Hello again or for the first time, Murayama Tsuru here. I present to you a New Year's oneshot…what? It's the end of January? Yeah…I know…but I didn't get to writing this until now. So, without further ado, here it is ^_^ I hope y'all enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama; it belongs to Sorachi Hideaki-Sensei.

His eyes opened slowly, looking up into a sky that was quite unfamiliar to him. After a moment, though, he began blinking rapidly as the sun shone brightly and harshly into his eyes. He groped around for his umbrella but found it wasn't there. He then remembered that he didn't need that large umbrella he once used so proudly anymore; his old enemy could no longer harm him after all.

But even still, the sun in his eyes was getting rather annoying so he put his hand in front of his face to block the light. And he blinked in surprise once again, his hand was translucent, so it didn't block out much of anything.

'What the hell?' he thought, how the hell had this happened? The sun must have done more damage than he thought while he'd been…oh, right. He'd died some time ago at the hands of the Hyakka leader and that silver-haired idiot. That only left one question in Hosen's mind now, 'What was he doing back in this world that he'd thought he'd left behind. What was so important that he'd been dragged out of eternal slumber?'

The old, buff ghost of a Yato sat up slowly and stretched, not feeling anything crack from disuse, but still enjoying the sensation of the movement anyway; it had been a long time since he'd used his muscles in any way at all, really.

Hosen then stood up and heard a surprised gasp. He turned in the direction of the noise, head cocked in confusion, why in the world would anyone come visit his grave? He never imagined he'd been very popular here on earth to warrant that kind of visit. But the scene before him melted away his confusion and replaced it with something akin to repulsion and fury.

Seeing Umibouzu at his grave was not all that surprising. The may have had opposing views and been on opposite sides in a battle, but that didn't mean they weren't…friends of a sort. But seeing the man's arms extending down to the area of his crotch and a liquid (that he couldn't smell being a ghost) issuing from approximately that same area made a very dark look cross over Hosen's features.

With a raised eyebrow and something darker than a scowl, Hosen said, "Ah, Umibouzu it's been a long time, hasn't it. Might I ask why you're…desecrating my grave?"

After a tense pause, Umibouzu looked down and a hand came up to smack his forehead in awkward embarrassment, "It's not what you think, Hosen. I was just pouring some Sake on your grave for the new year." The balding Yato then brought up the bottle of Sake as proof.

Eyebrow still raised, Hosen asked skeptically, Really now, is that so? But from my internal sensors, it seems to be the end of January. Don't you think you're a little late?"

"Tch," Umibouzu huffed, "that's not my fault. I was in space up until a few days ago. Also, the author didn't get around to writing this story 'til now. So don't blame me."

Hosen gave his former rival a look, but he decided not to make any more comment. Instead, the grey-haired Yato asked, "So, you decided to visit my grave, did you? What brought that on?"

Umibouzu pulled an annoyed face, "I was going to go visit my daughter, but none of them were at that house. So I decided to pay my respects while I wait for those three to return."

"Ah yes," Hosen said thoughtfully, "I do remember seeing someone who was probably related to you the day I died. So glad I'm your second choice my balding comrade."

The other Yato pulled another face and put his hand to his head self-consciously, "I'm not balding, my hair's just thinning. And how is it that you've returned from the dead? From what I've heard, you were satisfied when you died."

Hosen shrugged, "I've no idea what I'm doing back in this world. There isn't much that I can think of for me to do…" Hosen trailed off and tapped a finger on his chin thoughtfully.

"What is it? You find something to do, old rival?" Umibouzu asked after a moment, wanting to know what Hosen was thinking.

Hosen turned to his old, balding rival with a very uncharacteristic grin on his face that sent small shivers up Umibouzu's spine, "I believe I know what I came back here for after all."


Hinowa watched in silent mirth as Seita was rushing around packing his things into an already over-stuffed bag. He had been invited to Gin's house earlier that week, but the visit had been postponed until today for some reason. Seita didn't say anything in protest, but Hinowa could tell he was just a little disappointed. Had their silver-haired savior been there she would have given him a piece of her mind for making her adopted son sad. But since he wasn't, all she could do was send her negative thoughts his way.

Hinowa was brought out of her thoughts when Tsukuyo came banging through the door. The flaxen-haired Ninja looked at Hinowa and from the look on her face Hinowa could tell that she had something to say.

