faster. Maybe it was either that I ran, or it was that I was scared that the Shinsengumi could come back anytime. A gulp went down my throat as I suddenly tip-toed. I looked through each room I saw, seeing if there were any swords in them. So far, I didn't see any.

I bit my lower lip as I began to walk slower. But I realized that the slower I am, the longer I take. So I whispered to myself, "Come on, Sayiki, you have to get through with this! You're not going to stay here forever!"

With that, I clenched my fists, and dashed through the hallway. I opened up a door, and saw a sword (In a case) on a wall. The sword was hanging on two hooks. I smiled a bit at myself, and ran towards the weapon.

If I can just get this to Knife, then I won't get beaten up or tortured. I mean, I hate doing this, but it's the only way to prevent myself from having a punishment!

As soon as I was in front of the sword, I reached up my hands to grab it. Though, I had a bit of trouble because it was a little high. I am 11, so that made sense. I had to tip-toe, and finally, I grabbed hold of the sword. As it was off the hooks, I nearly fell back. This sword was a bit heavy. I blinked my light brown eyes, and then turned around, running out of the room. I didn't bother to close the door because I had to get out of here.

I breathed quietly, but heavily. I felt a drop of sweat go down my cheek as I thought, I have to get out of here before the Shinsengumi come back!

Right after my thought, I heard footsteps that weren't mine. A couple of seconds later, I saw a figure walk in the hallway. The second he saw me, he widened his eyes. I widened my eyes as well, but I was horrified. He saw me carrying a sword, and he yelled at me, "WHAT'RE YOU DOING IN HERE?!"

I gasped loudly. I knew his name. Hijikata Toshiro. He began to walk quickly towards me. He yelled again, "DROP THE SWORD, OR I'LL FORCE YOU!"

Still in shock, I decided to drop the sword. I hated myself for stealing the sword, and for the truth, I would rather be arrested for burglary than continue to work for gangs.

I let the sword fall to the floor as I clenched my fists. I yelled out, "GO AHEAD! ARREST ME! I DESERVE TO GO TO JAIL! I DESPISE MY LIFE, SO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!"

I felt a bit of water in my eyes, but no tears were pouring out. I looked up as I bit my lip again. Hijikata raised a brow as he took his cigarette out of his mouth.

As he blew a puff of smoke out, he replied in a low tone, "No, I'm not going to arrest you. You're not old enough to get arrested. And I recognize you. You're Sayiki, the person who steals stuff."

Hijikata was close to me, but he leaned over, picking the sword up. I wanted to tell him that I had to do this for a gang, but Knife told me that I wasn't allowed to tell anyone. Because he said that if I did, he would go to jail, and if he would get out of it, he would kill me. I was terrified, so I kept my mouth shut.

He glared at me as he ordered me, "Get the fuck out of here."

I widened my eyes, but ran passed him, and was going far away from him. He shouted, "AND DON'T COME BACK!"

As I was out of the Headquarters, I pushed the big gate, running away from it. I didn't close it, but I was too horrified. I tripped a few times, but didn't fall down.

I was about to run past an alley way, but I heard Knife's voice. "Oi, don't try to run past us."

I widened my eyes as I gasped quietly. I stopped my feet as I stared at Knife and his gang.

He motioned me to walk closer to them. I gulped as I hesitantly took a few steps forward. As soon as I was in front of his gang, he asked in a dark tone, "Where's the sword?"

Another gulp went down my throat, but I answered, "I don't have it."

"Tch, just as I thought. You really are useless!"

He walked two steps forward, and as soon as he was about a foot in front of me, he knelled me in the stomach, hard. My light brown eyes widened in shock as I coughed loudly. Saliva dripped down my lip as I knelled to the ground, holding my stomach.

Knife told me, "I told you there would be consequences if you didn't get the job done, so here's your punishment." He turned to his gang, and ordered them, "Kick this brat, and make sure she stays down!"

I saw them nodding their heads. They all quickly walked towards me, and then, one of them kicked me on the side. I gasped again as I fell to the ground. The side of my face hit the dirt, and even though I was knelled in the stomach, and kicked on the side, I was already in pain. The members of the "Death Killer" gang soon kicked my body. From my face, to my legs. I bit my lip, so that I wouldn't scream. But the kicks were so hard, I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. I felt the warm blood trail down my chin.

