Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama or its characters, Sorachi Hideaki does. I only own this story.

Chapter 1 – Double dates are a good idea on paper

Kagura was strolling down the Kabukicho's streets, purple umbrella swinging nicely with the rhythm of her step. She had agreed to meet up with her best friend Tokugawa Soyo. Kagura was making her way to the palace with a pack of sukonbus as a snack for the trip.

Kagura, almost 17 years old had developed physically quite a bit, but mentally...well let's just say she was getting there. Kagura had gotten taller, even her vermillion hair was longer, but she still kept it under those signature hair ornaments. Red was her favourite colour and most of her cheongsams were playing with different shades of the colour of love.

In three short years, another person had grown up quite nicely as well. The straight man of the Yorozuya, Shimura Shinpachi had upgraded from a cinnamon bun into a dashing cinnamon man. Yes, it had taken Shinpachi three years to take full advantage of the saint spiritual power of puberty.

Shinpachi knew he had grown up, he just didn't know how to use this new manliness of his to its full extent. After all, Shinpachi was a simple man, he took care of the Yorozuya shop and his lazy co-workers. He had breakfasts with his sister and lived his regular life like he always had before. Of course, his duty as the Otsu's fan club leader he treated like he was the commander of the survey corps charging troops into the battlefield.

Lucky for him, he had caught someone's eye. On her 17th birthday, Princess Soyo had collected all of her courage and she wanted to make her move. Soyo had developed a little crush on Shinpachi and she had decided to tell him how she felt about him.

It was truly a glorious day, when princess Soyo marched into the Yorozuya shop with her bodyguard. Kagura was out with Sadaharu at the moment and she wasn't there to witness the moment.

Shinpachi welcomed the princess inside and even Gintoki sat up straight on the couch. Before Shinpachi had the time to ask about her visit to their humble shop, the princess dropped the bomb. Soyo asked Shinpachi out on a date with the sweetest smile there ever could be.

After Soyo's unexpected words Shinpachi's mind went blank, his ears couldn't see, his nose couldn't taste. Later, Shinpachi called it an out-of-glasses experience. The gorilla slid from behind the scenes to hang an out-of-order sign over Shinpachi's neck, then he returned to his corner to write another apology letter. Gintoki fell off the couch with a loud "NANI", because of course he did. After a moment of smiling and waiting for an answer, Soyo got a little worried of the silence.

Gintoki was still shocked about the situation, but he managed to see Soyo's smile dropping a bit. Gintoki didn't want to watch Shinpachi's change to date someone (in this case a freaking princess), so he picked himself up from the floor. The glasses known as Shinpachi were hovering around the apartment, aimlessly wandering all over the place.

Gintoki said something to reassure the princess and snatched the glasses. He smashed the glasses to their rightful place and ripped the sign of Shinpachi's neck. Gintoki slapped Shinpachi and called his name loudly ("Patsuan!") and it woke him right up.

Shinpachi had a really hard time believing what he had just heard. Then, the following conversation happened:

Shinpachi scratched his neck and slowly let his eyes climb up to meet with Soyo's green ones. "Uh, Soyo-hime. Sorry if I'm being rude, but are you serious?"

Soyo's smile lit up again. "Of course I am, actually I've wanted to ask you on a date for a while now Shinpachi-san."

Gintoki had given the two young ones some space, but he couldn't resist on eaves dropping just a little bit. He felt so happy for Shinpachi, like a proud father should feel.

"Really? I'm so honored hime-sama," Shinpachi said and smiled widely with a light tint of pink appearing on his cheeks. The more he smiled, the more it made Soyo smile.

Soyo took a step closer to Shinpachi and he thought his virgin heart would burst out of his chest. "Well Shinpachi-san, do you want to go on a date with me?"

"OF COURSE I WILL!" Shinpachi shouted, he couldn't quite contain his excitement. Gintoki face palmed himself and Soyo giggled sweetly.

"I'm glad," Soyo said. "Come to the palace tomorrow at noon Shinpachi-san."

Soyo turned around and her bodyguard opened her the front door. "See you tomorrow then hime-sama," Shinpachi said with a smile. He could still feel his erratic heartbeat. Well, no-one could blame Shinpachi for feeling a little flustered and shocked, it's not an everyday thing to get a date invitation from a beautiful girl.

Soyo was already at the door frame, but she glanced gracefully behind her shoulder. "You can call me Soyo-chan," she giggled and left the shop.