But before Tsukuyo could get even a word out of her mouth, Seita called out, "Tsukuyo-nee-chan, I'm almost ready to go to Gin-nii-chan's house. We can head out in just a minute,"

Tsukuyo's face softened as she responded, "Sure, I'm ready to go when you are."

A few minutes later, Seita appeared with his bag full to bursting. Hinowa chuckled lightly, and at Seita's questioning look the former courtesan said, "Are you sure you really need all that stuff? You're only staying overnight."

Seita gave Hinowa a withering look that only a son could give to her mother and get away with it, "Of course I need all this, Kaa-chan. Even though it's only overnight, all the stuff I'm bringing is absolutely necessary for staying with those three."

Hinowa chuckled again and said amiably, "I'm sure you'll need all of whatever's in there. I hope you have a good time. You'll tell me all about it tomorrow, won 't you?"

"Of course I'll tell you all about it, Kaa-chan." Seita grinned, "See you tomorrow!"

And with that, Seita and Tsukuyo left, Seita waving goodbye one more time and Tsukuyo saying, "I'll be back soon, Hinowa. Seita, on the way there we should go have lunch. I have a feeling that those three aren't going to be home at the moment." Tsukuyo continued waving until the door clacked shut. She then sat back in her wheelchair and sighed, it was going to be a boring few hours until Tsukuyo returned.

After a moment of wallowing, though, Hinowa heard something that made her jump; a voice that she never thought she'd hear again say, "I thought those two would never leave. That boy always seems to know how to piss me off, doesn't he."

Hinowa wheeled her chair around to see that man leaning against her wall, looking as smug as he always did.

"Been a long time, hasn't it, Hinowa?" he said nonchalantly, as if he were greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in a while, not the woman he'd locked away in that small, cage-like room.

Her eyes narrowed into a confused glare, "What are you doing here Hosen? I thought you were dead."

"Don't be so cold, my dear," the grey-haired Yato smirked, "I came back all the way from that world to see you. It's not every day you get to a visitor from beyond the grave, is it now?"

Hinowa sighed, "No, it's not every day I can see someone long dead. Again, what are you doing here?"

There was a slight pause and then Hosen said quietly, "I was wondering if you'd like to go for a New Year's Shrine visit with me."

Hinowa raised her eyebrows slightly, "But hasn't the time for Hatsumode long past?"

"Probably," Hosen shrugged, "But, there are some things that I need to say to you."

"Ah, I see. But why would you want to go anywhere with this wheelchair bound girl, I'm sure I won't be very good company." Hinowa teased, acquiescing to Hosen's request.

Hosen rolled his eye, realizing that Seita took after his mother in her ability to drive him absolutely crazy. Hosen didn't really remember what he said in response to her teasing, but soon, the two were out the door.


The walk to the shrine was relatively quiet, neither Hosen nor Hinowa said much to each other. After all, what do you say to the woman you were obsessed with or the man who held you captive for a long time.

The shrine visit was also fairly subdued. She showed him what people on earth usually did during Hatsumode, and he followed what she did. But despite the two not really talking to each other, they both felt a profound sense of satisfaction at their interaction. For him, just being able to be close to the woman he thought of as the sun without her trying to escape from his lingering gaze was enough. And for her, it was enough just to show the man who had essentially saved her from her father the sun that she loved so much.

And then, as the two were leaving the shrine, this guy stepped into their path, stopping their forward movement. Hosen's eyes narrowed slightly, this man seemed to be dead drunk in the middle of the day. Proving the Yato's suspicions, the man slurred derisively, "Well, aren't you two a cute couple. So even an old man can get a date when I can't?"

Hosen, not really wanting to deal with this drunk at the moment said boredly, "I am not her date, young man. If anything, I'm old enough to be her father. Don't insult either of us by insinuating that we are romantically linked."

The drunk huffed, "Yeah right. You can't fool me, I know a couple when I see one."

It was Hinowa who said responded to the drunk this time, "What makes you think we have that sort of relationship? You know nothing about us now, do you?"

The drunk, looking especially annoyed now, growled, "I can see the way you two look at each other. Why else would you come to a shrine at the end of January? The time for Hatsumode had long past after all!"

Hosen rolled his eyes, "You're mistaken. In your drunken state, you mistake regret for love. I am not in love with this woman. I once wanted to keep this sun of a woman all to myself. And now, after a long time in a cold grave, I have come to regret my foolish actions."