I heard Knife chuckle darkly, and say, "Do you enjoy getting hurt like this, huh, Sayiki-Chan?" No answer from me. I didn't want to answer because I was in too much pain. Pain from biting my lip hard, and pain from the rough kicks that I was getting.

I felt a kick to my chest, where my heart was. I held my head with my hands as I shut my eyes tightly, crying my heart out.

Mom...dad...help me! I want you back!

As more tears were pouring out of my light brown eyes, I heard a shot, very close to the gang and I. The gang finally stopped kicking my body, but I opened my eyes to see who had shot a gun. As I looked up, I noticed a girl at the end of the alley way. And from the looks of it, it wasn't really a gun. It was an umbrella!

I was in disbelief, because umbrellas don't shoot bullets. The girl had red hair, with bundles on each side of her head. She had blue eyes, and was wearing Chinese clothes. Wait, Chinese clothes? Was she Chinese?

But when she spoke, I realized that she was speaking Japanese. She said, "I keep hearing loud kicks, uh-huh. Are you harming an innocent person?" I looked up again, and could see a serious expression on her face.

Knife chuckled again, but responded to the girl, "My gang is harming a person, but this person is a fucking brat, who didn't get the job done."

The girl walked a few steps as she saw me, bleeding and bruised up. She blinked her blue eyes, looking at Knife. She said a bit harshly, "I may not understand what you're talking about, but she's in pain so you assholes better get away from her." She held up her umbrella, positioning it. I now understood that she was not human, but was a Yato. I knew that because all Yato's have umbrellas, that have bullets in them.

One of the members snickered at her, "You think your glare will scare us? We're the 'Death Killer' gang, and you should be afraid of us."

The girl immediately shot a bullet in his arm. He widened his eyes in shock and anger, and screamed in pain as he held his wounded arm. The girl retorted, "Does this look like I'm afraid of you now?"

I could see their eyes widening. Knife scoffed, "Let's go, guys." I didn't expect them to retreat, but at least they stopped kicking me.

As soon as the gang was out of sight, I felt the girls hand pull my arm up gently. She asked me, "Are you alright?"

At first, I didn't respond, but since she pretty much saved me, I answered, "N-No. I'm in so much pain, I'm not even close to 'alright'."

She blinked, but narrowed her eyes at my bruises, and my ripped kimono. She replied, "You're right. My bad. But do you know what that bastard meant by 'not getting the job done'?"

I narrowed my eyes as well, but answered, "Over six months ago, my parents died in a fire. Since then, I had no home, and I was an orphan. I began 'working' for gangs because I wanted to get money. Because without money, I would starve. I have to eat so that I can survive. I regret working for them, but I barely have any choice left."

"I'm sorry to hear that," She said with sympathy. "So you need money, just so that you wouldn't have to steal food from markets."

My head nodded at the red-headed girl. "But I hardly get paid, because I hardly get the job done for some gangs. I've actually worked for three gangs, but one gang already has been arrested."

"So if you can't get the job done for them, does that mean you get kicked like what those bastards did to you just now?"

Again, I nodded my head. I replied, "It's so hard being an orphan. I think about my parents everyday, and I cry everyday. I was kicked a few moments ago because earlier, the leader of that gang wanted me to steal a sword from the Shinsengumi Headquarters, but I was caught by one of the Shinsengumi members, and I was forced to retrieve the sword. So I wasn't able to bring the sword, so they harmed me physically."

She clenched her fists as she said quietly, "I've seen you try to steal an apple from a market a few days ago, but you looked too innocent to be a thief. And I've even heard of you, because I overheard some people say, 'That blond child is a thief. She doesn't deserve to be here.' Or something like, 'That child doesn't deserve to be here. It's pretty shocking that she became a thief at such a young age, since she looks exactly like a kid.'"

My light brown eyes blinked, but I said to her, "I am a child. Everytime I would try to steal, I've been either pushed by other people, or they would yell at me. And whenever I would pass people, they would give me harsh glares. It's obvious enough that they all despise me."