Gintoki was sitting in the living-room, waiting for Shinpachi to come back from the entrance way. Neither said anything before Shinpachi slumped on the other couch. He slowly blinked his eyes a few times. "Gin-san?"

"What is it Patsuan?"

"What just happened?"

Gintoki placed his hands behind his head. "Well Pachi-kun, you just got yourself a date."

"I guess I did." Shinpachi had always liked Soyo as a person and admired her grace, but never in a million years did this kind of scenario ran through his mind.

"Are you nervous?" Gintoki asked.

"Well, yeah."

"Oh Pachi-kun," Gintoki said. "Don't worry, Gin-san will teach you how to woo a lady."

Shinpachi leaned closer to Gintoki with a classic Shimura smile on his face. "Gin-san, please don't."

Long story short, Shinpachi and Soyo went on to their date. Then there was a second date, a third date, and so on. To put it simply, they were together now. Shimura Shinpachi had managed to get a wonderful girlfriend *insert choir and trumpets.

Soyo had told Kagura about her feelings before she asked Shinpachi out. Soyo wasn't sure how Kagura would see the situation, but as one could guess, she was fine with it. Shinpachi was like a brother to her and Soyo was her best friend, Kagura was simply happy for them.

When Soyo had sent an invitation to Kagura, she really had hoped it would be just the two of them spending tine. As much as Kagura was happy for Soyo and Shinpachi, it was a painful experience to be the third wheel. Actually Kagura was pretty sure that Shinpachi wouldn't be joining them today as him and Gintoki were on a job.

As the palace was on her sight Kagura could already taste all the different kind of delicacies Soyo usually offered her in there. They even had a special sukonbu cake and it was almost too good to be true.

Kagura entered the palace and she was guided to Soyo's room. Almost all of the guards already knew Kagura, she wasn't the easily forgettable type anyway. The second Kagura entered Soyo's room she smelled all the delicious food. ("Thank you Soyo-chan")

After a brief hug Kagura and Soyo sat down to eat. They talked about the usual stuff like their daily lives and some girly stuff. Kagura shoved three cupcakes into her mouth and Soyo approved with a smile. This time, behind her smile, Soyo had a special reason for inviting Kagura over.

"Kagura-chan?"

"Mmmmmm?" Kagura munched.

"You know it's your birthday tomorrow, right?"

"Mmmmhhmmmm-aru"

"I want to do something special with you."

"Like what?" Kagura asked after finally emptying her mouth.

Soyo's eyes sparkled and Kagura knew it would be very hard to decline her. "I would like for us to go on a double date tomorrow!"

"Huh? Aren't double dates for couples? Four people, yes?"

"Yes."

Kagura scratched her head. "But I'm not a couple?"

"Oh Kagura-chan, don't worry. I have found you a very special date," Soyo explained.

Kagura didn't know how to feel about going on a date with a stranger. "Uh...I don't know."

Soyo had predicted that Kagura might be a little hesitant, so she had a backup plan. "You can pick the restaurant and he'll pay for your dinner, like a gentleman should."

Her suggestion was tempting. There was that one all you can eat buffet that Kagura had dreamed for so long. It was just so damn expensive. Now, here on a silver platter was her golden ticket to go there. I mean, it didn't sound so bad to go on a fancy date with some nice guy.

Kagura took herself a piece of cake and turned back to Soyo. "Who is this so-called gentleman-aru?"

For a micro second Soyo had a sort of mischievous smile, Kagura could swear she saw it. "Don't worry! He is a fine young man, a very handsome one too," Soyo said.

"Uh-huh, is he rich too?"

Soyo giggled. "Oh, Kagura-chan. You'll love him," Soyo assured with a smile. Then she looked straight into Kagura's soul an added: "I'm sure of it."

Well why not, Kagura thought to herself. "I want to go to the Golden Piggy Buffet-aru."

"Perfect! It's going to be so great!" Soyo said. "I'll book us a table for tomorrow."

"But uh, Soyo-chan?" Kagura asked, voice a bit lower than usual. "I don't have anything so fancy to wear."

"Oh Kagura-chan! I'll help you. You're going to look so beautiful!"

With those words, Kagura felt almost excited for the double date. She hadn't been on a date before, like a real date. That fiasco with the giant, she didn't count that as a date. It was more like a scam. This would be a different kind of birthday celebration. Who knows, maybe that mystery man will be as nice as Soyo described, Kagura thought and sucked a strip of sukonbu into her mouth.

The very next day, Kagura and Soyo were getting ready in the palace. Soyo made sure that Kagura would get the same treatment as she herself got, a princess edition. Soyo had chosen a green kimono to match her eyes and a golden diadem. Her hair was done in one big braid and she had a golden ribbon at the end of it.