The drunk's eyes narrowed even further and he took an aggressive stance (Hosen was amazed that he could do such a thing, drunk as he was), "I don't believe you. I know love when I see it!" and then the man charged at the two.

Hosen, doing what he would normally do, tried to push Hinowa out of the way of the oncoming man. But, forgetting that he was a ghost, his hands just slid right through the wheelchair. Cursing colorfully, Hosen turned just in time for the man to pass right through him.

Once the man realized that he had gone straight through the "lovestruck" Yato, the man turned and paled, "Y-y-you're a g-g-ghost?" he stuttered

Hosen tsk'd, "Of course I'm a ghost. You probably would have noticed that if you weren't so drunk."

The drunk paled even more before vomiting up the contents of his stomach. He then turned around as fast as he could and ran muttering, "That's the last time I drink that much ever again…"

Hosen watched the drunk run off with a bland look on his face. Once the man was out of sight, he turned to back to Hinowa who was looking at him with an amused look on her face. "What is it you find so funny?" Hosen asked after Hinowa continued looking at him without saying anything.

Hinowa smiled prettily, "It's just, I never thought I'd ever you apologize for anything. I think you once said something about being too old to change your ways?"

"Humph," Hosen looked away from the grinning Hinowa, a light blush dusting his cheeks, "I never said any such thing. Besides, I'm a new ghost so that logic doesn't apply."

Hinowa laughed aloud, her smile growing wider, "Who knew you were able to make jokes like that!"

"Tch," Hosen's blush deepened just slightly, "I've always been able to make jokes; you just never wanted to listen to any of them."

Hinowa fixed Hosen with a stern look then, "You know why I didn't listen to any jokes you made back then."

Hosen sighed, "I know…and I'm…" he trailed off like the next work was hard for him to get out, "…sorry." He finally said.

Hinowa smiled gently again, "You really are a foolish man. I already knew you were sorry for what you did. Shall we head back?"

Hosen shook his head after a moment, "There's one more thing I want to do."

The two returned to Hosen's grave and Hinowa got out of her wheelchair and sat down on the ground. Hosen then, looking suddenly very tired, lay down, his head pillowed on her lap. The two just looked at each other, knowing that this would probably be the last time they'd ever see each other.

Suddenly, Hinowa's eyes filled with tears and Hosen's fading hand came up to rest on her cheek. He shook his slightly, and said, "No, Hinowa, that's not the last image I want to see of you. Give me a smile, won't you?"

She nodded and smiled weakly, the lump in her throat making it hard for her to do as the old Yato asked. Hosen clicked his tongue, "I know you can do better than that. C'mon, try a little harder won't you? This is probably my last moment here in this world after all."

Hinowa chuckled and swallowed the lump away, giving the old Yato a dazzling smile. Hosen's features widened into a grin as well, "That'a girl." He said gently as he faded away completely. A tear dropped onto Hinowa's lap where Hosen had been previously. The former courtesan who was unable to smile anymore, began to cry freely now that he had left her again.


When Hinowa returned to her house in Yoshiwara, Tsukuyo was waiting at the door, looking slightly worried. "Where have you been?" she demanded as soon as Hinowa closed the door.

The black haired former courtesan smiled slightly sadly, "A friend came to visit when you were out with Seita."

"Ah," said Tsukuyo, "I hope you had a good time."

Hinowa nodded, "I had a very good time. I hadn't seen this friend in a long time."

Tsukuyo nodded and then, suddenly, she tapped her fist on her palm in sudden remembrance, "Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. Earlier today I saw Gintoki in Yoshiwara. You'll never guess who he was with."

"Oh?" Hinowa asked curiously, "Who was it?"

"It was that Abuto guy that Kagura had to fight when she was here. And for some reason he was cursed into a female form."

"Ah," Hinowa nodded, "I guess we now know why they had to postpone plans with Seita."

And that is the end ^_^. I hope you guys enjoyed. I know it's late, but I've had this idea since the beginning of January…I just didn't have the motivation to write it until now…well anyway, this story will probably be similar to the series of Christmas oneshots. Meaning that that this series will be updated during random holidays. Well, that's it for now. As always, if you'd like, please review, I always love to know what you guys think. See you next time, then.

-Murayama Tsuru