"I don't hate you."

I stared at the girl, and she said, "My name is Kagura. What's your name?"

I responded, "Sayiki."

She blinked once more, but said as she gave me a sweet smile, "That's a sweet name."

I widened my eyes, but tilted my head down, feeling my face turn hot in embarrassment. I hesitantly said, "Th-Thank you."

Kagura gave out a gentle chuckle as she landed her hand on my head. Kagura said to me a bit quietly, "Would you like to come to the house I'm staying in?"

I looked up to her, and saw that smile on her face. At first, I thought, She's being kind to me. It feels as if she's the only person who actually see's my sad soul. And that smile on her face...I wish I could smile again.

I gave her a nod. She responded to my silence, "Alright, then I'll take you there. And I'll need to wipe that blood off your chin."

She was taller than me, so she leaned over, and wiped the blood from my chin by using the shirt to her Chinese clothes. As soon as she wiped it off, she let go of her shirt. I didn't see any of my blood on her shirt, strangely, but maybe that was because her clothes were red. Blood is red as well, so it made sense.

Kagura turned around, but motioned me to follow her. I blinked, but started to walk, following her. The two of us were out of the alley way, and she opened up her umbrella, holding the handle with the umbrella over her head. Despite following another person and being all bruised up, some people were beginning to glare at me. I flushed in embarrassment again as I quickly walked towards Kagura.

Moments later, we walked up some stairs, and when we were at the top, Kagura swiftly opened the door. I was close to her as she exclaimed, "Gin-Chan! Shinpachi! I'm back!"

A man said in a low tone, "Oi, oi. You don't have to say it. We already heard the door open."

"Don't be so dull, Gin-Chan!"

"How am I being dull?"

Before Kagura got to answer his question, he blinked his eyes, and noticed that I was behind the Yato. He blinked again as he asked, "Oi, Kagura-Chan, who is this kid?" As he stared at my face for a few seconds, he widened his small eyes in shock. He exclaimed while standing up off the couch, and pointing at me, "It's that stealer!"

The other man, who had glasses, and looked like a teenager, corrected, "You mean thief."

He ignored him, and quickly walked towards Kagura and I. I shook a bit as I took a step to the side, standing behind Kagura. I gripped her Chinese shirt, but she turned to look at me.

The man with the wavy, silver hair was now in front of us. I shook more as he said in a harsh tone, "Kagura-Chan, you never should have brought her here. Make her leave, because I don't want her to steal any of my stuff."

I furrowed my brows, and when Kagura gave the adult eye contact, she told him, "Gin-Chan, she's not a thief. Sure, she may have stole stuff from markets, and probably people, but she explained to me that she never wanted to do that. She has been working for some gangs, but that's only because she wants money, just so that she can feed herself. Gin-Chan, this girl hates what she's doing to herself right now."

He raised a brow, but looked a bit angry. He replied to Kagura, "I've seen her try to steal food from the market. Are you sure she's doing that just because she doesn't have any money? Where are her parents?"

"She told me they died in a fire."

As soon as Kagura said that, his anger was starting to disappear. He blinked, now staring at my scared expression. I clenched Kagura's shirt as I could only stare back at the man. Sweat was on my forehead.

He asked me, "Is she right, young lady?"

I nodded my head as I said, "My parents really did die. And I don't like being a thief, but it's the only way to get money from gang leaders. I swear, I hate doing what I do, but like everyone else, I want to survive."

Kagura said to him, "I swear she's not lying, uh-huh."

He didn't look suspicious anymore, nor did he look angry anymore. He sighed, "At least you told the truth. Otherwise I would've kicked you out of this house immediately." He scratched his hair, but after he removed his hand from his head, he introduced himself, "My name is Gintoki Sakata."

The other boy stood up, and walked over to us. He introduced himself as well, "My name is Shinpachi Shimura. Where was the fire when your parents died?"

I answered as I narrowed my light brown eyes, "It was at my house. My parents told me to get out of the house, and when I was able to get out, they burned to death."

He furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry. It must be hard being an orphan, and without a home, you pretty much have nowhere to go. And working for gangs when you don't want to is also hard for a child like you."