Soyo was twirling in front of a mirror, waiting for Kagura to come. "Soyo-chan?"

Soyo lifted her head and saw Kagura through the mirror. "Oh Kagura-chan! You look beautiful!"

"Really?"

"Yes silly, come and see for yourself!" Soyo said and walked to Kagura. She pushed the Yato to stand in front of the mirror. "Now look at that."

Kagura's hair was loose and wild and it framed her face perfectly. She had a short (thigh length) white cheongsam with red piping. The white clothing made her hair and pink lips really stand out. Soyo had even borrowed her red heels. The shoes weren't that high-heeled, but the way her posture changed with them was something else. Her chest was pushed out and her legs looked longer than ever before.

Soyo observed as Kagura admired her reflection carefully. She saw her confidence slowly building up and Soyo couldn't help but to smile. "Well?"

"Well I look damn good! My date is so lucky, uh-huh!"

"That's the Kagura-chan I know," Soyo cheered. "Now that we both are ready, we should get going. Our dates are waiting at the Golden Piggy."

Kagura flicked her hair a little, testing out her sassy side and finding it to be very funny. "Let's go then-aru."

Soyo and Kagura's car stopped near the entrance of the restaurant. Their driver came to open the door and Soyo was the first one out. "Shin-chan!" she chirped outside of the car. Megane must be out there, Kagura thought as she began to wiggle herself out of the car.

Kagura exited the car and straightened her dangerously short dress. She saw Soyo and Shinpachi standing in front of her, hugging like they always did. "Ah, Kagura-chan! Happy birthday!" Shinpachi said.

"Thanks Patsuan!"

"You look really beautiful tonight," Shinpachi said and turned to whisper something into Soyo's ear. "You're such a good friend." No matter how quietly Shinpachi said it, Kagura could hear him. She rolled her eyes quickly and smiled.

"So, Soyo-chan? Where's my lucky fellow-aru?"

"He's at the entrance, right there behind you," Soyo informed and pointed to his direction.

Kagura turned around to greet the man with a smile, but that smile dropped as fast as it had rose up. Right in front of her eyes was her date. He was wearing a green shirt and a dark grey hakama. She could recognize that brown hair, those red eyes, that deadpan facial expression anywhere. "Yo."

"WHAT?" Kagura shouted and turned to Soyo and Shinpachi. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Well he is your date Kagura-chan," Soyo said, knowing exactly why Kagura was asking her question. Okita Sougo of the Shinsengumi, Kagura's long time pain in the ass, wouldn't probably be her first choice to be her date. "I thought it would be better for your date to be someone you know."

Soyo and Shinpachi made their way to the front door of the restaurant. "Come on Kagura-chan! Soyo-chan has arranged all of this for us," Shinpachi said, voice annoyingly defensive for his girlfriend.

"But he's a rude idiot, I don't want to go on a date with him!" Kagura shouted after the happy couple, but she couldn't get an answer.

"Oi oi, now who's being rude?" Sougo asked, his voice drawing Kagura's attention. "You've hurt a police officer's feelings, do you want me to arrest-"

Kagura shut Sougo up with her elevated arm. "Just shut up sadist," she said and lowered her arm. "My night is already ruined so if you annoy me even a little bit tonight, I'm going to kick your ass, 'kay?"

Sougo listened to Kagura's every word carefully, then he chuckled a little. "What's so funny bastard?"

"Well China, I know how much you like games, so I have a proposition for you", Sougo said with a smirk. "With a little bet, maybe your night wouldn't be completely ruined, ne?"

Kagura crossed her arms and stared at Sougo for a moment. "I'm listening-aru."

"Perfect. What do you say if we both try our best to behave this evening. First one to lose their temper or ditch the date, loses."

Kagura huffed arrogantly. "And what's the prize when I win?"

"Well I was thinking about our usual wager, what do you say China?"

"The loser has to be the winner's slave for a day, yes? That's fine-aru."

Sougo offered his hand for Kagura. "Prepare to lose, my lady."

Kagura took his hand and shook it. "Watch me win, dear der."

"It's 'sir' China."

"Whatever!" she huffed.

As the handshake ended Kagura saw how Sougo's eyes dropped down to her dress. His eyes travelled even further down to her legs. Kagura smirked and threw a bold question for Sougo. "Like what you see Sadist?"

Sougo's eyes connected back to hers. "Well you aren't a total eyesore tonight China."