I nodded my head as I replied to the boy, "At least you don't believe I'm a thief, because I'm not."

Kagura asked Gintoki and Shinpachi, "Can she stay here for now? She has nowhere to go."

Gintoki sighed once again, "I guess she could. But she can't stay here forever. She'll have to find somewhere else to live later, but for now, I'll let her stay here."

Kagura smiled, and said to me, "Did you hear that? Now you won't have to live in the streets."

I nodded my head, but didn't smile at her. She widened her blue eyes as she said, "Oh! I didn't get to introduce you to them!" Kagura turned her head to the boys, and introduced me to them, "Gin-Chan, Shinpachi-San, this is Sayiki."

I waved my hand at them slowly, but still didn't smile. Shinpachi, however, smiled and said, "Hello, Sayiki. It's nice to meet you."

"S-Same here," I replied quietly, feeling shy. I was still behind Kagura.

But the Yato told me, "Come on in the living room, Sayiki-Chan."

I looked up to the girl, and thought, At least she's not creepy like Knife.

I didn't say anything, but I walked around her body, and then stepped into the living room. I looked around, and saw a huge dog. I raised a brow, while thinking again, No, that can't be a dog. It may look like it, but it has weird looking eyebrows, plus it's too big to be a dog.

As the "dog" was resting its head on a table at one end of the living room, Kagura suddenly stood right next to me, and said, "That's Sadaharu, my pet. He's actually an inugami, but I treat him like a dog. He's my best friend, uh-huh!"

The creature yawned, and when it woke up, it stared into my eyes. He blinked, but pushed himself off of the table. Sadaharu walked towards me, and when he was close to me, he sniffed me. Seconds later, he sneezed briefly, and then whimpered a bit.

Kagura blinked, but realized, "I think Sadaharu 'smelled' your pain. In fact, you have those bruises all over your body. Hell, I can see a bruise on your right arm right now!"

I looked at my right arm, and saw the bruise Kagura was talking about. I lifted my arm up, and took a good look at the dark bruise. I bit my lower lip while saying, "It's a nasty bruise. Seems like it won't go away for a little bit."

Shinpachi looked at the bruise as well, but furrowed his brows. He asked suddenly, "Did those gang members...beat you up?"

I slowly nodded my head, and said truthfully, "Most of the time, I never get the job done for them. They would always make me do something for them, but when I can't do it, they either beat me up or they torture me. And I've felt worse pain than just being beat up."

Again, Shinpachi furrowed his brows at me. "I'm sorry, Sayiki-Chan. Well, you're more than welcome to stay here until we can figure out where you can really stay."

"Thank you," I quietly replied.

I sat on one of the couches, and then lied down. I suddenly felt water in my eyes. Kagura suggested, "Let's have Sayiki rest for now."

"Alright then," Gintoki replied. "We'll leave her alone. Guess we shouldn't tell any gangs where she is, huh?"

"No," She said. "She's had enough pain in her body. We should go to the store, and then make something for dinner."

Shinpachi said, agreeing with Kagura, "She's right. We don't have much food in the fridge, so that's a good idea."

"Okay, okay," Gintoki said dully. "We'll be back, Sayiki-San."

With that, the three of them put on their shoes, and headed out of the house. I was alone in this house for now. I clenched my fists on the couch as I felt a tear roll down my cheek. Actually, it dripped from my nose, down to the couch. I clenched my teeth slightly as I whispered to myself, "Why can't I smile? Kagura-Chan saved me from those bastards, so why can't I put a smile to my freaking face?!"

I buried my face into the couch as I curled my toes on my feet. I began to cry as I whispered again, only it was more of a whimper, "Mom...dad...I wish you were still alive..."

At least the "Death Killer" gang doesn't know where I am right now, unless they were going to find me.

Someday, I would like to kill them.

This will be a short story, but the chapters won't be short. Hehe. :D

So Sayiki's parents died in a fire incident, which is very sad. And what makes matters worse is that she's being physically harmed by gang members.

Knife's real name won't be revealed. And the reason why he's nicknamed that is because he has the weapon, a knife.

So I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of "Get Rid of Pain"! :)