She wasn't expecting him to answer like that, he even seemed to be honest about it. "Oh," Kagura said and slid her hand under her hair to rest on her neck. "Thanks," she said quietly.

"Aren't you going to say anything nice to me China?" Sougo asked and motioned his hands around him like he was showcasing himself.

Kagura looked at his crimson eyes, they always had a certain fire behind them. Yes, Sougo was infamous for his deadpanned demeanor, but for some reason, every time Sougo looked at her, his eyes lit up. It was the same thing when they fought, he had that same fire in his eyes. Kagura had figured that he saw her as a sparring partner and nothing more, maybe she reminded him of the rush of a battle.

Sougo had grown up too in these three years as any young man would. He was taller, his jaw was sharper, he was very handsome (just like Soyo had described), even Kagura couldn't completely deny that fact. "I guess you aren't so bad yourself, yes."

Sougo smirked and took a step closer to Kagura. She felt her heartbeat getting a little faster, then again, it wasn't the first time Kagura had felt this way. During their sparring her heartbeat was always rapid. But they weren't fighting right now, so it was really weird. Sougo poked Kagura's nose with his finger. "I knew it China. You've always liked me."

Kagura gasped a little and slapped his finger away. "No I don't! You're such an-"

"China." Sougo stopped Kagura before she exploded on him. "China, remember our little bet. Don't make this so easy for me."

"Hmph." Kagura crossed her arms again and pouted her lips. Damn him, she thought. Sougo offered his arm for the suspicious Kagura. "Do you want me to break that...or what is this?"

"Of course not. I want you to take my arm."

"You want me to rip it off?"

Sougo sighed. "No..." He kept his voice a bit gentler than normal. "I want you to take my arm, because we are on a date you know."

Kagura was a little hesitant. Did he really want her to latch on to his arm like they were a real couple on a real date. Sougo stepped closer to Kagura and offered his arm again. Slowly, she slid her right hand around his bicep. The other she rested near the bend of his arm.

It felt really weird to be this close to Sougo, but secretly Kagura thought it wasn't a bad kind of weird, but there was no way in hell she would tell him that. Before Sougo and Kagura entered the restaurant, he looked like he had something to say.

Kagura glanced at him. "Are you already giving up Sadist?"

Sougo shook his head and smirked. "No, I just want to say one thing before we go in."

Kagura accidentally gripped Sougo's arm a bit tighter. It was like she got a little nervous of what ever he was about to say. "Spit it out then, yes."

"The bet starts when we enter the restaurant, correct?"

"Uh-huh."

"Mmh...China?"

Sougo turned his head to Kagura and their eyes locked. The evening sky had a great effect on that bastard, Kagura thought out of nowhere. "Yeah?"

"I just want to say that couldn't have chosen a more fitting restaurant...miss piggy."

Kagura's nails gnawed into Sougo's shirt. She gritted her teeth and felt furious as a shit-eating grin appeared on his face. "You are such an asshole! I'm not going in with you! You-"

"Oh, are you giving up that easily?" Sougo teased. "I'm sort of disappointed China."

He sure knew how to pull her strings. "Dammit", Kagura mumbled to herself.

Kagura hadn't let go of Sougo's arm, her hold of him had only gotten firmer. Sougo stared at Kagura, who was still trying to make up her mind. "Come on! I'm getting hungry," he said. "Think of all the food you're going to get China," he added. Then with only a quiet whisper, he pointed out the most important part. "...for free..."

It seemed he was persuading her to come in, does he really want to go on this double date or is he planning for something evil, Kagura asked herself. Again, with the mentioning of food, he really knew how to pull her strings.

"Are you guys coming?" Soyo asked from the entrance. She had wondered if the two rivals had already began another death match as they didn't follow her and Shinpachi into the restaurant. Soyo saw their close position and she tried her best to act natural for Kagura's sakes.

"Yeah, we're coming-aru!" Kagura said and swinged her loose hair a little from side to side. Her small and innocent motion didn't go unnoticed by Sougo. Soyo saw how he looked at her, he was good at hiding those almost longing looks, but Soyo's eyes were sharper.

Without wasting any more of precious buffet time, Sougo and Kagura followed the princess inside and the date could finally begin. Kagura wasn't sure was this a great way or the worst possible way to celebrate her 17th birthday.

Author's note: This was supposed to be a long one-shot, BUT life happened and my work ate all my damn time. Oh well, now this fic is going to be in two parts...maybe more...who knows. Anyway, thanks for reading! Stay tuned!